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Do everything you can to avoid Randall Smith's Class A article: long winded and not helpful in distinguishing the frequent cross-marketing of Class A and cathode biasing. Yes that was actually the first article I read! Although I found it quite useful in explaining the basics I felt it turned into ...

I recommend Success In Electronics by Tom Duncan as a thorough introduction to the basics. I've found it really easy to follow and it provides you with worked examples and test questions to make sure you understand things. I'm currently working on a research project as part of my course at universit...

EDIT: I updated the survey to clarify that it's Class A single ended and Class AB push-pull output stages I'm looking for your thoughts on. Also added "Semi-professional Musician" to the list of options for "what best describes what you do". Thanks to those of you who have contributed so far. I real...

Thanks Randy Bass. That's a great article.

Hi guys, As part of my studies for university I'm conducting a research project on the sonic and measurable differences between Class A and Class AB output classes and single ended vs. push-pull output configurations in valve guitar amplifiers. I was wondering if any of you could spare five minutes ...

I have a Saffire Pro 40. Beside the liquid pres it's essentially the same unit so maybe my opinions will help. First thing I noticed when I set it up is how much better the D/A conversion in this is than in my old Mbox 2. It's not exactly a Prism but it sounds noticeably clearer and less constricted...

Just to give a big +1 to all of the suggestions so far. 57s have a very distinct sound. Quite a characteristic high mid bump and (to my ears anyway) a little scooped in the lower midrange. On paper that's a good start for a guitar recording, and it's fair to say they've been the staple choice for gu...

For live stuff you're probably better off with small diaphragm condensers as they're much more directional than LDCs (tighter polar pattern and therefore less spill). Most common live mics I've seen for overheads are the Shure SM81s, though they're pricey for a pair. I've used the Beyerdynamic Opus ...

Phase issues: yep, the back will have opposite polarity to the front, and of course there will almost certainly be phase differences due to the difference in arrival time at each mic. Any sound guy worth his salt will deal with that though! In my experience most of what you pick up from the back of ...

Just got back from Spain last night! We were staying in a small urbanizacion just outside Marbella and I watched the match in a restaurant on the beach :D Even our peaceful little place went berserk! The atmosphere was phenomenal and it rubbed off on all of us. I was rooting for the Netherlands afte...

amps too dark? get high quality cables, many people are using crappy cables, with long cable runs into the amp. not to mention the ultra chepo patch cables. you invest so much money in the amps, cabs and all the stuff, but a good cable makes always a difference. even if i plug my guitar straight in...

Great win for the Netherlands yesterday! I really hope they go on to win it this year. Such a shame about Ghana.

Alter as much as you can. If you can only use one guitar and one amp, play with the settings on the amp, move the mic slightly and change pickups. Move the amp around the room, play standing on one leg, whatever. You might also try detuning the doubles slightly. You can do this in your DAW afterward...

Lampard's goal wouldn't have changed the fact that our defense had no idea what they were doing. Like I said before - offensively we were probably good enough to win it, but defensively it was a shambles. England have been shite all the way through this World Cup anyway. I'll be rooting for The Neth...