FutureMusic is proud to present their 2018 Holiday Gift Guide. Shop with confidence! All of the products below have been reviewed by our team of evaluators and only the best-of-the-best have been selected by our editors for this years guide.
Want a killer gift that won’t break the bank? Native Instruments awesome Maschine Mikro MkIII has everything you need to start cranking out banging tracks in a compact, bring-it-anywhere package. Comes complete with the latest version of the Maschine software to get your fully immersed in the Native Instruments ecosystem. In our long term review, we’ve found that Maschine Mikro is one of the biggest Bangs-For-The-Buck on the market today! Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MkIII costs $259. » Native Instruments.
If you want a combination of big elegance with big sound, look no further than the new Cavalier Audio Bluetooth Speaker. This gorgeous bluetooth speaker can play all day long on a single charge (a sweet charging cradle is included), but it will look so nice on your desk, you may not want to take it out in the wild. It comes in an all black version, or a vintage motorcycle vibe (our recommendation) in a deep, denim blue color with real leather highlights. It has nice full sound without the overbaked, tubby bass so prevalent in many products on the market today that can muddy everything up. The clear midrange was touted by our reviewers who felt it was spot-on for “room filling sound.” Cavalier Audio’s Maverick Speaker costs $299. Cavalier Audio
Know someone who’s been dropping Apple AirPod hints since Independence Day? But you’ll be damned if you’re going to plunk down 150 beans for something they’ll lose in a week? Well Monoprice has your answer and if you hurry, you can grab their solid True Wireless Earphones for less than $40. We’ve tested these Bluetooth 4.2 puppies and they are a solid option for listening to music on-the-go with their IPX4 Sweatproof rating. The price even includes the portable charging case and cable. We got about 3.5 hours of continual playing time and the True Wireless were able to provide clear audio for phone calls in noisy environments. Monoprice True Wireless Earphones are on sale now for $36. Monoprice
Here’s one concert blanket you won’t be leaving behind in the mud on your next trip to Coachella. The Rumpl comes in either a synthetic or down fill in three sizes to suite any excursion. One of our reviewers tested the one-person version on a road trip and was raving on how it kept him warm when the temps dipped into the 50°s. Rumpl consistently updates the patterns and colors of their blankets so it pays to stop by often to check out their latest offerings. The Rumpl’s start at $129 for the Throw, but they’re having a 25% off sale right now. Rumpl.
Anyone you know have an iMac? Well, if you want to get them something special for their beloved computer, check out Understands! These decadent, handmade walnut cabinets support an iMac and provide six innovative (and two secret) drawers for all your peripherals and accessories, as well as cable management. The dovetail construction really sets it apart and showcases the luxurious craftsmanship. The Planet (top picture) costs $399, but there are tons of models available for every budget. Understands.
Do you have someone on your list that’s always complaining about their PC’s performance? Then consider the Samsung 970 Pro NVMe SSD drive. This bleeding-edge SSD impressed the five reviewers in our long-term test to such a degree that it earned the best FutureMusic score ever recorded for a computer peripheral. If you want to run your DAW and plug-ins at the fastest speed possible, then the best choice right now is the Samsung 970 Pro. The Samsung 970 Pro costs $379.99. Samsung.
Polyend, the innovator out of Poland, recently debuted an amazing hardware sequencer called SEQ. SEQ features a grid-structure with 32 steps, 8 track polyphony and 256 pattern storage. The build-quality is world-class with a stunning aluminum and wooden housing and a crisp white on black display. We tested the SEQ and found it brings absolute joy to the user by reigniting the excitement of performing on hardware synths and drum machines. Polyend’s SEQ costs $1199. Polyend.
This might be one of those gifts you buy for yourself. Ever need a little inspiration? Or maybe a musical kick in the butt? Then check out Captain Chords by Mixed In Key, the same folks who brought you the famed harmonic DJ mixing application. Captain Chords helps you write chords, melodies and basslines in your DAW in a completely seamless manner. It’s like having Gandalf along for the ride on your next musical adventure. Captain Chords costs $79. Mixed In Key.
