Make Better Music Expert Reviews - 2018 Year In Review
By Team HC |
Make Better Music Expert Reviews - 2018 Year In Review
To review a review...trust us, it's a good thing...
by Team HC
Our Expert Reviews are designed to help you make informed buying decisions, take away the fear that can accompany technology, and learn how to integrate the piece of gear into your playing. Our editors have been at this a long time and have become reliable and trusted sources for unbiased "tell it like it is" reporting on gear. Here are our 2018 Expert Reviews ... for your review:
January 10, 2018
Earthquaker Devices Westwood Drive
You're guitar's gonna love this wood!
January 15, 2018
Robert Keeley Caverns V2 Delay and Reverb Pedal
Hello, hello, ... hello!
January 15, 2018
Hartke HD500 2x10 Bass Combo Amplifier
Ultralight bass heavyweight
January 15, 2018
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128
This may be the droid you're looking for...
February 12, 2018
Alesis Recital Pro Digital Piano
Both beginners and pros will find something to like in this recital
February 12, 2018
Sometimes it's best to shut up and drive ...
February 12, 2018
Lava Cable Blue Demon, Clear Connect, Ultramafic, and Van Den Hul Instrument Cables
When geothermal energy is flowing...
February 12, 2018
Electro Harmonix Hot Wax Dual Overdrive
One pedal, two classic EHX overdrives, and an invitation to color outside the lines
February 26, 2018
Dean Markley Blackhawk Coated Guitar Strings
Are these new coated strings all they're wrapped up to be?
February 26, 2018
APEX "Hyper-Ellipticals" Series Electric Guitar Strings
Tightwire to the top!
February 26, 2018
Is this the perfect travel companion for your acoustic-electric instrument?
February 26, 2018
Yamaha LJ16BC Billy Corgan Acoustic Guitar
An acoustic that's simply smashing!
February 26, 2018
Got the urge to merge? This versatile box can do it in two ways
March 1, 2018
Sabian FRX Frequency Reduced Cymbals
What do these cymbals and a 20W guitar amp have in common?
March 12, 2018
Graph Tech Dry N Glide Musician Talc
For hands dry as gin ...
March 12, 2018
Yamaha BBP35 5-String Electric Bass
When you need to get slap-happy!
March 12, 2018
A compressor that's not a depressor ...
March 26, 2018
TASCAM TM-AM3 Heavy-Duty Microphone Stand
Sometimes, not just any mic stand will do...
March 26, 2018
Robert Keeley Loomer Wall of Fuzz Reverb Pedal
For reverb that looms and looms ...
March 26, 2018
Arturia KeyStep Controller & Sequencer
Small keyboard, big features, and impressive connectivity
March 26, 2018
DPA d:vote 4099G and d:vote 4099D Instrument Microphones
One microphone design to capture the world?
April 9, 2018
Mackie Thump Boosted Series - Thump15BST - 15" Powered Loudspeaker
Thump's got bump!
April 9, 2018
Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Zi Instrument DI and Mic Activator
A variable impedance Mic Activator to DI for...
April 9, 2018
Impressive playability meets sonic versatility
April 23, 2018
MOD Kits DIY Contortionist II High Octane Fuzz
Remember...never wear boxers while you solder...
April 23, 2018
Samson G-Track Pro USB Microphone and Audio Interface
A USB mic with a little something extra for musicians
April 23, 2018
JHS Lucky Cat Digital Delay with Modulation
Here kitty, kitty, kitty ...
April 23, 2018
Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster
A '50s era American original makes (another) comeback
April 23, 2018
Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo Pedal
When you just need to express yourself ...
May 7, 2018
DPA d:vice MMA-A Digital Audio Interface
Taking the tiny audio interface to a whole new level
May 7, 2018
EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids Flanger
Flanging the sands of time...
May 21, 2018
Spire Mobile Studio Recording System
Remember when 'mobile studio' meant a van?
May 21, 2018
ESI Audio U168 XT USB Audio Interface
Is orange the new black?
May 21, 2018
JHS Pedals - The @ Andy Timmons Signature Dual Drive
Seeing red @ a different level...
May 21, 2018
ROLI Seaboard Block, Lightpad M Block, and Touch Block
EVERYTHING ... you wanted to know about ROLI!
June 4, 2018
JHS Pedals Unicorn V2 Tap-Tempo Vibe
Believe in Unicorns?
June 4, 2018
Mackie MP-120, MP-220 and MP-240 In-Ear Monitors
Isn't it about time you made the switch to IEMs?
June 4, 2018
Heavy Leather NYC Vegan Guitar Straps
Get your vegan on with leather!
June 18, 2018
It's time to stop your pedals from getting away from you
June 18, 2018
Stylophone GEN X-1 Analog Synthesizer
This is definitely not your grandfather's Stylophone
June 18, 2018
TC Electronics 3rd Dimension Chorus
A pedal from the Twilight Zone?
June 18, 2018
Fender Limited Edition American Elite HSS Telecaster
A Tele fit for a king...
July 2, 2018
Ampeg Opto Comp Analog Optical Compressor
Whether you play guitar or bass, Ampeg wants to be your main squeeze
July 2, 2018
Blue Audio Blue Cat's Axiom Multieffect
While the cat's here...the mouse will cheer...
July 16, 2018
Get a foothold on performance technology!
July 16, 2018
Focal Listen Professional Headphones
Often when something says "professional" in its name, it isn't - are these cans an exception?
July 16, 2018
Ernie Ball StingRay 5-String Electric Bass
Give all 5 fingers equal time ...
July 16, 2018
Electro Harmonix Superego+ Synth Engine / Multi-Effect
Believe it or not, more 'ego may be exactly what you need!
July 30, 2018
Does this stompbox give others the big freeze?
July 30, 2018
One Control Honey Bee Overdrive
Is this pedal sweet enough for your rig?
July 30, 2018
Electro-Harmonix 95000 Performance Loop Laboratory
Will this pedal leave you loopy?
July 30, 2018
Warm Audio WA-47 Multipattern Tube Condenser Mic
Is this new mic destined to become the volksmikrophon of the project studio universe?
August 13, 2018
BandLab Link Analog Version 1 Audio Interface for Mobile
Now you can be creative inside the box!
August 13, 2018
Electro-Harmonix Ocean's 11 Reverb
Sand, sunburn, and salt spray not included...
August 13, 2018
Fender Player Stratocaster Floyd Rose HSS
A new standard for players looking for their first Fender?
August 27, 2018
In part one of this two part review we look at the Pugilist Distortion, Marine Layer Reverb and Level Set Buffer
August 27, 2018
Bassists: Don't let your guitar and keyboard-playing friends try it…
August 27, 2018
JHS Panther Cub V2 Analog Delay
Could it be their most intriguing pedal to date?
August 27, 2018
Electro-Harmonix Op Amp Big Muff Pi
What could be any better than a big muff pi?
September 10, 2018
In part two of this three-part review, we check out The Bends Compressor, Santa Ana Overdrive and Mirror Image Delay
September 10, 2018
Roland FA-06 61-Key Music Workstation and Synthesizer
Could this be the ultimate all-in-one workstation?
September 10, 2018
Earthquaker Devices Aqueduct Vibrato
Can this vibrato pedal quench your thirst?
September 24, 2018
Chase Bliss Audio Thermae Pitch Shifting Analog Delay
Seriously, what could be better than chasing bliss?
September 24, 2018
Gothic Instruments DRONAR Master Edition
The wait is over!
September 24, 2018
Dusky Electronics Hypatia Fuzz Overdrive Distortion Pedal
Could this pedal have roots to a Greek philosopher renowned for her intellect?
September 24, 2018
CEntrance MixerFace R4 Mobile Recording Interface
Part audio mixer, part recording interface, and uncommonly mobile-friendly
October 8, 2018
Keeley Aria Overdrive and Compressor
This aria isn't an operatic solo!
October 8, 2018
Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water Analog Modulation
Sometimes...you just need to wade in the water...
October 8, 2018
Just how good can a $200 analog synth really be?
October 8, 2018
Yamaha Tour Custom Maple Drumset
Like a familiar pair of blue jeans...
October 22, 2018
Stacks FX Thsee Anomaly Modulated Delay
Does this pedal deviate from what's standard, normal, or expected?
October 22, 2018
Does this acoustic-electric's value match its jumbo size and cool vintage vibe?
October 22, 2018
To boldly go...
October 22, 2018
Govee Smart Hygrometer/Thermometer
Humidity and high temps can cause more than a bad hair day-just ask your instrument…
October 22, 2018
Frantone Cream Puff Fuzz Pedal
One sweet pedal...
November 5, 2018
Animals Pedal Tioga Road Cycling Distortion
A bear on a bike? I smell a rat...
November 5, 2018
In the third (and final?) part of this three-part review, we check out The Pelt Fuzz, Engager Boost and Full Moon Distortion
November 5, 2018
Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi Reissue
Who doesn't like reheated Pi...?
November 5, 2018
For flower power jammin' ...
November 5, 2018
Chase Bliss Audio Condor EQ Overdrive Filter Pedal
With a sound as large as an Andean wingspan...
November 5, 2018
ToneMatch takes tiny on stage...
November 15, 2018
24 Channel Multitrack Recorder with Integrated USB Audio Interface and Analog Mixer
November 19, 2018
RPS Tremulus Maximus Optical Tremolo
Tremulus maximus for the carnivourus vulgaris guitarist...
November 19, 2018
Pint-sized powerhouse
November 19, 2018
Pedal sound so big it's un-bear-able!
November 19, 2018
Singular Sound Beat Buddy Mini 2
And the beat goes on ...
November 19. 2018
Matthew Effects The Astronomer V2 Celestial Reverb
This pedal would make Carl Sagan smile...
December 3, 2018
Matthew Effects The Chemist Atomic Modulator
Chorus/Vibrato/Phaser/Octave. Who could ask for anything more...
December 3, 2018
Yamaha TRBX 600 Series Electric Bass
4 string seismic thunder ...
December 3, 2018
An eye-catching acoustic with electric overtones
December 3, 2018
Cusack Music Resound Digital Reverb
Resoundingly retro cool ...
December 3, 2018
A nine position tubescreamer that goes to eleven!
We look forward to bringing you many more in 2019! -HC-
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