Former audio engineer, current editor-in-chief of zZounds.com. When I’m not geeking out about recording gear and enforcing proper punctuation, I can be found playing the keytar. It’s a serious instrument, you know.
Why DJs Are Choosing Rekordbox
DJs who perform live are constantly making choices. Which song to play next? What feeling do I need to create right now? Is the crowd ready to build energy, or take things down a notch? And unless you’re an all-vinyl purist, one of those choices is which digital DJ platform to use for performing and […]
Summer NAMM 2019: New Gear from Fender, Ampeg, Boss and More
The music gear world has descended upon Nashville, Tennessee for the Summer NAMM 2019 tradeshow! Join the zZounds crew on the show floor as we get our hands on the latest and greatest guitars, amps, and audio gear. Shop all Summer NAMM 2019 gear on zZounds New from Ampeg: Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT Bass Amplifier […]
Chicago’s New Playground for Sonic Experimentation
At some of Chicago’s more famous museums, patrons aren’t supposed to touch the exhibits. But Synth House Chicago Museum is different. In this cozy co-working space in the West Town neighborhood, guests get their hands on an impressive collection of modern and vintage synthesizers curated by owner Marty Pelayo, who encourages museum visitors to bring […]
Understanding Speaker Sensitivity
When choosing a passive loudspeaker, one of the most important specifications to look for is sensitivity — a measure of the volume output you can expect from the speaker, relative to its input power. Speaker sensitivity reflects the speaker’s ability to efficiently convert power into sound. Why Does Speaker Sensitivity Matter? Sensitivity matters because a […]
Keyboards, DJ, Live Sound & Recording Gear at NAMM 2019
Shop gear from NAMM 2019 at zZounds: Keyboards & MIDI | DJ Gear | Computer Audio | Recording | Live Sound
Analog Mixers for Multi-Track Recording
At the heart of countless performance venues, recording rigs, practice spaces, and broadcast facilities, you’ll find analog mixers. For any music project that involves more than one or two simultaneous mics or instruments, a mixer can be of great use. With a mixer, you can balance levels between multiple sources, sweeten your sound with the […]
10 Music Gear Brand Names You Should Know How to Say
If you’re into making music, you’re probably into talking gear, too. But what’s the proper way to pronounce all those audio gear and musical instrument brand names that you’ve seen so many times? Here at zZounds, we’ve heard them all. Here are 10 commonly mispronounced brand names, and our guide to how to say them […]
The Wireless MIDI Keyboard Rig
Playing keyboards is my jam, but schlepping a lot of gear around is definitely not. My main gigging board is a Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer — or a keytar, as it’s affectionately known. Besides the keytar’s distinctive look, the appeal of this board is its eminent portability. But there comes a time when you need […]
Keyboardist Bonnie McIntosh: Roland Artist (and Role Model)
Where in the world is Bonnie McIntosh? As the live keyboardist for such pop phenoms as Selena Gomez, Madilyn Bailey, and Malia Civetz, the talented Ms. McIntosh spends a lot of time globetrotting (just peep her Instagram for photo evidence.) When she’s not on the road playing tour dates and TV gigs, you’ll find this […]
