MusicianPort

5 Stomp Boxes That Are Worth Every Penny

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:41:43 +0000

Are you a solo performer/one-man show that wants to add more to their musical arsenal? Maybe you need to have a beat/rhythm accompany you on stage while you perform live. Well, if this is the case, a stomp box might be what you’re looking for. Since you’re here, you probably already have your mindset on getting one, but just in case, let’s talk about what a stomp box is and what it’s used for.

What is a Stomp Box?

Simply put, a stomp box is a simple percussion instrument that many acoustic/solo performers use. It’s a small wooden box that you place underneath your foot and produces a sound that is similar to a bass drum when tapped or stamped on rhythmically. Stomp boxes allow performers, especially those who perform alone, to create a simple rhythm to accompany them.

They usually have a magnetic sensor or a simple piezo transducer inside, allowing for amplification of the sound through a bass amplifier or a PA system.

If you’re thinking of taking your one-man show to the next level, then definitely consider getting one for yourself.

Now that you have a better understanding of what this percussion instrument can do, let’s talk about our list of recommendations for the best stomp box options available. We tried our best to cover a wide range of prices, so we hope you find the right one for yourself. Here’s our list of the 5 best stomp boxes that we recommend you check out.

The 5 Best Stomp Boxes in 2021

1.Meinl MPDS1 Mahogany Stomp Box (Popular Choice)

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Known for their amazing percussion instruments, Meinl makes it onto your list with their beautiful Mahogany analog stomp box. The experience you get with this well-rounded stomp box is well worth it.

Design

Meinl designed this stomp box with solid mahogany and equipped it with a passive piezo pickup that allows for high-quality amplification. You will find that the angle of the mahogany surface helps keep your foot in a natural position. This makes playing it more comfortable while also giving you more control. As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about what kind of footwear you are using while playing this stomp box.

The ultra-sensitive pickup is amazing and does an amazing job at picking up contact when playing. Its analog signal is the central design element of this stomp box. Analog basically means thaall you have to do is plug it into an amp or PA system to amplify the sound.

To top it all off, it’s got a tough rubber grip underneath to help anchor it on any surface.

Sound

Accompanying its nice and slick design is this stomp boxes’ high-quality sound. Meinl’s stomp box produces a deep, punchy kick drum sound. You get the sound and volume of a real bass drum in a smaller and more portable instrument. The sound produced can definitely fill up a venue when accompanied by the right bass amp or PA system. It has a rich bass tone and will have your audiences more engaged with your performance with a pleasant rhythm to follow.

It also comes with 5 additional programmed sounds (cowbell, high hat, tambourine, crash cymbal, and a custom sample of your own sound.)

Summary

Overall, if you’re looking for a good stomp box to start off with that isn’t going to hurt the bank, Meinl has you covered. Its beautiful design, sound quality, and great features make it worth it.

2.Wazinator Classic KSB319 (Unique Design)

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Wazinator makes it onto our list of recommendations with their KSB319 Acoustic stomp box. Made in Australia, this fully professional stomp box has an amazing sound with a unique design. Let’s go into more detail.

Design

This stomp box is beautiful, truly bringing an acoustic vibe that you might be looking for. Like we’ve already mentioned, this stomp box is bigger in size. It’s much wider than others on this list, however, it’s also thin.

The fact that you have a wider stomping surface to work with is nice and comfortable. You don’t have to worry about missing the stomp box while performing live on stage. The quality is top-notch and very durbale, so it can take a beating. To top it all off, it has a rubber bottom that helps it grip onto any surface ensuring that it won’t move around while playing.

Do keep in mind it will take up more space when using it so prepare for that when setting up for a performance/gig.

Sound

The KSB319 is an analog acoustic stomp box, allowing you to enhance the sound with the use of an amplifier or PA system. It produces a nice timber tone that sounds amazing with an acoustic guitar/set-up. The bass is deep while sounding thumpy, but accompanies your acoustic performances with a foundational beat to follow.

It’s also dynamic, meaning the harder you hit it, the louder the thud of the bass is and vice versa. Incorporating a threshold sensitivity feature gives you more control of how you want your bass to sound.

Summary

This is one of the higher-end stomp box options on our list, but you definitely get your money’s worth. The people who created the Wazinator brand are very passionate about their crafts which shows in their craftsmanship of this stomp box. If you have a higher budget, I highly recommend the KSB319 from Wazinator.

Roland SPD-1K Electronic Drum Pad (Most Versatile)

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Roland makes it onto our list with their SPD-1K Percussion Electronic Drum Pad. It makes adding beats and kick drums to your performance as simple as possible. You get so many features such as 22 realistic onboard percussion sounds, the ability to import your own original audio, and more!

Design

This digital percussion pad/stomp box has a nice clean design, built to be portable and durable. The SPD-1K is ready to be taken on the road. Its body has a metal construction, making it very durable. Somehow though, it remains lightweight. You will find it easy to fit in with any set-up thanks to its compact size.

Roland designed this electronic drum pad to be played like a stomp box (placed on the floor) however, you can also use drum sticks or your hands. There’s a mounting adapter that’s included that allows you to easily clamp the pad to any tabletop. This drum pad can run on 4 AA batteries or with the AC adaptor.

Drummers and percussionists love the solid feel and natural rebound the SPD-1K has. You can confidently stomp on this drum pad without the worry of breaking it.

Sound

Like we mentioned earlier, the SPD-1K comes with 22 onboard sounds that can be further adjusted using the effects knobs on the drum pad. This instrument reminds me of the effects pedals that many guitarists use to enhance their sound since there are so many things to play with.

You can take this even further with the 12 available internal sound banks. With these sounds banks, you can add your own audio/sounds. This gives you, even more, to work with while performing. Some sounds you will find include kick drums like a normal stomp box, shakers, cowbells, and more!

Another great feature is the ability to adjust the sensitivity and trigger threshold setting of your drum pad very easily using the dials. You get more control over your entire playing experience allowing you to create the bass sound that you want.

Summary

We love Roland’s electronic drum pad and find it best for those who are looking for more out of their stomp box. While the SPD-1K isn’t an acoustic stomp box, the number of effects and features you get truly enhance the value of this drum pad. It’s a fun instrument to mess around with and having so much control in its sound is a big plus. It is a little pricier than other options, however, the experience you get is well worth it!

Wazinator Dropkick KSB883(Easy Set-Up)

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Another great professional stomp box from the Australian company, Wazinator. The KSB883 produces a nice bass tone with an easy set-up that doesn’t require any EQ. Overall a great stomp box that many use for professional gigs and performances. Now let’s talk about it in more detail.

Design

The KSB883 is the first aluminum die-cast stomp box. It has an ergonomic design, prioritizing comfort while playing. Your ankle naturally pivots on the lower curve of the stomp box, ensuring that you are comfortable during your performances. It has a solid Tasmanian Oak impact bar that helps produce a nice timber tone.

It has a different pick-up system from the classic KSB 319. The KSB883 has a vibration-activated pick-up system that needs movement to generate a tone. It has rubber feet on the bottom that acts as a suspension system that bounces when stomped on. This helps create the sound.

Sound

You will find that the sound on this stomp box is more immediate and punchy when compared to Wazinator’s classic KSB319. The low-mids are more amplified and sound better when used with smaller systems/bass amplifiers. Like we already mentioned, you don’t need to EQ to get a nice sounding tone. This makes the KSB883 very convenient to work with.

It definitely sounds like a real kick drum and brings so much to your performances.

Summary

Wazinator has done it again with their amazing Dropkick KSB883 stomp box. It’s very comfortable to play with so you won’t have to worry about tiring out during those long gigs. They’re super fun to play with and like all Wazinator products, it’s comforting to know that they are passionate about all of the instruments they create.

SX SBX II Stomp Box (Budget Option)

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Now if you’re in the market for more of a budget stomp box that is much cheaper than the options we have already discussed, the SX SBX II is the choice for you. You’ll save a lot of money while also having a quality stomp box that gets the job done and more! Let’s go into more detail on why you should consider checking this out.

Design

This is a well-designed budget stomp box that is solid and ergonomic. It does an excellent job at staying put while playing and stays comfortable for those longer sessions. The SX SBX II has a simple clean design and can even plug directly into a bass amp or PA system.

Sound

If there’s one thing that this stomp box can do, it’s getting the job done at a much more affordable price. It produces a nice bassy thump that sounds great even without any EQ adjustments. While it is possible to enhance the tone of this stomp box if you mess around enough with the EQ, the fact that you don’t have to is assuring.

This option is more catered towards beginners who are looking for an entry-level stomp box, so the fact that you don’t have to worry about EQ is wonderful. Overall, you get a deep sound that will definitely bring your acoustic performances to the next level.

Summary

For a budget stomp box, we have to admit that we are very impressed with the quality of the SX SBX. Design is simple and clean with a nice sound that is expected from a stomp box. We’re actually quite surprised that you get so much value at this price.

This is definitely for those who are beginners and don’t want to commit too much money into a stomp box. Also, people who don’t plan to incorporate stomp boxes often in their performances have been purchasing this for specific situations that require it. It is good to keep in mind that you do get what you pay for in terms of quality when it comes to any musical instrument/purchase. This rule applies to stomp boxes too. Still, we recommend you check this out as a reliable budget stomp box option.

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it! Our list of the 5 best stomp box options available. Again, we tried to cover a wide range of needs that you might be looking for when shopping for this instrument. Stomp boxes definitely have the potential to bring your solo performances to the next level so we highly recommend you get one for yourself. They’re reliable and sound nice when incorporated with your music. We hope this list has helped you out and best of luck in all of your future musical endeavors! Have fun!

Article Thumbnail photo by:

Ovation72, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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The 5 Best Travel Ukuleles to Take on your Adventures

Sat, 22 May 2021 22:51:33 +0000

I almost never leave home without a ukulele as it’s the perfect instrument to travel with. When it comes to finding the best travel ukulele for your needs, I’m here to help with my favorite recommendations. Before we go straight into our list, let’s go over the important factors we considered for each ukulele we have in our list.

Portable Size

Of course, size and portability will be one of our primary focuses as we look for the best travel ukulele. Travel ukes are best when they’re easy to move around with, not taking a lot of space. You should also consider your comfort with playing the instrument. People with bigger hands are gonna want to stay away from smaller ukuleles and vice versa.

Reasonable Price

While you can always shell out a lot of money for a higher-end instrument, we made sure to only include reasonably priced travel ukuleles in our list. Each ukulele we recommend covers a good range of different prices while also not trying to break the bank.

Overall Quality

The most important thing we considered is the overall quality of the travel ukuleles on our list. We wanted to make sure that each instrument we recommend is great for ukulele players of any skill level. Since these are ukuleles you plan to travel with, quality is going to play a big role as you don’t want your instrument to break when constantly moving it around.

Enya Nova U Carbon Fiber Travel Ukulele

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Probably my favorite travel ukulele on the list, Enya’s Nova U Concert Ukulele is everything you will need and more. This unique ukulele is so much fun to play with and we love the sound that it produces.

Design (Carbon Fiber?)

Enya did something that made me hesitant at first, having this ukulele made entirely out of their new acoustic carbon fiber material. My initial thought is that this ukulele had no way of sounding better than their wood counterparts, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Since it’s made out of Carbon Fiber, the ukulele is super lightweight, weighing around 1.25lbs. Its thin body (2 inches) makes it even easier to travel with. I find myself bringing it out to play in any situation because of how convenient it is.

This instrument has a side soundhole design that allows for better self-resonance for the person playing, while still producing enough sound to fill a room.

The Nova U is very light and comfortable to play and its nice and smooth design is pleasant to look at.

It’s also a waterproof ukulele, as long as you don’t purchase the version with the plug-in.

Sound

The sound of this ukulele is much brighter when compared to wooden ukuleles. Like we mentioned earlier, the side soundhole design makes the playing experience much better as the sound is directed towards the player. At first, it took some time to get used to, but the sound Nova U produces is pleasant. One of the best-sounding ukuleles I’ve owned so far.

I personally have the Nova U travel ukulele with the built-in plug-in, something to keep in mind if you have some extra money. There’s a built-in amp within this version of the Nova U that allows you to play with an amplified sound. You can also use added effects with the built-in amp such as Reverb and Delay.

Summary

Enya’s Nova U Concert Travel Ukulele is a fun instrument to own. The portability of this instrument, its unique design, amazing sound, and everything else comes together into making an amazing experience for players of any skill level. After owning many ukuleles throughout my career, I have to say the Nova U is my current favorite and I haven’t put it down since getting it.

I love the look of this ukulele, resembling an electric guitar but smaller. The all-black design is nice and smooth, however, there are many colors to choose from.

The version with the electric plug-in and built-in amp is also well worth it. As a recording artist who primarily plays the ukulele, the Nova U has made it much easier for me during my studio sessions. I can plug it directly into my audio interface and get straight into recording.

Overall, an excellent choice for anyone who’s looking to buy a good travel ukulele.

Deviser Concert Ukulele

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Deviser does an excellent job at making a good travel ukulele with a cutaway thin body design. This entire travel ukulele bundle is also great for beginner players as it comes with everything you need straight out of the box. Now let’s go into more detail on why we recommend this travel uke to those in the market for one.

Design

We love the design of this ukulele. Deviser did an excellent job at thinning down the size of their ukulele without sacrificing any quality of the sound overall experience playing the instrument. Details on the body of this ukulele are beautiful. The fret markers truly stand out making it easier for beginners to pinpoint where they are on the fretboard. Tuning pegs are arranged on this uke resembling electric guitars.

Because of its cutaway design, this ukulele is lightweight, easy to handle, and makes it much easier to reach higher frets. This allows even beginner players to play songs that require you to be higher on the fretboard. This uke also has an armrest design making for even more comfortable playing.

The only thing I didn’t really like personally was the trim of the ukulele, but this is just a minor thing to pick at when everything else is already great. To top this all off, it has a smooth glossy finish making this uke shine.

Sound

This travel ukulele does an excellent job at projecting a nice beautiful sound. While many ukuleles come with generic cheap strings, Deviser strung this travel ukulele with high-quality D’Addario strings. The overall sound is very nice, bright, and pleasant to the ear, however, some found it not as full as other ukuleles. Still, there are many people who enjoy playing it and find it fits their needs.

Good Value (Travel Bundle)

Deviser gives you a lot for this travel ukulele bundle. As we said, it comes with everything you need making this a great choice for beginner players and first-time buyers. It comes with a nice padded gig bag that will help keep it safe while traveling. A polishing cloth to keep your uke looking nice. It also comes with a ukulele strap for even easier playing and a tuner to keep your instrument tuned. A great value that’s definitely well worth it.

Summary

Overall, Deviser put together an amazing travel ukulele bundle that seems to be geared towards beginners and first-time buyers. We really love the design of this uke as it makes for easier playing and comfort. The gloss finish also makes this instrument shine, which will definitely attract some attention. Again, we do have to mention that the sound might not be the fullest in comparison to others on the list, however, we still believe that this travel ukulele bundle is worth checking out.

ammoon 23 in/inch Uke Acoustic Concert Ukulele (Most Unique)

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If you’re looking for a travel ukulele with a fun unique design, look no further because Ammoon’s compact-sized mahogany uke is an excellent choice for you. Definitely, a very different travel ukulele when compared to the other options on our list of recommendations.

Design

Ammoon’s travel ukulele has a creative bottle-shaped design that’s compact in size, making it very portable and lightweight. An ideal instrument for travel use. This ukulele is made of high-quality mahogany solid wood with beautiful craftsmanship.

The fretboard has a musical scale carved into it marking all the notes while the backboard is carved with a chart containing 36 chords. (All the Majors, Minors, and more) An excellent addition that makes it easier for beginner players to learn quickly. Also, this ukulele is especially good for players with smaller hands.

Sound

This ukulele has a nice sound that’s soft to the ears. The tone is very lovely, however, keep in mind that the volume won’t be as loud as a “standard ukulele.” Other than that, we love the tone that this travel uke produces and the softer volume might be something you’re looking for if you’re still in the beginning stages of your ukulele career. (Some beginner players prefer softer instruments when they’re just starting out.)

Here’s a great video showcasing this ukulele created by Quincy Music on YouTube:

Summary

Overall, this travel ukulele from Ammoon is a fun addition to our list of recommendations. A great choice for new players and those with smaller hands looking for a uke to travel with.

We love seeing the notes and chords engraved onto the fretboard and backboard. They pull this design off well without making the engraves look too overwhelming.

It also comes with a nice travel bag to keep your ukulele safe. If you don’t have a problem with the lower volume and unique compact design, definitely consider buying this travel uke.

LAVA U Carbon Fiber Ukulele

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If you’re looking for a more premium travel ukulele, the LAVA U carbon fiber uke is a great option. Similar to the Nova U by Enya, the LAVA U is a travel ukulele that comes with effects, a wide range of colors, and has a non-traditional uke design. While this is priced higher in comparison to the other options on our list, let’s go into more detail on why you should still consider checking out the LAVA U.

Design

First thing’s first, this ukulele’s design is very unique. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ukulele like this before. It’s made out of carbon fiber, allowing it to be adaptable to cold temperatures as low as -4°F, and hot temperatures as high as 140°F. This truly makes the LAVA U a one-of-a-kind travel ukulele that stands out from the crowd.

There are some people who found it difficult to hold the ukulele due to its rounded back design, however, for many the experience is enjoyable. The neck of the ukulele feels really nice while playing, making it comfortable for you hands during your sessions.

Sound

Just like the NOVA U with a built-in plug-in, you can play this ukulele with effects such as reverb, delay, and chorus without an amplifier. You can still play this uke acoustically if you choose to. The tone of this ukulele is very beautiful with a good level of volume. It’s not going to be as loud as a traditional wooden ukulele, however, the ability to withstand a wider variety of environments makes up for it.

Since it does have a built-in amplifier, if you want a louder sound, you can always turn it on while you play. You also don’t have to go through the hassle of changing batteries as the LAVA U has a rechargeable battery and charging cable.

Overall the sound of the LAVA U travel ukulele is clear and clean.

Summary

As the highest-priced travel ukulele on our list, we have to say that the LAVA U does an excellent job at providing a premium experience to ukulele players of all skill levels. The design is unique enough to catch even a seasoned ukulele player’s attention. Being able to switch on the built-in amp at any given time while play is also a fun luxury to have. If you’re trying to be quiet while playing you can always leave it off, but if you want to be loud and proud, switch that power on.

This is the definition of what a travel ukulele should be. Portable, capable of adapting to different environments, and fun to play. It also comes with a space-age designed case, specifically made for the LAVA U travel ukulele. If you have the extra money to buy this premium travel uke, we highly recommend it.

Kmise Travel Ukulele Zebra Ukulele

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The Zebra travel ukulele from Kmise is an excellent budget option for those who are trying to save money. Many are surprised by the overall quality and performance that this budget travel uke has to offer. Let’s go into more detail.

Design

This 26-inch ukulele has a thin body and 18 frets to work with. It’s light in weight but has a durable build quality (solid mahogany) making it great for traveling. The satin finish protects the ukulele while also allowing the sound to resonate more. Players will also find that the fingerboard is smooth, making it easier to hold this uke and more comfortable to play.

Kmise equipped their Zebra ukulele with high-quality Aquila strings, known for their durability and long sustain.

Sound

For a budget option, it’s very surprising to hear such amazing sound quality from this ukulele. There are even some customers who talked about how the sound comes close to their higher-end ukuleles. It has an excellent tone and sustains well. We’re very impressed with what this affordable travel ukulele is capable of doing. The sound is full and the volume range is wide.

Summary

Overall, the Zebra travel ukulele from Kmise is an amazing choice for someone who wants to save money. Even though they’re saving money with this budget option, the amount of value you get from this surprisingly high-quality travel uke is incredible. Definitely consider buying this ukulele if you’re a beginner or first-time buyer who’s just getting started. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Final Thoughts

When traveling around the world or staying at home, every ukulele we recommend in our list will provide you with a wonderful playing experience. We tried our best to have something for a wider variety of people with different wants, needs, and budgets. Have fun playing and safe travels!

Live Streaming for Musicians and Artists (Ultimate Guide)

Sat, 24 Apr 2021 10:58:20 +0000

Live streaming on platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook has become a prominent form of entertainment for many people, especially after what’s been happening around the world this past year. Since you’re here, you might be wondering, is live streaming for musicians and music artists too? Is it worth dedicating time to it? Well to give you a short answer, yes it definitely is!

More and more creators of different genres of entertainment are diving into the realm of streaming, musicians and music artists included. Even Twitch, the streaming platform with most of the market share at the moment in the space, has a category/channel for musicians and artists, and people who are looking to watch these types of streams.

Think of it like you’re giving a virtual concert to anyone who is watching your stream. The opportunity is there, but there is a bunch of things you need to learn when it comes to setting up your live streaming channels. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here’s our ultimate live streaming for musicians and artist guide for 2021.

Why Musicians and Artist Should Live Stream

Build a Community Around Your Music

Live streaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook can be used to build up the connection you have with your listeners. Your audience gets more of a personal experience when watching your live stream. Unlike watching a video of yours or listening to your song on music streaming platforms like Spotify, a live stream is more engaging.

Fans and viewers can literally talk to you live as you perform and stream for them. As humans, we all long for connections with others, so being able to connect with an artist that they enjoy listening to on this type of personal level is so amazing, even for the artist themselves. You’ll start building friendships with viewers which makes them more inclined to support your music and brand.

Bonus Tip: When live streaming on platforms like Twitch, it’s very important to engage with your chat. The chat is where you see everyone talking and sending messages for you to read while you are live. The better you get at responding to people talking in chat, the more engaging your live streams will be. Overall, this leads to more concurrent viewers who are active during your streams.

Grow Your Brand as an Artist

As I already mentioned earlier, you’re going to need to grow your brand as an artist, the person, and the name behind the music. Live streaming on platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, even Facebook are great for this purpose because it gives you the opportunity to connect to your fans on a personal level.

Unlike touring and doing live performances on stage, streaming reveals a different side of you as an artist. You’ll most likely be streaming from the comfort of your own room at times, bringing your fans, both old and new into your space. You can do live performances on stream or even utilize this time streaming to chat with your fans.

Show everyone who enjoys listening to your music that you’re a real person too. This allows you to be more relatable to your fans, a very important factor nowadays as we tend to gravitate towards artists to who we can relate.

You give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at who you are as an artist and as a person. Don’t overlook the importance of building these relationships with your audience, especially in the early stages of your music career.

Potentially Reach More People (Twitch Being an Exception)

While people can argue that Twitch (the streaming platform of choice for many) isn’t a very “discoverable” platform to start with, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it.

What I’ve learned is that in order for you to grow your following on live streaming platforms like Twitch, you’re gonna need to bring viewers from somewhere else (YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and more!)

This will help you increase your viewer count while you stream live on Twitch, which can bump you higher in “watch categories” and potentially getting picked up by the recommendation algorithm implemented on the platform. This is why I say you can potentially reach new listeners, just keep in mind that you’re going to need to grow on more discoverable platforms (TikTok and YouTube) and slowly migrate your followers to your live streams.

YouTube on the other hand is a very discoverable platform so I highly recommend utilizing it for your live streams too. Your best bet is to multistream to multiple streaming platforms at the same time which is easily done with software like StreamLabs OBS. This brings us to our next topic, the benefits of multistreaming.

Multistreaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook

Like we already said, Twitch is known to be the platform of choice for live streaming, but you can’t count out Social Media platform giants such as YouTube and Facebook. These platforms are quickly growing and have a good chance at catching up to Twitch soon.

As live streaming content becomes more mainstream, we will begin to see more platforms coming out rivaling against Twitch.

This all leads to the topic of multistreaming to multiple platforms simultaneously and why it could be the right move for you at this moment.

How to Multistream on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook

There are many ways to multistream utilizing software, but the one I personally use is Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS) Prime. I already stream using SLOBS so I found it easier for me to upgrade to a Prime account to unlock Multistreaming and other features. Do keep in mind that it does cost more to upgrade to Streamlabs OBS Prime, however, for the user-friendly interface of SLOBS and the added features, I found it all worth it.

Benefits to Multistreaming

Reach a Wider Audience

One of the biggest benefits of multistreaming is the ability to reach more people, potentially having more viewers concurrently watching your live stream. For me personally, at this moment, I found that about 60% of my viewers during my live streams are on Twitch while 40% of them are on YouTube and Facebook.

Right now, Twitch is known to be the place to go for live content. Like I mentioned earlier, other platforms are starting to catch up. Viewers in chat have expressed their thoughts on why they prefer YouTube over Twitch, so keep that in mind before making a decision to go exclusive on one platform.

Ever since I started multistreaming, I have found that my overall stream has grown a significant amount. Both my Twitch and YouTube channels have been growing consistently in followers and concurrent viewers. It’s still too early to tell which platform I’m going to prioritize in the future, but for now, I’ll continue to keep having fun with the multistream.

Experiment to see Which Platform is Best for You

The reason I started multistreaming was to see which platform would be best for me. While the majority of streamers tend to lean towards Twitch as their primary live streaming platform, I didn’t want to discount YouTube and Facebook yet. Musicians and artists who plan to use live streaming as a way to grow their brand and connect with their audience are different from the typical “gaming streamers” which is the majority in this space.

Use multistreaming to find the platform you enjoy streaming on most. If you already have a following on YouTube, you might even find it best to live stream there as opposed to Twitch and Facebook. When you’re just starting out, don’t limit yourself and try to be as spread out as possible. Once you find that one platform is working better than others, that’s when you can begin to double down your efforts on whichever one it is.

Not Having All Your Eggs in One Basket

Something to keep in mind as you continue to grow your brand on social media platforms, Twitch and YouTube included, is to be well spread out with your content. The worst thing to happen is losing everything you’ve built because of the closure of your account on a platform.

Multistreaming allows you to potentially build more than one platform at the same time. This is the best way to build your brand as an artist on Social Media and live streaming platforms, to ensure longevity in the future.

What Types of Streams Should You Do?

Music Performances

Like I already mentioned, you can set up a stream to be like a virtual concert. Whether it’s just playing some tunes while having the stream on, or organizing an entirely virtual event, make it fun and personal for your viewers.

Unlike concerts in the public, you have more of a chance of engaging with your audience in chat, even answer questions that they may ask in real-time. All of this at the same time as performing your music.

Keep in, the best part of watching a live stream is feeling the personal connection with the streamer. Don’t worry about having to make it a super high-budget virtual concert. Your main goal is to show your viewers a new side of the person who’s making the music they enjoy listening to.

Just Chatting

Just chatting streams are very fun, stress-free, and are great for having engaging conversations with your supportive fans and viewers. These types of streams are also good if you’re trying to promote a new project and even build more rapport with your fanbase.

Gaming?

The majority of the live streams online consists of people playing their favorite video games. The gaming community has its own culture that has grown alongside the streaming community. Gaming and streaming over the years have developed an online culture. I would only recommend you play games on stream if you’re a music artist who enjoys playing them. You don’t want to try and force yourself to play as you won’t enjoy your time and your viewers can pick up on that.

They will see it as disingenuine, turning them off from your stream and potentially your brand as a music artist.

Final Thoughts

As the world of Live Streaming continues to grow, more and more music artists are joining the fun, utilizing Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook to build their overall brand. Do keep in mind that streaming does have a learning curve that can be overwhelming to those who have no experience with it.

Just keep at it as the payoffs can be worth it in the end and you might find yourself enjoying the process of live streaming. If you have any questions you would like to ask, send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll try to help you!

Good luck and have fun streaming!

The post Live Streaming for Musicians and Artists (Ultimate Guide) appeared first on MusicianPort.

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Maono’s AU-HD300 Dynamic Microphone Early Review

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 00:37:11 +0000

Last updated on March 11th, 2021 at 03:35 am

To start off, I want to personally thank Maono for sending me their AU-HD300 Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone before their release to try it out for myself. My first impression of the microphone is that I liked its portable design. The all-black style of this dynamic microphone is nice and looks good with my entire home recording studio set-up. It also feels durable and made with high-quality materials.

The Specs

Maono sent me their “Desktop Stand Bundle” which comes with the AU-HD300 microphone, a desktop stand with an accompanying pop filter, USB-A to USB- C cable, and an XLR cable.

Dyanmic Microphone

The AU-HD300 is one of Maono’s newest dynamic microphones. These types of mics are often seen being used by singers and speakers on stage, however, it seems to me that Maono put this bundle for the target audience of people putting together a home studio. Just like most dynamic microphones, the AU-HD300 has a simple design, but still feels durable at the same time. In my hand, it feels light with more of the weight towards the center of the body.

Dynamic mics are known to be great for recording louder noises thanks to their capabilities of withstanding higher sound pressure levels. While this can be great for recording or capturing sounds in a louder environment, this might not be ideal if you’re trying to capture vocals in a studio. They aren’t the best for capturing the intricacies of sounds, something you need to consider especially if you plan to record high-quality vocals for songs.

Cardioid Polar Pattern

This microphone features a Cardioid Polar pattern, meaning that it has a high sensitivity to sound coming in from directly in front of it. They also pick up sound from the side of the microphones, but to a lesser extent. Cardioid mics do an excellent job at keeping out background noise from your recordings. You will find these microphones are great for recording an individual person or instrument.

The frequency response of this microphone is between 40Hz-17kHz with a sample rate of 44.1/48kHz; 16 bit.

Slick Design

Like we mentioned earlier, this microphone has a nice slick all-black design that compliments anyone’s recording set-up. It’s got a nice base to keep it stable on your desk while recording and a small pop filter that helps deal with plosives.

The shock mount helps suspend the microphone while it’s connected to the stand, helping reduce unwanted noises from being captured. It’s also designed to have the power switch and volume control buttons easily accessible for users.

I definitely think Maono did an excellent job with the overall design of this microphone and its desktop set-up.

Very convenient

One of my favorite parts about using this microphone is the ease of set-up. All I have to do is bring it out, connect it to my audio interface, and I’m good to go. It doesn’t take much space on my desk, and it’s super easy to move around. I sometimes find myself wanting to use this microphone more in situations where I only need to record a couple of takes of audio.

You have two options when it comes to connecting this microphone to your computer. First, we have the most convenient method, using the USB-C cable to connect directly to your computer’s USB input.

The second option is to connect the microphone with an XLR cable and audio interface. If you don’t already own an audio interface, check out our budget audio interface guide for more information. If you want the best sound quality from the AU-HD300 microphone, I highly recommend utilizing the XLR cable over the USB connection. Now, if you’re on a tighter budget, the USB-Type C connections will work fine and allow you to record straight to your computer.

An example of this is when I record voiceovers for videos that I make. I don’t have to go through the hassle of setting up my audio interface. All I have to do is grab my USB cable and record without having to leave the comfort of my chair.

Sound Quality is Surprisingly Good

I found that the sound quality was surprisingly good especially for a dynamic microphone at this price range. The timing of having this microphone was perfect too as I had just recently started dabbling in the streaming space on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. After a couple of sessions utilizing the mic for a variety of situations (voiceovers, singing/music recordings, and talking to people online, I found the Au-HD300 sufficient in getting the job done.

It’s not as sensitive as my condenser microphones, however, with the right amount of gain, the audio is crisp and great to work with. During a couple of online streams, I used this microphone to perform vocals or instruments with confidence that the sound wouldn’t clip.

I especially enjoyed using this microphone when performing on stream, giving the similar feel of performing on stage with a dynamic mic.

The Best Uses for this Microphone

Music Instruments and Performances

The AU-HD300 microphone is great for recording musical instruments. I have personally done some recording with my acoustic guitars and ukuleles. It did an excellent job at capturing the music I was playing while at the same time keeping background noise to a minimum.

Unlike my condenser microphones, I don’t have to worry too much about subtle unwanted sounds being picked up by the AU-HD300. After mixing down my recordings I am left with high-quality sound that was all captured by this microphone.

Voice Overs

I loved using this microphone when recording voiceovers. It’s convenient to use since Maono designed this package/set-up to easily fit on your desk. As a content creator who does voiceovers of a variety of different characters, the ease of use and quality of the audio made me excited to record on the spot. It’s easy to set up the microphone and start recording.

Recording Vocals/Streaming

Like we mentioned earlier, recording vocals are great with this microphone. I find myself worrying less about my audio clipping while recording, giving me the opportunity to experiment with a wide range of vocals. When it comes to streaming, whether it was on Twitch or YouTube, I did enjoy using the AU-HD300, however, I wouldn’t have it replace my condenser microphone set-up.

While it won’t be my primary mic for streaming any time soon, I do find it useful for the times I do “streaming concerts” for my audience. I can play my instruments and sing more freely, worrying less about my sound distorting and clipping. I also like grasping it in my hands while performing on stream, something you normally wouldn’t do with a condenser mic.

The Cons of this Microphone

The Pop Filter

Don’t get me wrong, the pop filter included did its job well when it comes to handling plosives. What I didn’t like about it is how it is set up with the overall stand. In my experience I found it a bit shaking and loose, finding myself constantly readjusting it whenever I moved it around.

Of course with the proper adjustments, you can get the pop filter at an alright distance from the microphone, but in my opinion, you’re better off buying a separate pop filter to use with this mic if you run into the same issues I was running into. Do keep in mind, you absolutely need to use a pop filter with this microphone as the plosives will sound harsh in your recordings without one.

Audio Recording Tests

Keep in mind that each audio recording is raw with nothing done in post. The only difference between each take is the amount of gain I used for the recording. Each testing section has audio recorded with gain at 50%, 75%, and 100%. I used the Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface instead of the USB-Type C connections to record these results.

The Results:

What I found was that a good sweet spot when it comes to the gain of this microphone is around 75%to 90%. At 50% gain, the recording was very soft. While you can bring the volume up in post, it might be easier to just record at a higher gain level in the first place. At 100% gain, the recordings come out too loud. You can also hear more background noise coming from external factors such as your computer, the fan, and other things in your room/studio.

At 75% gain, I found that the audio quality was loud enough to work with, but at the same time not capturing any unwanted external background noise. Do keep in mind that results may vary from set-up to set-up, so prepare to adjust settings accordingly to your needs.

Now let’s take a look at the results.

Voice Over Testing

I started off the testing of this microphone with some voiceovers.

Voice Over with 50% Gain

Voice Over with 75% Gain

Voice Over with 100% Gain

Vocals Testing (Singing)

Singing Test with 50% Gain

Singing Test with 75% Gain

Singing Test with 100% Gain

Guitar Testing

Guitar Test with 50% Gain

Guitar Test with 75% Gain

Guitar Test with 100% Gain

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’m highly impressed at how good of a job the AU-HD300 does as a “studio dynamic microphone.” Maono did an amazing job at having a high-quality mic at a nice affordable price tag. I definitely recommend this to anyone who plans to record musical instruments and even vocals inside the comfort of their own room/home studio.

While the USB connectivity is convenient, for the highest quality sound possible, always go with the XLR to audio interface connectivity. If you only plan to do some light recording like voiceovers for YouTube videos and other types of content, USB will be fine.

Check Price on Maono's Website

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The post Maono’s AU-HD300 Dynamic Microphone Early Review appeared first on MusicianPort.

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How to Upload Music to Spotify (Easy/Affordable Way) 2021

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 06:15:07 +0000

In the current year of 2021, it has never been easier to become an independent music artist. The music landscape has definitely changed thanks to advancements in technology and the internet. This is why it’s important for a growing artist to have their music on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s the easiest method on how to upload music to Spotify and Apple Music that any aspiring independent artist can afford.

For all of my music uploading needs, I utilize a distribution service called, “DistroKid.”

Click the image below to be redirected to the DistroKid Website and get 7% off your first year.

Why You Need a Music distribution Service:

Before we talk about DistroKid and its amazing features, let’s first discuss why you’re going to need this type of service in the first place. Unlike free streaming platforms such as SoundCloud and YouTube, you’ll need a distributor to submit your music to Spotify, Apple Music, online radios, and stores (iTunes, Amazon, Google Play.) The thing to keep in mind is that you’re going to have to pay for one of these music distribution services, so be ready to invest if you want to take the next step in growing as an independent music artist.

With that in mind, however, this does allow you to get your music on these streaming platforms and gives you the opportunity to get paid for all of your streams.

You can monetize your music on Soundcloud and YouTube, but you’re going to have to qualify for their monetization programs (SoundCloud Premier/YouTube Partner Program). These programs require you to reach certain criteria that we’ll discuss in another article. Now, let’s talk about DistroKid.

What is DistroKid?

In the easiest way to understand, DistroKid basically acts as a middleman for you and online music stores. They will distribute your music and handle any type of licensing requirements. Like we mentioned earlier, you can’t just make a Spotify Artist account and start uploading your music. It’s gonna look like this:

This allows you to focus on making your music while DistroKid handles the technical side of music distribution. You can remain independent as an artist and keep more of your earnings too.

Pros of Choosing DistroKid Over Other Music Distribution Services

The Price

There are other music distribution services available such as Tunecore, Ditto, and CD Baby, however, the reason we choose DistroKid over them is what you get for the price. Distribution services like the ones we mentioned are much pricier as you often have to pay per song/album upload when using them.

DistroKid on the other hand, starting at its most affordable option is an annual fee of $20 for unlimited single/album uploads for the entire year. Keep in mind that this fee only covers one artist. You will find that other services charge you around $10 per single upload and up to $30 dollars for an entire album. If you’re just getting started with your music, that money can go a long way.

User-Friendly Interface

Another reason why I went with DistroKid is the easy-to-use interface. The interface is simple and clean, making it accessible to anyone. To get started, all you have to do is sign up and start uploading.

When I was signed up with DistroKid, I was blown away by how easy it was to navigate around. You literally tap on the upload button, fill out the information of your song, upload your audio file and album cover art, and you’re good to go!

It will take some time to distribute your music to every platform and online store, however, the good thing is that Spotify and Apple Music will receive your songs relatively fast. This is perfect for us since those platforms are our primary target for our music.

Navigation Tabs

DistroKid’s navigation tabs are very easy to follow. You have the “Upload tab” to start distributing your music anytime. The “My Music Tab” to keep track of all of your uploaded songs and albums. Up next you have the “Teams tab”, allowing you to set up automated payments when collaborating with other artists, musicians, and producers. The “Stats tab” shows you valuable information on how your songs are performing. After that, you have the “Bank tab”, so you can keep track of all your earnings.

There is a “More tab” that has more great features that we’ll talk about in the next section.

Helpful Features for Growth

There are a lot of great features that DistroKid provides that helps independent music artists grow. I personally use them whenever I release any new songs. What I love most about them, is that they’re very easy to utilize and are great for promoting your songs. Let’s talk about them.

HyperFollow Landing Pages

Probably one of my favorite features that DistroKid offers is the ability to make landing pages for your songs. This allows you easily set up a page that has a link to pre-save your new music onto Spotify as well as links to your other Social Media and streaming platforms. This also allows users to follow your artist page on Spotify. With landing pages, you can use them to promote your songs before they release and build hype with your fans.

When songs are pre-saved, on the day of release, your song will automatically add to their playlist. This helps give you a boost in streams from the get-go, giving you more opportunities for the algorithm to pick up your new song.

Promo Cards

Another feature I love using is the free Promo Cards to promote my songs. DistroKid makes it easy to create promo cards that you can post onto your other Social Media platforms. All you have to do is select from a variety of design options and DistroKid does the rest for you. You’ll have a nice-looking promo card to use in a couple of seconds. Take a look at these examples!

Cover Song Licenses

Obtaining a cover license doesn’t have to be difficult. DistroKid makes this process much easier allowing you to upload cover songs onto any streaming platform and online music store. It does cost money to obtain a cover license through DistroKid, but I like knowing that I don’t have to worry about doing all the technical stuff myself.

It cost $12 a year to upload a cover song with all of the proper licensing. An important thing to keep in mind is that it does take a little longer to get your cover songs distributed. If you’re planning to set a release date for your cover, plan ahead of time and upload early.

You Keep All of Your Earnings on DistroKid

Like we mentioned earlier, you earn money for every stream you get on your songs. Unlike many other music distribution services, with DistroKid you keep all of your earnings. Just keep in mind it takes around 3 months to get paid out for your song. All you have to do is link your banking account with your DistroKid profile and your good to go!

Recommended Plan (Musician Plus)

While the “Musician Plan” is the most affordable coming in at $20 per year, the plan we highly recommend is DistroKid’s Musician Plus plan. It is a little more per year, costing you about $36, however, the benefits and features you get are definitely worth the extra $16 you have to pay annually.

This plan covers two artists, but if you’re a solo artist, this won’t matter too much to you. The feature that you’ll definitely pay attention to is the option to set a customizable release date/preorder date for your song’s release. If you plan to promote your songs so they have can have a better chance of having a successful release, being able to set a customizable date for release is going to be important.

You will have time to plan out your promotion strategy and implement it, giving you the opportunity to set your song on a path towards success. There is also a feature of having a customizable label name for your music.

When you check the song details on the platforms you upload to, it will show your label name instead of “DistroKid.” A nice personal feature that adds more uniqueness to your uploads.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Plan Ahead and Upload Your Music Early

DistroKid is an amazing service to get your music out on streaming platforms, however, do plan ahead. Try to upload your music at least one week before your set release date, but I highly recommend giving yourself about a month’s worth of time. This ensures that you can resolve any type of uploading issues that might arise. The main issues that I would be concerned about are delays with stores and streaming platforms, as well as cover licensing delays.

Like we mentioned earlier, it’s also a good idea to give yourself more time to promote your song’s release. The more time you give yourself, the higher chance of you having a successful release.

Realistic Expectations

Set realistic expectations for yourself, especially when it comes to earnings from your streams. You won’t be making a lot of money from just streams alone unless you’re getting a lot of them. Just being able to have your music up on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms is important for any growing artist.

Nowadays, almost everyone listens to their music through online streaming platforms. If you ever want to grow as an independent artist, the first step is having your music out there. Once that’s established you can grow your audience utilizing social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Be creative and always be open to trying new things out when it comes to growing your fanbase.

Consider Purchasing a “Legacy License” for a Song

When uploading a new song using DistroKid, you are given the option to purchase a Legacy License. This is a one-time payment of $30 per single, allowing you to keep your song up on streaming platforms FOREVER without any reoccurring fees. This is a recommended option if a song of yours is gaining a lot of traction. Definitely consider doing this as it may be worth it in the long run.

Final Thoughts

DistroKid has been such a helpful platform when it comes to uploading my music onto streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and more! The reason why I continue using this music distribution service is the convenience, the consistent improvements and added features and the overall ease of use. I hope this article helped you develop a better understanding of what DistroKid and why you should consider using it.

If you click this link here: Get 7% off First Year Using DistroKid

The post How to Upload Music to Spotify (Easy/Affordable Way) 2021 appeared first on MusicianPort.

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The 5 Absolute Best Budget Audio Interfaces in 2021

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 00:21:58 +0000

Nowadays, becoming an independent recording artist is more doable than ever with recording equipment that’s affordable and accessible to a wider range of people. You can put together a basic home recording studio for under $300 that can get the job done. If you’re just getting started, here’s our recommendation guide to find the best budget audio interface, a very important piece of equipment.

But before we get into our list, let’s cover information you should know and things to consider.

What is an Audio Interface?

First of all, what is an audio interface and why do I need one? An audio interface is an essential piece to your recording studio set-up. They enable you to record high-quality audio from your condenser microphones and musical instruments directly into your computer.

They work with your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and gives you control of what you are recording. Just think of audio interfaces as the bridge between your instruments (mics, guitars, etc.) and your computer.

Once you have an audio interface, you’ll be able to plug in microphones, electric guitars, synths, MIDI equipment, studio monitors/headphones, and more! Now that you have an idea of what they are, let’s talk about what you should look for in a budget audio interface.

What to Look For in a Budget Audio Interface

The Price and Features

An important thing to keep in mind is what features you are paying for. Of course, with budget audio interfaces, the features you get are limited, however, you can get everything you need if you shop smart.

Inputs and Outputs

It is better to have multiple inputs as this allows you to plug in more instruments/microphones at once. Do keep in mind that at the lower-price range for audio interfaces, you will usually get one XLR input for condenser microphones and one 1/4 inch input for plug-in instruments.

This is all you really need when you’re just getting started. It’s also the perfect option for solo recording artists/musicians who are trying to save money.

Low Latency Recording

Low latency basically means a minimum delay in the audible time difference from when a signal is recorded and the monitor signal that’s heard.

There are audio interfaces at higher price ranges offer low latency to the point that monitoring plug-in effects in real-time is possible. Of course, you do get what you pay for. We made sure that each option on our list is affordable, but still offer the features you need, low-latency included.

Durability and Portability

The durability and portability of the audio interface is something you need to consider, especially if you plan to move your set-up around. It would be unfortunate to have your device break on you while transporting it around. We made sure that while the options we discuss are lower-priced, they are built to last with high-quality materials.

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, let’s get into our list of the best budget Audio Interfaces available in 2021!

Best Budget Audio Interfaces in 2021

1. Focusrite Scarlett Solo – 3rd Gen – (Our Favorite)

Check Price on Amazon

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface is one of my personal favorites on this list as it comes with everything you’ll need to get started at an affordable price. This audio interface is easy to set up with your system. All you need to do is plug in the USB and you’re good to go. The Solo has a compact, lightweight, and portable design compared to its bigger brother, the Scarlett 2i2.

To get an idea, the Focusrite Solo is best suited for musicians and artists who are doing most of their recordings by themselves in a “home studio” setting.

Having an audio interface that’s highly portable is a game-changer, as I personally move around a lot with my recording equipment. While this is a smaller interface, the quality of its build is still impressive. If you are a singer/musician, rest assured as the Scarlett solo comes with both an XLR input for your microphone and a TRS (1/4 inch) input to plug an instrument into.

Now to get into the technical stuff. On the front panel, you will find the “Air Switch” which is designed to emulate the famous boost in the mid and high-frequency range of the original ISA mic preamps. This feature brings more life into your vocals and enhances audio clarity.

In addition to this Air Switch feature, you get switches for 48-volt phantom power, zero-latency direct monitoring, and a headphone input. Overall, the layout of the front panel is clean and easy to follow.

Overall, I love the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface and it’s my go-to choice for beginners who are just getting started with their home recording studio set-up. You can put your confidence into this interface in getting the job done.

2. PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 2×2 (More Available Inputs)

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PreSonus did an excellent job in providing a great budget audio interface with its Audiobox USB 96. This interface is great for your home studio and built for the road. The Audiobox USB 96 is reliable as it is designed with a heavy-duty steel chassis allowing it to take a serious pounding when transporting it. You can rest assured that it will come out unharmed.

On the front side of this audio interface, you will find that it has two XLR/TRS inputs allowing you to record both vocals and musical instruments at the same. Along with that, you have a 48v phantom power switch, gain controls assigned to each input, volume control for your headphones, and a knob to control the main volume.

Near the center of the front panel, you’ll find the mixer knob. This allows you to control how much you hear from all of the inputs.

This audio interface is capable of handling sample rates up to 96kHz. PreSonus is known for its transparent preamps, making even their budget audio interfaces versatile and clean sounding.

The sound is captured in high-quality and sounds very impressive, especially for a budget audio interface.

Overall, the Audiobox USB from Presonus gets the job done and more! If you’re the type of person who plans to carry around their recording equipment to multiple different locations, the reliability of the Audiobox USB 96 is what you are looking for.

3. M-Audio AIR 192|4 (Unique Design)

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M-Audio makes it onto our list with their AIR 192 audio interface, an excellent choice for solo recording artists/musicians. It has a unique slick design that will fit in with any home recording studio set-up.

On the front side of this interface, you will find an instrument input, a switch to turn phantom power on, as well as a quarter-inch headphone jack. Do keep in mind that the instrument input cannot be switched to a line level input. This means you can’t simultaneously connect the line in and microphone source. The XLR inputs are found on the back panel, allowing you to connect your condenser microphones.

Now on top of the interface, there are knobs to controls the gain of your mic and line combo inputs. There is an LED level meter for both inputs that are great as a reference, however, you’ll most likely be monitoring your levels on your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

In terms of recording performance, the results are outstanding, sound professional, and high quality. The AIR 192|4 does an excellent job at bringing out the best from your microphones, capturing every detail of your vocals. Latency is kept low thanks to its fast hi-speed USB/USC-C connection. Both cables come in the box.

And to top it all of, M-Audio packs this audio interface along with some software to get you started. This includes ProTools: First, Ableton Live Lite, and more.

Overall, a solid choice when it comes to budget audio interfaces. You can feel confident that you are getting high-quality recordings with M-Audios AIR 192 |4 Interface.

4. Steinberg UR12 USB (Impressive Durability)

Check Price on Amazon

Steinberg covers everything you need with their affordable UR12 USB audio interface. First things first, before plugging in the UR12 interface to your PC, make sure to download the drivers. It does come with a CD, but you can also download them on Steinberg’s website.

On the front panel of this interface, you will find both an XLR input for your condenser mics and a 1/4 inch input for musical instruments with their accompanying gain knobs. The output gain knob is also on the front, allowing you to control the gain of your headphones as well as the RCA outputs on the back.

There’s also a direct monitoring switch, which turns the zero-latency monitoring feature on or off. This feature is especially useful for monitoring effects applied to your vocals/instruments in real-time. You will also find a set of four lights, two of them indicating whenever the input signals are clipping.

On the backside, you will find a 5V USB input to connect an external power supply or a mobile battery bank. There is a “power source switch” allowing you to switch between the external power source and the USB 2.0 power. Like we mentioned earlier, the RCA outputs are on the back allowing you to connect directly to powered stereo monitors or an amplifier. And of course, the phantom power switch so you can use your condenser microphones.

This audio interface can record all the way up to 192 kHz with a bit depth of 24bit. Input 1 (XLR) does an excellent job at recording your vocals, however, I do need to note that some have run into clipping issues with input 2. You can always adjust your settings to try and fix those clipping issues and results will vary.

The UR12’s build quality is very impressive. It has an all-aluminum body that looks nice and feels durable.

Overall, the UR12 is a great choice for a budget audio interface, especially if your primary focus will be recording vocals.

5. Moukey USB 3.0 Audio Interface (Most Affordable)

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The most affordable budget audio interface on our list, Moukey’s MSc1. A great entry-level audio interface that has all the basic functions needed to record music in the comfort of your own home.

You’ll find everything you’ll need on the front side of the interface. Just like other options on this list, the MSc1 comes with two inputs, both an XLR and a 1/4 inch input. This allows you to record both vocals and musical instruments. You will also find the headphone jack so you can monitor what you are recording in real-time.

There’s a switch to turn on the phantom power so you can use condenser microphones as well as knobs that allow you to control the gain for both inputs, an output knob, and one dedicated to your headphones.

Personally, I like the design considering its low price. It has a metal casing giving that durable feel. The knobs are made with a sturdy rubber that feels nice to the touch. It’s also portable, great for artists and musicians who plan to record music in multiple locations.

It has a 48kHz-24bit recording formation, but the sound it records is high-definition and pure. Best of all, it’s easy to set up and use. Literally, just plug the USB 3.0 cable and play on both Windows and Mac.

Overall, if you’re looking for an excellent entry-level audio interface that won’t break your bank, definitely consider the MSc1 USB interface from Moukey.

Final Thoughts

We hope our guide helped you find the best budget audio interface to get you started. I made sure to only recommend the best options available within this price range. Putting together a home recording studio doesn’t have to cost you a leg and an arm. As long as you have the equipment to work with, you can get yourself started. Best of luck on all of your recording endeavors!

Starting a Home Recording Studio? (More Articles to Read)

The post The 5 Absolute Best Budget Audio Interfaces in 2021 appeared first on MusicianPort.

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Ukulele VS Guitar (Everything You Need to Know)

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 05:59:07 +0000

Last updated on December 8th, 2020 at 06:09 am

The Ukulele vs the Guitar, string instruments that have many similarities such as design, playing styles, and even the fretboard system. Although these instruments are similar, they are different in many ways. Today, we’re here to discuss with you what those differences are.

This will be especially important for new/first-time musicians who are thinking of picking up one of these instruments. The guitar and the ukulele are both fun instruments to learn that are great places to start when establishing a foundation in music.

Our hope for you after reading through this article is that you will have a better understanding of these two instruments and will be able to make a better decision in which one you want to dedicate time to learning. Remember to keep in mind that you can always learn one or the other later on, so don’t limit yourself to just one instrument. Alright, now before we get into talking about the difference between the ukulele and guitar, we need to go into more detail about what makes them so similar to each other.

The Similarities of These Instruments

Design

These instruments are similar in design with the major distinguishing factor being the size of the body and the number of strings. Guitars and ukuleles share a common shape, amplifying sound with the vibrations of strings being transferred to the soundboard through the bridge.

Both are fretted instruments, each featuring a wooden neck with horizontal frets. These frets are used to alter the sound to different pitches.

Playing Styles

They’re both string instruments that use the same fretboard system, having strings suspended over the neck separated by metal bars known as the frets. You press down your fingers on frets to generate notes while a combination of frets and open strings create chords.

Chords

I will be upfront, playing chords on the ukulele will be easier than the guitar. Ukuleles having a smaller neck and fretboard, allowing players to have an easier time forming chords. You won’t have to worry too much about complex finger placements and since ukuleles commonly use nylon strings, your fingers won’t take as much of a beating.

With that being said, having the two extra strings on the guitar allows the guitarist to have more chord options to work with. On the other hand, the ukulele gives players an easier time, allowing them to play simpler versions of the chords.

Strumming

Strumming patterns are very similar when comparing ukuleles and guitars. An important thing to keep in mind is the usage of picks. While you can use guitar picks with ukuleles, it’s more common to play with just your fingers. On the other hand, you will find more guitarists using picks while they play as metal strings are tougher on your hands.

Strumming a ukulele with just your fingers is easier than doing the same with a guitar. (Nylon Strings vs Metal Strings)

The Difference Between Ukulele and Guitar

Size

When compared, guitars are much bigger than ukuleles. Volume and tone are affected by the size difference of these instruments. It can also make the instrument easier or harder to play. There’s a lot of reasons why the learning curve on the guitar is steeper than the ukulele’s, with one factor being its size.

People with smaller hands will often find it more challenging to play the guitar, which can be a big deciding factor when choosing to learn one of these instruments.

Price

Guitars on average cost more than ukuleles. While of course there are ukuleles that can run up a high price tag, in most cases, they will be lower priced than guitars. While guitars are usually more expensive, this doesn’t discount the quality of good ukuleles.

Sound

In terms of sound for these instruments, the tone is where you will notice the biggest difference. The key factors to this major difference are the types of wood used (Tone will change depending on the wood used) the size of the body, as well as how the instruments are manufactured. So keep in mind the tone of any guitar or ukulele will vary in many ways.

Guitar:

As you strum the strings of a guitar you will notice that its tone is generally louder and brighter. Guitars also pack more bass than their ukulele counterparts. The reason for this is the guitar’s bigger body. This gives the guitar room for a larger pitch range.

Guitars also often use high-tension steel strings (strings with more mass), which help produce a louder tone. As stated in an article written by inside-guitar.com, “. A string with greater mass produces more energy to move the guitar’s soundboard.” Also, many guitar players use a pick while they play, helping them produce even more volume.

Ukulele:

On the other hand, ukuleles have a nice gentle tone and are quieter in comparison to guitars. Its smaller body and lower string tension make the tone of a ukulele softer and mellower.

The biggest difference between the sound of these instruments is the tone. In general, guitars are louder brighter, and have more bass than ukuleles. This is mostly due to the guitar’s bigger body, larger pitch range and high-tension steel strings. Guitars are often played with a pick which produces more volume and brightness. You can play ukuleles with picks, however, most times they are played with just the hands of the player.

Ukuleles have a tone that is treble-focused. People have often described the tone of a ukulele as gentle, sweet, or harp-like.

Guitars with classical nylon strings have a similar tone as a ukulele, however, come equipped with the added volume and bass of a guitar.

Scale Length

The scale length on a guitar and ukulele is the distance between the nut and saddle. Basically, it’s the section of the instrument where the strings vibrate, creating sound.

You will find that the ukulele’s scale is around 25-50% (depending on the type of ukulele) shorter than a guitar’s. Ukulele’s frets are also closer meaning players won’t have to stretch their fingers as far when forming chords.

Closer frets might be ideal for kids and people with smaller hands, making ukuleles great choices for first-time musicians. A good thing to keep in mind is that shorter scaled stringed instruments relate to lower string tension, a topic we’ll get into soon.

Tuning

The standard tuning on concert ukuleles is G-C-E-A in that order while baritone ukuleles have a tuning of D-G-B-E. The standard tuning on a guitar from the lowest string to the highest is E-A-D-G-B-E. As stated by professional ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro on Masterclass.com,

“You can tune a ukulele in fourths, which will mimic the tuning of a guitar. However, a ukulele only has four strings so while it is possible to tune a ukulele this way, it may defeat the purpose of playing ukulele.”

String Tension

The measure of tightness or looseness of the strings on an acoustic instrument. Ukulele string tension is around 7lbs to 13 lbs per string while guitar string tension is around 24lbs to 35lbs per string.

The string tension of guitars is around 3 times of the ukulele. Instruments with higher string tension are usually louder and brighter sounding, however, this tension makes them harder to play. Lower tension instruments are easier to play but are softer in volume.

Which Should You Play? (Things to Consider)

Price

An important factor to consider before deciding on an instrument is the price. While you can find budget-friendly guitars, on average, ukuleles will usually be lower priced. There are expensive options for both instruments, however, you will find it easier to find good quality ukuleles that are affordable to more people.

If the price is an important factor in your decision, then I definitely recommend you check out ukuleles as it’s easy to find fairly priced beginner ukulele bundles. You can find guitar bundles as well, however, be prepared to spend more money.

Versatility

Guitars will have more versatility than the ukulele, that’s a given. With a guitar, you have a lot more room to work with, having the opportunity to access a wider range of chords and intervals. Ukuleles are smaller, while their size makes them easier to play, you give up more range.

If you’re looking for an instrument that has a steeper learning curve but rewards you with more options to play with, consider starting off with the guitar.

New/First Time Musicians

Like we mentioned earlier the beginner-friendly instrument is the ukulele, however, the guitar does offer more opportunities for musical experimentation as you continue to improve upon your craft. Personally, I started with the ukulele back in elementary school and began learning guitar after a couple of years. I found the transition from ukulele to guitar easy, as my hands were already familiar with the playstyle.

Don’t worry, you can always learn the other instrument later on. Just pick the instrument that you are gravitating towards more as you will feel more motivated to learn it and play. Also, as a first-time musician, you’re going to be focusing a lot on building your musical foundation.

The Difficulty of the Instrument

Like we’ve been talking about throughout this article, the guitar has a steeper learning curve than the ukulele. This is something you need to consider when deciding on an instrument to learn. Don’t let the learning curve discourage you if you find yourself gravitating towards the guitar. Like anything in life, if you put in the time and practice, you will continue to improve.

Now, if you haven’t touched a musical instrument ever in your life and don’t deal with the steeper learning curve of the guitar, the ukulele is a great choice. They’re much easier to learn and get to a point where you can play some of your favorite songs. Ukuleles are great introductory instruments for first-time musicians, making learning music a little more accessible.

Baritone Ukulele (Closest in Comparison to the Guitar)

Baritone ukuleles are known to be the largest ukes of the four known ukulele sizes. It is also the closest in comparison to the guitar, a great choice for those who are torn between having to pick between the two instruments.

These ukuleles are also tuned exactly like the top four strings of a guitar (D-G-B-E), making it much easier to transition your playstyle between the two. Just keep in mind that’s it’s not going to sound exactly the same and that you are limited as you are missing the bottom two strings that a guitar would have.

Does Learning One Help You Learn the Other?

Like I have already mentioned, from my personal experience, transitioning from ukulele to the guitar was easier as I was already familiar with the type of instrument. This can be the same vice-versa. Guitars and ukuleles are close in comparison with it’s known differences, however, developing a foundation on one or the other can definitely help ease you in when you plan to learn the next instrument.

Your hands will become accustomed to these types of instruments and like me, I find myself playing both instruments, depending on the type of sound/tone I am looking for.

Final Thoughts

The ukulele vs guitar, a constant debate that many first-time musicians find themselves in when planning to learn an instrument. Hopefully, I was able to help you decide on which instrument would best fit you if you’re having a hard time choosing between the two. Remember that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one instrument and if anything, plan on learning both of them if you really want to. Just try to focus on one instrument first before doing so as this will help you improve upon your overall musical abilities without burning yourself out.

Are Online Music Courses Worth It? (A New Way to Learn)

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 05:57:39 +0000

Technology has changed the way people learn and develop skills in any type of field. This is especially true when it comes to learning music. With so many new technological advances with the internet, it makes learning music online more accessible to anyone around the world with a computer. Today we have a special guest post by Reema Krishnan, a content creator at the Acharyanet platform for Carnatic music learners.

Krishnan does an excellent job of explaining the benefits of learning music online and I’m happy to have her here for this collaboration. Hopefully, this will show you that learning music online is a very good option for anyone in this day and age wanting to delve into this world. Now then, let’s dive straight in.

Do Online Music Courses Save Time & Money Without Compromising On The Learning Experience?

E-learning is a growing phenomenon in the contemporary world. Be it studies or recreational activities. People often prefer online courses rather than a class to which they need to travel to.

If you are trying to learn something outside of your studies in school or college, it becomes a hassle to get ready and leave home again. There are many instances where music classes are taught in evening classes only. That can be an issue for many people, however, you don’t have to worry anymore. Online music lessons are the new age solution. You can continue your studies or job and keep learning music simultaneously without any extra efforts.

Let us go through the evolution of music classes via E-learning and its various advantages.

Transformation in Music Learning Practices

Virtual Tools

A lot of virtual tools are available nowadays. They teach you notations, allow you to play, even write online. They point out your mistakes so you can fix them before they become habits. Google’s VexTab Music Notation is one of the most popular online lesson tools of all used by many people around the world.

Personalized Online Music Lessons

The facility of video calls not only makes us closer to our loved ones but is also a great way to learn music. A personalized experience with online lessons is excellent as it removes the hassle of getting ready and going to class. The best part is, you don’t need to perform any musical tests in front of people. You can do it individually with your teacher over skype classes.

Do keep in mind, that they are online music lessons that are group-based, which may involve you to perform in front of other students in a group call setting.

Global Reach

There was a time when you needed to perform in endless concerts or shows to get some goodwill for yourself. Today, the world has changed. Record your best performance and upload the video online. Voila! Millions and billions of music lovers can enjoy your show worldwide. All this without any stage fright lingering on your head. Hands-on feedback and the global opportunity to reach a wider audience are the icings on this cake.

Benefits of Learning Music Online

Learn Remotely

Every musical institution owns a portal for online music classes to reach maximum seekers. So you need not shift from one country or city to another if you aspire to learn music from a particular academy or expert.

No Fixed Time

Unless you are doing skype classes or in-person online lessons, you don’t need to abide by a single time for class. Most of the online music lessons are pre-recorded. Recording of live classes is also available online. You can listen to them on your own time. In fact, if you are busy on weekdays, you can cover up the lessons during the weekends. This type of freedom is available to those who prefer learning music online.

Global Platform

In traditional classes, you have excess to a limited number of professors and classmates. On the other hand, E-learning introduces you to people from every corner of the world. You can interact with experts and students internationally. Imagine the kind of knowledge, art, and culture being exchanged!

The internet truly connects you with the rest of the world, and you don’t even have to leave your room.

Learning On Your Own Pace

You are not bound with a fixed time of learning or a teacher explaining only covering one specific topic once. This allows you not to worry so much about the time with which your peers pick up the subject. You can be quicker or slower than them. Because of online learning, you can finally learn music at your own pace without any time restrictions or pressure.

Creative Teaching

With the help of technology, music instructors can impart knowledge to their students differently. They can make small videos of tricky topics and circulate amongst the students. Instructors can even create infographics for those who are more visual learners. The opportunity of being creative with teaching here is unlimited.

Saves Money & Other resources

E-learning simplified music education. You save the following assets the moment you opt for the online music course:

- - Buying new equipment & books (since many online free tools are available)
  - Transportation costs
  - Your time
  - Energy
  - Eventually money

Summary

Online courses give freedom of choices in terms of time, energy, distance, and cost of learning. E-learning is the future of all kinds of education, including music.

Author Bio: Reema Krishnan is a content creator at the Acharyanet platform for Carnatic music learners where they can learn music from gurus through 400+ video lessons. Being a music enthusiast and a history buff herself, she is able to provide value for her readers and her content is well-received by musicians, music lovers, and music learners of all ages and at all stages. She loves to volunteer with music therapy groups and bakes up a storm in her free time.

My Take on Learning Music Online

I am the type of person who loves to learn new things online. Whether it’s from a quick google search, a YouTube video, or an actual one-on-one coaching session with a teacher. Throughout the years, I have found that learning anything online is possible. Even you might already have had an experience when it comes to learning music online.

There are so many useful resources of information in any type of field, especially music on the internet. Whether it’s looking for guitar tabs and chords of songs online or watching video lessons on how to play an instrument on YouTube, the opportunity to start your music journey and learn is everywhere.

I truly believe that taking online music lessons is very beneficial for musicians of any skill level. While it’s great to have in-person music lessons, there’s something nice about not having to leave the comfort of your own home and still being able to study with a professional teacher. You can still have that personal one-on-one time with a music teacher with less hassle. This is great for any aspiring/first-time musicians, as the barrier of entry to the music world just got easier.

As a musician/artist myself, I’m very excited to see the online learning space continues to grow. My last piece of advice is to keep practicing, work hard, and do yourself a favor and meet with a music teacher to improve upon your skills. Whether this is accomplished in person or online is up to you, but keep in mind that E-learning is a very viable option. Best of luck on your musical journeys!

5 Songwriting Exercises That Actually Make A Difference

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:25:28 +0000

It’s very important for us songwriters to work on our craft, and constantly seek out ways to improve. While I do recommend you constantly write songs as it is great practice, there are also many different types of songwriting exercises that you can try out. The only thing is however if you’re like me, you don’t have all day. This is why I put together this list of songwriting exercises that I found actually made a difference in my writing.

If you want to work on your songwriting craft as efficiently as possible, look no further and get ready to learn! Keep in mind that I may add more to this list as I come across more beneficial songwriting exercises.

5 Best Songwriting Exercises

1. Word Association

In this exercise, you follow a brainstorming type of structure where you try to come up with as many words as you can to an associated topic. You’ll want to set a timer for 3 minutes and have a list of words to choose from. For example, if you were to choose the word “Adventure,” you would need to brainstorm as many words and ideas that associate with it.

Journey, life, lost, new, and beginning. All words that you can associate with the word “adventure.” This will broaden your vocabulary, helping you have a better understanding of the words. You will also open yourself to more ideas and be familiar with synonyms of words.

I also like to go a step further by writing out sentences, phrases, and even song ideas for the words I choose. After doing this word association exercise, I find that I am able to expand my thoughts more, coming up with ideas I normally don’t think of. It’s important to keep your brainstorming session within the 3-minute limitation. This adds pressure that makes helps you put your ideas down with less hesitance.

Definitely, one of my favorite songwriting exercises since it’s not very time consuming, but very effective in helping you become a better lyricist. It’s easier for me to put together my thoughts into lyrics even able to find words that have more flavor.

Overall, this songwriting exercise is great for helping ideas that are related to the words you are associating with.

2. The 10-minute song

With this songwriting exercise, your goal is to finish a song in 10 minutes. You can think of this as the songwriter’s version of freewriting, except you’ll also be incorporating an instrument of your choosing. This means that you have to come up with lyrics and a chord progression in 10 minutes or less.

When doing this exercise, you will definitely feel the pressure as the timer goes down. To make it a little easier, here’s a song structure you can follow when performing this songwriting exercise.

Verse 1-Chorus-Verse 2-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus

As Dylan Laine explains in her YouTube video, it’s okay for your “10-minute” song to be random and have nonsensical lyrics. There are going to be moments where you might do really good with the first verse and chorus, but then find yourself completely stuck on the second verse. If you really feel like nothing’s coming to you, this is when you can rely on being random.

Like in freewriting, you don’t have to share what you come up with during this songwriting exercise. So don’t be embarrassed to put down whatever comes to mind during your session.

Don’t worry, if you really enjoy the sound of what you have before resulting to being random, you can always leave a note and go back to it after this 10-minute exercise. Even I have gone back to some of the 10-minute songs I put together during my practice sessions. I found myself combining lyrics and ideas from different days to put together something completely new.

Like in freewriting, once the timer goes off, put everything down, and perform your 10-minute song. I recommend recording it so you can look back on what you have worked on and how much you have progressed as a songwriter.

3. Learn Your Favorites (Learn the songs of your favorite artists)

Now here’s something any songwriter can benefit from. Learn how to play your favorite songs from your favorite artists and songwriters. At first glance, you might be wondering how this could be a beneficial songwriting exercise when it’s nothing to do with your own songs.

However, learning, practicing, and mastering your favorite songs is a great way to expand your musical abilities and styles. As you continue to grow as an artist, all of your musical influences will leave an impact on your own music. Your songwriting style will continue to evolve. Eventually, your musical style may mesh with the artists you follow closely, giving birth to a new unique sound you can call your own.

Chord progressions, lyrical style, even the overall vibe of your songs can draw inspiration from your favorite artists. Anything you learn while practicing music will be beneficial for those who are trying to become better songwriters.

(Re-writing the chorus)

When learning other people’s songs, a fun exercise I like to do is to rewrite the choruses. The chorus, also known as the part of the song that brings everything together can be the most challenging step in the songwriting process. This exercise helps improve your ability to put together catchy choruses that complete a song.

It’s also easier since you have a full song to draw inspiration from when creating your chorus.

4. The 6 Word Story

Songwriters are trying to convey a message through their lyrics while aiming to fit a melody. The “6 Word Story” songwriting exercise is great in helping us with the art of condensing, which is, according to Ali Errett from The Art of Songs, “Where we take big ideas and convey them in as few words as possible.”

When we write the lyrics of our songs, we want to give enough details that draw our listeners in, while at the same time, not giving them all the answers. You want them to think about your song even after they have listened to it. Errett says in his video, “The depth of the lyric is often in the mystery of the unspoken.”

To start writing a 6 Word Story, all you need is a beginning, middle, and end. Remember that you need conflict and resolution.

Here’s an example I came up with for this exercise:

If you feel up to it, you can increase the number of words to 9.

After doing this songwriting exercise, I find it easier to convey what I am thinking or feeling in as little words as possible. This is true in both songwriting and in general life. I never realized how important it is to condense your lyrics down. Every word you write down when putting together a song is important. Don’t flood your lyrics with a bunch of filler words if it isn’t necessary.

I have found myself having an easier time putting together lyrics that carry a lot of meaning behind them while trying to keep the words at a minimum. Try it out, you won’t regret it.

5. Freewriting (10 minutes)

Freewriting is an exercise that will help train your mind, creating the habit of writing/logging your thoughts down onto paper whether they are full ideas or developing ones. Thoughts always come and go and more often than not, people will only write down their thoughts if they are fully developed.

This is a bad habit that needs to be fixed as you never know what ideas will become your next biggest hit. Freewriting will help songwriters get more ideas written down so you can expand on them further. We definitely recommend you set aside 10 minutes a day for freewriting and at least 4-5 days a week.

Once your timer is set, you can now write about anything that pops up in your mind. There’s no pressure as you won’t have to show this to anyone if you don’t want to. Just think, feel, write, and once the alarm rings, drop your pencil/pen and stop writing. You can do whatever you want with the things you wrote down. Sometimes I even come up with song ideas from my freewriting sessions.

After a couple of weeks of freewriting, you will notice a difference in the freedom of your songwriting. You’ll find yourself freer to write down whatever it is that you’re thinking or feeling at any given time. This of course can lead to potential song ideas and lyrics.

Freewriting is very refreshing and I highly recommend it to any songwriter looking to improve upon their craft.

Final Thoughts

Songwriting, like any skill. It needs practice and training if you ever want to get better at this craft. If you put in the hours, you will find yourself improving as a songwriter. My hope is that this list of songwriting exercises help you during your practice sessions to work on your craft in the most efficient way possible. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or email me! Best of luck on your songwriting journey!

The post 5 Songwriting Exercises That Actually Make A Difference appeared first on MusicianPort.

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The Best Kalimba in 2021 – Everything You Need to Know

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 05:49:29 +0000

Last updated on January 22nd, 2021 at 10:13 am

I love playing on my kalimba, it’s such a fun instrument that’s easy to learn and relaxes me with its soothing melodic tone. If you’re looking to purchase your own, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help you find the best kalimba that fits all of your musical needs, but before that, let’s talk about some important things you need to keep in mind.

“We’ve updated our list to ensure we recommend only the best Kalimbas available in 2021.”

What is a Kalimba?

The Kalimba, also known as the African Thumb Piano or Mbira, is a simple percussion instrument that utilizes metal tines fixed onto a sounding board to produce a nice soothing sound with relaxing rhythmic tones.

Kalimbas are often handmade and can have anywhere from 5 keys to 21 keys to play with. With so many options to choose from nowadays, it’s hard to say that one specific choice is the best Kalimba on the market. Before buying one, there are some things that you should consider.

Important Things to Consider

How Many Keys are on the Kalimba?

Probably the best place to start is figuring out how many keys you want to have on your kalimba. You’ll find that a lot of Kalimbas on the market have17 keys and are set to a specific tone/key (Standard tuning in the Key of C). The key thing to keep in mind, no pun intended, is that the more keys/tines you have on the kalimba, the more chords you have to work with.

Having more chords to work with widens your list of songs to play and allows you to have more freedom to musically experiment on your thumb piano. Of course, the more keys your kalimba has, the bigger the instrument will be. If size and portability is an important factor for your kalimba purchase, then we recommend you look at options with fewer keys.

Closely Spaced or Widely Spaced?

Something that a lot of people may not consider is the spacing between the keys/tines on the kalimba. If you’re like me and you have bigger fingers, playing on a kalimba that is closely spaced might be challenging. This is especially important if your playstyle requires precise plucking. Precision is very important when it comes to playing a thumb piano so definitely consider what type of spacing would work best for your fingers.

Of course, your playstyle is an important thing to keep in mind when buying a Kalimba. If the songs you want to play require you to strum on multiple keys at once, then a kalimba with closer keys might fit you best.

Kalimbas with keys that are more spaced out usually have a hollow body with a soundhole while a kalimba with closely spaced tines is usually pure wood.

Now that you have a better idea of what you might be looking for, let’s get into our list of recommendations to help find the best kalimba for you.

Our Top 5 Best Kalimba Options in 2020

1. Rain Whisperer Kalimba by LingTing (Our Favorite)

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An excellent choice for players who are looking for a Kalimba with more keys. The LT-K21W, also known as the “Rain Whisperer” Kalimba from LingTing is a great option for beginners and professionals. Made of high-quality black walnut wood, the sound that this thumb piano produces is angelic and pure. Since this is a pure wood kalimba, the resonance is quieter than its Hollow body counterparts.

This kalimba comes with 21 keys and comes tuned in the key of F. Having 21 keys to work with gives you more room to experiment musically while also opening the opportunity to expand your list of playable songs. And like any standard kalimba, you can always tune the keys with the included tuning hammer to fit your musical needs.

It’s also good to keep in mind that you will find that the keys/tines are closer. This is great for anyone planning to play songs that require you to strum multiple keys at once. Chords are not engraved onto the keys, so you will need to use the syllable stickers if you need assistance distinguishing what chord every key is.

Overall, the “Rain Whisperer” kalimba from LingTing is our favorite kalimba available on the market. LingTing puts in a lot of work to make sure their Kalimbas are of utmost quality in both it’s build and the sound/tone it produces.

This Bundle Comes With:

21 Keys Kalimba (Black Walnut)
Tuning hammer
Chain (Adds “bell-like” tone)
Carrying case
Small bag
Syllable Stickers
Wiping piano cloth
Finger caps
Helpful Kalimba Booklet

2. GECKO Kalimba 17 Keys Thumb Piano (All-Around Great Choice)

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This beautifully handcrafted Kalimba from Gecko makes it onto our list as a great all-around choice for players of any skill level. Gecko made this Kalimba with high-quality mahogany wood and ore steel bars that give users a better sense of hearing, vision, and touch. Many are impressed and surprised by how good this kalimba plays, especially considering the price range it’s in.

This Kalimba comes tuned in the Key of C, however, you can adjust the key with the tuning hammer that Gecko includes with their instrument. It has a hollow design with good resonance and amplified volume thanks to the soundhole. The overall tone this kalimba produces is rich and bright.

All of this comes together fitting in a nice protective case that helps keep this thumb piano safe from damage, humidification, scratches, and so on. The case also makes it easier for you to travel with your instrument.

The only thing that I need to point out is that it’s listed as not having chord names engraved into the keys/tines. This bundle does come with Phonetic stickers that are great for beginners, however, you might not enjoy this if you want an aesthetically looking Kalimba. You can always remove the stickers later on as you become more familiar with your Gecko Kalimba, so don’t let this one thing stop you.

Gecko has shown us that you don’t need to shell out $100+ for a high-quality kalimba. Their thumb piano is well worth it and again, great for anyone.

This Bundle Comes With:

17 Keys Treble Kalimba
Tuning Hammer
Travelling Case (Waterproof and Shockproof) x1
Thumb Piano Key Stickers (1 Set)
Flannelette Bag x1
Cleaning Cloth x1
Study Guide (User Manual and Music Score)

3. Moozica 17 Keys Kalimba Marimba (Most Design Options)

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If you want to spice things up with your Kalimba purchase, I definitely recommend you check out Moozica’s 17 keys thumb pianos. Moozica’s 17 key Kalimba comes in 4 different color/wood variations giving players more choices to choose from. There are two Koa Kalimbas, one made with Acacia Koa wood and one made of a mix of selected Koa and Spruce wood. The other two options are made with Mahogany, one, in particular, having a unique deep blue color.

The biggest difference between the two wood options is that Koa wood produces a warmer and deeper tone while the Mahogony kalimbas produce a bright and clearer sound. Many owners found the quality of the tone was consistently good on every note from high to low. This kalimba is tuned to the key of C, but you can always adjust the tuning to fit your needs.

These kalimbas have the chord names and numbers engraved onto each key, making them great for beginner players.

Overall, these kalimbas from Moozica are great, having a solid build that produces a nice high-quality tone making them great for players of any level. While they do seem to be geared towards beginners, higher-level kalimba players can still appreciate the quality and tone these thumb pianos produce.

This Bundle Comes With:

17 Keys Kalimba
Tuning Hammer
Professional Waterproof Kalimba Bag
Finger guards
Chord stickers
Cleaning cloth
Learning Guide and Song Book

4. MOOZICA 21 Keys Solid Koa Kalimba

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Another great kalimba from Moozica, especially if you’re in the market for a thumb piano with more keys to play with. This kalimba has a solid wood board design and is constructed from a single piece of solid koa wood. Just like Moozica’s 17 key kalimbas, the koa wood body creates a warm and deeper sound while its solid design allows for better expression of the higher pitches.

Do keep in mind that its solid wood structure makes the sound softer in comparison to hollow-body kalimbas, however, the tone that it produces is melodic and pure. Unlike the 21 keys option from LingTing’s, Moozica has this thumb piano come fully tuned in the key of C. The keys range from F3 to E6, giving you a wide range to play with.

Moozica kept beginner players in mind having chords engraved onto each tine. This makes it easier for newer players to become familiar with their kalimba while also keeping their kalimba clean and easy to maintain. You will find that this thumb piano has a bigger wood density making this instrument heavier than other options, however, it helps maintain a direct and complete vibration when playing.

And of course, it all comes with accessories that make life easier such as a hard case to keep your kalimba safe, a tuning hammer, finger guards, and music scale stickers.

This Bundle Comes With:

21 Keys Kalimba (Solid Wood)
Tuning Hammer x1
Hard Protective Case x1
Kalimba bag
Finger Guards
Music scale stickers
Instruction Manual and Song Book

5. EASTROCK Kalimba 17 Keys Thumb Piano (Most Affordable/ Budget Friendly)

Check Price on Amazon

If you’re looking for the best kalimba that’s both budget-friendly as well as good quality, then check out this 17 keys thumb piano from EASTROCK. An excellent choice for new players, this 17 keys kalimba is handcrafted with mahogany wood, having a finer texture, better sustain, and a softer delicate tone. The finish on this thumb piano is so beautiful that you wouldn’t think that this was the budget option on our list.

I love that EASTROCK had the chord names engraved onto each key of their kalimba, knowing that a lot of the people in the market shopping within this price range are most likely beginners/first-time buyers.

The sound of this thumb piano is crisp and sweet thanks to its naturally air-dried mahogany veneer. Having a solid wood and box design makes the resonance on this kalimba stronger and fuller, creating a “melodious and lasting” effect as you play. This instrument is lighter than other options but still remains durable. Its hand-polished and curved edges make this kalimba feel smoother to the touch and comfortable in your hands.

It comes standardly tuned in the key of C and comes with a tuning hammer to make adjustments.

Overall, if you want to start playing the kalimba while saving money, this is the option for you.

This Bundle Comes With:

17 Keys Kalimba (Mahogany)
Tuning Hammer
EVA Case
Cloth Bag
Polishing Cloth
Finger protectors
Color Stickers
Instruction manual

Other Things to Consider

Solid Wood or Hollow Body?

With pure wood kalimbas, you will find that the keys are closer together and the sound won’t be as full. These are great for players who plan to “strum” multiple keys at a time, putting chords together while playing.

Hollow Body kalimbas, as I mentioned earlier, will often have a soundhole that enhances the volume of your instrument. Keys/tines are normally more widely spaced when compared to their pure wood counterparts. These are great for players you plan to play songs that require a lot of individual picking. With keys that are spaced out, you have more room to be more precise while playing, leading to fewer mistakes.

Stickers or Engraved Chords and Numbers

This is something you should consider if you really need the extra assistance while maintaining a clean aesthetic for your Kalimba. It’s very helpful to see what chord each key/tine is on the kalimba. They’re like the stickers that beginner piano players use to label the keys while learning. You can do the same with kalimbas. Before you do that, just know that there are options that have the chord names engraved onto each key.

I highly recommend that you look at Kalimbas with the chord names engraved. They are nicer to look at and take less maintenance to take care of. Stickers are great to use, but it can be annoying to see the stickers begin to peel off as you play your kalimba more. The clean and professional look of kalimbas with engraved chord names is well worth the extra money you might have to chip in and you’ll never look back.

Tuning Your Kalimba

Kalimbas come tuned in a specific key. A lot of the times, they will be standardly tuned to the key of C, however, you can always tune your thumb piano with a tuning hammer. Don’t worry, tuning hammers usually come with your kalimba purchase. Here’s a helpful video by Karina Javier on YouTube showing us how to tune our kalimbas.

Final Thoughts

Well there you have it, our list of what we think are the best kalimbas currently available. Finding the best thumb piano for you isn’t hard. Just establish what you want from your instrument early on (number of keys, size, tone) and do a little research with the help of this guide. Hopefully, we were able to help you find the right kalimba that you will enjoy for many years to come.

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