Gear Reviews
How to Control Feedback and Mix Sound for House Concerts
Welcome to the third in a four-part series that will provide real-world advice about portable PA systems, co-presented by Yamaha and Performer Magazine. In this installment, we’ll take a closer look controlling feedback, and setting up a portable PA system for house...
The Guitar Mod Chronicles: Re-Floyding a Strat and Sheptone Pickup Review
In April of 2017 a friend of mine passed away suddenly. He was great guitar player, and I was really saddened by his sudden absence in my life. In a lot of ways, it hasn’t been easy coming to grips with it. I’m not going into it detail, but you get the idea. He had a...
Short Scale Guitars and Short Money Upgrades – A Squier Mustang Story
This past Christmas my wife was kind enough to get me a guitar. She knows I’m passionate about guitars, guitar playing and music in general. She also knows guitars aren’t cheap. One night I saw a Fender Squier Bullet Mustang, with two humbucking pickups. Finished off...
How To
PHOTO GALLERY: letlive and Architects live in Worcester
Architects and letlive. (with Glass Cloud and I the Mighty) Worcester, MA The Palladium Upstairs - May 3rd, 2014 The Palladium upstairs in Worcester, MA was in for a night of metal-core and a post hardcore assault as Architects, letlive., Glass Cloud and I The Mighty...
Are Streaming Services Killing Artists?
The technological innovations of the past fifteen-plus years have irrevocably changed the way we consume and experience recorded music. Arguably, the most drastic change is that music is no longer confined to the trappings of a physical format. Free from LP's,...
Show Review and Photo Gallery: Chromeo Live in Boston
Chromeo had no problem bringing the funk to a nearly sold out audience at Boston's House of Blues this past Wednesday. The Canadian duo are anticipating the release of their fourth studio album, White Women, which is due out May 12th. With cameos from Solange, Toro y...
Buying Guide
Taylor GS Mini-e Bass Review
Proving that great things come in small packages, we take a closer look at the Taylor GS Mini-e Bass in our latest review. Acoustic basses can be large and ungainly, but to produce decent enough low end, it typically needs to be big. Taylor’s figured out how to get...
Cloudlifter Zi Review
Read Performer Magazine's hands-on review of the Cloudlifter Zi DI and Mic Activator from Cloud Microphones The great thing about recording to a DAW is simplicity, but at times getting a good tone from the start gets overlooked, and means relying on plug-ins to fix...
MY FAVORITE AXE: Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME
Gary Blanchard has been performing and writing songs since 1966. He offers uplifting songs that explore themes of hope, love, peace, and nature. His latest CD, Be the Change, was released in April 2017. MAKE & MODEL Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU...
Industry News
Win a Pro Tools Quartet and Demonstrate Cloud Collaboration for Pro Tools
Performer Magazine and AVID are seeking creative artists, songwriters and producers to demonstrate the amazing capabilities of AVID Cloud Collaboration for Pro Tools. Winners will be set up with latest version of Pro Tools and will receive a new Pro Tools | Quartet to...
Samsung Electronics to Acquire HARMAN
Big news in the world of pro audio, as Harman, whose brands include JBL, AKG, Lexicon and more, has been acquired by Samsung Electronics. The news release is below: SEOUL, Korea and STAMFORD, CT – Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930) (“Samsung”) and Harman International...
How to Prevent Stolen Gear on Tour
After their performances, indie-folk group Watching for Foxes don’t waste much time before tearing down their set, thanking the booker and collecting pay, and schlepping gear back to their large passenger van. After all, on some nights they might be driving several...