You open a laptop, click a button and start recording a track. That sounds like the most natural thing in the world, but behind that simple action lies fifty years of technological leaps. How did digital recording and MIDI come together in the device now sitting on your desk? This is the story of two developments that began separately and eventually became completely intertwined.

You want to learn to DJ, you’ve got a budget, and you’re facing that first real decision: a controller that connects to your laptop, or a standalone system that plays the music by itself. Both options work perfectly well, but they suit different situations and different ways of working. Here are the key differences to help you make your choice.

Saxophone or clarinet: both instruments use a reed and belong to the woodwind family, but they sound different, feel different and suit different musical styles. If you’re not sure which way to go, it helps to set out the main differences side by side. That way you can make a choice that suits you.

The recorder has 8 holes and can sound like a proper instrument within a few minutes — but there’s more to the jump from “making a sound” to “actually playing music” than you might expect. With the right approach, you’ll make visible progress from day one, without getting stuck in bad habits you’ll have to unlearn later.

If you’re looking at a piano keyboard for the first time, the layout might seem random: a few black keys here, a gap there, and the white keys aren’t all evenly spaced in terms of pitch either. Yet there’s a logical explanation behind it — one that dates back to the Middle Ages.

In our article about contracts for musicians, we already touched on it: the technical rider. This is a document that lists all the ‘technical specifications’ of a band. There are many versions in circulation, varying greatly in quality. With a good rider, the on-site engineer knows exactly what to expect. What should a technical rider include? And what’s the difference between a technical rider and a hospitality rider?

Bax Music has a wide range of microphones in its catalogue. On the microphone product pages in the webshop you’ll find a list of specifications, which we’re going to take a closer look at. To understand what these specs actually mean, we need to start with the basics.

In our articles about musical instruments, the saxophone simply can’t be left out. It’s remarkable to see how this relatively young instrument – invented in 1840 – continues to hold its own in pop music and jazz. The saxophone is a popular instrument and features on countless classic tracks. We’ll cover the history of this ingenious wind instrument, along with the different types of sax, playing styles and techniques.

Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven is a timeless classic. And yet there’s a strange vibe around the song, with the intro even being dubbed “the forbidden riff”. In this mini-blog, we dive into the stories behind this evergreen meme — and why, according to some people, you’re not supposed to play Stairway to Heaven in a music shop.

One of the most challenging stages of making your own music video is the edit. This is the moment you take the footage you’ve worked so hard on and start shaping it into an impressive music video. It’s a tough job, but the end result can be stunning — and a real calling card for your band. You can make the process easier by following the step-by-step plan in this article!

In classical music, violins take pride of place. But the violin has also found its way into pop music, and in styles such as folk rock it’s practically indispensable. How do you play this bowed instrument, and how difficult is it? And what should you watch out for if you want to combine violin and pop? A closer look at a legendary instrument!

Is it time to bring in an image consultant? Or do you not need one as a musician? One thing is certain: a meal in a restaurant can taste amazing, but if the presentation isn’t appealing, it feels less appetising. The same goes for musicians and bands. Image and identity matter. It’s an extra form of expression, adds a new dimension to your band and your music, and above all, it makes you recognisable.