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Splice blog
New and noteworthy
Win an MPC Keys 37 and more with our AKAI community challenge
Create an original track inspired by the MPC's rich legacy for the chance to win an MPC Keys 37 from AKAI.
What is shoegaze? History, bands, and key characteristics
Learn about the origins, key characteristics, and iconic bands of shoegaze music, in addition to how you can make your own music in the genre.
What is blues music? History, characteristics, and impact
Learn about the unique history of blues music, its key characteristics, influence on other genres, and more.
What is jazz music? History, characteristics, and instruments
Learn about the deep history of jazz music, its subgenres, key characteristics, signature instruments, and more.
7 free plugins and VSTs for making beats
Expert producer Isaac Duarte showcases seven free plugins and VSTs for making professional-sounding beats.
How to mix music: An in-depth guide to audio mixing
Learn how to mix music with this beginner-friendly guide covering the essential steps, tools, and techniques.
How to chop samples like a pro
Expert producer vvundertone breaks down the art of sample chopping, covering everything from sound design to the joys of using analog hardware.
How Oliver (Kim Petras, Chromeo) makes his signature drum loops
Oliver (Kim Petras, Chromeo) opens up his Ableton Live session to give us an exclusive inside look into how he makes his signature drum loops.
Latest obsessions
Start recording in Splice Mobile
With Splice Mic, you can instantly test and record ideas, explore genres, and unlock new creative possibilities, all from the Splice mobile app.
How to make music: Create your own music in 6 steps
Learn the ins-and-outs of how to make music in this complete guide to music production, from picking a DAW to composing, mixing, and mastering your work.
The best free plugins for music production in 2025
Let's explore 18 must-try free plugins for music production that can elevate your tracks without denting your budget.
What is shoegaze? History, bands, and key characteristics
Learn about the origins, key characteristics, and iconic bands of shoegaze music, in addition to how you can make your own music in the genre.
What is blues music? History, characteristics, and impact
Learn about the unique history of blues music, its key characteristics, influence on other genres, and more.
What is jazz music? History, characteristics, and instruments
Learn about the deep history of jazz music, its subgenres, key characteristics, signature instruments, and more.
7 free plugins and VSTs for making beats
Expert producer Isaac Duarte showcases seven free plugins and VSTs for making professional-sounding beats.
How to mix music: An in-depth guide to audio mixing
Learn how to mix music with this beginner-friendly guide covering the essential steps, tools, and techniques.
How to chop samples like a pro
Expert producer vvundertone breaks down the art of sample chopping, covering everything from sound design to the joys of using analog hardware.
How Oliver (Kim Petras, Chromeo) makes his signature drum loops
Oliver (Kim Petras, Chromeo) opens up his Ableton Live session to give us an exclusive inside look into how he makes his signature drum loops.
Reverse reverb: What it is and how to use it
Learn about what reverse reverb is and see how you can apply it to your own vocals (or any other sound of your choice).
The best free plugins for music production in 2025
Let's explore 18 must-try free plugins for music production that can elevate your tracks without denting your budget.
The 3 levels of sound design (free presets included)
We walk through the three levels of sound design, the techniques that comprise them, and how to apply them to your own productions.
Ableton Live Lite: How to get started (free project file included)
From key commands to creative production techniques, this guide to Ableton Live Lite contains everything you need to know to get started with the DAW.
11 sad chord progressions you need to know (free MIDI files included)
We analyze 11 sad chord progressions and some songs they're used in to identify what makes them so effective at tugging at our heartstrings.
20 music production tips in under 15 minutes (free template included)
Whether it's beat making techniques or mixing tips, you can take these 20 ideas and immediately apply them to your own music, regardless of your genre or style.
The 10 best free mixing plugins you need for your music
From EQs to multi-effects units, here are ten free mixing plugins that you can try out today to expand your creative horizons.
Unlock music theory in 15 minutes (free MIDI files included)
Knowing even just a little bit of music theory can go a long way in improving your productions—in this video, we unlock the fundamentals of theory in just 15 minutes.
How to make progressive house music (free project file included)
Acclaimed dance music producer John Grand sat down with us to showcase how to make progressive house music from scratch.
Audio cable types: A complete guide (with pictures)
Learn about common audio cable types spanning TS, TRS, XLR, MIDI, USB, and more, and how you can use them effectively when making music.
Microphone polar patterns: What they are and common types
We explore the most common microphone polar patterns and discuss how they can shape your recordings.
How to create the perfect sample: 5 tips and techniques
2x GRAMMY-nominated music producer John Smythe breaks down the process for how he creates a perfect sample, from ideation to completion.
Breaking down Nashville country music with Kate Malone and Devin Malone
Kate Malone (Sam Hunt, Emma White) and Devin Malone (Jelly Roll, Keith Urban) discuss the ever-evolving sound of Nashville country music.
Amp simulator plugins: A guide to the best amp sims for guitar
We explore what guitar amp simulator plugins are, how they sound, their pros and cons, and some of the best amp sims out there today.
Sampling the sound of climate action with Madame Gandhi
Madame Gandhi discusses the process of creating samples using field recordings from Antartica, as well as the intersection between music and environmentalism.
Tips on making samples from the Soul Surplus team
Soul Surplus share some tips on sample pack creation from their recent studio takeover at Drexel University.
What is a patchbay (and how does it work)?
Let's explore what a patchbay is, its most common configurations, and why you might want to consider incorporating one into your workflow.
Oliver talks production tips, sample placements, and what’s to come
Oliver discusses his tips for producers, hearing his sounds on tracks from BLACKPINK and Chappell Roan, his new sample pack, and more.
Mike Shinoda on crafting Meteora, songwriting, and the art of vocal production
We sat down with Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park, Fort Minor) to discuss the creative process behind Meteora, how it informs his trajectory for the music he's releasing today, his advice for budding music creators, and more.
The Pocket Queen on drum production, social media, and collaboration
The Pocket Queen (Beyoncé, Doja Cat) sat down with us to discuss drum production, finding long-term success on social media, and more.
Sleep Deez (BTS, Eric Bellinger) on the importance of connecting with fans and giving back
GRAMMY-nominated producer Sleep Deez (BTS, Eric Bellinger) reflects on his musical journey and discusses the importance of connecting with fans.
Common on the state of hip hop
Hip hop legend Common sat down with us to discuss his beginnings, his new album, where the genre is headed, and more.
Behind the sample in Pokémon’s “Pikkaan!”: A conversation with Petal Supply
Petal Supply breaks down how her sample heard in Pokémon's ending theme "Pikkaan!" was made and shares her top tips for budding producers.
How loud should you master your music?
Learn about the most important factors that go into answering the age-old question of how loud you should master your music.
How to prepare your mix for mastering: 5 essential tips
From leaving headroom to best practices for exporting, here are five essential tips that will help you prepare your mix for mastering.
Exporting your song: The best settings for bouncing audio explained
Learn about sample rate, bit depth, dithering, and the various other parameters you might come across when exporting your song from the DAW.
What is dithering in audio? When to dither and how it works
Learn how dithering can help enhance the sound of your digital audio, despite the fact that it adds noise to the waveform.
What are inter-sample peaks and true peaks?
Learn about what inter-sample peaks / true peaks are, why and where they occur, and to what extent you should pay attention to them when creating music.
Make learning a habit with our top tips and tutorials on music production
We’ve compiled some of our most popular articles and videos across the realm of music creation to help you get back in that groove.
5 mastering myths you’ve believed this whole time
We discuss five common mastering myths you may have heard before, and shed light on the reality that lies behind each of them.
Expert engineers demystify the mastering process
We spoke with three industry professionals to learn abou how, when, and why you should work with a mastering engineer.
Botanica music: What it is and how to make it
Learn about the world of botanica music alongside expert producer and songwriter Michael Bruner, who overviews music theory concepts, production techniques, and more.
How to make disco music: An in-depth guide with Jafunk
Learn how to make disco music alongside expert producer and DJ Jafunk, who overviews key instruments, music theory concepts, plugins, and more.
The diminished chord: What it is and how to use them
Learn about what a diminished chord is and how to use half-diminished seventh chords, diminished seventh chords, and triads in your music.
What is rhythm in music: An introduction to beats, meters, and tempo
Rhythm is arguably the most fundamental element of music—in this in-depth guide, learn about the basics of how to read and create your own rhythms.
The music of Naruto: Analyzing the harmony of KANA-BOON’s “Silhouette”
We highlight a few unique chords and progressions heard in KANA-BOON's "Silhouette," the track that served as the sixteenth opening for Naruto Shippuden.
11 sad chord progressions you need to know (free MIDI files included)
We analyze 11 sad chord progressions and some songs they're used in to identify what makes them so effective at tugging at our heartstrings.
How to find vocal harmonies: A step-by-step guide
Explore the qualities that make a vocal harmony effective and learn how to write your own harmonies from scratch.
10 music education YouTube channels you need to subscribe to
We've compiled ten YouTube channels that are committed to helping people learn more about music, and do a great job at doing just that.
Win an MPC Keys 37 and more with our AKAI community challenge
Create an original track inspired by the MPC's rich legacy for the chance to win an MPC Keys 37 from AKAI.
Supercharging creativity: Splice acquires Spitfire Audio
Splice and Spitfire Audio are now under one roof—two pioneers in music creation are joining forces to build the future.
Vote for the Splice blog in the 29th Annual Webby Awards
For the 29th Annual Webby Awards, we're happy to share that the Splice blog has been nominated for the "Websites and Mobile Sites - Music" category.
Win $3,000 and get heard by Just Blaze via our beat battle with Sound Collective
Enter our beat battle with Sound Collective to win cash prizes and have the opportunity to be heard by the one-and-only Just Blaze.
Start recording in Splice Mobile
With Splice Mic, you can instantly test and record ideas, explore genres, and unlock new creative possibilities, all from the Splice mobile app.
Splice unveils the genre trends that will shape the sounds of 2025
In a new report, MIDiA Research explores how the Splice trends of 2024 will help define the musical landscape of the year ahead.
Splice in 2024: New sounds, mobile recording, and AI-powered creativity
As we look towards 2025, Splice remains committed to helping you explore new artistic directions, find your signature sound, and bring your ideas to life faster and more completely.
Win $1,000, a high-profile cypher placement, and a trip to Paris via our beat battle with SNIPES Soundbooth
We're partnering with SNIPES to find the soundtrack for the next 'Exchange' cypher.