Simon Arblaster
I take care of the reviews on MusicRadar and Future Music magazine, though can sometimes be spotted in front of a camera talking little sense in the presence of real musicians. For the past 30 years, I have been unable to decide on which instrument to master, so haven't bothered. Currently, a lover of all things high-gain in the guitar stakes and never one to resist churning out sub-standard funky breaks, the likes of which you'll never hear.
Latest articles by Simon Arblaster
“The Nanobox range gets a sampler and a powerful one at that”: 1010music Nanobox Tangerine review
By Simon Arblaster published
This latest Nanobox could be pushing for the title of world’s smallest sampler. We ask if it needs to be that small…
"It's the face-melting clarity that these pickups deliver which will keep you coming back for more Bay Area thrash antics, time and time again": Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG
By Simon Arblaster published
A sub $/£400 Explorer-a-like with active EMGs?! Yes, please.
"It does the job of improving vocal recordings in sub-optimal acoustic spaces": t.akustik PET Vocal Booth
By Simon Arblaster published
Need a vocal booth that you move about and pack away easily, without the need for any tools? t.akustik has got you covered
“A veritable playground of vintage synthesis and exploration”: Analogue Solutions Ample review
By Simon Arblaster published
Is Ample more than just a greatest hits package from the AS back catalogue? We reach for the pins
“A worthy Windows-based machine for the power-hungry power user on the go”: ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X OLED review
By Simon Arblaster published
Looking for a high-end Windows-based laptop to handle all your music and video needs? We go PC
"An extra screen is always handy for music production but unfortunately it’s at the detriment of comfort here": ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED review
By Simon Arblaster published
Is this dual-screen laptop a travelling producer’s salvation? We log in
NAMM 2024 live report: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show - as it happened
By MusicRadar last updated
All the hot new guitars, synths, drums and other products as they're announced
NAMM 2024: The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 exists, we've seen it and it's coming in March
By Rob Laing last updated
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the Pelham Blue?
1010music Nanobox Razzmatazz review
By Simon Arblaster published
The Nanobox range gains a drum machine, but is it too small for making beats? We reach for our reading glasses
Teenage Engineering TP-7 review
By Simon Arblaster published
TE’s ever-growing Field Kit now adds a tactile recorder, but can it stand the rigours of the road?
Expressive E Osmose review
By Simon Arblaster published
Is the long-awaited MPE synth from Haken Audio and Expressive E your studio’s future centrepiece?
It's been a while since I first reviewed the Focal Listen Pros and they're still some of my favourite studio headphones, this deal at Sweetwater is making me consider buying another pair
By Simon Arblaster last updated
Get a cracking deal on these great all-rounders for the studio this Cyber Monday – hurry, there are only 4 days left!
As plugin deals go, the saving on this Baby Audio Industry Pro Bundle is too good to miss
By Simon Arblaster last updated
You can save huge amounts of money on Baby Audio effects and instruments in the Plugin Boutique Black Friday sale
Worried Black Friday is over and can't wait for the new UB-Xa? Fear not, we have found some early Cyber Monday deals on Behringer synths, effects and drum machines for you
By Simon Arblaster published
The cheapest desktop, eurorack synths, stompboxes and drum machines just got cheaper
OXI Instruments Coral review
By Simon Arblaster published
A polyphonic, multi-timbral synth in only 14HP! We see how deep this spin on a modern classic goes
Gear Talk: Is Roland's Gaia 2 a worthy successor to the original? | Is digital hardware a waste of money? | Why is Behringer calling out gear reviewers?
By Si Truss published
We discuss the month's burning music tech questions in our new video series
Korg Modwave mkII: what's new in the latest version of the hybrid wavetable monster synth?
By Simon Arblaster published
Time to play spot the difference with the heir to the DW-8000 crown
Korg announces Keystage, its first MIDI 2.0 keyboard controller, with polyphonic aftertouch, audio out and official integration with Ableton Live
By Simon Arblaster published
Is this the smartest MIDI keyboard yet?
t.akustik Stripe Absorber 120 review
By Simon Arblaster published
Larger, denser absorption panels for multiple applications. Is your home studio big enough?
PreSonus Studio One 6.5 adds Dolby Atmos integration, but the real big news could be a new DAW file-swapping format
By Simon Arblaster published
Version 6.5 for Studio One has landed with new additions in spatial audio and an open-source file-sharing platform that could be a gamechanger
Neural DSP Archetype: Rabea review
By Simon Arblaster published
A monosynth in an amp plugin? We get our shred on
PreSonus relaunches its Eris studio monitor range with all new models and a simpler tiering system
By Simon Arblaster published
Three new tiers offer everything you need from desktop content creation to pro studio installation
Korg ARP Odyssey FS Kit review
By Simon Arblaster published
The Odyssey finally gets the full-size treatment from Korg and comes as a kit. We reach for the toolbox
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