# MusicTested

> Music gear reviews and buying guides for guitars, keyboards, synths, recording and live sound: who each piece suits, what the specs mean, and reader codes from brands we trust.

MusicTested publishes music gear reviews, buying guides and reader discount codes. Every review states who the product suits, the current price from the brand's own store, and any active reader code.

## Key pages
- [Reviews](https://musictested.com/reviews): every product we recommend
- [Buying guides](https://musictested.com/guides): how to choose
- [Glossary](https://musictested.com/glossary): music gear terms defined
- [How we review](https://musictested.com/how-we-review)

## Topics
- [Guitars & bass](https://musictested.com/category/guitars-bass): Electric and acoustic guitars, basses, amps and pedals.
- [Keys & synths](https://musictested.com/category/keys-synths): Digital pianos, keyboards, synthesizers and MIDI controllers.
- [Studio & recording](https://musictested.com/category/studio): Audio interfaces, microphones, studio monitors and headphones.
- [Drums & DJ](https://musictested.com/category/drums-dj): Electronic drum kits, pads, DJ controllers and live sound.

## Buying guides
- [Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar for Beginners](https://musictested.com/guides/acoustic-vs-electric-guitar-for-beginners): Choose an acoustic guitar if you want a self-contained instrument for strumming and singing, or an electric if you want access to amplified tones and effects. An electric setup also needs an amplifier or a compatible audio solution, while the acoustic’s body and strings can feel larger or stiffer to some beginners. Start with the music you want to play, the instrument that feels comfortable and the full cost of the setup.
- [Audio Interface Buying Guide: What You Need for Home Recording](https://musictested.com/guides/audio-interface-buying-guide): Choose an audio interface by counting how many sources you need to record at once, then make sure it has the right inputs: XLR inputs with 48V phantom power for condenser mics, and Hi-Z instrument inputs for guitar and bass. Two inputs cover most solo musicians and podcasters. Every modern interface records at 24-bit and 48 kHz or higher, so preamp quality, low latency, direct monitoring and reliable drivers matter more than headline sample rates.
- [Digital Piano Buying Guide: Keys, Touch and Sound](https://musictested.com/guides/digital-piano-buying-guide): Choose a digital piano when you want a piano-style keybed and sound in a more compact, headphone-friendly setup than an acoustic piano. Compare the action and number of keys first, then check speakers, pedal support, stand, connectivity and whether the instrument fits your room. A portable keyboard may offer more tones and automatic accompaniments, while a digital piano prioritizes a piano-like playing experience.
- [DJ Controller Buying Guide for Beginners](https://musictested.com/guides/dj-controller-buying-guide): Most beginners should start with a two-channel DJ controller that works with free or included DJ software, has full-size jog wheels, performance pads and a headphone output. Standalone controllers that play from USB or streaming without a laptop cost more but are closer to club gear. Make sure the controller supports your software and has the outputs for your speakers.
- [Dynamic vs Condenser Microphones: Which Should You Record With?](https://musictested.com/guides/dynamic-vs-condenser-microphones): Dynamic microphones are rugged, need no power and pick up less room noise, which makes them ideal for podcasts, loud sources and untreated rooms. Condenser microphones are more sensitive and detailed, which suits vocals and acoustic instruments in a quiet, treated room, and they need 48V phantom power. If your room is noisy or echoey, start with a dynamic mic.
- [Electronic Drum Kit Buying Guide: Mesh Pads, Modules and Noise](https://musictested.com/guides/electronic-drum-kit-buying-guide): For most players, an electronic drum kit with mesh heads on the snare (ideally on all drums) is the best choice: mesh feels closer to a real drum and is much quieter than rubber. Check the drum module's sounds and practice features, choose a hi-hat that uses a real stand or a responsive pedal, and make sure the kick pad suits a real bass drum pedal. Plan for floor noise: the kick beater thump travels through floors even when the pads are quiet.
- [Guitar String Gauges Explained: 9s vs 10s vs 11s and More](https://musictested.com/guides/guitar-string-gauges): String gauge is the thickness of the strings, named after the high E string in thousandths of an inch. On electric guitar, 9s are the easiest to play, 10s are the most common all-round choice, and 11s and up give a fuller tone and suit lower tunings. Acoustic guitars usually use heavier sets, with light (12s) and custom light (11s) the most popular. Beginners usually do best on 9s or 10s on electric and 11s or 12s on acoustic.
- [How Many Keys Do You Need? 25, 49, 61 or 88 Keys Explained](https://musictested.com/guides/how-many-keys-do-you-need): If you want to learn piano, get 88 fully weighted keys with hammer action, because that is what piano music and technique are built on. For producing music and playing synth parts, 49 or 61 keys is plenty, and 25 keys works on a crowded desk or on the go. Key action matters as much as size: weighted keys feel like a piano, while synth-action keys are light and fast.
- [How to Choose a Guitar Amp: Tube, Solid State and Modeling](https://musictested.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-guitar-amp): For home practice, a small modeling or solid-state amp of 10 to 30 watts, or a headphone amp, is plenty and the most versatile. Tube amps sound and feel great but need volume to shine and cost more to maintain. For gigging with a drummer, look for at least 20 to 50 watts of tube power or 50 to 100 watts solid-state, or a modeler into the PA. Make sure the amp has a headphone output if you practice at home.
- [How to Choose Your First Electric Guitar: A Beginner's Guide](https://musictested.com/guides/how-to-choose-your-first-electric-guitar): For a first electric guitar, prioritize playability over features: a comfortable neck, low action and stable tuning matter more than pickups or finish. Choose the body style that suits the music you want to play, budget for an amp or a modeling setup, and have the guitar set up by a tech or the store. A well set-up budget guitar from an established brand is easier to learn on than a poorly set-up expensive one.
- [How to Set Up a Home Recording Studio: The Essential Gear](https://musictested.com/guides/how-to-set-up-a-home-studio): A basic home studio needs a computer, recording software (a DAW), an audio interface, a microphone with a cable and stand, and closed-back headphones. Add studio monitors and basic room treatment next, then a MIDI keyboard if you produce. Spend on the parts you hear through and the room before buying more gear.
- [MIDI Controller Buying Guide: Keys, Pads and Knobs Explained](https://musictested.com/guides/midi-controller-buying-guide): A MIDI controller sends notes and control data to your music software; it makes no sound itself. For most producers, a 25 to 49-key controller with velocity-sensitive keys, pads for drums and a few assignable knobs is the sweet spot. Choose 61 or 88 keys if you play two-handed parts, and check that it integrates with your DAW.
- [Open-Back vs Closed-Back Headphones for Recording and Mixing](https://musictested.com/guides/open-back-vs-closed-back-headphones): Use closed-back headphones for recording, because they isolate sound and keep the click track from leaking into the microphone. Use open-back headphones for mixing and long listening sessions, because they sound more open and natural and are more comfortable, but they leak sound in both directions. If you can only buy one pair, closed-back is the safer all-rounder for a home studio.
- [Studio Monitor Placement: A Practical Setup Guide](https://musictested.com/guides/studio-monitor-placement-guide): Begin with left and right monitors placed symmetrically around your listening position, at matching height and aimed toward your ears. A roughly equal-distance listening triangle is a useful starting layout, but the room, monitor design and listening distance all matter. Avoid placing monitors tight against boundaries without checking the manufacturer’s guidance, because nearby surfaces can change bass response and reflections.

Contact: info@musictested.com