Oliver Thompson

Everything You Need to Know About Argos Hifi Systems

A hi-fi system is an integrated collection of audio components—source, amplifier, speakers and preamp—designed to reproduce recorded music with accuracy and detail. Building one thoughtfully, not haph...

Plugin Types: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Before you add another plugin to your collection, it's worth checking whether you need it at all. Here's the honest buying checklist.

Midi Keyboard: A Complete Buyer's Guide

There are more options than almost any other piece of music technology. Oliver identifies what actually matters and cuts through the noise.

Common Cassette Player Mistakes to Avoid

Buying unserviced machines, using the wrong tape type and skipping head cleaning are the errors that cause most cassette playback problems. Here is what to watch for.

Common Ableton Live Mistakes to Avoid

A few habits trip up almost everyone new to Ableton Live. Here's the honest list, and the easy fix for each one.

Logic Pro for Beginners: A Complete Guide

The Logic Pro interface is large, but most beginners need only a handful of tools to get started. Here is how to record, edit, and mix your first project from scratch.

The Best Bass with Amplifiers for the Money

Chasing a single 'best' bass amplifier is a fool's errand. Here's how to think in tiers instead, so your money goes exactly where it matters.

Dj Turntable Explained: Features, Types and Tips

A DJ turntable is built to be handled — grabbed, nudged, and adjusted mid-play. Understanding how direct drive, torque and pitch control work makes everything else make sense.

Usb Turntable for Beginners: A Complete Guide

A USB turntable lets you digitise vinyl records on your computer. Understand the signal path, set up your software and start recording your collection.

Common Sp 404 Mistakes to Avoid

Most of these have nothing to do with the machine itself — they're just habits worth unlearning early. Here's what actually trips people up.

Midi Interface Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Vinyl Cleaner Machine: A Complete Buyer's Guide

A proper vinyl cleaner machine pays for itself the first time it rescues a record you thought was a lost cause. Here's how to actually choose one.

Common Dac Mistakes to Avoid

Most DAC disappointments are setup problems, not defects. This guide shows the 10 pitfalls people hit and how to avoid them before wasting money.

Common Akai Mpc Mistakes to Avoid

Plenty of people buy an Akai MPC full of enthusiasm and fall into the same avoidable mistakes. Here's what trips people up most, and how to dodge it.

Common Pioneer Dj Mistakes to Avoid

Everyone makes at least one of these. Here's how to avoid the expensive, frustrating mistakes people make buying and using this gear.

Vinyl Record Player for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Getting into vinyl doesn't need to mean spending a fortune or memorising a wall of jargon. Here's the advice I wish someone had given me at the start.

Common Numark Dj Controller Mistakes to Avoid

Every DJ makes the same mistakes early on. Here's the honest list of Numark controller pitfalls and how to skip past them.

Free Dj Software Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Dj Headphones for Beginners: A Complete Guide

New to DJing? Here's the simple, no-jargon version of what to look for in your first pair of DJ headphones — and what you can safely ignore for now.

Everything You Need to Know About Jbl Bookshelf Speakers

JBL bookshelf speakers deliver quality sound in compact packages for home listening and studio monitoring. This guide covers JBL speaker technology, model types, sound character, room placement and va...

Vinyl Player Explained: Features, Types and Tips

What's really going on inside a vinyl player, the main types you'll come across, and the terms worth understanding before you start comparing decks.

The Complete Guide to Midi Drum Pads

MIDI drum pads have revolutionised percussion performance and production. These velocity-sensitive controllers unlock creative possibilities for hip-hop, electronic music, and beyond.

The Complete Guide to Novation Synth

Novation synth instruments balance professional sound design capabilities with intuitive interfaces, making them essential for electronic music producers, performers and sound designers worldwide.

The Complete Guide to Vinyl Albums Chart

The vinyl albums chart has experienced a remarkable resurgence in the music industry, reflecting growing consumer interest in physical media and analogue sound. The vinyl albums chart now represents a...