Articles by Josh Clarke
My experience and interest in AV technology spans from when I was a child to where I am today. I am primarily a musician - playing guitar from the age of 9 and continuing today in an original band writing and performing my own music.
My other main interest is in writing/reading - whether it be short stories, non-fictional informative articles, or novels, I have always been captivated by words and how they can be used to convey knowledge and creative ideas.
Due to my background in music performance and technology, I have experience around recording hardware and software, as well as all aspects of live shows, such as PA speakers, mixing desks, effects lighting, and amplifiers.
My experience at Electromarket is quite extensive - I have worked in Sales, Customer Services, Marketing, and even in the warehouse. Being able to understand many aspects of the operation here helps me with my writing, as it allows me to understand exactly what a certain range of products would be used for, as well as the pros and cons of different features & functions.
I aim to be as informative as possible when writing for Electromarket. I understand that newcomers to the audio-visual world will be overwhelmed at first with the huge selection of products available, and what they will need in order to achieve a specific vision.
Despite not being able to understand particular technology on a deep level like engineers and specialists would, I am able to identify where a specific product will be needed, and how all of its functions and compatibility will work towards an event.
Since writing for Electromarket, my product knowledge has expanded massively. Where I was once restricted to products that I have experience with, such as guitars, mixing desks, and studio equipment, I am now confident in a wide range of products, such as installed audio systems, professional stage lighting, and effects machines like smoke, bubble, and snow machines.
Exploring affordable gaming microphones is essential for streamers and gamers aiming for quality audio on a budget. This blog offers an in-depth look at selecting the right microphone to enhance your gaming and streaming sessions. It covers the significance of gaming microphones, their applications, and how to choose one that meets quality standards without significant expense.
Finding the perfect Christmas gift for those with a deep love for music can be a challenging task. This guide is tailored to ease that journey, showcasing a variety of products perfect for guitar enthusiasts, music lovers, and all-around audiophiles.
Whether it's for a seasoned musician or someone who simply enjoys a good tune, these handpicked suggestions aim to strike the perfect chord for a memorable Christmas gift.
In the dynamic world of drumming, the quest for a quieter practice solution without sacrificing the essence of playing has long been a topic of interest. Enter the realm of electronic drum kits, a modern solution that promises to address this very challenge. These innovative instruments have gained significant traction among drumming enthusiasts, offering a quieter alternative to their acoustic counterparts.
Electronic drum kits have revolutionised the way drummers practice and perform, particularly in settings where noise is a concern. These kits use sound modules, rubber or mesh pads, and advanced technology to mimic the acoustic drumming experience, albeit with a significant reduction in volume.
Creating a home recording studio is an exciting venture for musicians, podcasters, and audio enthusiasts alike. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the essential home recording studio equipment needed to build a functional and efficient setup. From selecting the right microphone to capture crystal-clear audio, to choosing an audio interface that seamlessly integrates with your devices, every piece of gear plays a crucial role.
We'll delve into the world of mixers, where blending sounds becomes an art, and headphones, which are pivotal for accurate monitoring. Understanding the nuances of different equipment will not only improve the quality of your recordings but also enhance your overall creative process.
Artificial snow makers, also known as fake snow machines, are a fantastic addition to winter and Christmas-themed events, providing a simple yet effective snow effect using water-based foam fluid. User-friendly in design, snow makers provide a snowy atmosphere in both indoor and outdoor settings, making them extremely versatile and suitable for a wide range of users.
By using a fake snow machine during your Christmas parties, you can bring the festive feeling straight to your home or event venue with minimal setup required. Being eco-friendly with the snow effect dissolving and leaving no residue, artificial snow machines are perfect for house parties and events in venues such as pubs, halls, marquees, function rooms, and theatres.
DJ mixers are a must-have for modern-day DJs (Disc Jockeys). The best DJ mixers can help to really enhance a DJ’s musical routine as it aids the user in transitioning from song to song and applying special audio effects where necessary. It also allows the user to adjust the volume of the bass, mid and treble via the equaliser (EQ) alongside the master volume. It does all this by taking multiple audio inputs and merges them together into one. The mixer would then be connected to your amplifier or powered speakers in order for the audience to hear the music being played.
Although mixers can look daunting and overwhelming, they really are not. For every inputted audio source (i.e. - a microphone, a guitar etc), it has its own ‘channel’ that can be independently controlled. Whereas some other mixers, such as studio mixers, can have 36 or more channels, DJ mixers usually only have two or four.
Modern day mixers often possess very useful features such as Bluetooth receivers and inbuilt MP3 players, which offer different ways to stream audio to the mixer.
Once mastered, a DJ can use their mixer to elevate their skills to the next level, but they must ensure that they pick the right mixer. In this blog, we will detail five of our best DJ mixers and how they can be the right fit for you.
Karaoke is an extremely fun activity that families and friends can enjoy together at home. With the ever-growing range of options available including speakers, microphones, and stands, it can be quite overwhelming to decide on a karaoke setup for your home. We have selected the five best home karaoke machine setups that provide user-friendly functionality and high-quality sound reproduction.
The following home karaoke setups are all-in-one audio solutions that can be connected to a tablet or television for karaoke parties in your home. They all offer multiple input options that are compatible with different devices, and they come with microphones for instant reproduction of your vocals. Bluetooth is an option on all of the home karaoke equipment packages in this list, making it easy to pair your tablet or laptop and use any video streaming app or website.
Each speaker in the following list of the best home karaoke machines has a full-range design that effectively reproduces the full sound of a backing track and your voice at the same time. They are simple to use and suitable for users of all ages in a home environment.
Rechargeable DAB radios are a fantastic addition to any home, as they allow you to tune in to hundreds of radio stations, while also being easy to position thanks to their built-in batteries. In this list, we have selected five of the very best portable DAB radios that are ideal for casual home listening while you relax or work.
Each of the battery powered DAB radios in this list are compact in size, which combined with their rechargeable designs, makes them easy to position. They all come in a range of colour options to suit the decor of different homes, and their user-friendly interfaces make it easy to listen to your favourite radio stations.
As well as featuring DAB radio tuning, all of the radios in this list also feature alternative audio playback options such as Bluetooth, AUX, and USB/SD. This wide range of options makes the radios extremely versatile for home listening.
YouTube microphones are an extremely important factor to consider when completing your setup to record videos. If your voice can’t be heard clearly in your videos, a lot of people won’t want to continue watching. We have selected five of the best microphones for vlogging, commentaries, and gaming videos that are sure to enhance your setup.
All of the mics for YouTubers in this list have a compact design to take up minimal space when recording, with different options available for desktop or boom-arm microphone stand mounting. They are easy to use, and the condenser design of each microphone ensures high sensitivity to perfectly capture every nuance of your voice.
The following selection of microphones covers a wide budget range, and all of them can be connected either to an audio interface or directly to a PC or laptop. Each microphone comes supplied with a cable to connect it to a PC or mixer/audio interface, as well as additional accessories such as shock mounts and pop filters provided for a simple set-up process.
Electronic drum kits are a fantastic starting point for beginner drummers, as they are much quieter, space-efficient, and functional than a standard acoustic drum kit. We have selected five of the best electronic drum kits for beginners, which range from full kits with several pads, to smaller kits that are more suitable for children.
When compared to standard acoustic drum kits, electronic drum sets can be played at much quieter volume levels, and they can be used with headphones or connected to a drum monitor speaker for louder audio playback. A huge advantage of using an electronic drum kit is that you are able to change the sound of each pad to perfectly suit the genre of music that you prefer to play.
All of the electronic drum kits in this selection are designed mostly for home practise, but they are also suitable for live performances and studio work thanks to the variety of output connections available. Drum sticks are provided with each kit, giving you the ability to play the drums straight away.
