Gift guides and buying guides, picked from our rankings with real prices.
Guides · Nov 3, 2026
Both have mic inputs, knobs and a USB port. The difference is what reaches the computer: an interface sends every input as its own track, a typical small USB mixer sends a single stereo mix. Here's which one fits recording, gigs and podcasts.
Guides · Nov 2, 2026
A bolt-on neck is screwed on, a set neck is glued in, a neck-through runs the whole length of the body. Of 3,334 electric guitars at Thomann with a joint we could identify, two thirds are bolt-on, and a neck-through costs almost three times as much on average.
Guides · Nov 2, 2026
The usual order is tuner, filters, compressor, drive, modulation, delay, reverb, looper. It isn't a law: it follows what each pedal does to the signal, and once you know why, breaking it on purpose is half the fun.
Guides · Nov 2, 2026
An audio interface costs from about $50 to over $9,000, but the price mostly follows the number of microphone inputs. One input costs around $100, two about $180, four about $500 and eight about $700. Past that you pay for converters, DSP and brand.
Guides · Nov 2, 2026
The body shape of an acoustic guitar decides more of its sound than most specs: small bodies are focused and comfortable, big ones loud and deep. Dreadnoughts are by far the most common at Thomann; jumbos cost the most.
Guides · Nov 2, 2026
A dynamic mic shrugs off loud sources and room noise, a condenser catches every detail, and a ribbon smooths the top end the way old records sound. The median dynamic at Thomann costs $193, the median condenser $479 and the median ribbon $1,402.
Guides · Nov 2, 2026
A guitar combo costs from $20 to $4,622 at Thomann, and the middle one costs $401. Under $150 you get a practice amp; around $400 a modelling amp that does everything; from about $1,000 a tube combo for the stage.
Guides · Nov 1, 2026
An electric guitar is easier on beginner fingers: thinner strings, lower action, a slimmer neck. An acoustic needs nothing else and goes anywhere. Choose by the music you want to play; a complete electric starter set costs about $190.
Guides · Nov 1, 2026
If you're learning piano or play classical music, get 88 keys, ideally weighted. For pop, rock, worship, synth parts and producing, 61 keys cover almost everything, cost less and fit on a desk.
Guides · Nov 1, 2026
For mixing, choose open-back headphones with a neutral sound, comfortable enough for hours, with an impedance your interface can drive. Keep a closed pair for recording. Good mixing headphones start under $200.
Guides · Nov 1, 2026
There are three levels: make the acoustic kit quieter (low-volume cymbals, mesh heads, lighter sticks), switch to an electronic kit with headphones, or practice on a pad. Low-volume cymbals alone cut the cymbal volume by up to 80%.
Guides · Nov 1, 2026
A usable pair of studio monitors costs from about $110 for small desktop speakers to $350 to $650 for the classic 5 to 8-inch models, and $1,300 and up for pro brands. Watch out: most monitors are priced per speaker.
