For musicians, a music stand is one of those pieces of gear that rarely gets the spotlight. It’s not glamorous, and it doesn’t make your music sound better, but when it works well, you forget it’s even there (that’s kind of the point). I don't often engage with testing products, but when KraftGeek reached out with their Capsule Music Stand, I decided to try it out. After a few months of using it in studio work, I'd say it works as it's marketed, as a lightweight, portable, and functional music stand.

First Impressions: Packaging That Feels Premium

I’ll start with something you might not expect in a review of a music stand: the packaging. If you're into nice packaging (I don't particularly care, though I keep buying Apple products anyway), then you'll be impressed. The Capsule arrives in sleek, minimalist packaging that makes the unboxing experience feel special.

Does that matter for a music stand? Of course not, but I figured it was worth mentioning to kick things off.

Design & Build: A Triumph in Portability

The Capsule’s calling card is its lightweight, portable design, and it delivers in spades. The stand collapses neatly into a small, easy-to-carry form factor that’s perfect for musicians on the go. It’s the kind of stand that fits seamlessly into a gig bag, backpack, or even a suitcase. It's a good choice for travelling musicians, music teachers, or anyone rehearsing in multiple locations.

It's designed to be light, but it's still strong enough to easily hold sheet music, binders or even tablets. My issue is that the base is awfully narrow (it kind of has to be), which makes the stand unsteady when it's extended. It's also almost always top-heavy when holding tablets and binders, and wind can easily catch sheet music as a sail and take the stand down as a result.

It’s worth mentioning that KraftGeek’s attention to detail carries over to the clips and surface design. The built-in sheet holders do an excellent job keeping pages in place, especially during longer scores or in slightly breezy indoor environments (open windows, fans, etc.). For anyone who’s ever fought with fluttering pages during a performance, this small feature alone makes a big difference.

Functionality: A Musician’s Everyday Companion

After a few months of use, I've personally opted for more heavy-duty stands in my rooms. However, I'm sedentary in my work (between my home studio and professional day-to-day). It would certainly be part of my workflow if I was regularly taking part in practice sessions, lessons, and small performances. If you value portability and ease-of-setup over sheer stability, it's a good bet.

Setup and teardown take seconds. The telescoping mechanism is smooth and intuitive, and it locks into place without any wobble when used at reasonable heights. For seated musicians, it’s almost ideal.

One of my favourite additions is the LumiLight 1/4” Screw Light, which feels like an afterthought in many other stands but is impressively well-executed here. The brightness is strong enough to illuminate sheet music without harsh glare, and the light’s positioning makes it genuinely useful in dim studio or rehearsal spaces and small venues. As someone who often works in a lot of low-light environments, this feature alone makes the Capsule stand out.

Durability vs. Weight: A Careful Balancing Act

Lightweight stands always come with trade-offs. KraftGeek has managed to strike a good balance between portability and durability, but it’s important to set expectations.

For its weight class, the Capsule feels solid. It’s held up well after a few months of use. There are no loose joints, no slipping extensions, and no signs of wear beyond a few superficial scuffs. However, the lightness that makes it easy to carry also means it’s not the most stable option in every situation.

When I tried using it as a voiceover stand in the studio, extending it to full height, the limitations became clear. Fully elongated, it’s just not tall or stable enough for that purpose. Any accidental bump or cable tug could send the stand to the ground. For that kind of setup, a heavier-duty stand with a larger base makes more sense.

Similarly, I wouldn’t recommend using the Capsule outdoors. Even a mild breeze could catch your sheet music and tip the stand.

Ergonomics & Adjustability

The Capsule offers a respectable range of height adjustment, but it’s clear the stand was designed primarily with seated performers in mind. At full extension, it’s not quite tall enough for standing vocalists or wind players who prefer to play upright.

For those scenarios, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you’re sitting at a piano, guitar, or workstation, the height range is perfect. The tilt adjustment is smooth, and the music plate holds its position well even when slightly weighted down by a binder or small book.

Another subtle but appreciated detail is the edge design of the tray. It has just enough lip to keep papers from sliding off, but it’s not so deep that it gets in the way of turning pages. Little things like this show that KraftGeek actually thought about how musicians interact with their stands in the real world.

Aesthetics & Branding

The clean lines, matte finish, and compact geometry give the Capsule music stand a modern, almost tech-like aesthetic. It looks equally at home in a recording studio, classroom, or living room.

This may sound trivial, but there’s something inspiring about using well-designed tools, and the Capsule’s design subtly reinforces that feeling.

The Verdict: Practical Elegance for the Right Use Case

The KraftGeek Capsule, to me, is not a universal replacement for heavier, more stable stands, but it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it excels in its niche: a sleek, portable, and intelligently designed stand for everyday musicians who value convenience without sacrificing quality.

Here’s how I’d break down the pros and cons:

Ultimately, the KraftGeek Capsule Music Stand is a product I’d recommend to musicians who value design, portability, and simplicity. It’s not a replacement for your heavy-duty studio stand, but as a grab-and-go option, it’s one of the best I’ve used. For rehearsal rooms, home studios, or portable setups, it’s a small piece of gear that delivers big on practicality, aesthetics, and user experience.

The post KraftGeek Capsule Music Stand Review first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Earphones and earbuds are perhaps the most popular audio devices in the world today. Think of how many people you know have a pair or multiple pairs of these tiny headphones.

With great popularity comes a large market with a lot of different brands and manufacturers. In this article, we'll be discussing the best earphones and earbud brands on the market today to help you decide on your first or next pair of earphones/earbuds.

The Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands Are:

1. Jabra
2. Sennheiser
3. Shure
4. Sony
5. Bowers & Wilkins
6. RHA
7. FiiO
8. Bose
9. JBL
10. Bang & Olufsen
11. Apple
12. Beats
13. Etymotic Research
14. Skullcandy

Before you buy a pair of earphones/earbuds, be sure to check out these My New Microphone articles:
• Should I Buy Earbuds Or Headphones? (In-Depth Comparison)
• The Ultimate Headphone/Earphone Buyer’s Guide

Additionally, I want to add that customer reviews often skew negative (venting frustration, seeking resolution publicly, unmet expectations, negativity bias, etc.) and often contradict. Conversely, affiliate reviews often skew positive (financial incentives, selective reviewing, brand relationships, audience expectation, etc.). With that, I'd encourage you, once again, to read my ethics statement linked above to better understand my stance.

Jabra

First on this list is Jabra, an American-turned-Danish company that produces some of the best-sounding and affordable earphones on the market.

This global brand maintains a serious passion for sound and has plentiful expertise in consumer, professional and medical audio technology. Jabra products are designed by engineers with unrivalled knowledge of the human ear.

If you're looking for easy-to-use earphones with incredible sound, be sure to check out Jabra!

Notable earphone model: Jabra Elite 75t

The Jabra Elite 75t is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $200
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200
• Top 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200

Sennheiser

Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG has become a tycoon in the professional audio industry. Its high-end headphones are utilized in professional settings worldwide, while its consumer-grade earphones are enjoyed by listeners around the world who expect great audio.

Sennheiser is a massive international company with nearly 3,000 employees but remains a family-run business.

Sennheiser strives to design and manufacture the best possible audio devices, including earphones. With Sennheiser earphones, we benefit from the company's great technology in a smaller listening package.

Notable earphone model: Sennheiser CX Sport

The Sennheiser CX Sport is featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $100 and Hikers' Movements' Top 10 Best Headphones/Earphones For Hiking.

Shure

Shure is best known for its wide range of microphones. However, Shure also produces high-end earphones that deserve a spot on this list.

Though Shure has been around for a long time, the company only began manufacturing headphones in 2009. It wasn't long before their earphones became well-respected in the world of compact listening devices.

Shure earphones range from basic earbuds to audiophile-worthy in-ear monitors. No matter what you're after in searching for the best earphones, Shure should have something for you!

Notable earphone model: Shure SE215

Sony

Third on this list is the Sony Corporation. This massive Fortune Global 500 (top 500 companies in the world based on revenue) company has devoted some of its resources to producing some of the best earphones available on the market today.

Sony produces a wide variety of earphones for both professional and consumer markets, with price points for everyone.

Notable earphone model: Sony WF-1000XM3

The Sony WF-1000XM3 is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top Best Earphones For Sleeping Under $250
• Top Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200

Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins has been making a name for itself as a quality manufacturer of loudspeakers and loudspeaker systems for home, studio, automobile and even mobile applications. In addition to their superb loudspeakers, B&W also designs and produces excellent earphones.

World-class sound engineering and innovation are ingrained into this company and their earphones, among other products, are proof of that.

Notable earphone model: Bowers & Wilkins PI4

RHA

Unlike the aforementioned brands thus far, RHA's main focus as a manufacturer is on earphones and earphone accessories.

The company is committed to designing products that respect and enhance the listener experience, both in terms of audio quality and ease of use.

RHA designs utilize advanced technologies combined with premium materials and intuitive controls to give users the freedom to listen to whatever they want, whenever they want, with audio quality and style.

Notable earphone model: RHA TrueConnect

FiiO

FiiO is a worldwide audio equipment brand name focusing on quality and an aspiration to raise the reputation of its “made in China” products. As their place on this list would suggest, they produce superb earphones.

Their earphones and in-ear monitors of FiiO are some of the best in the world and are designed with those who love music and style in mind. The sonic clarity and reliable performance of FiiO earphones show the company's commitment to quality.

If high-quality earphones are what you're after, certainly give FiiO's product line a listen!

Notable earphone model: FiiO FH7

Bose

Established in 1964, Bose Corporation has become a household name for those who care about great quality audio. Bose is best known for its home audio systems and popular noise-cancelling headphones and also has incredible earphones as part of its product line.

Bose remains at the forefront of audio and earphone technology, advancing the field forward while providing affordable, high-quality products to the typical consumer obsessed with great audio quality.

Bose's earphones are among the best in the world and even outperform over-ear headphones of lesser brands in terms of overall sonic and build quality.

Notable earphone model: Bose QuietComfort 20

JBL

JBL is best known for its consumer and professional-grade loudspeakers. The company also produces some of the world's best earphones.

The popularity of JBL comes largely from the company's ability to produce high-end equipment at agreeable prices. The same is true of their earphones, which sound great and won't break the bank.

Notable earphone model: JBL Reflect Flow

The JBL Reflect Flow is featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $100.

Bang & Olufsen

The Danish luxury consumer electronics company Bang & Olufsen has been making a name for itself since 1925. B&O is recognized for its high-end audio products, televisions and telephones.

B&O earphones are for the consumer looking to spend a bit more money. Of course, the earphones sound incredible and are very comfortable.

The company's innovative and progressive audio products are sold worldwide, and the heritage of the brand continues today with a team pushing the boundaries of audio technology.

Notable earphone model: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0

Apple

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company. The company designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, computer software, online services and, of course, earphones.

The Apple EarPods and AirPods are among the most commonly used earphones in the world due, in large part, to the success of the iPod and iPhone audio devices.

The sheer popularity of Apple earphones could have gotten them on this list, however controversial that may be. The audio quality may not be the greatest, but it's not terrible either. The sonic quality has improved since the AirPods.

So these earphones are still some of the best and, on top of that, belong to one of the most successful brands of headphones/earphones in the world.

Notable earphone model: Apple AirPods

Beats

Beats Electronics (better known as Beats By Dre.) is a subsidiary of the aforementioned Apple Inc.

Funny enough, Beats was originally founded to offer the consumer market a better alternative to the low-quality Apple earbuds that have saturated the market.

Beats headphones are often criticized for being overly bass-heavy.

However, to the bass lovers out there, earphones can sound rather weak. One listener's criticism could be another's praise.

On top of that, Beats earphones are stylish and surprisingly comfortable.

Bass, style and comfort have obviously been huge selling points for Beats and have put the brand into the mainstream (and on this list)!

Notable earphone model: Beats By Dre. Powerbeats Pro

The Beats By Dre. Powerbeats Pro is featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200.

Beats is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!

Etymotic Research

Etymotic Research began as a designer and manufacturer of hearing aids. It should come as no surprise, then, that Etymotic's earphones/earbuds are top-notch.

The brand and the experts that work with the company are passionate about delivering the best earphone products possible to their customers.

The result of such passion is apparent when listening to a pair of Etymotic earphones. What we get is clean, clear, uncoloured audio with noticeable comfort.

Notable earphone model: Etymotic Research ER3XR

Skullcandy

Skullcandy is a huge name in consumer headphones and earphones.

The company began to fill a void in the market for headphones geared toward snowboarders. The company has since flourished to include all consumers, active or not, who are passionate about great-sounding and great-fitting earphones at reasonable prices.

The brand is a standout in style and has made significant strives throughout its existence to continuously improve the technology and sonic excellence of its earphones.

Notable earphone model: Skullcandy Push Ultra

Best Headphones/Earphones By Type, Application & Price

Below is a list of My New Microphone articles regarding the best headphones/earphones by type, application, and price:
• Top 5 Best Earphones For Sleeping Under $250
• Top 3 Best Earphones For Swimming Under $200
• Top 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $100
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $50
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $100
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $200

The post 14 Best Earphone And Earbud Brands In The World first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

There are seemingly countless headphone brands in the world today. Still, only a few brands produce top-quality professional (and consumer-grade) headphones, and only a handful of these brands have become household names across the world.

The Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World Are:

• Sennheiser
• Bose
• Sony
• AKG
• Bang & Olufsen
• Beyerdynamic
• Audio-Technica
• Focal
• Shure
• Grado
• Bowers & Wilkins
• STAX
• Audeze

Let's get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 13 best headphone brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a best-selling or flagship headphone model, and a link to their official websites.

For a list of all headphone brands/manufacturers, check out My New Microphone's Full List Of Headphone, Earphone & Headset Brands/Manufacturers.

Click here to return to My New Microphone’s articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Sennheiser

Founded in 1945 by Fritz Sennheiser, Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG has become a tycoon in the professional audio industry. Its high-end headphones are utilized in professional settings around the world, while its consumer-grade headphones are enjoyed by plenty of listeners who expect great audio.

Sennheiser strives to design and manufacture the best possible audio devices, including headphones. This makes itself known in the company's long history of popular and high-quality products.

Sennheiser is a massive international company with nearly 3,000 employees, but it remains a family-run business. The company ensures it satisfies its customer’s wants with superb marketing research and engineering developments.

The most popular headphones by Sennheiser are perhaps its HD 280 Pro

The Sennheiser 280 Pro is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Moving-Coil/Dynamic Headphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Circumaural (Over-Ear) Headphones Under $100

Bose

Established in 1964, Bose Corporation has become a household name for those who care about great quality audio. Bose is best known for its home audio systems and popular noise-cancelling headphones.

Innovation is in the DNA of the Bose Corporation.

In fact, Bose was the first company to bring active noise-cancelling headphones to the commercial market with the introduction of their Bose Aviation Headset in 1989.

Bose remains at the forefront of audio and headphone technology, advancing the field forward while providing high-quality products that are affordable.

Bose's most popular headphones today are likely the QuietComfort 35 Series II.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Wireless Headphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Moving-Coil/Dynamic Headphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Under $200

Sony

Since its founding in 1946, the Japanese-based Sony Corporation has become a global conglomerate. Sony is involved in sectors such as gaming, entertainment, financial services, and consumer and professional electronics, including, of course, headphones.

Sony is a giant company and is part of the Fortune Global 500 (top 500 companies in the world based on revenue).

In the audio industry, Sony is likely best known for its revolutionary 1979 device: the Sony Walkman. As for headphones, Sony produces a wide variety of headphones and earphones in all form factors for both professional and consumer markets.

Sony's best-selling headphones are its MDR-7506.

The Sony MDR-7506 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Headphones For Podcasting Under $100
• Top 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Circumaural (Over-Ear) Headphones Under $100

AKG

AKG is a world-renowned brand of microphones, headphones and audio systems for professional and consumer markets, making a name for itself since its inception in 1947.

Since the 1994 acquisition, AKG has been a subsidiary of Harman International (which is owned by Samsung). That being said, the AKG brand is still alive and strong today.

AKG may be best known for its incredible vintage and modern microphones and is also a well-respected designer/manufacturer of headphones.

AKG's most popular pair of headphones is the K 240 model.

The AKG K 240 is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Moving-Coil/Dynamic Headphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Headphones For Podcasting Under $100
• Top 5 Best Open-Back Headphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Circumaural (Over-Ear) Headphones Under $100

Bang & Olufsen

The Danish luxury consumer electronics company Bang & Olufsen has been making a name for itself since 1925. B&O is recognized for its high-end audio products, televisions and telephones.

Though B&O has a relatively small range of headphones, its models are of excellent design quality and superb choices in the high-end consumer and professional markets.

The company’s innovative and progressive audio products are sold worldwide, and the brand's heritage continues today with a team pushing the boundaries of audio technology.

The most popular pair of Bang & Olufsen headphones would have to be the Beoplay H4.

Beyerdynamic

Beyerdynamic has been an industry-leading manufacturer of headphones, microphones, wireless audio systems and conference systems since its founding all the way back in 1924. In fact, Beyerdynamic is the oldest active audio equipment company in existence!

Beyerdynamic is perhaps best known for its wide range of incredible-sounding headphones that each sells for an affordable price.

Whether you're a broadcaster, conference technician, studio or television engineer, musician, or someone who enjoys high-end audio quality at prices that won't break the bank, Beyerdynamic may be your go-to brand.

Beyerdynamic's most popular headphone model is its DT 770 Pro.

This model is particularly interesting because it comes in 3 different versions with 3 different impedance ratings (32, 80 and 250 ohms). The performance of each model varies, with the 32-ohm model being more versatile, the 250-ohm model requiring a headphone amp but sounding more professional, and the 80-ohm model splitting the difference.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Headphones For Podcasting Under $200
• Top 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Circumaural (Over-Ear) Headphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Moving-Coil/Dynamic Headphones Under $200

Audio-Technica

Since its inception in 1962, Audio-Technica has proven itself as a major player in the audio equipment manufacturing industry.

The Japanese company specializes in professional headphones, microphones and many other audio devices and equipment.

AT headphones can be found in professional music studios, film sets, broadcasting events, project studios, and on the heads of music lovers worldwide.

Audio-Technica's drive to innovate and improve audio technology has led to an impressive line of audio products, including headphones.

Of all the Audio-Technica headphones to choose from, their ATH-M50x is their most popular model.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Headphones For Podcasting Under $200
• Top 5 Best Circumaural (Over-Ear) Headphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Moving-Coil/Dynamic Headphones Under $200

Focal

Focal has been in the high-fidelity audio game since 1979 and has established a solid reputation as a leading manufacturer of high-end audio equipment.

This highly innovative company is best known for its premium loudspeakers. The Grande Utopia, for example, is often considered to be one of the greatest high-fidelity loudspeakers in the world.

Focal headphones are incredible, just like their loudspeakers, only much smaller. Focal does produce affordable headphones for consumers, but the real magic happens in their high-end models.

Focal's flagship Utopia headphones are defined as the quintessential high-fidelity headphones for audiophiles and music lovers.

The Focal Utopia, due to its high price point and popularity, is featured in my article Are Expensive Headphones (Or Cheap Headphones) Worth It?

Shure

Founded in 1925, Shure has become a household name in audio-electronics manufacturing.

Though perhaps best known for its wide range of microphones (particularly the moving-coil dynamic models), Shure also produces wireless audio systems, mixers, digital signal processors, monitoring systems, and, of course, headphones and high-end earphones.

That being said, Shure only began manufacturing headphones in May of 2009, applying their philosophy of combining durability with audio quality in their headphone products. Since then, Shure headphones and earphones have been made for all listeners, from basic earbuds to audiophile-worthy over-ears and everything in between.

Although Shure produces a wide range of excellent headphones, its most popular headphones are actually in-ear monitors designed for stage use and personal listening. These earphones are the SE215s.

Grado

Grado Labs specializes in dynamic open-back, supra-aural (on-ear), high-fidelity headphones.

This very specific style of headphones is what the small team at Grado Labs does best, and they've got more than half a century of experience in the business to prove it.

Every pair of Grado headphones is handcrafted in-house and made with the expertise required for building high-quality headphones. They have several series to fit the needs of their customers.

Grado's most popular headphones are their SR80s.

Bowers & Wilkins

Since 1966, Bowers & Wilkins has been making a name for itself as a quality manufacturer of loudspeakers and loudspeaker systems for home, studio, automobile and even mobile applications.

Though perhaps not as well known as the wide range of loudspeakers, Bowers & Wilkins also have a wide selection of high-quality headphones and earphones.

World-class sound engineering and innovation are ingrained into this company, and their headphones, among other products, are proof of that.

The PX7 headphones are the most popular headphones from Bowers & Wilkins.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Wireless Headphones Under $500
• Top 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones Under $500
• Top 5 Best Circumaural (Over-Ear) Headphones Under $500
• Top 5 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Under $500

STAX

STAX makes this list as the best brand specializing in electrostatic headphones.

Originally founded in 1938, it would take until 1960 before STAX produced its first electrostatic headphones. Since then, the company has made a name for itself as the go-to for this specific type of headphone.

Not only has STAX found its niche, but it excels at producing the best electrostatic headphones on the market.

The most notable headphones from STAX are the SR-007A MK2.

The STAX SR-007A MK2 is featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Electrostatic Headphones.

Audeze

Audeze makes this list as the best brand specializing in planar magnetic headphones.

Like STAX, Audeze has found a niche and has developed a name for itself through its high-quality, innovative planar magnetic headphone designs.

They offer a wide variety of this specific headphone type, designing over-ear and in-ear headphones ranging from $400 to $4,000. With careful design and awesome technology, the headphones from Audeze are sure to give a great and perhaps novel listening experience.

The most popular Audeze headphones are the LCD-X.

The Audeze LCD-X is featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Planar Magnetic Headphones.

The post Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

If you're listening to audio from loudspeakers, it's practically guaranteed that there is a power amplifier in the audio signal chain. If you can't see the amplifier unit, it's probably built into the active speaker. If the speaker is passive, it will require a power amplifier. This article is about the latter of the two cases.

The power amplifier(s) of an audio setup is essential in getting the best results. Choosing the right amplifier for your loudspeakers and overall sound system is a big decision. There are so many options out there when it comes to choosing a power amplifier. In this article, we'll talk about the best and most prominent brands/manufacturers to look out for when choosing the best power amp for your setup.

The Top 11 Best Power Amplifier Brands Are:

1. Crown Audio
2. Niles
3. McIntosh
4. NAD Electronics
5. Anthem
6. Cambridge Audio
7. Rega Research
8. Parasound
9. Schiit
10. Pass Labs
11. Linear Tube Audio

In this article, we'll discuss each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 11 best power amp brands. For each brand, I'll share the country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a best-selling or flagship model, and a link to the official website.

Related My New Microphone articles:
• Full List: Audio Amplifier Brands/Manufacturers (+ Examples)
• Receiver Or Amplifier: Which One Should I Buy?

Crown Audio

Crown Audio is an industry-leading amplifier manufacturer. The company designs and produces amps for cinema venues, installed sites, touring rigs, portable PA and commercial audio.

With a passion for innovation and decades of experience, Crown Audio has made a name for itself as a go-to brand for power amplifiers in home, commercial and large PA applications.

Crown's philosophy is to design, build and service each of its products as if they were the customer. This additional care and attention to detail have been paramount in Crown's longevity as one of the best power amplifier manufacturers on the global market.

Noteworthy amplifier: Crown Audio XLi 3500

Niles

Niles Audio has been at the forefront of audio equipment innovation since its early days in the late 1970s. The company made a near-immediate impact on the industry with its development of the home audio speaker selection control systems.

Since then, Niles has become somewhat synonymous with high-end home audio solutions. This is apparent in their incredible home entertainment power amplifiers, many of which integrate with lighting and climate control.

So, if you're looking for a power amplifier that will fit your new home theatre or entertainment room, Niles will more than likely have what you're after (and probably more)!

Noteworthy amplifier: Niles SI-2150

McIntosh

McIntosh is one of if not the top manufacturers of tube amplifiers and is certainly deserving of a spot on this list. The company also designs excellent solid-state models that maintain the high level of quality expected from McIntosh products.

With well over half a century of experience, McIntosh has made a name for itself as a manufacturer of some of the finest quality home audio products in the world. The company has set the standard very high for performance, reliability and service.

Related article: Do Amplifiers Improve Sound Quality?

McIntosh spends extensive time conceptualizing and designing their power amplifiers to be the best they can be with the customer in mind. They constantly push the envelope to exceed their own standards, and this dedication can be heard for itself by simply listening to one of their many power amplifiers.

Noteworthy amplifier: McIntosh MC152

NAD Electronics

NAD Electronics is a well-respected manufacturer of amplifiers, turntables, DACs, headphones, and more. The company's affordable, high-quality amplifiers have made them a favourite of many Hi-Fi fanatics, and their power amplifiers have put them on this list!

In fact, the NAD 3020, produced in the 1970s, is one of the best-selling hi-fi amplifiers ever to hit the shelves. This blockbuster of a power amplifier gave NAD its name as a high-end manufacturer with affordably priced products.

Since then, the company has continued on its path of excellence, producing many more amplifiers for the audiophile's home sound systems.

Noteworthy amplifier: NAD D 3020 V2

Anthem

Anthem designs its products to give users the most advanced tools available to easily connect, control, optimize and power all of their entertainment systems. The power amplifier is at the heart of many systems, and Anthem has a fantastic selection of high-quality amps to choose from.

Anthem's expertise in the field has allowed them to constantly innovate their designs to keep up with the times with plenty of proprietary technology to include in their amplifiers. Their power amplifiers are top-level in terms of reliability, functionality and performance-to-price.

All Anthem amplifiers are engineered and built in-house with hand-selected components and incredible attention to detail.

The result is a boutique-like performance at a large-scale manufacturer's price.

Noteworthy amplifier: Anthem STR

Cambridge Audio

Cambridge Audio is another excellent power amp manufacturer that prides itself on giving listeners the best possible sound at the fairest possible price. This mission is apparent in all of Cambridge Audio's equipment, including, of course, its power amplifiers.

This award-winning company is dedicated to providing powerful amplifiers with incredible detail. Amps that can be turned way up without losing any balance in the sound.

You can be sure that a Cambridge Audio power amplifier will provide an unadulterated and true representation of what the artists intended, only louder! This puts them in the top 11 best power amplifier brands on the market.

Noteworthy amplifier: Cambridge Audio Azur 851W

Rega Research

Rega Research is probably best known for its turntables. However, this company is also a manufacturer of fantastic Hi-Fi audio equipment, including power amplifiers.

Rega has built up a respectable range of power amplifiers designed to integrate perfectly into any Hi-Fi audio system.

Their power amps are designed and built with practicality and sonic perfection in mind and tend to punch well above their price class.

Noteworthy amplifier: Rega Osiris

Parasound

Parasound is a top choice for consumers looking for professional sound in power amplifiers. The company is absolutely devoted to producing equipment with top-tier sound at affordable price points.

Parasound puts each of its power amplifiers through extensive testing to ensure only the best of the best make it to market. Not only do we get a power amp at an incredible deal, but we also get a piece of equipment that will last a long time in our sound setup.

Uncompromised quality and customer service (even post-sale) are at the heart of the Parasound philosophy, giving them a spot on the list of the top power amplifier brands in the world.

Noteworthy amplifier: Parasound New Classic 275 V2

Schiit

Schiit is a well-respected American-made audio equipment manufacturer that has impressive power amplifiers in its product selection.

Every Schiit product is carefully designed and manufactured in California, and all outsourced parts are produced to the highest standards in the United States.

All Schiit power amplifiers are designed for longevity and ruggedness which is rarely seen in the life of a power amplifier. This over-designing, if you will, has made Schiit amplifiers some of the longest-lasting on the market.

Each power amplifier is built by hand and required to pass intense testing before ever being put on the market. The customer service and support are also top-notch to ensure the best ongoing results possible with the purchase of a Schiit amplifier.

Noteworthy amplifier: Schiit Wotan

Pass Labs

Pass Laboratories is one of the best in the business when it comes to designing and manufacturing solid-state amplifiers.

Their Class-A and Class-AB power amps are among the best in the world and have placed Pass on this list!

A great deal of effort, skill and innovation go into each Pass power amplifier. These attributes are shown in the wonderful-sounding units with the Pass logo. The same amps that are enjoyed by audiophiles around the world.

This brand is committed to improving each and every day, innovating its amplifier technology in doing so. The results are incredible-sounding amps and, more importantly, happy customers.

Noteworthy amplifier: Pass Labs X350.8

Linear Tube Audio

Linear Tube Audio is a high-fidelity audio manufacturer with the mission of bringing life back to music with affordable products. Their esteemed power amplifiers suggest this mission is continually accomplished.

Each and every LTA amplifier is designed with ZOTL technology. ZOTL is a David Berning patent with a complex design that effectively combines “tube tone” with “solid-state detail”. Since the debut of ZOTL technology, LTA has been the only company able to manufacture the Berning patent at a commercial scale successfully.

This unique technology doesn't only make LTA power amplifiers unique, but it also produces incredible sonic performance in every one of LTA's power amps.

The completely American-made power amps of LTA are among the best in the world, delivering tube-like character with the precision of solid-state electronics with the help of the amazing ZOTL technology.

Noteworthy amplifier: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference

Honourable Mentions

• Russound
• Polk Audio
• ELAC
• Zanden Audio Systems
• Zesto Audio
• Hegel
• Technics
• AVM
• Triode Corporation
• PS Audio
• D’Agostino
• Bryston
• Gamut Audio

The post 11 Best Power Amplifier Brands In The World first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

When sight-reading sheet music and lyrics (among other musical endeavours), a music stand is an invaluable asset to have. Beyond music, music stands are great for holding scripts for voiceover. In addition to physical paper, music stands can also be used to hold digital devices for paper-free reading.

Music is everywhere, so it's no surprise that there are plenty of music stand options to choose from on the market. With such a wide variety of stands, knowing the top brands is useful.

Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect of a music stand, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgment. In this article, I'll share my take on the top music stand brands.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Company reputation
• Performance of the music stands
• Longevity of the music stands
• Variety of music stands available
• Accessibility of the music stands (how easy they are to find/buy)
• The company must currently be in operation

With all that being said, let's list out the brands.

The Top 11 Best Music Stand Brands Are:

1. Manhasset
2. RAT Stands
3. Yorkville
4. Hercules Stands
5. Quik Lok
6. Ultimate Support
7. K&M
8. Gator Frameworks
9. Hamilton Stands
10. On-Stage
11. Gravity Stands

Let's detail each of these brands and explain why they belong in the top 11 best music stand brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable stand, and a link to their official website.

Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Manhasset

The one thing that started Manhasset was the need for reliable, easy-to-use music stands. Indeed, inventor Otto Lagervall was disappointed with the quality of music stands he could purchase at the time, so he decided to make them better.

With time, the relentless commitment to excellence made the company the go-to choice for professional musicians worldwide. Plus, all Manhasset stands are made in the USA, and the company is currently employee-owned, which means each team member works to see the company grow every day.

Notable stand: Manhasset MODEL 84

This model is perhaps the sturdiest of all Manhasset stands in the market. Indeed, from the high-impact ABS plastic desk (a glare-free matte finish so you can see it in daylight, too) to the heavy-gauge, welded, all-steel base, this is a stand that can surely take a beating. Also, the patented technology for a one-hand operation called “Magic Finger Clutch” allows musicians to adjust the height using one hand. Finally, it is entirely made in the USA.

RAT Stands

The history of RAT Stands started when an opera company, one of the biggest in England, commissioned a brand-new, illuminated stand for its members. That need for a lighted stand gave birth to a company that took innovation as one of its core values since day one.

Nowadays, after thousands of venues around the world trust RAT Stands with their sheets of music, the company is a synonym for sturdiness and performance. Moreover, you can spot them at Abbey Road Studios, the Sydney Opera House, the Dubai Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Opera House, among many others.

Notable stand: RAT Stands Opera Stand

With an acoustically neutral wire tray and an L-shaped base, this is the perfect stand for opera musicians to sit next to at the opera pit. Moreover, although it was designed in 1976, it is still today the only music stand on the market featuring an integral light. It is perfectly designed to shed all its power over the tray and nowhere else. Finally, you can customize it to your preference with different LED lights and trays.

Yorkville

Common problems need quality solutions. This was the initial motto of the company back in the 60s, and it proved fruitful for the company since only ten years after selling stand number one, they had more than one office in the USA and Europe.

Moreover, Yorkville spent the past half a century selling quality stands that can be spotted in local fairs and churches as well as big stages on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, if you are looking for a clever, sturdy solution for your music sheets, Yorkville is a must-check.

Notable stand: Yorkville BS-310

This music stand by Yorkville is sturdy, useful, and easy to carry. To begin with, the large tripod of the BS-310 serves as a great base for the wide, solid, and hole-filled music desk. Moreover, the stand is made of 100% heavy-duty aluminum with a scratch-resistant finish, so your music stand will look like new for years.

It's collapsible, sturdy, and easy to carry. The rubberized, non-slip feet and heavy-duty nylon collars round up a great music stand.

Hercules Stands

Arguably, Hercules is one of the most sought-after stand brands in the world today. Indeed, it has enjoyed a boom in popularity thanks to its revolutionary design that locks instruments with their own weight, keeping them safe and sound regardless of what happens around them.

Also, the clutch system designed by Hercules is perfect for one-hand operation during a show, making Hercules the go-to option for professional musicians around the world. If you go to concerts often, you will surely spot Hercules' distinctive yellow parts on the biggest stages around the world.

Notable stand: Hercules Stands BS418B

From the patented Quik N-EZ height adjustment grip to the perforated desk, this collapsible tripod-style music stand by Hercules with wired page retainers is among the best music stands you can buy in the market today. Moreover, the collapsible, perforated desk is made of heavy-duty aluminum, the anti-slip rubber feet keep the stand in place at all times, and the EZ angle roller is great for setting the desk at the perfect angle. If you're looking for an orchestra stand, you have to check this Hercules model before buying.

Quik Lok

As natural-born innovators, this Italian brand is responsible for some of the most important innovations of the past decades when it comes to stands. A great illustrative example is a groundbreaking feature they added to keyboard stands in the shape of a big dish that allows for on-the-fly height changes.

But that's only a part of the story; the other part is that Quik Lok is among the sturdiest, most reliable, road-worthy stand brands worldwide. So, if you are serious about your music sheet on stage or in the studio, Quik Lok is a brand you can trust.

Notable stand: Quik Lok MS-332

When the road gets tough, professionals turn to Quik Lok for help. Indeed, this music stand can take anything the road can throw at you. Your music sheets will be resting comfortably over a detachable wooden music holder. This wooden piece sits comfortably over a structure made of heavy-duty steel tubing finished with scratch-resistant, matte-black enamel. Finally, you can adjust the height between 75 and 129cm and fold it to carry it comfortably everywhere.

Ultimate Support

Ultimate Support has had an ace up its sleeve since day one. Indeed, the company understood from day one that in-house design would give them the ability to go from idea to product in the shortest time possible. Therefore, by investing heavily in hiring the best of the best and providing them with state-of-the-art machinery, Ultimate Support cemented a reputation for being as innovative as they are sturdy and reliable.

Nowadays, their catalogue is flooded with smart solutions for musicians in every genre and instrument. Thus, if you want a modern and reliable music stand, Ultimate Support is a must-check before buying.

Notable stand: Ultimate Support JS-MS200

Ultimate Support set out to create a stand that could not only take the hardships of the road but also look good doing it for years. Furthermore, the entire stand is made of steel for ultimate endurance. Also, the non-slip rubber feet, resistant tripod base, and height-adjusting mechanism are as durable as easy to use. Finally, adjusting the angle of the music platform is very easy, so you can make on-the-fly changes while the base remains perfectly stable at all times.

K&M

K&M understood, from the beginning, that manufacturing every piece of every product in-house was the perfect way to ensure the highest quality levels. This is an uncanny effort by K&M; making everything to the last bolt requires planning, infrastructure, and teamwork. Nevertheless, they have been doing it successfully for the past 70 years.

Nowadays, that formula works perfectly, and K&M is a synonym for reliability, simplicity, and sturdiness. So, if you want a simple stand that can last for a lifetime and is easy to use, trust K&M with your money.

Notable stand: K&M 118/4 Orchestra Music Stand

This chrome stand features a walnut desk for orchestra use on the most prestigious stages in the world. To begin with, the die-cast base featuring folding legs is as sturdy as it gets. Also, the prismatic V-Block connector attaches to the removable wooden desk effortlessly. Finally, you can get the desk in a variety of premium wood types to better match your taste.

Gator Frameworks

Father and daughter used the family garage to create music accessories as a hobby and to make some extra money. Shortly after, they exhibited their products at the NAMM show to critical acclaim. That spotlight gave the brand the needed attention and funds to grow and offer a catalogue featuring over 1,000 products that can solve problems for musicians of all kinds around the world.

Because more and more music and sound professionals started using Gator and demanding more from the brand, the Gator Frameworks heavy-duty subdivision was created. You can trust that buying a music stand from this heavy-duty, professional-oriented brand is a wise investment.

Notable stand: Gator Frameworks GFW-MUS-2000 Deluxe Tripod-Style Sheet Music Stand

This deluxe music stand from Gator Frameworks is among the best you can buy on the market. To begin with, the coloured rings at the rubber feet can be very helpful in dark rooms and are also removable if the orchestra director doesn't approve. Also, the one-handed height adjustment utilizes a clutch system that can be activated with a simple squeeze of the trigger. Finally, the heavy-duty tray with integrated lip is big enough for music sheets and portfolios.

Hamilton Stands

Founded by engineers, design innovation and flawless manufacturing have always been integral to this company. Moreover, they were responsible for design innovations that can still be seen these days, such as the neck-holding and the cradle guitar stand.

Speaking of music stands, they designed and manufactured the KB400N, the best-selling folding music stand in the world, with over 6 million units sold worldwide.

Hamilton is a brand you can trust.

Notable stand: Hamilton Stands KB300A

Sometimes, music stands need to be in front of an audience, and thus, the design needs to be attractive. In this vein, the three-post base design with wide feet makes it a stable, sturdy, gorgeous-looking music stand that can sit comfortably on the center of the stage and maintain the looks at an optimum level.

Also, the music desk is among the biggest in the market and is finished with scratch-resistant black powder. This is the best-looking, sturdiest music stand on this list; if it matches your needs, it is a must-check before buying.

On-Stage

Humble executives usually win the race in making the best solutions for musicians' problems. In this case, On-Stage understood that the most valuable information to make better music stands came from their clients. Therefore, they opened up an inbound channel through their retailers to allow clients to say what they would do differently.

With time, On-Stage used that information and its R&D department to make better, more effective, and reliable solutions for musicians around the world. The company name is a synonym for sturdiness, reliability, and performance.

Notable stand: On-Stage SM7122BB

This is one of the sturdiest yet more foldable and easy-to-carry stands on this list. It is entirely made of steel and finished in matte black. Also, it includes a comfy and practical carrying bag to take it everywhere with you. Finally, you can easily adjust the tilt angle of the bookplate and read your music sheets comfortably every night, regardless of the place's illumination.

Gravity Stands

The Rolling Stones have been a synonym for the highest standards in live shows for the past 60 years. They have toured relentlessly and probably seen more stages and crowds than most artists in the history of the world. They offered the Adam Hall Group a one-off collaboration in 2014. This fact alone speaks loudly and clearly about the quality standards this group and, thus, Gravity Stands works with.

Gravity Stands represent the pinnacle of German precision in everything they do. If they are enough for The Rolling Stones, they can surely address your needs, too.

Notable stand: Gravity NS ORC2

This orchestra music stand is great for those who need the perfect balance between heavy-duty performance and portability. The perforated music desk is big enough to accommodate sheets for an entire show and can be folded easily. Also, the heavy steel tripod is perfect for avoiding accidents on a crowded stage. Finally, the no-knob, friction-free desk tilt, and height adjustment ensure the stand will work perfectly for years to come.

The post Top 11 Best Sheet Music Stand Brands On The Market first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Saxophones are popular in a variety of music formats, including concert bands, chamber music ensembles, as solo instruments, marching and military bands, jazz and rock bands and modern pop recordings. A proper saxophone reed is essential to play the saxophone to its full potential.

Because the saxophone is such a popular instrument, it makes sense that there are plenty of reed options on the market. Knowing the top brands is useful with such a wide variety of sax reeds.

Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgment. In this article, I'll share my take on the top saxophone reed brands.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Company reputation
• Performance of the saxophone reeds
• Longevity of the saxophone reeds
• Variety of saxophone reeds available
• Accessibility of the saxophone reeds (how easy they are to find/buy)
• The company must currently be in operation

With all that being said, let's list out the brands.

The Top 7 Best Saxophone Reed Brands Are:

1. Vandoren
2. D'Addario
3. Légère
4. Fiberreed
5. Fibracell
6. Rigotti
7. Boston Sax Shop

Let's get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 7 best saxophone reed brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable reed, and a link to their official website.

Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Vandoren

Polishing the concept of the perfect reed took the Van Doren family over eleven decades. The brand became a synonym for quality, endurance, performance, and tone during that path. Moreover, they are the go-to option for many musicians around the world.

Nowadays, the business is in the hands of the fourth generation of Van Dorens. The company has grown so much that it exports its quality products to 100 countries. Furthermore, that makes up 90% of its production.

If you are serious about your saxophone playing, you should try Vandoren reeds.

Notable saxophone reed: Vandoren V21 Reeds

Vandoren's celebrated 56 Rue Lepic reeds and V12 reeds are together in the V21 by Vandoren. This means that the best aspects of the 56 shape and the V12 profile will grant the instrument evenness across the register.

The warmth of the woodwind is retained, while the upper register offers a wider tonal palette and remains vibrant and strong.

For performers that need a reed that can cover a vast repertoire that includes large interval leaps, a reed as the Vandoren V21 is a goldmine. Plus, it's backed up by over a century of Vandoren's excellence.

D'Addario

Besides being one of the biggest string manufacturers in the world, D'addario is one of the biggest accessories manufacturers in the world as well.

They sell many products aimed at solving musicians' everyday lives, from backpacks made specifically for music gear to state-of-the-art reeds.

Speaking of which, D'addario acquired Rico Royal in 2004 with its plantations in Argentina and France, so the company still sources the reeds from the best cane in the world. Therefore, D'addario enhanced Rico Royal structurally while the experts perfected the designs to make the best reeds the company had made so far.

If you haven't already, try them on your saxophone; you'll hear the difference.

Notable saxophone reed: Rico by D'addario Saxophone Reeds

These are the perfect reeds for students and beginners. Their traditional blank and profile make them suitable for beginners and educators due to their ease of response. Moreover, the unfiled cut adds to the support.

Plus, like every reed you can buy from Rico/D'addario, they are made with the best cane in the world, sourced in specific plantations in Argentina and France. Finally, players worldwide, like Dave Koz, love the thinner profile that allows uncanny ease of use.

Légère

Two Ph.D. holders got together to solve a problem that has been part of musicians' lives for centuries. Indeed, Guy and Mark joined forces to find the perfect compound that could deliver brilliance, warmth, and even response and endure the hardships of the road.

Moreover, Guy is a seasoned musician who has played with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra. Therefore, the nuances of the sound, the detail, and the soft touch are all in charge of his perception and privileged ear.

Therefore, you can expect Légère reeds to be balanced and deliver a rich, full sound.

Notable saxophone reed: Légère American Cut for Saxophone

These reeds are the next step for Légère reeds. They combine the snappy, fast reaction and edgy tone of the Signature cut but retain some of the low-end of the Classical Légère reeds. In this sense, these are very balanced reeds that play effortlessly, sound utterly colourful, and with personality.

Finally, because of their unique profile, the low register sounds full and round but remains clear, while the altissimo oozes brilliance and sounds vibrant. If you haven't already, give them a try; they might surprise you.

Fiberreed

In the 80s, when Harry Hartmann started researching alternative materials to make reeds, the idea wasn't as normal as it seems now. Moreover, Harry Hartmann spent more than a decade until he could find the perfect compound to deliver a cane-like sound with more stability and increased endurance.

Nowadays, Fiberreed creates reeds from a plethora of sources. Furthermore, he creates hybrid compositions that retain the best from every ingredient, delivering vibrant overtones with classic, warm low end. Plus, they are more reliable and stable.

Notable saxophone reed: Hemp Fiberreed for Tenor Saxophone

This reed is made of a superior hollow fibre layered with hemp fibre and crowned with several layers of hardwood. Moreover, the cut is specially made to enhance the natural tonal benefits of hemp. This wood retains the low end, giving the instrument an Earthy, dark low end.

On the other hand, the remaining part of the composite (80% hemp, 20% synthetics) gives it a full high register with colourful harmonics and an altissimo range.

Finally, hemp feels so soft that the company advises people to get one strength harder than they normally would when buying from another material.

Fibracell

The origins of Fibracell are common to many inventions in history: there was a need. David was a music teacher in primary school for 15 years when he decided to found his own company and offer people the kind of reliable, great-sounding reeds at a price they could afford.

He worked for almost 30 years with different professionals to develop the perfect combination of materials that could replace cane.

In 1993, Fibracell was born to offer a product that can last up to 6 times more than reeds made of cane and doesn't need any cane to be made.

Therefore, you can expect performance quality, extreme endurance, and a balanced sound at a price that won't break the bank.

Notable saxophone reed: Fibracell Premier Synthetic Tenor Saxophone Reed

With a classic woody tone you would expect from real cane reeds and uncanny projection, these reeds can satisfy the needs of every clarinet player, regardless of the style. They offer a bright, quick response with beautiful harmonic overtones over a resonant tone that always retains the low end. But even sounding very close to the wood, these reeds are made of Fibracell, which means they are unaffected by the weather and last 4 times longer.

The composite of Fibracell involves aerospace materials, Kevlar and rosin, to create a stable, sturdy, durable reed in the market.

Rigotti

Location played a key role in the history of this brand. It was founded right in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, which has the perfect geography and weather to facilitate the growth of some of the world's best cane around its many streams and rivers.

Also, beyond location, the Rigotti family has been making reeds for well over 50 years and has perfected the legacy of past generations to offer a well-crafted, great-sounding, modern product with the finest material in the world.

Rigotti has become a synonym for quality, sound, and performance due to the quality of the material and the expert craftsmanship. If you are serious about playing, you must try Rigotti reeds.

Notable saxophone reed: Rigotti WILD JAZZ Saxophone Reeds

Cutting the reeds from wild canes gives the product many different characteristics. For example, they have a different colour than you would usually expect.

Also, they have a thicker tip which makes them longer-lasting than others. Moreover, for jazz lovers who need to cut through the band, these reeds allow a brighter, punchier sound that perfectly suits modern jazz.

Furthermore, the rich harmonic overtones and balanced tone can be great for big bands and even orchestral work.

Boston Sax Shop

The sole belief behind the entire company is one that musicians know very well: the little things. Jack was striving to find reeds and designed accessories from a musician's perspective.

The kind of product that simplifies your life because it was made by someone who went through the same you went through. He believed he could deliver accessories for the soft touch, minding the little things specifically.

But that's not all; the innovations are tested on the road by some of the best-known saxophone players in the world. The brand has ambassadors who test their products to the limit and bring back valuable feedback. Thus, you can expect great-performing reeds that provide effortless playability to all players.

Notable saxophone reed: Boston Sax Shop Custom Tenor Reeds

A reed that can deliver a balanced tone that will allow you to project while staying warm is a rare find. This was the idea behind the first prototype of reeds by the Boston Sax Shop. They were searching for a mix of the warm-oriented Classic reeds and the more buzzy and bright tone of the Jazz reeds.

Finally, the cane comes from the South of France, so it's among the best you can find in the world.

The post Top 7 Best Saxophone Reed Brands On The Market first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

The clarinet is one of the more popular woodwind instruments, finding itself in orchestras, chamber music groups, military and marching bands, jazz bands and more. A proper clarinet reed is essential to play the clarinet to its full potential.

There are plenty of reed options for the student, intermediate and professional clarinetists.

With such a wide variety of choices, knowing the market's top brands is useful. Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgment. In this article, I'll share my take on the top clarinet reed brands.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Company reputation
• Performance of the clarinet reeds
• Longevity of the clarinet reeds
• Variety of clarinet reeds available
• Accessibility of the clarinet reeds (how easy they are to find/buy)
• The company must currently be in operation

With all that being said, let's list out the brands.

The Top 10 Best Clarinet Reed Brands Are:

1. Vandoren
2. D'Addario
3. Légère
4. Fibracell
5. Yamaha
6. Alexander
7. Giardinelli
8. Rigotti
9. Harry Hartman
10. Gonzalez

Let's detail each of these brands and explain why they belong in the top 10 best clarinet reed brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable reed, and a link to their official website.

Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Vandoren

Being around for well over a century, Vandoren has been able to explore a plethora of materials, trying to come up with the perfect reed. Since the brand is synonymous with quality, endurance, and performance, it is arguably fair to say that the company has achieved its goal.

Yet, this wasn't an overnight phenomenon; this family-owned business is in the hands of the fourth generation of Van Dorens. Every generation has pushed the boundaries further, turning Vandoren into the go-to option for professional musicians around the world.

Finally, Vandoren exports 90% of its production to over 100 countries around the globe; if you haven't already, it is time to try their reeds and hear the difference with your own clarinet.

Notable clarinet reed: Vandoren Black Master Traditional Reeds

Do you usually blow through Viennese-style, very closed Austrian mouthpieces? These are the perfect reeds for you because they offer a thicker and wider cut than Vandoren's legendary White Master Reeds.

Moreover, they are available in all strengths, going from super soft “2” to the almighty “6+” to suit all playing styles and capabilities.

Finally, these reeds result from decades of relentless innovation, uncanny commitment to excellence, and a century-long tradition. If you haven't already, trying Vandorens in your instrument is a must.

D'Addario

To begin with, D'addario is one of the world's biggest, best-known string and musical accessories manufacturers and retailers. They not only make aftermarket strings but also OEM for countless brands.

Therefore, the Rico Royal acquisition in 2004 wasn't surprising for anybody. Moreover, the brand bought the brand and maintained the production in the hands of the experts, including the sourcing plants in Argentina and France.

Rico Royal reeds are among the best in the world. Moreover, backed up by D'addario's century-long quality tradition makes them a must-try before buying.

Notable clarinet reed: Royal By D'Addario Alto Clarinet Reeds

Made with D'addario's proprietary blanking process, performed by state-of-the-art machinery designed specifically for the matter, the cutting, sanding, and inspecting process in these reeds is at a new level than the rest. Moreover, they are sourced from the finest materials and can help beginners and advanced players hit perfect notes more easily.

If you haven't already, trying a Royal reed in your clarinet can change your tone effortlessly.

Légère

The reed-making industry followed the rest of the world in sourcing alternate materials to enhance quality, performance, and endurance. In this vein, Légère is the result of two Ph.D. holders getting together to make the best reed in the world by manipulating its chemical composition.

That being said, Guy Légère is also an accomplished musician with a past in the Brampton Symphony Orchestra. This past as a professional musician allowed him to distinguish a top-notch reed from a beginner-oriented piece.

Therefore, every Légère reed to leave the factory is not only a technological advance for musicians but also a great reed to make amazing music with.

Notable clarinet reed: Légère European Cut for Clarinet

This is the brand's most flexible reed. This is, in large, because it is cut into a unique profile that allows players to achieve a brighter, more colourful, and cleaner sound without losing the instrument's natural warmth and mid-low frequencies.

But that's not all, since the flexibility and ease of use allow players to glide from one register to another (low to high or high to low) effortlessly. Moreover, the flexibility in the material will allow it to deliver the same precision and uncanny range night after night.

Finally, most Légère endorsers choose this model to play on the world's most demanding stages.

Fibracell

After being a school teacher for 15 years, David set out on a mission: get their students affordable, well-made reeds so they could get started with their instrument. This was around 1965. He worked with Arnold Brilliant to develop Fibercane, a composite material that could replace real cane.

The Selmer Corporation used Fibercane for reeds from 1966 to 2005. On the other hand, David kept trying to come up with the perfect reed material, and by 1993, he presented Fibracell to the world. This new material can last up to 6 times as much as cane reeds and doesn't need any real cane to be made.

Because of performance, endurance, and price, trying Fibercell reeds is a must for all clarinetists.

Notable clarinet reed: Fibracell Premier Synthetic Clarinet Reeds

Fibracell has established the brand as an industry standard because of its endurance, price, performance, and reliability.

The secret is that the sophisticated formula made of aerospace materials is designed specifically to duplicate the natural cane but in a more robust way.

Therefore, you can expect a stiff, sound-absorbing reed made with Aramid fibres suspended in a resin formulation. This offers a lightweight, low-price solution for all your reed needs.

Yamaha

Yamaha is a corporation that pays the same deal of attention to the state-of-the-art ABS brakes of their motorcycles as the performance of their synthetic clarinet reeds. As a result, whenever the Yamaha logo is present, all musicians know they can expect quality, performance, and reliability.

Furthermore, the Yamaha legend was born in the music territory, and the three intertwined tuning forks are a great reminder of that. Therefore, the Yamaha music division has been making excellence a policy for the past 130+ years. Isn't it about time you give it a try?

Notable clarinet reed: Yamaha CLR 30

The idea behind the creation of Yamaha's CLR series was to create a reed that could last longer while performing better for its entire lifespan. Such is the case of the 3.0 or medium version of this series; it can respond perfectly in every corner of the instrument's sonic range, enhancing the player's scope and sounding natural the entire performance.

Yamaha is well-known for being a state-of-the-art company introducing innovations to the world rather than following trends; reeds are no exception to that rule.

Alexander

Being the son of a famous trombone player with a busy schedule, turning into a professional musician touring the world with his clarinet wasn't something unexpected for Tom Alexander. Yet, after 20+ years of doing it for a living, he developed back and joint problems that forced his fruitful career to a full stop.

Tom realized he had always struggled to find good reeds that could perform under any and all circumstances.

Therefore, he decided to make his own and opted for a traditional approach: buying his cane from the finest source in the world: the Var region in South France.

As a result, Alexander reeds are the perfect combination of state-of-the-art machinery and the strongest source material in the world. Try one in your clarinet and feel the difference.

Notable clarinet reed: Alexander NY Clarinet Reeds

It took Tom Alexander countless prototypes and over a decade to create this reed model received critical acclaim in 2007. Its creation resulted from a combined effort between Tom Alexander and saxophone legend Michael Becker. Moreover, it was also sent, as a prototype, to worldwide endorsers to collect feedback after testing them on the road.

What you can expect from this reed is a bigger, bolder tone because of its redesigned profile and tip. Finally, since the tip is somewhat harder than the rest of the reeds offered by Alexander, the sustaining power, especially in the high-end of the horn, is more notorious.

Giardinelli

Robert Giardinelli was an Italian immigrant who opened up his first brass repair shop in New York in 1946 and managed to make mouthpieces and repair instruments for some of the biggest names in the history of wind instruments. Furthermore, during the 1980s, his shop was the meeting place for worldwide stars in the city.

Since his departure in 1996, the brand continues to be family-operated. It offers some of the best reeds in the market, which is the obvious outcome of someone who had such an integral and deep understanding of wind instruments as Robert did.

Giardinelli reeds are a step up from any other brand in the market; if you haven't already, you should try them today.

Notable clarinet reed: Giardinelli Clarinet Reeds

Giardinelli's tradition of excellence is clear when trying their reeds for the first time. This is because the 40+ years of work on woodwind and brass instruments combined with the material sourced from the Var region in South France make them perform flawlessly night after night.

Moreover, the reeds offered by Giardinelli give players uncanny projection and superior control over its big, rich, and full tone with bright high end and rumbling lows.

If you want reeds that won't break the bank but will make your clarinet sound like never before, try Giardinelli reeds today.

Rigotti

Rigotti is a brand founded in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, where the rivers and streams favour the growth of long, mighty cane trees that the company has been turning into the best reeds in the market for more than half a century.

Moreover, being a family-owned and operated business, the know-how and legacy from the founder, Franco, has been passed on to the next generation, and Daniel Rigotti is the man taking this reed brand into the future.

Rigotti has been making quality reeds for over six decades; isn't it about time you try them?

Notable clarinet reed: Rigotti Gold Reeds for Clarinet

The Rigotti Gold Reeds are the pinnacle of this brand's commitment to quality. Furthermore, they come in such a wide variety of types that any player, regardless of style and taste, can find a reed to suit their needs.

Moreover, since they are made with the finest cane in the world, the precision level and endurance are uncanny. Finally, the company ensures the bright top end of the clarinet sounds clear and more powerful using Rigotti Golds.

Harry Hartman

Harry Hartmann is, before anything else, a bold pioneer. He was among the first players in the 80s who decided to investigate alternative materials to improve reeds' precision, endurance, and playability. Furthermore, he's been testing different compounds since the early 80s.

The company has become a synonym for quality, performance, and innovation.

Harry's revolutionary approach includes going for a hybrid composition between organic and synthetic materials that could create a more stable, reliable, and better-sounding reed.

As a result, you can buy Harry Hartman clarinet reeds made of copper carbon, onyx, hemp, carbon, and the natural classic.

Notable clarinet reed: Harry Hartmann's Fiberreed HEMP Clarinet

This reed by Harry Hartmann utilizes an 80% natural compound from hemp plants to create a bass-oriented, darker, earthy sound that perfectly matches the clarinet's natural warmth. Moreover, since the composition offers 20% synthetic reinforcement to the already structurally strong hemp, these reeds can last up to 30 times longer than regular cane reeds.

If you haven't already, it's time to join the hemp revolution with these super-durable clarinet reeds by Harry Hartmann.

Gonzalez

The foot of the Andes is one of the best places in the world to grow Arundo Donax, the best cane in the world to make reeds. The company's first move was to grow the best canes on their own plantation to source their products locally. At first, they only exported the material to other reed makers worldwide.

By 1995, they had polished the design to exhaustion when they presented the world with the first Gonzalez reeds, entirely made with pride on Argentinian soil with the best cane in the world.

Nowadays, Gonzalez reeds are used on the most demanding stages in the world.

Notable clarinet reed: Gonzalez Bb Clarinet Classic

The expressiveness that Gonzalez could imprint on these reeds is nothing short of spectacular. Moreover, these clarinet reeds perform flawlessly in every register, thanks to their French scraping.

In this vein, the elasticity and endurance of the Gonzalez Clarinet Classic reeds give them the kind of performance you would expect in reeds with a much higher price tag.

Finally, these are the perfect reeds for students since they cover the entire tonal range of the instrument effortlessly.

The post Top 10 Best Clarinet Reed Brands On The Market first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

The clarinet is one of the more popular woodwind instruments, finding itself in orchestras, chamber music groups, military and marching bands, jazz bands and more. A proper mouthpiece is needed to play the clarinet to its full potential.

There are plenty of mouthpiece options for student, intermediate and professional clarinetists.

With such a wide variety, knowing the market's top brands is useful. Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect of a mouthpiece, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgment. In this article, I'll share my take on the top clarinet mouthpiece brands.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Company reputation
• Performance of the clarinet mouthpieces
• Longevity of the clarinet mouthpieces
• Variety of clarinet mouthpieces available
• Accessibility of the clarinet mouthpieces (how easy they are to find/buy)
• The company must currently be in operation

With all that being said, let's list out the brands.

The Top 11 Best Clarinet Mouthpiece Brands Are:

1. Vandoren
2. Clark W Fobes
3. Yamaha
4. D'Addario
5. Pillinger
6. J&D Hite
7. Backun
8. Selmer
9. JJ Babbitt
10. Chedeville
11. Beechler

Let's detail each of these brands and explain why they belong in the top 11 best clarinet mouthpiece brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable mouthpiece, and a link to their official website.

Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Vandoren

The four generations that have been in the direction and expansion of this company for the past eleven decades have managed to keep Vandoren on top of the list of go-to brands for brass and woodwind players around the world.

From the search for the perfect reed to creating the perfect mouthpiece, Vandoren has followed a path of innovation and success based on thorough research and development. Thus, nowadays, most players associate Vandoren with reliability, endurance, performance, and high quality.

Finally, Vandoren exports 90% of its production to over 100 countries around the world. This is an indicator of Vandoren's reputation as the best in the market. If you haven't already, give Vandoren a try and feel the difference.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Vandoren 5RV Lyre

Vandoren has been working hard to create the perfect mouthpiece for the last century, and the 5RV is one of the milestones in that journey. To begin with, it is an easy-blowing mouthpiece with a plethora of opening positions and reed positioning that allows every player to find their sweet spot.

If you're serious about clarinet playing, you should be blowing through a Vandoren.

Clark W Fobes

Clark W Fobes is, before anything else, an accomplished clarinet player who's played for the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and the California Symphony.

He knows the instrument inside out from playing it on the most demanding stages of the San Francisco Bay area.

By 1990 he was the main repairman for clarinets in the area, and his understanding of clarinet acoustics made him a reputation followed by a swarm of clients from all over the country bringing their instruments.

Creating his own brand to pour all his knowledge and experience into the shape of the best mouthpieces in the world came as no surprise. Nowadays, Clark W Fobes' mouthpieces are among the best in the world. If you can afford them, you should try one before buying any other brand.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Clark W Fobes 10K Eb San Fransisco Clarinet Mouthpiece

After handcrafting 10,000 mouthpieces, Clark Fobes came up with this model, the pinnacle of his design and innovation.

They are made of German rod rubber cut precisely using computer-managed machinery. As a result, every 10K mouthpiece offers the user perfect intonation, outstanding response, and beautiful sound. This is Clark Fobes' best creation so far; try one before you buy.

Yamaha

Yamaha is a corporation that manufactures some of the most relevant products in the world today, maintaining a steady line of excellence throughout its entire catalogue. Indeed, you can find the same obsessive attention to detail in the brakes of a 1000cc motorcycle that runs over 200 km/h and the clarinet mouthpiece.

This is because Yamaha started as a piano-selling company (the logo is three intertwined tuning forks), and the musical legacy running for well over a century is at its all-time greatest moment. Buy your next mouthpiece from Yamaha and feel the difference in every blow.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Yamaha Custom Series 4C

After working with many of the world's most popular artists, Yamaha has refined the design of its mouthpiece. The company's production pleases the world's highest quality and design standards.

Also, the chosen material was ebonite, which offers a sound quality close to that of wood. Moreover, these mouthpieces are highly sought-after for delivering a warm and rich tone without sacrificing clarity.

Furthermore, they are as comfortable and articulate, offering exceptional playability as they are accurate in terms of intonation.

D'Addario

D'Addario is a major name in the accessories world regardless of the instrument you play. It is one of the few companies in the world to make outstanding strings and accessories for a plethora of instruments.

D'Addario is a synonym for quality and performance regardless if you play ukulele, clarinet, or double bass.

The clarinet mouthpieces offered by D'Addario try to recapture the glory of past times in which mouthpieces were made differently, with outstanding results. Moreover, every D'Addario mouthpiece leaving the factory is ready to make music history from day one.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: D'Addario Reserve Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece MCR-XO

This mouthpiece by D'Addario is inspired by the legendary mouthpieces made in the 1920s and their unmistakable sound.

The technology pioneered by D'Addario to recreate the craftsmanship quality of a century ago allows the company to offer superior craftsmanship and a rich, articulate sound with more power and a sky-high consistency level.

Finally, every Reserve mouthpiece by D'Addario is milled, not moulded, from the hardest rubber in the market, ensuring premium results and uncanny consistency.

Pillinger

Besides having an astonishing career as a musician, playing for the London Sinfonietta, recording for the BBC, and as a teacher at the Guildhall School of Music, Edward is a master mouthpiece maker.

Therefore, as he grew older and his creations became more sought-after, he decided to dedicate full time to the perfection of his creations and make the best clarinet mouthpieces in the world. For this endeavour, he studied to get a Ph.D. in acoustics.

After selling mouthpieces worldwide to critical acclaim and doing restorations and replicas of 1940s glorious discontinued pieces, his creations are the best-kept secret of the clarinet world. Give them a try today and feel the difference.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Pillinger F2

The F2 is Pillinger's take on the glorious English and French makers of the 1920s and the 1930s. Through research and development, Ed was capable of reproducing the magic of the early glorious days but with a modern price tag.

These mouthpieces deliver a clear and crisp tone with lots of articulation and vibrant colours. Also, the well-centred tone is warm and responsive. Finally, the Chédaville traditional angle of the baffle helps in effortless playing.

J&D Hite

David Hite was a clarinet player who blew his instrument for the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berkshire Music Festival Orchestra, among many others. Also, he was a teacher at the Capital University Music University, where he founded the clarinet choir.

Parallel to that, in the 1940s, David set out on a mission to make the perfect mouthpiece for clarinet and saxophone.

According to critics and specialized media, the J&D Premiere mouthpiece can be considered one of the best student mouthpieces ever made. Moreover, his professional models were also used by symphony players worldwide.

Nowadays, the company is owned and marketed through JJ Babbitt, and David's designs are still helping millions of clarinet players around the world sound better effortlessly.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: J&D Hite Model D

The Model D by J&D Hite, commercialized by JJ Babbitt, is a superior mouthpiece made of the finest vulcanized rubber moulded on cores that are personally crafted to create custom designs. Moreover, each of these mouthpieces is hand-finished to achieve a higher level of endurance and perfection.

Finally, the internal dimensions of the mouthpiece tend to generate a tonal character that can be identified with the words round and dark. If that's the kind of tone you're after, and you want a mouthpiece made to the higher standards, you have to try J&D Hite.

Backun

The story behind this company is that of hard work, talent, and success. After reworking and crafting parts for some of the most demanding players in the world, Morrie decided to design and manufacture professional clarinets, mouthpieces, barrels, bells, reeds, and cases.

This accessory line only enhances the company's rich history and victorious presence. Furthermore, Backun made a strong investment in production equipment, and because of the leading multi-axis machining technology, its mouthpieces are perfectly crafted to exceed expectations.

Try a Backun today and feel the difference.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Backun Vocalise Bb Mouthpiece

The Vocalise series is a joint effort between Backun and Richard Hawkins. This line of mouthpieces is divided into R, G, H, and Z, going from a close/short approach to an extremely open/long approach. Other than that difference, the tonal ring and outstanding clarity are common to all of the series.

Finally, all mouthpieces are created using Backun's state-of-the-art machinery, which features a one-of-a-kind process combining lathing and mining. Therefore, these mouthpieces are perfect from the moment they leave the machine without needing a second setup or recalibration.

Selmer

Names like Benny Goodman, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, and Charlie Parker are just some of the virtuoso players who have chosen Selmer to wow the world with their talent. For well over a century, Selmer has provided quality instruments to outstanding players, inscribing its name in musical history forever.

Mouthpieces have just received an overhauling with the addition of two very modern models, the “Concept” and the “Focus”. If you haven't already, try a Selmer and hear the difference.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Selmer Concept Clarinet Mouthpiece

After years of intense R&D work, Selmer overhauled the entire mouthpiece line and released two new groundbreaking models. The first thing to note about the Concept is that the new throat design puts more focus on the airflow, allowing the expansion of the sound that blossoms into a wider array of timbres.

Still, this mouthpiece doesn't lose its effortless quality to obtain more projection; it is always easy to play. Finally, the larger tip opening helps projection, so the sound is powerful, focused, and well-balanced.

JJ Babbitt is the oldest known mouthpiece manufacturer in the world and also one of the most prolific, having delivered millions of high-quality, durable, and dependable mouthpieces.

Moreover, since the company remains a family business, the knowledge, leverage, and experience were handed from one generation to the next, helping the company grow.

After the acquisition of several other brands like J&D Hite, the company established a name in the industry not only for making some of the best mouthpieces in the world but also because of the variety of its catalogue.

If you haven't already, try a JJ Babbitt mouthpiece today and feel the difference 100 years of tradition can make.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Premiere by Hite Model DH-113 Alto Clarinet Mouthpiece

This composite blend mouthpiece is JJ Babbitt's take on student-grade mouthpieces. It was developed with young musicians and students in mind, allowing them to play in the higher registers without sacrificing the middle and low frequencies or breaking the bank. Moreover, the special blend of resin gives the mouthpiece its own personality, and the hand-finishing by JJ Babbitt's artisans makes it flawless.

If you haven't tried a JJ Babbitt mouthpiece yet and want to get an entry-level taste of its quality, this is a great choice.

Chedeville

The 100-year story backing Chedeville's reputation as one of the best mouthpiece manufacturers in the world started in Paris, France. There, Charles Chedaville learned the ways of the French masters and created some of the most sought-after mouthpieces for clarinet in what's known today as the golden age of French-style mouthpiece manufacturers.

Moreover, his creations sounded so good that the company made mouthpieces for other brands such as Buffet.

That legacy and the commitment to excellence are still present in every mouthpiece to leave the factory. Therefore, if you haven't already, check out Chedeville mouthpieces; they might surprise you.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Chedeville Elite Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece

Finding a mouthpiece that exudes clarity and provides your instrument with a crisp and strong clarinet tone and, at the same time, doesn't lose its warmth and beauty is nothing short of a discovery. If you add to that easy articulation, optimum intonation and control, and a free-blowing nature, you're close to what this Chedeville mouthpiece can deliver.

Finally, the “Chedeville facing curve” enhances the warmth and full-tone strength of every instrument. Play one today and get the perfect tones out of your instrument.

Beechler

After over 7 decades of non-stop innovation and a relentless commitment to excellence, Beechler has become a synonym for great tone and reliability.

But what is it that makes Beechler a unique mouthpiece manufacturer? Well, the company aimed for personality, richness, and quality of voice through the perfect mix of state-of-the-art equipment and hand-finishing techniques.

But that's not all because every Beechler mouthpiece to leave the factory is fully tested by professional musicians to ensure consistency.

You must try a Beechler mouthpiece on your clarinet if you haven't already.

Notable clarinet mouthpiece: Beechler Tonalex Mouthpiece

If you're looking for the traditional, quintessential warm tone for your clarinet, you have to try these white mouthpieces by Beechler. The line features medium baffles with open chambers, which translate into an open, big sound with projection and power.

Finally, the white acoustic resin the Beechler Tonalex line is made of enhances the softer singing qualities of your clarinet.

The post Top 11 Best Clarinet Mouthpiece Brands On The Market first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Saxophones are popular in various music formats, including concert bands, chamber music ensembles, as solo instruments, marching and military bands, jazz and rock bands and modern pop recordings. A proper saxophone mouthpiece is needed to play the saxophone to its full potential.

Because the saxophone is such a popular instrument, it makes perfect sense that there are plenty of mouthpiece options to choose from on the market. With such a wide variety of mouthpieces, knowing the top brands is useful.

Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgment. In this article, I'll share my take on the top saxophone mouthpiece brands.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Company reputation
• Performance of the saxophone mouthpieces
• Longevity of the saxophone mouthpieces
• Variety of saxophone mouthpieces available
• Accessibility of the saxophone mouthpieces (how easy they are to find/buy)
• The company must currently be in operation

With all that being said, let's list out the brands.

The Top 10 Best Saxophone Mouthpiece Brands Are:

1. Meyer
2. Otto Link
3. Syos
4. Berg Larsen
5. Brancher
6. Dukoff
7. Vandoren
8. JodyJazz
9. Yamaha
10. Beechler

Let's detail each of these brands and explain why they belong in the top 10 best saxophone mouthpiece brands. I'll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of a notable mouthpiece, and a link to their official website.

Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Meyer

Meyer is a company with a reputation in the world of mouthpieces for making some of the finest mouthpieces ever made, especially in the 1948 to 1970 era. This is because the company used precious and semi-precious metals in the construction before moving to crystallite and the highest-quality hard rubber on the market.

By 1971, JJ Babbitt, one of the world's oldest, most important mouthpiece manufacturers, acquired the company and kept the structure intact, stamping the iconic “Meyer New York” mouthpiece with the original name and brand.

Try one today and feel the difference a century of experience does to a mouthpiece.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Meyer New York Alto

This is the 100^th-anniversary model released by JJ Babbitt to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Meyer's most iconic model to date. It was revived in all its glory, allowing players the playability and control no other free-blowing mouthpiece enables.

Moreover, it is the perfect mouthpiece for students, seasoned players, and professionals to sound amazing without sacrificing power or control. Try on today to understand what Meyer's reputation is based on.

Otto Link

After working for WS Haynes, Otto Link and Frank Meyer opened their first retail and repair store in 1922. By 1931, Otto Link delivered the Master Link mouthpiece to the world, revolutionizing how saxophone players approach the instrument.

Later on, the Four Star model (1935) and the Slant Signature NY (1936) established the company as the go-to option for professional musicians in the New York circuit of the era.

JJ Babbitt bought Otto Link Mouthpieces in 1977. Nowadays, the company still manufactures every mouthpiece completely by hand, respecting the specs and processes that made them world-famous during the 1940s.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Otto Link TOLM-8# Super Tone Master

Finished with 24K gold, this is one of the finest mouthpieces being made in the world today. Moreover, the Otto Link metal tenor sax mouthpiece has been the go-to option for professionals worldwide looking for that dark, rich, warm tone.

Furthermore, most players who swear by these mouthpieces refer to them as an “extra something” they can't find in any other brand. If you want to take your performance to the next level and want to try a piece of musical history with your favourite saxophone, this is a perfect choice.

Syos

Syos is an acronym that stands for Shape Your Own Sound. This name comes from a revolutionary approach that blends cutting-edge technology with high studies in acoustics by the company's owners. Regarding this, Maxime is an expert in auditory perception, while Pauline is a specialist in wind instrument acoustics.

Syos is the next step in mouthpieces not only because their 3D printing techniques allow them to achieve unparalleled precision but also because the material used for the mouthpieces, called SCAL3D, was developed by Syos in its Paris labs. This material delivers top-notch acoustics while being durable and compatible with the 3D printing process.

If you want to blow through the future in mouthpieces, try a Syos today.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Syos Smoky

Syos offers three lines of mouthpieces designed by company experts. The smoky line is the darkest sounding of them, offering players a warm, ample sound that can easily work in blues and jazz settings.

These are available for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone and are made using the company's exclusive cutting-edge technology, achieving uncanny precision and a unique sound. Finally, the large chamber and low baffle make them easy to play as well.

Berg Larsen

Berg Larsen was an accomplished professional musician who had played with some of the most prominent artists of his time. Also, he made reeds for fellow musicians and himself in his spare time. It was in 1945 that he created his first ebonite model, which became very popular among professional musicians. Later on, the same model turned into stainless steel for an increased life span.

Although Berg passed away in 1972, the company continues to honour his name, crafting the highest-quality mouthpieces that require ten machining processes to complete and that are also hand-finished one by one before going through a thorough quality control process.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Berg Larsen Bullet

This mouthpiece, available in bronze and stainless steel, is perfect for musicians who need to excel in live performances and also perform in the studio. This is because this is a free-blowing mouthpiece with great volume and edge.

Furthermore, it can be requested in a variety of tip openings and tonal chambers. Finally, every Berg Larsen mouthpiece comes with the original ligature and cap.

Brancher

Brancher is a revolutionary brand offering the first-ever mouthpieces CNC machined from bar stock in their entirety. This means none of the mouthpieces sold by Brancher go through any kind of moulding in the process.

Moreover, Brancher mouthpieces are well-known for being manufactured to extreme precision standards. These standards offer uncanny power and allow players more power while making it easier to play in every register.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Brancher Alto L Ebony Wood

After carefully handpicking the densest ebony from Africa and drying it for over 10 years, these mouthpieces are engineered to perfection by the Brancher experts.

Moreover, the material offers compactness and harmonics to the sound making it as unique as it is powerful.

The “L” in the title stands for “Loud,” which is the most common way players describe this mouthpiece. Finally, this mouthpiece offers maintenance-free stability due to the long drying process.

Dukoff

Bobby Dukoff was, first and foremost, one of the most remarkable saxophone players of his generation. He worked with legends the size of Frank Sinatra, among many others.

Moreover, as he was making his mouthpieces, he got a solo artist contract with RCA and became a sound engineer recording with legends the size of Charlie Parker.

This thorough understanding of sound from a player, manufacturer, and recording perspective allowed Bobby to fine-tune his designs and create outstanding mouthpieces.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Dukoff Tenors X (link to check the price at Dukoff)

This mouthpiece by Dukoff is the darkest and warmest model in the company's catalogue, offering the perfect tone for those who want to blend in with an ensemble setting. Furthermore, this mouthpiece also offers the widest open projection of all the models in the company's catalogue.

That being said, the chamber and baffle are designed to enhance focused projection and give the sound a particular colour full of deep and rich overtones.

Vandoren

Vandoren is a synonym for excellence in the world of brass and woodwind instruments. This is the result of over eleven decades of relentless commitment to excellence.

Moreover, this family-owned company is currently run by the fourth generation of Van Dorens trying to make it grow and expand its scope to the rest of the planet.

Speaking of which, Vandoren's growth has been as huge inside France as outside of the country, and as a result, the company currently exports 90% of its production to over 100 countries around the globe.

Finally, Vandoren products aren't only a synonym for excellence and performance but also reliability, power, tone, and innovation. If you haven't already, try a Vandoren mouthpiece today and blow through a century of tradition.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Vandoren Jumbo Java

These are the hardest-hitting mouthpieces designed and manufactured by Vandoren. The combination of a very high baffle and a large bore with a small chamber makes this an utterly powerful and aggressive mouthpiece ready to project the tone to the last member of the audience.

Furthermore, it is hard to believe this is not a metal mouthpiece since this model provides the same edge and projection those mouthpieces do but adds warmth and low end to the resulting sound.

Finally, these mouthpieces are available in a plethora of sizes and openings to accommodate all players.

JodyJazz

Jody Espina, the company's founder, CEO, and designer, is a professional saxophone player and jazz educator in the never-ending quest to find the perfect mouthpiece. In that search, he met Santy Runyon, a legendary mouthpiece maker and saxophonist. He made Jody the best mouthpiece he had ever tried, and so they decided to join forces and make a line of outstanding mouthpieces.

Therefore, with the help of Santy's factory staff and the directions of Jody's privileged ears, the company is the proud owner of an uncanny catalogue offering players around the world the best mouthpieces in the market. If you want to blow through the perfect mouthpiece, you must try a JodyJazz today.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: JodyJazz DV Alto

Finished in stunning 24K gold, this mouthpiece is not only beautiful-looking but also an effortless player capable of powerful sounds. Indeed, the company set out to achieve three goals with this mouthpiece:

• To create the most efficient mouthpiece design in the market. This design privileges the appearance of natural harmonics and favours uncanny projection, making this a powerful and colourful mouthpiece.

• Get rid of alto saxophone shrillness. Usually, alto saxophones are associated with a shrill high-end that might annoy players and audiences alike. Therefore, this mouthpiece retains overtone harmonics while delivering consistent, focused sounds.

• Enhance the instrument's low-end and midrange. Alto saxophones don't generate sound in the lower registers and are often associated with high frequencies. With this mouthpiece, a fat midrange and powerful low-end appear magically in every blowing effort.

If you want to blow through the future in alto saxophone mouthpieces, this is the perfect mouthpiece.

Yamaha

Yamaha is currently one of the largest corporations in the world, offering a catalogue with thousands of products that range from some of the finest musical instruments in the world to high-end motorcycles that have competed in the most demanding circuits.

Why is this important? Well, because Yamaha's commitment to excellence shines through the most complex high-end motorcycle engine all the way to the smallest musical instrument accessory.

As a result, every time you buy a Yamaha product, you're buying a piece of history representing the best of Japanese precision.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Yamaha Custom Series

Sculpted out of ebonite, every mouthpiece in this series is the perfect blend of the warmth, and deep resonance wood can offer with the durability of hard rubber.

Moreover, Yamaha's experienced artisans are present in every step of the process, from sculpting the blank pieces to crafting the facing.

Finally, Yamaha's Custom Series offers the players uncanny playability and intonation along with a rich, warm tone that exudes exceptional clarity in every note.

Beechler

Beechler is a company dedicated to creating the best mouthpieces for professional musicians. This has been the company's main goal for over 7 decades of existence.

As a result, the research and development department has developed different models that can expand the instrument's tonal palette while delivering effortless power night after night.

Moreover, the word professionals use to describe it is often “personality” since that is what the combination of state-of-the-art machinery and traditional hand-finishing techniques give to each creation by Beechler.

Finally, since these are professional-oriented mouthpieces, they are tested by in-house professional musicians one by one to ensure consistency and excellence in every product representing the brand worldwide.

Trying a Beechler mouthpiece is a must if you are serious about your sax playing.

Notable saxophone mouthpiece: Beechler Diamond Mouthpieces

The combination of hard rubber with cutting-edge plastic technology makes the Diamond series the first step into a new era of mouthpieces. The one-of-a-kind material blend allows the player to utilize the entire dynamic range of the instrument like never before.

Moreover, the company offers mouthpieces in three distinct bore sizes to accommodate all players. These go from small to large, offering a powerful, brilliant sound rich in overtones with increasing projection and low end.

Finally, the Diamond series offers the player effortless power with nuances and complexity, making every note a layered, almost 3D experience.

Honourable Mentions:

1. Theo Wanna
2. Sugal
3. Yanagisawa
4. Selmer
5. Brilhart

The post Top 10 Best Saxophone Mouthpiece Brands On The Market first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

The oboe is a popular double-reed woodwind instrument, commonly designed to play in the treble or soprano range (though other members of the oboe family cover other ranges). The instrument is commonly used in orchestra and chamber music ensembles or as a solo instrument. A proper oboe reed is essential to play the oboe to its full potential.

There are plenty of reed options for the student, intermediate and professional oboists.

With such a wide variety of reed choices, knowing the market's top brands is useful. Of course, the brand is far from the most important aspect, though it's still worth considering for general knowledge and judgment. In this article, I'll share my take on the top oboe reed brands.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Company reputation
• Performance of the oboe reeds
• Longevity of the oboe reeds
• Variety of oboe reeds available
• Accessibility of the oboe reeds (how easy they are to find/buy)
• The company must currently be in operation

With all that being said, let's list out the brands.

The Top 9 Best Oboe Reed Brands Are:

1. Stuart Dunkel
2. Jones
3. Edmund Nielsen
4. Marlin Lesher
5. Cooper Wright
6. Cascade
7. Magic Reed
8. Légère
9. Vandoren

Let's detail each of these brands and explain why they belong in the top 9 best oboe reed brands. I'll share their country of origin, some history, an example of a notable reed, and a link to their official website.

Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

Stuart Dunkel

The reeds made by Dunkel are the result of the never-ending quest for the perfect reed two professional oboists started over four decades ago. Indeed, Stuart Dunkel started playing at age 5 and was professionally formed as a musician playing for several orchestras during his fruitful musical career.

In the mid-2000s, he came across Dr. Amy Gollins, who holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts and oboe performance from the University of Southern California. Together they decided to build the kind of oboe reeds they would like to play through in every performance.

As a result, Stuart Dunkel oboe reeds can satisfy the desires of the most demanding musicians in the world and are among the best in the market.

Notable oboe reed: Stuart Dunkel D'More Reed

With an average length of 50mm, this handmade oboe reed is perfect for playing the oboe in a band setting. The medium strength and dark tone enhance the mellow qualities of the oboe tone, delivering top-notch results for every player. Furthermore, you can order it in five different strengths, from soft to hard. If you haven't already, try Dunkel reeds and hear the difference.

Jones

The story of Jones Double Reeds started on the kitchen table of Dr. Wendal Jones. He served as an oboe maestro and taught the instrument at a university level when he started making the reeds for his students. He set out to make affordable, great-sounding reeds for a student budget with a pro sound.

With time, that initial dream grew to employ over 30 people who work their best every day to follow the Jones quality standards and provide oboe players with world-class tone without breaking the bank. Finally, every reed is handmade by artisans and tested by Dr. Feller-Marshall, the principal bassoonist of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra.

Notable oboe reed: Jones Artist Oboe

Jones's Artist line of reeds is made from the most select Mediterranean basin. This top-notch raw material delivers a superior tone and gives the instrument uncanny projection. Moreover, the long scrape (as preferred in the USA) allows players to enjoy the full range of their instruments seamlessly.

Finally, every Artist Oboe Reed is handmade, tuned to 440Hz, and tested by a professional oboist in a professional oboe.

Edmund Nielsen

The family business that Edmund and Dorothy started over 70 years ago started as a repair and sales shop in which Edmund Nielsen would repair classic oboes and do minor sales. With time, the insight of working on so many instruments allowed the company to develop a product range that includes several accessories such as bocals, instrument care, and, above all, state-of-the-art reeds.

Nowadays, after the passing of Edmund in 1981 and the retirement of Dorothy in 2011 (at age 1987), the company belongs to Theresa Delaplain and Robert Mueller. The new owners are committed to honouring the Nielsen tradition in terms of quality, sound, and customer service.

Notable oboe reed: Edmund Nielsen 4EO24 Green Oboe Reed

This hand-finished reed by Edmund Nielsen is a faithful representation of what the company's reputation is based on. The mellow tone, perfect intonation, and fast transients (translating into a fast response) make it perfect for intermediate and advanced students. In the same vein, professional musicians looking for an affordable alternative will find this reed to be perfect for their needs.

Marlin Lesher

During the past 25 years, brother and sister Ben Krabill and Grace Lytle teamed up to develop cutting-edge machinery that could bring the company to the 21^st century. This investment allowed the company to create the perfect blend between state-of-the-art technology and decades of traditional hand-shaping and manufacturing.

As a result, Marlin Lesher can deliver consistent results for their customers in the shape of perfectly made reeds that sound like the traditional reeds of past decades but feature cutting-edge technology.

Notable oboe reed: Lesher Pro Oboe Reed

For professionals looking for a firm and dark pitch, this oboe reed is handcrafted with windows in the profile. Moreover, the reed is made on a silver staple and a synthetic cork, which makes it as durable as it is great-sounding. Finally, the strength option available for this reed is medium-hard making it perfect for professionals and advanced students.

Cooper Wright

Cooper Wright is not just another oboe player; he is the owner of a refined ear and pair of hands that have taken him to make some of the best reeds in the world. What started as a way to build the best possible reeds for his performances turned into a business because of the critical acclaim his reeds received among other players.

Nowadays, his reeds have become legendary, and many top-notch players worldwide swear by their Cooper Wright. Nevertheless, Cooper refused to grow his operation to keep the quality of the reeds and pursued his doctorate, making only small amounts of reeds for subscribers and customers who turned into friends after years of collaboration.

Try a Cooper Wright on your instrument and blow through the difference today.

Notable oboe reed: Cooper Wright Professional Oboe Reed

This reed was made with a David Weber 1-c and then shaped using a Graf gouging machine to achieve superior levels of precision. As a result, these reeds can offer the player colour, fullness, and complexity of colour while allowing maximum response and flexibility. Furthermore, this is a 100% handmade reed tested multiple times by Cooper Wright himself before shipping.

Finally, this reed is perfect for professional oboists and top-tier teachers looking for a next-level response and sound.

Cascade

Cheryl Wefler is a self-proclaimed “reed nerd” who dedicated her life to creating the perfect reed. She has received formal and informal education about reed making with a variety of legends in private classes as well as schools such as the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Finally, she teamed up with renowned oboists from around the globe to obtain invaluable feedback that could help her create the best reeds in the market. As a result, Cascade reeds feature the experience of Cheryl's formation plus the sensitivity of world-class musicians' ears.

Notable oboe reed: Custom Cascade Oboe Reeds

This reed, made with a silver staple and MH cane, is special since Cheryl will fine-tune it to meet your demands. Therefore, if you're looking for a special type of reed that will work perfectly for your instrument, you can provide her with the following information:

• Oboe model
• Desired tone
• Embouchure formation
• Pitch level
• Length
• Resistance
• Altitude concerns
• Amount of opening
• Repertoire

These are just some of the categories proposed by Cheryl, but you can always add more information to your solicitude to get the absolute perfect oboe reed for your needs.

Magic Reed

Kathy is the only employee of all her companies, founded 15 years ago with only one goal: to create the perfect oboe reed. During the past decade and a half, she has worked tirelessly not only in manufacturing and shipping every cane herself but also in research and development for the products of each of her brands.

Speaking of which, she owns more than one brand because she wants to give each its personality and specific aim. Therefore, what you can expect from each of the products that Kathy makes is the precision and craftsmanship of handmade reeds combined with years of fine-tuning her approach to achieve a specific sound.

Finally, Kathy works really hard to keep costs down so you can get a professional reed at the price of a mass-produced one.

You can try one today and feel the difference from the first blow.

Notable oboe reed: Magic Reed Professional Oboe Reed

Handmade from scratch, this oboe reed is 100% hand scraped from Kathy's competitive advantage: her 2017 Var inventory. The top-notch raw matter allows this reed a dark and rich tone that can meet the demands of professional players, conservatory students, and adult amateurs. Moreover, the reed is only shipped after undergoing dozens of micro adjustments by Kathy's expert hands and being tested in two different rooms with and without a carpet.

Finally, the reed is finished with the signature American long scrape and is ready to consistently deliver the four pillars of oboe reeds: pitch, tone, stability, and response.

Légère

Like all other industries in the world, the reed-making industry is constantly looking for alternate materials that can give players better results than traditional ones. Légère was born with this aim; to change the world of reeds for the better.

Moreover, both brand creators hold Ph.D. degrees which give them enough know-how to manipulate substances at a chemical level improving their results. But that's not all, since Guy Légère is also an accomplished musician who has played with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra, among many others.

Légère's proficient musical ear is the compass that has directed the company's efforts toward musicality. On the other hand, the duo's chemical understanding provided the platform to create next-level reeds for oboists worldwide.

Notable oboe reed: Légère European Scrape Oboe Reed

It is no surprise that the first-ever orchestral-grade, synthetic oboe reed comes from Légère. But what does this mean? Well, this reed can be played for hours before you need to rotate it. Moreover, it also means that it can last up to 12 months, making your instrument sound as wonderful as it did on day one.

Sound-wise, you can expect a reed that retains the instrument's warmth but is stable when visiting the upper registers. Finally, because of its synthetic nature, it is playable right out of the box and isn't affected by weather changes.

Vandoren

Over a hundred years have gone by since the Van Doren family started making reeds for woodwind players. During the past eleven decades, the company has innovated restlessly to come up with the perfect reed that will solve problems for woodwind players around the world.

This has been the main goal of the family for over four generations, and, considering Vandoren's reputation of being one of the best-performing reed brands in the market, excelling at quality and performance, it could be said that the goal has been achieved.

Nowadays, the Van Doren family still controls the operation and has expanded the business exporting 90% of the company's production to over 100 countries around the globe. As a result, Vandoren's reputation has grown exponentially and non-stop for eleven decades.

In the rare case you haven't already, try a Vandoren reed on your oboe and blow through the difference.

Notable oboe reed: Vandoren OR10 Medium Oboe Reed

One of the secrets to Vandoren's impeccable reputation is the raw material used for the reeds. Indeed, this company works only with the best cane in the world. This line of oboe double reeds is no exception.

Moreover, the best cane in the world goes through the expert hands of Vandoren's master craftsmen who shape it and assemble it with the leverage eleven decades of work have given the company.

These reeds are a great indicator of Vandoren's superior quality. Try one today and blow through 100+ years of reed-making tradition.

The post Top 9 Best Oboe Reed Brands On The Market first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

1. Roland
2. Akai
3. Korg
4. Elektron
5. Arturia
6. Alesis
7. Behringer

Roland

Notable hardware sampler: Roland T8-RS (link to check the price at Sweetwater)

Notable drum machine: Roland T8-RS (link to check the price at Sweetwater)

Notable sequencer:

Official website: roland.com

Akai Professional

Notable hardware sampler: Akai Professional MPC One

Notable drum machine:

Notable sequencer:

Official website: