Articles by: 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

Pianote tutor Lisa Witt delivers a lesson

Where to start with learning the piano: coordination, chords and more

By Lisa Witt last updated 27 April 22

Start playing today with these piano basics

Two images combined of musicians using iRig microphones in and audio interfaces

Create more content with up to 24% off iRig microphones and interfaces in IK Multimedia’s sale

By Chris Barnes published 17 March 22

Vloggers, streamers and mobile producers can save big until 31 March in the iRig Creator sale

Man views a drum lesson on his laptop while sat at his electronic drum kit

Best online drum lessons 2023: Our pick of tuition platforms for new to advanced drummers

By Stuart Williams last updated 23 March 23

Learn drums how and when you want with these 10 excellent online drum lesson resources

Waves’ 50% off all plugins and bundles sale has just arrived in time for President’s Day

By Chris Barnes published 18 February 22

Polish your mix with half-price plugins and bag up to 3 additional plugins for free

Dell laptop with MusicRadar deals badge on it

Dell has discounted XPS 13 and 15 laptops ahead of President's Day – up to 27% off a music production machine

By Chris Barnes published 10 February 22

All laptops are also eligible for free shipping

Waves Diamond box in front of plugin screen grabs

Waves' 76-plugin Diamond bundle slashed to lowest price ever – 24 hours only

By Chris Barnes published 21 January 22

Up your mixing, mastering and production game and pay just $2.61 per plugin with this hugely discounted bundle

The best snare drums in 2022 for all budgets and playing styles

The best snare drums in 2023: For all budgets and playing styles

By MusicRadar Team, Chris Barnes last updated 20 October 22

Our expert selection of snare drums for practice, playing live, or recording

Roland drum monitor against a grey background

Best electronic drum amps and monitors 2023: Play your e-kit out loud!

By Tom Bradley last updated 19 January 23

The top monitor speakers and amps designed to bring the best out of your electronic drum set

Waves’ lowest-ever Black Friday prices are back again for the next 24 hours - including LoFi Space for free

By Chris Barnes last updated 21 December 21

Missed out on a great software deal last month? For 24 hours you can take advantage of bargain basement prices on plugins and bundles

Waves’s Vocal Production bundle slashed by $1,100 to just $99.99 - 24 hours only

By Chris Barnes published 7 December 21

Create more fire in the booth with this huge discount on 15 killer vocal plugins for mixing and production

Black Friday Apple deal: Get AirPods Pro at their lowest price ever

By Chris Barnes published 27 November 21

Bag Apple's top-end AirPods Pro for just $159/£185. Grab them before they sell out

Waves’ Platinum bundle drops to crazy low price in this Black Friday-beating deal

By Chris Barnes published 27 November 21

Get an instant download of 60 plugins for just $199.99 - that’s $3.33 per plugin

Black Friday is the time to learn a new instrument with up to 50% off online music lessons

By Chris Barnes published 26 November 21

Take your playing or recording skills to new heights with Fender Play, Guitar Tricks, TrueFire and more

Thomann’s epic Cyber Week sale has landed, promising up to 60% off music hardware and 80% off software

By Chris Barnes published 19 November 21

Over 400 big-name products are up for grabs between now and 29 November

Waves drops its first batch of early Black Friday deals on 32 killer plugins

By Chris Barnes last updated 4 October 22

Get Black Friday prices on best-selling music software every week throughout November - starting from $27.99

Bag a free Mustang Micro headphone amp with a one year Fender Play subscription

By Chris Barnes last updated 29 July 22

Gear up with the ultimate guitar learning and practice setup for only $129.99 with this killer early-Black Friday deal

Waves’ Halloween FX plugins sale is scarily good - up to 92% off

By Chris Barnes published 28 October 21

A sign of the epic Black Friday music software offers to come?

Waves goes wild with 30% off plugin bundles, plus buy 1 get 1 free on single plugins

By Chris Barnes published 11 October 21

An early sign of the Black Friday offers to come?

Waves $29.99 reverb, distortion and delay plugins sale

All Waves reverb, distortion and delay plugins are just $29.99 for Labor Day weekend

By Chris Barnes published 3 September 21

Take your pick from from 33 epic effects

Graphic for IK Multimedia's group buy promotion

IK Multimedia’s Group Buy promotion just hit a new milestone - buy 1 plugin, get 11 free!

By Chris Barnes published 3 September 21

Plus, the deadline to take advantage of this insane deal has been extended until 30 September

129 popular plugins slashed to just $29.99 in the Waves Memorial Day sale

By Chris Barnes published 28 May 21

Even better, spend over $120 and get 3 extra plugins completely free

Waves' Christmas deals continue with 160 plugins down to $29.99 - plus buy 2 plugins, get 2 free!

By Chris Barnes published 15 December 20

Waves is closing out the year with one of its biggest music production software sales ever

A white Ludwig Breakbeats kit on a grey background

Best compact drum kits 2023: Our pick of the best mini-kits at any budget

By Stuart Williams last updated 21 March 23

If you’re thinking of downsizing your set, a 16” bass drum kit from Gretsch, Ludwig, Sonor and others is the perfect solution

Waves’ epic 42-plugin Gold bundle is just $149.99 right now – save $650

By Chris Barnes published 24 July 20

Plus, save 40% store-wide and get free plugins

Roland SPD-SX Pro against a black background

Best electronic drum pads 2023: Top drum and percussion pads for the studio and stage

By Jai Widdowson-Jones last updated 27 March 23

Explore a world of sound with the best electronic drum pads around, from Roland, Yamaha, Alesis and Nord

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