Latest articles

Rode / 19 Feb 2025 / Daniel Cooper

Rode Explained: Features, Types and Tips

If you've browsed microphones for a home studio, podcast or video rig, you've bumped into Rode constantly. Here's the plain-English version of what it actually makes.

Guitar Tool Kit / 19 Feb 2025 / Rebecca Turner

Guitar Tool Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Choosing the right guitar tool kit depends on your maintenance needs, guitar collection, and budget. This guide covers essential tools, quality indicators, and price tiers to help you select the perfe...

Strings VST / 19 Feb 2025 / Charlotte Bennett

Strings Vst: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Not all strings VSTs suit every producer. Discover how to identify your actual needs, evaluate sound quality, estimate CPU impact, and avoid expensive purchasing mistakes.

Congas / 19 Feb 2025 / James Harrison

The Best Congas for the Money

There's no single best conga — only the best one for the music you're playing and the conditions you're playing it in.

Marching Band / 19 Feb 2025 / Nicola Evans

Marching Band Subgenres, Explained

Traditional, show-style, corps-style, HBCU, scramble bands and more — here's how marching band's many distinct styles actually differ.

UK Radio 1 Chart / 19 Feb 2025 / Gemma Phillips

Uk Radio 1 Chart: What You Need to Know

Two shows, one countdown, and a much bigger official chart behind both of them. Here's exactly how the Friday broadcast actually works.

Mic Stand / 19 Feb 2025 / Katie Anderson

The Best Mic Stands for the Money

Price is a poor guide in the mic stand market — here's what is actually reliable across different budgets and use cases.

Tube Microphone / 18 Feb 2025 / Sophie Clarke

Tube Microphones: A Complete Guide

Tube microphones deliver warm, musical character and exceptional clarity prized in professional studios. Explore valve technology, selection, and application for superior recordings.

Wall Guitar / 18 Feb 2025 / Sophie Clarke

Wall Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Display your guitar on the wall confidently. Understand mounting types, installation safety, and protection for wall-mounted instruments.

Baritone Ukulele / 18 Feb 2025 / Laura Mitchell

Baritone Ukulele for Beginners: A Complete Guide

A reassuring starting point for anyone taking up the baritone ukulele as a first instrument, no prior experience assumed.

Fender Guitar / 18 Feb 2025 / Charlotte Bennett

Common Fender Guitar Mistakes to Avoid

I've watched a lot of people fall for a guitar for the wrong reasons and feel let down later. Here's what actually trips people up, and the fix.

Cymbal Pack / 18 Feb 2025 / Benjamin Wood

Zildjian Pack Cymbals: A Complete Guide

Cymbal packs offer drummers an economical way to assemble complete cymbal sets. This guide explains materials, typical contents, sound characteristics, and how to choose a cymbal pack that sounds good...

Gretsch Electric Guitar / 18 Feb 2025 / Lucy Edwards

Gretsch Electric Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Starting with a Gretsch electric guitar? Discover why their comfort, tone and playability make them ideal for beginners, plus our essential beginner buying guide.

Recorder Yamaha / 18 Feb 2025 / Thomas Walker

The Complete Guide to Recorder Yamaha

Yamaha recorders deliver clear tone and reliable intonation for beginners through professionals. Discover why Yamaha is the gold standard for recorder players.

M Audio MIDI Keyboard / 18 Feb 2025 / Emily Foster

M Audio Midi Keyboard for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Setting up an M-Audio controller involves connection, MIDI routing and instrument selection — this guide walks through each step for first-time users.

Novation Launchkey / 18 Feb 2025 / Jennifer Hill

Common Novation Launchkey Mistakes to Avoid

Paiste Cymbals / 18 Feb 2025 / James Harrison

Paiste Cymbals: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Paiste makes cymbals for every budget and playing style — here's how to find the right ones without overthinking the range.

Evh Amp / 18 Feb 2025 / Benjamin Wood

The Complete Guide to Evh Amp

The EVH amp represents Eddie Van Halen's vision for high-gain amplification. Discover how this legendary amplifier delivers aggressive, focused tone trusted by professional rock and metal musicians wo...

Chamber Pop / 18 Feb 2025 / Rachel Hughes

The History of Chamber Pop

Chamber pop has a longer history than most listeners realise — tracing through baroque pop, 1990s indie, and the maximalist 2000s to the music being made today. Here is the full story.

Overhead Mics / 18 Feb 2025 / Daniel Cooper

The Complete Guide to Overhead Mics

Overhead mics capture the complete drum kit perspective and cymbals. Learn positioning, microphone selection, phase relationships and mixing techniques for professional drum recordings.

Telecaster Guitar Neck / 18 Feb 2025 / Rebecca Turner

Telecaster Guitar Neck for Beginners: A Complete Guide

A Telecaster guitar neck is an excellent choice for beginners. This guide explains proper hand positioning, neck care, and how to develop good habits from day one.

VST Plugins / 18 Feb 2025 / Daniel Cooper

Vst Plugins: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Spending on plugins without a specific need produces unused software. Here is how to buy VST plugins that actually improve your music.

Thunderbird Bass Guitar / 18 Feb 2025 / Benjamin Wood

Thunderbird Bass: Design, Tone and Playability

The Thunderbird bass guitar has been a staple of bass players' arsenals since the 1960s. This semi-hollow body electric bass combines striking aesthetics with a warm, distinctive tone that appeals to...