Ben Rogerson
I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.
Latest articles by Ben Rogerson
![Roland V-Stage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wqzRKMAXfvrs3263Sco5Wc-320-80.jpg)
Roland makes a cheeky bid for performance keyboard supremacy with the new V-Stage 76 and 88
By Ben Rogerson published
Red end panels? We’re sure we’ve seen those somewhere before…
![Stylophone CPM DF-8](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PSzSTJryLNj2pLFjfnvLnQ-320-80.jpg)
Stylophone’s CPM DF-8 is a ‘beauty and the beast’ filter that can purr or squeal
By Ben Rogerson published
It joins the DS-2 synth in the Compact Portable Modular range
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TEqr62UYAvwPAUNfb2dCjJ-320-80.jpg)
Best DAWs 2025: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
By Ben Rogerson last updated
Our expert pick of music production software packages for every budget and application - tested and rated
![Stylophone CPM DS-2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tARCJfgjZDm4iNZn6syrsQ-320-80.jpg)
NAMM 2025: It’s a Stylophone, but not as we know it - CPM DS-2 is a compact, portable analogue drone synth that's now available to order
By Ben Rogerson published
Out with the stylus, in with the serious synthesis
![Korg MiniKorg 700Sm](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bnur8V59kVw5NAHQxcv6Am-320-80.jpg)
The MiniKorg 700S finally lives up to its name as Korg releases a downsized version
By Ben Rogerson published
The archetypal ‘secondary keyboard’ gets a mini makeover
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/opZtyqqpBVjbwjGPTTcd36-320-80.jpg)
“It just doesn’t sound like anything else”: Howard Jones finally has a Prophet-5
By Ben Rogerson published
Better late than never
![E-MU SP1200](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2XZZBAQ9au8SYugKtF5WrC-320-80.jpg)
“We believe we could make this happen for under $500”: Behringer teases new SP-1200 sampler
By Ben Rogerson published
The company is also on the lookout for “experienced software engineers” to work on the project
![Man works on a track on his iPad Pro using Logic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8sYMo4TWgRpLKHmYwkfS8B-320-80.jpg)
Best iPad for musicians and producers 2025: My pick of Apple tablets for all levels of music maker
By Ben Rogerson last updated
Apple's iPads can now comfortably handle every music production task, but which is most suited to your needs? I put the whole range under the microscope
![Scott Dudelson/Getty Images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rX7ybWBtWssxYhduMtv8RC-320-80.jpg)
Rob Lowe: “I got it into my head that I should think more about music and I cut a demo with Toto”
By Ben Rogerson published
“I took having fun very seriously,” he says
![will.i.am in conversation](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K2WAfakHcphEtFJAyDz4u9-320-80.jpg)
Musicians should be inspired by AI in the same way that he was inspired by Prince, says will.i.am
By Ben Rogerson published
"Prince's awesomeness did not dim my light. Prince's awesomeness inspired me. And if you are now going to be afraid of being inspired, then you ain't truly creative"
![Prince 1985](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CxoiThPLc3hz3vXnBthWXQ-320-80.jpg)
Prince’s ability to keep time when he was recording drums was remarkable, says his engineer
By Ben Rogerson published
“He would say ‘OK, that’s so close, cut it one more time,’ and I wouldn’t do it because I physically couldn’t cut a 16th of an inch without chowdering the tape”
![Jacob Collier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F5SmSqEcqw23hxYKfjMkfb-320-80.jpg)
“Stick to our chords”: Chris Martin rags Jacob Collier for his reharmonisation antics
By Ben Rogerson published
“I’m the worst musician in this room!” he admits
![Taylor Swift and Ryan Tedder](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UiHwzuTzDMAK7EKAEzQvNX-320-80.jpg)
Here's what Max Martin said to Ryan Tedder about Taylor Swift and music production
By Ben Rogerson published
Best of 2024: The OneRepublic frontman was also discussing writing and producing songs with Adele and Beyoncé
![Gwen Stefani](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SupgJWWsJcxsPznWETHe4m-320-80.jpg)
Gwen Stefani on the No Doubt song that “changed everything” after it became their biggest hit
By Ben Rogerson published
Best of 2024: She says she had “absolutely no idea” that it would become so successful
![Prince](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iyBjTVGMSFxCi4VCd5EFCA-320-80.jpg)
Was Prince’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps guitar solo played in anger?
By Ben Rogerson published
Best of 2024: The magazine had omitted him from its list of the greatest guitarists of all time
![Prince playing guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qH4X8RoXoeyWXuPkjM6S5R-320-80.jpg)
How Prince’s final, legendary guitar performance on SNL was saved by a quick-thinking audio engineer
By Ben Rogerson published
Best of 2024: His 8-minute medley from 2014 is considered one of the greatest musical spots in the show’s history
![Beabadoobee](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mJkgsGzekWTvvKawZJrXdE-320-80.jpg)
Beabadoobee on her unorthodox guitar style and how it helped her to gel with Rick Rubin
By Ben Rogerson published
Best of 2024: “I think what I really go off with, and what Rick really goes off with, is what you feel and the vibe and what you hear,” she says
![SZA](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8aAfCx5V7T9wCBpbE46HrW-320-80.jpg)
“After listening with a clear mind,” SZA is changing some of the mixes on the album she just released
By Ben Rogerson published
“This means nothing to you but had to say it for me,” she told her fans
![Billie EIlish and Charli XCX](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MnZENn2fafwzH9KpAGSEs8-320-80.jpg)
Billie Eilish discusses her “dream” Charli XCX collaboration on the Guess remix
By Ben Rogerson published
It took place “in the greatest way possible,” she says
![Dua Lipa Carpool Karaoke](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WrUYwaRaqZryZLhcbgWkTo-320-80.jpg)
Dua Lipa on how high-end monitors can fool you into thinking that your songs are better than they are
By Ben Rogerson published
“It’s crazy how you can really kid yourself in the moment,” she says. “The best thing to do is to listen to it on not so good headphones”
![Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LJAgxMJ8TBe3cWEkWGNCb4-320-80.jpg)
The most-learned guitar and piano songs of 2024 have been revealed
By Ben Rogerson published
It turns out that The Eagles are still pretty popular, too…
![Chris Martin](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BNsuvrbxDqdQ6DSyq2bqXC-320-80.jpg)
Chris Martin: “I'm as obsessed with Mary Poppins as I am with Radiohead”
By Ben Rogerson published
“Songs pop up everywhere. They wake you up, songs”
![Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images; Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images; Michael Putland/Getty Images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xCFN7WKSpmW2YLygBBkreH-320-80.jpg)
Why two of the biggest songs of 2024 ended up being mashed-up with a Christmas classic
By Ben Rogerson published
It’s a (D) major coincidence
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