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Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

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What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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A Bittersweet Farewell: Billy Corgan’s Reflections on Black Sabbath’s Final Show

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When Black Sabbath took their final bow on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, it wasn’t just the end of an era for heavy metal—it was a deeply personal moment for countless fans whose lives the band had touched over nearly six decades. Among those voices was Billy Corgan, frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, who shared his moving tribute in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter).

A Full-Circle Moment

“A few reflections on a beautiful and bittersweet day,” Corgan began, reminding us of the moment that defined his own journey into music:

“I first heard Black Sabbath on my uncle's stereo some 50 years ago. So it was surreal to stand on a football pitch with 45,000 strong to witness the end of this grand, institutional group who has touched me personally, professionally, and at times even intimately in stolen moments of work and camaraderie.” nme.com

For Corgan, Sabbath weren’t just pioneers of heavy riffs and dark themes—they were the spark that ignited his own creative flame. Standing before the very stadium where Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reunited for the first time in twenty years, he felt the weight of history and the thrill of shared musical heritage.

Tears in the Stands

In his reflection, Corgan didn’t shy away from the emotions that welled up during the day:

“All that said, I cried a half dozen times yesterday out of the sheer immensity of what it all means to me and my connection to their music. What a beautiful and incredible day.” loudersound.com

Such candor reminds us that even rock icons are human at heart—moved by the power of collective memory and the bonds forged through song. For many in the crowd, Sabbath’s farewell wasn’t merely a concert; it was a communal rite of passage, an opportunity to honor the soundtrack of their youth one last time.

The Historic Finale

Titled Back to the Beginning, the concert was held in the band’s native Birmingham—a fitting bookend to a career that kicked off in Aston back in 1968. Despite Ozzy’s Parkinson’s diagnosis rendering him unable to stand, he delivered his final vocals seated on a symbolic “bat throne,” singing classics like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” with undiminished spirit en.wikipedia.org.

The show featured more than a dozen supporting acts—Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, and even Corgan himself joined the celebration—underscoring Sabbath’s far-reaching influence across generations and genres. Proceeds from the event, which drew over 45,000 live attendees and millions more via livestream, were directed to charities including Cure Parkinson’s Trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

A Tribute and a Thank You

Corgan closed his message with gratitude:

“Thank you, Tony, Bill, Geezer, and Ozzy for all you’ve done for so many.” m.facebook.com

His words resonate as more than a fan’s farewell; they’re an acknowledgment of the creative lineage Sabbath inspired. From the tritone-laden riffs that defined heavy metal to the atmospheric contrasts that shaped alternative rock, the band’s legacy is woven into the fabric of modern music.

A Bittersweet Farewell: Billy Corgan’s Reflections on Black Sabbath’s Final Showa-bittersweet-farewell-billy-corgans-reflections-on-black-sabbaths-final-showMuhammad SiddiquiJul 10, 2025When Black Sabbath took their final bow on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, it wasn’t just the end of an era for heavy metal—it was a deeply personal moment for countless fans whose lives...