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!

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.

PA Speakers

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

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.

Recording E-Guitars

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

Controller Keyboards

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

E-Guitars

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

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?

Acoustic Piano

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

LED Lighting

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

Synthesizers

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

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.

Monitor Speakers

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

E-Drums

Electronic drum sets are an instrument to reckon with.

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.

Recording Choirs

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

Drum Kits for Beginners

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

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.

Headphones

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

Large Diaphragm Microphones

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

Radio Mics

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

Amp Modeling

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

Can Lights

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

Stage Vocal Mics

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

Effects Lights

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

Bass Guitars

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

Racks & Cases

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

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.

Multi Effect Pedals

The entrance of digital technology into music electronics makes an ''Echo Chamber'' affordable for the little man.

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.

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!

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.

Portable Keyboards

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

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..

Guitar Strings

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

Dynamic Microphones

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

Drum Hardware

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

Classical Guitars

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

Recording Wind Instruments

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

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.

Mic Preamps

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

Small Diaphragm Mics

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

DJ Setups

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

Plug-ins

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

Cymbals

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

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.

Bass Effect Pedals

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

Software Instruments

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

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.

Guitar Amp Heads

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

Studio Acoustics

For many ambitious home recording enthusiasts, acoustics is only a sideshow. This online guide will show you why you should still spare a thought for your studio's acoustics.

Fog Machines

Fog machines - can you still see me?

Violas

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

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.

Flutes

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

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.

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.

Sound Libraries & Sampling

Sampling technology is no longer restricted to large studios!

Mastering

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

Recording Acoustic Guitars

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

Trumpets

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

Ukulele

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

Software Sequencers

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

Acoustic Guitar Amps

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

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!

Drum Shells

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

Double Basses

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

DJ Controllers

Turntables and mixers are not just playback devices, but important tools for any DJ. So that DJs equipped with only a laptop are spared juggling with their mouse, DJ controllers have been developed that convert analogue feeling into the digital setup.

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.

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.

Mini Studios

Have you ever dreamed of putting your spontaneous ideas into action immediately?

Orchestral Percussion

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

DJ Record Decks

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

Drumsticks

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

Reverb Effects

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

Tuners

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

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.

Clarinets

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

DJ Mixers

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

Harmonicas

Welcome to our Online Advisor for Harmonicas.

Trombones

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

Percussion for Drum Sets

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

Mouthpieces for woodwind instruments

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

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.

Alto Horn and Euphonium

Alto Horn or Euphonium - Two Brothers or Total Strangers?

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!

Snare Drums

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

Tubas

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

Tenor and Baritone Horns

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

Reporter Mics

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

Headphone Amps

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

Monitor Controllers

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

Bassoons

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

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?

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

Brass Mutes

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

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.

Wah Pedals

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

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.

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.

Ribbon Microphones

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

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.

Keyboard Amps

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

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.

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.

Potentiometers

Guitar players in particular should know something about potentiometers

Oboes

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

MIDI and Modelling Guitars

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

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!