Universal Audio's Luna DAW updated with AI tools, including voice control and instrument detection
The DAW now allows users to start and stop recordings using a "Hey Luna" voice command
Artists
Daron Malakian on how synth leads the guitar on his new album and why he doesn’t stick to one style
Addicted To The Violence drops on Friday 18 July and finds Malakian freewheeling through his musical vocabulary
Fred Armisen says that the late Steve Albini was “instrumental” in the creation of his new album
He also had a helping hand from Dave Grohl
“He always had a kind word and a quick wit”: Bandmates pay tribute to Spinal Tap’s David Kaff
He played Tap’s keys player Viv Savage
“I’ve been incredibly busy making music...”: Damon Albarn teases a new Gorillaz album
Plus he shares his thoughts on the Bob Vylan furore
“But seriously, you know the truth”: Stevie Wonder addresses conspiracy theory that he isn’t actually blind
He gives short speech at Cardiff gig
“I invite everybody to go on YouTube and tag ‘Taylor Swift Kiss band’”: Why Gene Simmons loves Taylor – and Radiohead
"You could pay what you want for a Radiohead record? That didn't last long, did it?"
Olivia Rodrigo’s lead guitarist says that she cried after learning that she'd get to play with Robert Smith
“Our music director came and told us, and was like, ‘This is very secret – you cannot tell anyone,” says Arianna Powell
Music Tech
Universal Audio's Luna DAW updated with AI tools, including voice control and instrument detection
The DAW now allows users to start and stop recordings using a "Hey Luna" voice command
Fred Armisen says that the late Steve Albini was “instrumental” in the creation of his new album
He also had a helping hand from Dave Grohl
“I’ve been incredibly busy making music...”: Damon Albarn teases a new Gorillaz album
Plus he shares his thoughts on the Bob Vylan furore
“He brought an entirely new language of musical storytelling to television”: Tribute paid to X Files composer Mark Snow
He died on Friday, aged 78
“$199 for a synth that retreads the well-worn VA path is a big ask”: Universal Audio Anthem review
This new softsynth makes UA's Spark subscription even more tempting, but is it worth its high asking price as a standalone purchase?
“Quite neutral sounding and one of the more comfortable over-ear open-back designs we’ve tried”: Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa review
If you’re regularly mixing and mastering you should definitely check out this latest open-back headphone from Audio-Technica
Hurry! These Prime Day keyboard and piano deals are ending soon - score the biggest savings of the year so far on Yamaha, Korg, and Casio at Amazon and beyond
With popular models from piano heavyweights, there are plenty of keyboard and piano deals to get stuck into this Prime Day
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
We've uncovered the very best offers on a range of music-making gear from the likes of Yamaha, Music Man, Vox, Epiphone, Fender and more
"I love it, but a part of me is a little afraid of it": Trap producer Lex Luger releases generative AI model based on his sound
Lemonaide's Collab Club is a suite of AI models that can be used to generate audio and MIDI clips in the style of successful producers using the company's Seeds app
FL Studio 2025 introduces AI assistant that offers music production advice and helps you use the DAW
FL's latest update also brings Loop Starter, a feature that automatically loads up a selection of samples based on a chosen genre, and a long-requested increase in Mixer Tracks
"It feels like there’s a blueprint for electronic music - it's boring”: Adam Beyer on the evolution of modern dance music
Derailed by DJing and parenthood, Swedish techno titan Adam Beyer makes a triumphant return to the studio with Explorer Vol. 1 – his first album for more than two decades
Guitars
‘Crunch Berries’ are on the menu! Mesa/Boogie releases holy grail Mark IIC++ Metallica amp
Mesa/Boogie launches the Mark IIC++ head as a limited edition production model
"The 2.0 firmware update has expanded its multi-effects versatility significantly": Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
Neural focuses on guitar amp and drive pedal capturing with its second piece of hardware – but does it get the recipe right?
“A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Darkglass and session ace Amos Heller team up to create something a little out of the ordinary
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
We've uncovered the very best offers on a range of music-making gear from the likes of Yamaha, Music Man, Vox, Epiphone, Fender and more
“A really vintage‑flavoured friend”: Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue review
With a raft of recent high-spec reissue launches, is Epiphone now the home of affordable ‘vintage’ Gibsons? On paper, yes. But what about in the flesh?
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
Available fretted or fretless, the Pino Palladino StingRay is resplendent in 79 Burst – and there's a super limited edition Icon Series model that replicates all the wear of his original
Mooer’s F15i Intelligent Amp is a desktop doozie equipped with 55 amps, 69 effects and a touchscreen
The F15i is a feature-packed digital powerhouse that will give you plenty of change from $200
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Ignite your inner guitar god for just 27 cents a day with TrueFire’s July 4th sale - save 60% on online lessons
With over 84,000 lessons at your disposal, this is one of the best value guitar tuition subscriptions online right now
Can you fix your guitar's frets yourself? We try three innovative approaches from MusicNomad to investigate how they might conquer a major cause of fret buzz
Uneven frets are a common issue with our guitars, but MusicNomad has come up with different ways to empower players to deal with it themselves
How to play like George Harrison on The Beatles' Abbey Road
Learn the guitar style of the most expressive and accomplished playing The Beatle would ever commit to tape
How to play guitar like David Gilmour: Bluesy diads, slides, quarter-tone blues curls and more
Tackle the expressive phrasing and minor pentatonic tricks of one of rock's finest guitarists, David Gilmour
30 essential acoustic guitar chords, with charts
Massively expand your musical vocabulary and songwriting options with these beautiful acoustic guitar chords
"You owe your guitar the chance to be its best": How to clean and polish your guitar frets a better way
We take a look at two different products that can help you get your frets gleaming and your guitar back to its best for smoother bends and clearer vibrato
Play like Jimmy Page! Exclusive video lesson
Key techniques guitar players can learn from the Led Zeppelin legend
How learning and understanding chord symbols can prove a major benefit for sharing your musical ideas
Chord hieroglyphics can take several forms. We unravel the mysteries of one of the most symbolic and common examples
What are the best online guitar lessons in 2025? I review guitar gear for a living and these are my favourite lessons platforms
My pick of the best online guitar courses will get your playing up to speed from the comfort of your own home, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player
Latest Tuition
How to get famous sounds and effects using only Logic’s stock plugins
If you’ve got Logic, you’re already more than capable of recreating Skrillex’s manipulated reverb, Billie Eilish’s formant shifting and much more…
How to emulate a classic analogue recording system entirely with plugins
It’s entirely likely that you could recreate many legacy analogue set-ups with just a few chained plugins. Here, we’ll show you how to get started
How to use reverb to build impressive-sounding filters, reverses, risers and pads
Create your own reverb effects with our step-by-step tutorial
“Learning how to mix is almost as important as hitting on your original musical idea”: New to the mixing process? Start here
Don't let a brilliant song be swallowed up in a bad mix by following our guide to the central principles of the process
How to master virtually any software synth
Don't let your software arsenal overwhelm you - sometimes the best route to creative success is to mine just one instrument
How to record virtual and live instruments more smoothly by taking stock of your sample buffer
Latency on your plugins and audio recordings can derail a developing musical idea - but if you get a handle on managing your sample buffer you’ll have a much smoother ride
Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: The Wave Warden Odin 2
Hybrid synths offer a wealth of synthesis options and this one is absolutely free. What are you waiting for?
Don't know where to start with virtual instruments? We're here to help
Because there's never been a better, easier, more affordable time to make great music on your computer
8 things you can do with Ableton Live's updated Auto Filter device
Given a major overhaul in Live 12.2, Auto Filter features a variety of creative filter types, new modulation options and real-time visualization
The ultimate compression cheat sheet – go-to settings to help you make better music
Confused about where to start with compressors and dynamics effects? We'll guide you through the essential features and settings
Piano basics: the black notes - what are they for and how do you use them?
Fear of a black key?… Don't be afraid. Adding flats and sharps to your music will give it a new lease of life.
From Parlour to Jumbo: The beginner's guide to acoustic guitar body shapes (and which one is right for you)
There are key variables that affect how an acoustic guitar will sound - its projection and tonal characteristics in particular
Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: TDR Nova
If regular EQ and compression aren’t delivering, then dynamic EQ might be the answer – and we have the perfect free plugin
The head of Audacity shares his top 5 tips for beginner podcasters
The man who leads development of the world’s most popular free and open-source audio editor offers his advice
The ultimate guide to pedal board essentials (and what order to put them in)
Here's what you need on board and where they all sit best for maximum effect
Can you fix your guitar's frets yourself? We try three innovative approaches from MusicNomad to investigate how they might conquer a major cause of fret buzz
Uneven frets are a common issue with our guitars, but MusicNomad has come up with different ways to empower players to deal with it themselves
10 music theory tricks every producer and songwriter should know
Spruce up your chords and snazz up those scales with our simple but powerful techniques
“When you want a boring sound to sound rhythmic and exciting - reach for the delay”: How to understand and use delay effectively in your productions
It's one of the most widely used effects for producers, synthesists and guitarists alike, but how does it work?
Latest reviews
"The 2.0 firmware update has expanded its multi-effects versatility significantly": Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
Neural focuses on guitar amp and drive pedal capturing with its second piece of hardware – but does it get the recipe right?
“$199 for a synth that retreads the well-worn VA path is a big ask”: Universal Audio Anthem review
This new softsynth makes UA's Spark subscription even more tempting, but is it worth its high asking price as a standalone purchase?
“A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Darkglass and session ace Amos Heller team up to create something a little out of the ordinary
“Quite neutral sounding and one of the more comfortable over-ear open-back designs we’ve tried”: Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa review
If you’re regularly mixing and mastering you should definitely check out this latest open-back headphone from Audio-Technica
“A really vintage‑flavoured friend”: Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue review
With a raft of recent high-spec reissue launches, is Epiphone now the home of affordable ‘vintage’ Gibsons? On paper, yes. But what about in the flesh?
“An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
Get ready, you've got a lot to learn
Vox V863-CA Semi-Auto Wah Pedal review
Featuring 3 modes and both manual and automatic control, Vox has put together a versatile wah to help get the funk out
Atlas DSP, Your Last Steps Review
The new kid on the block delivers its first hard-hitting amp sim, which is tailor-made for brutal noise making and modern metal grit – just don’t call it the blues
“We were even encouraged to dig out some particularly gnarly old stuff that hadn’t seen the light of day in years”: Freqport FreqInOut FO1 review
We take a look at Freeport’s latest in/out box which promises to morph your hardware into plugin form without breaking a sweat
“Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
One of the world's G.O.A.T. sessions players gets a candidate for G.O.A.T. signature guitar – a stunning semi-hollow with dual humbuckers and a piezo, and a vibrato, and... well, it's a lot of guitar