Gear Reviews
The ACOUSTIC ISSUE is out now!
Performer Magazine is psyched to bring you our special ACOUSTIC ISSUE celebrating all things acoustic from gear to setup to recording and live performance tips. We've been working hard on this one for a while, and it even has a companion mixtape dropping later this...
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...
How To
Session Player Royalties: Making Harmony out of Discord
On June 29, 2022, a declaration was filed in federal district court in New York confirming that $45 million had been paid to nearly 60,000 session musicians and background singers as part of a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit had been brought by six Texas session...
5 Rules for Modern Songwriters to Get Noticed
Secure More Licensing Opps Anyone in the music business will tell you that teaching songwriting is a difficult—if not impossible—task. There are some who do it well. For instance, Judy Stakee at Berklee is excellent. Whenever I am asked to teach songwriting, it...
Get Schooled at the ASCAP Experience
Learn new skills & career-boosting tips from the pros Just wanted to share some exciting news from our friends at the ASCAP Experience: "Shake off the lazy days of summer and kick back into gear with ASCAP Experience! We’ve got tons of sessions to help you set...
Buying Guide
Be Prepared for Summer Touring Season with the Right Insurance Policy
PLAN BEFORE YOU HIT THE STAGE Summer is a great time to hit the road in support of your latest release or book a string of fun outdoor gigs and festival slots to get your music in front of big crowds. The weather’s great, audiences are primed to go see live music, and...
WATCH: The Positive Grid Spark Live is the Ultimate Rehearsal Room PA/Amp for Your Band
https://youtu.be/klI69syvLq0 We recently sent the new Positive Grid SPARK LIVE to Boston-based indie pop band Air Traffic Controller to test out in their rehearsal studio. To show just how easy it is to get set up and rocking right away, we gave them no prior...
WATCH: How to Record KILLER Vocals with the new Telefunken TF17 FET condenser microphone
https://youtu.be/wYVmcUZvMQY?si=Gf698iUc66A7uGjz We recently sent the brand-new Telefunken TF17 into the studio with Amanda Ayala to show off just what a powerhouse this new condenser is. Sit back as she unboxes, sets things up and tracks vocal parts for her new...
Industry News
5 Easy (and Lucrative) Holiday Merch Ideas for Musicians
The calendar has turned, the seasons have changed, and the holidays are quickly approaching. While you are preparing for your holiday shows and trying to find that Jager-soaked Santa hat for the private party you booked, your band needs to be preparing for retail...
Ignore The Big Knobs: All You Need to Know About Compressors
Here’s the thing about compressors: they’re not always used for what you think they’re for! And, how you think about using them fully determines the results you’ll get from them. Most people are taught, or assume, that compressors are for controlling the level of a...
Record Killer Lead Vocals in Any Home Studio: Tips From The Pros
Editor’s note: In the recent Vocal Chain Issue, we shared some tips on recording vocals in a home studio. Here is another take, and some additional perspective on the process. Not every approach will work for every artist, so we’ve taken the opportunity to present a...