Gear Reviews
REVIEW: Donner Arena 2000 Multi-Effect Processor
Donner’s Arena 2000 is re-setting the bar in terms of price per performance in multi-fx units. The controls are a combination of touch screen and parameter controls. Strangely the display screen isn’t a touch control surface, but just a display. The effects selections...
REVIEW: Palmer Pedalbay 40PB and 60PB Pedalboards
The slat wall pedalboard design has offered up a platform for guitarists that is flexible, but always needed add-ons such as power supplies and mounting brackets. Palmer’s Pedalbay system is an all-in-one package that can support and power pedals with ease. The sizes...
How musicians can make money through their website
[Guest article courtesy of Melanie Kealey of Bandzoogle] Even in a time when new platforms and online technologies are exploding in popularity – Web3, TikTok, Yubo, and more – it has never been more critical for musicians to build and maintain their own website, their...
How To
Music Will Survive COVID-19
Everyone I talk to in the music industry these days is truly uncertain about the near-term future of music. Oh, you’ll find some who are optimistic about venues reopening “safely,” just as you will find some that say live music won’t return until next spring. You can...
Why You Should Be Thinking About Insurance RIGHT NOW
“In these uncertain times…” Friends, I’m sure you’re growing as tired of hearing that phrase as I am. And yet, here we are. Uncertain times indeed. Had you told us a year ago that touring and live performances as we knew them would come to an immediate halt, and that...
Audio-Technica and Discogs Announce Partnership in Support of Record Stores
Audio-Technica and online record marketplace Discogs today announce a partnership in support of record stores around the world. Audio-Technica will be supporting Discogs on their Homespun series – which sees record stores from all over the world sharing their favorite...
Buying Guide
REVIEW: Palmer PWT08 Powerbar
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 has plenty of clean and safe power on tap, so consider adding one to power your board today. There are eight...
REVIEW: Revv Shawn Tubbs Tilt Overdrive Pedal
In case you didn’t know, Shawn Tubbs is a highly regarded session player, and one thing session folks know is tone. The Tilt Overdrive is a collaboration with Shawn and Revv, and has a few tricks up its sleeve. It’s a medium gain drive pedal with a boost; the drive...
Solid State Logic (SSL) Guitarstrip Modeling Plug-in REVIEW
Guitarists who dive into recording are often overwhelmed; things get much more nuanced in every way, and finding the right combination and application of effects, EQ and dynamics can be difficult. SSL has taken a lot of the guesswork out of navigating multiple...
Industry News
The Ultimate Guitar Pedal Buyer’s Guide
OK, pedal newb, listen up! Making music should be fun! So don’t let any jaded a-holes talk down to you, and especially don’t let anyone call you ‘newb’ – even us. It’s rude and gatekeeping in music is stupid and childish. Anyway, let’s talk PEDALS! Let’s say you are...
HOW TO USE CHORUS, COMPRESSOR & REVERB PEDALS — THE RIGHT WAY!
The chorus pedal was an eighties staple, and although it’s not as common today, it’s still a valuable addition to any guitarists’ arsenal. It’s designed as a replication of the sound of two guitarists playing the same piece – there are inevitably minor differences in...
BUYER’S GUIDE: The Best Synthesizers Under $1000
1. BEST OVERALL SYNTH UNDER $1000: The Moog Sub Phatty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22M6_2xG-ms WHY WE LOVE THE MOOG SUB PHATTY Well, to be blunt, we think the Moog Sub Phatty is the best damn synth you can buy for under a thousand bucks. How’s that? Hands down,...