SAMPLED▌ FRONT AND CENTER
Is LUNA Really Free? The Free DAWs Worth Downloading on Mac, Windows and iPad
Universal Audio's LUNA now costs nothing on Mac and Windows. Here is what that gets you, plus the other free DAWs worth your time, including Sampledex on iPad, Mac and Windows.
// also right now
GearWhat Equipment Do You Need to Start a Video Podcast at Home?
A home podcast studio built from gear I actually use: a 4K webcam, a pair of tracking PTZ cameras and the headphones every broadcast booth already owns.
FeatureIs Sampledex for iPad a Real Free DAW, and What Can It Do?
Robert Clemons has brought Sampledex from the Mac to the iPad as a free download. Here is what it does, what it can't do, and who it's for.
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Is AI Music Legal in 2026? Where the Lawsuits and Rules Actually Stand
Settlements, licensing deals, chart bans, AI labels, the EU AI Act and a criminal fraud conviction — what has actually happened, and what it means for working artists.
What Is a Performing Rights Organization and Do You Need One?
PROs collect the money your songs earn when they get played in public. Here is what that covers, what it does not, and how to join.
What Is Music Distribution and How Do You Get on Spotify?
What a distributor does, what it costs, how long it takes, and the exact steps from finished file to live release.
What Is a MIDI Keyboard and Do You Actually Need One?
A MIDI keyboard makes no sound of its own. Here is what it really does, what MIDI is, and how to tell whether you need one.
What Is a Plugin in Music Production, and Which Ones Do You Need?
VST, AU, AAX, CLAP — what plugins actually are, the difference between instruments and effects, and the handful you genuinely need to start.
Where to Find Records: Shops, Antique Stores, and Selling Your Own
Crate digging beyond the algorithm — local shops, antique malls, estate sales, and the underground artists pressing and selling their own vinyl at pop-ups.
Is the Yamaha PSR-E373 Good for Beginners? A Home-Studio Review
A 61-key portable that doubles as a MIDI controller — why it earns its spot in a small studio, and where it runs out of road.
How Spotify Royalties Work: What a Stream Really Pays
There is no fixed per-stream rate. Here is how the payout pool works, where your money gets split, and how to plan around it.
Do You Still Need a CD Burner? Why Indie Artists Should Own One
A pocket-sized external drive turns a laptop into a small-run CD plant — and doubles as a way to rip, archive, and actually own your music library.