Replacing old or worn-out drum heads is an easy and inexpensive way to drastically improve the overall sound of your kit. It’s also often a good idea to replace the heads when you buy a new kit—the heads that come with many models aren’t the greatest, and you never know how long they’ve been sitting […]
Continue reading →Like any piece of musical equipment, there’s far more that goes into making a good cymbal than just the kind of metal used in its construction. The way that it’s hammered, the shape and size of the bell—there are a wide variety of factors that give a cymbal its distinctive sound, and all of these […]
Continue reading →Finding the right drumsticks for electronic drums can be tricky, especially you’re new to drumming. On the one hand, you want to use something that feels comfortable and familiar, and you’ll probably want to get sticks that are as similar as possible to the ones you use on your standard kit. You also need to […]
Continue reading →The Joyo pedal brand has made their name offering affordable, high-quality emulations of classic pedals—the originals of which can sell for hundreds of dollars. For the guitarist on a budget, Joyo effects can be a godsend, opening your world to a whole host of new sound possibilities without spending all your rent money on new […]
Continue reading →Your choice of ride cymbal is going to be one of the most important factors in getting the right jazz tone. If you’re looking for a traditional, vintage jazz tone, you want to find a relatively dark cymbal with a medium to long sustain. There are certainly modern jazz players using brighter, punchier ride cymbals, […]
Continue reading →There’s a lot of debate in the home audio community about how important it is to buy efficient speakers. A speaker’s efficiency doesn’t necessarily have a direct influence on the quality of the sound, but is instead more of a measure of how much power it needs to give you its best. Where the efficiency […]
Continue reading →Coaxial cables are something that people often overlook when putting together a home theater system. From speakers and subwoofers to receivers and amplifiers, there are many other moving pieces involved in getting that perfect audio and visual experience—and that’s not even counting the layout of your listening room, and any modifications you have to make […]
Continue reading →An envelope filter goes by many names, including an Auto-wah or a Q-wah pedal, and is a common effect for both guitarists and bassists. It’s best known as the pedal that gave disco and funk guitar players of the ‘70s their choppy, electronic vibe. In the bass world, it remains especially popular with funk players […]
Continue reading →The hi-hat is arguably the most important cymbal on your rack when it comes to shaping the overall sound of your groove. It’s an especially distinctive sound in jazz music but has an equally important role in rock, funk, or pretty much any other style you can name. While you can find hi-hats in a […]
Continue reading →A well-trained ear can make the difference between a hobbyist and a player who sounds like a professional. If you’re a self-taught musician, though, taking your ear training skills to the next level can be a tricky proposition. It can help to have a guide to give you tips and shortcuts while you’re developing your […]
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