CATEGORIES

Roland TR-06 £350

The TR-606 is the latest Roland groovebox to get the Boutique treatment. Si Truss asks if this is a classic worth reviving…

MOOG MATRIARCH

Let’s get patching and see what Moog’s four-VCO, vintage inspired semi-modular can do

Penelope Trappes

Esoteric soundscaper Penelope Trappes embraces an elemental approach to production. Danny Turner discusses the techniques behind new EP, Eel Drip

Trip-hop

This month we take a look at trip-hop, the distinctly British melting pot of stoned hip-hop, dub, and punk

Tascam Model 12 Mixer £569

Compact analogue mixers are usually pretty basic, but this one has some tricks up its sleeve as Jon Musgrave discovers

GREAT OF THE YEAR 2020

We round-up the year's bumper crop of music making hardware and software, to bring you our guide to the essential gear you need in your studio for 2021.

Opsix vs Digitone – Modern FM machines head-to-head

Korg and Elektron’s instruments are the only hardware FM synths in town, but are similar in their quest to present a more modern and tweakable take on that notoriously awkward synthesis type. So what are their pros and cons?

Drew McDowall

Ex-Psychic TV and Coil member Drew McDowall solidifies his reputation as an industrial outlier with his latest album Agalma. Danny Turner discovers his longstanding addiction to modular

ALM Busy Circuits System Coupe £1,899

ALM’s first complete system is packed with new modules and proven classics. Rob Redman takes it for a spin

SESSION SHENANIGANS

The studio guitarist’s guide to happiness and personal fulfilment, as related by session ace Mitch Dalton. This month: The Pen Is Mightier Than The Chord.

INSTRUMENTAL INQUISITION !

Guitar instrumentals have supplied some of music’s most evocative moments. We asked some top guitarists for their take on this iconic movement. This month we meet that phenomenon of modern blues guitar, the great Kirk Fletcher.

JAM TRACKS TIPS

These handy tips will help you to navigate our bonus backing tracks

THE CROSSROADS Pt2 From Charlie Christian to Chuck Berry

Continuing to connect the dots between blues and jazz, John Wheatcroft shows how a saxophone cliché helped define the sound of swing, jazz, blues and rock and roll guitar.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Justin Sandercoe of justinguitar.com lends GT his insight as one of the world’s most successful guitar teachers. This month: Arrange For Success.

BEING MORE EXPRESSIVE With The Blues

John Wheatcroft shows us that ‘it ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it’, as he demonstrates how to put more expression into your solos.

Edward Van Halen Interview & Tribute

In 1991 Guitarist magazine was offered a rare interview with Edward Van Halen. Master of the EVH technique, Phil Hilborne leapt at the chance and here it is, 20 years on, to mark Eddie’s sad passing...

Show Time

This month Adam Goldsmith’s nerves are put to the test with a live performance for Children In Need

NILE RODGERS

A Wes Montgomery die-hard in his formative years, Nile Rodgers reveals that being upstaged by a ‘kid’ was the reason he first picked up a Strat…

Inside The Fuzz Factory

Jamie Dickson talks to maverick pedal-maker Zachary Vex about his most famous creation, 25 years on

Tones Behind The Tracks

Barrie Cadogan talks us through how he captured the atmospheric sounds of his latest long-player, a vibey, Can-influenced collaboration

Once Upon A Guitar…

Why do some guitars sound special? Alex Bishop considers whether there may be more to it than meets the ears

JD SIMO

Vintage chic and a fondness for the Gibson ES-335 fuel JD’s unique brand of funky psycho blues…

FULLY LEDDED

Jimmy Page’s brand-new book, ‘Jimmy Page: The Anthology’, goes into exhaustive detail about the gear he used during his career. Here’s a brief glimpse between the pages of this massive tome, focusing on some of the instruments and amps that Jimmy used to forge Led Zep’s legendary sound with commentary from Jimmy himself

GEAR OF THE YEAR

Let’s be honest, 2020 hasn’t been anybody’s idea of a good year, though it has certainly been memorable.

Cheap Lunch

As one of a two-amp range from Harley Benton, this lunchbox-style amp offers boutique valve tone at a budget price. But can it really sound any good?

Are You Britain's Best Amateur Guitar Builder?

Take a shot at winning our first national competition for home luthiers – as well as £370* of guitar-making supplies from StewMac!

Piezo

Milan-based Luca Mucci’s (aka Piezo) debut album pulsates with innovative sound design. Danny Turner reveals his battle to tame the ‘nerd tendency’

FREE FILTERS

Get your fill with these five fabulous filters that have had the price tags cut off

DIY MODULAR SKIFF

Modular maven Rob Redman guides us in the art of planning and building your own Eurorack enclosure

Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000

With the competition for DJs’ hearts and wallets hotting up, Leon Bailey asks if the CDJ-3000 keeps Pioneer ahead of the game...