Andy Jones

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 Future Music, Keyboard Review, MusicTech magazines and currently runs Computer Music which he helped launch back in 1998. He owns way too many synthesizers.

Articles by: Andy Jones

Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case

Best in-ear monitors 2023: IEMs for stage and studio

By Chris Corfield last updated

Our ultimate guide to the best in-ear monitors for musicians and producers, no matter your budget

Close up on a pair of studio monitors in the studio

Best studio monitors 2023: studio speakers for musicians and producers on any budget

By Andy Jones last updated

A comprehensive guide to the best studio monitor speakers for home studio recording, whether you’re a beginner or pro producer – including Yamaha, IK Multimedia, Focal and more

Person using an Akai MPK Mini MK3 with a laptop

Best MIDI keyboards for beginners 2023: entry level keyboards for those starting out in music production

By Andy Jones published

Advice and recommendations to help newcomers to music production find the best entry-level MIDI keyboard

Antares Auto-tune and Waves Tune screen grabs side by side

Antares Auto-Tune vs Waves Tune: Which vocal tuner is best?

By Andy Jones published

Two of the biggest vocal tuners go head to head as we put Antares Auto-Tune up against Waves Tune to see which is the right one to apply to your vocals

Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field

Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field review

By Andy Jones published

  • £1,999

The OP-1 Field looks set to be as divisive as the original OP-1. Brilliant… and ridiculously expensive

Apple MacBook Air M2

MacBook Air M2 (2022) review

By Andy Jones published

This could be the music production laptop you've been waiting for…

Women wearing headphones sings into a microphone

Best pitch correction plugins and apps 2023: software to improve or enhance your vocal recordings

By Andy Jones last updated

Get your vocals in tune or nail that incredibly popular Auto-Tune® sound with 13 free and paid-for plugins from Antares, iZotope, Waves and more - includes PC, Mac and mobile options

Teenage Engineering OP-1 vs OP-1 Field

Teenage Engineering OP-1 vs OP-1 Field: which is the best portable synth?

By Andy Jones published

We put the iconic hipster-friendly electronic instruments head to head

Two Focusrite Scarlett audio interfaces on top of one another, on top of a road case

Best audio interfaces under $200/£200 in 2023: 11 models from Focusrite, Audient, Arturia and more

By Andy Jones last updated

Make high quality recordings of your playing or singing into your Mac, PC or mobile device with an interface that won’t break the bank

Roland JD-08

Roland JD-08 review

By Andy Jones published

  • £349

Roland’s latest Boutique is a recreation of one of its most fascinating synths from the ’90s, the JD-800. Where that was massive, this is tiny but it delivers the crunch of the original and some lovely 2022 features…

William Orbit

William Orbit: "Pro Tools is a lot better than drugs, that's for sure!"

By Andy Jones published

Super-producer William Orbit's career went on hold as he battled drugs and lost his confidence. The joy of painting and a beginner's guide to Pro Tools got his mojo back, and now he’s releasing his first new album in eight years…

1010 Music Nanobox Lemondrop

1010 Music Nanobox Lemondrop review

By Andy Jones last updated

  • £379

The second in the Nanobox range is a touchscreen, palm-size synth with full-size sound… and price

1010 Music Nanobox Fireball

1010 Music Nanobox Fireball review

By Andy Jones last updated

  • £379

The first Nanobox mini synth from 1010 Music fits in your hand but it packs a full-sized punch

New iPad Pro 12.9-inch on a black background

Best tablets for music production 2023: make music on the move, with the tap of a finger

By Andy Jones last updated

Make touch-screen music on the move, with devices from Apple, Microsoft and Samsung compared and contrasted

Woman records vocals and guitar in a studio

Best vocal plugins 2023: our pick of vocal processing software to make your voice shine

By Andy Jones last updated

If you want that Auto-Tune effect, or need to make a bad vocal great, then these vocal processing plugins will help turn bad singing into perfect vocals, whatever music you make

Screenshots of the best Waves plugins

Best Waves plugins 2023: our pick of essential effects to improve every aspect of your mixing

By Joe Rossitter last updated

Our pick of Waves plugins, from ground-breaking stereo wideners to classic reverbs and legendary channels strips. Plus, how to use these plugins to improve your productions

Grand Piano on a stage in an empty theatre

Best piano VSTs 2023: the best plugins to get the most authentic sound

By Andy Jones last updated

Get the best piano sound without shelling out thousands for the real thing - options from Native Instruments, Spitfire Audio and more

Alesis Andromeda A6

11 classic hardware synths that deserve a remake

By Andy Jones published

If dreams could come true, which classic hardware synths would you love to see come back to affordable, reliable life?

Best synthesizers 2022: top keyboards, modules and semi-modular synths

Best synthesizers 2023: top keyboards, modules and semi-modular synths

By Chris Corfield last updated

From cheap monosynths to the best high-end polysynths, we've got the best synthesizers for every budget

Korg Drumlogue

Best drum machines 2023: for every application and budget

By Si Truss last updated

Expert buying advice on drum machines for every budget and use – including beat makers by Roland, Korg, Elektron and Teenage Engineering

PreSonus Revelator microphone

PreSonus Revelator review

By Andy Jones published

  • £119
  • €129
  • $129

PreSonus's Revelator microphone has enough extras – some hidden, some just genius – to make it a great option for many streaming tasks, and is a great music mic to boot.

Novation synth alongside a computer running Native Instruments Massive X

Hardware synths vs software synths: which is better?

By Andy Jones last updated

Should you go down the hard or soft synth route? We compare the two for price, practicality, sounds, investment and more

Waves Silver bundle packshot

Waves Silver bundle review

By Andy Jones published

Classic studio tools often at a bargain bin price – a great entry point to the Waves world

KRK Rokit 5 G4 and Yamaha HS5 speakers next to each other on a green background

KRK Rokit 5 G4 vs Yamaha HS5: Which budget studio monitors are best?

By Andy Jones last updated

How do these two affordable studio speakers compare for build, sound, set up and more?

td

In the studio with Tangerine Dream: “When digital synths came out, Edgar got rid of all the analogue equipment. Now they sound more dated than the '70s synths"

By Andy Jones last updated

After 50 years, over 100 albums and the death of their founder member, the electronic legends are back with a new album and tour

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: