James Farmer
James is a freelance writer and former Junior Deals Writer at MusicRadar. Before writing, James worked as a guitar salesman at a local music store, so he knows a thing or two about matching people with their perfect instruments. James also has experience working in other areas of the music trade, having worked for the online music distributor, RouteNote. James is a guitarist, bassist and drummer and has also toured the UK and Europe with his old band Hypophora.
Latest articles by James Farmer
Best guitar tuners 2024: From tuning pedals and clip-ons, to guitar tuning apps
By Rob Laing last updated
Keep your all-important tuning on point with the best strobe, polyphonic and chromatic tuners
Gear4music Black Friday deals 2024: The official Black Friday sale is now over, but there are still deals to be had
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The latest on the big Black Friday savings at Gear4music
Black Friday microphone deals 2024: Black Friday is over, and these are the best microphone savings that are still live
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Your place for all the microphone deals from Shure, Rode, AKG, Blue Microphones and more - whether you're a musician or a podcaster
Best electronic drum sets 2024: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers
By Chris Barnes last updated
Our expert guide to the best electronic drum kits available today - plus full reviews, buying advice and video
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
Best acoustic guitars under $/£1,000 2024: 8 of the best options for beginners and experts
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Your guide to the best mid-priced acoustic guitars for under a grand
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2024: Top picks for strummers on a budget
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Your guide to the best cheap acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars out there, with amazing value options from Martin, Taylor, Fender, and more
Best cheap electric guitars 2024: epic budget electrics
By Chris Corfield last updated
Our experts pick the best cheap electric guitars for rock, metal and blues players on a budget
How to set up an electronic drum set
By James Farmer last updated
Our step-by-step guide to unboxing, building and optimising your electronic drum kit
Best multi-effects pedals 2024: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
By James Farmer last updated
Our guide to the best multi-effects pedals will help you get your head around amp modelling pedals and multi-FX
Best delay pedals 2024: add dimension to your tone with pedals from Boss, Strymon, Electro-Harmonix and more
By Amit Sharma last updated
Explore the best analogue and digital delay pedals for all budgets
Best in-ear monitors 2024: IEMs for stage and studio
By Chris Corfield last updated
Our expert guide to the best in-ear monitors for practice, performance and production, no matter your budget
Best Alesis electronic drum sets 2024: Our pick of Alesis electronic drums for beginners to pros
By James Farmer last updated
Our expert guide to finding the perfect Alesis electronic drum set for your budget and skill level
Best Telecasters 2024: Fender Telecasters for every budget
By Ed Mitchell last updated
Our pick of the best Telecasters that prove Leo Fender’s first born is still the most versatile guitar design of all time
Best guitars for beginners 2024: get the best start with these beginner-friendly acoustic and electric guitars
By Chris Corfield last updated
Check out our expert recommendations for the best guitars for beginners, kids and guitarists with small hands
Best USB microphones 2024: All-in-one mics for streaming, vlogging, podcasts and voiceovers
By Chris Corfield last updated
These USB-equipped mics will make your content creation so much easier
Best metal guitars 2024: riff machines for any budget
By Amit Sharma last updated
When you want to thrash and burn these are the best guitars for metal, tailor-made for world-conquering heaviness
Best guitar amps 2024: Our pick of combos, heads and pedalboard amps for all budgets and abilities
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Our expert pick of the best guitar amps for rock, metal, blues and more – including tube, solid-state and digital modelling amplifiers
Best electric guitar pickups: Single-coil, humbucker, P-90, and active pickups for all styles
By Rob Laing last updated
Upgrade your electric guitar tone now with the best pickups from Seymour Duncan, EMG, Bare Knuckle and more
Best acoustic guitars under $500/£500 in 2024: expert picks for budget-conscious players
By James Farmer last updated
Great sub-$500/£500 acoustics from the likes of Martin, Taylor, Fender and Guild that show you don’t have to spend much to get a quality guitar
Best bass drum pedals 2024: single and double bass pedals for every budget
By Stuart Williams last updated
Put your best foot forward with our guide to choosing the best bass drum pedal for you, with expert picks from DW, Pearl, Tama and others
Best Yamaha e-kits: Top electronic drum sets from Yamaha for beginner, intermediate and pro drummers
By Chris Barnes last updated
Use our expert guide to help you find the right Yamaha electronic drum set for you
Black Friday deals: Sweetwater slashes $90 off the Steven Slate Drums SSD5 Virtual Drum plugin
By James Farmer last updated
Upgrade your drum sounds for only $59 in this crazy Black Friday deal
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