Red Hot Chili Peppers are using a classic studio compressor ‘live’ on their current tour
“The difference is shocking,” says Toby Francis
Live
All the latest live music gear news, reviews and tips on MusicRadar
Latest live news
Why are young northern musicians less supported than the rest of the UK?
A new report highlights a north / south divide emerging
Best live vocal microphones 2024: the finest gigging mics you can buy today
Get the very best live vocal performance with tried and tested mics from Shure, Sennheiser, Lewitt, DPA, Aston and more
Watch as Robbie Williams performs Blur’s Parklife with actor Danny Dyer in Hyde Park
The ‘1995’ section of his show also featured covers of Don’t Look Back In Anger and Supergrass’s Alright
Chromeo left all of their synths in the studio on their latest tour - except this one
Chromeo's P-Thugg gives us an exclusive tour of their live rig and shows us the ins-and-outs of their hybrid electronic/band set-up
“Bad mics, drowned out vocals”: Glastonbury sound problems – who or what's to blame?
Multiple artists seemed to be affected
How journalist Ros Atkins gave the BBC News theme a junglist re-rub at Glastonbury
And a Beeb journalist got to relive his days as a drum 'n’ bass DJ
Michael J Fox plays guitar with Coldplay during emotional Glastonbury performance
They headline festival in spectacular fashion
“After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model”: South By South West ditches sponsorship by Army
Artist boycotts have worked, apparently
Latest live tuition
5 common issues every DJ faces and how to fix them
Avoid unnecessary nightmares in the booth with our guide to the main technical problems you’re likely to run into
How to loop like Ed Sheeran in your DAW
Fancy a little Ed Sheeran looping action? Look no further than this first episode in a new series of masterclasses exploring popular, modern production processes
6 tips for buying your first PA system
From bands to buskers, take your music to the masses with this guide to choosing a great first PA system
5 ways to get the most from your band practice
Improve your productivity with communication, commitment and, er, compliments
10 ways to make the most of your band rehearsals
Back To Live: Use your practice time together better with these easy and effective tips
10 ways to EQ for better live or recorded acoustic guitar sound
Get your electro-acoustic tone spot-on
Latest live reviews
“Whether you're upgrading from the SM7B or exploring professional microphones for the first time, the SM7dB is a compelling option that stands out in its category”: Shure SM7dB review
- £499
- €499
- $499
Iconic speech and vocal mic gets a welcome boost. The same, but better?
“In this case, we’re looking at a bonafide game-changer”: Alesis Strata Prime review
- £2999
- €3499
- $3499
With its BFD sound library, a 10.1” touchscreen and mesh heads throughout, Alesis’ new flagship electronic drum set looks like it’s intent on changing the game
“It’s hard to make ear protection sexy, but Minuendo has gone above and beyond the basics”: Minuendo Live review
- £99
- $99
Specialist live music earplugs promise to dampen the sound, but not the magic
"Where the Shure IEMs excel is in terms of comfort, particularly when compared to some other generic fit options": Shure SE425 Pro review
- £265
- €255
- $269
A solid and affordable off-the-shelf monitoring option
"It puts ease-of-use, speed and versatility ahead of sound design depth – at least when it comes to the hardware": Arturia AstroLab review
- €1599
Those hoping for the full V Collection experience in hardware form might be disappointed. But, as we discover, AstroLab’s simplicity is its biggest selling point
"This is an excellent, well-made and incredibly easy-to-use system": Bose S1 Pro+ PA system review
- £699
- €679
- $499
A slick, lightweight and powerful PA System with a hidden weapon
"They may not have all the bells and whistles of the bigger brands, but they get the job done": the t.bone EP 4 in-ear monitors review
- £51
- €59
- $53
Thomann’s budget in-ear monitors offer excellent quality sound for much less than the bigger brands
Yamaha Stagepas 1K MKII portable PA review
The all-in-one PA system from Yamaha is a portable powerhouse that exceeds expectations
