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 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
This Black Friday is easily the best I've seen for piano and keyboard deals - save big on models from Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Casio and more
By Daryl Robertson published
With popular models from piano heavyweights, there are plenty of keyboard and piano deals to get stuck into this Black Friday
With up to 80% off, Sweetwater currently has the biggest Black Friday savings musicians will find online right now – and the deals are even better than last year!
By Daryl Robertson published
Get your hands on discounted guitars, basses, electronic drum sets, software, keyboards and more
With up to 50% off everything from guitars to drums, PA systems to keyboards, the Guitar Center Black Friday sale is one your whole band can shop
By Daryl Robertson published
The Guitar Center Black Friday sale has landed - saving you hundreds on Fender, Roland, Alesis and more
"I fell in love with the Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII when I reviewed it, so much so I bought it": Grab your own for 20% less in Fender's Early Black Friday sale
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender has just launched their Early Black Friday Sale, slashing up to 20% off a wide range of web exclusives
Say goodbye to buyer's remorse this Cyber Weekend with the Andertons Black Friday Price Promise
By Daryl Robertson published
Purchase any new product between now and the launch of the official Black Friday sale, and if it gets discounted over Cyber Weekend, Andertons will give you the difference in loyalty points
Black Friday is fast approaching, but we think the best deals are happening right now - get $700 off a Gibson Les Paul at Guitar Center
By Daryl Robertson published
Make unbelievable savings on one of the most iconic electric guitars and so much more ahead of Black Friday
Positive Grid has jumped the Black Friday gun by offering up to 50% off a range of amps and software in their Black November Sale – including the Spark 40 back to its lowest price ever
By Daryl Robertson published
With everything from the original Spark to the Mini, Go, Live, and Cab included, you'll want to act fast to get your hands on some of the best desktop amps and modelling software around
MusicRadar deals of the week: The pre-Black Friday sales are rolling in – save hundreds off a new Yamaha piano, a Fender Strat and more
By Daryl Robertson published
We've uncovered the very best offers on a range of music-making gear from the likes of Yamaha, Fender, Korg, TC Electronic and more
Best digital pianos for beginners 2024: Start playing with authentic sounds and feel
By Dave Clews last updated
An expert look at the very best beginner digital pianos on the market from the likes of Yamaha, Casio, Korg, Roland and more
Best Christmas gifts for musicians 2024: 45 affordable festive present ideas for music-makers (which they'll genuinely love)
By Matt Parker 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
Best Christmas gifts for piano players 2024: 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 19 must-have piano items, essential accessories and clever gadgets for every budget
No need to wait for Black Friday; Sweetwater's Beat The Holiday Rush Sale has mega offers like $500 off D'Angelico and over $1,000 off B.C. Rich and Guild
By Daryl Robertson published
With guitar gear and stocking fillers from only $8.80, beat the rush and save big right now at Sweetwater
Don’t wait for Black Friday – right now you can enjoy a massive 15% off all PRS SE guitars from now until Christmas
By Daryl Robertson published
With everything from the Custom 24 to the Silver Sky included, there's something for every type of player in this epic sale
Blink-182's Mark Hoppus gives us the lowdown on his brand-new Fender bass and discloses why he has switched to Neural DSP Quad Cortex
By Daryl Robertson published
The pop-punk bassist discusses his new signature model, what got him interested in Fender basses, what he believes is his greatest riff and more
Guitar Center's Guitar-A-Thon proves guitarists don't need Amazon's Big Deal Days: save up to 35% on gear, including a mind-blowing $430 saving on the D'Angelico Premier Bedford
By Daryl Robertson published
The aptly named Guitar-A-Thon sale is the place to go for an epic six-string related bargain
The Offspring’s Dexter Holland recalls recording the landmark Smash on its 30th anniversary
By Daryl Robertson published
The punk rock frontman also gives us the low-down on the new album SUPERCHARGED chasing down Queen legend Brian May, and issues a come get me plea to Ed Sheeran
Best looper pedals 2024: these are the greatest loop stations for every budget
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Explore our pick of compact and floorboard loopers from the likes of Boss, TC Electronic, Line 6, and more
"This single-pickup beauty is a straight-talking, no-nonsense guitar that takes no prisoners in the pursuit of great tone": Epiphone Yungblud SG Junior review
By Daryl Robertson published
Epiphone injects some much-needed youngblud into its sprawling artist collection with a contemporary take on a vintage classic
Best electronic keyboards 2024: Our top picks for every budget
By Dave Clews last updated
We round-up the best electronic keyboards for novices through to pros, from Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Nord and more…
Best keyboards for beginners 2024: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
By Dave Clews last updated
Looking for the best piano keyboard for beginners? Well MusicRadar has you covered with expert advice and useful recommendations from industry professionals
“The physicality of the guitar was already making its presence felt – but we guess that's the price of rock stardom”: Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 review
By Daryl Robertson published
Thomann takes an affordable swing at a bona fide rock icon - but is a sub-£600 double neck too good to be true?
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2024: find your next guitar under a grand
By Chris Corfield last updated
Find a great sub $1,000/£1,000 electric guitar for playing rock, metal, blues and beyond
Best DI boxes 2024: A studio and stage staple for acoustic guitar, bass and keyboards
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The DI box is an essential piece of gear and we have high-quality options from Rupert Neve, Tech 21, Fishman, Radial and more
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