John von Seggern
Founder & CEO, Futureproof Music School
John von Seggern is the founder and CEO of Futureproof Music School. He holds an MA in digital ethnomusicology (the anthropology of music on the internet) from UC Riverside, and a BA in Music, magna cum laude, from Carleton College. A techno producer and DJ since the late 1990s, he released as John von on his own net.label Xeriscape Records while working at Native Instruments, where he co-authored the MASSIVE synth manual. He contributed sound design to Pixar's WALL-E (2008), was a member of Jon Hassell's late-career Studio Group on Hassell's final two albums, ran Icon Collective's online program with Max Pote for eight years before Icon closed in May 2025, and authored three books on music technology including Laptop Music Power!. He architected Kadence, the AI music coach at the core of Futureproof.
Posts by John von Seggern
The Best Vibe Coding Tools for Music Producers in 2026
Honest take on which AI coding tools actually work for music projects. Cursor, Claude Code, Lovable, Replit, Codex. What each is good at, what each fights you on, and which one to start with if you're a producer trying this for the first time.
The Best AI Stem Separation and Vocal Removal Tools in 2026
Read every stem separation thread on r/edmproduction, r/audioengineering, Gearspace, and VI-Control from the last 18 months and pulled out what producers actually agree on. UVR5 with Roformer models is still the free quality king, MVSEP wins in a browser, and bass is every tool's weak spot.
The Best Audio to MIDI Converters in 2026, Ranked
Read every audio to MIDI thread on Reddit, Gearspace, VI-Control and KVR from the last eighteen months, plus the comparison videos, and checked every price against the vendor. Short version, the free option is genuinely competitive, and the tool matters far less than what you feed it.
How to Make Hard Techno: Kick Design, Rumble, and Club Mixing
rewrote our hard techno guide. the rumble kick chain is the part most people get wrong. you don't sidechain to the original kick you sidechain to a parallel return. small thing, completely different result.
How to Make Vaporwave: Tools, Samples & Sound (2026 Guide)
Learn how to make Vaporwave music with this complete production guide. Sampling, synths, Lo-Fi effects, mixing tips, and arrangement techniques for authentic Vaporwave production.
How to Learn Synthesis Without Watching Another Tutorial
the first exercise is literally one knob. we compiled a real synth engine to run in the browser so you can learn sound design by matching sounds with your ears instead of watching another preset tutorial.
Best Online Electronic Music Production Schools (2026 Comparison)
From a 24/7 AI music coach to daily live workshops and Grammy-nominated mentors, here are 10 reasons Futureproof is the top online electronic music school.
Vibe Coding for Music Producers
Most music producers can describe a tool clearly enough that an AI could build it for them. Almost nobody knows that yet. Here's what it looks like in practice, what it actually unlocks, and how to start without making the obvious mistakes.
Can AI Make You a Better Music Producer?
Can AI make you a better music producer? I got asked exactly that on the AI Experience podcast with Julien Redelsperger, and it turned into a long conversation about how electronic music actually gets made, what AI is good and bad at, and who owns a track when a machine touched it.
What Is Phonk? The Dark, Distorted Genre Rooted in Memphis Rap
Phonk is the dark, cowbell-driven sound that grew out of 90s Memphis rap and blew up on TikTok. Here's where it actually came from, the main sub-genres, and what gives it that grimy character.
What Is Vaporwave? The Genre's Origins, Sound, and Why It Still Matters
spent the weekend going down the vaporwave rabbit hole again. the genre is older than most of my students now and still doesn't fit any of the boxes people try to put it in. wrote up where it came from and why it keeps coming back.
What Is Hard Techno? A Practitioner's Guide to the Sound, History, and Scene
145 bpm doesn't make it hard. the kicks do. wrote up what actually defines the genre, where it came from, and who's pushing it now.
How to Make DnB: Drum & Bass Production Guide for Ableton Live
Learn the essentials of producing drum and bass with our easy step-by-step guide for beginners. Start creating your own tracks today!
What Is Experimental EDM? Trap, Glitch & Alien Sound Design
Dive into the unpredictable world of Experimental Trap, where traditional beats get twisted, and sound design is an art form. Discover why this genre, influenced by everything from Rave to Boom Bap, is captivating a new generation of producers using DAWs like a sonic playground. Learn what makes it
How to Make Dubstep: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide
Start creating your own dubstep tracks with this beginner's guide. Dive in and elevate your music today!
How to Make Festival Trap Drops Like Runnit
Discover essential tips and sounds to elevate your festival trap tracks. Learn how to create captivating beats that resonate with your audience.
What Is a DAW? A Producer's Guide to Choosing Your First One
Ready to stop making music that sounds like it was recorded inside a recycling bin? Choosing your first Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the single most important step to making legitimate-sounding Electronic, Hip Hop, and Rock. This guide demystifies the process, breaks down what a DAW is, and hi
Futureproof Launches a New Kind of Music School
Futureproof believes the future of music is human. We use artificial intelligence to augment the music education experience, making the curriculum more relevant and intuitive for each student.
Afro House Production: A Producer’s Guide to Crafting Deep, Soulful Grooves
Ready to tap into the soulful pulse of Afro House? This guide explores how traditional African rhythms fuse with electronic House Music to create a global phenomenon. Learn about essential DAWs, drum programming techniques, and why Afro House offers a unique blend of deep history and modern danceflo
The Best AI Mixing and Mastering Tools in 2026, Ranked
The best AI mixing and mastering tools in 2026, ranked and tested: Ozone 12, LANDR, Sonible, Emastered, plus the free options that actually hold up.
The 7 Best Online Music Production Schools of 2026
Elevate your music production skills online. Live mentors, AI coaching, DAW training (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio), & community support....
What Happened to Icon Collective? (2026 Update)
Icon Collective permanently closed on May 29, 2025. Learn the full story of what happened, why it closed, and where former Icon staff and alumni are now teaching.
What is Dubstep? A Guide to Its History, Sound, and Subgenres
Explore the essence of dubstep, from its roots to its electrifying beats. Discover the genre's impact and why it continues to resonate.
Best Alternatives to Icon Collective Music School in 2026 (Honest Comparison)
Discover electronic music production alternatives to Icon Collective. Explore top schools, online courses, mentorship, & sound design programs....