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Software-based instruments like VSTs and samplers offer modern producers access to an expansive range of sounds. However, this digital flexibility can lead to endless tweaking and the loss of the human touch that traditional instruments provide. AFFKT bridges this gap by recording himself in real-time as he automates and manipulates high-power samplers like Kontakt. This interview covers everything you need to know about his workflow, the benefits for producers, and how to maintain authenticity with VST-based samplers. AFFKT also shares high-level production tips to help you find your original sound and mix cleanly. Jump to these sections: Prepping vs. in-the-moment tweaking Benefits of recordings and sampling Advice on resampling...

Ten years is a long time in the world of electronic music, and Astropolis Records is marking the milestone with something truly unforgettable: ‘Into The Void’, a new single from Belaria and Madben. This track embodies the label’s journey and future direction, serving as a sonic reflection of its history and ambitions. Released as part of the 10 ans révolus compilation, it highlights the evolution of this scene, showcasing two artists at the peak of their craft leading the way. Belaria delivers her signature grit, an 80s-inspired EBM and techno sound sharpened through residencies at Le Badaboum and Rinse France. Madben, a techno master whose work channels Detroit’s pioneers, commands stages from Berghain to Awakenings, with his...

On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the fellas are joined by record producer, DJ, and record executive, New Jersey house legend @JuniorSanchez. Junior discusses the close connection between hip hop and house music, a bond that’s not as strong today (04:00), and how homophobia in hip hop contributed to the separation of the scenes (06:10). He also shares his journey into DJing (15:10) and his graffiti background (25:01). Junior highlights his time with @ArmandVanHelden (33:01) and speaks about his experiences traveling the world (1:01:10). The conversation touches on the success of dance DJs like @ErickMorillo (1:25:45) and the rise of dance/EDM DJs (1:26:00). Junior also discusses the advice he gave to @madonna (1:47:01) and the...

Flavor of the Month serves up a fresh batch of exclusive DJ edits, remixes, and bootlegs, carefully selected by the ROAD Podcast crew. These standout picks are only available on DJcity – consider them your monthly treat for keeping sets fresh. Preview these tracks for free by creating an account. For full download access to these edits and much more, new users can subscribe to DJcity for only $10. Here are the #FOTM selections for May 2025: Chris Lake & Ragie Ban – Toxic – Tall Boys Throwback Intro Cajmere & Green Velvet – Brighter Days – Alok Remix Snap! – Rhythm Is a Dancer – Freejak Remix Jake Shore & Rich DietZ – Everybody – Tall Boys Acap Intro Cascada – Everytime We Touch – Hardwell & Maurice West Remix Follow the...

Writing music, crafting melodies, and arranging chord progressions can be incredibly rewarding. However, an equally crucial aspect of a music producer’s job is selecting the right samples and sounds. The sounds you choose for your melodies, drums, and other elements are just as important as the melodies and chord progressions themselves. It’s tempting for producers to constantly download or purchase new samples to expand their libraries, but this can lead to an overwhelming number of options, diluting your sonic identity and draining your wallet. No one understands this better than Grammy-nominated producer and recording artist Bluey Thomas. Known for his diverse, yet truly authentic sound and strong sonic identity, Thomas has made a...

Techno lives and breathes through groove, swing, and space, and nothing locks that in better than delay. AM.I gets this on a deep level, leaning into plugins like Replika XT to make it happen. And the proof is all there – Tomorrowland 2023, launching her Luminate Productions studio in Antwerp, and leading one of the most forward-thinking event series with Luminate by Night. Even with everything she’s juggling, she took some time to break down how she uses delay, specifically Replika XT, to shape her sound. We got into why delay is essential in techno, the balance between atmosphere and rhythm, and the best modes inside Replika XT for keeping things groovy and driving. Jump to these sections: Delay’s role in techno Atmosphere vs...

These are DJcity’s most downloaded tracks of April 2025. Our monthly charts feature top downloads from around the world, plus regional charts for Latin, UK, Germany, Asia, and South Asia. Doechii – Anxiety – Sir Marcus & MarkCutz Remix Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline – Two Friends Remix Nelly – Ride Wit Me – Richastic Remix Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT. – DJ Juize Hype Edit Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe – J Bruus Remix Drake – NOKIA Timbaland (ft. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.) – The Way I Are – Mc Grizz Remix Pretty Ricky – On The Hotline – ETX Popular Edit Robin S. – Show Me Love – Marlon Galvao Remix Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive – KidCutUp vs FRASER Acap Intro View the full list here. The post What DJs Couldn’t Stop Downloading – April...

DJcity has teamed up with LA’s own DJ R-Tistic to curate a fresh playlist packed with West Coast rap anthems, guaranteed to light up any party from San Diego to Sacramento. An internationally acclaimed DJ, R-Tistic is known for rocking events for stars like Issa Rae, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, and Floyd Mayweather. His high-energy sets, expert crowd reading, and global gigs across ten countries have made him one of the industry’s go-to DJs. With over 8 million plays on his mixes and videos, he’s a proven party starter – whether live or virtual for brands like BET. Now, he’s bringing the heat to DJcity with a playlist built to move the crowd. Tap in and turn up the West Coast vibes! Click here to access DJ R-Tistic’s West Coast...

When browsing around the Serato forum, Mojaxx came across a secret hack which could make life MUCH easier for DJs who like to have their beatgrids on point in Serato DJ Pro… Here’s the original post on the Serato forums: https://serato.com/forum/discussion/2029107 Check out Mojaxx’s video on DJcity TV. The post SECRET Serato Beatgrid HACK! appeared first on DJcity News - Music and news for DJs and producers.

New plugins, sample libraries, and production tools drop every day, but only a handful of VSTs and soft synths keep showing up in producers’ go-to arsenals. One of those is Massive. It’s a staple – one that artists in our community keep coming back to and talking about almost every week. So what makes the original Massive so enduring? We sat down with Lawrence Hart, a UK-based DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, to find out. Hart is gearing up for a big year – Come In Out Of The Rain is out now on Domino’s Double Six, which you can get here. Both digitally and as an exclusive Domino Mart LP with a limited signed and hand-numbered artwork poster, Standard black LP, CD and download, blending garage, soaring synths, and melancholic...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) Ayra Starr & Wizkid – Gimme Dat Megan Thee Stallion – Whenever Young Miko – WASSUP ESSE – Detroit SPHYNX – Lo Consigo Bad Bunny – NUEVAYoL – Kidd Spin I Like To Move It Tone Play Edit * T.I. – What You Know – DJ Bizzon First Edit * Bon Jovi – It’s My Life – HÄWK Remix Nelly Furtado (ft. Timbaland) – Promiscuous – Lukas & Frank & Vescu Remix JoJo – Leave (Get Out) – YuchiBoy Your Body Remix DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Sir Marcus. To receive them via email, click here. The post Download 🆕 Tracks From Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny, T.I., + More appeared first on DJcity...

An iconic sound in many electronic music genres, the Reese bass is instantly recognisable thanks to its characteristic menacing throb and weighty low-end. So what is a Reese bass, and how does one make a Reese bass from scratch? In this tutorial we’ll make a Reese bass from scratch with Native Instruments’ Massive X synth, and look at how it can be processed with Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Both of these are included in the 360 Plus free trial. Get both in free trial Jump to these sections: What is a Reese bass? How to create the Reese bass sound Detune sawtooth oscillators Add a low-pass filter Customise the sound What is a Reese bass? A Reese bass is a legato synth bass tone that pulsates and rumbles in a sinister fashion. You can make...

With more high-end DJ controllers than ever before aimed at professional users, deciding which one suits you best can be tricky. Luckily, Mojaxx has had the chance to spend a good amount of time using each one. On the new episode, he’s sharing his personal tier ranking of all the professional controllers available today, and throwing in a few classics just for fun. Check out Mojaxx’s ranking of controllers on DJcity TV. The post All Pro DJ Controllers RANKED! appeared first on DJcity News - Music and news for DJs and producers.

On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with the legendary @LordFinesseDITC to discuss his career, production, and the evolution of hip-hop. Finesse reflects on attending the @DJJazzyJeff’s #PlaylistRetreat and shares his thoughts on AI’s impact on the music industry (01:10), emphasizing that artists should be notified if their work is used in AI prompts (04:10). He breaks down the outdated nature of artist contracts that never accounted for streaming (17:40) and details his journey releasing three classic albums on different labels (17:55). He reminisces on growing up in the Bronx and influencing #BigL’s rap style (27:01). Finesse also discusses producing #Biggie’s “Suicidal Thoughts” (43:20) and working with...

Many times, the missing piece in a preset or patch is the right type or amount of movement. Modulation is what makes a sound feel alive, shifting dynamically in response to tempo, drum grooves, and other elements in a track. FRANCO BA is a producer who fully understands this and takes full advantage of Massive X’s modulation capabilities to create patches that feel organic and constantly evolving. By using LFOs, step sequencers, tempo-based modulation, and unsynced movement, he maximizes the expressive potential of every sound. His approach to modulation is what sets his productions apart, making each patch feel unique and deeply integrated into the track and can be heard all over his latest Rolling Deep EP which you can stream below...

On April 25, Spinnin’ Records unleashes R3HAB’s electrifying new single, ‘Right Here, Right Now’, a track poised to ignite festival stages worldwide. The Dutch-Moroccan EDM titan, born Fadil El Ghoul, has cemented his legacy as a global dance music juggernaut, amassing over 12 billion streams and earning Spotify’s title of Most Discovered Artist. With more than 100 Diamond, Gold, and Platinum certifications, his catalog—including the 700-million-streamed ‘All Around The World’—resonates across continents. Collaborations with heavyweights like Ava Max, Tiësto, and Armin van Buuren, alongside remixes for icons like Rihanna and Drake, showcase his versatility. Ranked consistently in DJ Mag’s Top 20 since 2017, R3HAB’s knack for crafting...

The desert air at Coachella 2025 vibrated with energy, and headlining the Sahara stage on the first Friday night was none other than the acclaimed producer and DJ, Mustard. But this wasn’t just an impressive performance – it marked a special NI collaboration, with an exclusive, custom yellow version of the Maschine MK3 and Kontrol S49 MIDI keyboard. Mustard is a dominant force in hip hop and R&B, with his career trajectory being nothing short of remarkable. He first gained recognition for producing Tyga’s 2011 hit “Rack City.” His signature “Mustard on the beat!” producer tag and his distinct up-tempo, club-oriented sound quickly became influential, shaping the sound of mainstream and West Coast hip hop. Enter to win ‘Mustard’...

Hi-hats don’t always get the credit they deserve, but N2N makes a solid case for why they’re one of the most important pieces of a groove and with releases on top labels like Mau5trap, Insomniac, and Where The Heart Is, it’s safe to say that he knows his stuff when it comes to this topic specifically. For him, they’re the glue between the drums and bassline, holding the track together and setting the overall energy. With tools like Transient Master, N2N dials in exactly what he needs – whether that’s adding sharpness to make hi-hats cut through or smoothing out harsh transients so they sit better in the mix. What we love about his approach is treating transient shaping as more than just a technical adjustment. It’s a creative tool...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) JID – WRK OneRepublic – Invincible Morgan Wallen & Post Malone – I Ain’t Comin’ Back Maesic, Marshall Jefferson & Salomé Das – Life Is Simple (Move Your Body) Kendrick Lamar (ft. AzChike) – peekaboo – MarkCutz Work It Edit * Teddy Swims – Are You Even Real – Kidd Spin Remix * Agatino Romero & Umberto Tozzi – Gloria – Lincoln Baio vs Öwnboss Club Edit * Kevin Lyttle – Turn Me On – Vunzige Deuntjes Soundsystem & Max Wallin Remix DJ Snake (ft. Ozuna & Cardi B) – Taki Taki – Gaetano Ciolfi Belm Remix Jennifer Lopez (ft. Pitbull) – On The Floor – CAVALLI & Manuferz Remix DJcity’s weekly picks are selected...

The music industry and production have changed significantly over the years. Now, you don’t need a million-dollar studio to create and master hit records. The accessibility of music production tools and plugins has made it possible for anyone to produce professional-quality music from almost anywhere. Rabbitology, a folktronica artist, exemplifies this shift. She’s creating hit records right from her dorm room. Her latest EP, Living Ghost, features six self-produced songs with a Midwestern gothic vibe, focusing on themes of stagnancy and escape. Her music, rich in texture and authenticity, shows that rawness and imperfections can be more impactful than pristine polish. Rabbitology’s work proves that great music can be made with a...