"I use amp modellers all the time… mostly not on guitar" – an interview with The National, Interpol producer Peter Katis By Alison Richter last updated 7 April 21 The Grammy award-winning producer talks musical pragmatism, vintage rack gear and the pressures of the studio
Producer / engineer Forrester Savell: my top 6 recording tips for guitarists By Alison Richter published 3 January 20 The acclaimed Australian producer has worked with Bryan Beller, Karnivool, Helmet, Cog and Animals As Leaders
"I now understand drums in such a different way" – Bad Wolves' John Boecklin talks going back to basics By Alison Richter published 6 December 19 The former DevilDriver drummer spent two and a half years relearning his craft with renowned tutor David Elitch
Bryan Beller: “With the Aristocrats, there’s a licence to do anything... and we have fun with it” By Alison Richter published 17 October 19 The Aristocrats bassist and solo artist is on productive form
Hellyeah’s Christian Brady: “It can be three notes or a thousand . . . If you’re speaking the truth with it, that’s where it’s at” By Alison Richter published 3 September 19 The Hellyeah guitarist talks gear, musical vocabulary, losing Vinnie Paul and why the band had to continue in his memory
Mike Brignardello's top 5 tips for bassists: “Whenever I get sick of my playing and can’t stand it, I know the way out is to practise” By Alison Richter published 14 August 19 Giant bassist and session pro on how your people skills can also be just as important as your chops
Vocal coach to the stars Peter Strobl shares his top tips for guitar and bass-playing singers By Alison Richter published 17 May 19 Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen look to him for guidance, and now you can learn from the singing guru, too
Session ace Derek Frank's top tips for bassists: "You don’t get gigs by staying in your bedroom posting Instagram and YouTube videos" By Alison Richter published 9 May 19 Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain's right-hand man on how to diversify and succeed in music
Erik Kertes: “Knowledge is power. If you can play all these styles of music, you’re going to work that much more” By Alison Richter published 29 April 19 We talk to the pop session bassist, who counts Shakira and Michael Bublé among his gigs
Jeff Hughell's 6 tips for bassists: "The wall of sound is good some of the time, but it’s also important for the bass to venture off" By Alison Richter published 2 April 19 Six Feet Under's seven-string virtuoso on maintaining the low-end while pushing its boundaries
Session bass ace Tim Lefebvre: "Even if it’s obtuse harmonically, if it’s funky, people will respond to it" By Alison Richter published 22 March 19 Tedeschi Trucks, David Bowie and Brian Adams bassist on improvisation, gear and Whose Hat Is This?
Thomas Rhett guitarist Nathan Whitney: "When the call came, I was informed the tour was starting nine days later" By Alison Richter published 20 February 19 Guitar player for country megastar on his custom Yamahas, why he went digital, and how to land and keep the biggest session gigs
Mandolin master Sam Bush: "The joy is in sitting in a circle and playing. Being an acoustic musician by nature is part of that" By Alison Richter published 12 February 19 The renowned fiddler and New Grass Revivalist talks recording, technique and the future of music
Meshell Ndegeocello: “You’re trying to express the inexpressible, to feed your heart” By Alison Richter published 7 January 19 The singer-songwriter and bassist returns with an album of reinterpretations
Steve Vai engineer Greg Wurth's top tips for recording: "It’s about the purity of the sound, before the microphone even gets set up" By Alison Richter last updated 24 March 21 Tony MacAlpine, Tracii Guns, and Mary J Blige producer shares sound advice
Mike Krompass: "Listening to the other players is way more important than being an amazing player yourself" By Alison Richter published 14 November 18 Multi-platinum guitarist, producer and songwriter on studio tips, signature gear and his love of Laney amps
Greg Howe's top 5 tips for guitarists: "Having the ability to be as expressive as possible is now much more of a priority than the ability to impress" By Alison Richter published 10 October 18 Fusion legend shares tone, playing and personnel advice
Jason Aldean bassist Tully Kennedy: "Being a studio musician in Nashville is challenging. You don’t spend two days on a song; you’ve got a half-hour" By Alison Richter published 17 September 18 Nashville low-end supremo on gear essentials and what it takes to play with one of country's biggest names
Country music legend Buddy Cannon: “When you’re having fun playing music, it makes its way to the listener” By Alison Richter published 2 August 18 The producer and songwriter talks collaborating with Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson
Brad Davis: "The rhythmic underbelly, that fabric, is the key to better lead playing" By Alison Richter published 3 July 18 Flatpicker extraordinaire on his fabled double down-up technique and why your picking hand is the key to your tone
Nickelback's Mike Kroeger: “I’ve got what many could consider the biggest bass amp in the world… a 1.5-million watt PA!” By Alison Richter published 26 June 18 The long-serving bassist on amp-free rigs, playing to the fans and his indestructible Spectors
Harmonica legend Mickey Raphael reflects on The Highwaymen: “It was like Mount Rushmore onstage” By Alison Richter published 18 May 18 Session ace on working with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson
Alter Bridge's Brian Marshall: “Sometimes, if I’m close enough to the kick drum, it’s like the bass plays itself” By Alison Richter published 26 March 18 The bassman on rigs, clicks and playing as a unit
Nashville session guitar king Jerry McPherson: “Instead of trying to make yourself look good, you need to make the song look good” By Alison Richter published 20 March 18 Vince Gill, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw guitarist reveals live and studio secrets
Suzi Quatro: “The Precision is the only bass that you can plug directly into the board and it’s perfect” By Alison Richter published 14 March 18 Suzi Q talks gear changes, inspirations and five decades of bass