Music Resource Library
A growing document of curated music resources from here and around the web
About This Library
Welcome! Looking for quality free plugins, presets or samples? They're below + tons of other articles, videos and free resources to help you improve at making music. The downloads are resources I've tried and probably use often. The articles, videos and tutorials are quality, NO BS, content that I've checked out (or wrote) and will help you improve.
The Index
Resource Suggestions
I love hearing about great free resources! If you have a suggestion for the library you can reach out to me on the contact page. I’ll check it out and if it’s a good fit, I’ll put it in ASAP.
Free Downloads
Spitfire Labs
Samples
Orchestral stuff, synthesizers, and just weird awesome instruments by the legendary company, Spitfire. Get them all. (Spitfire)
Komplete Start
Variety of Free Stuff
7 Synthesizers, samples, and more all for free. Incredible. (Native Instruments)
Tokyo Dawn Labs
Variety of Free Stuff
Maybe the highest quality mixing plugins you can get for free. Nova EQ, SlickEQ and the Kotelnikov Compressor. All worth the download. (Tokyo Dawn Labs)
OTT and More
Variety of Free Stuff
From the creator of Serum, the OTT is a multiband compresor used widely by electronic producers. Get it and others. (Xfer Records)
U-He FREE SYNTHS
Variety of Free Stuff
Scroll down to the bottom of their products page for a list of amazing free synths and other goodies. (U-he)
Diva Presets
Presets
30 House Presets created by Sound7. I particularly dig the Chord based presets. This is a direct download link provided for Music Sequencing. Check out their website, Sound7, for templates, samples and more presets. (Sound7)
Boscomac
Variety of Free Stuff
The most incredible donationware synths and effects. Warning: You need the full version of Reaktor 5 or 6 (which is you have to buy) to use. (Boscomac)
Ableton Live Lite
DAW
Free limited version of Ableton Live. A DAW popular in electronic music and for live performances. (Ableton)
Pro Tools First
DAW
Free limited version of Pro Tools, great for testing out how you might like it. (Avid)
99 Sounds
Samples
They promise "free sound effects and sample libraries of commercial quality, at no charge" and they deliver. (99Sounds.org)
Free Sound
Samples
A ton of free sounds of various quality and license requirements. Still worth knowing about. (FreeSound.org)
Ozone Imager
Stereo Imager
Great free plugin for spreading sounds across the stereo spectrum. (iZotope)
Softube Saturation Knob
Distortion
Softube is a highly reputable company with highly skilled engineers, this is an amazing free saturation plugin. (Softube)
Youlean Loudness Meter
Meter
Checking the perceived loudness of your music is an important step in today's world of streaming. (Youlean)
Span
Meter
A great spectrum analyzer. Alway mix with your ears, this plugin is still great for checking your work. (Voxengo)
Vinyl
Creative
A lo-fi effect that can add mechanical noise, dust, scratches and create the sound of a record stopping. (iZotope)
Roth-AIR
Creative
A saturation / eq / multiband compressor that boosts high frequency content in a pleasing way. (Daniel Rothmann)
Basics
The Basics of Music Production
Video and Article
Originals from Music Sequencing including videos/articles like "Audio Effects Explained for Beginners" and "What DAW Should You Use". (Music Sequencing Original)
Audio
Digital Audio Basics: Sample Rate and Bit Depth
Article
A great explanation of Sample Rates and Bit Depth. Basic information anyone working in digital audio should be know. (Presonus)
Producing
Producing by Music Sequencing
Video and Article
Originals from Music Sequencing that will expand your producing knowledge. (Music Sequencing)
Intro to Synthesis
Video
Old video but great info introducing the basics of synthesis, i.e. making sounds with synthesizers. (New York School of Synthesis)
Recording
Recording Videos and Articles by Music Sequencing
Video and Article
Originals from Music Sequencing that will expand your recording knowledge. (Music Sequencing)
The Truth About Recording Levels
Video and Article
Sets the record straight on recording levels in digital audio. (Pro Sound Web)
Mixing
Mixing by Music Sequencing
Video and Article
Originals on mixing explaining mixing techniques, how to use different effects and more. (Music Sequencing)
Tracks to Practice Mixing
Interactive
Free to download multi-track recordings for you to practice mixing + other resources. (Cambridge Music Technology)
Interactive Frequency Chart
Interactive
A useful reference chart of where many instruments fall on the frequency spectrum. (Independent Recording)
Mix With the Masters
Video
The free videos from a paid site where professional mixing engineers tell you about mixing. (Mix With The Masters)
Gregory Scott: Demolishing the Myths of Compressions
Article
Fantastic article clarifying some common misconceptions about comression. (Attack Magazine)
4 Types of Analog Compression—and Why They Matter in a Digital World
Article
Essential knowledge for anyone using emulations of classic compressors. (iZotope)
Mastering
Free Guide: Mastering with Ozone
Great guide for mastering whether you have Ozone or not. This is a direct download link. (iZotope)
Music Mastering Masterclass with Joe Lambert
Master Class
A great masterclass from a professional mastering engineer. (SonicScoop)
How to Master Your Music in 5 Simple Steps
Video
A good, clear teacher, who will give you the skinny on mastering your own music without baloney. (Into the Mix)
Is Your Track Loud Enough / Loudness Penalty Plugin
Video and Article
Loudness explained well. Meauring your track and getting it to the right loudness for streaming. (White Sea Studio / Ian Shepard)
Studio / Gear
The Studio by Music Sequencing
Video and Article
Originals explaining how to build a studio, various studio gear, and custom implementation of music tech.(Music Sequencing)
Gear Reviews from Music Sequencing
Video and Article
A collection of the gear reviews done by Music Sequencing. (Music Sequencing)
Ear Training
Teoria Musical Ear Training
Interactive
Ear training practice for intervals, chords, melodic dictation and more. (Teoria.com)
Music Theory
A comprehensive guide to basic music theory for EDM producers
Article
A very helpful guide written on Reddit to the basics of music theory. (u/ShitBirdMusic)
The Circle of Fifths - How to Actually Use It
Video
A helpful description of the circle of fifths (Michael New)
Music Business
How to Get All Your Music Royalties: ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SoundExchange, PROs and the Rest
Article
Article updated on May 9th, 2019 on how to collect royalties for your music. (Ari's Take)
Promotion
Spotify playlists: your secret guide to getting featured
Article
Article detailing strategy to get on playlists. (promoly)