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…

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…

Pioneer DDJ 1000 SRT Review: The Ultimate Serato DJ Controller

Pioneer has a reputation for producing exceptional DJ equipment — particularly controllers and mixers — and their products are ubiquitous among amateur and professional DJs alike. Similarly, Serato is synonymous with current-gen DJs, providing substantial control over beat-matching, mixing, applying…

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…

The Best Compressor Pedal for Any Budget [Our Top 12 Picks]

The compressor pedal can be an afterthought for many players. In fact, it’s probably right up there next to tuners as far as fun goes. For many guitarists, because it doesn’t have an immediately noticeable effect in the same way…

Cutting Vinyl at Abbey Road – with Geoff Pesche
Vinyl records, once thought to be obsolete, have made a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike appreciate the warm and authentic sound that only analog records can deliver. But have you ever wondered how those intricate…
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…

The 7 Best Tape Delay Pedals for Studio & Live Sound

A tape delay pedal emulates the sound of a widely used analog effect that is much more easily accomplished with digital technology. Tape delay has some unique and desirable characteristics to readily transform your sound. What Is Tape Delay? Tape…

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…

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…

Unveiling the Sonic Brilliance: Discovering the World of Fryette Amplification
When it comes to electric guitar amplifiers, a select few brands have garnered a devoted following for their exceptional craftsmanship and ability to capture pure tone. Among these revered names is Fryette Amplification, founded by the talented Steven Fryette. With…
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,…

Friedman Amplification TOUR: Unleashing Sonic Power and Vintage Tones
When it comes to guitar amplifiers, there is a plethora of options available in the market, catering to the diverse needs of musicians. Among the many renowned brands, Friedman Amplification stands out as a name synonymous with excellence, innovation, and…
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…

Yes: One Of Prog Rock’s Most Important Bands | Artists Who Changed Music
Yes ranks alongside King Crimson, Genesis and Pink Floyd as among the most famous, influential and innovative prog rock bands of all time.  Yes’s reputation as one of the principal originators of prog rock is largely founded on six classic…
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…

Toby Wright: The Interview – Unraveling the Sonic Alchemy of a ROCK Genius
Toby Wright is a highly regarded music producer and engineer known for his exceptional work in the rock and metal genres. With a career spanning several decades, he has left an indelible mark on the music industry through his innovative…
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…

Second Chances in the Folk-Rock Movement: Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence”
By the start of 1965, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had already broken up twice.  Their debut album Wednesday Morning 3 A.M. was a commercial failure. Simon had headed off to England to join their folk music scene, while Garfunkel…
Ableton vs Pro Tools | Choosing a DAW

In the current age of music production, we have virtually endless tools at our disposal. It’s overwhelming when you’re just starting out because you want to set foot on the so-called ‘correct’ path. In regards to DAWs, everybody has an…

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…

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…

LUFS vs dB: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

With so many ways to measure loudness, you’re definitely not alone in wondering what the deal with LUFS vs dB is. What Are LUFS? LUFS stands for Loudness Units Full Scale. It provides a standardized means of measuring loudness. There…

Cardioid vs Condenser – What’s the Difference?

When you’re first learning about microphones, all of the various terms can be confusing. After reading this article, you’ll have a better grasp of the different kinds of microphones, and most importantly, why cardioid vs condenser is an invalid comparison!…

Understanding Guitar String Gauges: What Gauge Is Best for Me?

It’s easy to underestimate the importance of guitar string gauges, especially when you’re brand new to the instrument. There are a number of factors at play when choosing the right strings, not excluding your guitar’s scale length, the tuning you…

Seymour Duncan 59 Review: Modern Humbuckers with a Classic Flair

When you think of the “Mount Rushmore” of electric guitar, who comes to mind? Many names played huge roles in its development and refinement, including Leo Fender, Orville Gibson, Les Paul, Adolph Rickenbacker, and Jim Marshall, amongst others. Certainly deserving…

Desmond Child- The Interview: The Mastermind Behind Timeless Hits
In the world of music, there are certain individuals whose talent and creativity transcend the boundaries of time. Desmond Child, a legendary songwriter and producer, is undoubtedly one of those remarkable figures. With an impressive career spanning several decades, Child…
Apogee Digital: Changing Digital Recording Forever
During the nearly four decades of its existence, the Apogee Electronics Corporation has been leading from the front. Apogee Electronic was set up in 1985 to offer a solution for a problem with digital technology that was not widely recognized,…
Eventide PitchFactor Review: A Versatile Pitch-Shifting & Delay Pedal

Eventide effects need little introduction. For over 50 years, they’ve trail-blazed digital processing and algorithms, developing massively successful hardware that’s been heard on countless records and used by some of the greatest musicians of all time. The formidable PitchFactor pedal…

Barefoot Monitors: Footprint 01 vs Footprint 02

Barefoot monitors are known for their innovative design, clean sonics, and exceptionally high price tags. The Footprint line of powered nearfields offers the same outstanding quality as their larger speakers, for those with smaller rooms. The Barefoot Footprint 01 The…

The Legendary Grooves of James Gadson: A Drummer Extraordinair
In the realm of music, certain individuals possess an innate ability to shape the sound and rhythm of a song, transcending the role of a mere instrumentalist. James Gadson is undeniably one such individual—a legendary drummer who has left an…
What Is a Line Level Signal and Why Does It Matter?

One of the first things we learn about a recording system is the variety of audio signals that connect to it. It’s a concept that can initially be tough to grasp, but once you learn it you never forget it.…

Top 6 Plugins for Mixing Metal in 2022
Jordan Valeriote is a Canadian producer/mixer/engineer and the founder of Hardcore Music Studio. He has worked with bands like Silverstein, Neck Deep, Forevermore, Intervals, Counterparts, Nick Johnston, Auras, and many more. Today, he is here to share with us his…
Eventide Blackhole Plugin Review: Nail Your Spacey Reverb Sound

Eventide has a history of producing incredible digital multi-effects processors in a time well before plugins. Many of their algorithms have naturally found their way into plugin format, including classics from their older hardware and a handful of effects from…

Eventide Blackhole Plugin Review: Nail Your Spacey Reverb Sound

Eventide has a history of producing incredible digital multi-effects processors in a time well before plugins. Many of their algorithms have naturally found their way into plugin format, including classics from their older hardware and a handful of effects from…

Mixing Guitars: 10 Helpful Tricks for Incredible Tone

Many of us are guitarists, and most of us probably love to geek out on gear and tone as much as we like to actually play. After all, finding our individual “holy grail” tone is half of what makes playing…