Oliver Thompson

Turntable Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Direct-drive or belt-drive, DJ or hi-fi — understanding these distinctions makes it straightforward to choose the right type and understand what each component does.

Everything You Need to Know About Custom Turntable Slipmat

Turntable slipmats enable vinyl DJs to manipulate records independently of the platter, allowing scratching, cueing, and mixing techniques essential to DJ performance. Explore materials, maintenance,...

Synth Module: A Complete Guide

From Moog's East Coast circuits to Buchla's West Coast weirdness, here's what a synth module actually does — and how the families of Eurorack gear fit together.

The Best Dacs for the Money

The best DACs for your money depend on budget and listening priorities. This guide maps budget, mid-range and premium converters, and where improvement per pound peaks.

The Complete Guide to DJ System Controller

Dj system controllers centralise control over mixing, effects, routing, and software integration. Discover how to choose and use the right controller for your setup.

Common Akai Mpc Sample Mistakes to Avoid

The same handful of slip-ups trip up nearly everyone new to the MPC Sample. Here's what to watch for, and the easy habits that fix each one.

Bluetooth Speaker for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Everything feels complicated until someone just explains it plainly — here's everything a beginner needs to know about Bluetooth speakers, without the jargon.

Reason Studios: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Four buying options, four different use cases: Reason Free costs nothing, the Rack Plugin suits existing DAW users, the full licence gives you the complete environment, and Reason+ adds a larger libra...

The Ultimate Guide to Hifi Active Speakers

Active speakers hi-fi integrate amplification directly into each unit, simplifying setup whilst delivering exceptional sound. Ideal for music lovers seeking high-quality audio without the complexity o...

A Complete Guide to Plugin Reviews

Plugin reviews help producers make informed decisions about audio software investments. Understand where to find credible reviews and how to evaluate them critically.

Dac: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Before you buy a DAC, you need to know what you're connecting it to — because getting that wrong is the most expensive mistake you can make.

Dj Headphones: A Complete Buyer's Guide

A crate-digger's honest checklist for buying DJ headphones — the handful of things worth checking, and the spec-sheet numbers you can safely ignore.

Modular Synthesizer for Beginners: A Complete Guide

No jargon overload — a calm, step-by-step first patch and the beginner mix-ups cleared up, for anyone starting out with a modular synthesizer.

Headphone Dac Explained: Features, Types and Tips

A headphone DAC transforms digital audio into analogue sound. Discover why a dedicated DAC matters, how it improves sound quality, and whether you need one.

Behringer Synthesizer Explained: Features, Types and Tips

From Minimoog-flavoured monosynths to Oberheim-inspired polysynths, the Behringer catalogue is a maze. Here is how the types and the history fit together.

The Best Reason Studios for the Money

Reason Free costs nothing and is worth installing immediately. For most producers with an existing DAW, the Rack Plugin at £199 gives the best value. The full DAW suits those who want one integrated t...

The Ultimate Guide to Reason Daw

Reason DAW has one of the most distinctive interfaces in music production — a virtual hardware rack complete with patch cables. This guide explains exactly how it works and what makes it special.

How to Set Up and Use Vinyl Record Player

Ten minutes of proper setup now saves you a scratched record and a confused evening of no sound later. Here's exactly how it's done.

Direct Drive Turntable: A Complete Buyer's Guide

A direct drive turntable can last decades — but only if you buy the right one. Here's what to look for before you part with your money.

Everything You Need to Know About Denon Home Subwoofer

The Denon Home Subwoofer brings wireless bass extension to compact Denon HEOS systems, eliminating cables whilst offering app-based control and ecosystem integration.

Music Streamer: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Choosing a music streamer means matching streaming service support, DAC quality and app maintenance records to your actual setup. Here's the buying breakdown from entry-level to high-end.

Cd Player Explained: Features, Types and Tips

A CD player reads audio CDs through a laser transport, converts the digital stream via a DAC, and outputs analogue audio to your amplifier. Here is how each stage works and what it means for sound qua...

Midi Foot Controller for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Setting up a MIDI foot controller for the first time takes one session to understand — this guide walks through every step from cable connection to first preset switch.

Common Vital Synth Mistakes to Avoid