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Mini Pedals: Are They Worth Buying?

Guitar beside pedalboard showcasing regular and mini pedals.

Guitar pedals allow us to achieve new tones and textures in our playing. More recently, mini pedals have grown in popularity due to their lower prices and size versus their full-size counterparts. There is an ongoing debate throughout the guitar world – are mini pedals better than full-size pedals, or are you sacrificing too much? We’ll add our two cents into this discussion.

Mini Pedals: What’s Their Deal?

The most apparent feature of mini pedals is their size. Their small stature allows you to save on precious pedalboard space, meaning there is more room to add other effects. Also, mini pedals are cheaper than full-size pedals and can sound just as good. On average, mini pedals can cost between 20 to 30 percent less expensive than the original. However, limitations come from the fewer controls and customization available and the fact that they need an external power source to run. Some musicians also note that the mini pedals can be harder to step on while performing, which may be something to consider.

Are Mini Pedals Worth Buying?

Yes, we think so. In fact, most guitarists have a mixture of mini and full-size pedals on their board. However, every guitarist is different – you could have an entire board of just mini pedals if you wanted to!

Generally, we think mini pedals are worthwhile for effects you won’t use as often or want to save pedalboard space. Also, if you are on a budget, consider checking if the pedal has a mini alternative – it could save you some cash!

What Are Some Classic Mini Pedals?

Some classics that have gone mini include:

When Should I Get The Full-Size Pedal?

If you want more tone-shaping controls, you should opt for the full-size pedal. Generally, there are controls and knobs on the original omitted on the miniature versions. Sometimes, the tone can vary from the original to the miniature, so you should research before purchasing to see if this is a common complaint.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to your individual preference. We recommend that you try regular- and mini-size pedals to see what you prefer. You may find that a mixture works best for you! Check out our wide selection of guitar effects to find your next tone or texture.

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7 Best Microphones For Home And Live Recordings

Set-up of microphone and headset.

When recording your vocals or instruments, your microphone can make or break your production. There are many microphones on the market, and sorting through them is difficult and time-consuming. Worry not, we’ve got you covered with our list of some of the best microphones for home and live recordings. 

Best Home Office Microphones

Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Mic

Shure MV5-DIG MOTIV MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone (Grey/Silver)

Connection: USB, Lightning
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid 

If you want a stylish retro microphone that delivers excellent sound quality, look no further than the Shure MV5. It is Apple MFi certified, meaning you can plug it into any iOS device with a Lightning port, and comes with both a USB cable and a Lightning cable. The microphone is also equipped with a headphone jack for real-time monitoring and three preset DSP modes. If you need a budget-friendly microphone for your home office, consider the Shure MV5.

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Audio-Technica AT2020USB+

Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone

Connection: USB
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

Audio-Technica is highly-regarded in the professional audio industry, and for good reason. They’ve produced many iconic microphones for users of all levels. The AT2020USB+ is the USB version of their popular AT2020 microphone. This microphone features a headphone jack for live monitoring and mix control to blend your microphone signal with pre-recorded audio. Compatible with most computers, this microphone is an excellent choice for audio recordings and Zoom meetings.

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 Best Microphones For Recording Vocals

Shure SM58

Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Vocal Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

The Shure SM58 cardioid vocal microphone is one of the most popular microphones worldwide. In fact, famous singers use them worldwide in their performances every day. So, why are pro studios with massive budgets using this microphone? Well, it’s excellent at eliminating feedback, and its rugged construction makes it perfect for live performances. If you want a legendary vocal recording microphone that pros around the world trust, the Shure SM58 is the obvious choice.

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Shure SM7B

Shure SM7B Large Diaphragm Cardioid Dynamic MicrophoneConnection: XLR

Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

The Shure SM7B microphone has been used by music legends such as Michael Jackson over the years. It provides a rich, balanced tone and virtually eliminates feedback. Not only that, but its rugged construction and excellent cartridge protection mean you can rely on this legendary microphone for years to come. 

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 Best Microphones For Recording Guitar

Shure SM57

Shure SM57-LC Instrument Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

Many regard the Shure SM57 as the industry standard for recording guitar amps. This microphone handles high sound pressure levels easily and picks up on high and low frequencies. It also has high feedback before gain functionality, making it perfect for stage use. The Shure SM57 is practical, cheap, and packs a punch, making it the standard microphone for many, including the President of the United States’ official podium. 

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Sennheiser e 609

Sennheiser E 609 Silver Dynamic Supercardioid Guitar Amplifier Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Supercardioid

Explicitly designed for miking guitar cabs close to the source, the Sennheiser e 609 has the features you need to record your electric guitar. First, the flat design of this microphone allows it to kiss your amp. Second, the supercardioid polar pattern isolates the instrument from other sounds, which is especially useful for on-stage performances. So, if you’re looking for one of the best microphones for recording your guitar, look no further than the Sennheiser e 609. 

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Shure SM81-LC

Shure SM81-LC Instrument Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

For isolating your acoustic guitar, the Shure SM81-LC microphone is a fantastic choice. The frequency response is flat; however, the selectable low-frequency response is an option if you wish. Since it is a condenser microphone, it does requires a phantom power source with a decent pre-amp to get an optimal sound level out of the mic. However, if you want a great microphone for recording live acoustic guitar, consider the Shure SM81-LC. 

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Pick up one of these great microphones to sound your best in your next recording session. Hopefully, our list helps you find the best microphone for home and live recording needs. Want to browse more microphones? Check out our wide range of recording devices!

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The Best Ibanez Guitars For Beginners

Man playing Ibanez guitar.

The world of guitars is vast, and navigating it isn’t easy, especially if you are a novice. However, if you’ve done any guitar browsing, you’ve likely come across the Ibanez brand. With so many different varieties of Ibanez guitars, which are the best for beginners? Let’s dive into the best Ibanez guitars for beginners.

Why Ibanez?

Ibanez is a world-renown Japanese guitar brand. Their guitars are perfect for beginners because they are affordable, comfortable to play, and have excellent build quality. Ibanez guitars are best known for their “Superstrat” shape, making them very popular for heavier music styles such as metal and hard rock. So, if you want to learn the electric guitar and are interested in metal, rock, blues, and similar genres, an Ibanez guitar might be right for you.

The Best Ibanez Series For Beginners

1. Ibanez GIO

Ibanez GRX40-MGN GIO Series 6-String Electric Guitar (Metallic Light Green)
Ibanez GRX40-MGN GIO Series

Ibanez developed the GIO series for beginners wanting Ibanez quality at an affordable price. This versatile range of guitars will likely have something suited to your look, sound, and budget. As expected, you don’t get the premium materials and quality of the higher-end Ibanez series, but these guitars are great for those looking to pick up their first or second guitar. For an excellent budget guitar, consider the Ibanez GIO series.

2. Ibanez SA

The Ibanez SA series includes beautiful guitars that can play a wide range of music genres, including rock, blues, jazz, shred, or fusion. With stylish finishes and fantastic sounds, the SA series is ideal for an entry-level beginner with a moderate budget.

Ibanez SA260FM-TGB SA Series 6-String Electric Guitar (Transparent Gray Burst)
Ibanez SA260FM-TGB SA Series

3. Ibanez RG

The RG series is the most recognizable and distinctive line ever produced by Ibanez. Due to its high-performance, playability, and tone, the RG series is popular amongst guitarists worldwide. Although these guitars are generally more expensive than the GIO and SA series, they are great options for the beginner with a higher budget.

Ibanez RG421-MOL Electric Guitar
Ibanez RG421-MOL RG Series

Ibanez: The Right Choice For The Beginner Guitarist

With a vast range of guitars for every skill level and budget, there is sure to be an Ibanez guitar for you. As you improve your playing skills, you may want to upgrade to higher-end Ibanez models, such as the JEM series. Check out our full selection of guitars and find your next playing machine.

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Best Guitar Effects For Jazz

Fender Jazz Bass guitar with pedals

Jazzy tones are renowned for their clean, simple, and transparent tones. However, many jazz players turn to guitar pedals for character and flavour to enhance a mellow tone. We’ll go over some of the best guitar effects for jazz that you can get right now.

Best Guitar Effects For Jazz

There are many guitar effects out there. Some are used more often by jazz players than others. The most popular guitar effects for jazz are as follow:

  • Chorus
  • Compression
  • Delay
  • Octave
  • Reverb

Chorus

TC Electronic Corona Chorus TonePrint Series Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Corona Chorus

Chorus gives your playing the illusion of two guitar signals, providing texture to an otherwise clean tone. It also provides ambience and lush sounds that are essential when it comes to jazz. To add a different dimension to your clean jazzy tones, consider picking up a chorus pedal.

Best Chorus Pedals

Delay

TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Flashback

Delay is an incredibly versatile effect suitable for any jazz player. From lengthy, echoing nuances to slapback tones, this effect allows you to create larger-than-life sounds, especially when combined with other effects. Every jazzist should have a delay pedal in their arsenal to unlock thicker, more emotional tones.

Best Delay Pedals

Octave

Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal
Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog

An octave pedal unlocks massive creative potential for jazz players. The most useful feature of the octave effect is the ability to mimic the sound of bass using a regular guitar. You can also create the illusion of a full band with different rhythmic cords.

Best Octave Pedals

Reverb

 

TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Reverb TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Hall Of Fame

Reverb provides the illusion of space and gives your playing texture and ambience. This effect is considered an essential effect in the jazz scene because it adds depth and texture to clean tones. For instance, many players traditionally rely on a lush spring reverb for pristine texture and ambience.

Best Reverb Pedals

Add Some Texture

Now, you should have a better idea of what guitar effects are best for jazz music. However, you can experiment with other effects if you would like more creative liberty. If you would like to see more options, browse our entire line of guitar effects pedals.

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4 Best Audio Interfaces For Home Recording

Focusrite audio interface,

If you use a PC or Mac to make music, an audio interface is a must-have. A good audio interface will let you produce high-quality music and connect gear to aid your production process. However, if you’re looking to purchase your first audio interface or want to upgrade, you’ll find that there are many options on the market. Let’s go over our choice of some of the best audio interfaces you can choose from for every budget.

Considerations Before Buying

Before you shell out a ton of money on an audio interface, there are some factors to consider. The most important considerations are the number of inputs and outputs required, the audio interface connectors, and DAW compatibility.

Number of Inputs & Outputs

The first thing you’ll need to consider before purchasing your audio interface is the number of inputs and outputs you’ll require. If you want to record multiple microphones or instruments at once, you’ll need numerous inputs and outputs. However, if you’re a solo artist or produce most of your sounds on your computer, then one or two will likely suffice.

Connectivity

You must ensure that your audio interface can be connected to your computer or, if not, then you get the appropriate adapter. There are four standard cable options used, including:

  1. USB – USB is the most common connectivity option and is available on most computers. However, the transfer rate can be slower than its other connectivity counterparts.
  2. Firewire – Mostly seen on more expensive home studio audio interfaces, Firewire is becoming a less common cable option.
  3. Thunderbolt – Boasting higher data transfer speeds than USB and Firewire, Thunderbolt is commonly seen on higher-end audio interfaces.
  4. PCIe – PCIe is the standard connection for professional audio interfaces and provides ultra-low latency and high I/O counts.

DAW Compatibility

Most audio interfaces are compatible with most DAWs, but not all of them are. So, if you are loyal to a particular DAW, make sure the audio interface you choose is compatible with the program. Otherwise, you may be unpleasantly surprised when your shiny new audio interface arrives and it doesn’t work with your DAW.

 

Focusrite Scarlett (Beginner)

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

The third generation of Focus Scarlett provides excellent sonics at affordable prices. Available from this line are the Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, and 18i8, meaning there is likely a device for your I/O needs. This family of audio interfaces sports low latency, vibrant Scarlett preamps, and instrument inputs for all of your tools. Another great feature is the Air button, which adds openness to your voice or instrument when used. If you’re a beginner on a budget or want a great piece of equipment at a low price, consider the line of Focusrite Scarlett audio interfaces.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 Focusrite Scarlett 18i8

PreSonus Studio 1810c (Beginner)

Studio 1810c

The PreSonus Studio 1810c is perfect for producers wanting to record from a wide range of sources. This audio interface has up to 18 simultaneous inputs, including four microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps, four dedicated line inputs, eight channels of ADAT Optical input (4 channels at 96 kHz), and S/PDIF inputs. You also get two headphone outputs with A/B switching for monitoring different mix streams. If you need more input and output options at a cheap price point, check out the PreSonus Studio 1810c.

PreSonus Studio 1810c

Arturia AudioFuse Studio (Intermediate)

Arturia AudioFuse Studio

Are you looking for a higher-end option loaded with features? The Arturia AudioFuse is a versatile option with four discrete preamps, excellent connectivity, and even Bluetooth capabilities options. It’s easy to monitor mix streams with instant speaker A/B switching and record your guitar and bass directly into your DAW with Reaming output. If you’re looking for a step up from the cheaper options, the Arturia AudioFuse Studio is a great choice.

Arturia AudioFuse Studio

RME Fireface UFX+ (Professional)

RME Fireface UFX+ 188-Channel, 24-Bit/192kHz USB & Thunderbolt Audio Interface

If you want a high-end audio interface, consider the RME Fireface UFX+. Some of this high-grade audio interface’s features include MADI I/O, boosted DSP, and low latency Thunderbolt connectivity. The Fireface has an impressive channel count, including 12 analog inputs, 16 ADAT, 2 AES, and 64 MADI with input and output, totaling 188 channels. This audio interface sounds unbelievably crystal clear and transparent. If you need a serious piece of equipment for your home recording sessions, check out the RME Fireface UFX+.

RME Fireface UFX+

No matter your audio interface needs, there is an option for you. Hopefully, by reading this article, you’ll be pointed in the right direction to your purchasing needs. Want to browse more audio interface options? Check out our entire range of audio interfaces.

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How To Care For Your Acoustic Guitar

Upclose of a brown acoustic guitar.

Your guitar requires proper care to preserve its sound and looks. This means you don’t just toss your guitar into your gig bag after performing and forget about it until the next session. Follow these care tips to ensure your acoustic guitar stays in tip-top shape.

Storing Your Acoustic Guitar

Keep It In A Case

When you’ve finished jamming, you need to make sure you store your guitar correctly until your next session. This means you should put it in its case, as it is much easier to control the humidity versus if you were to leave it exposed on a stand. You also want to make sure you’re not storing it in somewhere too hot or too cold, or the extreme temperatures will damage your guitar. So, you shouldn’t keep your guitar in your car overnight in winter (not that you should keep it there, anyway!).

Use A Humidification System

Wood is hygroscopic, meaning that your guitar will either release or absorb moisture from the air around it. To counteract this, you need to monitor and control the humidity. Ensure your guitar is kept at a constant humidity level of 45-50%. Humidity levels can fluctuate throughout the year, and cold Canadian winters are tough on your instrument. So, invest in a humidification system such as a hygrometer to keep in your guitar’s case. It’s an easy and important way to care for your guitar. If you neglect to do so, your guitar will likely end up cracked or warped.

Maintaining Your Acoustic Guitar

Keep Clean

Wash your hands before playing to make sure you don’t get dirt, oils, and sweat on your instrument. Doing this will keep your guitar clean of the grime that we carry on our hands. This will also help prolong the life of your strings.

Also, make sure you wipe down your guitar after every session. You don’t have to deep-clean it, but running a polishing cloth over it after practice will keep it clean. Use string cleaner to keep your strings free of built-up grime.

Change Your Strings

Learning to change your guitar strings is something every guitarist needs to do. You should change your strings at least once every six months, but every three months is the recommended minimum. If you don’t, you will likely find that your guitar loses its tuning quickly and your strings will eventually break.

Ensure you clean the fretboard every time you change strings with a fretboard conditioner (unless you have a maple fretboard). This will help prevent cracks and other damage. Only use a conditioner made for fretboards, as household cleaners and polishes will damage your fretboard.

Bring Your Guitar to a Technician

A guitar technician can help your guitar stay in shape by adjusting the action, checking for loose frets, amongst other things. Take your guitar to a technician for an annual tune-up. Your instrument will thank you for it.

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