Daryl Robertson
I'm a Senior Deals Writer at MusicRadar, and I'm responsible for writing and maintaining buyer's guides on the site - but that's not all I do. As part of my role, I also scour the internet for the best deals I can find on gear and get hands-on with the products for reviews. My gear reviews have been published in prominent publications, including Total Guitar and Future Music magazine, as well as Guitar World.com. I've also had the privilege of interviewing everyone from Slash to Yungblud, as well as members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Fever 333 and many more.
I have a massive passion for anything that makes a sound, particularly guitars, pianos, and recording equipment. In a previous life, I worked in music retail, giving advice on all aspects of music creation and selling everything from digital pianos to electric guitars, entire PA systems, and ukuleles. I'm also a fully qualified sound engineer who holds a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay and I have plenty of experience working in various venues around Scotland.
Latest articles by Daryl Robertson

I review guitars for a living - these are my 4 still-available guitar recommendations in the Andertons Black Friday sale - including £700 off a show-stopping Strat
By Daryl Robertson last updated
UK and EU-based musicians can grab serious savings on guitars, studio gear, PA systems, and loads more great gear

Thomann Black Friday 2024 deals: You can still save up to 70% today in Thomann's massive Cyberweek sale
By Chris Barnes last updated
There's an incredible selection of discounted gear in the Thomann Cyberweek sale - from Harley Benton and Yamaha, to Universal Audio and Boss. We're rounding up all the best deals as they happen, including Daily Deals and new additions

With $120 knocked off the Alesis Recital Grand, you're not going to find a better beginner digital piano deal this Black Friday
By Daryl Robertson published
As part of its massive Black Friday sale, Amazon has knocked $120 off the brilliant beginner-friendly Alesis Recital Grand piano as well as other Alesis pianos

50% off Fender Play this Black Friday could take your playing to the next level
By Daryl Robertson published
Learn to play some of the biggest riffs of all time from bands such as Metallica, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Green Day, and many more this Black Friday

"Warm, round, with a chewy mid-range that simply begs to be fed pentatonic licks, this amp sounds fantastic": Fender Tone Master '59 Bassman amp
By Daryl Robertson published
A Fender classic gets a digital makeover, but how does it compare to the real thing?

Best studio monitors 2025: Studio speakers for musicians and producers on any budget
By Andy Jones last updated
A comprehensive guide to the best studio monitor speakers for home studio recording, whether you’re a beginner or pro producer – including Yamaha, IK Multimedia, Focal and more

Score an impressive $240 off the stunning Forest Green Strat and Tele in Fender's first-ever Player II sale this Black Friday
By Daryl Robertson published
The Player II may still be a newcomer, but that hasn't stopped Fender from slashing the price this Black Friday

Fender's massive Black Friday sale is here! Bag up to 50% off 75 guitars - these are the 8 we'd pick up today
By Daryl Robertson published
There are big savings on everything from the insanely popular Player II to the retro-inspired Vintera II, and a few limited editions for good measure

With a mind-blowing £800 off the Korg Poetry, is this the best piano deal we are likely to see this Black Friday?
By Daryl Robertson published
Andertons are slashing prices left, right and centre - and this might just be the best Black Friday offer for pianists

The selection may not be huge, but these Harley Benton Black Friday deals are well worth your time - save big on guitars, amps, pedals and more
By Daryl Robertson published
Step this way for sizable savings on Thomann's formidable budget guitar gear brand

Thomann’s huge Cyber Week sale has the biggest Black Friday discounts they’ve ever offered - up to 70% off PRS, Casio, Taylor, Alesis, Harley Benton and more
By Daryl Robertson published
Over 800 big-name products are up for grabs between now and the 2nd of December

This Black Friday is easily the best I've seen for piano and keyboard deals - save big on models from Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Casio and more
By Daryl Robertson published
With popular models from piano heavyweights, there are plenty of keyboard and piano deals to get stuck into this Black Friday

With up to 80% off, Sweetwater currently has the biggest Black Friday savings musicians will find online right now – and the deals are even better than last year!
By Daryl Robertson published
Get your hands on discounted guitars, basses, electronic drum sets, software, keyboards and more

With up to 50% off everything from guitars to drums, PA systems to keyboards, the Guitar Center Black Friday sale is one your whole band can shop
By Daryl Robertson published
The Guitar Center Black Friday sale has landed - saving you hundreds on Fender, Roland, Alesis and more

"I fell in love with the Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII when I reviewed it, so much so I bought it": Grab your own for 20% less in Fender's Early Black Friday sale
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender has just launched their Early Black Friday Sale, slashing up to 20% off a wide range of web exclusives

Say goodbye to buyer's remorse this Cyber Weekend with the Andertons Black Friday Price Promise
By Daryl Robertson published
Purchase any new product between now and the launch of the official Black Friday sale, and if it gets discounted over Cyber Weekend, Andertons will give you the difference in loyalty points

Black Friday is fast approaching, but we think the best deals are happening right now - get $700 off a Gibson Les Paul at Guitar Center
By Daryl Robertson published
Make unbelievable savings on one of the most iconic electric guitars and so much more ahead of Black Friday

Positive Grid has jumped the Black Friday gun by offering up to 50% off a range of amps and software in their Black November Sale – including the Spark 40 back to its lowest price ever
By Daryl Robertson published
With everything from the original Spark to the Mini, Go, Live, and Cab included, you'll want to act fast to get your hands on some of the best desktop amps and modelling software around

MusicRadar deals of the week: The pre-Black Friday sales are rolling in – save hundreds off a new Yamaha piano, a Fender Strat and more
By Daryl Robertson published
We've uncovered the very best offers on a range of music-making gear from the likes of Yamaha, Fender, Korg, TC Electronic and more

Best digital pianos for beginners 2025: Start playing with authentic sounds and feel
By Dave Clews last updated
An expert look at the very best beginner digital pianos on the market from the likes of Yamaha, Casio, Korg, Roland and more

Best Christmas gifts for piano players 2025: the ultimate festive gift guide for pianists, covering all budgets
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Treat the piano player in your life this Christmas with our pick of 19 must-have piano items, essential accessories and clever gadgets for every budget

No need to wait for Black Friday; Sweetwater's Beat The Holiday Rush Sale has mega offers like $500 off D'Angelico and over $1,000 off B.C. Rich and Guild
By Daryl Robertson published
With guitar gear and stocking fillers from only $8.80, beat the rush and save big right now at Sweetwater

Don’t wait for Black Friday – right now you can enjoy a massive 15% off all PRS SE guitars from now until Christmas
By Daryl Robertson published
With everything from the Custom 24 to the Silver Sky included, there's something for every type of player in this epic sale

Blink-182's Mark Hoppus gives us the lowdown on his brand-new Fender bass and discloses why he has switched to Neural DSP Quad Cortex
By Daryl Robertson published
The pop-punk bassist discusses his new signature model, what got him interested in Fender basses, what he believes is his greatest riff and more

Guitar Center's Guitar-A-Thon proves guitarists don't need Amazon's Big Deal Days: save up to 35% on gear, including a mind-blowing $430 saving on the D'Angelico Premier Bedford
By Daryl Robertson published
The aptly named Guitar-A-Thon sale is the place to go for an epic six-string related bargain
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