The Best and Worst of NAMM 2025 in Synths: Tops and Flops

With NAMM 2025 behind us, I take a look at the synth-related high and low points of another momentous week in Anaheim and beyond!

Sound Layering: Add Weight and Depth to Your Mixes

Ever wondered how to stack instruments and vocals to thicken your mixes? We're discussing some basic sound layering production techniques.

Chiptune Patch-Fest: Sounds and Presets

NAMM had been and gone for another year. We get back to our sounds and presets with a selection of goodies covering lots of bases, including Chiptune!

The Best Semi-Modular Synths for your Studio Setup

Modular without the modules? Here's a convenient way to get into modular synthesis. We're looking at some of the best semi-modular synths!

How To Fix A Muddy Mix: Stuck In The Mud?

Have you ever spent hours on one of your tracks and ended up making it sound worse rather than better? Here's how to fix a muddy mix.

Tops and Flops: The Classic Rock Show, John Sykes and Liverpool

In this week's Tops and Flops, we go and see The Classic Rock Show in Liverpool, and face the depressing realities of trying to get to gigs in adverse weather.

The Best Workstation Keyboards under $2500

We check out some of the best workstation keyboards under $2500 for music production and arrangement, as well as for live performance.

Sony C-800G Alternatives for Ultra-clean Vocals

Recording decent Pop and Rap vocals is a challenge, but with these Sony C-800G Alternatives, you'll be on your way to clean vocal recordings.

Hardware or Software? Why Not Both? – Sounds and Presets

This week, we have presets that work on both the hardware or software versions of two great synths. Everyone's a winner!

How has the Role of the Producer changed in Modern Music?

We discuss the role of the producer and how it has changed throughout the history of recorded music, from acoustic recording to FL Studio.

How To Use Roland Jupiter-8 Plugins in your DAW

We check out some of the best Roland Jupiter-8 plugins and cover some tips on authentically recreating the classic polysynth in the box.

The Best Drum Overheads for Studio Recording

Capturing a drum kit is a challenge, but with the best drum overheads, your job becomes a lot easier. Let's check out which mics work best.

What is MIDI? A Guide to Understanding MIDI

Have you ever pondered the question, "What is MIDI?", we find out about the different aspects of MIDI and where they come into play.

Happy 2025! New Year, New Sounds!

Well here we are, ladies and gentlemen, it's 2025! I trust you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year? Did you get any new synths? If not, why not spruce up your existing gear with some new ...

Post-Recording Workflow: Time to Bake those Takes

We're discussing post-recording workflow, including some of the key steps to take when editing your recordings in different styles of music.

SP-1200 Alternatives for Sample-based Beatmaking

We're looking at SP-1200 Alternatives for classic sample-based music production like Daft Punk, The Prodigy, RZA, and A Tribe Called Quest.

Tops and Flops: Highlights of the Week

In this week's edition of Tops and Flops, we'll discuss the most exciting and entertaining stories, and a few other gems I've found online.

Win a Universal Audio Volt 2 USB Recording Studio & 2 UAFX Pedals – XMAS Raffle

In this competition you can win the Volt 2 USB interface and the two UAFX pedals Orion Tape Echo and Heavenly Plate Reverb. Good luck to you!

Advanced Chord Techniques: Adding Extra Flavour to Your Playing

Enhance your guitar skills with these advanced chord techniques. Let's add depth and flavour to your playing.

My Highlights of 2024: Bah Humbug, Grinch Mode

A look back at 2024, the year I went into full-on Grinch Mode and went back to basics - my highlights of 2024.

Happy New Year 2025: GEARNEWS Wishes You a Great Start!

Happy New Year 2025! The GEARNEWS editorial team wishes you a great start to 2025 with lots of music and new instruments!

Best Guitar Gear: My Favourite Products from 2024

Best guitar gear! As the year comes to a close, we're all looking at the best gear of 2024. Here are some of my favourite releases from this year

Best Software Synths of 2024: Five Synth Plugins That Floated Our Boat This Year

With 2024 delivering a bumper crop of software synths, it's been tough to pick the cream of the crop, but here are my choices for Best Software Synths of 2024, along with others worthy of a mention.

My Music Highlights of 2024: Musical Moments of the Year

If you're a music fan, 2024 was packed with releases, live shows, and interviews throughout the year. Here are some of my music highlights.