Welcome to FutureMusic’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide. Below you’ll find our recommendations for everyone on your gift list (including yourself!) – All recommendations have been vigorously tested by the FutureMusic staff during the last year, so you can buy with confidence.
2021 GIFT GUIDE FOR ELECTRONIC MUSICIANS
BEST VALUE
Rode NT1 & AI-1 Complete Studio Bundle
You won’t find a better Bang-For-The-Buck this holiday season than the RØDE NT1 and AI-1 Studio Bundle. This kit packs a punch and is so versatile you can use it for dozens of applications. The NT1 microphone comes with a quality shock mount and beefy XLR cable. While the NT1 has been a mainstay for years as an accessible large-diaphragm condenser, the new AI-1 is just as impressive for it’s diminutive size and features.
ACCESSORY
Analog Cases
Having reviewed the entire Analog Cases lineup, we can wholeheartedly recommend their excellent cases. Starting at just $39 (less if you jump on their Black Friday Specials), you’ll find everything from stocking stuffers to their awesome Unison and Sustain cases, which we feel are standouts.
MIXER
Pioneer DJM-V10
Pioneer released “the one mixer to rule them all” this past year and it impressed. Pioneer’s new flagship, which comes in both a standard version with crossfader and a LF (Long Fader) edition is the Japanese concern’s black knight to go against both Allen & Heath’s and Play Differently’s top DJ mixers. Our reviewers loved it and found it to be a musical instrument on its own.
EFFECTS
Eventide Blackhole Guitar Pedal
Eventide finally released a dedicated guitar pedal for their renowned Blackhole reverb algorithm. The Blackhole reverb has been a mainstay in many of their hardware and software products since its debut in the Ultra-Harmonizer DSP4000. The expansive reverb certainly lives up to its namesake with an enormous, dense sound that’s not for the faint of heart. The Blackhole won over all four of our reviewers during our long-term test, so you know it will be well-received when placed under your tree.
SOUND SYSTEM
Mackie SRT Series
Mackie incorporates so many features into their SRT Series of powered loudspeakers, they should be called superspeakers. Each of the three models, 10″ – 12″ – 15″ comes equipped with a built-in 1600W Class-D amplifier with system limiting and protection and a frequency response of 44Hz – 20kHz. The Custom Sym-X horn provides clarity in the mids and highs with a flat response at the crossover point. Each unit also contains a built-in, four-channel digital mixer with EQ plus Bluetooth connectivity, and with the SRT Connect App, you can wirelessly link the speakers for stereo music streaming. With all this action, you’d think you’d need a forklift to transport the SRT’s from location to location, but the 15″ only weighs 37 lbs. But that’s not all! Mackie has also dropped the SR18S – a powered sub with an 18″ woofer that moves air! Better still? These speakers are built to last with a robust construction that will look forward to your next gig. The best part? The price! The SRT’s start at $499.99 and the SR18S Sub is only $799.99. They’re already running low on inventory, so act fast!
PLUG-IN
Baby Audio Spaced Out
Baby Audio recently debuted Spaced Out, a VST, VST3, AU, AAX plug-in for Mac and PC. The effect is Baby Audio’s most sophisticated to date, but the interface stays true to their “Keep it simple, Stupid!” user interface philosophy. Baby Audio claims they were channeling the famed Roland RE-201 Space Echo, a combination tape echo and reverb introduced in 1974, when developing the effect. Whatever the inspiration, it’s a great reverb, especially for Ambient and Deep House.
PATCHES
Ultimate Patches
You can’t go wrong with gifting someone Ultimate Patches. Nothing can infuse life into an old synth like some fresh inspiration from Scott-John Dougan. Now available for Novations’s AFX Station and compatible with the Bass Station 2, this expansive collection includes the genres of synthwave, cinematic, classic pop & rock, hip hop, jazz, country, disco, trap, chiptune, modern pop, orchestral, dubstep, vintage & modern house, trance, reggae, retrocade and more. Dig in!
INNOVATOR
Hologram Microcosm
This ground-breaking effects pedal from the geniuses at Hologram just makes established players like Strymon look like Ammoon. The Microcosm takes an entirely new approach to processing that’s been embraced by guitarists, sound designers, Eurorack buffs and anyone else who wants to mangle sound in the sweetest way possible. With a waiting list a mile long, you may not be able to get one in time for the holidays, but when it does arrive, it will be the gift that keeps on giving.
STOCKING STUFFER
1010 Music BlueBox
With a footprint the size of KitKat bar, the 1010 Music BlueBox packs such a punch, that you’ll be dumbfounded that they were able to cram so many features into this micro mixer. Once you emerge out of your stupor, you’ll realize that the BlueBox was heaven sent if you happen to own a few Korg Volca or Roland Boutiques and want to leap on the Micro Studio train. Highly Recommended (and affordable!)
BEST DEAL RIGHT NOW
Behringer TD-3
You can score a Behringer TD-3 – Roland TB-303 Clone for $89 bucks on Amazon. Eighty-Nine-Bucks.
That’s just nuts. Not convinced? Read our Behringer TD-3 review.
- 31% Off!
