Emily Parker

I bought my first cajon six years ago because my drum kit would not fit in the hatchback I was gigging with at the time. Since then I have played coffee shops, church stages, open mics, and a few campfire jam sessions, and I have learned that the gap between a great box drum and … Read more

Finding the best metronomes and tuners in means sorting through dozens of options, from classic mechanical pendulums to multi-function digital combos. I’ve spent the last three months testing every major model on piano, guitar, and violin to cut through the noise. Our team compared 10 devices side-by-side, ran pitch detection tests across 12 instruments, and … Read more

I have bought, broken, and replaced more guitar stands than I care to admit over the last 12 years of playing and recording. Cheap A-frames that tipped over with a Les Paul on them, wall hangers that peeled drywall off in an apartment, and one budget stand that put a scratch in the finish of … Read more

Finding the best studio monitors for music production is the one upgrade that changes how every track you make sounds. Headphones lie to you, laptop speakers lie harder, and a proper pair of reference monitors tells you the truth about your mix. That truth is what makes your music translate to cars, clubs, and earbuds. … Read more

Finding the best MIDI keyboard controllers can transform your music production workflow from tedious mouse-clicking to expressive, hands-on creativity. Whether you’re producing beats in Ableton Live, composing in Logic Pro, or crafting electronic tracks in FL Studio, the right MIDI controller gives you physical control over virtual instruments and DAW functions. Our team spent three … Read more

I have spent the better part of a decade building, breaking down, and rebuilding pedalboards. What started as a single distortion pedal hooked up to a practice amp in my bedroom has turned into a full-blown obsession with guitar effects. Along the way, I have bought pedals that changed how I play and a few … Read more

If you have spent any time on r/GuitarAmps or The Gear Page, you already know the truth: the “best” guitar amp is the one that makes you want to keep playing. I have owned, gigged, broken, and replaced more amps than I would like to admit over the last 15 years, and I have helped … Read more

Choosing the best violins for beginners is harder than it should be. Scroll through Amazon and you’ll see dozens of $60 outfits promising “solid wood construction” and “hand-carved craftsmanship,” alongside student instruments from Fiddlerman, Kennedy Violins, and Stentor costing several hundred dollars. Our team spent the past three months unboxing, setting up, and playing 8 … Read more

When I first picked up a ukulele ten years ago, I had no idea the instrument would take over my living room. I have since owned 11 ukuleles, gigged with three, and helped my niece pick her first one. That experience is the reason I wrote this guide on the best ukuleles for rather than … Read more

Buying the best acoustic drum sets in can feel overwhelming the first time you walk into a music store or scroll through Amazon. I have spent the last six months testing 12 different kits in my home studio, dragging them to rehearsal rooms, and putting them through their paces with everything from quiet practice sessions … Read more