Matt McCracken

Matt McCracken

Junior Deals Writer

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

Boss Katana, Fender Tone Master, Yamaha THR, and Blackstar Silverline modelling amps on an orange background

Best modelling amps 2025: Variety is the spice of life with these awesome amplifiers

By Matt McCracken last updated

If you’re the type of guitar player who likes to regularly change their sound, then you need the best modelling amps

Guitar Amps
Ubisoft Rocksmith+ RS noteway

Ubisoft Rocksmith+ review

By Matt McCracken published

The much-loved guitar game franchise gets a refresh for the modern era, but is it a video game, an online guitar lesson platform, or both?

Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Two TC Electronic mini guitar pedals on a wooden floor

Best mini pedals 2025: Give your ‘board some breathing room with these small-scale stompboxes

By Matt McCracken published

Our choice of mini guitar pedals for phenomenal cosmic tones, with an itty bitty pedalboard footprint

Guitar Pedals
Home studio setup with a laptop running AmpliTube

Best guitar VSTs 2025: guitar plugins and software to supercharge your guitar recordings

By Chris Corfield last updated

Elevate your sound in the studio with our pick of the best guitar VSTs for guitarists

Guitar Plugins
Eventide Physion MkII screen grab

Best creative multi-effects plugins 2025: Transform your tracks with these cutting-edge creative tools

By Matt McCracken published

Supercharge your samples and take those tired old synth sounds to a new level with our choice of the top multi-effects plugins

Plugins
iZotope Ozone 10

Best mastering plugins 2023: 10 plugins to make your mix streaming ready

By Matt McCracken published

Ensure your mix is able to compete in the loudness war with our top mastering plugins from iZotope, Waves, Softube, and more

Plugins
Soundtoys EchoBoy screen grab

Best delay plugins 2025: Add depth and dimension to your mixes with these must-have plugins

By Matt McCracken published

From self-oscillation to digital emulation, these are the best delay plugins for your productions

Plugins
Woman plays acoustic guitar at home with a laptop

Take advantage of Fender Play's new year deals with 50% off annual subscriptions and a two-week free trial

By Matt McCracken published

This latest offer from Fender Play will have you on your way to becoming a guitar virtuoso without breaking the bank

Guitars
Closeup of the Orange Micro Dark head on top of a flightcase

Best budget guitar amps under $500/£500 in 2025: top cheap amps for smaller budgets

By Chris Corfield published

We showcase some of the best cheap tube and digital modelling guitar amp heads and combos, for all playing styles

Guitar Amps
Image of guitarist playing Jazzmaster guitar with Positive Grid Riff audio interface and Positive Grid BIAS FX 2 software

Bag yourself a free Riff audio interface when you purchase Positive Grid’s Omnyss or BIAS FX 2

By Matt McCracken published

Give yourself the gift of great tone on the go, with this last-minute Christmas deal from Positive Grid

Audio Interfaces
Image of IK Multimedia Total Studio MAX

IK Multimedia’s epic Black Friday deal has been extended - save up to 85% off Max versions of Total Studio, AmpliTube, SampleTank, and T-RackS

By Matt McCracken published

Get the MAX Total Studio 3.5, AmpliTube 5, SampleTank 4, and T-RackS 5 for their lowest-ever prices right through to 31 December!

Tech
Image of home recording studio

Level up your home recording for less this Cyber Weekend with these bargain studio bundles

By Matt McCracken published

We’ve rounded up the best value studio recording bundles from Focusrite, Universal Audio, PreSonus, and more

Tech
Taylor GS Mini on a black wooden floor

Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2025: Portability and playability from Taylor, Yamaha, and more

By Matt McCracken last updated

Perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike, 3/4 acoustics make great songwriter guitars or for players on the go

Acoustic Guitars
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