Matt McCracken
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at MusicRadar. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on audio interfaces, studio headphones, studio monitors, and pretty much anything else home recording-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping musicians find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including Guitar World, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.
A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and producing bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at. When he's not holed up in his home studio recording new songs you'll find him in at Spirit Studios where he's currently studying Sound Engineering and Music Production.
Latest articles by Matt McCracken

Positive Grid's Spark 2 just got its first-ever discount - get up to 50% offthis AI-enabled guitar amp in the Black Friday sale
By Matt McCracken published
PG's Black Friday sale is in full swing but there's one deal that's got us particularly excited

PMT has gone bigger than ever with its early Black Friday sale, offering huge gear discounts up to 70% off
By Matt McCracken published
Black Friday deals have officially arrived with some huge discounts at PMT

Up to $124 off JHS Pedals at Sweetwater might just be the best pedal deal of Black Friday so far - and yes, it includes the Colour Box V2
By Matt McCracken published
Save a massive 25% on all JHS pedals at Sweetwater in this awesome Black Friday deal

Best home studio mixers 2025: Analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
By Si Truss last updated
Our expert pick of compact consoles for home recording, production, podcasting and more

I didn’t think online guitar lessons were for me until I tried Til - get $20 off your first lesson with a professional guitar player
By Matt McCracken published
Get a big discount on your first private guitar lesson with a professional guitar tutor in this exclusive deal for MusicRadar readers

Thomann just got Black Friday moving with their early Cyberweek sale - save up to 70% on select gear
By Matt McCracken published
Bag yourself some big savings on Neural DSP, Slate Digital, Focusrite, and loads more

Best studio headphones for music production and mixing 2025: tested by experts
By Dave Clews last updated
We’ve tested and reviewed a huge range of headphones for music production. These are our tried and trusted choices – plus your FAQs answered

Best laptop for music production 2025: Portable computers for musicians, producers and DJs
By Simon Arblaster last updated
Our experts have rounded up and tested the finest options from Apple, Acer, Dell and more to help you make music whenever and wherever you like

Best budget laptops for music production 2025: Affordable laptops for making music
By Chris Corfield last updated
We've got the latest laptops on test that will not only enable you to make music anywhere, but do it without spending a fortune – our top picks start at just $/£300

How we test audio interfaces
By Matt McCracken last updated
Everything you need to know about how the MusicRadar team tests audio interfaces for reviews and buyer's guides - our full methodology explained

Waves just launched 3 massive early Black Friday software offers - and you can get your hands on one of them for absolutely nothing
By Matt McCracken published
Grab yourself some monstrous discounts with these early plugin deals over at Waves

Best dynamic microphones 2025: Top picks for recording instruments, vocals and podcasts in challenging conditions
By Simon Fellows last updated
Equally at home on the stage or in the studio, we’ve tested a range of dynamic mics to help you get the results you’re after

Best budget studio headphones 2025: Cheap headphones to tackle every studio task
By Dave Clews last updated
Expert buying advice, plus our pick of budget studio headphones for music-makers from just $49/£39

Best free DAWs 2025: The best free music production software
By Ben Rogerson last updated
Start making music today by downloading a digital audio workstation for nothing - featuring options for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux

Best iPhone microphones 2025: Top picks for mobile recording, vlogging and video conferencing
By Simon Fellows last updated
Transform your iPhone or iPad into a studio with these mics from Austrian Audio, Shure, Teenage Engineering, Zoom, and more…

Supercharge your next production with up to 50% off instruments and effects in the unmissable Native Instruments NKS partner sale
By Matt McCracken published
The perfect sale for producers just landed over at the Native Instruments website

Best XLR microphones 2025: Superb sound for studio and stage
By Simon Fellows last updated
Capture the very best-quality, noise-free performances with these XLR-equipped mics from AKG, Aston, Neumann, Røde, Sennheiser, Shure and more...

Best looper pedals 2025: these are the greatest loop stations for every budget
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Explore our pick of compact and floorboard loopers from the likes of Boss, TC Electronic, Line 6, and more

"Offers a huge amount of options for all players of stringed instruments, and provides the highest accuracy available for any clip-on tuner": Peterson Stroboclip HDC review
By Matt McCracken published
One of the most accurate clip-on tuners available for musicians, and discuss that astronomical entry fee

“A great option for beginner players or those looking to expand their tonal palette on a budget”: Harley Benton DNAfx GiT Advanced review
By Matt McCracken published
The middle model of Harley Benton’s budget multi-effects pedal range looks for your attention in a crowded market

Quick! Get the original Spark smart amp at a super low price for a limited time in Positive Grid’s big Labor Day sale
By Matt McCracken published
With the launch of the Spark 2, prices are starting to plummet on the original and much-loved Spark amp

Best studio monitor stands 2025: Optimise your home studio
By Chris Corfield last updated
Everything you need to know about studio monitor stands and why you need them in your recording studio

Best guitar amp headphones 2025: Our top choices, from wearable tech to pro in-ear monitors
By Simon Fellows last updated
Immerse yourself in your guitar playing with headphones, earphones and IEMs from Boss, Vox, Sennheiser, Shure, Focal and more…

Best distortion pedals 2025: our pick of the top gain stages for guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Bring the filth with 10 of the best distortion pedals for hard-rock, metal, and beyond

With up to 94% off at Plugin Boutique, these are the best plugin deals you’ll see for a while - here’s 5 picks from a mixing fanatic with 20 years in the home recording game
By Matt McCracken published
Now’s the perfect time to upgrade your plugin collection with this ginormous sale at Plugin Boutique
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