I know it’s going to be hard to tear yourself away from the Victoria Secret Fashion Show 2016, but the Holidaze are just around the corner, so you may want to check out our 2016 FutureMusic Holiday Gift Guide….
V-Moda Crossfade Wireless Headphones
We’ve been testing V-Moda’s Crossfade Wireless headphones and find them to be tops for DJs and electronic music fans who want rich tone and tubby base without having to think about connection dropouts and pairing issues. The Crossfade Wireless also feature an all-analog signal path, which bypasses the digital circuitry, if you want to go wired for full-bandwidth mayhem. You can also get the side plates customized with any design you choose in a variety of textures, colors and metals. The rechargeable battery seems to “last forever,” according to one of our testers and the hidden, built-in microphone, specially tuned and optimized for phone calls, “works great, even in very noisy environments like the mall.” $270. V-Moda
Roli Blocks
An innovator from the start, Roli delivered big last year with the Seaboard Rise (Still a great gift choice! —Ed.). However, this year, they have debuted a more consumer-based music offering, dubbed the Roli Blocks. This tactile, and dare we say, luxurious, product is only available at Apple retail stores for the holiday season, but don’t let that stop you from getting “the ultimate music stocking stuffer,” according to Editor, Dan Brotman. The Blocks is a modular and scalable music production ecosystem, consisting of snap-together hardware controllers and the Noise music creation app. At the center of the Blocks’ environment is the Lightpad Block, a 3.7″ x 3.7″ square with a squishy, inviting surface. LED lights glow underneath the surface providing visual information about the sounds and attributes of each of the 5 x 5 squares inside the device. Like the Seaboard Rise, the silicon surface is addictive and begs to be played and prodded. Two other “controller” blocks are also available. The Lightpad Block costs $179 and the Live Block and Loop Block will set you back $79. Roli Blocks
B&O Beolit 15
The Beolit 15 is a portable, wireless speaker powerhouse. This pup puts out 240 watts of peak muscle with a fat, rounded bottom that betrays its small size. The gorgeous brushed aluminum grill and tasteful leather strap makes the Beolit 15 at home at a South Hampton bonfire or on a stately picnic. Oh, and up to 24 hours of battery life means you’ll never have to turn down the beats while searching for the Grey Poupon. $499. B&O
Erica Synths AcidboxII
With the acid sound now very much in the sonic consciousness of electronic music makers thanks to the recent TB-03 announcement (see below). Adding some “acid flavor” to your current arsenal of hardware synths is now possible thanks to Erica Synth’s new AcidboxII and its very attractive price point. Whether or not you’re are familiar with the Polivoks synth on which it’s based, is of little consequence. If you’re looking to “add sonic mayhem” to your sound or just looking to breath new life into your older synths, you can’t go wrong with the Erica Synths AcidboxII, which scored a staggering 96% rating in our extensive review. $250. Erica Synths AcidboxII
Roland TB-03
Well, it took 20 years, but Roland finally gave the public what they’ve been clamoring for ever since the Acid House sound was born and the original TB-303 had long been discontinued. Released under Roland’s Boutique umbrella and employing the ACB virtual analog engine that powers their other micro-reissues – all of which have gift-level price points – the “little silver box” has finally come home. The sound is faithful — albeit it doesn’t have the true “grease” of the original, which utilized God-fearing analog circuitry, but Roland did come firing to this acid streetfight with MIDI and USB connectivity, a new programming paradigm and effects. If you’re really looking to “get to tweaking” and want to give Roland a high-five for finally reissuing this classic, then this is a definite consideration. $349. Roland
Arturia DrumBrute
We don’t if there’s magic in the water in Grenoble, France, but Arturia has just been killing it with one awesome product debut after another. We absolutely loved their MicroBrute – a Power Award winner last year and certainly another consideration for a tremendous Holiday Gift – and now they bring us the DrumBrute. This all-analog drum machine takes its lead from the famed Roland TR-909 and TR-808 and adds some unique French flavor with new sounds and programming methodologies. The Hi-Hats are a bit of a mess, but the glorious bass kicks (yes, that’s plural – think 909 and 808) more than make up for this small indiscretion. Look for our extensive review next month! $499 Arturia
TwelveSouth
TwelveSouth has always been our go-to source for high-quality and innovative gifts for Mac users. And with the new Apple Watch on many of our reader’s wish lists, the TwelveSouth Forte is the quintessential accessory to take this purchase to 11. Well-designed and extremely elegant, the Forte makes any night stand look better and has several features to make charging your Apple Watch a breeze. We especially like the soft, leather-wrapped base in case your watch accidently slips off the stand after too much egg nog. $59.95
No Apple Watch? Check out TwelveSouth’s other innovations, including their PlugBug World. This seemingly benign 2.1-Amp USB wall charger turns almost any MacBook Power Adapter into a dual charger that works in any major country. PlugBug World lets you charge your MacBook and iPhone simultaneously from a single outlet. Can you say lifesaver? We can! $44.95. TwelveSouth
SUCK UK Drumstick Pencils
Suck UK’s Drumstick Pencils are perfect for anyone you know who thinks they’re the Tommy Lee of desk drumming. Each “stick” features a tapered shoulder and tip and a regular pencil on the other side. Take notes, jam, annoy your teacher, take notes, jam, go to detention…where you can repeat the process all over again. $7.71. Suck UK Drumstick Pencils
ANOVOS Captain Phasma Helmet
Are you a Star Wars fan? Love Daft Punk? Why not score the new Captain Phasma helmet from ANOVOS and kill two birds with one stone? As you well know, Phasma commands the First Order’s legions of troopers, but did you know she likes to lord over the wheels of steel when she’s not grinding her chrome heel onto the necks of rebel scum? ANOVOS, who produces the most accurate Star Wars costumes on the planet, is proud to offer the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Captain Phasma Helmet from their Premier Line. $799. ANOVOS
