Thomann's Cool Online Guides

Choosing a Beginner's Instr.

The first hurdle though, is to decide on which instrument to learn?

Choosing a Computer

Computers can be very complicated. We’'re here to offer some advice!

PA Speakers

In the digital age, the loudspeaker is the last and unchangeable outpost of analogue technology.

Guitar Setups

The range of available guitars and amps has never been greater than it is today, and a huge variety of sounds are easily accessible.

Choosing a PA System

Whether you’re a fan, a promoter or a performer, the refined craft of live sound is vitally important.

Digital Pianos

Choosing a digital piano actually involves many of the same considerations as choosing a real piano.

Controller Keyboards

At the simplest level, a controller keyboard, also commonly known as a "master" keyboard.

Recording E-Guitars

Our aim is to explain the basic process of recording the electric guitar!

E-Guitars

Electric guitars are ten a penny and nowadays there are at least as many models and makers to choose from.

Acoustic Piano

The central place of the piano in modern music cannot be overstated.

Mixers

In this guide we’ll concentrate on the functionality of hardware mixers. They are an essential part of any live sound systems and studio setups.

Stage Pianos

Stage Pianos - What can these digital pianos do?

Cables, Leads & Connectors

Cable... flex... lead... wire... what do all these terms mean?

Audio interfaces

There is a wide range of audio interfaces available, and in the end, choosing the right one comes down to your personal preference.

LED Lighting

LED PARs, LED Bars and Moving Heads - what should I bear in mind?

Monitor Speakers

In this guide we’ll outline the basic principles of studio monitors, and take a closer look at their most common features.

Synthesizers

There are a wealth of synthesisers available today, ranging from hardware keyboards to virtual software instruments.

Recording choirs

Recording choir music is always a challenge, even though it might not seem to be at first.

Computer Based Studios

This article will look at how to integrate a computer into different studio environments, and will highlight the issues of functionality and connectivity.

Drum kits for beginners

This guide will help you find a suitable drum kit and accessories for beginners.

E-Drums

Electronic drum sets are an instrument to reckon with.

Guitar Amps

The following pages give an overview of the various types of guitar amp available.

Guitar Accessories

We investigate some of the many accessories available for both guitar and bass.

Acoustic Guitars

The steel-strung acoustic guitar has a range of sounds that are unmistakeable and not easily replicated with any other type of guitar.

Large Diaphragm Microphones

They pick up any sound! In this guide, we have tracked down the most popular condenser microphones for you.

Headphones

Headphones are basics for any studio or DJ. But not all headphones are created equal.

Radio Mics

Radio Mics are designed to give the musician the freedom to move about the stage unhindered.

Stage Vocal Mics

There are many vocal microphones that are suitable for stage use, from the cheapest dynamic to the most expensive condenser.

Can Lights

The PAR can is usually the basis of an entertainment lighting system!

Racks & Cases

If you take good care of your equipment, your pack it up carefully - and this means getting a proper case!

Bass Guitars

Here is a overview of the bass and all its component parts, from vintage to modern instruments.

Drum Mics

Miking up and recording a drum kit is a fairly complicated procedure, and this can apply equally to choosing the right mics for the job.

Effects Lights

Professional standard lighting systems are no longer found solely in large venues.

Amp modeling

Amp modellers are guitar DSP effects units that emulate the sound of a range of amplifiers and speaker cabinets.

Modulation Effects Pedals

The term ‘modulation’ in its broadest sense covers a range of sonic effects, from the subtlest chorus to ear-bending ring modulation.

Portable Keyboards

Portable keyboards now offer a wealth of features to suit both the first time musician and professional songwriter alike.

Guitar Multi FX

The multi-FX concept has been around in various forms since the mid 80s - It is therefore no surprise that there is a huge range of hardware available.

Bass Amps

Everything could be so easy, since all you want is to amp up your bass, right? This guide will provide you with an overview of what's available in the bass amp world!

Controllers

These days, musicians are experiencing the increasing complexity of their instruments and devices at first hand - regain some of the control you've lost!

In-Ear Monitoring

In-Ear monitoring - reasonable prices since a few years only - a real bliss for any live musician. Why? Find out here..

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones are the basic tools of live sound and play an important role in every recording studio.

Guitar Strings

Without strings, guitars and basses produce no sound, yet most players know very little about them.

Drum Hardware

Hardware is the stuff you play on and it does not make a noise – ideal scenario that is.

Portable Multitrackers

The multitracker is a great tool for musicians of all levels. It really can be a ‘studio in a box’ replacing many of the components of a traditional studio.

DJ Setups

DJing has rather murky origins, and there are many people who claim to have been the first to mix two records together.

Recording Wind Instruments

Unfortunately, choosing a simple dynamic mic is just the beginning.

Classical Guitars

Until recently, the classical guitar represented the most popular route into guitar playing.

Small Diaphragm Mics

Read on and learn all you should know about small diaphragm mics

PA-Amps

You could sum up the whole idea of a PA power amplifier in a single word - sound. The power amp is a crucial part of a musician’s live sound.

Software Instruments

These days, software instruments seem to most like the natural thing to use as a sound source in a computer-based studio.

Cymbals

The choice of cymbals is just as important as the choice of drums within a kit. Let’s take a closer look.

Plug-ins

More people than ever are now convinced of the advantages of plug-ins. Why?

Mic Preamps

Microphone preamps, are analogue devices that will remain important even as most other equipment is superseded by digital alternatives.

Guitar Amp Heads

Though there are other options, the stack remains a rock icon, and is still the most flexible form of guitar amplification.

Software Sequencers

Software Sequencing as a term is deeply inadequate to describe the power of the programs now available to the computer-based musician.

Violas

Learning to play an Viola is a long, but rewarding journey, and this guide has been designed to help at the start.

Audio Compressors

This tutorial covers audio compressors and how they are used.

Equalisers

EQ is perhaps the least noticed of all types of audio processing, but also the most important.

Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments are the backbone of many traditional styles of music and are a wonderful way to add colour, texture and motion to contemporary music.

Fog machines

Fog machines - can you still see me?

Distortion Effect Pedals

A classic Ibanez Tubescreamer or Colorsound Tonebender can fetch many times its original price from guitarists in search of the ultimate killer tone and sustain.

Bass Effect Pedals

Effects processors designed for use with bass guitars are now more popular than ever.

Mastering

Is mastering a ‘black art’ best left to the professionals, or with the right technology, is it something that anyone can attempt?

Sound Libraries & Sampling

Sampling technology is no longer restricted to large studios!

Grooveboxes

The single most important element in any style of dance music is the ‘groove’, a chemistry of rhythm for your song that can make or break its overall feel.

Recording Acoustic Guitars

The acoustic guitar is one of the most frequently recorded instruments in the studio, but it is often recorded poorly.

Flutes

Our guide assist you in discovering which is the right kind of flute for you.

Ukulele

Often underestimated and thought of only as a holiday instrument, the ukulele is experiencing a revival - and by no means only on Hawaii

Acoustic Guitar Amps

Before buying an acoustic amp, it’s important to consider exactly what you want it to do.

Trumpets

The trumpet is one of the most versatile instruments, standing its ground in every music genre imaginable.

Drumheads

Drumheads have been manufactured from plastic since 1956, mostly polyester.

DI Boxes

While we could go into more and more detail about DI boxes and their inner workings, at some stage it’s best to get some hands-on experience!

Double Basses

This guide aims to help complete beginners and existing double bass students (and their parents).

Cello

Learning to play an instrument is a long, but immensely rewarding journey, and this guide has been designed to help at the start of that journey.

Drum Shells

In our online guide, we want to look at the modern drum set from every angle.

Pickups

There is nothing mysterious about the basic principles of the electric guitar pickup.

Delay Effect Pedals

Delays offer a simple and convenient method of creating a sense of space around your sound.

Orchestral percussion

A wide variety of percussion instruments forms the modern orchestra’s rhythm section.

Drumsticks

Many Drummer’s have not yet found their optimal stick - the selection is large.

DJ Record Decks

Turntables have evolved over the years from traditional record players into the professional record decks seen in every club today.

Reverb Effects

Reverb is an essential ingredient in almost all pop and rock music.

DJ Mixers

When choosing a mixer, the most important thing to consider is what style of mixing you will be doing.

Tuners

Modern electronic tuners are generally accurate, reliable and fairly inexpensive.

Harmonicas

Welcome to our Online Advisor for Harmonicas.

Clarinets

Let’s take a close look at this beautiful-sounding instrument.

Recorders

Despite its infamous classroom or beginner’s image, the recorder is in fact just as difficult to play well as most other instruments.

Workstation Keyboards

The workstation keyboards has come of age and found niches in many different areas.

Trombones

The trombone is a popular instrument in the brass family, and features in much classical, jazz and popular music.

Mouthpieces for woodwind instruments

Not all mouthpieces are created equal. Some things you should definitely know!

Mouthpieces for brass wind instruments

The variety and choice of mouthpieces is huge and can be confusing, too. We will do our best to help you find your way!

Percussion for drum sets

Percussion for drum sets is like the toy shop for drummers.

Alto Horn and Euphonium

Alto Horn or Euphonium - Two Brothers or Total Strangers?

Reporter Mics

There are many types of reporting, interviewing and other broadcasts. Each bring their own audio challenges, and each have their own solutions.

Tubas

With a tuba, the sky's the limit - sounding good, looking good, and always tuned to fun!

Snare Drums

The sound of the snare drum defines and unites almost all forms of popular music.

7 String Guitars

In this Online Advisor, created in conjunction with planetguitar.net, we explore the key features of the instruments that have redefined power chords.

Headphone Amps

All you ever wanted to know about the small helpers called headphone preamps ... can be found here

Tenor and baritone horns

One instrument with many names - the tenor horn and its counterpart, the baritone.

Monitor Controllers

The monitor controller is an elegant solution to a relatively new problem, and is invaluable in the project and commercial studio alike.

Bass speakers

After a bass player has bought a great instrument and a suitable amp, they still need a proper speaker. What should you bear in mind when looking for one?

CD-Decks

There is a wide selection of units to choose from in both single and double player format and a large range of prices.

Brass Mutes

There are many kinds of mute available, all of which alter both the volume and timbre of the instrument played.

Bassoons

Enjoy your bassoon, the wonderful sound it makes, and the beautiful music written for it.

Young Children's Instruments

In this guide, we’re going to look at one of the most important decisions a parent can make for their child

Wah Pedals

It would be fair to say that the development of the wah-wah pedal has been somewhat experimental over the years.

MIDI Interfaces

This article will look at what MIDI is, how it’s used to connect different devices, and some of the more popular MIDI interfaces.

Guitar care

Your guitar needs care and attention, and by that we mean more than simply cleaning and polishing it. Read this tutorial to find out more.

Keyboard Amps

Keyboard Amps - If you want to be heard as a keyboardist, you don't have many options.

Ribbon Microphones

Ribbon microphones sound full, rich, and smooth. Seasoned engineers love their unique sound.

DJ Systems

DJ systems are the interface between the vinyls and the sound you can hear. Here, you will also find whatever else a DJ needs.

MIDI and Modelling Guitars

We delve into the digital technology bridging the gap between guitars and synths in several exciting areas.

Potentiometers

Guitar players in particular should know something about potentiometers

DSP Accelerators

This article will look at how a DSP accelerator can be a useful part of your computer-based studio, and also at their limitations.

Baritone E-Guitars

Baritone guitars are the dark side of the guitar world - without them, there's almost nothing you can get done in the rock and metal scene.

Bass Pickups

E-bass pickups influence the sound of your bass decisively.

Oboes

Explore the oboe, the wonderful sound it makes, and the beautiful music written for it.

Cajon

Yo cannot nowadays conceive of an unplugged rock, pop, and especially folk-rock session without this box as a replacement for the bass and snare drums. Consulting this guide will help you make the right choice.

Congas

Congas, common to most cultures worldwide. A somewhat challenging instrument sometimes but always so versatile

Guitar Wireless Systems

It’s time for more guitarists to take advantage of the freedom of movement provided and strut their stuff!