• How Much Does Music Mastering Cost? (& Is It Worth It?)

    How Much Does Music Mastering Cost? (& Is It Worth It?)

    Mastering your music is very important. But music mastering can be very expensive. Is it worth it? Yes – here’s everything you need to know… If you’re an musician looking to release your music, you’ve probably heard that mastering is an important step in the process. But what exactly is mastering, and how much does it…

  • Audio Mastering 101: Everything A Beginner Needs To Know

    Audio Mastering 101: Everything A Beginner Needs To Know

    Audio mastering is the final sheen you apply to a song or album before it is packaged up released. Here’s everything you need to know… If you’re new to the world of music production, you may have heard the term “mastering” thrown around without fully understanding what it means. The good news is that mastering…

  • Mastodon Hushed and Grim Review: Big, Bold & Epic…

    Mastodon Hushed and Grim Review: Big, Bold & Epic…

    My review of Mastodon’s latest record, Hushed and Grim. Is this the best album Mastodon has produced to date? I’ve been listening to it on repeat since its release date. Let’s find out… Hushed and Grim Review I’m what you’d describe as a “band boomer”. This is a term I have created but I think…

  • Squier Contemporary Telecaster Review: The Metal Monster

    Squier Contemporary Telecaster Review: The Metal Monster

    The Squier Contemporary Telecaster is another great addition to the Contemporary Series made to shred. Here’s my full review of this exceptionally well priced budget shredder Pros Modern features and design not typically offered by Fender outside the Jim Root models. Fender Modern style bridge for easy intonation and string height adjustments. Durable construction with…

  • How to Sound Like Mastodon: A Guide for Guitarists

    How to Sound Like Mastodon: A Guide for Guitarists

    What kind of guitar gear does one need to sound like Mastodon, you ask? Here’s everything you need to know (and a little bit more besides)… If you want to sound like Mastodon there’s a few core concepts you need to understand. From the way you tune your guitar to your amp settings, there’s a…

  • The 6 Best Harley Benton Telecaster Models RIGHT NOW [2024]

    The 6 Best Harley Benton Telecaster Models RIGHT NOW [2024]

    If you’re looking for the best Harley Benton Telecaster to buy right now, here’s six KILLER options that pack in oodles of tone and outstanding pickups… Best Harley Benton Tele Models Guitar Model Features Editor’s Choice Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and TE-style bridge for tuning stability and sustai, Excellent tonal quality,…

  • Boards of Canada Gear Rundown: Minimalist Tech Makes The Best Noises

    Boards of Canada Gear Rundown: Minimalist Tech Makes The Best Noises

    When it comes to gear, Boards of Canada favor a less is more approach. And this is key to how they developed their iconic sound Scottish electronic music duo Boards of Canada, known for their ambient, downtempo style, have crafted a distinctive sound using a surprisingly minimalist setup. Despite the complex, layered nature of their…

  • New Deftones Album Release Date: It’s COMING In 2024

    New Deftones Album Release Date: It’s COMING In 2024

    The Deftones follow-up to the Pandemic-era Ohms is set for release in 2024 – here’s everything you need to know  If you’re a fan of the Deftones, you’ll be thrilled to know that the band is on the verge of finishing their tenth studio album, the follow-up to 2020’s pandemic-era release, ‘Ohms.’ Speaking to Gnostic Academy…

  • Deftones 101: The Complete N00b Guide

    Deftones 101: The Complete N00b Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about Deftones, including the band’s members, history, and their best albums If you grew up in the 1990s, coming of age when bands like Metallica and Slayer were still in their 30s, and Tony Hawk was the ultimate gaming experience available, you’ll know the Deftones. Out of all the…

  • Pro Tools 101: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

    Pro Tools 101: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

    When it comes to DAWs, it would be impossible to talk about digital recording without talking about Pro Tools. Designed by Avid to be the industry standard, the DAW has come a long way and today we are going to explore every feature that makes it unique. [/snippet] Hardware & Peripherals Pro Tools began by…

  • FL Studio 101: Everything You Need To Know In 2024

    FL Studio 101: Everything You Need To Know In 2024

    FL Studio used to go by “Fruity Loops” as I am sure many people remember. But as the DAW landscape changed, so did Image Line’s #1 product. Today we go over the entirety of FL Studio, and look at the standout features.

  • Ableton Live 101: What You Need To Know [2024]

    Ableton Live 101: What You Need To Know [2024]

    Ableton Live is used by many producers in a wide span of genres as a primary DAW. Ableton Live can be used in a ton of different ways as both a stand-alone studio, as well as an on-stage assistant. Here’s everything you need to know…

  • Cubase 101: Literally Everything You Need To Know

    Cubase 101: Literally Everything You Need To Know

    Used by plenty of professional musicians and producers, Cubase is a DAW that can do pretty much whatever you have in mind. Here’s everything you need to know… Cubase is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by the German company Steinberg. It provides tools for recording, editing, and mixing music and audio, and is used…

  • Logic Pro 101: What You Need To Know in 2024

    Logic Pro 101: What You Need To Know in 2024

    When it comes to powerhouse DAWs, Logic Pro is in a category all by itself. But what is Logic Pro, and how does it work? Today we take look at the features, and break down Apple’s DAW in a comprehensive article. Logic Pro: Apple’s Famous DAW… When it comes to professional music production, Logic has…

  • ReValver 5 Review: The Underdog Amp Sim?

    ReValver 5 Review: The Underdog Amp Sim?

    ReValver 5 is now powered by HeadRush, a product we recommend often. But how does it hold up to other amp sim programs for your home studio?

  • Djent 101: Everything You Need To Know

    Djent 101: Everything You Need To Know

    You’ve heard it mentioned in articles, talked about in bars where they serve artisanal craft beer, and you’re curious. What in the heck is djent?  Djent. It’s a weird word, right? It doesn’t look or sound like anything that’d describe a genre of music (more specifically, metal music). But that’s exactly what it is, and…

  • sleepmakeswaves: “It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It” Album Review

    sleepmakeswaves: “It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It” Album Review

    That’s right, sleepmakeswaves, the Australian post-rock band from the Myspace Era is not only still going strong, but also evolving. sleepmakeswaves: Back Again… The post-rock outfit sleepmakeswaves has been around since 2006, making some very interesting soundscapes. I have always had a soft spot for instrumental music, being a performer myself. But the thing about…

  • Electric Wizard 101: Dorest’s Dankest Doom Band…

    Electric Wizard 101: Dorest’s Dankest Doom Band…

    History, band members, best album, influences – you’ll find it all inside our Electric Wizard 101 guide Electric Wizard, hailing from Dorset, England, aren’t just a band: they’re an institution. Known for low-end fuzz, massive riffs, and a penchant for all things grim, the band has been a staple of the doom/stoner scene for decades. But…

  • Line 6 POD Express Review: The Ultimate FX Pedal?

    Line 6 POD Express Review: The Ultimate FX Pedal?

    The new Line 6 POD Express is a return to form for the company, offering HX guitar tones in a pedal-sized platform. But how does it compare to the Helix? Line 6 POD Express: Looking At The Past… The Line 6 POD Express is the newest unit to utilize the Helix technology, after products like…

  • BOSS Katana GO Review: The Best Practice Tool?

    BOSS Katana GO Review: The Best Practice Tool?

    The BOSS Katana GO just hit the market, and we have a lot to talk about. Can a portable version of the best-selling guitar amp meet our standards? The Katana GO: A Rich Legacy The BOSS Katana is one of the best-selling guitar amps of all time. Everyone from beginners to seasoned pros have become…

  • Jimmy Page’s New Gibson Guitar Costs More Than A Tesla 3

    Jimmy Page’s New Gibson Guitar Costs More Than A Tesla 3

    For $50,000, you could have a futuristic electric car like a Tesla Model 3 or… a whole lotta tone Gibson’s signature series guitars are ALWAYS expensive, but the new Jimmy Page EDS-1275 Doubleneck signature model takes things to a whole other level – it costs $50,000. To put that figure into context, for the same money…

  • The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 is OFFICIAL

    The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 is OFFICIAL

    The The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 – AKA the worst kept secret of 2024 – is finally official, and boy was it worth the wait… After years of talking-up the possibility of an affordable, Inspired By Gibson-version of Dave Grohl’s now-trademark Trini Lopez hollow body, the wait is finally over: the Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 has launched.…

  • The Parts of an Electric Guitar Explained: A Beginner’s Guide

    The Parts of an Electric Guitar Explained: A Beginner’s Guide

    Here’s a quick and simple breakdown of what all the parts of an electric guitar do, why they’re important, and how the impact the tone and sound of your axe… Electric guitars, a staple of many music genres, have a rich history and complex design. Understanding each component’s function will give you a better grasp…

  • Axe FX 101: The Complete Beginner’s Guide [2024]

    Axe FX 101: The Complete Beginner’s Guide [2024]

    Steve Vai, Metallica, John Petrucci, John Mayer. They all use Axe FX. But what is it and how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know… First released in 2006 by Fractal Audio Systems, the Axe-Fx is a high-end digital guitar processor that has become a go-to tool for serious guitar players, both professional…

  • The 5 Best Cheap Axe-FX Alternatives [That Don’t Suck]

    The 5 Best Cheap Axe-FX Alternatives [That Don’t Suck]

    Axe-Fx is brilliant. It’s used by the pros. And it sounds incredible. But it is expensive. Here’s some cheaper alternatives for mere mortals that don’t suck Metallica switched to Axe-Fx years ago. Ditto John Mayer and a whole host of other big bands and artists now use Axe-Fx. The reason? Consistency.  Being able to create…

  • Line 6 Guitar Effects: A Complete N00b’s Guide [2024]

    Line 6 Guitar Effects: A Complete N00b’s Guide [2024]

    Line 6 effects have been around a long time. Today, we help you make an informed purchase, and get the most out of your Line 6 guitar equipment. Why Should I Use Line 6? Line 6 products can be a powerful tool for any guitarist. Digital Modeling technology has really taken over when it comes…

  • Thomann Turns 70! And It’s Celebrating With MEGA DEALS

    Thomann Turns 70! And It’s Celebrating With MEGA DEALS

    Thomann, the home of Harley Benton, turns 70 today. It’s still a pup compared to Harrison Ford but it has some killer deals coming to celebrate

  • Best Pickups for Baritone Telecaster: Here’s What I’d Use…

    Best Pickups for Baritone Telecaster: Here’s What I’d Use…

    Baritone Telecasters, with their extended low-end growl, are perfect for delving into heavier music genres like metal, djent, prog-metal, and stuff like doom and stoner rock. But to truly tap into their potential, choosing the right pickups is crucial. Most baritone Teles come with either single coil pickups or P90s which means plenty of noise.…

  • Positive Grid Spark Link: A Quick Overview + What It Does

    Positive Grid Spark Link: A Quick Overview + What It Does

    Positive Grid has just waded into the wireless guitar system market with its Spark Link. Here’s everything you need to know… The Spark Link is a wireless guitar system created by Positive Grid to provide cable-free playing with their Spark amplifier range. It also works with any other amplifier, making high-quality wireless functionality accessible to…

  • Gibson Confirms Slew of Jimmy Page Signature Models For 2024

    Gibson Confirms Slew of Jimmy Page Signature Models For 2024

    Gibson Announces Signature Guitar Partnership with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page Gibson has announced a new partnership with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page that will see the development of a series of signature models bearing Page’s name. So if you’re bank account wasn’t completely scorched by Adam Jones’ 1979 Gibson Les Paul and you’re a fan…

  • Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom Price & Release Date

    Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom Price & Release Date

    Here’s how much you’ll pay for the new Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom, and how it compares to its signature Gibson Les Paul model It’s been like 2+ years in the making, but the Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom is finally here, bringing nearly everything you could possibly want – specs wise…

  • Best Slayer Albums Ranked Best To Worst

    Best Slayer Albums Ranked Best To Worst

    What’s the best Slayer album? Simple: Reign In Blood. Here’s how all the other albums fall in line… Slayer are reuniting in 2024 for a series of shows in the USA. The band famously called it quits back in 2019. But the guys missed doing Slayer live, so Kerry and Tom decided to get the…

  • Slayer’s BACK! Trash Titans Announce First Shows In Five Years

    Slayer’s BACK! Trash Titans Announce First Shows In Five Years

    Slayer are back and the band has just announced a slew of new shows, its first in five years… Slayer called it quits in 2019. Kerry King started a new band that sounded like Slayer. As 2024 started, no one was expecting Slayer to reform. But like a slab of pristine donner meat ready for…

  • PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin Sets “ALL-TIME” Low For SE Pricing

    PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin Sets “ALL-TIME” Low For SE Pricing

    PRS is killing it right now. The SE range is brilliant but things just got even better with the launch of the PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin When it comes to value for money, you’d be hard pressed to find a better value guitar than something from the PRS’ SE range of guitars. Like…

  • Are Ernie Ball Paradigm Strings Worth It? Here’s The Deal…

    Are Ernie Ball Paradigm Strings Worth It? Here’s The Deal…

    Longer life, better corrosion resistance, and enhanced tone over standard Slinkys. These are the claims made about Ernie Ball Paradigm strings. But do they stack up in real life? Ernie Ball Paradigm strings promise longer life, better corrosion resistance, and enhanced tone over standard Slinkys. As someone that is an Ernie Ball lifer (they’re all…

  • Best Ernie Ball Strings For Metal: My Top Picks Right Now

    Best Ernie Ball Strings For Metal: My Top Picks Right Now

    What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Strings For Metal? When it comes to metal guitar, having the right strings is crucial. You need that thick, heavy sound, solid tuning stability even when riffing hard, and slick playability to shred those lightning solos. I’ve tested my fair share of string sets to find the best…

  • Gibson Just Dropped A SLEW of New Guitars For 2024

    Gibson Just Dropped A SLEW of New Guitars For 2024

    Gibson just released 11 new guitars, including the new 1959 ES-355 Reissue which, in the word’s of the brand, is the undoubted “belle of the ball” If you got deep pockets and persistent penchant for all things vintage, you’re going to really dig what Gibson just launched. From new ES and Les Paul Studio models…

  • More and More Pros Are Switching To Squier Guitars – Here’s Why…

    More and More Pros Are Switching To Squier Guitars – Here’s Why…

    Is a Squier guitar worth buying? Plenty of professional and well known guitarists happily use them. Maybe you should too…  What do you think of when you think of Squier? Cheapo Fender guitars, right? Obviously. But we’ve spotted a trend over the past couple of years: more and more professional and advanced players are now…

  • PRS SE Series Guitars: The Ultimate Noob’s Guide [2023]

    PRS SE Series Guitars: The Ultimate Noob’s Guide [2023]

    If you’re just getting au fait with guitar brands and you want to more about PRS SE series guitars, ELECTRIKJAM’s got your back. Here’s everything you need to know…  In the sprawling realm of guitar innovation, PRS guitars have surged ahead, challenging legacy giants like Fender and Gibson.  Its trump card? The SE series.  While…

  • Adam Jones Gibson Les Paul Custom: The $15K Collector’s Dream

    Adam Jones Gibson Les Paul Custom: The $15K Collector’s Dream

    The Adam Jones 1979V2 Les Paul Custom is now discontinued and is one of the hottest collectors items on the guitar market. Here’s everything you need to know… If you want to get your hands on Adam Jones’ Gibson Les Paul Custom, you’re going to need seriously deep pockets. The now discontinued model – there were…

  • How To Sound Like Adam Jones: The Gear You’ll Need

    How To Sound Like Adam Jones: The Gear You’ll Need

    Wanna sound like Adam Jones on guitar? Here’s all the gear you’ll need (and tips on how to do it on the cheap)… Adam Jones is one of the most successful metal / rock guitarists of all time. Over the years, Jones – via his band Tool – has amassed tens of millions of dollars from record…

  • How To Sound Like Jimi Hendrix: The Essentials

    How To Sound Like Jimi Hendrix: The Essentials

    Wanna sound like Jimi Hendrix on guitar? Here’s all the gear you’ll need (and tips on how to do it on the cheap)… Jimi Hendrix is a legend. One of the greats. For many, Hendrix is The GOAT. We’re big fans of his playing here at ELECTRIKJAM, especially his role in popularising fuzz which helped…

  • Standard Tuning on Guitar Explained: Why It’s “The Standard”

    Standard Tuning on Guitar Explained: Why It’s “The Standard”

    Standard tuning on a guitar is called “standard” for a reason. Here’s everything you need to know about standard tuning, including its history, why it is so popular, and how it came to be… Go into any guitar shop on planet earth, pick up a guitar and play it. The guitar will be in Standard…

  • Best Rock & Metal Festivals 2024 [UK, Europe & The USA]

    Best Rock & Metal Festivals 2024 [UK, Europe & The USA]

    Here’s a quick overview of the all the best rock and metal festivals happening in the UK, Europe, and the USA during 2024… Despite the ups and downs in the music industry, rock and metal fans can always rely on an incredible festival scene to get their fix of thunderous riffs and headbanging. 2024 promises…

  • 5 Bands Like Electric Wizard That’ll Cave Your Head In

    5 Bands Like Electric Wizard That’ll Cave Your Head In

    So, you’re craving that heavy, doom-laden sound reminiscent of Electric Wizard and looking for bands that can cast the same spell? I totally get it. There’s something about those thick, fuzzy guitar riffs and foreboding atmospheres that just hits right. If you’ve been blasting “Dopethrone” on repeat and need more of that sonic heaviness in…

  • 5 Bands Like Pallbearer You 100% Need In Your Life

    5 Bands Like Pallbearer You 100% Need In Your Life

    So you’re into Pallbearer, huh? That doom metal sound with the melodic riffs and haunting vocals that just send shivers down your spine. I totally get it. They’ve got this way of blending heaviness with melody that grabs you by the soul and won’t let go. If their epic soundscapes are your jam, then you…

  • Iconic Guitars Reorganization: Layoffs Due To Many Factors…

    Iconic Guitars Reorganization: Layoffs Due To Many Factors…

    The Iconic Guitars reorganization stems from several different issues, but it is not the guitars that’s the problem. BC Rich has quite a hand in this, and it is quite unfair. Today we dig into the facts. Iconic Guitars Reorganization: What’s The Deal? Iconic Guitars is a brand that started making waves about 2 years…

  • [SOLVED] Why Your Amp Sim Tone Sounds WRONG

    [SOLVED] Why Your Amp Sim Tone Sounds WRONG

    Do you often wonder why your amp sim tone doesn’t sound like the amps that they emulate? Does your tone vary depending on the interface? This quick fix will save you a lot of headaches. The Issue With My Amp Sim Tone: The Hardware? A lot of us are using amp sims in the studio…

  • Bands Like Ghost You Should Definitely Check Out

    Bands Like Ghost You Should Definitely Check Out

    So you’ve fallen under the spell of Ghost, with their haunting harmonies and theatrical rock that feels like it’s been summoned from another realm. I totally get it; they’ve got this unique blend of heavy metal with melodic hooks that just sticks with you, right? Now, if you’re itching to find bands that give off…

  • 13 Bands Like EYEHATEGOD You Need in Your Life

    13 Bands Like EYEHATEGOD You Need in Your Life

    Here’s 13 bands like EYEHATEGOD that all aspiring sludge and doom chin-strokers will love, from new acts to icons like SLEEP and Buzzov•en EYEHATEGOD need no introduction. The band has been caving heads in with its slow, sludge-soaked riffs and howling vocals since the late eighties – they formed in 1988. Pioneers, they are and they’re…