Here are some of the best tools you can use as a musician to move your music career forward faster. Some tools will save you time, others money. All will be useful, so have a look.
Ask any piano player, and they will tell you that alternate tunings and accessories like capos are “cheating”. I just look at these as advantages of the instrument. It’s not as though a piano couldn’t be turned differently, though it would be highly unconventional. If all you ever learned was four chords on the guitar,…
Wireless microphones are gradually becoming more accepted in live performance situations. The technology isn’t perfect, but if you know how to use the mic (or you’re working with someone who does), you should run into relatively few problems. When it comes to headset mics, you don’t want to take any chances. They are commonly used…
Whether you idolize Joe Satriani, Kirk Hammett or Jimi Hendrix, many guitarists eventually find themselves seeking out a solid wah pedal to add to their effects chain. From funk and psychedelia to hard rock and metal, it has a wide range of applications (though overuse will likely make you the target of pointed criticism). But…
There are many factors that can affect your practice routine. Comfort is an often overlooked but important aspect of practice. After all, if you don’t feel comfortable while practicing, you’re probably going to spend less time doing it. The more time you spend practicing, the more you’ll improve as a player. So, if you can…
If you consider yourself an audiophile, then you probably already know that most computer speakers don’t give you the best sound. Now, if you’re a mixing or mastering engineer and need to have low quality speakers on hand, then that’s not much of a problem. But even then, it’s nice to have a good, reliable…
Looking for top quality studio monitors but not sure which are the best to buy? Well you’re in luck, as today we show you seven monitors that will suit any setup type. Professional studios will spend (easily) over $10,000 on a pair of monitors, and usually have at least two pairs. You don’t need to…
There are many ways to achieve a great guitar tone. Everybody has their own approach. From amps and effects to guitars and VST plugins, there are so many options to choose from these days. But many metal players love using distortion pedals to achieve their sound. It’s no surprise, because combined with your amp, you…
It’s amazing how affordable hardware is these days. Today, if you wanted to set up a basic home studio, you could easily do it for $1,000 or less. Even better, the quality of your recording would be surprisingly good – better than the recordings that came out of the 60s and 70s. An essential piece…
Whether it’s for recording, DJing, or live mixing purposes, there’s no denying that a mixer is a good tool to have. A four-channel mixer doesn’t necessarily offer a lot of inputs or flexibility. You probably wouldn’t mix even a three-piece band with a four-channel mixer (unless you absolutely had to), because you could easily use…
Guitar strings. Various known and respected brands, such as Gibson and Fender, produce strings with a variety of different materials and gauges. Some guitarists say, “strings are all the same.” But those who say that clearly haven’t tried many different kinds. Some strings have a brighter, twangier sound. Others are more robust and last longer….
There may not be anything particularly thrilling about microphones stands. But one thing’s for sure – if you’re planning to record, you’re going to need them. And, you would think a microphone stand’s a microphone stand, no matter its brand, model or cost, right? Nope. Some are flimsy and fall apart easily. Adjustable stands suddenly…
Looking for a good pair of studio headphones but aren’t sure where to start? Well here are the best budget headphones under $100, $200 and $300. The higher price point headphones will generally work better for a wider range of uses, but you can still get some good quality ones under $100. Best Studio Headphones Under…
There was a time when recording studios had to purchase multiple keyboards and pianos so they could have access to as many different sounds as possible. And by no means was this cheap. With technological advancements in Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), VST plugins, and MIDI controllers, it has fast gotten to the point where the…
Today we’re going to take a look at my top five picks for best keyboard. We’ll look at stage pianos and piano workstations that would suit most professionals. Some keyboards are more geared towards live playing and others towards productions, although there is always some crossover between the two. I’m a full-time keyboard player, and…
It’s easy to overlook, but there are many components that make up a guitar, and they’re all important. There isn’t a single piece that doesn’t affect the tone and look of the instrument. A bridge is a great example. It’s commonsense that it would affect the look of your instrument, but did you know that…