News

Thanks to digital technology, it’s never been easier to make any sound you can imagine. But with that precision comes the risk of making music that’s a little too perfect. That’s why many producers and listeners crave imperfections in sound – the crackle of vinyl, the warble of tape, the hiccup of an out-of-time beat. In this article we’ll explore lo-fi, a sub genre of hip hop that embraces these imperfections. You’ll learn what lo-fi music is, discover the five key elements of a lo-fi beat, and get practical steps to create your own scuffed masterpieces using Native Instruments tools. The best part? You don’t need an expensive plug-in collection to start making lo-fi music. The 360 Essentials subscription gives you everything you need...

Image by Fabrice Caterini From July 24–27, the boundary-blurring world of Château Perché returns for its 10th edition, transforming the majestic Château de Farcheville—a 13th-century castle nestled just outside Paris—into a kaleidoscopic playground of music, art, and immersive storytelling. With over 6,900 attendees expected and more than 400 international artists set to perform across 11 bespoke stages, this year marks the festival’s most ambitious chapter yet. The 2025 theme, “Once upon a time there was a graphic fantasy utopia,” invites guests into a rich narrative universe where costume, fantasy, and collective imagination collide. Each day carries its own dress-coded aesthetic: sky-high whimsy on Pyjamas in the Sky with Diamonds...

Retro synths continue to play a massive role in electronic music, especially for producers working in-the-box who rely on virtual instruments to shape their sound. These classic vibes bring a familiar warmth and texture that digital-only productions often struggle to recreate, providing a foundation for both melodic and rhythmic elements. From thick chords to plucky arps, retro synth presets, and sound libraries help producers tap into a feeling that connects past and present without dropping thousands on vintage hardware. And yet, with the bedrock of these sounds being ones we’ve heard countless times – how do top-level artists push the boundaries of saw, sine, and square waves time and time again? Few understand this better than...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) Rihanna – Friend Of Mine DJ Snake & Bipolar Sunshine –Paradise Avicii & Elle King – Let’s Ride Away Snoop Dogg & Sexyy Red – Me N OG Snoop RØZ & Peso Pluma – Apaga La Luz Drake – Hotline Bling – Tall Boys Remix * Bad Bunny – EoO – MarkCutz Remix * Lady Gaga – Abracadabra – DJWS & The DISCO_NECT Remix Kid Cudi – Day ‘n’ Nite – POLOVICH Remix Modjo – Lady (Hear Me Tonight) – 5HOURS & Loruare Remix DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Sir Marcus. To receive them via email, click here. The post 📣 HOT NEW 🔥 From: Rihanna, DJ Snake, Avicii, Snoop Dogg, Sexyy Red, Peso Pluma, + MORE appeared first on...

The second episode of Beatsource Retro Tech takes a look at the Red Sound Infader mixer. Some episodes will highlight products that significantly influenced the future of DJing. Others, like this one, examine devices that were intended to be revolutionary but ultimately fell short. The Infader from British brand Red Sound is a perfect example of the latter. Despite featuring a unique triple crossfader module, and being the first all-digital DJ mixer, it has sadly been largely forgotten. Sound On Sound’s Voyager 1 Review: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/red-sound-systems-voyager-1-beat-xtractor Check out Mojaxx’s look at the Red Sound Infader mixer on DJcity TV. The post Are THREE Crossfaders Better Than ONE? The Red Sound...

Expressive, evolving, and rhythmically dynamic sounds are the speciality of Circular, a polyphonic sequencer from Native Instruments for Kontakt and the free Kontakt Player that make it easy to create unique, sophisticated soundscapes. Featuring 255 presets and over 160 experimental sound sources, Circular caters to those looking for exciting new sounds quickly, and those looking for a more involved experience will discover an unimaginable array of sound design possibilities under the hood. Jump to these sections: What is Circular? How to turn a chord progressions into a rhythmic soundscape Increase expression with polyphonic aftertouch Create your own patch In this tutorial we’ll show you how to find the right preset for your...

On this week’s episode, the crew is joined by the ever-insightful @DJMoma, who dives deep into his recent creative process and thoughts on the global music scene. Moma compares the energy and music cultures of Cape Town and Johannesburg (01:33). He shares how he’s been drawing music in South Africa (14:10), collaborating with local artists and cooking up new Amapiano tracks from scratch in old-school jam sessions (20:00). Moma addresses Everyday People inspired parties (30:00), breaks down his philosophy behind throwing international parties and the cultural risks involved (28:10) and the crew touches on the gatekeeping still present in NYC nightlife (56:01). The crew discuss the value of anniversary parties (1:39:01) and whether...

Making music in the box is all fun and games until you need to replicate instruments that humans have been hearing outside the box for centuries. Strings and pianos, for example, are notoriously difficult to recreate in a digital environment, even with high-end VST instruments and samplers like Kontakt. But if anyone has mastered this challenge, it’s Paradoks. His latest release on Nora En Pure Purified Records, “C’est Toi,” is a testament to his ability to turn MIDI-based VST strings into some of the most lifelike, expressive string arrangements you’ll hear. Paradoks, a Belgian producer known for balancing club energy with emotional depth, relies on string-driven chord progressions to bring an authentic feel to his music. Since this...

Kontakt can bring new worlds of sound into your tracks. Whether you’re looking for punchy modern drums, vintage keys, or characterful instruments from across the globe, there’s probably a Kontakt library (or several) that will scratch the itch. What’s more, many of these instruments are free. In this article, we’ll run down five of the best free Kontakt libraries for hip hop production. Some of these instruments offer handy free hip hop samples to get you started on a track. Others deliver compelling soundworlds that will give your finished productions extra polish and depth. You can start using these samples, sounds, and more using the free Kontakt Player, a streamlined version of Kontakt that enables you to run the latest NI Kontakt...

Desi 101: What Exactly Is Desi Music? Let’s clear something up: Desi isn’t a genre. It’s a cultural identity. “Desi” is how South Asians across the diaspora refer to themselves and their culture. So when we say Desi music, we’re talking about the huge spectrum of South Asian sounds being created by artists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and beyond – both at home and abroad. And that’s the beauty of it. Whether it’s classic Bollywood, high-energy Bhangra, or Urban Desi bangers built for Western dance floors, the sounds are global. For DJs, understanding this world opens up a powerful connection to multicultural crowds. South Asian music isn’t niche anymore – its packed dance floors in Toronto, London, NYC, and LA. And...

The Patterns Tool is a new feature in Kontakt that combines the ease-of-use of an arpeggiator with the powerful flexibility of a sequencer, making it easier than ever to create exciting new rhythms and musical sequences. In this guide to using patterns in Kontakt we’ll show you how to add the Patterns Tool to instruments, how to edit patterns, and how to create new rhythmic patterns in Kontakt. This will enable you to create exciting sequences more quickly, regardless of which style of music you make. Use Patterns in Kontakt free Jump to these sections: What is the Patterns Tool in Kontakt and what does it do? How do I access the Patterns Tool in Kontakt 8? How to use Patterns in Kontakt: Add the Patterns Tool Adjust the...

Afro-house is having a moment right now, and you can hardly throw a rock without hitting some commercial pop song being remixed into a laid-back Afro-house remix or flip. But as is the case with all genres that see such a spike in popularity, most of what’s out there is just a copy of a copy of a copy, with really only a few pioneers of the sound really doing anything that breaks the mold. AMÉMÉ is one of those rare few and he was kind enough to come on and answer some questions about programming and producing Afro-house drums, using Maschine as his central tool for getting ideas out of his head, into his DAW, and onto the dance floor. 2024 was a massive year for AMÉMÉ with releases on major dance labels like Armada, Insomniac...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) The Weeknd & Doechii (ft. Playboi Carti) – Timeless Remix PinkPantheress – Illegal Tiësto, Odd Mob & Goodboy – Won’t Be Possible Pitbull & Sensato – No Te Hagas Jaden Bojsen & Sami Brielle – LET’S GO – MarkCutz Hype Edit * Dua Lipa – New Rules – Lincoln Baio Una Noche Con Hugel Edit * Rihanna – Please Don’t Stop The Music – Serg Sniper Maurya Edit * Drake – NOKIA – SpydaT.E.K Planet Rock Remix Pickle – Stereo Love Vice – Down In The DM DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Sir Marcus. To receive them via email, click here. The post 🔝 Picks For The Week: The Weeknd, Doechii, Playboi Carti...

While destroying a vinyl record collection all at once would be a significant undertaking, the same cannot be said for digital music. If you maintain only a single copy of your music files, losing everything to theft, accidental deletion, corruption, or other unforeseen circumstances could happen in moments. Therefore, establishing a dependable backup system is crucial. In the latest episode, Mojaxx offers valuable insights and tips on how to effectively set up such a system. Check out Mojaxx’s backup strategies for DJs on DJcity TV. The post Protect Your Music: Backup Strategies for DJs appeared first on DJcity News - Music and news for DJs and producers.

The ‘ROAD 10’ is a bonus segment featuring a curated set of 10 questions inspired by the ‘Proust Questionnaire.’ These consistent, reflective, and often revealing questions are asked to every guest at the end of their appearance on the Road Podcast (Reflections of a DJ). True to its name, the ‘ROAD 10’ offers a unique glimpse into each guest’s personality, values, and preferences, blending humor, introspection, and candid moments. Originally exclusive to Road Podcast Patreon subscribers, these interviews are now available on YouTube after a one-month debut on Patreon. The ‘ROAD 10’ is designed to offer viewers a memorable and intimate connection with each guest. Follow the R.O.A.D. Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube...

Stereo width plays a huge role in shaping a mix, but getting it right is a balancing act. Widening a track too much can make it sound thin, hollow, or even messy on different playback systems. On the other hand, keeping everything too narrow can make a mix feel lifeless. Finding that sweet spot – where elements feel spacious without losing clarity – takes experience and a strong understanding of stereo-imaging techniques. Few producers understand this better than Helang. Fresh off the release of her Flashback EP on HE.SHE.THEY. Records, the Chinese-American house, and techno artist continues to push sonic boundaries with her bold, high-energy productions. A major part of her process comes from Ozone Imager, a tool she’s used...

Nick Williams is a life-long musician, and a passionate fan of Native Instruments for 25 years. Today, as our CEO, he is looking to the future with a simple belief: creators deserve the best. In this conversation, Nick shares how his personal journey shapes his leadership, what he has already learned from listening to the community, and his plans for the next chapter of NI. You’ve been a fan of Native Instruments for 25 years. Can you share your first memory of using our products and how that shaped your creative journey? I’ve been a keyboard player since I was 7, and played in bands for many years. At university, I lived across the street from Thom Yorke and have followed his creative journey. When Radiohead’s Kid A came out, I...

You might remember when Lofi Girl hit the internet. It was a landmark cultural moment. Perhaps in a time when things felt chaotic, we needed this kind of music to slow ourselves down. Whatever it was that was so compelling about Lofi Girl, it was part of a movement that made lo-fi hip hop one of the most iconic and laid-back genres for beatmakers. Dusty textures, mellow vibes, and a nostalgic feel are the foundational elements that make lo-fi hip hop what it is. With a sound that’s both soothing and raw, the genre works perfectly as a background listen and is somewhat of a 21st-century answer to 20th-century ambient music. In this guide, we’ll go through how to make a lo-fi hip hop beat, step by step, using tools from the 360 Plus...

Notable tracks that were added to DJcity this week. View them all here. Download the tracks below. (* indicates DJcity Exclusive) Don Toliver (ft. Doja Cat) – Lose My Mind Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell & Vandelux – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Selena Gomez & benny blanco – Talk Biscits – Crush Major Lazer (ft. MØ & DJ Snake) – Lean On – Freejak Remix – T.I. – Bring Em Out – Richastic Remix * The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face – Rogerson Remix * Cajmere & Green Velvet – Brighter Days – KidCutUp vs. Alok Acap Intro * Jade – Don’t Walk Away – Lincoln Baio Go Down Edit * Waka Flocka Flame – Grove St. Party – SH8K Miami 2 Ibiza Remix DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Sir Marcus. To receive them via email, click here. The post Hot New...

Organic house music has been gaining traction in the electronic music scene. The blend of natural elements and electronic soundscapes feels singular to this subgenre of house music. It is this particular blend of acoustic textures and groove-based energy that has made this genre popular in the festival scene today. In this article, we’ll explore what organic house music is, how it differs from other house genres, and give you a guide on creating your own organic house tracks. Jump to these sections: What is organic house music? What is the difference between deep house and organic house? How to make organic house music Set your tempo Make a beat and add percussion Add a warm bass Insert instrumental layers and melodic elements Make...