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With ENDLESS™ Legend 2 entering Early Access, composer Arnaud Roy returns to the franchise with a soundtrack shaped by texture, movement, and technical precision. Kontakt sits at the center of his process, used not just for playback, but for building and manipulating his own sampled instruments. Roy worked with field recordings, analog synths, and orchestral layers to develop a score that adapts across faction themes, world events, and gameplay modes. Kontakt let him keep the workflow tight – whether he was tuning custom percussion, stacking sound banks, or creating playable textures from found sounds. In this interview, Arnaud Roy explains how he used Kontakt across the ENDLESS Legend 2 score, why he mixed the full project in Dolby...

A unique instrument that combines chords, samples and effects into a single tool, Playbox is the perfect antidote to beatmaker’s block. Compatible with both Kontakt and the free Kontakt Player, Playbox includes over 320 presets that utilise 200 chord sets and 900 samples. This makes it easy to come up with inspirational musical ideas in a flash. If you’re interested in fully exploring the creative potential of Playbox, you can load up to 450 of your own samples, use 15 FX to process them, and randomize parameters to create unexpected combinations of sounds. In this guide to using Playbox in your own music productions, we’ll look at how rhythmic patterns, melodic patterns, chord patterns and sample layering work in the instrument...

Flavor of the Month is your exclusive scoop of fresh DJ edits, remixes, and bootlegs, chosen by the ROAD Podcast crew. These DJcity exclusives are the secret ingredients to spice up your set. Create an account to listen to these tracks for free. For full download access to these edits and much more, new users can subscribe to DJcity for only $10. Here are the #FOTM selections for June 2025: Moliy & Silent Addy (ft. Skillibeng & Shenseea) – Shake It To The Max – DJ Bizzon Hype Intro PLUTO & Sexyy Red – WHIM WHAMIEE – Serg Sniper Hype Intro B Jack$ & Zeddy Will – Get Jiggy Bankroll Ni – Im So ATL Myaap – Fairy Rob49 – WTHELLY – MarkCutz Hype Intro 803Fresh – Boots On The Ground Follow the R.O.A.D. Podcast on Facebook, Instagram...

Want your demos to have a professional sound without getting bogged down in endless tweaking? We’ve distilled five key tricks from our massive library of production advice, with a focus on efficiency, to get you sounding closer to a finished studio track in no time. Try all of these tricks yourself with a free trial of the NI 360 subscription, the new way to create, produce, and polish your music. 1. Nail it at the source by capturing clean recordings The foundation of a great-sounding track is a clean recording. Setting proper input levels on your interface or recording device ensures your raw tracks are clear and free from unwanted digital clipping and distortion. Give your signals some headroom – you can always increase the...

Finishing tracks is one of the most common hurdles we face as producers and songwriters. We’re all familiar with the dreaded folder of uncompleted projects and eight-bar loops. This can happen for many reasons: a lack of inspiration, technical challenges, or simply not knowing how to complete a project. The process of finishing tracks can be daunting. But there are methods that you can use to streamline your workflow and overcome these obstacles. In this article, we’ll look at strategies to assist you in completing your tracks and getting them heard. Ready to unlock your track’s full potential? Try NI 360 free and implement these tips to finish your track today. Jump to these sections: How can I overcome creative blocks when...

ASHRR’s unique approach to production has always leaned on a mix of organic and electronic textures, and that’s something they’ve perfected over time – especially when it comes to drums. There’s no substitute for the authenticity and depth that recording live drums brings to a track. The nuances of real percussion, the natural room reflections, and the human feel add a level of character that purely digital beats can’t always replicate. But even the best live recordings sometimes need a little extra weight, punch, or grit to sit just right in a mix. That’s where Battery 4 comes in. ASHRR layers MIDI-based drums underneath their recorded percussion – as they did on their latest EP Please Don’t Stop The Rain which features a standout...

MIDI instruments can feel lifeless if not approached with intention. Without the right techniques, performances risk sounding robotic, but when treated like real instruments, they can carry all the nuance and emotion of a live performance. For HWIN, expressive performance has always been the foundation of his music. As the creative force behind Cathedrals, his productions pulled in 60 million streams and critical praise from The New York Times and Billboard. Now, with the launch of 57 Records and his debut solo EP Just Like a Flower, he’s shifting focus to foster a community-driven approach to music. His work merges technical precision with human feel, blending Kontakt’s powerful articulation tools with an instinct for live...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching PLUTO & Sexyy Red – WHIM WHAMIEE Remix Blessd & SOG – CUÁNDO Olamide & Wizkid – Kai! – Da Phonk Club Edit * Justin Bieber – Sorry – Freejak Remix * Connie Francis – Pretty Little Baby – Eddie Boy Remix * Rihanna – Only Girl (In The World) – BVRNOUT Remix Major Lazer (ft. Nyla) – Light It Up – Dan Gerous & Tommy Montana Remix Bob Sinclar (ft. Big Ali) – Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now) – MK (ITA) Remix Drake (ft. Majid Jordan) – Hold On, We’re Going Home – Pedrik Remix DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Sir Marcus. To receive them via email, click here. The post...

Most producers treat Maschine as a groovebox. For BIIANCO, it’s the central nervous system of a live modular rig. Their new single “SPIN,” out now on Ultra Records, leans hard into that workflow – acid-drenched, euphoric, and dialed in with surgical precision using analog gear and MIDI tricks most producers wouldn’t think to attempt outside a DAW. BIIANCO’s been building toward this moment for a while. After a breakout 2023, a viral live video with 35 million views, and a massive ADE performance, they’ve carved out a space where modular synths, hybrid DJ sets, and raw vocal energy meet. Maschine+ plays a critical role in that setup – driving acid bass lines, sequencing in real-time, and routing audio back through synced effects without...

This week on @RoadPodcast, the crew sits down with premier EDM DJ/Producer and one of England’s finest, @JamesHype. They discuss his @ZoukGroupLV residency (01:36) and break down the differences between U.S. and European dance music markets (03:35). James reflects on his DJ roots in England (09:45), shares his thoughts on spinning with @Serato vs. @RekordboxOfficial (20:30), and revisits his first breakout hit, “More Than Friends” (35:01). He dives into his marketing persona as the “Hulk Hogan of DJing” (47:13), talks about his Ibiza residency at @Hiibizaofficial (1:01:04), and vents his frustrations with @BoilerRoomTV and his recent feud with @DeadMau5 (1:11:15). The crew also unpacks how James trolled the @Hardwell meltdown at...

One of the most challenging parts of songwriting is finding a place to start. Faced with the blank canvas in a DAW, creating the initial idea for a song can be tough on some days for even the best songwriters. Starting songs doesn’t have to be a strenuous task if you have the right tools. The latest version of Komplete from Native Instruments provides a collection of inspiring virtual instruments and samplers that allow you to instantly start song ideas, saving time and energy stressing over what to write. In this article, we’ll explore five ways to begin song ideas using tools in Komplete, including Play Series instruments, Kontakt, Leap and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Jump to these sections: Use Phrases and Chords to create instant...

These are DJcity’s most downloaded tracks of May 2025. Our monthly charts feature top downloads from around the world, plus regional charts for Latin, UK, Germany, Asia, and South Asia. Icona Pop (ft. Charli XCX) – I Love It – MARROW LET’S GO Edit Ayra Starr & Wizkid – Gimme Dat Nelly Furtado (ft. Timbaland) – Promiscuous – Lukas & Frank & Vescu Remix T.I. – Bring Em Out – Richastic Remix David Guetta, Willy William & Nicky Jam – Cuentale DJ Snake (ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B) – Taki Taki – 5HOURS Remix Jaden Bojsen & Sami Brielle – LET’S GO – MFresh Hype Intro Young M.A – Ooouuu – MFresh Bel Mercy Edit Major Lazer (ft. MØ & DJ Snake) – Lean On – Freejak Remix House Of Pain – Jump Around – MOONLGHT Remix View the full list...

Producers are often the unsung heroes of the music industry – the backbone behind the biggest hits. In this blog, you’ll learn about the top music producers impacting and shaping the music scene in 2025. These talented rising producers are trailblazing music production trends, and working with the world’s top artists. Read on to learn about some of the best music producers who are creating today’s hits and working behind the scenes with award-winning artists. Jump to these sections: Joey Hamhock Paige Blue YUME Ian James Lucas Quinn Sammy Soso Sean Cook Andrew Wells De La Cruz Datsunn Adam Yaron CoBannah Follow along with this tutorial using Komplete Start, the ultimate music production suite packed with a vast array of inspiring...

Crafting a hit pop song hinges on many elements, but the sonic palette you choose is crucial. The right sounds can instantly elevate a track, adding depth, character, and that essential modern edge that defines the genre. Kontakt by Native Instruments is a software sampler that allows users to play, edit, and even build your own instruments using pre-recorded samples with a vast library of sample-based instruments from Native Instruments and third-party developers. A powerful tool for pop music production, Kontakt allows you to create melodies, and craft modern sounding tracks with ease. In this blog, we’re making the sound selection process easier by exploring five free Kontakt instruments that are excellent choices for pop music...

Don’t wait for inspiration to strike – find your initial spark with cutting-edge instruments and sounds during Summer of Sound. Save big on the best upgrades for your music production setup and explore a world of instruments and tools designed to help you perfect your sound, overcome production hurdles, and finally deliver tracks with the professional quality your music deserves. We’ve got all the details below. Explore Summer of Sound deals Jump to these sections: What is Summer of Sound? Explore Summer of Sound deals: Komplete Fan favorites Software bundles Maschine Keyboards Traktor iZotope plugins Partner deals What is Summer of Sound? Whether you’ve been making music for years or are just beginning your journey, Summer of...

A clean vocal doesn’t always mean a safe one – and JiLLi’s approach proves that clarity and character can go hand in hand. On her latest release “Shallow Waters” with David Hohme and N2N, her vocals cut through with intention: warm, detailed, and emotionally locked in. It’s no accident. Her workflow bridges precision and experimentation, with iZotope RX playing a key role not just in cleanup, but in shaping the final sound. Known for her polished toplines and sample pack work with industry-leading sample pack companies, JiLLi’s voice is something that has defined more than a few artists’ entire careers. As a vocal instructor at Icon Collective, she also brings a technical mindset to every project. In this interview, we get into her...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) KAROL G – LATINA FOREVA Burna Boy (ft. Travis Scott) – TaTaTa Proppa & Waka Flocka Flame – Grove St. Party DJ Snake & Bipolar Sunshine – Paradise – Colin Jay Remix * Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club – Tall Boys Hollaback Girl Edit * Taylor Swift – Love Story – Mark Anthony Cielo Edit * Zapp & Roger – More Bounce To The Ounce – MarkCutz & TheKidRC3 Remix * Bruno Mars – Treasure – Mr. Sherman Remix Tove Lo – Habits (Stay High) – Bessey Remix Sean Paul – We Be Burnin’ (Recognize It) – Esox Remix DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Sir Marcus. To receive them via email, click here. The post 🔊Karol G...

While it’s often said that modern DJs are spoiled with advanced hardware and software, Mojaxx always sees potential for growth. In the latest episode, he shares his personal top 5 wishlist items for the future of DJ technology. Check out his insights on what could be the next game-changers in the DJ world. Check out Mojaxx’s wishlist for the future of DJ technology on DJcity TV. The post My Ultimate DJ Tech Wishlist (Future Gear Dreams!) appeared first on DJcity News - Music and news for DJs and producers.

On this week’s episode of the @RoadPodcast, the crew is joined by @TheCapts to discuss their new radio show on @SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock channel (1:07). They dive into why they chose Yacht Rock, citing its unique vibe and @Questlove’s take on it as “the best sitting down dancing music” (10:05), and introduce a star-studded guest DJ lineup including @DJJazzyJeff, @IAmMarkRonson, and @ZTrip (10:50). They break down their top Yacht Rock tracks (19:40)and discuss the evolution from Season 1 to Season 2 of their show (31:01).. The episode also features a candid discussion on the relevance of DJ agencies today (1:07:00), the emergence of “Detroit-style” LA (1:15:00) and exclusive membership clubs (1:24:00). Follow the R.O.A.D. Podcast on...

Hip hop and pop music have long been genres where producers sample and reimagine sounds to craft a fresh and exciting track. One of the most intriguing sources of inspiration for songs is classical music samples. Classical music samples used in productions may be instantly recognizable, while others are stretched, warped, repitched and manipulated to create a new song. Sampling classical music connects the melodies of the past with the rhythms of today. In this article, we’ll look at six standout songs that sampled classical music in a genius way. Jump to these sections: Nas – “I Can” Xzibit – “Paparazzi” Blackpink – “Shut Down” Kevin Olusola – “Dark Winter” Kelis – “Like You” Dizzee Rascal ft. Giggs – “Nutcrackerz” Follow along...