Beat English
Ausgabe 04/2025

Master AI music production: 24 tools for vocals, beats & inspiration

Artificial intelligence is becoming an indispensable tool in music production. But which tools are really helpful? In our big special, you‘ll learn which AI tools you should know and how to integrate them into your creative workflow – whether in songwriting, mixing, sound design or writing lyrics. In workshops, we‘ll also show you how to work more efficiently with tools like SUNO, Musicfy, AIVA and Vocoflex without losing your own musical style.

AI and the law – the most important questions and answers

AI-based platforms such as Suno AI or Udio are now able to create complete songs, including full instrumentation and often even almost frighteningly realistic-sounding vocals, at the touch of a button. All you have to contribute are a few keywords such as the style of music, mood, tempo or the subject of the lyrics, and the technology does the rest. But what about copyright? Can you simply publish these songs and do you perhaps even own the rights to them? Our in-house lawyer tells the answers.

118 Euro for free: Manley Compressor & Exciter for your DAW

This month you can look forward to a very special software highlight: a faithful emulation of the legendary Manley Vari-Mu Compressor/Limiter! IK Multimedia Dyna-Mu provides warm, musical compression and is particularly suitable for gluing together signals on Bus Tracks. This high-end tube dynamics processor can also enhance instruments and vocals with a professional and warm vintage sound!

Studio stress test: Behringer LM DRUM – double clone of LinnDrum & Digitakt

What do you get when you cross a classic drum machine with a modern groovebox? Behringer shows us with the LM Drum. If you like the special sound of early digital sound generators, we think the LM DRUM is a must-buy. For under 400 euros, you not only get the classic LinnDrum sounds, but also a multi-timbral vintage sampler with signature sound on top. And the sequencer also offers many interesting extras for varied beats in addition to the easily accessible basic functions.

Portrait: Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater – virtuoso with a penchant for technology

Since 1985, the name Dream Theater has been synonymous with one of the most sophisticated bands that Rock Music has to offer. Inspired by Progressive Rock, Metal, but also Avant-garde, Jazz and Classical Music, the five trained musicians from New York often play so delicately that it seems as if they came from another universe. So we took the opportunity to get an interview with keyboardist Jordan Rudess in light of the new album „Parasomnia“. He is not only considered a proven virtuoso on his instrument, but also has a great interest in music technology, software and AI, which of course also makes him interesting for Beat.

72 hi-energy synths & brute 808 basses: EDM Blaster for Zampler & MPCs

Brutal growls, power chords and punchy synths ... this expansion covers your needs for current and upcoming sounds. If you like main room hooks and basslines in the style of Deadmau5, KSHMR, Garrix or Hardwell and the like, then the 72 sampler patches are just for you! Load them into your Zampler or MPC and get started.