Music Gear Guides

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These guides are designed to help you find the most highly rated options when you're buying music equipment. Every item presented has a Gearank Rating and the number of owner and user opinions that have been evaluated by the Gearank Algorithm for this purpose.

Best Cheap Distortion Pedal List to Blow Your Socks Off in 2024

Best Cheap Distortion Pedal List to Blow Your Socks Off in 2024

Distortion is the sound that powers hard rock and metal. As such, many guitarists' first pedal is a distortion stompbox, and the love for this effect continues to grow with experience, with some having tried many different distortion pedals by the time they're playing on stage.

Choosing the Best 88 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards

The Highest Rated 88 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards

Whether you're a pianist looking for a MIDI controller keyboard with a full octave range, or you're looking for a DAW controller and want a full-sized keybed, this guide has you covered.

Best Low Watt Tube Amp Recommendations 2024

The Highest Rated Small Tube Amps

4 Categories Reviewed | 1. Best Low Watt Tube Amp - Combo 2. Best Low Watt Tube - Amp Heads 3. Best Budget Low Watt Tube Amp - Combo 4. Best Budget Low Watt Tube Amp - Heads.

Best Microphone Under $100 | USB & XLR Condenser Mics

best microphone under $100

When budget is limited, it is best to find gear that squeezes the most value for your money. This applies to condenser mics in the sub $100 price range, where you're mostly looking for an all-in-one budget friendly mic. This guide serves that demand, featuring condenser microphones that have proven themselves to be valuable additions to home studios.

The Best Multitrack Recorder for Sound Production 2024

The Highest Rated Digital Multitrack Recorders

Our in-house audio engineer tells you his best digital multitrack recorder choices in each class. 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 32 track Tascam, Zoom best recording multitrack

Top Picks for the Best Portable Keyboard Piano 2024

The Highest Rated Portable Keyboards Under $500

A portable keyboard has built-in speakers so you can play anytime without having to plug in additional equipment. The keyboards included in this guide can also run on batteries so you can play them anywhere.

Best Condenser Mic Selection 2024 - Small to Large Diaphragm

The Highest Rated Studio Condenser Mics

Over a century after it was first introduced, the Condenser Mic continues to be an indispensable tool for music production. This guide focuses on the highest rated large and small diaphragm mics that cover all the tasks studio condensers are used for.

The Best Stage Monitors - Powered Monitor Speakers Under $500

The Highest Rated Powered Stage Monitors

Stage monitors allow you to hear yourself and others on stage. Without stage or floor monitors it can be very difficult to stay in time and sing in tune. This guide features the highest rated powered options on the market.

Best PA Subwoofer - Powered / Active (2024)

Best PA Subwoofer - Powered / Active

As a DJ, musician, or live sound engineer, you may have noticed that the market is flooded with many professional PA subwoofers, making it challenging to decide which one to invest in. To help you make an informed decision, this guide presents the top-rated subwoofers currently available.

Best Cheap Audio Interface Picks for Professional Sound Quality 2024

The Highest Rated Audio Interfaces Under $200

Gearing up for recording has never been this accessible, all you need is your computer, instrument, microphone, and a good audio interface. This guide will help you pick the best cheap audio interface from current market favorites.

Best Vocal Effects Pedal / Processor Guide 2024

The Highest Rated Vocal Effects Pedals

Here we look at the top vocal effects pedals and their features to discover how they can be used to enhance your vocal performance. Read on to learn more!

Best iPhone or iPad Audio Interface for 2024

iPad Audio Interfaces

With the right audio interface, you can turn your iPad into a full featured recording studio. Featured here are the best audio interfaces that you can use to maximize the iPad's mobile recording potential.

7 Best PA Speakers - 2024

The Best Powered PA Speakers

Powered Speakers, also known as active speakers, are loudspeakers with amplifiers built into their enclosures. This combination is simpler to setup and manage, making powered speakers more and more popular among musicians, sound engineers, and DJs.

The Best DI Box & Reamp Box 2024 (Active and Passive)

The Highest Rated DI Boxes

A DI Box converts instrument lead signals (1/4" TS) directly into balanced microphone inputs (3-pin XLR) found on mixing consoles. And it does so while managing impedance and voltage disparities between the connected devices. See the best di box options available today.

Best Parlor Guitar 2024 - Budget, Mid & High End

Best Parlor Guitar Roundup - Budget, Mid & High End up to $2000 (2024)

Parlor guitars offer a smaller, lighter and more comfortable alternative to regular-size acoustics. More importantly, they have a distinct sound that harks back to Victorian era guitars that were played in parlor rooms, and affordable "blues box" mail-order guitars from the early 1900s.

Best Nylon String Guitar - Classical, Flamenco & Modern - Sub $1000

The Highest Rated Nylon String Guitars

This guide covers all the main types of guitars with nylon strings, including classical, flamenco, hybrid, and both acoustic and acoustic-electric models. It also provides advice on topics such as Tonewoods, Scale Length, Nut Width, Action / String Height, Acoustic and Acoustic-Electric options.

The Best Acoustic Electric Guitar: 2024 Guide for Every Budget

The Highest Rated Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Anyone who has ever gigged with an acoustic guitar can tell you what a lifesaver acoustic pickups are. The days where guitarists had to carefully position their instrument in front of a microphone are long gone, because acoustic guitars have become plug and play instruments.

2023's Best Dynamic Microphone Recommendations - For Live & Recording

The Highest Rated Dynamic Microphones

With their ability to handle high sound pressure levels and reject background noise, dynamic microphones continue to be vital in both live performances and recording. We have analyzed reviews and ratings of the many dynamic mics on the market, to bring you a list of the top ones deserving of your consideration.

The Best Microphone for Recording Vocals

The Best Microphone for Recording Vocals

This gear guide will help you find the right studio recording microphones for your budget and needs. The focus is on top rated condenser and dynamic mics that are currently being used to record vocals in home recording and professional studios.

Best USB Microphone for Vocals & Musical Instruments - 2023

The Best USB Microphone for Vocals

The number one barrier to entry towards having a great microphone is that most of them require an audio interface for recording. Major manufacturers now offer some of their models as USB mics with built in analog-to-digital converters to address the needs of people who simply want a good microphone for recording without an audio interface.

The Best Passive PA Speakers 2023 - Under $1000

The Highest Rated Passive PA Speakers

Our resident audio engineer guides you through the best passive PA speakers available. Taking into account factors such as sound quality, durability, portability, and price.

The Best Pedalboard - Powered & Unpowered

Guide to the Highest Rated Guitar Pedal Boards

In addition to keeping your stompboxes organized, pedalboards address clutter, storage, gear protection and transport needs. Here we take look at which boards are considered the best by users and experts, including those with and without a built-in power supply.

The Best Powered Mixer for Consoles & Box/Racks

The Highest Rated Powered Mixing Consoles

Our experts take a look at the best powered mixers and discuss their features and benefits in order to mix multiple inputs into the perfect unified sound.

The Best Bass Strings (Light, Medium & Heavy Gauge) 2023

The Highest Rated Bass Strings

Finding the best bass guitar strings can be a challenge. With so many different materials and approaches to bass string design, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which is going to work the best for you and your style of playing.

Top Rated 2023 - Best Guitar Amp Under $200

The Highest Rated Guitar Amps Under $200

This guide is designed to help anyone who is currently looking for a good inexpensive guitar amplifier. We cover amp heads and pedal board amps in addition to combo amps.

4 Best Budget Studio Headphones 2023 - Under $100

The Highest Rated Studio Headphones Under $100

You can get some surprisingly good studio headphones for less than $100 these days, however not all types of headphones are available in this price range so we explain what the different types of headphones are and provide you with the information you need to get the best option for your situation.

Ultimate Guide to Best Bass Combo Amp for Gigging & Practice

The Highest Rated Bass Amps

56 combo bass amps rated for this guide covering all of the information that you’ll need in order to make an informed purchase, and we’ve recommended some great amps in case you don’t feel like scrolling through scores of different options trying to figure out which one will work best for your situation.

Best Microphone Under 50 Dollars - USB and XLR - 2023

The Highest Rated Microphones Under $50

With so many low quality mics in the entry-level market, getting a good one can be quite daunting. To help you out, we present you with the highest rated microphones that you can buy for under $50.

Best Keyboard Amp to Take Your Performance to the Next Level

The Highest Rated Keyboard Amps

Keyboard amplifiers tend to be quite versatile with many able to amplify a wide range of input sources from keyboards and synths to vocals, electronic drums, acoustic guitars, bass, drum machines and backing machines. Some of the multi-channel options can even be used as small PA systems ideal for practice sessions or performing in small venues.

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Tube Amp

The Highest Rated Tube Amps Under $1000

Guitar amplifiers don't just amplify sound, they also shape and color the sound. This is especially true for tube amps, and is the reason why amps are considered as vital to tone as guitars themselves. Here we feature the best tube amps, combo and heads, that fit the average guitarist's budget.

The Best Guitar Amp under 100 Bucks in 2023

The Highest Rated Guitar Amps Under $100

Guitar amps are an integral part to your sound, but a lot of musicians just can’t justify dropping hundreds (or even thousands!) of dollars on a guitar amp. If you’re looking to get a great tone for as cheap as possible, check out our recommendations in this guide.

Best Keyboard Stand Types - 1, 2, & 3 Tier Keyboard Stands

The Highest Rated Keyboard Stands

A solid and reliable stand is a must not just to help with playing, but also to protect your precious keyboards and synthesizers. This article focuses on stands primarily designed for 49 key instruments and up - if you need a stand for a mini or micro keyboard then you should probably consider getting a music laptop stand or something similar.

Best Looper Pedal Choices for Serious Musicians June 2023

The Highest Rated Looper Pedals

Loopers have become indispensable thanks to their ability to create clones which you can use as virtual backup musicians and singers. Here we look at what the market considers as the best loopers, divided into three categories: Compact, Multiswitch and Tabletop.

Best Studio Monitors of 2023 - Six Suitability Categories For You

Studio Monitor

When you need to work on your recorded music you need to hear exactly how it sounds, warts and all. Multimedia and hi-fi speakers are not suitable for the task because they color the sound. This is where good studio monitors come in...

Best Compressor Pedal Expert Guide (May 2023)

The Highest Rated Compressor Pedals

Compressor pedals are the unsung heroes of many musicians’ rigs. This type of pedal is used to remove a portion of a signal’s dynamic range. Depending on how you set the pedal, it either makes quiet notes louder or loud notes quieter (or both).

Best Budget Mic Preamp Hardware ($100 to $1000)

The Highest Rated Microphone Preamps

Stand alone mic preamps are a great way to enhance the quality and character of your microphone recordings as well as allowing you to add extra mic enabled channels to audio interfaces. Ordinary preamps built into audio interfaces and mixing desks are usually solid performers but dedicated preamps can add that extra warmth and clarity.

The Best Open Back Headphones for Mixing and Mastering

Highest Rated Open Back Headphones for Mixing and Mastering

Open-back headphones are commonly identified by their vented or mesh-covered enclosed earcups. This design promotes a more natural sound that minimizes internal reflection and standing waves making them well suited to mixing and mastering.

The Best Patch Cables & Pedal Couplers of 2023

The Highest Rated Guitar Patch Cables & Pedal Couplers

A guitar rig is only as strong as its weakest link, so it pays to get the right patch cables and/or couplers for the job. Here we present you with what the market considers to be the best, covering a variety of price ranges and bundles, along with advice to help you get the best for your rig.

The Best Drum Mic Kits 2023 - 4 to 8 Piece

The Highest Rated Drum Mic Kits

Audio engineer Raphael Pulgar presents the highest rated Drum Mic Kits ranging from 4 to 8 mics in each set. You'll also get some solid advice to help you select your best options for miking drums.

The Best Channel Strip Units 2023 - All Prices

The Highest Rated Channel Strips

Channel strips provide a high degree of control over the input signal before it reaches your audio interface by providing better mic preamps and more control such as compressor / limiters to prevent exceeding the input limits on your interface.

The Best Acoustic Guitar Preamp Pedal Complete Buyers Guide

The Highest Rated Acoustic Preamps

Preamps for acoustic guitars and other acoustic instruments are great for bringing out a more natural and clear sound. Every kind of acoustic pickup has it's trade-offs and good preamps help emphasize the acoustic tone, add warmth and make the sound more realistic as well as reducing any unwanted frequencies.

The Best Acoustic Guitars 2024 - Between $100 & $1000

The Highest Rated Acoustic Guitars

For this Edition we short-listed 97 guitars available from major online American retailers and examined more than 25,100 rating and review sources in order to find the highest rated acoustics to recommend.

All the Best Digital Pianos of 2023 - Up To $1000

The Highest Rated Digital Pianos

There's just no replacing the feel and sound of acoustic pianos, but they are not always practical when considering real world space and budget restrictions. This is where we come in with our feature on the Best Digital Piano keyboards, featuring market favorites up to $1000 that have impressed students and professional pianists alike.

Best Acoustic Guitar Amp Guide - All Budgets

The Highest Rated Acoustic Guitar Amps

If you have an acoustic guitar with pickups you need a specialized acoustic amp if you want to bring out the natural tone of your instrument. These amps aim to be transparent so they are also good at amplifying vocals - this means that many of these amps are also designed to work well as small PA systems.

Best Keyboard Workstation: Everything You Need to Know 2023

The Highest Rated Keyboard Workstations

Keyboard workstations are versatile electronic instruments that integrate a keyboard with a sound module and sequencers. They are pretty much a "studio in a box" since they let you play and record ideas right away, practical and convenient for those who perform or create original music.

The Best Portable PA System Bundles - 2023

The Highest Rated Portable PA Systems

Portable PA Systems are designed to provide convenient sound reinforcement that can be easily setup, packed away and carried for transportation. If you're unsure about exactly what a 'portable' PA System is that's probably because there is no standard definition, so we have defined them in the Methodology section of this guide.

The Best Studio Headphones of 2023: Under $200 to $500

The Highest Rated Studio Headphones

A great pair of headphones can make all the difference in producing quality studio recordings and overall listening satisfaction. This goes especially for home recording environments where proper acoustically treated rooms are less common, often limiting the accuracy of open air speaker systems.

Best Studio Monitor Stands 2023 - Desk & Floor

The Highest Rated Studio Monitor Stands

To make the most out of your studio monitors, you'll want to pair them up with top quality stands that are designed for studio use. In addition to positioning and securing your speakers, these stands prevent cabinet vibration from transferring to your floor or desk, which results in improved sonic clarity.

The Best Guitar Tuners 2023: Clip On, Pedal & Handheld

The Highest Rated Guitar Tuners

Whether you play Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Bass or Ukulele we've got you covered when it comes to choosing your next tuner. In fact we analyzed over 100,000 owner and user opinions to bring you what we believe is the most comprehensive guitar tuner guide currently available.

2023's Round up of the Best Capos For Guitar

The Highest Rated Capos

A capo is a must-have accessory for any guitarist. The ability to play different chords in a variety of positions (for example, playing a C chord with a capo on the second fret makes it a D chord) is an invaluable asset to any vocalist or finger-style musician.

The Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1000 - 2023

The Highest Rated Acoustic Guitars Under $1000

Acoustic guitars priced between $500 and $1,000 tend to have better tonewoods and construction than many of the cheaper options. You'll find many of these guitars also have better tonal definition and projection than their lower priced counterparts.

The Best MIDI Interface Units - For PC / Mac / iOS and More

The Highest Rated MIDI Interfaces

MIDI has been connecting musical equipment since 1982 and it's still going strong. Here we present to you the best MIDI interfaces for connecting your computer, tablet or even phone to your other MIDI gear. We've focused on interfaces with single in/out ports as these are what most people without complex setups need.

The Best Bass Preamp Pedals + Rackmount in 2023

The Highest Rated Bass Preamps

Looking for a portable and affordable alternative to your expensive and bulky bass amplifiers? Or are you simply looking for a way to improve your sound? If yes, then this gear guide is for you.

The Best XLR Cable Options of 2023 (Mic & Line Level)

The Highest Rate XLR Cables

Balanced XLR Cables are used to connect microphones and other balanced output music gear into mixing consoles. They continue to be the industry standard for both recording and live performance because they shield your signal from interference to noiselessly transfer your audio over long distances.

The Best Beginner Drum Sets for Adults 2023 (Under $1000)

The Highest Rated Beginner Drum Sets

If you go to many of the major online retailers you'll find well over 100 options priced under $1,000 listed in their drum set categories which can be very confusing if you're just starting out. This guide simplifies the process of buying a beginner drum set and tells you what you need to know to avoid some of the pitfalls in buying drum kits online.

The Best MIDI Pad Controller Units for 2023

The Highest Rated MIDI Pad Controllers

For the modern electronic musician, performing goes beyond playing keyboard MIDI controllers and tweaking knobs. Songs arranged in the studio can now be performed and altered live. Sounds, samples or even entire sections of music can be triggered with the help of dedicated MIDI pad controllers assigned to specific functions in a DAW.

Complete Guide to the Best Guitar Stands 2023 - Acoustic, Electric & Bass

The Highest Rated Guitar Stands

Guitar stands are kind of like a belt. They’re cheap, and you’re not going to see a lot of people debating the pros and cons of different models on forums, but if you don’t get a good one you’ll end up regretting it. So rather than trying to search through scores of different models through online retailers, check out our recommendations.

Best Electric Guitar Strings 2023 - 6 String Sets

The Highest Rated Electric Guitar Strings

We analyzed a record number of guitarist ratings and reviews, more than 183k sources, to bring you the highest rated sets of guitar strings in five standard gauge ranges.

The Best Guitar Multi Effects Pedals / Processors

The Highest Rated Guitar Multi Effects Pedals

Demand for multi-effects continues to rise, thanks to their ever improving quality and practicality. In line with this, we present you with what the market considers as the best guitar multi effects pedals, covering everything from beginner friendly compact units, to advanced flagship models.

Complete Guide to the Best Guitar Amps Under $500 in 2023

The Highest Rated Guitar Amps Under $500

The sub $500 price range is the sweet spot where you can find many guitar amps with good value and overall quality. Here we look at the best of these market leading combo, head and pedal board amplifiers, to help you in your pursuit of great guitar tone and functionality.

The Best Guitar Amp Under 1000 from the Top 10 Brands

The Highest Rated Guitar Amp Brands

This is different to our other guitar amp guides in that we have first determined which brands have the highest average ratings via analysis of more than 90,000 review and rating sources, then we have selected the highest rated amp by each brand.

The Best Acoustic Guitar Pickups (Active & Passive) 2023

The Highest Rated Acoustic Guitar Pickups

Gigging with an acoustic guitar can be a headache if you don’t have an acoustic guitar pickup, and if you don’t get the most appropriate pickup type for you you’re never going to get the tone you want. So rather than go in blind, check out our recommendations!

The Best 25 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards

The Highest Rated 25-Key MIDI Controller Keyboards

The great thing about 25 key MIDI controllers is their portability and the small amount of space they take up. They're not designed to replace a full size keyboard, but rather to offer convenience - that said some of the higher-end options are packed with an impressive range of features.

The Best Drum Thrones 2023 - Round, Saddle & Backrest

The Highest Rated Drum Thrones

Your playing experience is decided just as much by your accessories as it is by your actual instrument, and there’s no better example of this than drum thrones. If you’re looking for the best drum throne, check out our recommendations!

The Best Delay Pedals 2023 - Analog & Digital

The Highest Rated Delay Pedals

Delay is a unique effect in that it has a place in every genre. Whether you’re looking for dry country slapback chunk or the smooth “filling out” effect you hear in metal. Essentially, if you play guitar you will want to pick up a delay pedal at some point.

The Best DIY Guitar Kits - Electric Under $250 - 2023

DIY Electric Guitar Kits

Building your very own personalized guitar has never been this easy, thanks to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) guitar kits. Here we look at what the market considers to be the best of them, covering a good variety of guitar shapes and styles.

Best Synthesizer Keyboard Hardware - Under $500 & $1000

The Highest Rated Keyboard Synths

This guide presents a range of synthesizers for those who are interested in choosing their first hardware synth and for musicians who are looking for a unit to add to their collection. Includes both analog and digital keyboard synths under $500 and under $1000.

The Best Travel Guitars - Electric & Acoustic (2023)

The Highest Rated Travel Guitars

Here we look at the best travel guitars on the market today, covering both acoustic and electric models, all of which are smaller and lighter to make your journey more comfortable.

Best Cheap Overdrive Pedal Choices in 2023 - Under $50 & $100

The Highest Rated Overdrive Pedals Under $100

Overdrive is an incredibly useful effect. To start with, it gives you familiar rock guitar tones, from subtle grit to crunch. On more complex setups, it can be used to add girth to an already distorted sound, and give your lead the cutting boost to take your solos to the next level. If you’re looking for the best overdrive pedals, check out our recommendations!

The Best Soprano Ukuleles - Regular & Pineapple Shaped

The Highest Rated Soprano & Pineapple Ukuleles

The soprano ukulele is the smallest standard size and it produces the trademark bright ukulele sounds we've come to know and love. If you're looking for the classic, traditional ukulele tone then this is the size you are looking for. Coming in at about the same size is the lesser known "pineapple" ukulele.

The Best Live Vocal Mics - Handheld / Wired (May 2023)

The Highest Rated Handheld Microphones

This focuses on the best mics for live vocals as opposed to ones for speaking conferences or making announcements over PA systems. All these mics are great for vocals, but some can also be used on instruments, and some are also handy studio mics.

The Best Electronic Drum Sets: Standard + Hybrid (2023)

The Highest Rated Electronic Drum Sets

This year we expanded the scope of this guide to include both hybrid and standard electronic kits across all price ranges. Our recommendations are separated into 4 price brackets to help you choose the best one that fits within your budget.

The Best Overhead Drum Mics 2023 - Matched Pairs

Setting up Overhead Drum Mics

While many of us are infatuated with gear, your sound when recording is only as good as the equipment you use to record. Finding the best overhead drum mics can be a challenge, so rather than go in blind check out this guide.

Best Guitar Amp Under 300 Dollars - Combo Amps & Amp Heads

The Highest Rated Guitar Amps Under $300

The $200 to $300 price range for the best guitar amp under 300 has some nice amps with serious tone and flexibility. Since tone quality inspires better and longer playing, and sonic versatility allows for exploration of other musical styles, these amps are ideal for first time buyers, and for experienced players who want something compact. Includes tube and hybrid amps.

The Best Guitar Humidifier & Hygrometer 2023

The Highest Rated Guitar Humidifiers & Case Hygrometers

Humidifying your guitar is an important part of maintaining your instrument. So to protect your precious instrument from damage, you’re going to want to find the best guitar humidifier for your situation. Check out our recommendations to see which will work best for you!

The Best Drumsticks + Brushes & Mallets of 2023

The Highest Rated Drumsticks & Brushes

Finding the best drum sticks can be a challenge. There’s so much that goes into how they’re designed, and if you don’t get the right type for your needs and skill level you’re not going to get the tone or response you want.

The Best 7 String Guitars - $200 to $2000

The Highest Rated 7 String Guitars

Here are the highest rated 7-string electric guitars up to $2000 along with advice to help you find the best one for your needs.

The Best Earplugs For Musicians - Singers, Drummers, Guitarists & More

The Highest Rated Musician Earplugs

Hearing protection is probably one of the most overlooked types of gear for musicians. Long term exposure to the average concert at around 100db or more can permanently damage our eardrums, reducing our ability to hear. Even worse than hearing loss is developing tinnitus, which is a constant ringing of the ear that doesn't go away.

Best Cheap Bass Guitar - Top Choices for Under $300

The Highest Rated Budget Bass Guitars

Here we look at top rated 4-string bass guitars in the sub $300 price range, great for students of the instrument and for guitarists who want to have an affordable bass on hand for recording. Be it for yourself, or for a special someone who's learning the ropes, these bass guitars are market proven to provide satisfactory sound, performance and value.

The Best 500 Series Compressors in 2023

500 Series Compressors

Audio engineer Raphael Pulgar presents the highest rated compressors for 500 series racks, both single channel and stereo bus compressors, along with detailed advice to help you select the best one for your recording setup.

Best Portable Audio Recorder - Handheld Units

The Highest Rated Handheld Digital Recorders

Portable audio recorders are versatile devices that are used for recording rehearsals, live shows, and field recordings. This guide is for you if you want to purchase a recorder to capture better quality audio than you can with a phone app.

What is the Best Practice Amp / Small Guitar Amp? (April 2023)

Guitar Practice Amps

A reality of being a guitarist is that you can’t always play at full volume. If you live with other people, especially in an apartment complex, you have to keep your volume at a reasonable level. Thankfully, there’s a solution available: practice amps.

The Best Nylon / Classical Guitar Strings 2023

The Highest Rated Nylon Guitar Strings

Nylon has been the material of choice for flamenco, classical, and many fingerstyle guitarists for decades. First introduced as an alternative to the gut strings used prior to the material’s introduction, nylon has proven itself to be a best option due to its affordability and resilience.

Best Electronic Drum Pads - Digital Percussion & Control

The Highest Rated Electronic Drum Pads

Tired of lugging around drums? Electronic drum pads can either augment your live and recording set up or replace them all together. All of these have MIDI and can be used to trigger external sound modules or DAW software.

The Best Drum Practice Pads & Mutes 2023 - Single/Snare + Sets

The Highest Rated Drum Practice Pads

If you're serious about improving or maintaining your drumming skills, practice shouldn't end the moment you step away from your drum kit. Training with drum practice pads keeps your skills sharp while helping you notice small things to improve because you're no longer bombarded with high decibel sounds.

The Best Concert Ukuleles 2023 - Acoustic & Electric

The Highest Rated Concert Ukuleles

The ukulele has experienced a resurgence in popularity, and with that has come a huge wave of people trying to figure out which ukulele is right for them. If this sounds like you, check out our recommendations.

The Best Wireless Guitar System 2024

The Highest Rated Wireless Guitar Systems

Getting a wireless system for your guitar or bass frees you up from being tethered to your amp or pedalboard and reduces cable clutter on stage. In addition to showing you which systems are the most highly rated by musicians, this guide provides analysis and advice that will help you select the best one to add to your rig.

The Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers 2023 - All Prices

The Highest Rated MIDI Controller Keyboards

As the title suggests, this guide features the highest rated MIDI keyboard controllers across all prices ranges. This way, you can narrow down your selection to the best ones that you can actually afford.

Best Budget MIDI Keyboard Controllers - Under $100

The Highest Rated MIDI Controller Keyboards Under $100

MIDI controllers have been fundamental tools for producing music due to their versatility and portability. They provide control over a computer software sequencers and virtual synthesizers, as well as external sound modules. This guide covers highly rated affordable keyboard controllers, with options ranging from 25 to 49 keys.

The Best Acoustic Electric Ukuleles up to $300

The Highest Rated Acoustic-Electric Ukuleles

The ukulele has experienced somewhat of a resurgence in recent years. It’s trademark bouncy and uplifting tone has proven to be an asset to the modern singer-songwriter as well as acoustic focused musicians, and judging by the last few years its prevalence won’t diminish anytime soon.

The Best Studio Subwoofer Monitors 2023

The Highest Rated Studio Monitor Subwoofers

Studio subwoofers free up your main monitors to better handle the mids and highs - the end result being better overall sound quality and clarity. This guide tells you what you need to know to add a subwoofer to your studio monitors along with a list of the highest rated studio subwoofers currently available.

Roundup of the Best Volume Pedals for Guitar 2023

The Highest Rated Guitar Volume Pedals

A volume pedal is a must-have piece of gear for many guitarists, facilitating control over gain as well as advanced techniques like volume swells. However, because there are so many options available it can be hard to figure out the best volume pedal for a given situation.

Best Acoustic Guitar Strings for all Gauges & Playing Styles

The Highest Rated Acoustic Guitar String Sets

When it comes to acoustic guitars, a huge part of your tone is decided by the strings you use. The gauge, the material they’re made from, and their design can all transform your tone; for better or worse. Make the most out of your instrument, equip it with the best sounding acoustic guitar strings - check out our recommendations!

The 4 Best Battery Powered Guitar Amp Choices for 2023

The Highest Rated Battery Powered Guitar Amps

A battery powered guitar amp gives you the freedom to play on the go. Inspiration can also hit you from the most unexpected of times so an amp that is ready to play anywhere is a valuable tool for guitarists. Instead of taking time to fire up your entire rig just to get ideas down, a portable battery powered guitar amp can get you going right away.

Best Closed Back Headphones for Recording and Tracking

The Highest Rated Closed-Back Headphones for Recording

Closed headphones are essential for any recording setup to prevent spill into live microphones while tracking. These recommended headphones are all circumaural and are designed specifically for use in recording rather than for standard consumer applications.

The Best Solid State Amp in 2023

The Highest Rated Solid State Guitar Amps

Solid state amplifiers offer a lot of advantages and there are a ton that sound amazing. They’re (generally) cheaper, more durable, don’t have to warm up/cool down, and are significantly easier to transport than most tube amps.

Best Cheap Electronic Drum Set For Beginners

Beginner Electronic Drum Sets

Electronic drums are a heck of a lot of fun to play with. But more importantly they're the best way to learn, practice and improve your chops without making all the noise associated with acoustic drums - just slip your headphones on and you're good to go!

Best Delay Reverb Pedal Combos 2023 - Two Effects in One

The Highest Rated Delay/Reverb Pedals

Here we reveal the top-rated reverb delay pedal combos and the reasons why they are market favorites. Also featured are the best reverb pedals, for those who want a dedicated unit.

The Best Harmonicas for Blues - Top Blues Harps

The Highest Rated Blues Harps

Harmonicas have gained various nicknames, including blues harp, tin sandwich, pocket piano and mouth harp. Its handheld and rectangular design, along with its ability to produce a range of tones are the reasons why the harmonica has earned these names.

The Best Acoustic Guitar Cases & Gig Bags

The Highest Rated Acoustic Guitar Cases & Gig Bags

While good guitar cases are not cheap, investing in them will save you more in the long run, especially when considering the cost of guitar repair or replacement. More importantly, you can't put a price on peace of mind, so please heed our advice - do not skimp on your guitar's protection and storage.