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
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“Every bit as clear and crisp as a cable”: Positive Grid Spark Link review
By Matt McCracken published
Free yourself from the constraints of cables with this simple-to-use wireless guitar system from Positive Grid
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Ditch your amp and save - Line 6 just slashed a colossal $200 off the price of Helix Floor and LT
By Matt McCracken published
Don't fret if you already bought one, many retailers are refunding the difference
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Best Telecasters 2025: Fender Telecasters for every budget
By Ed Mitchell last updated
Our pick of the best Telecasters that prove Leo Fender’s first born is still the most versatile guitar design of all time
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"If you want an amplifier that can play multiple roles, the Spark Live is a fantastic choice" – Positive Grid Spark Live review
By Matt McCracken published
We take a first look at the exciting new hybrid smart amp and PA system from Positive Grid
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Best electric guitar strings 2025: Sets for all styles and budgets
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
These are the very best guitar strings from Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Elixir, Rotosound and more
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What acoustic guitar string gauges should I use?
By Matt McCracken published
Our definitive guide to stringing your acoustic with the right gauge to suit your playing style
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Best overdrive pedals 2025: Find new inspiration with the best drive pedals for guitar
By Chris Corfield last updated
Some of the best examples of a key component of any guitar player’s rig - the overdrive pedal
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Harley Benton JA-25TH Firemist review
By Matt McCracken published
A 25th-anniversary edition offset that looks to celebrate everything great about the value-centric Harley Benton brand
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Quick! The Kemper Profiler Player is already discounted at Thomann
By Matt McCracken published
Despite just being released the latest amp modeller has already seen a tasty £50 discount - act fast before it goes back to full price
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Best practice amps 2025: the best amps for guitar practice
By Jonathan Horsley last updated
Onboard effects, digital modelling, valves? Here are the best practice amps for guitar, with options from Yamaha, Power Grid, Fender, Line 6 and more
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Load up on must-have studio tools with all Waves plugins slashed to just $29.99 - plus buy two, get two free
By Matt McCracken published
Featuring essential compressors, EQs, channel strips, and creative plugins, it's the perfect chance to restock your studio
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How to gift plugins to a musician this Christmas
By Matt McCracken published
Giving the gift of music software this Christmas is a breeze when you know how - here's everything you need to know
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Plugin Boutique just obliterated the price of our favourite Universal Audio plugins - score up to 86% off
By Matt McCracken published
UAD’s best-selling plugins are now available at some incredibly low prices - no additional hardware required
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Best fuzz pedals 2025: add some extra dirt to your guitar tone
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
From Fuzz Faces to Big Muffs, here’s our pick of the best fuzzboxes out there
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I've used the Yamaha HS5 monitors in my home studio for five years - and now they’re discounted for Cyber Monday
By Matt McCracken published
My favourite studio speakers just got a hefty discount in the Guitar Center Cyber Monday sale
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These 3 essential FabFilter mixing plugins will supercharge your workflow - and they’re $90 off for Black Friday
By Matt McCracken published
Get FabFilter’s must-have mixing tools for less in the Plugin Boutique Black Friday sale
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Andertons' massive Black Friday sale is here with some of the best deals we’ve seen so far - save on PRS, D’Agelico, Focusrite and more
By Matt McCracken published
UK and EU-based musicians can grab serious savings on guitars, studio gear, PA systems, and loads more great gear
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6 unmissable Black Friday sales every musician needs to check out right now
By Matt McCracken published
Get a Black Friday gear bargain with these sales from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Thomann, and loads more
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Black Friday iPad deals 2023: Up to $100 off iPad Pro, Air and mini models - all with music-friendly specs
By Andy Jones published
Apple's tablet is the perfect tool for mobile music production and this year's Black Friday discounts are heavy, making it the ideal time for you to start you iPad music making journey…
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Best guitars for kids 2025: The ultimate guide to electric and acoustic guitars for children
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Set them off on the right path with our pick of the best guitars for kids from Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha, Ibanez and more
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Waves has added even more $19.99 plugins in week two of its Black Friday early bird software sale
By Andy Jones published
Waves just updated its double discount deal with loads more of its best plugins for just $19.99 - plus get up to another 40% off that price too!
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Best bass amps 2025: top choice amplification options for bassists
By Chris Corfield last updated
Dive into our best bass amp guide to discover the options that deliver the power and features to suit your low-end needs, whatever your budget
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Don’t wait for Black Friday to save big on a Fender - grab $100 off Player Plus and $50 off Player series guitars right now
By Matt McCracken published
With everything from the Player Strat to the Player Plus Meteora seeing a discount, it’s a brilliant time to pick up a guitar bargain - but only whilst stocks last
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