Joe Dean

Joe Dean

Joe is a freelance writer with an affinity for all things noisy, and loves offset Fenders, Stratocasters, and hollowbodies. He plays jazz and improv residencies and is part of UK grunge outfit IOTA. Alongside his playing, Joe harbors an interest in production and sound design, which propeled him into specialized marketing, interviews, and blog content for electronic music outlets and developers like Slate + Ash. When not merging his love for the guitar with music journalism, Joe succumbs to his fuzz-tone addiction and continually expands his collection of music gear.

Articles by: Joe Dean

Close up of a Boss-ES8 MIDI controller

Best MIDI controllers for guitar 2024: goodbye to frantic pedal tapping and hello to seamless transitions

By Joe Dean published

Our favorite MIDI controllers for all levels and budgets, with models from Gig Rig, Fender, Boss, Electro-Harmonix and more

Digital amp modelers

How to add warmth to digital amp modelers: 5 must-try tricks for introducing presence, thickness and sparkle to your signal chain

By Joe Dean published

From the unsung hero of your pedalboard to the importance of signal routing, here's what you can do to improve the tone of your digital amp rig

Guitarist playing electric guitar

Feel like your playing is stuck in a rut? You need to face up to your weak points – it will make you a more well-rounded guitarist

By Joe Dean published

Overcoming plateaus in your guitar practice is about confronting the aspects of playing that you find difficult, and then finding a routine that works for you

Close-up of the bridge pickup on a Fender Stratocaster

I love the sound of a good neck pickup – but practicing on the bridge pickup has made me a better guitarist

By Joe Dean published

Great tone doesn't necessarily make for a great practice session – here's why