Latest articles by Matt McCracken
"The addition of NAM profile compatibility pushes it well beyond your average multi-effects pedal": Nux MG-50Li review
Nux's battery-powered amp modeller promises over a quarter of a million different amp tones in a compact and gig-ready chassis
Best studio headphones 2026: my pick of cans for mixing, mastering, and monitoring - tested by a working musician and producer
My tried and tested pick of open and closed back headphones for music makers, with full reviews and raw frequency response testing
“For engineers mixing on small studio monitors, these will be a huge asset for checking the bass and sub bass”: Sennheiser HD 480 Pro review
Sennheiser's new cans offer reliable low-end translation that goes where your studio monitors can't
Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Our tried and tested pick of USB and Thunderbolt interfaces for Mac and PC across every budget, plus full reviews, in-depth testing, and buying advice
Best XLR microphones 2026: Top mics for podcasting, streaming, and studio work
Upgrade from USB with the very best-quality, noise-free mics from AKG, Aston, Neumann, Rode, Sennheiser, Shure and more
Best external hard drives for music production 2026: 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
“I wanted to write it off after seeing the fretboard and feeling the back of the neck, but it won me over,”: Charvel Standard Series San Dimas Style 2 SD2 HH HT review
Charvel takes on the lower end of the market with an Indonesian-built T-type that has some very intriguing specifications
Best field recorders 2026: Top portable recorders for capturing sound on-the-go
Field recorders can unlock the sonics that surround us - here are my top picks from Tascam, Zoom, Teenage Engineering and more
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Our guide to the best multi-effects pedals will help you get your head around amp modelling pedals and multi-FX
Best DAWs 2026: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
My expert pick of music production software packages for every budget and application - tested and rated
Best guitar cables 2026: Leads and patch cables for all budgets
Quality cables make the difference, here's our top picks from Mogami, Ernie Ball, Fender and more
“If this is the future of guitar, then sign me up”: Strandberg Boden Original N2.6T review
Look beyond the polarising aesthetic and you just might find something that completely changes your expectations of electric guitar
“It certainly appears a lot more expensive than it actually is”: Harley Benton Fusion IV HH FR review
The return of Harley Benton's Fusion series brings boutique spec at bedroom prices
With less than 24 hours left to go in Guitar Center's massive Guitar-A-Thon sale, this is your last chance to grab up to 30% discounts across the board - including $700 off a beautiful Gibson Les Paul
Here are 11 of the best deals still available in the Guitar-A-Thon, with the sale set to end on April 29th
I’m telling every producer I know to upgrade to Ableton Live Lite 12 today thanks to a 25% discount on all versions of this 4.5 star rated DAW
Find out why we called it “the best update in over a decade” before the sale ends on April 29th
Best metronomes 2026: The top mechanical and digital metronomes for musicians
Are you rushing, or are you dragging? You’ll know for sure with these essential time-keeping devices from Boss, Korg, Wittner, and more
“The ability to save multiple scenes for content creation, podcasting, and other creative endeavours makes it a very powerful interface indeed”: Yamaha URX44V review
Yamaha’s newest interface offers a high-tech hub for the multi-hyphenate creator
Best PCs for music production 2026: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Discover the power that a desktop PC or Mac can bring to your music-making, with my expert pick of the best desktops for music production
Best chorus pedals 2026: Our pick of the top chorus pedals
Chorus is back! Find out why with our top-rated chorus pedals you need to try today
Best cheap MIDI keyboards 2026: 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 MIDI keyboards for beginners 2026: Entry-level controllers for those starting out in music production
Get producing your own music with my pick of the best MIDI controller keyboards for beginner musicians
Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
Our expert guide to the best in-ear monitors we've testedfor practice, performance and production, no matter your budget
What are the best online guitar lessons in 2026? I’m a professional guitar gear reviewer and these are my highest-rated lessons platforms
My expert pick of the best online guitar courses will supercharge your playing wherever you are, and whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player
Shake off the winter lull and dust off the cobwebs with up to 60% off guitars, pedals, synths, mixers, and more in the massive Thomann Spring Sale, including £542 off an ESP LTD and £70 off a UAFX reverb pedal
With over 600 bits of music gear discounted, the Thomann Spring Sale is the place to bag a saving and kick start your music making for 2026
