Posts by Brandon Stoner

Best Signature Plug-ins: 6 great mixing plug-ins by Waves, Softube, Neural DSP and Eventide

The sounds of legendary producers and musicians in your DAW: Here are 6 great signature effects for mixing by Waves, Eventide, Softube and Neural DSP.

Harmony H605 Review: A great-sounding boutique tube amp, with a caveat

We took a deep dive into the sounds available on Harmony's H605 retro-styled tube amp, with a range of pickups and pedals. Here's what we found.

Gear Every Guitar Player Needs in Their Gig Bag

Every guitarist has accessories that are necessary for what they do. Here are a few essential items you should always have with you.

Guitar Amp Tubes Demystified: All about amplifier valves!

Know your EL34 from your KT88? Here's our condensed primer on guitar amp tubes, from preamp and power amp valves through to rectifier tubes.

NFTs for Musicians: A new cash source for creatives?

NFTs: A gateway to new revenue streams for your music? Or more over-hyped tech you're not going to make any money with? Join us for a deep dive.

Best Practice Amps 2021: 9 great-value amplifiers to improve your playing

Need a compact amp for home practice sessions or as a songwriting tool? Here are nine of the best-value guitar practice amps on the market.

Best FRFR Guitar Cabinets: Top 6 full-range cabs for your digital rig

The best FRFR cabinets for your digital rig! These boxes cover all price points, from budget-conscious to audiophile, and everything in between.

The genius of Rupert Neve: 6 of his best studio innovations

On 12 February, Rupert Neve, the “godfather of modern recording”, passed away. Today we look at six of his most iconic creations and their lasting impact.

Best Creative Dynamics Plug-ins: 6 Tools to Push Your Mixing Boundaries

Inject some new creativity into your mixes with these 6 must-have plug-ins that let you get creative with dynamics and EQ.

Best Sample Packs This Week: EDM vocals, ambient techno, free industrial loops

This week: A vocal set from Sri Lanka, an ancient instrument crafted from an apricot tree, ambient techno loops, laid back hip-hop samples and free industrial samples.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Sample Science collection, Afro elements, free piano

The best sample packs this week: a Sample Science collection, space age sounds, vocal chants, Afro-Beat rhythmic elements and a great free piano!

Best Sample Packs This Week: Metal drums, heavy bass, Caribbean marimbas

Cool new new sample packs for you: millennial metal drums, heavy bass, Caribbean marimba and vibraphone vibes and female house vocals. Check 'em out.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Kontakt harp, heavy techno, Afro-Cuban rhythms

A harp for Kontakt, heavy techno and thick synths, Afro-Cuban rhythms, 70s-style rap and hip hop beats and a traditional Vietnamese instrument. Phew!

Best Sample Packs This Week: Trap elements, positive piano and vocal chants!

Grab some new samples for your productions: futuristic trap sounds, forest and nature textures, motivational piano samples, dubstep electronica and eastern spiritual chants.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Neo noir, ragga beats, cinematic soundscapes

Samples released this week include noir and horror-inspired material that can be manipulated with included the effects, a trio of stringed instruments, ragga loops, and tense cinematic soundscapes.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Emo beats, dubstep vocals, breakbeat drums

The best sample packs this week include scenic sounds created with unusual objects, emo beats, dubstep vocals, instruments that help you paint a daydream, and jazz breakbeat drums.

The Best Sample Packs This Week: Chinese instruments and sounds of the British Invasion

Super cool new samples! An impressive foley sounds collection, a swathe of authentic Chinese instruments, funk and disco sounds for house productions, and the sound of the British Invasion!

Best Sample Packs This Week: Beatbox vocals, a Nordish organ, morphing pads

We've got some awesome sample packs for you this week: beatbox magic, a Nordish organ, eastern ethnic instrumental fusion sounds, and morphing pads.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Rush drums, ambient guitars, a Motown Wurlitzer

Some great new sample packs for you this week: drum samples for Sample Tank recorded by Neil Peart, ambient guitar swells, a prog house sample set, a 100 person choir, and a Motown Wurlitzer! Phew!

Best Sample Packs This Week: Led Zep drums, winter atmospheres, Manga melodies

Awesome new sample packs this week: Led Zeppelin drums recorded by Eddie Kramer at one of London's most famous studios, winter in surround sound, Manga melodies and an 80 retro synth pack.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Sounds for cinema, lo-fi loops, and brass instruments

We've got some awesome sample packs for you this week: dark cinemascapes, versatile lo-fi loops, a free collection of brass instruments, and a raft of sounds you need to create sound design for film.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Organic atmospheres, a unique music box, disco funk sounds

More great sample packs this week: a collection of nature and atmospheric sounds, a melodic drum that is simple to dial in, a surprising music box and a complete set of disco funk samples.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Classic quartet, free piano, 90s metal drums, house loops

This week's best sample packs include a beautiful string quartet that you can conduct yourself, a free grand piano, the heaviest of 90s metal drums, and a well-rounded pack of heavy electronic loops.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Healing audio, vocal pads, world instruments – and a free 808!

The best sample packs this week: sounds that will heal you, vocal pads that add a heavenly shimmer, a robust pack with a staggering list of world instruments, and a simple free 808 plug-in. Enjoy!