If it's classical music you are into and you're keen to expand your music collection (though I…read moreshould add there are a small amount of other genres here) this might be the place for you. It's prices suggest that for the more common classical numbers you are better off going elsewhere where they can be picked up more cheaply. However, there are the less famous CDs that you cannot buy elsewhere available for purchase here. If those are the ones you are seeking out then come straight here.

Being an expert cellist....ok, that's a lie. But nonetheless if I were I'd head down to Mc…read moreAllister's to amass my classical music collection. Turn's out the staff here are all musically trained in some form or another too, so in terms of appropriate staff you wont do much better. It's not the cheapest place to purchase all things classical, but I suppose the free supplement of informative staff makes up for this.

Just at the point of a phone call I found dealing with them a negative experience . The two…read moredifferent people who took the enquiry seemed to have some ego issues . They were not capable of having a two way interaction . I enquired about their drum options , the first guy tried to disempower me but failed , cause I did not pronounce the word Pearl in a way that suited his inflated sense of being. However I used the word Pearl in two unrelated conversations earlier in the day and in one latter with proper Scottish people and one person from Yorkshire they understood my use of the word. However it was not down to that one bone of contention , the person I refer to at colour sounds was not friendly and when I asked if they can put the cymbals on before a session he said most drummers know how to do it and made similar negative passive aggressive comments , His tone was silly and pretensions. Not many can afford an acoustic kit so if I've been practising on electrical kits or other more affordable compact kits that are appropriate to use in economic standard modern build accommodation . But I guess I should get out until I learn how to put cymbals in and off . I asked for what I state cause I was going into a unfamiliar environment , dyselxic and did not want to go trial and error with other peoples equipment . The second guy when I tried to ask if all the kits avaliable at the time would be pearl could not give a straight answer then finally said just all you need to do is turn up and be here. The he said everyone is a pearl when the other guy said some are pearl others are cheap . That was after he made his big I don't know what your on about attempt.\ He could have just answered the question without needing to get his jock strap out . I ditched the booking as I did not like the guy believing he had some form of authority over me . As a perspective paying customer I make enquries and I decide . I don't just go along with some aspiring jobsworth if they iratate me I just work harder to keep building a home studio and save for the accoustic . With reharsel spaces like Banna Row and Colour sounds I get inspired to work faster and harder to get that done. I'm not surprised less and less young people are drawn to forming bands and dealing with pretensious staff at studios . How don't have any great power over the market in fact they are lucky to cling on as home recording and a wider availability of good recording tools and practice kits that can be played so as not to disturb others in the home environment win out .

I use this studio every week to practise with my band, we love the space, the very helpful staff,…read morethe equipment is great and the location is brilliant. This studio is a well-hidden gem for musicians wanting to practice and record in Edinburgh without a doubt! I totally recommend it and so do the tons of bands that practise there every week.

Carlo !! I know you…read morefrom many years now that we leave in Edinburgh, I always bought and upgraded my sound stuff in the home from you... But now that you have Upgrade your Self with the new premisses I believe you have made the commitment to go up to the sky... In fact, I've bought recently a new Audio Ge Speaker that is great and one amplifier from Dave Belles.... so enthusiastic about this choice ... and that thanks to your kind advice ... Even Linda is always so kind to drive me around all the new arrivals... So thank you very much, your help, I'll always be your client. Giuseppe Manzoli-Private Chef in Edinburgh

From the owner: Discover a world of high-end audio, from speakers and amplifiers to streamers, turntables, and…read morebeyond. We proudly offer some of the finest brands in the world, celebrated for their superior craftsmanship, innovative technology, and elegant design. Whether you're creating the perfect stereo system or a state-of-the-art home cinema, our solutions are tailored to deliver extraordinary performance and style.

The Broken Drum Studio is the dark horse of Edinburgh's music studios. If you are a musician or in…read morea band, this is the place to go. My favourite place! Not only is the drum-kit huge (and on an impressive rise) and more than ample for any ambitious percussionist, but the owner also offers drum tuition of a very high standard. (He also has extensive history of musicianship -- he helped me with my clarinet skills and corrected me with my rather lacking knowledge of music theory of which I am a grade 7, and was generally a very helpful guy about it too -- too often I encounter pretentious or arrogant musicians). The equipment is top notch too: plenty of amps with strong dynamic range; more than enough to accommodate the picky guitarist. Mics are good too -- plenty to patch up to instruments -- and for the vocalists too obviously. The owner will help make recordings too -- he seems to know a great deal about the industry and editing. I have dabbled in jazz and nu-metal -- two vastly different sounds and two different worlds of recording, but the software as well as the hardware being used at the studio is definitely my first choice. All of it is reasonably priced; and, having been in more one band, I can say he was really helpful with the times too -- my vocalist works a night shift and has pretty odd times to record, but, as I say, the owner was happy to accommodate. I am making this place sound like a dream; but I suppose it is -- any one who has been in a band has to deal with the crappy reality of getting the crew together and the general expense of it all -- already there is stress; and often that can hinder playing; but The Broken Drum Studio is certainly more chilled out than the other places I have been to. I think they do discounts as well -- sorry, I cannot remember that. But great all in all. Check it out.

Calling car boot enthusiasts, bargain hunters and vinyl collectors…read more Packed floor to ceiling with potential swag, Backtracks is a shambolic, secondhand shop that sells everything from old record and tape decks to video and DVD players, lights, speakers and playstation machines. Some of them are neatly arranged but the majority of stuff feels haphazardly stacked or piled on top of older, dustier stuff. As the title implies, there's also crates and crates of well played 45s, 33s, tapes and DVDs. Prices are rock bottom and whilst lots of it could be categorised as bad or forgotten pop, rock, blues or classical, there are some classics from Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, The Who and The Beatles if you're prepared to dig hard enough.

Backtracks Music is hopelessly hilarious. Never have I seen a place so full of junk. And that's not…read moreparticularly a bad thing. Places full of junk are places full of charm. But my oh my, if you decide to be the one to sort through it all to actually find what you like, good luck to you. I've never properly stepped inside. I tried, but the felt like the whole place was just too precariously arranged. Like the whole thing might come toppling down at a wrong turn. And I'm notorious for really (really) not being aware of my own surface area. Or anything around me, for that matter. I did have a great deal of fun leafing through their record collection, though. They're all pretty cheap records, but I didn't recognise a single name, and didn't feel like taking the risk buying something rubbish. All I have to say now is: venture in at your own risk.

Previously Wesley Owen, Living Oasis is...well, essentially, Wesley Owen…read more It's a Christian bookshop where you can find a range of religious books and magazines, DVD'S, CD's and cards. I'm not really into stuff like that but I have a religious family so sometimes I need a gift or a card and I usually come to places like this. As always, the staff are lovely, warm and welcoming and happy to help with any queries you have.

Good range and spread out across the premises. The music was pumped up too loud when I was in there…read morebut the staff let you browse without disturbing. Helpful and reasonable prices too. Not a bad book in sight. Highlight for me was the extensive selection by Stormie Omartian. How do people exist with such bizarre names?

It's been a while since anybody has reviewed Banana Row, and in that time, I think there's been an…read moreupgrade of equipment. We were very impressed with what was available. In terms of service, the guy at the front desk didn't seem too interested, simply greeting us with a hello and then telling us which practice room was ours. And that was that. If you're coming to do a practice session, you do kind of want to get straight to it. So, this didn't bother us at all. - It was the practice space, equipment and cost per hour which was important to us. It was £9 an hour for a duo. The cost goes up dependent on the number of people because the room is bigger. We would usually practice at home during the day but my current schedule doesn't allow this so often, and we were cautious of bothering neighbours in the evening. Obviously, if you're a big loud band you just can't practice at home so places like Banana Row are a necessity. Also, the rooms are all soundproofed with that funny black foam on the walls which magically keeps all the noise in. - We didn't hear a peep from any other bands! We will definitely be using Banana Row more often as it was great to have piece of mind when practicing. And as a weekly thing, it isn't too costly.

Being a beginner to the whole music scene, I was quite intimidated by the prospect of booking…read morerehearsal space for lessons. However, the guys here are really laid back aboutwell, everything! and genuinely pleased to help out, and they go out of their way to make everything as easy as possible for you. As well as having a whole range of equipment you can rent out, they also sell all the basics like sticks, clutches, earphones and the like on site, which is very useful if you get there and discover you've forgotten something! Their rates are very reasonable - you can book one of their smaller rooms for £6 p/h for one or two people, or £12 p/h for one of their band-sized rehearsal rooms. They also have a full suite of custom-built editing equipment, and you can rent out their recording studio and sound engineer for £35 p/h once you feel you've had enough practice!