Matt McCracken

Matt McCracken

Junior Deals Writer

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at MusicRadar. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on audio interfaces, studio headphones, studio monitors, and pretty much anything else home recording-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping musicians find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites, including Guitar World, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.

A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and producing bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at. He's an alumnus of Spirit Studios, where he studied Studio Engineering, Music Production, and Mastering. When not writing for MusicRadar, you'll find him making a racket with northern noise punks Never Better.

Latest articles by Matt McCracken

Røde NT-1 Signature
“Ultra-versatile as well as fantastic value for money”: Rode NT1 Signature review

By Matt McCracken Published

One of the world’s most popular studio microphones gets back to basics. We find out more

Microphones
A Shure SM57 and SM58 on a bright green background
SM57 vs SM58: which of these classic microphones should you pick?

By Matt McCracken Published

We put two of the most popular microphones ever made head to head to find out which is best for your use case

Microphones
An NUX MG-400 multi-effects pedal on a wooden floor
“With a little editing will have you sounding like your guitar heroes in no time”: NUX MG-400 review

By Matt McCracken Published

This affordable multi-effects pedal looks to tempt beginner guitar players away from the practice amp with loads of functionality and sounds

Guitar Pedals
A Motu M4 audio interface on a desktop
"Incredibly low latency figures": Motu M4 review

By Matt McCracken Published

A feature-packed, great value-for-money audio interface that could be the perfect companion for live shows and studio work

Audio Interfaces
Three Focusrite audio interfaces stacked on top of one another in a studio
Best Focusrite audio interfaces: the top models to suit your recording needs

By Chris Corfield Published

Whether you're a studio pro or a bedroom beatmaker, there's a Focusrite audio interface that's perfect for you

Audio Interfaces
A Positive Grid guitar amp with a smart phone on a red and white background
Save big on Spark amps and get free shipping on everything through April in Positive Grid’s massive guitar month sale

By Matt McCracken Published

One of the world’s most popular smart amplifiers just got a tasty discount over at the Positive Grid official website

Guitars
Close up of the bridge and strings on a Kahua ukulele
Best ukuleles: Top acoustic ukes and the best electric ukuleles for all

By Simon Fellows Last updated

Start strumming today with our expert guide to the best ukuleles available today, with options from Martin to Mahalo

Ukuleles
A Behringer UMC22 audio interface on a desktop
"Capable of handling home recording duties and producing good-quality audio from a variety of sources": Behringer UMC22 review

By Matt McCracken Published

This audio interface is priced ridiculously low, but does it produce high-quality audio? We got hands-on to find out

Audio Interfaces
A Gibson Les Paul on a pink background
Get the holy grail of guitar tone for less in the huge Andertons Spring sale with a massive £600 off a Gibson Les Paul - plus 4 other deals we rate

By Matt McCracken Published

The UK retail giant has got some seriously good deals on guitar gear in their epic Spring sale

Guitars
A Squier Affinity Strat on a purple background
Thomann has slashed prices on guitar gear for its huge 70th birthday sale - here are the 3 deals we’re considering

By Matt McCracken Published

Celebrate Thomann’s 70th anniversary in style with these super savings and special editions

Guitars
Fender loaded pickguards and pickups on a colorful background
4 guitar upgrades we're considering in Fender's mod-friendly official parts and pickups sale - save up to 20%

By Matt McCracken Published

Looking to make some upgrades to your current guitar? This is what we'd pick from this limited-time sale at the official Fender shop

Guitar Pickups
A young boy uses a laptop while learning to play electric guitar
This one-day-only Fender Play deal is the best we’ve ever seen - get a year’s worth of guitar lessons for only $29

By Matt McCracken Published

This incredible leap day deal sees Fender play drop to the cheapest price we’ve ever seen - but it’s for one day only

Guitars
Close up of a Soloking MS-1 Custom on a guitar case
“Equal to or even better than similarly priced offerings from bigger name brands“: Soloking MS-1 Custom review

By Matt McCracken Published

Can this great-value guitar shine in an ultra-saturated marketplace? We get hands-on to find out

Electric Guitars
the t.bone GigA Pro
"A few small gripes aside, it’s the perfect first wireless system for players looking to take to the stage cable-free": the t.bone GigA Pro pedal set review

By Matt McCracken Published

Cut the cord for less with an affordable, pro-level guitar wireless system from Thomann

Guitar Pedals
A man plays acoustic guitar with a capo on the neck
Best gifts for guitar players: Gift ideas for every type of guitarist

By Ed Mitchell Last updated

Great gift ideas for guitar players everywhere - from electric guitar strings and capos to acoustic guitars and amps

Guitars
the t.bone EP 4
"They may not have all the bells and whistles of the bigger brands, but they get the job done": the t.bone EP 4 in-ear monitors review

By Matt McCracken Published

Thomann’s budget in-ear monitors offer excellent quality sound for much less than the bigger brands

Headphones
A Positive Grid Spark Link transmitter and receiver on top of a Spark Mini practice amp
“Every bit as clear and crisp as a cable”: Positive Grid Spark Link review

By Matt McCracken Published

Free yourself from the constraints of cables with this simple-to-use wireless guitar system from Positive Grid

Guitars
A Line 6 Helix LT on the floor with purple lighting
Ditch your amp and save - Line 6 just slashed a colossal $200 off the price of Helix Floor and LT

By Matt McCracken Published

Don't fret if you already bought one, many retailers are refunding the difference

Guitar Amps
Image of a red Telecaster guitar on a wooden floor
Best Telecasters: 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

Electric Guitars
A Positive Grid Spark Live on a wooden floor with a guitar case behind it
"If you want an amplifier that can play multiple roles, the Spark Live is a fantastic choice" – Positive Grid Spark Live review

By Matt McCracken Published

We take a first look at the exciting new hybrid smart amp and PA system from Positive Grid

Guitar Amps
Close up of the strings on an acoustic guitar
What acoustic guitar string gauges should I use?

By Matt McCracken Published

Our definitive guide to stringing your acoustic with the right gauge to suit your playing style

Acoustic Guitars
A Boss BD-2 Blues Driver overdrive pedal on a wooden floor
Best overdrive pedals: Find new inspiration with the best drive pedals for guitar

By Chris Corfield Last updated

Some of the best examples of a key component of any guitar player’s rig - the overdrive pedal

Guitar Pedals
Harley Benton JA-25TH Firemist
Harley Benton JA-25TH Firemist review

By Matt McCracken Published

A 25th-anniversary edition offset that looks to celebrate everything great about the value-centric Harley Benton brand

Electric Guitars
A Kemper Profiler Player amp modeller with a man holding a smartphone
Quick! The Kemper Profiler Player is already discounted at Thomann

By Matt McCracken Published

Despite just being released the latest amp modeller has already seen a tasty £50 discount - act fast before it goes back to full price

Guitar Pedals
Close up of the front grill on a Yamaha THR30II-WL practice guitar amp
Best practice amps: the best amps for guitar practice

By Jonathan Horsley Last updated

Onboard effects, digital modelling, valves? Here are the best practice amps for guitar, with options from Yamaha, Power Grid, Fender, Line 6 and more

Guitar Amps
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