Section · 5 guides
Gear & Retailers
Where we'd honestly buy — retailers compared, the accessories that matter, and how the pieces of a rig fit together. We link out; we don't take a cut.
- 45-DAYWhere to Buy MIDI Interfaces and GearThe retailers we'd trust with our own money — zZounds, the used market, and your local shop — and what each is best for.
- TRSThe Cables & Accessories ChecklistThe unglamorous kit that makes a rig work — cables, thru-boxes, stands, power — and the cheap versions that are fine.
- CTRLMIDI Controllers vs Hardware SynthsOne makes no sound, the other is the sound. Which to buy first, and how they share a rig without fighting.
- IN→OUTYour Studio Signal Chain, End to EndKeys to interface to computer to converter to monitors — the companion piece to our explorer, walking the whole route in prose.
- CLASS-1DAW Compatibility BasicsWill it work with my DAW? Almost always yes — here's the short version of class-compliance, drivers and the rare exceptions.