
Andy Jones
Andy has been writing about music production and technology for 30 years having started out on Music Technology magazine back in 1992. He has edited the magazines Future Music, Keyboard Review, MusicTech and Computer Music, which he helped launch back in 1998. He owns way too many synthesizers.
Latest articles by Andy Jones

Best studio monitors 2026: Studio speakers for musicians and producers on any budget
By Andy Jones last updated
My comprehensive guide to the best studio monitor speakers for home studio recording, whether you’re a beginner or pro producer

What we’ve learned about the inner workings of Kraftwerk’s mythical studio via a recent auction
By Andy Jones published
Here are five takeaways that seal the band's legendary Man Machine status - and shed a light on how Kling Klang really worked…

"I honestly don’t think I would keep going if he quit": Gary Numan on the man who makes his live shows tick
By Andy Jones published
Plus, why he’s finally agreed to play on an ‘80s cruise and when we can expect a new Numan album

The Beatles vs. Kraftwerk: Who has really been the most influential on the future of music
By Andy Jones published
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who will be the fabbest of these four?

Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
By Chris Corfield last updated
Our expert guide to the best in-ear monitors we've testedfor practice, performance and production, no matter your budget

Best laptop for DJs 2026: my choice of PCs, Macs, and Mac-alternatives for playing out
By Si Truss last updated
My hand-picked laptop choices for DJs, all perfect for Serato, rekordbox, Traktor, Ableton, Virtual DJ, and more

Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
By Andy Jones last updated
From mini monosynths, through to mighty polyphonic workstations, our experts have hand-picked hardware synth recommendations for every budget

Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
By Andy Jones last updated
My expert guide to the best MIDI keyboards of all sizes and budgets to integrate with your home studio

Best laptop for music production 2026: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
By Matt McCracken last updated
My pick of the best laptops for making music, plus hands-on reviews, stress testing, and what to look for when buying

Best studio headphones 2026: my pick of cans for mixing, mastering, and monitoring - tested by a working musician and producer
By Matt McCracken last updated
My tried and tested pick of open and closed back headphones for music makers, with full reviews and raw frequency response testing

Best budget audio interfaces 2026: Cheap USB interfaces for home recording, streaming, podcasting, and more
By Matt McCracken last updated
I’ve tested more than 20 options to bring you my expert pick of the best affordable audio interfaces for great quality recording on a budget

Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
By Matt McCracken last updated
Our tried and tested pick of USB and Thunderbolt interfaces for Mac and PC across every budget, plus full reviews, in-depth testing, and buying advice

“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
By Andy Jones published
It’s a mobile reggae, dub and dancehall sound system with its own mic for less than 300 quid

Is it finally time to stand up to the tech taking the very soul out of music-making?
By Andy Jones published
With AI and voice recognition taking the ‘strain’ out of music production, are we about to see the closure of the DAW?

“Pro-quality results at semi-pro cash”: IK Multimedia Precision 6 MkII review
By Andy Jones published
IK’s iLoud Precision speaker range has just received a MKII upgrade and a price downgrade. Is it too good to be true?

Cyber Monday plugin deals 2025: The biggest plugin sale of the year is over
By Matt McCracken last updated
Cyber Weekend has officially ended, but there are still some last-minute savings to take advantage of on music software

Black Friday plugin deals 2025: These are the last remaining deals on software
By Matt McCracken last updated
Black Friday is over, but you can still bag a last-minute deal on plugins

I went to the Kraftwerk auction to buy their chairs, but came back with a studio's worth of gear instead
By Andy Jones published
To say I got a little overexcited is an understatement - here are the hard lessons I learned so you don't have to

Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
By Matt McCracken last updated
Discover the power that a desktop PC or Mac can bring to your music-making, with my expert pick of the best desktops for music production

Best budget laptops for music production 2025: Affordable laptops for making music
By Matt McCracken last updated
I've got the latest laptops on test that will not only enable you to make music anywhere, but do it without spending a fortune – our top picks start at just $/£300

“A tantalising and cost-effective entry point to one of the great synthesizers of our time”: Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 8M review
By Andy Jones published
Groove Synthesis’ latest module has much of the power and sound of its expensive siblings for half the price

“Allows you to do away with stacks of insert or return effects and potential high processor loads”: iZotope FXEQ review
By Andy Jones published
It’s a multi-effects plugin that’s as easy to use as a standard EQ, and costs less than 50 bucks…

“One of the best analogue polysynths for the price, in any way, shape or form”: Sequential Fourm review
By Andy Jones published
Ever wanted the sound and simplicity of a classic Sequential analogue polysynth but were put off by the price? It might be time to fill in a new Fourm
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