We’re here to help! Call 1300 626 697

The Feed

Links to free software, lessons, competitions, plus whatever else we can find floating around the interwebs. Updated weekly.

Lessons & Tutorials

blurry water

Looking to start a livestream? Want to take your current audience to new places? We look at some mobile livestreaming essentials to get you started.

purple concreate wall

Learn the ins-and-outs of syncing our hardware drum machines and sequencers with your DAW to create a hybrid set-up in your studio!

Pink gradient

In this article we answer some questions, unpick common compression parameters, and look at the four basic types of compressor.

Red wall

Get the low-down on mastering your DJ mixes, why you need to do it and some great advice on how to go about it.

Casette Tape in green

Learn some very smooth chord progressions (often borrowed from Jazz) that are commonly used in lo-fi hip-hop and beat production.

Synthesizer

New to the fantastical world of synthesizers? Ableton have created to intuitive page to learn in the ins-and-outs of these music making machines!

close up of hands playing guitar chord

Some simple, easy to follow tips on how to improve a fundamental skill on the guitar- how to get better at changing chords!

Close up on sheet music

teoria is a longstanding (it was launched in '97!) site, dedicated to music theory drills and general theory info. Best of all, most of the content is FREE!

Close up on guitar bridge

Add some smooth and soulful tones to your guitar repertoire with these 10 must know moveable jazz chords! Move these shapes up and down the neck for easy chord progressions.

Concrete wall painted orange

Check out these 10 techniques and tips for getting more out of your sampled sounds when working in your DAW.

Blue water

Determine the key of a track or sample using Ableton Live. Help to make sure extra elements and instrumentation you add are all in the correct key!

blue green, cube pattern

Ever wanted to start making music, but weren't quite sure how. Check out this comprehensive how-to guide, covering all the essentials.

Close up on Moog DFAM synth

Check out this FREE course giving you all the ins-and-outs of the wonderful world of Synthesizers! Become an expert in no time.

scrunched up metallic paper

DJing is more accessible than ever and a big part of that is DJ apps. If you're wanting to test it out grab one these three Apps!

Close up of TR-808

Ever wanted to program some 808 beats from iconic tracks? Check out these colourful posters that double as 808 programming guides.

Tuners on a Gibson guitar

Break out of a creative rut or just play the guitar in a new way with this list of alternate tunings from Music is Win!

Close up of sheet music

Music YouTuber Andrew Huang walks you through the basics of music theory in half an hour. Get your head around the fundamentals of musical language.

Close up of audio mixing desk

Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum producer Bob Power shares his decades worth of knowledge in this in-depth mixing master class.

Man playing harmonica

Check out this great resource for learning the Harmonica, FREE video lessons for beginners all the way to advanced.

Close up of eq knobs on a mixer

In this video, mix engineer Joe Gilder shares his three most effective habits to helps you get your mixes sounding their best.

Close up of compressor unit

Mastering is a pivotal link in the chain to get your production sounding it's best, but it can be sometimes difficult to grasp.

Pile of books

Ableton has made their highly popular book - Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers FREE for download.

laptop and ableton push on desk

How do you find time for your passion projects and hobbies? The Noisegate crew offer some great advice on being productive.

Close-up on piano keys

Learn piano basics with this epic 7 hour, FREE video course. Get started learning piano today with this ultimate guide.

Close-up on modular synthesizer

The Southern California Synth Society have an informative discussion, offering tips for how to get up and running in modular synthesis.

turntable setup diagram

Make sure your turntables are set up for the best performance possible! This easy guide will run you through a simple set-up check-list.

man sitting with a guitar

Bass players, check out this great video running through some seriously beautiful sounding chords from the always great Scott's Bass Lessons on YouTube.

man sitting with a guitar

Justin Guitar is one of the best guitar tutorial systems online. Most of the content is FREE and covers a massive range of subjects, beginners to advanced.

hands on piano with flowkey app on iPad

Register your new Yamaha instrument now and get 3 months of flowkey Premium FREE. flowkey is a fun way to learn piano with over 1500 songs to play thorugh.

Korg volca units

Leroy from Noisegate shows us how to very simply, sync your Korg Volca units to Ableton. This will keep the Volca in time with Live!

close up of man playing slide guitar

Learn slide guitar with Rhett Shull. A different and unique way of playing guitar, get started with these 5 easy steps.

close up of someone sitting at drum kit

Modern Drummer has compiled 15 exercises to improve your drumming chops while you're at home! Simple, fast and easy to follow."

pic of fender stratocaster headstock

Learn Blues guitar in 5 days! These simple lessons will help give you the skills to interpret and improvise using Blues guitar techniques.

Man learning to play electric guitar

Fender is offering 3 months of their online lesson system Fender Play for FREE. Includes lessons for guitar, bass and ukulele.

Close up of guitar strings

If you can't come in for a string change in person, order some from us online and checkout D'Addario's handy DIY guides.

Close up of playing piano

Learn Piano with Skoove. Get 3 months FREE access to their online tutorial system, with lesson options for beginners to advanced players.

Close up of Ukulele

A great 10-day Ukulele starter course by Andy Guitar on YouTube. Simple, easy to follow videos that will get you up and running straight away.

Laptop with Ableton Live on screen

Learn Ableton Live with this FREE introductory course from the Berklee College of Music. Great for novices and those new to music production.

Close up of Ableton MIDI notes

Attack Magazine's Technique section is full of awesome electronic music tutorials, iconic track deconstructions, recreations and more.

Man playling Les Paul guitar

Marty Music is a guitar tutorial channel on YouTube with everything from "how to play" videos for classic songs to tips on tone and technique.

hands over modular synthesizer

Step into the world of Modular Synthesis by using a FREE 1-Month trial to complete this online course "Learning Modular Synthesis."

Software & Apps

Yellow and pink wall

Stuck for some musical ideas? Check this selection of tasty (and free) plugins that might help jolt you free of that creative block.

Blue wave pattern

Check out some of the best places to get quality samples for FREE in 2021. Get inspired and grow your library without spending a fortune.

Ableton push

New to music making? Check out this list of 30 music-making software titles and DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation) that are FREE to use!

pixelated guiyar tone knob

You might not know there's a FREE version of Native Instruments' epic Guitar Rig 6 plugin. You get an Amp sim w/ matched cab, 13 effects, and 50 presets!

pink ocean

Grab Vital, a fully functional, FREE wavetable synth, chock full of modulation options! The free version is loaded with 75 presets and 25 wavetables.

sparkle

This free plug-in from Slate Digital, is aimed solely at breathing life into your top-end frequencies. Smooth high end, without the harshness.

Rainbow design

Cherry Audio come up with the goods again. This FREE plug-in is a super authentic recreation of the Realistic (Moog) MG-1 synthesizer. An 80s icon!

Grooves of a vinyl record

A must have plugin for creating any lo-fi production. Or just a simple way to add a little extra character to your sound design.

Blue geometric pattern

FREE is the best price, especially when you're getting quality content for your $0. So, check out 9 of the best FREE VST plug-ins around from 'Musician on a Mission'.

Curved geometric pattern

808303.studio is a browser based emulation of the iconic TR-808 drum machine and TB-303 Bassline synth. Create and record electronic grooves with ease!

Confetti

Wavesfactory make some high-quality and unique plug-ins. Grab these ones, that are offered for FREE on their website.

Purple geometric pattern

Grab this easy to use plug-in dedicated solely to shaping and moulding your kick drum. Help your kick's sound bigger, punchier, and sit better in the mix.

Man sitting in front of computer making music

Many aren't aware that there is a FREE version of the industry standard DAW Pro Tools. First is designed to introduce you to the Pro Tools experience.

Colourful droplets

Add this Buchla inspired virtual synth to your arsenal for FREE, thanks to Eventide. Pendulate has West Coast in it's DNA and is described as “chaos”-driven. Fun!

close up of hand playing piano

Autochords is a simple chord generator that allows you to input things like "mood" and key then offers potential sequences. Great for getting quick ideas!

yellow interlacing pattern

Jump into the (virtual) world of modular synthesis with the FREE Reaktor 6 Player and FREE modules from Toybox. Get wired in!

Close up of MPC pads

Akai's MPC Beats is FREE music production software that puts MPC style beatmaking on your PC or MAC. Use standalone or as a plugin.

Circular rainbow design

Valhalla DSP is giving away another one of their awesome plug-ins FREE! 11 different algorithms, easy-to-use interface and that Valhalla DSP quality!

Diagonal stripe pattern

DC1A 3 is an excellent freeware compressor effect from Klanghelm. The simple interface means easy control and DC1A offers both RMS and peak compression options.

Blurry bubble pattern

Waveform Free is a fully featured FREE Digital Audio Workstation. It's a great way to learn the elements of music production and fundamentals of recording.

Drum cymbal

Grab this FREE pack of drum samples from MusicRadar. Kicks, snares, hi-hats, crashes and more for your DAW or sampler.

Screen shot of eq plugin

There's a lot of FREE EQ plug-ins out there! Here is a selection of eight of the best, different styles and functionality. All FREE.

Pics of piano VSTs

Not everyone has space for a piano in their studio, so check out some of the best FREE virtual Piano plugins available online!

Korg Poly 800 synth

Get some retro 80's vibes into your productions with this FREE software emulation of Korg's 1983 Poly-800 synth.

Screen capture of the Supermassive reverb plugin.

Get Valhalla's Supermassive reverb plugin FREE. Luscious clouds of reverb, otherworldly delays, swelling waves of feedback!

RODE NT-SF1 microphone recording in skatepark

RØDE has released an amazing collection of Ambisonic, 3D soundscapes for you to download and use! Search by category and download today.

Zenbeats on iPhone screen

The FREE version of Roland's Zenbeats couples a great interface with classic sounds for an easy and fun way to make music on your mobile device.

Screenshot of Balancer plug-in

Sonible's Balancer plug-in will balance your audio tracks in just a few seconds. Deficiencies in the signal are detected and automatically corrected.

Screenshot of mastering software

Six of the best FREE pieces of Mastering software on the web. Add the finishing touches to your mix, without spending an arm and a leg on plugins.

Screenshot of Audacity software

An oldie, but a goodie! Audacity is still one of best FREE pieces of recording recording software available. It's also open-source and cross-platform.

Amplitube software screenshot

Check out this selection of the best free music making software around. These programs can be used by anyone and will get you up and running today!

Software package (box)

Get a host of high-quality samples for free. Check out Cymatics free download page for all their sample packs that cost $0!

screenshot of vst synth

6 of the best free synth plugins going! Grab yourself one or all of these VST synth plugins, FREE. Available for both Mac and PC.

Close up of Akai MPC

This virtual MPC software models the famous 2000XL unit suprisingly well! If you're an MPC fan or just curious about the workflow, check it out, its FREE.

pic of midi controller and laptop

Melodics is a desktop app that helps you practice on either keys, pad-controllers or electronic drums. FREE to try, with 60 lessons to get you started.

Voltage music software schreenshot

Cherry Audio is offering its Voltage Modular Nucleus software FREE. A complete modular synthesis package w/ 22 modules and 130+ presets.

Screenshot of Abletopn Live

Ableton has extended its trial period of Live Suite from 30 days to 90 days! Check out the complete Live package FREE, for 3 months.

Close up of music studio gear in a rack

Grab this FREE sample pack from Grammy award winning producer, Jack Antonoff. Recorded at the famous Electric Lady studios in New York.

Laptop showing Komplete Start software

KOMPLETE START is a FREE selection of instruments, FX, Loops and samples. It contains over 2000 customisable sounds for the low price of $0.

Clos up of a casette tape

If LoFi vibes are your thing, check out this really great list of the best FREE (and paid) LoFi VST plugins from BVKER.

Computer with music software on the screen

Universal Audio have launched their own DAW - Luna. Boasting near zero latency, it's FREE to users of UA's Apollo or Arrow interfaces.

Community & Publishing

Warm pink gradient

Applications for the Vic Gov Live Performace Support program (Round 2) are now open. If you've been affected by event cancellations, you may be eligible.

Gold pixelated fence

Looking to start a live stream, or need some new ideas to add to your existing streaming schedule? Check out this list of things to have a go at.

Blue and pink water

If music is not your main job, perhaps it's just a hobby, how do you find time outside of your regular work?? Have a read of these tips.

Orange gradient

Have you ever given much thought to how your home studio is set up? Is it as optimised to aid in your creative endeavours? Have a read of this article.

Guitar strumming hand

Looking for some inspiration? Join Splice's Songwriting Club. An open community that brings you bi-weekly prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Close up of studio monitor

Get some pointers and recommendations on setting up your first home studio - doesn't matter if it's in your bedroom or garage, start recording today!

Phone with YouTube logo on the screen

YouTube can be a bit daunting when getting started. Check out these suggestions on good practice when getting your channel up and running.

Audio wavefom on a computer screen

Compressed, lossless, bitrates what does it all mean and what do you need to know about audio file formats? Have a read of this article.

Cracked egg

A cookbook isn't the first thing you'd expect from KORG! But with the help of some friends they've put together this FREE collection of some of their favourite eats.

Purple and blue gradient

How do you design an album cover? This article takes a look at elements from colour, imagery, typography and more

Yellow wave pattern

Happy Mag is back with their Needle in The Hay vinyl comp. Submit your track for a chance to WIN 250 x 7" vinyl copies of your single.

Close up of headphones and a microphone

Anchor is a FREE Podcast creation and hosting platform. Record in app or upload existing audio and then distribute to all major platforms.

hands holding a paper heart

Support Act is helping musicians with crisis relief grants. Check out the link to see if you're eligible to apply or let fellow music workers know!

Close up of mixing desk

Native Instruments have teamed up with artists to release a charity sound pack. It's free, but any donations contributed go to supporting the music community affected by COVID-19.

Mac keyboard and drawing tablet

Good design can help you stand out in a crowded online space. So up your skills with this FREE 30 day Photoshop course from Phlearn.

Person drumming

Get all the info you need to understand Spotify For Artists - Setting up your page, editing your bio, getting verified and more!

Purple geometric pattern

Music promotion isn't easy! But technology has provided more ways than ever for artists to launch their careers. Check this advice.

Artwork of a wallet

In the modern world, the way muscians can earn money has changed a lot! Not to say it's easy, but take a look at this info from Serato.

Home music studio

What should you do if you find yourself with a creative block, unable to write music. Check out some practical tips here.

music productoin gear on a desk

Check out Soundcloud's offering to help musicians keep going, continue creating and getting their projects out to the public.

concert crowd

Check out this article on ways that you can get your music out into the public sphere without breaking the bank.

Mobile phone with twitch on the screen

Want to know how to get a livestream up and running? Check out this detailed guide on what you'll need and how to set it up.

Happy Pack logo.

The Happy Pack is an initiative to deliver care packages to creatives affected by COVID 19. Check out all the details and get involved.

iPhone screen showing socail media apps

Help your social media stand out from the rest. We all know how powerful these platforms can be, so make sure you're looking your best!

Photo of someone using music production software.

Benn Jordan breaks down some of the most common scams that musicians face on a regular basis in this entertaining and informative video!

Man sitting at a desk and speaking into a microphone.

How do you record multiple people at once for your podcast? Learn how with our easy to follow 10-step guide, inlcluding equipement recommendations.

Mixcloud logo

Mixcloud's has a new streaming platform with license agreements, meaning no copyright problems! Subscription is needed, but you can try for 90 days FREE.

Diagram of DJ streaming setup

Resident Advisor have put together this great article, specifically for DJs on how to set up a livestream. Get your sets up online!

Photo woman playing guitar in music studio.

A great guide to livestreaming from independent musician Emma McGann, who gave a TED talk in 2016 about streaming and online connections.

Photo of someone using music production software.

Isol-Aid is an online music festival happening every weekend. They're also raising funds for Support Act - relief for musicians and music industry workers.

USB Microphone in front of the computer

If you ever wanted to start a podcast, now is a great time! Get up and running with our guide to simple and easy podcast setups.

Live stream with Roland Go Cast

How do you livestream? Check out this guide and visit our "Studio Gear" category for streaming equipment to get you started.

photo of iPhone screen with somene using Endlesss app

Endlesss is a free app that allows you to make beats, improvise music and jam live with friends anywhere in the world.

Photo of hands in the air at a concert.

Jambase helps you find and watch live music all day, everyday with a constantly updated database of live music streams.

Screenshot of Soundtrap program.

Collaborate on tracks with friends online using Soundtrap, a cloud-based audio recording platform. They offer a FREE 1 month trial.

The Twich logo

The "Ultimate Guide" to streaming on Twitch. Get up to speed on how to get started on one of the biggest streaming platforms on the internet.

Photo of someone using music production software.

A remix contest is an awesome way to keep busy and creative. Metapop has a great list of current remix competitions, just download the stems!

Photo of someone using music production software.

Streamlabs is a FREE streaming platform that's super user friendly and allows customisation via widgets. Available as a desktop and mobile app!

Hear about it first!