Gear Reviews
Focusrite Vocaster Two USB-C Podcasting Audio Interface REVIEW
Podcasting started out pretty simply: a computer and a microphone. Then the ability to have someone call in, like a radio show, and the hardware and software needed for more (and better) microphones meant more gear that in many cases were overkill for most...
Lowden Ed Sheeran Tour Edition Guitar Review
In many cases signature instruments can be a hard pill to swallow; if they’re overdone with an artist’s signature graphics or other adornments, players sometimes feel that there’s no room for their own growth, or even worse, pass on a great guitar just because of the...
Donner DST-400 Electric Guitar Review
S-type guitars are arguably the most common electric guitar style. The modular design and the adaptability of the electronics have made them popular with players from Buddy Holly to Billy Corgan, and countless others in between. Import versions have long been a value...
How To
The Pros, Cons, and Future of Artificial Intelligence in Music
Since American Idol star and YouTube sensation Taryn Southern started composing music with AI in 2017, musicians all over the world have begun wondering about the implications of AI and modern technology where music production is concerned. Technology has long been an...
Spring Cleaning For Musicians: 2020 Edition
Well, here we are with some time on our hands. Don’t worry, I’m not going to talk about the “V” word that starts with a “C.” Nope, we’re just going to focus on some positives today. It’s Spring, and that means it’s time for some Spring cleaning! Aw yeah, throw open...
Qobuz expands “Gimme Shelter” program to include streaming revenues
Qobuz, the music service with the world’s largest HD music catalog, is expanding its “Gimme Shelter” artist relief program by returning 100% of commissions made on new customers’ first paid month of streaming back to rightsholders, for all new subscribers who join...
Buying Guide
The Difference Between TRUE BYPASS and BUFFERED BYPASS
It’s impossible to shop around for effects pedals without noticing claims of “true bypass” coming from a wide range of manufacturers. Like many things in the guitar effects world, there is some disagreement about the benefits of true bypass, with some players...
Practical Tips and Tricks for Stacking Gain and Overdrive Pedals
In the guitar world, especially when it comes to tone, everyone has an opinion on what’s “right.” However, between the blurred lines of audio science and the endless chatter of gear forums finding what’s best tonally for yourself can be a challenge. With seemingly...
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FUZZ, OVERDRIVE AND DISTORTION PEDALS?
They all do the same basic thing – add harmonics and clip the audio signal. However, the sounds that they produce, and the amounts of distortion can be quite different. OVERDRIVE GUITAR PEDALS An overdrive guitar pedal produces enough gain to push your amp into its...
Industry News
Spotify is Finally Listening to Music Makers
For independent artists and labels, there is definitely a love/hate relationship with Spotify. We love how the deals with distributors have made the track uploads process easy. We hate how we have very little shot of making an editorial playlist on music alone, (hint:...
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...
The special PEDAL ISSUE is out now!
Performer Magazine is psyched to bring you our special PEDAL ISSUE, bought to you by our premier sponsor, the RAT DISTORTION PEDAL. We've been working hard on this one for a while, and it even has a companion MIXTAPE dropping along with the print version (that's...