We all know the struggle: no inspiration! Or maybe even worse: plenty of inspiration, but no idea how to turn it into a solid result. Since version 12, Ableton Live has included a brilliant set of tools to help with exactly that. In Ableton Live they’re called MIDI Generative tools and MIDI Transformation tools.

Finding a good, interesting, fun or distinctive subject for song lyrics always takes time and energy. Not only because the subject needs to be ‘describable’ and singable, but also because you’ll eventually need a complete set of lyrics on paper — not just a promising first line.

Do you ever do studio recordings? Then you’ll know: once tracking is done, the real work begins. Painstaking work, to be precise. At Lewitt, they’ve found a way to make that heavy lifting a whole lot lighter. And no, not with a plugin. Discover the magic of the Lewitt RAY.

In his previous article, guest blogger and songwriting teacher Lex Hakker explained how to get your first ideas for lyrics down on paper. Now it’s time to give the text more structure. We’ll be working on the build-up of your ‘story’. We’ll cover perspective, verse, chorus, prep/pre-chorus and contrast/bridge.

A melodica looks like a mini piano, but you have to blow into it to get any sound. It’s easy to take with you, simple to learn, yet versatile enough to earn a place in all sorts of styles — from reggae to jazz. Let’s take a closer look at this unusual instrument, where it came from, and how it’s used today.

You’ve been DJing at home every evening for a year on the DJ controller you bought from Bax Music. And then, suddenly, the question comes up: “Will you DJ at our party?” Even more exciting: they expect you to provide the sound and lighting yourself. Uh-oh… what kind of setup do you need, and how do you prepare? Luckily, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Bax Music points you in the right direction with 7 golden rules for the beginner mobile DJ.

You play live shows or mix music in a studio. And your big wish is for your speakers to sound deeper: more bass! So now you reckon it’s time for a subwoofer (or two). Not a bad idea. Only… how do you connect one? We’ll explain.

If you ask (home) studio owners what their most important tools are, there’s often one element missing from their list: the studio room itself — and its acoustics in particular. That’s a shame, because acoustics can be the difference between a production that sounds professional and one that doesn’t.

What do others think of me? What if I sing out of tune? With performance-focused hobbies like singing, we tend to put all our focus on how well we’re doing, says guest blogger and VocalFeedback coach Nandy Mannaert. But fixating on perfection leads to tension. And it holds back your progress and your enjoyment of singing, says Nandy.

“It’s completely human to feel nervous before a performance,” says guest blogger and VocalFeedback coach Nandy Mannaert. She works with many singers who feel insecure about their voice. They struggle with nerves, self-criticism and the fear of failing in front of an audience. In the Bax Music blog series ‘Singing with Confidence’, Nandy explains this time how creating an alter ego helps you sing with confidence.

When organising an outdoor event or festival, the weather forecast is always the wildcard. Especially in the UK, a bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Since standard moving heads aren’t designed to handle moisture, outdoor solutions used to be limited to rain covers or inflatable rain domes. But that’s all about to change. Space, time and money Entertainment lighting technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and we’re seeing fixtures with built-in IP65 protection ratings take over the market. And for good reason: they make covers and domes completely redundant. This is great news for lighting techs and rental companies, as those bulky covers and domes take up a lot of precious loading and transport space in the truck. You’re also faced with the choice of whether to buy these specific accessories for just a few outdoor gigs a year or rent them every […]

The secret to making an impressive music video that delivers the impact you want always lies in a good script. While you definitely want to take up all the creative space while writing your script, it’s best not to go too crazy, because an overcomplicated and overambitious script can result in an overblown budget. So how do you write a script that won’t break the bank but still brings the vibe?