Common Mistakes
Everything published on Music Adviser UK under Common Mistakes — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
Common Sabian Mistakes to Avoid
Most Sabian problems are habits, not flaws in the cymbal. Here's what trips people up most often, and the fix for each.
Common Soundproof Panels Mistakes to Avoid
Soundproof panels are genuinely useful once you dodge a few honest mistakes. Here are the pitfalls that trip up almost everyone building their first home studio.
Common Yamaha Music Mistakes to Avoid
None of these mistakes are about the instruments being bad. Here's every avoidable assumption, and the fix.
Common Guild Guitar Company Mistakes to Avoid
The same handful of Guild buying mistakes turn up again and again, usually thanks to the brand's tangled history.
Common Woodwind Instruments Mistakes to Avoid
The same handful of stumbles crop up again and again with woodwind instruments, usually from a few small habits rather than a lack of talent. Here's the list.
Common Audio Technica At2020 Mistakes to Avoid
Most AT2020 problems trace back to the same handful of errors that are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Common Dictaphone Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced users make the same dictaphone mistakes. Here are the ones that matter most — and the simple fixes that make every recording session more reliable.
Common Speaker Wall Hangers Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems aren't dramatic. What actually happens is slower: a bracket rated for slightly less than it should be, a fixing that was never quite right.
Common Guitar Gig Bag Mistakes to Avoid
Most guitar gig bag problems are avoidable — here are the errors that come up repeatedly and how to prevent each one.
Common Behringer Touch Mistakes to Avoid
None of these are embarrassing — they're just the sort of Behringer X-Touch mistakes nobody warns you about until you've already made them.
Common Brushes Drum Mistakes to Avoid
Most brush technique errors come from applying the wrong approach or skipping the fundamentals. Here are the mistakes worth understanding before you practise.
Common Active Subwoofers Mistakes to Avoid
Most low-end disasters aren't the unit's fault. Here are the mistakes I see over and over, and how to fix each one.
Common Guitar Nut Mistakes to Avoid
Most guitar nut problems come from a handful of predictable mistakes. Here's what goes wrong and what to do instead.
Common Tannoy System Mistakes to Avoid
A Tannoy system performs only as well as its specification, installation and commissioning allow. These are the most common errors and how to avoid them.
Common Allen and Heath Mistakes to Avoid
Most desk problems aren't the desk's fault. Here are the buying and setup mistakes I see most with Allen & Heath gear, and how to avoid every one.
Common Keytar Mistakes to Avoid
I've watched a fair few players learn these lessons the hard way, usually mid-song. Here's what trips keytar players up most, and how to avoid it.
Common Cor Anglais Instrument Mistakes to Avoid
The honest mistakes most cor anglais players make at some point — and the cheap, easy fixes for each one.
Common Keeley Mistakes to Avoid
The avoidable slip-ups, from feeding a pedal the wrong voltage to judging a Blend control after thirty seconds.
Common Electric Fiddle Mistakes to Avoid
The instrument rarely lets you down — it's usually the setup around it that does. Here are the mistakes worth watching for.
Common Rosin Violin Mistakes to Avoid
Six quiet, easily repeated violin rosin mistakes, and the simple habits that fix every one of them.
Common Modelling Amp Mistakes to Avoid
Modelling amps are incredibly capable, but a handful of consistent mistakes leave players frustrated rather than inspired. Here is what to watch out for.
Common Shaker Mistakes to Avoid
A genuinely simple instrument, which is exactly why the mistakes people make with it tend to be simple too. Here's what goes wrong, and the fix.
Common Gibson Firebird Mistakes to Avoid
Most Gibson Firebird problems aren't the guitar's fault — they're a mismatch between how it's built and how it's treated. Here's what to get right.
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.
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