How-To Guides 7
PreSonus Metro, Capture, and More: How to Use Your StudioLive Mixer’s Most Powerful Tools
PreSonus StudioLive digital mixers are a fixture in countless venues and houses of worship — known for their Fat Channel effects processing and ease of use. But the real power of these mixers becomes apparent when you connect them to a computer or smart device. StudioLive mixers have always had tight integration with PreSonus software, […]
A Humbucker Enthusiast Takes on the Fender Standard Telecaster
From my earliest days as a guitar player, even growing up admiring the work of players like John Frusciante and Stevie Ray Vaughn, the distinctive spank of a single-coil pickup never spoke to me like the thick, robust sound of a humbucker. I’ve always been drawn to humbuckers, an attraction I attribute to my childhood […]
The JHS 424 Gain Stage Brings the Portastudio to Your Pedalboard
Some pedals are born out of nostalgia, but the JHS 424 Gain Stage is rooted in obsession. For years, producers and guitarists have been chasing the gritty, colorful saturation of the TASCAM 424 Portastudio, the four-track cassette machine that defined an era of lo-fi records. From indie bands layering tape hiss into their mixes to […]
Auxiliary Percussion: The Studio “Secret Weapon” You’re Ignoring
When you think of percussion in a recording, you probably picture a drum kit, maybe a conga player if things are getting spicy. But auxiliary percussion — a wide-ranging category that encompasses items like tambourines, shakers, cowbells, and wood blocks — is where you can quietly take a track from “good groove” to “why does […]
Max Your Content with the Rode Wireless Micro
In this day and age, content is king — enter the Rode Wireless Micro system. Whether you are creating shortform content, need an easy-to-use wireless lav system for long-form videos, or want a creative and compact solution for recording singer-songwriter demos and videos in the wild, this plug-and-play wireless system has you covered. In this […]
From Pianos to Power Toms: The History of Yamaha Drums
When you think Yamaha, you might picture a grand piano in a concert hall, a revving motorcycle, or their classic logo on a student’s first keyboard. But Yamaha’s presence behind the drum kit is equally as storied, and it shares a connection to their expertise in piano craftsmanship. From their melodic instrument legacy to their […]
DI Box vs. Line Isolator: Which One Do You Need in Your Rig?
With the rise of “amp-in-a-box” modeling processors that include line-level outputs, line isolators have become increasingly popular with guitarists — with boxes like the Walrus Audio Canvas and Radial Highline series replacing the old standby DI box in some rigs. So, what’s the difference between a DI vs. line isolator? The DI box — also […]
The Not-So-Hidden History Behind Modal ARGON8M’s Lush Digital Soundscapes
One of the best and worst things about revisiting history is rediscovering where things went so wrong. Around a year ago, while reviewing Roland’s JD-08, I made this off-hand comment: “I hate that too many of the electronic instruments out there cater to more atonal or textural Eurorack-inspired musicians.” Before I open up your hate […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Fingerpicking
Looking to spice up your guitar playing with a new skill? No matter what style of guitar you play, fingerpicking is a great tool to add to your arsenal. In this blog post, we’ll help get you going on your fingerpicking journey by walking you through the fundamental techniques, including a layout of the PIMA […]
