Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. It's my job to manage the buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear and the best prices. I'm a guitarist and a drummer and I've worked in the music gear industry for 18 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance writer working with many of the world's biggest musical instrument brands including the likes of Roland, Boss, MusicRadar and Natal.

Articles by: Chris Barnes

Four Grammy awards sat on a table

How to watch the Grammys 2023 live tonight: watch the music awards show online, without cable and from anywhere

By Chris Barnes published

Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Diplo, Ozzy Osbourne, Adele and Harry Styles are amongst the artists nominated for awards at tonight's ceremony

Gift box adorned with a blue bow on a dark wooden floor

Best gifts for musicians 2023: 50 affordable present ideas for music-makers (which they'll actually use)

By Matt Parker published

Shopping for a drummer, guitarist, DJ, producer or content creator? Here’s some gift inspiration for the muso in your life

Close up of man playing a drum kit with brushes

Best gifts for drummers 2023: 48 brilliant ideas to treat the drummer in your life

By Chris Barnes published

Show your favourite drummer some love with our pick of the coolest drum accessories, gadgets, handmade gifts, last minute ideas and more

Waves Holiday deal

Load up on studio staples with all Waves plugins slashed to only $29.99 for the holidays

By Chris Barnes published

Even better, buy two plugins, and you'll bag another two completely free!

Waves Cyber Monday sale image

Waves’ crazy Cyber Monday sale includes plugins from only $5.99 - stock up while you can

By Chris Barnes published

Plus, multi-buy bundles have hit their lowest prices of the year so far

Best Cyber Monday iPad deals

Cyber Monday iPad deals live blog: our pick of the biggest iPad Pro, Mini and Air savings online right now

By Chris Barnes last updated

Here's the very best that the web has to offer on all Cyber Monday iPad deals

Cyber Monday Andertons deals

Cyber Monday Andertons 2022 deals are still out there: loads of Christmas deals now available

By Daryl Robertson last updated

If you missed Andertons' Cyber Monday sale fear not, there are still some excellent savings to get your hands on

Thomann Cyber Monday deals

Thomann Cyber Monday deals 2022: the deals are over for another year

By Chris Barnes last updated

Thomann's Cyber Week music sale has ended. Did you manage to bag a bargain?

Cyber Monday plugin deals

Cyber Monday plugin deals 2022: these music software deals are still live

By Chris Barnes last updated

We've uncovered great Cyber Monday plugin deals from Waves, IK Multimedia, Plugin Boutique and more

Black Friday headphone deals

Black Friday studio headphone deals 2022: today's top deals on over-ear and in-ear monitors for producers and musicians

By Simon Arblaster published

Your place for all the headphone deals from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Amazon and more

Black Friday 2022 monitor deals

Black Friday studio monitor deals 2022: today's top deals on active speakers of all sizes

By Simon Arblaster published

Price drops on Mackie, M-Audio, Avantone and more

Black Friday MacBook Pro deals

Black Friday MacBook deals live blog: the cheapest Apple MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs online right now

By Chris Barnes last updated

The best that the web has to offer on all Black Friday MacBook deals, including M1 and M2 models

Image of various music gear with Casio piano, Apple MacBook Pro, Beyerdynamic headphones, Roland drums, and Fender Stratocaster guitar

Gear4music Black Friday deals 2022: the official sale is still live

By Daryl Robertson last updated

The latest on the big Black Friday savings at Gear4music

Image of various microphones from Rode, Shure, and Blue

Black Friday microphone deals 2022: top deals still out there on condenser, dynamic, and USB mics

By Daryl Robertson last updated

Your place for all the microphone deals from Shure, Rode, AKG, Blue Microphones and more

Thomann Cyber Week sale banner

Thomann Black Friday deals 2022: save up to 60% off in their Cyber Week sale, which is still live now!

By Chris Barnes last updated

Thomann's Cyber Week sale promises up to 60% off music hardware and up to 80% off software. Here's our pick of today's best deals in one place

Black Friday Andertons deals 2022: their biggest music gear sale of the year is live

Black Friday Andertons 2022 deals are still out there: the best deals from their biggest sale

By Daryl Robertson last updated

Your place for the latest still-live Black Friday deals all everything from guitars to drums, keyboards, recording gear and more from Andertons

Black Friday plugin deals

Black Friday plugin deals 2022: You can still make massive Black Friday music software savings - these deals are still live

By Chris Barnes last updated

Your place to find all the best Black Friday plugin deals that are still alive and kicking - including Waves, Native Instruments, Plugin Boutique and IK Multimedia

Dell Black Friday deals

Black Friday Dell deals 2022: Major savings on XPS laptops and desktops

By Chris Barnes published

Prices slashed on music production laptops and desktops for Black Friday - plus free shipping!

Man plays a Yamaha electronic drum kit in a lounge

Best electronic drum sets 2023: top picks for every playing level and budget

By Chris Barnes last updated

Our guide to the best electronic drum kits from Roland, Yamaha, Alesis and more - plus full reviews and expert buying advice

Waves plugin deal graphic

Waves' early Black Friday sale now includes 90 massively discounted plugins

By Chris Barnes last updated

Early bird discounts apply to 90 plugins including Waves Tune, Abbey Road, signature collections, bundles and loads more

Man wearing headphones plays an Alesis Nitro Mesh drum set

Best beginner electronic drum sets 2023: affordable kits to get you started on your drumming journey

By Jai Widdowson-Jones last updated

Just starting out behind the drums? These are the best beginner electronic drum kits for new players

Audient iD44 MkII audio interface on a wooden surface

Best audio interfaces 2023: 22 USB and Thunderbolt options for Mac and PC across every budget

By Andy Jones last updated

In this guide to the best audio interfaces, we take a deep dive into top PC/Mac Thunderbolt and USB audio interfaces for music producers, songwriters, podcasters and more

Shot of a podcasting microphone in a studio setting

Best podcasting microphones 2023: top picks for every budget and level

By Chris Corfield last updated

Record your first, or next, podcast, and stream your heart out with the very best podcast mics, including the best podcasting microphone under $100/£100 – plus expert buying advice

Young woman sat at an electronic drum set

Best electronic drum sets for kids 2023: our pick of child-friendly electronic drum kits

By Chris Barnes published

Help your child learn to play the drums with these top entry-level e-kits and drum pads, designed with kids in mind

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

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