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James is a writer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, sound designer, and synth enthusiast. From bebop to hip-hop, he has a diverse passion for music that blends modern and traditional concepts.
After studying as a pianist and composer, James developed a keen interest in music production and sound design. Pursuing these interests at the SAE Institute, he discovered just how expansive the world of music production truly is.
A massive jazz fan, James was drawn to the production and engineering styles of pioneers like Rudy Van Gelder and Attilio Joseph "Teo" Macero. He then studied the works of seminal engineers and producers from each era, drawing influence from figures like Quincy Jones and Joe Meek to Dr. Dre and Ryan Tedder.
Over the past 20 years, James has gained vast experience as a performer, educator, composer, and content creator. He has worked on various educational projects to highlight the many benefits of music.
Through collaborations with organizations like Youth Music UK and brands like JBL, he has led campaigns encouraging young people to get involved in music. He has also composed music for campaigns promoting mental health awareness.
As a writer, James covers major music industry trade shows (especially synth-focused events like Superbooth), creating content that showcases the latest releases from manufacturers and developers.
He has produced demo and tutorial content for brands like Akai, iZotope, and Plugin Boutique, accumulating hundreds of thousands of views. His writing has also appeared on platforms such as Bedroom Producers Blog, Pianist's Compass, and Music Critic.
As a musician and producer, his goal is never to close doors but to take influence from everywhere - never be defined by a single genre, just make music.
I’m a long-time fan of Studiologic keyboards, whether synths, stage pianos, or MIDI controllers.
In this review, I’m testing Studiologic’s latest mid-priced full-size keyboard controller, the SL88 Mk2. I’ll discuss how it differs from the original and how it stacks up against the competition.
Synth VST plugins are so good these days that they convert even the most ardent hardware purists to software enthusiasts.
Soft synths are generally a cheaper alternative to hardware, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get pricey. As always, I’ve got some recommendations for all budgets and a couple of freebies everyone should have.
Synthesizers and keyboards are usually very different but can look very similar, which causes some confusion.
In this article, I’m exploring the fundamental differences between synths and keyboards and comparing the two.
Synthesizers come in all shapes and sizes, and they are capable of doing many weird and wonderful things. In this article, I’m looking at the best synthesizers in 2026, or at least my favorites, anyway.
Universal Audio’s 6176 combines two iconic pieces of outboard gear: the 610 mic preamp and the 1176LN compressor. Individually, these models are highly sought-after, so the idea of having both in a single unit should appeal to engineers and producers everywhere.
Akai’s legendary MPC series has become an integral part of music production history, especially hip hop. Over the years, we’ve seen many variations of the MPC, each offering something a little different.