The AMS Blog

Put your picks away, because we got to talk to Matteo Mancuso at the Yamaha booth at NAMM 2026. We talked all about his writing process, where to find inspiration, and of course, his love for the Yamaha Revstar. 

Ribbon microphones might seem like a sacred relic that'll fall apart if you so much as look at it wrong. But when used correctly, they can really take your studio to the next level. Here's everything you should know about ribbon mics — and why you probably need one!

Ever wish you could ditch those long, unruly cables for something a bit cleaner? Well you're in luck! Becuase here's your go-to guide for how to set up a wireless system in your live sound setup. 

Is it getting hot in here or is it just Rsonist from Heatmakerz? We got to chat with Rsonist and learn a few things about producing, fostering creativity, and just letting the musical juices flow. 

Schecter has all the goodies at NAMM 2026 — including Mastodon guitarist Nick Johnston. We got to chat with Nick all about his relationship with Schecter, pracitcing guitar, and how creativity can resolve your woes. 

Nothing! Or at least that's what it might sound like to the uninitiated... Once you learn about compression pedals and what they actually do, you'll never be without one on your pedalboard — trust me.

How do you connect this to that? Well, if you read this article, you'll know! Learn about all the different types of cables you'll need to connect various pieces of music gear. 

Guess who we found at the Ernie Ball booth at NAMM 2026. Our good buddy Steve Morse! We got to talk to him all about his warmup routine, what it's like playing with arthritis, and how he built his signature Music Man. Check it out now! 

Ready to take the plunge into the wide world of recording? Bring your ideas into reality by learning how to set up your very own home recording studio and all the pieces you'll need to get started. 

A speaker cabinet without a cabinet? That's the magic of a cab IR. Learn all about cab IRs, how they wor, and what they can do for your sound. 

Guess who we ran into at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ...? Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth! We got to talk to them all about how they make music, their awesome PRS guitars, and a few tips and tricks for the up-and-coming metal artists out there. 

How good do you have to be to be considered Wolfgang Van Halen's favorite guitarist? Pretty darn good! And we were lucky enough to get a few pointers from the man himself: Aaron Marshall! Check out the interview right here. 

Confused about the difference between a Dobro and a resonator? So were we! Let's break down their history, body styles, and bridge types to help you find your perfect sound.

If you see a big ol' bus at NAMM, you knock on the door to see who's inside. And we found Nathan East! We got to talk chat all about how to get the callback, loving what you do, and of course his new Laney Digbeth amp. 

Find a Pro, ask them to make up a part on the spot. You never know how they'll transform a song! This is Punch In with the Pros at AMS. 

We saw a TON of awesome gear at NAMM. But what were our favorite products...? Glad you asked! Here are the top 7 things we saw at NAMM 2026 according to the AMS Content Team.

The Martin Road Series got a refresh! And we got to talk to Joey, Mike, and Ramin, direct from the Martin factory, all about the latest updates and how the Road Series makes iconic Martin legacy accessible to more people than ever before. 

There's no longer only one brand when it comes to multi-voice pickups, because Seymour Duncan has officially thrown their name into the hat with MortalCoil. Plus, a whole host of other new gear at NAMM 2026.

We all use vibrato and tremolo interchangeably, but do we realize how different they really are? In this article we’re going to eliminate all the confusion behind these effects and show you what sets them apart from each other.

Yamaha always has some of the coolest products, which is why we were super excited to visit their booth at NAMM 2026. And they didn't disappoint with ridiculous new drum mics, video-enabled mixers, and even a new T-style guitar!