Sound Advice: Fundamentals of Live Sound
You’re getting into live sound. There’s a lot to learn, and it can all seem a bit overwhelming at first. This guide will put you on the right... Read more »
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Sep 10, 2026, 1:45 PM
Aug 27, 2026, 8:15 AM
Most Common Alternate Tunings for Guitar
The guitar is a weird instrument. Almost every other string-laden music maker in the Western world employs a tuning that’s based around a chord... Read more »
Aug 26, 2026, 4:00 PM
How to Mic a Snare Drum
Choosing a snare drum mic is important, as I discussed in “Best Mics for Recording Snare Drums,” but positioning the mic is equally important.... Read more »
Aug 7, 2026, 9:45 AM
Picking the Right String Gauges for Detuned Axes
While dropping the tuning of an electric guitar down into the nether regions has never been more popular — especially since the advent of... Read more »
Aug 6, 2026, 9:15 AM
How Loud Should You Mix?
Thumping bass. Roaring guitars. Let’s face it — cranking up the volume is fun. It gets you pumped. But if you do it while you’re mixing in the... Read more »
Aug 1, 2026, 4:15 PM
What You Need to Know About Headroom
Headroom is a crucial concept for live sound, recording, and also for buying a car that’s comfortable. We can ignore the part about buying a... Read more »
Jul 31, 2026, 2:34 PM
How to Stack Cymbals for New Sounds
Whether you’re chasing a special effect for a particular studio session or experimenting with different sounds for better stage mixes, stacking... Read more »
Jul 31, 2026, 12:58 PM
How to Set Up a Bass Guitar
To set up your bass guitar, you have to think big: big sound, big tone, big volume. This also means big sound waves and big string vibrations.... Read more »
Jul 30, 2026, 4:02 PM
Condenser Microphones: How Do They Work?
As opposed to simpler dynamic microphones, which are based on a moving coil (or other induction element) in a magnetic field, condenser... Read more »
Jul 30, 2026, 1:00 PM
How Do Guitar Pickups Work?
If you’re like the guitarists at Sweetwater, one of the first questions you ask when a buddy tells you they bought a new guitar is this: “What... Read more »