Latest articles by Chris Corfield
Best external hard drives for music production 2025: Back up your music and boost your computer's performance
Store recording sessions, video files, and sample libraries with our expert pick of the best external hard drives for Mac and PC
Best cheap microphones for recording 2025: Budget microphones for the home studio
Record at home for less with my pick of the best budget recording microphones around
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
Years of playing and reviewing gear have taught me exactly what to look for - here's how to get a guitar to grow with
Best studio chairs 2025: Are you sitting comfortably in your home studio?
Experience exceptional ergonomia with these studio chairs from Corsair, Ikea, Ergolab and more
Best USB microphones 2025: Plug-and-play mics for everything from streaming to singing
Capturing audio has never been easier, with these all-in-one USB microphones from Shure, Sennheiser and more
“A versatile and durable dynamic microphone suitable for a range of applications”: Universal Audio SD-1 review
Affordable dynamic microphone bringing professional sound from a top-tier brand
“One of the most versatile, feature-laden mics for podcasting”: Shure MV7+ review
Shure’s latest is an evolution, if not a revolution, in premium podcasting mics
“Its robust construction, low self-noise, and ability to emulate a range of classic microphones make it a valuable asset”: Universal Audio SC-1 review
Classy condenser with top-shelf tricks but a bargain price tag
"I can clearly see how quickly things can come together when you have the right tools at your disposal": I tried both face-to-face lessons and Pianote to learn the piano in 8 weeks - here's how I got on
Will combining online learning with face-to-face lessons be just what I need to become the piano player I've always wanted to be? Let's find out
Best microphones for recording: My top studio mics for instruments, vocals and more
These are the best recording microphones from the biggest brands including AKG, Rode, Audio Technica, Neumann and more
Best cheap MIDI keyboards 2025: Inexpensive MIDI controllers starting at just £39/$49
Start making music for less with our selection of affordable MIDI keyboards from Arturia, Akai, Nektar, Novation, and more
Best reverb pedals: Our pick of reverb effects for your pedalboard
From subtle to extreme, these are our reverb top picks right now
“As production becomes more cloud-oriented, many are questioning whether desktop DAWs are beginning to show their limitations”: How online DAWs are ushering in a new era for music making
Can browser-based digital audio workstations match up to traditional offline DAWs? We take a look
“A fantastic blend of features, portability, and audio quality that will serve many users well in crafting great-sounding mixes”: Soundcraft Notepad-12FX review
Compact, powerful, and versatile - but is the Soundcraft Notepad-12FX the best option for small studios?
Dell Black Friday deals 2024: The Dell Black Friday sale is still live
Black Friday may be over but you still grab some great deals on a Dell machine
Waves just dropped its best value software offer yet for Black Friday - get 3 plugins for $49.99 and save hundreds
Save cash and boost your plugin arsenal with these top-tier tools, effects and bundles
Sweetwater's mega Shure microphone sale includes big savings on a legendary mic used by the Chili Peppers, Michael Jackson, Metallica, Green Day and more
Upgrade your audio game with Sweetwater’s unbeatable Black Friday discounts on legendary Shure microphones
Here's the Black Friday deal DJs and home producers can't afford to miss - score up to 50% off hardware and software in Native Instruments' epic Cyber Season sale
This huge Cyber sale includes savings on the 4.5-star rated Maschine+, the beloved Guitar Rig 7 Pro, and so much more
Best free DAWs: The best free music production software
Start making music today by downloading a digital audio workstation for nothing - featuring options for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux
Best iPhone microphones: Top picks for mobile recording, vlogging and video conferencing
Transform your iPhone or iPad into a studio with these mics from Austrian Audio, Shure, Teenage Engineering, Zoom, and more…
“For those needing a step up from cheaper, more basic condenser microphones, the MV6 is an excellent investment”: Shure MV6 review
Looking for a simple, high-quality way to upgrade your streaming, gaming or podcasting skills? This USB mic might just fit the bill
“In purely sonic terms the SM4 shone, capturing rich mid-range frequencies, making it an ideal choice for vocals and acoustic instruments”: Shure SM4 review
Is Shure’s new home studio mic the secret to achieving simple, mix-ready sound?
Best studio monitor stands: Optimise your home studio
Everything you need to know about studio monitor stands and why you need them in your recording studio
