
Daryl Robertson
I'm a Senior Deals Writer at MusicRadar, and I'm responsible for writing and maintaining buyer's guides on the site - but that's not all I do. As part of my role, I also scour the internet for the best deals I can find on gear and get hands-on with the products for reviews. My gear reviews have been published in prominent publications, including Total Guitar, Guitarist, and Future Music magazine, as well as Guitar World.com. I've also had the privilege of interviewing everyone from Slash to Yungblud, as well as members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Fever 333, and many more.
I have a massive passion for anything that makes a sound, particularly guitars, pianos, and recording equipment. In a previous life, I worked in music retail, giving advice on all aspects of music creation and selling everything from digital pianos to electric guitars, entire PA systems, and ukuleles. I'm also a fully qualified sound engineer who holds a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay, and I have plenty of experience working in various venues around Scotland.
Latest articles by Daryl Robertson

5 reasons a gift card is the most stress-free present you can get a musician this Christmas
By Daryl Robertson published
Forget the fuss and pressure of shopping for a musician this holiday season and get them a gift card - trust me, they'll thank you for it

MusicRadar deals of the week: Score big savings on music gear ahead of Christmas from the likes of UAD, Casio, Waves, PRS and more
By Daryl Robertson published
We've uncovered the very best offers on a range of music-making gear from the likes of Gibson, Casio, Gretsch, Universal Audio, and more

Thomann Cyber Monday deals 2025: the savings are over for another year
By Chris Barnes last updated
Thomann's massive 2025 Cyber Monday deal have ended, but there are still plenty of ways to save

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

Positive Grid is knocking up to 30% off its range of top-rated smart amps and software this Black Friday weekend - including the Spark 2, Spark Mini & Bias X
By Daryl Robertson last updated
With so many models included, you'll want to act fast to get your hands on some of the best desktop amps and modelling software around

Black Friday studio headphone deals 2025: The biggest studio headphone savings from across the internet that are still live!
By Simon Arblaster last updated
Grab yourself big savings on Focal, Beyerdynamic, Shure, AKG and more this Black Friday

Thomann Black Friday deals 2025: Don't miss out on 70% off in the official Cyber Week sale
By Chris Barnes last updated
Black Friday day 3 is here, and Thomann's Cyber Week Sale is still adding new bargains

Gear4music Black Friday deals 2025: The Black Friday sale is live – and there are some great offers for musicians
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The Black Friday savings of 2025 have arrived at Gear4music. We've got all the latest info, recommendations and guidance

Musician's Friend just kicked off its official Black Friday sale, and it's a big brand bonanza, with up to 60% off PRS, Fender, Casio, Shure, and more
By Daryl Robertson published
The Musician's Friend Black Friday sale has landed - saving you hundreds on Fender, Music Man, Roland, Shure and more

I love Boss pedals and amps, and with massive Black Friday savings on everything from the Katana to DS-1, you can see what all the fuss is about for less
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The Boss Black Friday deals are here, and they include the practice-friendly Katana amps, our number one looper and a classic distortion pedal for only $54

As a Gibson and Epiphone super fan, I've pulled together the very best offers from around the internet this Black Friday - including $600 off a Les Paul Standard, $300 off the Hendrix Flying V, and so much more
By Daryl Robertson published
Looking for a new Gibson or Epiphone this Black Friday? Well, I've found hearty discounts on a range of Les Paul, ES-335, Flying V, Theodore and S-200 models

"When it comes to sound, I'm convinced there isn’t a bad tone in this pedal": Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage JR reverb pedal review
By Daryl Robertson published
With a clutch of reverbs from standard to experimental, this could be your one-stop shop for all your spatial requirements

"This pedal excels at delivering a completely clean volume boost - and there's plenty of volume on tap": Fender Hammertone Boost review
By Daryl Robertson published
Hammer your solo tone into shape with Fender's hard-hitting but affordable boost pedal

Guitar Center just dropped its biggest sale of the year, with thousands of discounts and up to 40% off for Black Friday
By Daryl Robertson published
The Guitar Center Black Friday sale has landed - saving you hundreds on Fender, Roland, Alesis and more

Best Christmas gifts for musicians 2025: 21 affordable festive present ideas for music-makers (which they'll genuinely love)
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Shopping for a drummer, guitarist, DJ, producer or content creator? Here’s some Christmas gift inspiration for the muso in your life - including last-minute ideas

You can save literal thousands of dollars off music gear in Sweetwater's amazing Early Access Black Friday sale – here are 10 of the best discounts
By Daryl Robertson published
Make big savings on Universal Audio interfaces, Lewitt mics, superb value monitors from Mackie and 25% off Elektron grooveboxes

Best Christmas gifts for piano players 2026: the ultimate festive gift guide for pianists, covering all budgets
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Treat the piano player in your life this Christmas with our pick of 15 must-have piano items, essential accessories and clever gadgets for every budget

Amazon Prime Day is a bust for music makers, but don't worry, the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale is here to save the day with up to 40% off big-name brands
By Daryl Robertson published
Grab yourself a bargain this Fall on everything from the likes of Ernie Ball, Gretsch, Alesis, Casio, and many more

Who needs Prime Day when you can indulge in Guitar Center's epic Guitar-A-Thon sale? Save up to $900 on Taylor and up to $500 on Gibson models
By Daryl Robertson published
The aptly named Guitar-A-Thon sale is the place to go for an epic six-string related bargain

"There’s something incredibly satisfying about playing through this amp": Laney Lionheart Foundry Super 60 112
By Daryl Robertson published
This Laney might be tube-less, but still manages to deliver the roar we’ve come to expect from its fan-favourite Lionheart combo

“That actually came from me and Oz jamming on the piano in my apartment in North Hollywood”: From Ozzy Osbourne to Papa Roach, Fleetwood Mac to George Harrison, here's 5 career-defining songs you didn’t know were written on the piano
By Daryl Robertson published
We take a deep dive into classic guitar-driven songs that actually started life on the piano

Casio is giving you access to a one-year Tomplay Pro online lessons subscription with the purchase of select digital pianos until the end of the year
By Daryl Robertson published
Score over 90,000 pieces of interactive sheet music worth £98 for free when you purchase an AP-S200, AP-300, AP-S450, AP-550, or AP-750

"The SE Studio Standard not only looks amazing, but it also delivers an incredible playing experience that keeps you coming back for more": PRS SE Studio Standard review
By Daryl Robertson published
The SE Studio Standard promises plenty of retro charm and more tones than you'll ever need, but how does it stand up to the competition?

“It’s clear that the influence of the Custom Shop’s attention to detail is now making its way to the Mexican-made instruments”: Fender Limited Edition Vintera II Jazzmaster Road Worn review
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender proves it can do tasteful ageing without the Custom Shop price tag
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