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James Michael Nugent

James Nugent, author and contributor at Higher Hz

James is a professional pianist, sound designer, music educator, and senior writer at Higher Hz, where he covers pianos, MIDI controllers, and synthesizers.

Having studied music initially as a pianist, he developed a passion for composition and harmony. That passion led him to sound design and the world of digital/analog synths. After starting his career as a working musician, James took a step back from performing to focus on other areas within the music industry. Over the past 20 years, James has gained vast experience as a performer, educator, composer, and content creator.

James has worked on various educational projects to highlight the many benefits of music. Through collaborations with organizations like Youth Music UK and brands like JBL, he has worked as the lead on campaigns to encourage young people to get involved in music. James has also composed music for campaigns promoting mental health awareness.

As such a synthesizer and tech enthusiast, testing, reviewing, and demoing new hardware/software is something James spends a lot of time on. Working as a writer, James covers some of the largest music industry tradeshows (especially synth-based ones like Superbooth), creating content showcasing the latest releases from manufacturers and developers.

Creating content has become an integral part of James's career and an area where he has worked with some of the music industry's leading brands. James has created demo and tutorial content for brands like Akai Professional, iZotope, and Plugin Boutique, gaining hundreds of thousands of views.

James is a music maker first, and anything he writes comes from an honest perspective of someone who loves music.

Yamaha CLP-835 review: Clavinova’s best value for money?

Value for money isn’t a term I typically attach to Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos: they are luxurious and priced as such. However, the Clavinova CLP-835, a new mid-level addition to the series, might be the best buy of the bunch.

Roland RD-2000 EX review: Flagship stage piano just got better

The RD-2000 EX is the latest edition of Roland’s flagship stage piano. Roland’s RD series has been around for many years and is always a reliable choice. In this review, I’ll highlight the difference between the RD-2000 EX and the older RD-2000 and discuss the merits of both in 2024.

Top 11 best pianists in the world today (2024 update)

There are many outstanding pianists in the world today; too many to put on a single list. But, now and then, musicians come along who are truly exceptional and stand out even among the very best.

In this article, I’ll talk about those pianists, the ones so good that they inspire us to learn and make us want to quit in equal measure.

Digital piano vs keyboard: Which is better for your needs?

There’s an eternal debate among aspiring musicians over which is best, a digital piano or an electronic keyboard.

The simple answer is that it depends on who’s buying; both are better in the right context, but that only leads to more questions.

So, I’m going back to square one to clear up some common misconceptions, answer frequently asked questions, and help you choose the right instrument.