Latest articles by Matt McCracken
How to use an amp simulator with an audio interface
Turns out we may have all been using our amp simulator plugins completely wrong. Let's clear up the matter once and for all
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: Top picks for strummers on a budget
Your guide to the best cheap acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars out there, with amazing value options from Martin, Taylor, Fender, and more
Learn to play guitar for just $4.99 a month with this mammoth Fender Play discount - get 60% off for a limited time
Ending on July 6th, this huge 60% reduction on a Fender Play annual plan won’t be around for long
Best beginner electric guitars 2025: Start strong with our top picks
Our round-up of the best electric guitars for beginners, tested by experts
Waves just slashed pretty much every plugin down to only $29.99 - including the channel strip we swear by
With 239 plugins reduced to just $29.99, it's the perfect time to refurbish your plugin folder
Will upgrading your audio interface improve sound quality? It's time to bust some myths...
Wondering whether a new interface will have a noticeable impact on the quality of your recordings? We take a look at the science to find the answer
Best pedalboards 2025: top choice 'boards for guitarists
Organise your guitar effects pedal collection with one of the best pedalboards available from Pedaltrain, D'Addario, Gator and more
Today is your last chance to grab Waves's bonkers distortion plugin Berzerk for free - exclusive to MusicRadar readers
We've teamed up with Waves to offer you Berzerk for free (rather than $29.99) until 1400 BST/0900 EST – find out how to claim your plugin for nothing
Audio interface vs mixer: Which should you choose for your home studio?
There’s more than one way to get audio in and out of your computer - we look at two of the most common options for musicians
Waves just slashed the price on 20 of their best-selling plugins, including Waves Tune and Vocal Rider at just $35.99 each
Mix like a pro for less with cut-price channel strips, AI noise removal tools and creative plugins in the Waves best-seller's sale
Best audio interfaces for streaming 2025: Elevate your content with our pick of budget-spanning devices
Take your live-streaming game to the next level with our pick of streaming audio interfaces from Mackie, Elgato, Roland, PreSonus, and more
Bag a huge 50% off top-rated Native Instruments synths, instruments, effects, and select hardware in their unmissable Summer of Sound sale
Grab yourself unbeatable deals on Massive, Monark, FM8, Komplete 14, Traktor Pro 3, and loads more in this huge sale
Best audio interfaces under $200/£200 2025: Make high-quality recordings that won't break the bank
Our pick of sub-$/£200 audio interfaces from Focusrite, Audient, Arturia and more
Amp up Father's Day with Positive Grid's epic sale - score up to 40% off the Spark, Spark Mini, Spark Go, and more
Get them a well-deserved gift this Father’s Day with big savings on smart amps, software, and loads more
“Plenty of functionality to grow into and perfect for the solo or beginner recording musician”: Universal Audio Volt 1 review
UA’s budget audio interface looks to bring the sound of vintage mic pres to the masses
How to get more out of your audio interface
We look at what you’re not doing with your audio interface, and how you can expand its usability
"Despite the teeny tiny size it’s packing loads of useful features": Arturia MiniFuse 1 review
We put Arturia’s bite-sized budget audio interface to the test
Get 3 Native Instruments Play Series instruments for a bargainous $59 - these are the ones we have in our basket
Expand your sound selection with a huge discount on drums, synths, vocals, and loads more - offer ends on 6 May
“It’s an inspiring guitar to play whether strumming or playing fingerstyle”: Fender CP-60S Parlour review
This parlour version of Fender’s best-selling beginner acoustic offers big tones in a smaller, more comfortable package
“A brilliant option if you need quality ‘board-mounted amp tones that don’t take up too much space”: IK Multimedia Tonex One review
IK’s tiny but mighty Tonex One promises all the quality of its bigger brother, shrunk down to mini-pedal format
“Ultra-versatile as well as fantastic value for money”: Rode NT1 Signature review
One of the world’s most popular studio microphones gets back to basics. We find out more
SM57 vs SM58: which of these classic microphones should you pick?
We put two of the most popular microphones ever made head to head to find out which is best for your use case
“With a little editing will have you sounding like your guitar heroes in no time”: NUX MG-400 review
This affordable multi-effects pedal looks to tempt beginner guitar players away from the practice amp with loads of functionality and sounds
