Gear Reviews
Mackie Acquires Babelson Audio Plug-Ins
Mackie, a leader in high-quality, easy-to-use, and innovative professional audio designs, has announced the acquisition of Babelson Audio’s catalog of highly acclaimed processing plug-ins. With an innovative range of products including vintage tube EQ and saturation,...
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...
How To
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...
Summer NAMM 2020 is Canceled
News from our friends at NAMM: Dear NAMM Family, After speaking with so many of you and closely following the latest news regarding the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Summer NAMM, scheduled for July 9–11 in Nashville....
Los Angeles-Based Organization Equal Sound Launches Coronavirus Relief Fund
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and its devastating effect on the artistic community, the Los Angeles-based organization Equal Sound launched the Corona Relief Fund (CRF) on March 12, 2020. Through the fund, musicians can apply for an initial grant up to $500...
Buying Guide
REVIEW: Coppersound Strategy Two-Channel Preamp and Overdrive V2
Back in March of 2021 we reviewed Coppersound’s Strategy pedal. The cool Strat-inspired design is as unique as the sound, and now Coppersound has updated it with an additional overdrive mode. Enter the Strategy V2. Again, the blend of Stratocaster and stompbox design...
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...
Industry News
The SYNTH ISSUE is out now!
Performer Magazine is psyched to bring you our special SYNTH ISSUE, bought to you by our premier sponsor, DONNER. We've been working hard on this one for a while, and it even has a companion mixtape dropping later this month featuring some of today's coolest artists...
Contribute to Performer’s Special Synthesizer Issue!
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 on synthesizers (due out in May). GET INVOLVED Wanna help? Awesome! We...
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:...