Latest articles by Matt McCracken
"If you want an amplifier that can play multiple roles, the Spark Live is a fantastic choice" – Positive Grid Spark Live review
We take a first look at the exciting new hybrid smart amp and PA system from Positive Grid
Best electric guitar strings 2025: Sets for all styles and budgets
These are the very best guitar strings from Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Elixir, Rotosound and more
What acoustic guitar string gauges should I use?
Our definitive guide to stringing your acoustic with the right gauge to suit your playing style
Best overdrive pedals 2025: Find new inspiration with the best drive pedals for guitar
Some of the best examples of a key component of any guitar player’s rig - the overdrive pedal
Harley Benton JA-25TH Firemist review
A 25th-anniversary edition offset that looks to celebrate everything great about the value-centric Harley Benton brand
Quick! The Kemper Profiler Player is already discounted at Thomann
Despite just being released the latest amp modeller has already seen a tasty £50 discount - act fast before it goes back to full price
Best practice amps 2025: the best amps for guitar practice
Onboard effects, digital modelling, valves? Here are the best practice amps for guitar, with options from Yamaha, Power Grid, Fender, Line 6 and more
How to gift plugins to a musician this Christmas
Giving the gift of music software this Christmas is a breeze when you know how - here's everything you need to know
Plugin Boutique just obliterated the price of our favourite Universal Audio plugins - score up to 86% off
UAD’s best-selling plugins are now available at some incredibly low prices - no additional hardware required
Best fuzz pedals 2025: add some extra dirt to your guitar tone
From Fuzz Faces to Big Muffs, here’s our pick of the best fuzzboxes out there
I've used the Yamaha HS5 monitors in my home studio for five years - and now they’re discounted for Cyber Monday
My favourite studio speakers just got a hefty discount in the Guitar Center Cyber Monday sale
These 3 essential FabFilter mixing plugins will supercharge your workflow - and they’re $90 off for Black Friday
Get FabFilter’s must-have mixing tools for less in the Plugin Boutique Black Friday sale
Andertons' massive Black Friday sale is here with some of the best deals we’ve seen so far - save on PRS, D’Agelico, Focusrite and more
UK and EU-based musicians can grab serious savings on guitars, studio gear, PA systems, and loads more great gear
6 unmissable Black Friday sales every musician needs to check out right now
Get a Black Friday gear bargain with these sales from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Thomann, and loads more
Black Friday iPad deals 2023: Up to $100 off iPad Pro, Air and mini models - all with music-friendly specs
Apple's tablet is the perfect tool for mobile music production and this year's Black Friday discounts are heavy, making it the ideal time for you to start you iPad music making journey…
Best guitars for kids 2025: The ultimate guide to electric and acoustic guitars for children
Set them off on the right path with our pick of the best guitars for kids from Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha, Ibanez and more
Waves has added even more $19.99 plugins in week two of its Black Friday early bird software sale
Waves just updated its double discount deal with loads more of its best plugins for just $19.99 - plus get up to another 40% off that price too!
Best bass amps 2025: top choice amplification options for bassists
Dive into our best bass amp guide to discover the options that deliver the power and features to suit your low-end needs, whatever your budget
Don’t wait for Black Friday to save big on a Fender - grab $100 off Player Plus and $50 off Player series guitars right now
With everything from the Player Strat to the Player Plus Meteora seeing a discount, it’s a brilliant time to pick up a guitar bargain - but only whilst stocks last
With up to $350 off Fender Aerodyne and Vintera guitars at the official Fender store, who needs Amazon Prime Big Deal Days anyway?
Whether you love modern guitars or period-correct ones, you’ll find yourself an incredible deal over at the official Fender shop
10 PA mistakes every band makes
From setup and sizing, to feedback and failure to prepare, avoid these common PA pitfalls and give your band a better sound in practice and on stage
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X review
UA’s desktop interface gets a serious upgrade to match its rackmount counterparts, but is it worth the entry fee?
PA speaker jargon buster: Everything you need to know about PA systems and live sound
Know your compressors from your compression drivers with our guide to the puzzling world of PA lingo
