The Red Dog Blog

Music gear knowledge from Red Dog Music

  • Mixdown Tips

    10 steps to a great mixdown

    You've recorded your track, the playing is tight, the vocals are nectar and it has more hooks than Abu Hamza at a Peter Pan convention. Next step: mixdown. Read more »
  • Inspiration fom the TV?

    5 ways to find musical inspiration from nowhere

    We’ve all been there: sitting down with an instrument waiting for musical inspiration to strike and feeling… nothing. Writer’s block happens to everyone at some point, however talented they may be. The question is: how to get over it? Read more »
  • Roland TD30KV

    Roland V-Drums range comparison

    Roland V-Drums may be popular, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to understand; with a current range of 8 different electronic drum kits, it can be confusing trying to work out the differences between all the different kits. Never fear: that’s where we come in! Read more »
  • Controller Keyboard

    5 best cheap USB controller keyboards

    If you’ve got a laptop or a home PC and you want to get into music-making on the cheap, alongside an audio interface, the main thing you’ll need is a basic controller keyboard. We round-up the cheapest controller keyboards on the market and offer an overview of what they can offer you. Read more »

Latest Posts

Originals vs covers: My Favourite Things

Written by Fynn Callum on May 23, 2013
My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music

For this installment of our originals vs covers, we ask what your favourite things are about my favourite things and ask which is your favourite... Read more »

Fender Standard Stratocaster Plus Top: hands on review

Written by Fynn Callum on May 22, 2013
Fender Standard Stratocaster Plus Top Tobacco Sunburst at Red Dog Music

Making a splash when it was announced at the NAMM show, the Fender Standard Stratocaster Plus Top now makes a splash aswe give it a hands-on review! Read more »

Dynamic range: should the consumer have a choice?

Written by Fynn Callum on May 21, 2013

What is your ultimate guitar? Answer to win!

Written by Fynn Callum on May 20, 2013

Originals vs covers: Dancing in the Street

Written by Fynn Callum on May 17, 2013

We love our music gear so much we’re going to count it!

Written by Fynn Callum on May 17, 2013

What is a NanoMAG pickup?

Written by Fynn Callum on May 17, 2013

Buyer’s Guides

Guitar amplifier buyers’ guide

In the market for a guitar amplifier, but don't know where to start? Check out this handy guitar amplifier buyers' guide. Read more »

Recording microphone buyer’s guide

Recording microphones come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and configurations. We explain the various options in simple language. Read more »

Roland V-Drums range comparison

A detailed Roland V-Drums electronic drum kits comparison, featuring the HD3, the TD4KP, the TD11, the TD15, and the mighty TD30. Read more »

Studio monitors buyer’s guide

Upgrading your studio speakers? Red Dog Music present the studio monitors buyer's guide to point you in the right direction... Read more »

Electric Guitar Buyer’s Guide

In the market for an electric guitar, but not sure what all of those specs mean? This guide will sort you right out. Read more »

Audio Interface Buyer’s Guide

Buying an Audio Interface: an easy-to-understand beginner's guide to the world of computer recording technology. Read more »

Tips and Tricks

How to make a simple House beat

Pic 2 - Cut it loose

Red Dog Music present an easy to follow guide on how to make a basic, great-sounding House beat that[...] Read more »

FREE Home recording workshop: The Final Mix

The Final Mix

Red Dog Music and Swanfield Studios are teaming up to present another fine evening of FREE home reco[...] Read more »

Eric Johnson: The ultimate gear guide

We're gonna need a bigger boat.

Because it takes one to know one, we picked the brains of guitar virtuoso (and lifelong Eric Johnson[...] Read more »

Read all Tips and Tricks

Reviews

Vox Pathfinder 15R: hands-on review

Vox Pathfinder 15R guitar combo

Not just for beginners and bedroom practice, the Vox Pathfinder 15R is a great piece of gear before [...] Read more »

Review: “I Lie About My Age” by Róisín Tuohy

I Lie About My Age

Red Dog Music check out the latest EP by female singer-songwriter extraordinaire Róisín Tuohy[...] Read more »

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4: our hands-on review

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB Audio Interface

The Focusrite Scarlett range of audio interfaces offer a great range of features at a great price, w[...] Read more »

Squier Jaguar Bass Special Vintage Modified: our hands-on review

The Fender Squier Jaguar Bass

The Squier Jaguar Bass from their Vintage Modified series seems to offer a lot of bass for the money[...] Read more »

Hands-on with the Squier HSH Stratocaster

Squier Stratocaster HSH in Crimson Transparent

The Squier HSH Stratocaster is about as super as a 'Superstrat' can get; in fact, it's such a nice p[...] Read more »

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Interviews

4 Scottish music blogs you need to subscribe to

Song, by Toad

With so many goings-on in the Scottish music industry, it's increasingly tricky to keep abreast of w[...] Read more »

An interview with The Stagger Rats

According to their website, the Stagger Rats are “the love children of a mystical creature lon[...] Read more »

An interview with Admiral Fallow

Admiral Fallow

Admiral Fallow are, quite probably, a new-to-you band – albeit one landing in your in-tray or inbo[...] Read more »

Read all Interviews

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Post Categories

  • Guitars, Amps & Effects
  • Bass Guitars, Amps and Effects
  • Keyboards & Modules
  • Recording Equipment
  • Computer Audio
  • Drums
  • PA & DJ
  • Accessories

Featured Event

FREE Home recording workshop: The Final Mix

The Final Mix

Red Dog Music and Swanfield Studios are teaming up to present another fine evening of FREE home recording advice. This time learn how to finish the mix![...] Read more »

Recording guitar made easy: a Roland Planet event!

Roland Planet Recording Guitar Made Easy

Want your technique for guitar recordings to be made easy? Then get yourself down to Red Dog Music for Roland Planet's 'Recording Guitar Made Easy' event![...] Read more »

Digital Pianos with Roland: Piano made easy

Digital Pianos at Red Dog Music- Roland's Piano Made Easy

No time or motivation for piano lessons or practise? Maybe a digital piano can help: book your free Roland Piano made easy session today at Red Dog Music![...] Read more »

Groove Terrierism- the Red Dog takes its records out!

Red Dog Presents the Groove Terrierists!

Get ready to cancel those previous engagements as we kick the weekend off early on the 18th April at the City Cafe with 'Groove Terrierism'![...] Read more »

Short courses at the Academy

Academy short courses

Want to get your head around Pro Tools? Feel the need to sharpen up your composing or lyric writing? How’s your singing, hmm? Think it could be better? Let’s do this thing! Our downstairs neighbours at the Academy of Music & Sound have announced some new short courses for Spring [...] Read more »

Verden Studios Demo Project 2012 roundup

Verden Studios are delighted to announce the end-of-project showcase event for the young bands and musicians who took part in the Verden Studios Demo Project 2012. Supported by Creative Scotland’s CashBack for Creativity programme, which re-invests money seized from criminals back into cultural activities for young people across Scotland. The [...] Read more »

Red Dog Music Christmas Party 2012

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” as the late, great Andy Williams used to sing. We’re going to be celebrating Big Willie Style by throwing a massive party for all our wonderful customers! Thursday 20th December 6pm – 9pm  Get your free tickets from Eventbrite This is the perfect opportunity [...] Read more »

Roll up! Roll up! It’s time for the Red Dog’s Ball!

It’s that time of year again, folks! Dust off your best slacks, set Holby City to record, ask your granny to look after your mangy cat… it’s time to party with your pals from Red Dog Music! We have 7 of our lovely Red Dog staff members performing in 6 [...] Read more »

Recreate 15 Iconic Synth Sounds

Become a synthesizer master with Roland’s workshops at Planet Synth and get an exclusive Exploring Sound iBook for free. Have you ever wondered how to recreate the gurgling squelch of Daft Punk’s Da Funk or the haunting staccato of Kraftwerk’s The Model? Well, wonder no more! Roland is hosting a [...] Read more »

Vigier Guitars For Sale!

Click HERE for more info and free tickets. Click here to view the full Vigier range on our website. Red Dog Music are now Edinburgh’s official dealer of Vigier Guitars. For those of you who haven’t heard of Vigier, they come from France and are some of the most wonderfully [...] Read more »

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a NanoMAG pickup?

Unsure about that little Shadow NanoMAG pickup sitting at the end of your fretboard? We spill the beans on this little bit of tonal versatility! Read more »

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