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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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Shakira Recalls Putting Her Music Career on Hold to Support Gerard Piqué’s Pro Soccer Dreams

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Two years after her split from Gerard Piqué, Shakira has achieved significant milestones, including four major hits and a VMAs Vanguard Award, while preparing to release her next album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry). In a recent interview with The Times of London, the Colombian singer, renowned for tracks like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Beautiful Liar,” and “Waka Waka,” reflected on her years-long hiatus from music to support Piqué’s soccer career and raise their two sons, Milan and Sasha. Shakira recounted her decision to put her career on hold, emphasizing the sacrifices she made for love and family.

Shakira and Piqué’s relationship began after they met on the set of the “Waka Waka” music video for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where Piqué’s team, Spain, won the championship. They started dating soon after and welcomed their first son, Milan, in 2013. Despite their long-term partnership and two children, the couple never married and announced their separation in September 2022. Following the split, Piqué’s relationship with Clara Chia Martí became public, amid rumors of infidelity. In response, Shakira released four record-breaking songs, including “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” where she mentions Piqué’s new girlfriend by name. Shakira highlighted the contrast between artists and athletes, noting that empathy is essential for artists but often absent in athletes due to their competitive nature.

After moving from Barcelona to Miami with her sons in early 2023, Shakira found renewed inspiration in her music career. She shared with Billboard how the relocation allowed her to reconnect with music professionals and release new music more frequently, despite the challenges of balancing single motherhood with her career. Shakira emphasized the difficulty of juggling her responsibilities as a present mother and a pop star without a partner’s support. Her career had been a lower priority while living in Europe, as she dedicated herself to her family. Now, she involves her sons in her music, with Milan and Sasha contributing their voices to her 2023 ballad “Acróstico.” Shakira also expressed how her children inspire her to be a better person, describing them as the most important and amazing aspects of her life.