The FutureMusic 2011 Holiday Gift Guide
Well, it’s that time of the year again…making your list, and checking it twice…so to help you with this daunting task, we’ve unleashed our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. Here’s the year’s best gifts:
Best DJ Headphones: AIAIAI TMA-1
The AIAIAI TMA-1’s are the antithesis to every existing DJ-targeted headphone currently on the market. No prominent logos, no gold, silver or aluminum accents, nothing that comes out and say: “Hey Everyone! I’m a DJ!!” But aesthetics notwithstanding, these headphones sound amazing! Learn More | Buy
Best iPhone/iPod Headphones: V-MODA V-80 / M-80
The V-MODA M-80 and V-80 (TrueBlood branded version) on-ear headphones are some of the nicest-looking, luxury headphones on the market. Not too big to make you look like Princess Leia, but big enough to let the 40mm drivers bring it. Fans of TrueBlood will go ballistic over the V-80 branded edition with subtle nods to the hit TV show without the kitsch. iPhone users will rejoice that the in-cable remote/microphone is included in the package allowing you to switch from your latest remix to an incoming call without fanfare. Learn More | Buy
Best Production Software: Ableton Live 8 Suite
With some companies treating their DAW offerings like bastard step-children (Apple, MOTU), Ableton continues to focus on what it does best, making killer music production software. What’s that? They already have Live? Well gift them Max For Live to further blow their minds… Learn More | Buy
Best Entry-Level DJ Software: djay 4
This is a no-brainer. Algoriddim’s djay 3 earned our coveted Power Award for packing tons of stellar features in an extremely easy to use interface. Marry that to the outstanding Automix feature and robust, no-crash performance, and you’ve got a winner. The best part? djay 4 is available now for only 20 bucks! Learn More | Buy
Best Advanced DJ Software: Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2
Native is just murdering it on the digital DJ front right now, and Traktor is the main reason why…This outstanding mixing software has practically everything you need to blow the mind’s of your club crowd, or the head-nodders on your living room couch. Native has also cooked up some sweet holiday deals for their Traktor products, so check the Deals & Coupons section of our homepage for the latest information before you buy. Learn More | Buy
Best Entry-Level DJ Controller: Vestax Spin
Made for djay, our entry-level mixing software pick, Spin looks great, works well and is very easy to set up. Bonus: keeps your little brother’s grubby hands off of your S4. Learn More Learn More | Buy
Best Mid-Level DJ Controller: Native Instruments S4
When Native entered the DJ controller world with the X1, we just knew they had something “more” to offer…and we were right. Although the S4 is not prefect, its hard to beat in terms of features, value and cost. Learn More | Buy
Best Professional DJ Controller: 4midiLoop
From our 4midiLoop review: “Hand-built using Faderfox components, the 4midiLoop defies every single DJ controller standard to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience that no other controller on the market can match. Even though, there’s a Shift function, you’ll most likely never utilize it since the 4midiLoop puts 227 controls at your fingertips. That’s not a misprint, there are 227 knobs, buttons and faders on the unit. It is housed in a unibody chassis fashioned from a single block of aluminum with the best fit’n’finish we’ve seen on any DJ controller on the market.” Nuff said… Learn More Learn More | Buy
Best Experimental MIDI Controller: Eowave Ribbon Controller
The Eowave Ribbon is a USB and CV/gate controller designed for live applications. A visual stunner, the Ribbon allows you to control sound like no other controller before it, and if that wasn’t enough, it comes with a built-in, mini synth. Learn More | Buy
Best Virtual Analog Synth: Access Virus
We’ve always been partial to the Virus TI Polar, looks, sounds, white LEDs, this pup has it all, but the full-sized keyboard or desktop unit is also first-class. Learn More | Buy
Best Audiophile Audio Interface: NuForce ICON HDP
Want to turn your Dad’s computer into a true audiophile sonic experience? Buy him the NuForce ICON HDP and consider your job done. The HDP is a high performance headphone amp, digital audio converter and a preamp. Not only does everything work well, but its a snap to set up, meaning you won’t have to perform Tech Support for Pops the rest of the year, “no Dad, that’s not a cup holder.” Learn More | Buy
Best Multipurpose Game Table For Creative Blocks: Park & Sun 4-In-1 Rotational Game Table
Lost that creative inspiration? Need to rejuvenate, but don’t want to get sucked into a long Uncharted or Battlefield campaign? Get your groove back by playing with this innovative rotational game table. It’s a bitch to set-up, but once its ready to go, it will provide hours of game table combat. Learn More | Buy
Best DJ / Electronic Musician Backpack: Mono Flyby
The versatile FlyBy by Mono features a detachable laptop bag (fits laptops up to 17″) making it a flexible 2-in-1 design that allows you to leave the heavy gear back at your hotel room, while you explore the internet cafes looking for lonely expats. Combined, the FlyBy keeps your gear fully organized and protected. The FlyBy also comes with a comfortable messenger strap that quickly unclips when it’s time for backpack mode. Nice! Learn More | Buy
Best Dock / Sound System: Harman Kardon MS 150
It ain’t cheap, but audiophile quality rarely is…the Harman Kardon MS 150, is a high-performance dock/ stereo system that is not a visual stunner like some other models out there, but it includes an iPhone/iPod dock, slot-loaded CD player and FM radio tuner. The Harman Kardon MS 150 features two fully integrated 30-watt bass-reflex loudspeakers to produce crisp, room-filling club sound for the electronic music aficionado who wants to kick the beats in an all-in-one package. Learn More | Buy
Best Boombox: iHome iP4
iHome’s iP4 is a re-imagining of the classic stereo boombox with updates for your iPhone and iPod. The iP4 features SRS TruBass digital signal processing technology and 5 band EQ coupled with 4″ carbon composite woofers and 1″ ferro fluid cooled tweeters for sound that has to be heard to be appreciated. FM radio and aux line-in jack round out the feature set. The iP4 runs on 6 “D” batteries or included AC adaptor. Learn More | Buy
Best Gizmo For Your DJ Kit: Cyclops Micro Mini LED Light
Makes a great stocking stuffer and is under 8 bucks. The Cyclops features five bright white LED bulbs with a built-in 15 degree angle tilt, weighs less than an ounce and top mount design does not obstruct line of vision. It secures to your baseball lid and includes 2 CR-2016 lithium batteries. Learn More | Buy
Best eReader: Kindle Fire
For 200 beans, you get a killer eReader plus a multimedia powerhouse fueled by Amazon’s Prime content. It’s a little bit on the heavy side, and battery life is comes up a little short against the other members of the Kindle family, but there’s so much to like that these two deficits will get brushed aside by most. Learn More | Buy
Best Music Tablet: Apple iPad 2
A no-brainer. Best music tablet. Best music apps. The gift that keeps on giving…until the iPad 3 comes out. Learn More | Buy
Best Money Is No Object Transportation: Sachs Mad Ass
We’re not big on scooters here at FutureMusic (we prefer motorcycles), but if you have to ride one, then there’s only one option to retain your manhood, the Sachs Mad Ass. This 125cc bad boy of Scooterville even looks more “bad ass” in person, and it corners! (Love Star Wars? Need a protective suit? Click here! —Ed.) Learn More | Buy
Best Money Is No Object Speakers: Davone Ray Speakers
Davone recently debuted the Ray loudspeakers. These monitors are reportedly a homage to E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial Charles and Ray Eames. With their elegant, slender and sloping stands terminating to the bent-ply walnut cabinets, the Ray stands 28″ tall and features Davone’s customized coaxial drivers.. Learn More | Buy
Best Audio Prank: Think Geek Annoy-A-Tron 2.0
A favorite of our beloved Editor-In-Chief, who likes to visit studios and affix the Annoy-A-Tron in-between rack units when the engineer takes a smoke break. Devastating prank to the audio professional or audiophile. “Do you hear that beeping sound?”
WARNING: Do not use the Annoy-A-Tron on Dr. Dre. Learn More | Buy
Best Gift For Guitarists: Pick Punch
We stumbled upon this product recently and think its a fun, and inexpensive, product for that guitarist on your holiday gift list. We can’t advise you on how well it works, and their website design may give you pause, but it’s a great idea. Learn More | Buy
Best iPhone Gift: en&is MegaPhone
For the iPhone lover who has every accessory imaginable, the en&is MegaPhone is a new passive ceramic amplifier made specifically for the iPhone. It’s smaller than you think, but each one of these horns is hand-made to order and you can even get your bling on with the gold plated version. Best part? You’re guaranteed they won’t have one… Learn More | Buy
Best Geek Gift: Blade Runner Umbrella
Remember the lighted umbrellas in Blade Runner? Now you can score one for the Blade Runner fan on your list for only $25. Learn More | Buy
Best Green Gift: NatureMill Composter
NatureMill’s Metro is a compact, odor-free composter that sits underneath your kitchen counter, or in the garage if you don’t have room, and works year round to produce nutrient-rich compost for your garden, flower beds or yard. Simply throw in your table scraps, along with some wood pellets and baking soda, and close the lid. Done. No mess. No stink. No bugs. The NatureMill composter has been tested by one of our editors, who gave it a big “green” thumbs up. Learn More | Buy
Best Arts & Crafts Gift: X0X Pillows
Soft Machines is offering up hand-made, Roland X0X pillows in the following flavors: TR-909, TB-303, TR-808, SH-101, as well as some guitar pedals, vintage synths and old school Game Boy action. The pillows are individually constructed, and can be customized to your particular taste. Learn More | Buy
Best Gift You Can’t Buy: Norte Photoblocker
Obviously a total tongue-planted-firmly-in-cheek ad campaign by Buenos Aires-based agency Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi for South American beer brand Cerveza Norte, the Photoblocker is a real item that’s being distributed in Argentina solely as a promotional item. The Photoblocker is meant to replace a typical wine/beer cooler on a table and actually does insulate, but it also detects camera and cell phone flashes in a 360° circumference and fires a powerful reflective flash the moment a picture is taken. The end result? A big white blur. Brilliant! Learn More | Buy
