“It’s a song that I love, because I didn’t compromise when I wrote it at all”: The making of Lana Del Rey’s sleeper hit
“I felt happy and started writing about how sad and gorgeous the summertime felt to me”
Artists
"There is no final curtain here, not really": Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder, dies aged 78
Influential rhythm guitarist succumbed to lung issues following cancer battle
“I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
The self-confessed Dumble “addict” talks all things guitar
"Steve Lukather said: ‘I can’t stand it.’ He got 90% of the publishing rights, so he can’t have been that mad!": How Roger Sanchez turned an '80s Toto ballad into a 2001 dance anthem
Among the canon of ‘80s-sampling chart hits, few have pulled off a transformation quite like Roger Sanchez’s Another Chance
How Prince and The Revolution turned the bare bones of Purple Rain into a lighters-in-the-air epic
Thanks to Stranger Things, a whole new generation of listeners is now getting to appreciate this 1984 mega-ballad
The story behind the 2015 dream pop gem that TikTok can’t get enough of
It might be over ten years old, but nothing soundtracks an emotional pivot quite like Space Song
"Did not establish they ever owned the copyrights to their sound recordings": Salt N Pepa lose legal battle with Universal
Label had withdrawn their first three albums from streaming
“I actually cried when I heard his version of this song”: Olivia Rodrigo on David Byrne's cover of Drivers License
Song is the first of Rodrigo’s Sour covers project
Music Tech
“A one-stop shop for almost everything a guitarist might need”: Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio review
Universal Audio curates a wide selection of its renowned amp models and effects to create a plugin that is a near-complete guitar studio
NAMM 2026: Rumours, predictions and live updates from the world’s biggest music technology show
We're covering everything going down at the industry's most important trade show. 2026 starts here
"Steve Lukather said: ‘I can’t stand it.’ He got 90% of the publishing rights, so he can’t have been that mad!": How Roger Sanchez turned an '80s Toto ballad into a 2001 dance anthem
Among the canon of ‘80s-sampling chart hits, few have pulled off a transformation quite like Roger Sanchez’s Another Chance
Best portable PA systems 2026: Lightweight and mobile PA solutions for musicians and events
Easily transportable sound solutions from the likes of Bose, LD Systems, Roland, Mackie for bands, buskers and more
"Bite down, and feel the music": Lollipop Star is the sweet candy treat that you can both lick and listen to
’Pop music that hits the sweet spot
I tested 11 of the best stem separation tools – and you might already have the winner in your DAW
Stem separation can now be found in plugins, standalone apps, browser-based platforms and many of the major DAWs – but which option comes out on top?
“This isn’t about changing Reason, it’s about giving it room to grow”: Reason acquired by AI specialist LANDR
LANDR, best known for its AI mastering tools, promises "deeper integrations, enhanced collaboration tools, and creator-focused, AI-powered features"
“A solid upgrade, offering new features and streamlined controls”: Arturia KeyStep Mk2 review
A hardware sequencer can be a highly creative tool and this updated affordable option should have plenty to offer
Roland unveils stylish KF-20 and KF-25 Kiyola "artisan" digital pianos inspired by the "Japanese concept of harmony"
The Kiyola line is a collaboration with Japanese wood furniture-makers Karimoku
“I know just enough to let the other people do their jobs": John Mayer explains why he’s bought Henson studios
“I love doing things that people tell me aren’t gonna work,” guitarist says
Guitars
“A one-stop shop for almost everything a guitarist might need”: Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio review
Universal Audio curates a wide selection of its renowned amp models and effects to create a plugin that is a near-complete guitar studio
NAMM 2026: Rumours, predictions and live updates from the world’s biggest music technology show
We're covering everything going down at the industry's most important trade show. 2026 starts here
“I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
The self-confessed Dumble “addict” talks all things guitar
Stylistically radical, Ibanez’s multi-scale Alpha series might just be the 21st-century prog-metal player’s favourite new guitar – but do you get the 7-string or the 8?
The Alpha series has everything you'd need form a high-performance guitar, with stainless steel frets, Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, locking tuners and more
"Where this guitar truly shines is under the fingers of a blues or folk picker": Epiphone Blues King Studio review
Epiphone takes a swing at a regal pint-sized parlour, but unfortunately, there are some QC issues
![Buddy Guy [left] smiles as he takes a solo on his Fender Stratocaster. He wears a red jacket and black hat. Billy Gibbons [right] wears shades, a wide-brimmed hat and a red blazer as he plays his custom SG-style electric with the V-style headstock.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/76UyXk5sHdLGiSWvdTexbA-840-80.jpg.webp)
Billy Gibbons on the tip Buddy Guy gave him after they jammed a T-Bone Walker classic
Blues guitar's greatest showman shared a little stagecraft after the ZZ Top man's cameo during a live show
EarthQuaker Devices and Dr Z team up for a tube-driven preamp that might just be the cure for whatever ails your tone
The ZEQD-Pre has an EF86 pentode just like Dr Z's sweet high-end amps, and it might just give your rig the analogue warmth, colour, and hifi sheen you've been waiting for
![Brian May [left] leans back and feels a chord as he performs live with his Red Special. Steve Vai [right] wears a ballcap and looks pleased as punch as he shows off his custom 'Green' Red Special that May had built for him.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iDnBpLna8mmLjc7LM4CpmU-840-80.jpg.webp)
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
How Tom Morello used his guitar to drill into the off-limits domain of the turntablist
The Rage Against the Machine axe-man’s most memorable moment saw him emulate a DJ scratch breakdown using a trick that few have fully mastered
With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
Guitar Tricks is our number one online tuition platform for guitar players
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
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
Latest Tuition
How close listening to Chic can teach us about the integral relationship between the kick and bass
If you want to add more punch to your production, start at the foundation of your track, with the kick and bass
How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars
We lift the bonnet on a foundational piece of synth genius, and demonstrate how you can achieve its distinctive sound yourself in your DAW
How unquantizing your tracks can make them stand out from the AI-dominated crowd
If your music is sounding a little mechanical, maybe it deserves a sprinkle of organic nurturing. We invite you to un-click the quantize!
Stuck for ideas? Here's how to create fresh basslines and melodies with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI tools
In our latest video tutorial, we explore how to use Live generative MIDI tools and hardware-inspired sequencers to create riffs and patterns
7 great house and techno tips from Don’t Be Afraid label boss Semtek (aka DJ Persuasion)
The producer, DJ and founder of one of the UK's most respected underground labels revisits a 2012 release to explore what he's learned in 15 years of releasing house and techno
Four big-name guitarists spill their recording secrets
With insight from Paul Gilbert, John 5, Adam Dutkiewicz and Marty Friedman on their approaches to the recording process
37 heavyweight bass production tips
More than three dozen priceless nuggets of bass recording and production wisdom
Creating chords for electronic music: 3 ways to generate more interesting progressions in Ableton Live 12
Let’s explore how Live’s MIDI effects can help us write better progressions
25 recording tips and tricks everyone should know
Get better takes in the studio and on the stage, with our essential advice for producers and DIY music-makers
Produce better music with our ultimate compression cheat sheet
Confused about where to start with compressors and dynamics effects? We'll guide you through the essential features and settings
Ever wondered how a microphone really works?
If microphone terminology confuses more than it helps, this guide will illuminate the microphone basics
How to stress test a laptop for music production in any DAW - and why every producer should do it
Get the most out of your machine and find out how far your laptop can really take your recordings
Never miss a MusicRadar thing: Google has made it easier to keep us in your feed
How to make MusicRadar.com a preferred source
Why imposing hard limitations could be the secret to finishing more music
We’re all struggling to fit in music-making between our other time consuming responsibilities. Optimise your process by cutting back on the options
5 creative ways to use distortion in Ableton Live: From punchier drums to dub techno delays
Let's explore how devices including Saturator, Roar and Erosion can help bring a track to life
How to think like a human drummer when building software beats
Ditch the repetitive loops and unlock more dynamic rhythms
10 tips for recording perfect drums
Essential information for anyone who wants to capture a kit
Latest Reviews
“A one-stop shop for almost everything a guitarist might need”: Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio review
Universal Audio curates a wide selection of its renowned amp models and effects to create a plugin that is a near-complete guitar studio
"Where this guitar truly shines is under the fingers of a blues or folk picker": Epiphone Blues King Studio review
Epiphone takes a swing at a regal pint-sized parlour, but unfortunately, there are some QC issues
"Its simplicity is a selling point": Funny Little Boxes Caught By The Fuzz review
A UK-built, two-knob fuzz for under a hundred bucks? We're listening...
“A solid upgrade, offering new features and streamlined controls”: Arturia KeyStep Mk2 review
A hardware sequencer can be a highly creative tool and this updated affordable option should have plenty to offer
"It isn’t just a collection of cool features; it’s a tool designed to make your recorded guitar sound better, right out of the box": Gretsch Limited Edition Abbey Road RS201 Studiomatic review
Gretsch packs the legendary studio magic of Abbey Road into a guitar that's also pleasantly playable, and competitively priced
“Proper old school producers might also baulk at the ease of song creation and the slick results” – Teenage Engineering EP-40 Riddim and EP-2350 Ting review
It’s a mobile reggae, dub and dancehall sound system with its own mic for less than 300 quid
“Pro-quality results at semi-pro cash”: IK Multimedia Precision 6 MkII review
IK’s iLoud Precision speaker range has just received a MKII upgrade and a price downgrade. Is it too good to be true?
"Makes the case that you might never need anything else": Neural DSP Quad Cortex review
Neural reaches the next frontier of amp modelling with a unit that might just change everything
