Thomann's Cool Online Guides
Here's a list of our current Online Guides. If you're unsure of how to go about selecting the right product for you, or you just want to know more about any of these topics, read on!
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Home Recording
Home Recording can be very complicated. We're here to offer some advice!
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Choosing a Beginner's Instr.
The first hurdle though, is to decide on which instrument to learn?
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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.
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Recording E-Guitars
Our aim is to explain the basic process of recording the electric guitar!
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Digital Pianos
Choosing a digital piano actually involves many of the same considerations as choosing a real piano.
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Controller Keyboards
At the simplest level, a controller keyboard, also commonly known as a "master" keyboard.
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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.
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E-Guitars
Electric guitars are ten a penny and nowadays there are at least as many models and makers to choose from.
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Computer Based Studios
This article will look at how to integrate a computer into different studio environments, and will highlight the issues of functionality...
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Monitor Speakers
In this guide well outline the basic principles of studio monitors, and take a closer look at their most common features.
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Acoustic Piano
The central place of the piano in modern music cannot be overstated.
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Synthesizers
There are a wealth of synthesisers available today, ranging from hardware keyboards to virtual software instruments.
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Stage Pianos
Stage Pianos - What can these digital pianos do?
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Large Diaphragm Microphones
They pick up any sound! In this guide, we have tracked down the most popular condenser microphones for you.
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E-Drums
Electronic drum sets are an instrument to reckon with.
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Drum Kits for Beginners
This guide will help you find a suitable drum kit and accessories for beginners.
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Headphones
Headphones are basics for any studio or DJ. But not all headphones are created equal.
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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.
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PA Speakers
In the digital age, the loudspeaker is the last and unchangeable outpost of analogue technology.
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Cables, Leads & Connectors
Cable... flex... lead... wire... what do all these terms mean?
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Choosing a PA System
Whether youre a fan, a promoter or a performer, the refined craft of live sound is vitally important.
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Guitar Amps
The following pages give an overview of the various types of guitar amp available.
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Recording Choirs
Recording choir music is always a challenge, even though it might not seem to be at first.
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Guitar Accessories
We investigate some of the many accessories available for both guitar and bass.
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Mixers
In this guide well concentrate on the functionality of hardware mixers. They are an essential part of any live sound systems and studio...
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Saxophones
Saxophones are available in a price range from about €300 to over €4000. Which instrument is suitable for a beginner?
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Bass Guitars
Here is a overview of the bass and all its component parts, from vintage to modern instruments.
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Controllers
These days, musicians are experiencing the increasing complexity of their instruments and devices at first hand - regain some of the...
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Stage Vocal Mics
There are many vocal microphones that are suitable for stage use, from the cheapest dynamic to the most expensive condenser.
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Permanently installed PA Systems
These systems involve much more than just plugging two speakers into the amp
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Microphone accessories
The right accessories bring out the best in your microphones. Find out what’s available and what you can do with it!
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Amp Modeling
Amp modellers are guitar DSP effects units that emulate the sound of a range of amplifiers and speaker cabinets.
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Multi Effect Pedals
The entrance of digital technology into music electronics makes an ''Echo Chamber'' affordable for the little man.
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LED Lighting
LED PARs, LED Bars and Moving Heads - what should I bear in mind?
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Portable Keyboards
Portable keyboards now offer a wealth of features to suit both the first time musician and professional songwriter alike.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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Recording Wind Instruments
Unfortunately, choosing a simple dynamic mic is just the beginning.
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Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are the basic tools of live sound and play an important role in every recording studio.
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Plug-ins
More people than ever are now convinced of the advantages of plug-ins. Why?
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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...
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Mic Preamps
Microphone preamps, are analogue devices that will remain important even as most other equipment is superseded by digital alternatives.
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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...
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Software Instruments
These days, software instruments seem to most like the natural thing to use as a sound source in a computer-based studio.
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DJ Setups
DJing has rather murky origins, and there are many people who claim to have been the first to mix two records together.
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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...
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Classical Guitars
Until recently, the classical guitar represented the most popular route into guitar playing.
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Racks & Cases
If you take good care of your equipment, your pack it up carefully - and this means getting a proper case!
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Small Diaphragm Mics
Read on and learn all you should know about small diaphragm mics
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Guitar Strings
Without strings, guitars and basses produce no sound, yet most players know very little about them.
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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...
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Drum Hardware
Hardware is the stuff you play on and it does not make a noise ideal scenario that is.
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Can Lights
The PAR can is usually the basis of an entertainment lighting system!
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Sound Libraries & Sampling
Sampling technology is no longer restricted to large studios!
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Audio Compressors
This tutorial covers audio compressors and how they are used.
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Cymbals
The choice of cymbals is just as important as the choice of drums within a kit. Lets take a closer look.
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Guitar Amp Heads
Though there are other options, the stack remains a rock icon, and is still the most flexible form of guitar amplification.
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Bass Effect Pedals
Effects processors designed for use with bass guitars are now more popular than ever.
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Equalisers
EQ is perhaps the least noticed of all types of audio processing, but also the most important.
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Software Sequencers
Software Sequencing as a term is deeply inadequate to describe the power of the programs now available to the computer-based musician.
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Ukulele
Often underestimated and thought of only as a holiday instrument, the ukulele is experiencing a revival - and by no means only on Hawaii
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Effects Lights
Professional standard lighting systems are no longer found solely in large venues.
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Mastering
Is mastering a black art best left to the professionals, or with the right technology, is it something that anyone can attempt?
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Violas
Learning to play an Viola is a long, but rewarding journey, and this guide has been designed to help at the start.
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Distortion Effect Pedals
A classic Ibanez Tubescreamer or Colorsound Tonebender can fetch many times its original price from guitarists in search of the ultimate...
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In-Ear Monitoring
In-Ear monitoring - reasonable prices since a few years only - a real bliss for any live musician. Why? Find out here..
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Loopers
Creating sound art is no problem with a looper, but it won't do your creative work for you!
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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...
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Mini Studios
Have you ever dreamed of putting your spontaneous ideas into action immediately?
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Flutes
Our guide assist you in discovering which is the right kind of flute for you.
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DJ Record Decks
Turntables have evolved over the years from traditional record players into the professional record decks seen in every club today.
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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 musicians live...
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DMX
DMX-controlled light effects - we will take you behind the scenes!
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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...
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Recording Acoustic Guitars
The acoustic guitar is one of the most frequently recorded instruments in the studio, but it is often recorded poorly.
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Pickups
There is nothing mysterious about the basic principles of the electric guitar pickup.
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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...
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Trumpets
The trumpet is one of the most versatile instruments, standing its ground in every music genre imaginable.
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Reverb Effects
Reverb is an essential ingredient in almost all pop and rock music.
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DI Boxes
While we could go into more and more detail about DI boxes and their inner workings, at some stage its best to get some hands-on...
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Drumheads
Drumheads have been manufactured from plastic since 1956, mostly polyester.
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Double Basses
This guide aims to help complete beginners and existing double bass students (and their parents).
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Delay Effect Pedals
Delays offer a simple and convenient method of creating a sense of space around your sound.
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Drum Shells
In our online guide, we want to look at the modern drum set from every angle.
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Guitar Wireless Systems
Its time for more guitarists to take advantage of the freedom of movement provided and strut their stuff!
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Tuners
Modern electronic tuners are generally accurate, reliable and fairly inexpensive.
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Acoustic Guitar Amps
Before buying an acoustic amp, its important to consider exactly what you want it to do.
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Recorders
Despite its infamous classroom or beginners image, the recorder is in fact just as difficult to play well as most other instruments.
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Drumsticks
Many Drummers have not yet found their optimal stick - the selection is large.
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Clarinets
Lets take a close look at this beautiful-sounding instrument.
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Harmonicas
Welcome to our Online Advisor for Harmonicas.
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Workstation Keyboards
The workstation keyboards has come of age and found niches in many different areas.
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Orchestral Percussion
A wide variety of percussion instruments forms the modern orchestras rhythm section.
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7 String Guitars
In this Online Advisor, created in conjunction with planetguitar.net, we explore the key features of the instruments that have redefined...
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DJ Mixers
When choosing a mixer, the most important thing to consider is what style of mixing you will be doing.
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French Horns
Horns in Bb, F or double horns – it’s a tough decision. This guide is here to help!
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Reporter Mics
There are many types of reporting, interviewing and other broadcasts. Each bring their own audio challenges, and each have their own...
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Fog Machines
Fog machines - can you still see me?
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Monitor Controllers
The monitor controller is an elegant solution to a relatively new problem, and is invaluable in the project and commercial studio alike.
We're looking forward to hearing from you and aim to solve any problems as soon as we can.
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