Every music producer eventually reaches a point where it’s time to reassess their workflow, tools, and creative direction. I’ve hit that moment again, and this time the decision feels clearer than ever. After years of jumping between operating systems and DAWs, I’m committing to a new challenge: leaving Windows behind and fully embracing Linux for music production. It’s a return, a reset, and a chance to build a workflow that truly fits how I want to create.
When you’re trying to create great-sounding tracks on a tight budget, you quickly learn that high-quality virtual instruments usually carry high-end price tags. But every now and then, a free plugin appears that performs far beyond expectations and earns a permanent place in producers’ toolkits. MT Power Drum Kit is one of those rare gems—an accessible, great-sounding drum plugin that delivers professional results without costing a cent.
For years, Linux had a reputation for being difficult to use in audio production, but that era is long behind us. With huge advancements across the pro-audio ecosystem—PipeWire’s flexible routing, continued JACK support, improved Wine-ASIO bridges, Flatpak packaging, and steady community-driven development—Linux has evolved into a powerful and reliable platform for musicians, producers, and sound designers. Today, it stands as a genuinely capable alternative to traditional operating systems for serious creative work.
Adding VST3 plugins to REAPER on Linux is thankfully simple—especially if you stick to native Linux plugins, which avoid the complexity of Wine, Yabridge, and Windows bridging layers. Native plugins install cleanly, behave consistently, and integrate with REAPER just like they should. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step: installing the plugin, configuring REAPER’s scan paths, rescanning your plugin database, and troubleshooting common issues.
When it comes to songwriting, one of the most powerful tools at a songwriter’s disposal is the ability to engage the senses. Whether you’re crafting a heartfelt ballad or an upbeat anthem, incorporating sensory details can elevate your lyrics, making them more vivid, immersive, and emotionally resonant. This is where the exercise of "sense writing" comes into play—a technique that helps you connect deeper with your audience by drawing from the world of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.
In this post, we'll explore how to use sense writing to enhance your songwriting process and take your lyrics from the abstract to the tangible.
Songwriting is an art, and for many musicians, the journey begins with a simple, yet powerful tool: the chord progression. Whether you're just starting out on guitar or you've been playing for years, understanding chord progressions can elevate your songwriting to new heights.
In this post, we’ll explore how chord progressions work, how they shape the emotional tone of a song, and some tips to get you started with writing your own guitar-driven music.
Rhyme schemes are the backbone of poetry and songwriting, providing structure and rhythm that can transform words into something memorable and musical. Whether you’re penning a heartfelt poem or crafting a catchy song, the rhyme scheme you choose helps set the tone and flow of your work.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most common rhyme schemes, their characteristics, and how they can enhance your writing.
This blog is where I document my journey into home-studio recording and music production on Linux.
I’m Richard Walker — a Yorkshireman, aging hobbyist musician, and former member of a York-based band who somehow found his way back to music after a decade-long detour. Years ago I was gigging, songwriting, and living the classic “musician in his twenties” life. Then life got busy, time moved on, and music drifted quietly into the background.