Oliver Thompson
Oliver practically grew up in Leicester's record shops, and crate-digging turned from a hobby into the thread running through everything he does. He's happiest with a turntable, a stack of second-hand vinyl and time to lose. He writes about records, turntables and DJ culture.
Midi Foot Controller: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The right MIDI foot controller depends on your setup and how you perform — this guide cuts through the options so you know what to buy and what to spend.
What to Look for When Buying Samplers
The specs all look the same and every reviewer swears by a different box. Here's what actually matters when you buy a sampler — starting with how you like to make music.
The Best Vinyl Album Cleaning Kits for the Money
What suits forty records and a Sunday ritual is completely different to what suits crates every weekend — here's how it actually splits.
4 Channel Dj Controller Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A four-channel controller gives you simultaneous control over four decks, opening up more complex mixing, external hardware routing and live remixing possibilities.
Synthesizer Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A synthesizer generates sound electronically, building it from oscillators, filters, and envelopes. Here is how the whole thing fits together — and why it matters.
The Ultimate Guide to Sample Pad
A sample pad is a pressure-sensitive controller that triggers sounds when struck. Here is everything you need to know about how they work and what they are used for.
Common Plugin Boutique Mistakes to Avoid
Most people who've bought a few plugins have made at least one of these mistakes. Here's the full rundown of what catches people out, and how to sidestep each one.
How to Set Up and Use Vinyl Record Cleaner Machine
Got your machine out of the box and not sure where to start? Here's the proper workflow, step by step, for a genuinely clean record.
The Best Mpc Samplers for the Money
There's no single best MPC sampler, only the right tier for where you're at. Here's an honest breakdown of each, no digital-crate mysticism required.
Ableton Push 3 Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Push 3 is Ableton's most complete hardware instrument yet — here's how it works, what the two versions do differently, and how to get the most from it.
Common Vinyl Cleaner Kit Mistakes to Avoid
Oliver Thompson runs through the record-cleaning mistakes he sees most often, and the simple habits that keep your records and their labels out of trouble.
Synth Module: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A synth module that fits in a demo video won't necessarily fit your case or your power supply. Here's what to check before you buy your first one.
Common Mpc Xl Mistakes to Avoid
Most MPC XL problems are predictable and correctable. Here are the errors that consistently slow down new users, and how to address them before they become habits.
Bluetooth Speaker Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The Bluetooth speaker has become the default way most people listen to music, but there's a fair bit going on beneath those fabric grilles. Here's the full picture.
Common Bookshelf Speakers Mistakes to Avoid
Audio mistakes often come from overlooking the basics: placement, amplifier matching and honest room assessment. Avoid these pitfalls and your system will truly shine.
Sony Ps-lx310bt Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A fully automatic, Bluetooth-enabled turntable built for simplicity — here's exactly what the Sony PS-LX310BT does and where its convenience runs out.
Record Player: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a record player comes down to use case first: casual listener or serious hi-fi enthusiast shapes every choice from drive system to cartridge to phono stage.
Pioneer Dj Dj Controller Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A Pioneer DJ controller bridges your DJ software and your ears, giving you hands-on control of decks, mixer and effects. Whether you're learning at home or prepping for bigger venues, understanding th...
Logic Pro: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Logic Pro is a one-time purchase from the Mac App Store. Here is what you need to know about system requirements, what is included, and how it compares to alternatives before buying.
Common Plugin Alliance Mistakes to Avoid
The avoidable errors, from paying full price out of impatience to trusting the marketing copy over your own ears.
Portable Cd Player: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Everything worth checking before buying a portable CD player, from disc compatibility and Bluetooth to charging, outputs and second-hand pitfalls.
Vinyl Cleaner Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Oliver Thompson cuts through the marketing to explain what actually matters when choosing a vinyl cleaner kit, from brush type to fluid formulation and collection size.
Common Slipmats Mistakes to Avoid
Most slipmats problems are caused by the same handful of mistakes. Here's what they are and how to fix them.
Midi Cable: A Complete Guide
What these cables actually carry, how the classic 5-pin DIN wiring works, and where TRS and USB fit into a modern setup.
What Oliver Thompson covers
Amplifier
Amplifiers power and shape your system, from compact integrated models to high-end separates for serious listening.
35 topics
Cassette Player
Cassette players keep classic tape playback alive for collectors, musicians and anyone revisiting analogue recordings.
Marshall Speaker
Marshall speakers combine iconic design with wireless convenience and room-friendly sound for modern home listening.
MIDI Controller
Flexible controllers for software instruments, recording and live performance, from compact pads to full keyboard setups...
1 topic
MIDI Keyboard
Compact or full-size controllers for software instruments, hardware synths and production workflows in studio or live se...
1 topic
Modular Synthesizer
Fully custom electronic instruments built from separate modules for deep sound design and live patching.
1 topic
Portable CD Player
Portable CD players offer compact, private playback for listeners who still value physical discs and simple operation.
Synthesizer
Find a synthesizer for studio sound design, live performance and electronic music, from classic analogue tones to versat...
13 topics
