In most songs and tracks, production follows the composition and arrangementstages of music production.

This is where sounds are literally generated.

Look intowhat sound synthesis isif you’re interested in learning more about synthesizers.

A person using a mixer with some equalizer effect overlayed

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The typing keyboard available on your DAW can let you compose weird and wonderful synth sounds of all kinds.

If orchestra sounds are your thing, check outthe best orchestral sample libraries.

They also let you decide how small or large a range of frequencies you want to boost or cut.

Vital Basic synth plugin

Rough Rider 3 is a great free and easy-to-use option for trying compression.

If you’re unsure what the knobs and dials do, look intohow to use compression.

The sound of these reflections or reverberations is termed reverb.

Spitfire Audio LABS player showing electric and bass guitars

For both small and large reverb imitations, you could also try outTal Reverb 4for free.

6Kilohearts Delay

Delay plugins allow you to make repetitions of an audio signal at varying speeds.

They can help you generate a larger sense of space, or expand on cool musical ideas.

TDR Nova Dynamic EQ using various filter types and the threshold function

Kilohearts Delayhas a simple layout and doesn’t bombard you with knobs and dials, making it very beginner-friendly.

Even stock DAW delay plugins are a great way to try your hand at delaying parts of your audio.

7Automation

What happens if you only want to apply delay on a certain note or word?

Roughrider compressor plugin

Automation can be used on all audio-editing tools as well as volume faders and panning dials.

Look intohow to use automationfor more information on this area.

In a way, a multipart mix is like having a 3D jigsaw puzzle with multiple pieces.

Ambience preset in the Valhalla Supermassive plugin

At first, you may have many pieces stacked on top of each other and overlapping.

Stereo Delay plugin in Logic Pro X

Region and Track Automation in Logic Pro

Mixing window in Logic Pro