Drum loops are a quick and easy way to set up the foundation of a song. We’re lucky to have so many ways to chop up loops and samples, so they can actually become an integral part of any production…
The 9 Best Ribbon Mics for Your Home Studio in 2024
Ribbon microphones first emerged in the 1920s. In 1931, RCA began commercially manufacturing the PB-31, which had a huge impact on the recording and broadcast industries. Ribbon mics remained popular throughout the ’50s, though gradually started to see less use…
The 8 Best Fender Amps for Any Guitar-Playing Style in 2024
For over 70 years, Fender amplifiers have been the sonic bedrock upon which countless legendary performances have been built. From smoky blues clubs to sprawling rock arenas, Fender has consistently delivered a distinct and unforgettable tone that has shaped the…
The Best 14 Amp Simulator Hardware & Plugins [2024 Guide]
There are a lot of benefits to going the amp simulator route as a guitarist. Cost and versatility are both huge advantages over real amps, because modelers can give you access to hundreds of different heads, cabinets, and effects sims…
The Best Guitar Picks for Any Playing Style in 2024
Experimenting with different guitar picks is one of the best and simplest ways to completely change the sound and feel of your playing. It’s often an overlooked accessory, especially if you’re new to playing, but the difference it can make…
The Best Mobile Music Production Apps in 2024
Musicians’ creativity doesn’t come to a halt when they’re on the road. In a perfect world, we’d all have access to the comfort of our home studios 24/7, efficiently churning out music as often as we’d like. But whether you’re…
The Best USB Audio Interfaces For $100 or Less in 2024
Some time ago, we took a look at the best USB audio interfaces for home studios on a budget. The idea behind the list was to compile some of most tried-and-true interfaces for the home recorder likely needing no more…
Neural DSP Quad Cortex: Next Generation Modeling
The Neural DSP Quad Cortex is the most hyped piece of gear for guitarists right now. Neural have already garnered praise for their high-quality plugins, and their first foray into hardware appears to be a game-changer. Neural DSP Quad Cortex…
The 24 Best Reverb Plugins in 2024 [Free & Paid]
Reverb is one of the most commonly used effects in mixing. It’s part of a broader category of processors we sometimes call “time-based effects,” which also includes delay. Before digital, reverb was recorded using actual rooms called echo chambers. A…
The 7 Best Boost Pedal Options for Your Pedalboard
Boost pedals have been around since the 1960s. While not quite an overdrive, a quality clean boost is meant to get more decibels out of your guitar and amplifier. The most common use would be to selectively click on a…
The 8 Best Guitar Strap Locks to Protect Your Axe
Guitar drops are an unfortunate mishap, often the result of a twisted strap or an otherwise insecure connection to the existing strap buttons. One accessory prevents disaster altogether, so you can protect your investment from potential incidents. The best guitar…
Tone King Gremlin Review: Is This Stylish Combo Worth the Price?
The Tone King Gremlin is a compact yet robust tube combo amp that offers old-school tones in a convenient and manageable package. Nothing sings as sweetly as a boutique tube amplifier. How does the Tone King Gremlin hold up in…
Vox AC15C1 Review: Level Up Your Home Practice Amp
Vox is a renowned British manufacturer of musical equipment, including guitars, drums, keyboards, and most highly regarded of all, amplifiers. Founded by Thomas Walter Jennings in the late 1950s, Vox quickly became an iconic name in the world of music…
How to Use Auto-Tune for Vocal Tuning
The really interesting thing about Antares Auto-Tune is that just about everyone has an idea of what it is. For engineers, it’s a very useful tool and effect; but the fact that it’s recognized by almost everybody, beyond studio pros,…
Fender Champion 40 Review: An All-Around Powerful Practice Amp
In the realm of musical amplification, Fender has held an unwavering reputation for shaping the sounds of generations. From revered vintage models to modern innovations, Fender’s amplifiers have continuously evolved to meet the diverse demands of musicians across genres. In…
Fender Rumble 100 Review: A Versatile & Reliable Bass Amp
With a legacy spanning decades, Fender has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation while retaining the timeless essence that musicians have come to rely on. Enter the Fender Rumble 100 Bass Amp — a formidable addition to the esteemed Rumble…
Mackie Thump 15A Review: Are These Affordable Speakers Worth It?
Mackie is a well-known brand in the professional audio and music industry, specializing in the design and manufacturing of audio equipment. The company was founded in Washington in 1988 by Greg Mackie, who aimed to create high-quality audio products that…
How To De-Ess Vocals | Settings for a Pro Mix
Sibilance is what we call the hissing noise made by ‘ess’ and ‘shh’ sounds in the voice. We don’t notice it in conversation, but it can get really harsh on a recorded vocal. A de-esser can take care of excess…
Lace Sensor Hot Gold Review: Why You Should Consider These Single-Coil Pickups
As long as the electric guitar exists, Stratocasters, S-type copies, and their associated triplet of single-coil pickups will as well. Strats created the blueprint for single-coil pickups, and various iterations have been done countless times over by the finest designers…
How to Get NEVE 1073 Sound in Your Home Studio
Rupert Neve designed the ubiquitous 1073 preamplifier in 1970. For over five decades its sound has been featured on thousands of recordings. A true studio staple, the Neve 1073 produces one of the most sought after sounds ever made. Neve…
Diatonic vs Chromatic: What Is a Diatonic Scale?
The basic definitions of diatonic vs chromatic are pretty easy to understand, but like most music theory lingo, it sounds scarier than it is! The diatonic and chromatic scales together actually form the foundation for most of western music. Let’s…
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Review: Why We Love This Modeling Mic
The Townsend Labs Sphere L22 modeling microphone initially emerged as a game-changer that challenged traditional recording paradigms. Harnessing the power of innovative modeling algorithms and precision engineering, the Sphere L22 took mic emulation to an unprecedented level. We occasionally review…
Oceans 11 Reverb Pedal Review: The Ultimate Reverb Pedal?
Electro-Harmonix, often abbreviated as EHX, stands as an iconic name in the realm of musical innovation and effects pedals. Founded in 1968 by visionary engineer Mike Matthews, the company quickly gained recognition for pioneering groundbreaking guitar effects that would shape…
The 7 Best Soundproof Curtains for Your Home Studio
Ever wondered how soundproof curtains actually perform in a home studio? While not the typical go-to in acoustic treatment, they do serve a purpose, especially under the right circumstances. What Are Soundproof Curtains? It’s important to clarify right away that…
The Best Guitar String Cleaner (7 Picks for Your Axe)
The unsung hero of guitar maintenance is the best string cleaner. For many of us, guitar care isn’t as fun as shopping for actual guitars, amps, or pedals, but it’s a good idea to get familiar with the basics to…
SSL Big Six Review: Upgrade Your Studio with This Powerful Mixer
To audio engineers and producers, few names resonate as profoundly as Solid State Logic (SSL). For decades, this pioneering brand has been at the forefront of shaping the soundscape of contemporary music, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with…
Waves SuperRack Performer Review: Dial in Your Live Sound
In the ever-evolving landscape of audio production, Waves stands as a trailblazing force, offering a vast array of plugins that have become essential tools for engineers, producers, and musicians alike. With a legacy rooted in groundbreaking digital signal processing and…
UA Sphere DLX Review: A Professional & Versatile Modeling Mic You Need
In the realm of professional audio gear, Universal Audio stands as a revered name synonymous with uncompromising quality, cutting-edge technology, and timeless craftsmanship. Renowned for their exceptional audio interfaces, outboard equipment, and plugins, UA has also made a significant impact…
MOTU Digital Performer 11 Review: Embrace Elevated DAW Capabilities
Digital Performer is a digital audio workstation developed by MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn). It is designed for a variety of music and audio production tasks, including recording, MIDI sequencing, and mixing. Digital Performer has been a popular choice among…
The Loudness Penalty by Streaming Services
Streaming services like Spotify and others normalize the volume of all the material on their platform. This is so you’re not constantly turning the level up or down from song to song. However, tracks you’ve mixed may not play back…
Moog Grandmother vs Matriarch: Which Synthesizer Is Right for Me?
Pitting two popular synthesizers head-to-head, the Moog Grandmother vs Matriarch are both impressive members of the family. They are fundamentally different machines, however, despite Moog’s naming conventions and various design similarities. We’ll have a look at each in an effort…
Parallel Compression Explained
Parallel compression was developed as a means to an end. The vast majority of compressors are “downward” in action. This means that they work by reducing the peaks in source material. Parallel compression, on the other hand, was designed to…
Antares Harmony Engine Review: Craft Incredible Vocal Harmonies
Antares Harmony Engine isn’t new, but it’s gotten better and better over the years, making it worthy of a fresh review of features and specs. The company is well known for developing real-time plugins that make the lives of musicians,…
Antares Duo Review: The Ultimate Vocal Doubler Plugin?
As many may know, Antares Tech are the masterminds behind one of the most influential software plugins of all time: Auto-Tune. Their current suite of vocal effects includes numerous tools used by engineers and producers everyday to enhance the sound…
Boss IR-200 Review: The Ultimate All-in-One Compact Pedal?
This review covers the Boss IR-200 — a powerful pedal-based amp simulator and IR loader, complete with ambient effects and further pedalboard integration. If you’ve ever wished to transform and streamline your practice, performance, or studio rig for guitar or…
Audient Evo 16 Review: A Powerful & Elevated USB Audio Interface
Audient is a professional audio equipment manufacturer known for its high-quality audio interfaces, consoles, and studio monitoring systems since 1997. Audient’s mission has always been to design and produce innovative, affordable, and reliable products that meet the needs of professional…
Neve 88M Review: World-Class Recording in a Small Box
AMS Neve caused stirs throughout the recording industry when they announced their first ever bus-powered audio interface, the 88M, just one year ago. Premium quality meets portability in the 88M, an audio interface that makes a lot of tools look…
Yamaha P45 vs P125: Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Studio?
Today we’ll be comparing the Yamaha P45 vs P125 “portable” digital pianos. Yamaha has been a premiere manufacturer of both digital and acoustic pianos for years, so the brand has decades’ worth of experience in crafting quality entry-level instruments. Both…
Fundamental Stereo Miking Techniques
Stereo miking techniques use two microphones at the same time to record one sound source. Each microphone is then panned to the left and to the right to mimic the way our ears perceive sound in the “real world.” This…
Mitchell MS450 Review: The Perfect Entry-Level Electric Guitar?
In this review and rundown we’re looking at the Mitchell MS450. This guitar is a versatile and affordable instrument that delivers a wide range of tones, classic looks, and modern playability. Crafted with attention to detail, this single-cutaway beauty provides…
Room EQ Wizard | Free Acoustics Software
Room EQ Wizard (REW) is free room acoustics software for measuring and analyzing room and loudspeaker responses. The analysis helps you optimize your studio by finding the best spot for the speakers and listening position. Shooting the room gives you…
The 16 Best Chord Generator VST [Free and Paid]
A great chord progression is one of many factors that contributes to a quality piece of music. It forms a template, or the backbone, from which the rest of the song can be built. But finding chords that go together…
Martin Special D Review: A Perfect Mid-Level Acoustic?
Looking for a midrange instrument that plays like an ultra-expensive one? They aren’t always easy to find, but suitable guitars do exist, in which the quality and playability seems to greatly outweigh the price. The Martin Special D might be…
Harbinger S12 Subwoofer Review: A Roadworthy & Compact Sub
Big bass usually comes at a price (and size!) that’s impractical for regular gigging. Lugging a subwoofer around takes its toll after a while, and would typically discourage most people from even embarking on the endeavor to begin with. But…
How to Make DIY Acoustic Panels for Your Studio
Unless your home studio was specifically designed for recording and mixing music, it’s probably not an ideal tracking and monitoring environment. Professional studios are carefully planned out to eliminate acoustic issues in many ways that residences are not. But if…
Vital VST vs Serum: The Ultimate Wavetable Synth Showdown
Every virtual instrument collection deserves a good wavetable synthesizer. This type of sample-based synthesis uses pre-recorded sounds as oscillator sources. What makes it unique from a regular sampler is how much you can manipulate those samples, even so far as…
12 Incredible Songwriting Tips that Work
As musicians, we spend the bulk of our time improving on what we do. We’d probably all agree that every new project we start (and sometimes never finish!) is a step towards getting better at songwriting. While there isn’t a…
The 6 Best Shure Microphones for Your Home Studio
Shure microphones have a wonderful reputation in the recording industry as some of the best, most reliable, and most affordable mics around. Shure started as a one-man radio company back in 1925, and by the early 1930s were one of…
What Is Pitch in Music (& Why Does It Matter in the Studio?)
Understanding what pitch is in music is an invaluable and broad skill transferable to numerous tasks in music production. Not every engineer is a musician themselves, but many are. It’s good to have at least some foundational knowledge of music…
Cytomic The Glue: Best SSL Bus Compressors?
Cytomic The Glue is an affordable SSL-style bus compressor plugin. The plugins gets its name from the SSL hardware’s famous ability to ‘glue’ mixes together. Even though there are tons of SSL bus compression plugins on the market, Cytomic makes…