“Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” may have leaked early last week, but today the album receives its official release. For those of you still listening to the leaked version, support our robot overlords and head over to iTunes to purchase the album today.” – MixMag

Buy Here: iTunes

Here are my Top 10 tracks for the month of May.

1. One Republic – If I Lose Myself – (Alesso Remix)
2. Laidback Luke & Hardwell – Dynamo (Original Mix)
3. Gusto – I Am ***COMING SOON
4. Knife Party – LRAD
5. Krewella – Alive (Hardwell Remix)
6. Kendrick Lamar, Nari & Milani – Don’t Let The Bitch Get ‘Cha (Sgt Slick & Vice Edit)
7. Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers – Get Lucky – eSQUIRE Remix
8. Jerome Robins, Hysteric Ego, Crazibiza – Want Love 2013 (Original Mix)
9. Showtek – Slowdown (Original Mix)
10. Major Lazer – Get Free (What So Not Remix)

Check out Laidback Luke‘s step by step guide he shared with InTheMix.com on how to get into the world of production.

This is the order of how to get into producing…
#1 START WITH MAKING EDITS
This is re-arranging your favorite tracks and switching up the order of the song structure. Maybe try to cut a few notes and beats to make it sound crazier. Move into making mash-ups. This is basically putting two tracks together. Take the beats of one track and put the melody of another track over it. Most common mash-ups are putting an acappella over a track. Mash-ups will make you more aware of EQ-ing and compressing as well as blending elements together.

After this you will be ready to try and make bootlegs. Bootlegs are unofficial remixes. This involves adding your own beats and melodies to existing tracks. Please never call a bootleg a remix, unless the original artist or record label will release it. If you try calling a bootleg a remix, you will be seen as a wannabe by the professional world. After you have mastered this, you’ll be able to start making your own tracks.

#2 SAMPLE A KICK-DRUM FROM A PROFESSIONAL TRACK
A well-mixed, loud dance track stands or falls with the kick-drum. To ensure you use the right one, and it sounds heavy enough, just sample one from an existing track. This way, you know it has already been mixed and mastered. Any element you layer on it will kick ass.

#3 TIME TO MASTERCHAIN
I always start my productions with my full masterchain on. Masterchain are the plug-ins you have on your master output to make your track sound fat and at a decent professional-sounding volume. I always advise to have at least a compressor and a limiter on there. My masterchain has at least five compressors in there now! Whatever works for you to get the fattest sound is fine. Just make sure your track doesn’t distort and you still have dynamics in there.

#4 DON’T GET STUCK IN A LOOP
Take a half-hour break every two hours. Like, really push yourself to do so! I can tell you most of my ideas and inspiration came from taking a pee after those two hours, or while nibbling on a sandwich. That break clears your brain out from the strain and freshens up the ears. When you get back in studio mode, you’ll instantly hear what needs to be tweaked or what you need to do to take the track to a higher level.

#5 REFERENCE YOUR TRACKS
It’s very important to mirror your tracks with professional tracks. I often have three or more references to compare my tracks with. When you switch back and forth to your track and the professional tracks, you will hear where your track is lacking.

Think about it: these professional tracks sound good everywhere. So if your track sounds similar in the overall EQ and loudness, your track will sound good everywhere as well. After that, it’s good to try and hear your track on any type of system, whether it’s your car, TV or crappy earplugs.

#6 ONTO THE NEXT…
Make an effort to actually finish your tracks. Snippets don’t count. It’s a true producer’s skill to be able to actually finish a track. Although you’ve spent a ton of time on a track, and it feels like your baby, leave it and start working on a new track.

You might get people who aren’t into your track, or say this and that needs improving. Take that feedback and work on a new project. Only then will you keep evolving. It protects your artist ego, as the best is yet to come, always.

Via: InTheMix

“An intimate portrait of Gucci’s Creative Director, Frida Giannini, The Director spans 18 months behind the walls of the iconic Italian fashion house, exploring the intricacies and inspiration behind the quietly brilliant power woman, whose own evolution as the creative force behind force the brand is as nuanced as that of the storied fashion house itself.” – World Movie Trailerz

In the latest installment of a segment called ‘Lie Witness News’, Kimmel’s reporters went to the California music festival to talk with fans about the bands they were most excited for…none of which exist. Hahahaha…

Here are my Top 10 tracks for the month of April.

1. One Republic – If I Lose Myself – (Alesso Remix)
2. Laidback Luke & Hardwell – Dynamo (Original Mix)
3. Gusto – I Am ***COMING SOON
4. Daft Punk ft. Pharrell – Get Lucky
5. Dannic – Viper
6. Ummet Ozcan w/ W&W – The Code (Original Mix)
7. Blasterjaxx – Koala (Original Mix)
8. Major Lazer – Get Free (What So Not Remix)
9. Showtek – Slowdown (Original Mix)
10. Chris Lake – Ohh Shhh

“Junior Sanchez has re-entered the dance music scene in full force, bringing forth his unmatched experienced and knowledge through his newest brand. In addition to his Brobot label launched alongside Steve Angello, Sanchez is hitting the airwaves with a radioshow of the same name. In a recent interview with Dancing Astronaut, the veteran has described Brobot as a menu of electronic music,” with an impressive variety that “you come into Brobot, you listen and enjoy.” The third radio mix is of the same nature, as Junior dished out an eclectic selection that he prepared for his own listening in his car, allowing fans to enjoy what he enjoys personally.” – Dylan Farella (Dancing Astronaut)

Via: Junior Sanchez

What happens when two of the biggest producers in dance music decide to join forces? Dance floor chaos inevitably ensues. His last single Pogo is still causing serious damage in his sets, Laidback Luke didn’t waste any time in returning to the fray with his next single for Mixmash, and this time he has teamed up with fellow Dutchman and dance titan Hardwell.

Via: Laidback Luke

Purchase: Beatport

***Bonus Video***

Here’s a mix I decided to make…Just For Fun.

Via: Gusto

“From Tamashii Nations, the premium collectible line of Bandai Japan, comes this pair of Daft Punk figures. Featuring Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter in their signature uniforms and helmets, the collectible figures stand approximately 15 cm tall and feature precise articulation for all manner of poses. The signature helmets feature a shiny metallic finish for added realism while the clothing features realistic creasing and bunching. No word on pricing yet but look for these at select stockists in November. You can find more information, albeit in Japanese, here.” – James Shorrock

Via: Hypebeast