Best Instruments

HOW TO KEEP YOUR VINTAGE SYNTHS SINGING
By Sam Mims on May 23, 2023
Tips From the Pros at Syntaur Vintage analog synths are all the rage these days – and for good reason. They sound fat and gorgeous!...
The Envelope, Please! An Introduction to Envelope Generators
By Stephen B. Ward on May 22, 2023
Envelope Generators, or EGs, create a control signal that rises and falls over time when a note is triggered. In a synthesizer, that signal can...
NEWS: Taylor Guitars Transitioning to D’Addario Coated XS Phosphor Bronze Strings
By Benjamin Ricci on May 19, 2023
Taylor Guitars, the leading global builder of premium acoustic guitars, and D’Addario, the world’s premier guitar string maker, announce that Taylor is transitioning to D’Addario’s...
Eurorack and Modular Synthesis 101
By Quinn Grodzins on May 19, 2023
A Non-Scary Intro to Eurorack AKA Modular is Not a Dirty Word Hello, my name is Quinn, I make music under the name Wyram, and...
Hooked on Phonics: Synthesizer Polyphony Terminology
By Marc Doty on May 19, 2023
Synthesizer Polyphony Terminology and the Polyphonic vs. Paraphonic Debate Talking about, or learning about, synthesizers can be a challenge in general, but the situation is...
A Beginner’s Guide to Wavetable Synthesis
By Steve Joslin on May 16, 2023
What is Wavetable Synthesis? Wavetable synthesis is an application of digital sound synthesis that uses multiple waveforms stored together in a table to generate sounds....
GEAR NEWS: New MusicNomad Fret Leveler – Leveling L-Beam Now Available
By Benjamin Ricci on May 8, 2023
This just in from our friends at Music Nomad: Leveling your frets and fingerboard has never been easier with MusicNomad’s Fret Leveler L-Beam. With three...
Contribute to Performer’s Special Synthesizer Issue!
By Benjamin Ricci on April 10, 2023
Do you obsess over oscillators? Do you have more money invested in your Eurorack system than in your retirement plan? Here’s your opportunity to contribute to Performer’s upcoming special issue...
REVIEW: Pigtronix Star Eater Analog Fuzz Pedal
By Chris Devine on February 14, 2023
Not all fuzzes are created equal; the various vintages and versions, the tweaks, the re-issues, the everything-in-one model configurations. It’s overwhelming to sort through. Pigtronix...
REVIEW: Palmer PWT08 Powerbar
By Chris Devine on February 14, 2023
Pedalboard power supplies are often overlooked, but it’s an area that can not only mess with your pedalboard, but with your pedals themselves. Palmer’s PWT08...