Buying Guide
Everything published on Viyolens under Buying Guide — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
Tubular Bells: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A big, heavy, specialist instrument deserves a proper buying checklist. Here's what actually matters before you commit to a set — no sales patter.
Flugelhorn: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Everything to check before buying a flugelhorn, from valve count and mouthpiece fit to the intonation test every model deserves.
The Best Tubular Bells for the Money
There's no single best set — there's a right tier for your setting. Here's how to match compact, mid-tier, concert-grade, used or digital to the job.
How to Choose the Right Keyboard
Choosing your first keyboard doesn't have to be overwhelming. Decide what you want to play, then let key count, action and touch sensitivity guide you to the right instrument.
Ai Music Generator: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Before you subscribe to an AI music generator, work out which product type you actually need, what features are worth paying for, and — crucially — what the commercial licence really covers.
Vinyl Player: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The honest checklist for buying a vinyl player: what you already own, the decisions that actually matter, and the mistakes that catch out first-time buyers.
Shure Sm7b: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Shure SM7B is a fine long-term buy, but only if you buy it with the right gain behind it. Here's a practical, no-nonsense look at what to check first.
Pearl Tom Toms: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Sizes, shell tiers, mounts and heads — the honest, no-hype version of what to check before you buy Pearl tom toms.
The Best Cymbals for the Money
Price and quality do not track together in cymbals. A tier-by-tier look at where your money buys real improvement — and where it just buys a name on the box.
Common Kids Guitar Mistakes to Avoid
Most 'why won't my kid practise' problems trace back to the guitar, not the child. Here are the avoidable mistakes I see most, and the fixes that actually work.
Balalaika: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Not every triangular instrument on sale is built to be played. Here's how to check a balalaika's neck, bridge and strings before you buy, and where your money is best spent.
Kalimba: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Key counts, body materials and price tags can make buying a kalimba feel confusing. Here's what genuinely matters, in the order to think about it.
The Best Rekordbox for the Money
There's no single best rekordbox plan — here's which tier earns its keep for beginners, mobile DJs, bedroom producers and touring pros.
Cor Anglais: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing a cor anglais is a bigger decision than most instrument purchases. Here is what genuinely matters, and where new buyers most often trip up.
The Best Balalaikas for the Money
From a first entry-level prima to a bespoke concert instrument, here's what each balalaika price tier honestly delivers and who it actually suits.
Tuning Fork Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A plain-spoken look at what a tuning fork actually does, how A440 became the standard, and which type belongs in your case.
The Best Erhus for the Money
There's no single best erhu — only the right tier for where you are. Here's what actually changes between student, mid-range and professional instruments.
Rekordbox: A Complete Buyer's Guide
What to check before you subscribe to rekordbox — your hardware, the right tier for how you DJ, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
The Best Handpans for the Money
There's no single best handpan — here's where genuine value sits, from a first cautious try to a premium extended-range build.
Kids Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Half the guitars marked 'junior' or 'student' are fine and half aren't, and the label tells you nothing either way. Here's the checklist that actually matters.
The Best Flugelhorns for the Money
There is no single best flugelhorn, only the best one for how you play. Here is the market sorted by student, brass band, jazz and session needs.
The Best Ocarinas for the Money
There's no single best ocarina — just the right one for your budget and how far you want to take it. Here's how the price tiers actually break down.
The Ultimate Guide to Drum Sticks
What the 7A, 5A and 5B codes really mean, why taper and tip matter more than the label, and the two-minute check that stops you buying a dud pair.
What to Look for When Buying Mics
Start with the job, not the brand. An engineer's practical guide to choosing a microphone — type, polar pattern, connection and the specs that actually matter for your source and room.
