Welcome to FutureMusic’s 2025 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, so you can buy with confidence.
Even better, none of our recommendations are paid sponsorships. Our guide is based on one thing alone – merit.
Finally, we’re including a continually updated list of Black Friday Deals at the bottom of the page. Come back everyday to see what’s new!
2025 FUTUREMUSIC GIFT GUIDE
STOCKING STUFFER
OWC Envoy Pro Elektron
We’ve been testing OWC’s Envoy Pro Elektron micro SSD drive with our CDJs and are impressed with its 1000 MB/s performance and crushproof aluminum chassis. The Envoy Pro Elektron is also dust-proof and waterproof with an IP67 rating, so you don’t have to worry about drunken clubbers when they choose to dunk your drive in their cocktail.
The robust aluminum chassis also acts like a heat sink, a bonus since all that performance makes the Envoy Pro Elektron run hot when taxed, but it never failed during an endurance run at our favorite NYC club. The Envoy Pro Elektron comes in three flavors, 480 GB, 1 TB and 4 TB and starts at $129.99. OWC’s Envoy Pro Elektron
SOFTWARE
Dreamtonics Synthesizer V Studio 2 Pro
While AI may just completely upend music production as we know it in truly negative ways, there’s still hope thanks to products like Dreamtonics Synthesizer V Studio 2 Pro. Synth V Studio 2 Pro is a powerful vocal synthesis program, which allows producers to program convincing AI singers for their electronic music tracks.
Unlike other vocal synthesis software, we found Synthesizer V Studio 2 Pro’s interface to be best-in-class, making it easy to navigate and utilize all the powerful tools in its arsenal. Dreamtonics Synthesizer V Studio 2 Pro
STUDIO TOOLS
HOTO
HOTO, a brand from Shanghai that stands out with its devotion to making attractive utility products, has two awesome products for musicians and studio owners. The AutoCare Air Duster and Vacuum ($99.99) and the PixelDrive cordless screwdriver ($79.99) are both incredibly useful and aesthetically pleasing. Led by Lidan Liu, is an industrial designer and a professor at Tongji University in Shanghai, each product is ingenious, looks great and excels at any give task.
The Vacuum is quite useful allowing you to mitigate dust on your gear with a delicate brush that punches way above its weight in suction. Reverse the main chamber and the AutoCare Air Duster can then act like a small leaf blower. The PixelDrive cordless screwdriver, which looks like it would be at home on Batman’s desk, can sit stoically at the ready without attracting attention, but can fly into action when you need to add or remove modules from your studio rack or assemble IKEA furniture. HOTO
EDC
OLIGHT
The handsome, futuristic and high-quality Olight ArkPro flashlight is the perfect gift for any musician or producer on your list. It comes with both a spotlight and floodlight, and even a powerful green laser for presentations or other shenanigans. The robust aluminum frame can certainly take a beating and it comes with a dual-sized belt clip. Even better, it has a magnetic foot for attaching it to your studio rack to illuminate those rear connections. We’ve tested this extensively for two weeks and the rechargeable battery is still going strong. $88
FUTURE GEAR
reMarkable
The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is a portable version of their popular digital ink tablets that takes everything you love about writing on paper and translates it seamlessly into the digital world. The zero lag when writing is one of the reasons it’s so highly rated and using it on a regular basis confirms that it’s one of those products that you don’t know you need until you spend some quality time with it.
We did just that replacing our traditional journalistic notepads to the reMarkable, and even using it to redesign a studio in our Sound Lab with its arsenal of usual shape tools. The Pro Move is a luxurious digital writing experience and every aspect of the device was clearly well thought out. From the various writing tips at your disposal to clever ways to edit your note taking, the Pro Move is brilliantly executed, built solid, and comes with a gorgeous, magnetic protective case. Opt for the Delux pen with the built in eraser. $449
SEQUEL
Native Instruments Scene: Lotus
Native Instruments has debuted Scene: Lotus, a Japanese-inspired cinematic instrument. From the breathy shakuhachi and hichiriki to the delicate plucks of the koto, this hybrid scoring palette brings to life timeless instruments from Japan, blending them with orchestral swells and radiant synths. The central XY pad morphs between textures and effects for evolving soundscapes that transition from serene to intense. $29
- 50% Off Holiday Deals!
EFFECTS
Polyverse Filterverse
Polyverse’s Filterverse was almost left at the review alter, but Adrian Dybowski would not be denied and we’re much better for it! Filterverse is a multi-filter plug-in for Mac and PC that is built for exploration, as well as turning your outdated sample libraries into something unique, fresh and unexpected. We described Filterverse as an “alchemist” for its magical abilities to make any sound, loop or performance just better.
DRUM SYNTH
Baby Audio Tekno
Bummed the Roland TR-1000 requires a second mortgage? Never fear, your friends at Baby Audio have delivered you a drum synth plug-in that delivers that punch you crave. Its straightforward and simple interface allows you to dial in the precise tone you’re going after in minutes. And don’t worry, Tekno will find its way into your tracks, no matter what genre you’re working in. $129.
- 45% Off Holiday Deals!
SAMPLES
Producer Loops Come Alive
Producer Loops has released Come Alive, a Deep House sample pack, blending clean vocals, driving basslines, and hypnotic grooves. Featuring the sound design and professional-grade samples Producer Loops are known for, Come Alive offers a mix of soulful vocals, crisp percussion, and immersive synths.
- Up to 90% Off!
STOCKING STUFFER
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
Twelve South to the rescue again! Need to connect your AirPods or bluetooth headphones to a 3.5mm headphone jack? Well, the AirFly Pro 2 is your ticket to ride. Originally conceived as a savvy way to connect your noise-cancelling, wireless headphones to an airplane’s entertainment system, the AirFly’s have found new applications, include the treadmill at the gym and portable gaming devices.
We found the pairing to be instantaneous and the battery seams to “last forever,” but one of the best applications is that you can pair two headphones to the AirFly simultaneously, allowing you to watch that airplane movie with your traveling companion. $59.99
MONITORS
Telegrapher Gorilla S Studio Monitors
The Telegrapher Gorilla S monitors are a compelling option to premium project studios, mid-level recording studios and audiophiles who are equally enamored by the aesthetics and sound quality. Assembling some of the best components from Scan-Speak and Helix in a super-sexy enclosure, Telegrapher’s Gorilla S monitors deliver a sound signature that sets them apart. The bass is fluent, full and punchy and the investment in the anti-distortion technology has certainly paid off.
GUITAR PEDAL
Meris Enzo X
If you’ve been reading our reviews for the past few years, you’ll know we’re big fans of Meris. The small team from California delivers some BIG products. This year, they debuted the Meris Enzo X, which we subjected to one of our longest evaulations to date, and we’re more than impressed. If you’re a guitarist who has always wanted to dabble in synth action, the Enzo X is your ticket to ride. $599
PARTY STARTER
GE LED+ Speaker RGB Light Bulb
Nothing gets the disco going in your bathroom like General Electric’s LED+ Speaker light bulb. The innovative design has a built-in, Bluetooth speaker that surprised us with its ability to kick out the beats with punch and velocity. The bulb has 10 different colors to choose from and Party Mode that alternates the selections for that disco vibe. The GE LED+ Speaker comes with a handy remote control, so you don’t have to download, yet another app, to get the party started. $38
EARPHONES
Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite sports eight balanced armature drivers, and has been tuned to achieve a natural and balanced tonal signature, emulating the performance of professional studio monitors. Kiwi claims each Orchestra Lite kits undergoes two rounds of quality control inspection, including left and right channel frequency matching, to guarantee optimal performance.
We’ve tested the Kiwi’s in our Sound Lab as a substitute for near-field monitors and were impressed on their non-fatiguing nature. As you can see, the actual units are quite large, but the curved 4-core 7n oxygen-free copper cable were able to support the earphones in a manner that they didn’t become cumbersome after extended sessions. $249
Best Black Friday Deals 2025
Native Instruments:
- Save up to $200 on a new Maschine and get a suite of premium mixing plug-ins from Brainworx, then choose your own Expansion bundle. Everything you need to produce, mix, and master studio-quality tracks.
- Pick up a new Kontrol S-Series keyboard and get your choice of Lores or Fables, or get both with an S88, instantly expanding your sound palette for scoring and composition.
- Traktor Z1 and X1 controllers are on sale and come loaded with Traktor Pro 4, so you can start crafting and performing professional sets.
- Reality: Solid Deals from NI, and more coming in the run up to Black Friday. Recommended
- Native Instruments
Plugin Alliance:
- Get up to 93% off storewide! Maag Audio EQ4 – $19.99 / Black Box Analog Design HG-2 MS – $29.99, and much more.
- Reality: Some hidden gems here. Worth A Look
- Plugin Alliance
FabFilter
- 25% discount on all plug-ins and bundles
- Reality: You can’t go wrong with any FabFilter plug-in. Recommended
Waves
- Black Friday Pricing on 45 plug-ins
- Reality: These are the same discounts that Waves offers pretty much all year round. Meh…
- Waves
Baby Audio
- Major Discounts on BA’s Plug-Ins
- Reality: Bigtime discounts. Baby Audio has got some terrific plug-in and this blowout makes getting into their ecosystem a no brainer. Recommended
- Baby Audio
Ableton
- Up To 20% Hardware and Software
- Reality: Good time to upgrade to Live 12, but our readers have reported that the hardware discounts are a farce, since they “sold out” of Push 3 within minutes of publicizing the sale. Worth A Look
- Ableton
MIDI Designer
- For the creator who already owns everything except the perfect controller. MIDI Designer Pro X lets them build it from the ground up on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- There are many free, community layouts for a huge range of gear, including Chase Bliss, Meris and Strymon, that provide access to all the hidden MIDI-goodness.
- There are also a ton of great layouts for all your favorite synths, including Moog, Korg, Behringer, ASM, Roland and more
- For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the lifetime Premium unlock is now only $85, down from $125.
- Reality: The app itself is free, and for many users the free version will do the trick, but for super-users, the Lifetime tier is a great deal.
- MIDI Designer
Beatport
- 33% Off Beatport Streaming For Two Months
- Reality: Two months is a weak promotion. Meh…
- Beatport
Plugin Boutique
- Deals on individual plug-ins and bundles
- Reality: Plugin Boutique is a retailer of many brands, some of which are already having their own Black Friday specials. Worth A Look
- Plugin Boutique
Arturia
- Deals on individual plug-ins and hardware
- Reality: Pigments for $79 could be all you need to hear. Recommended
- Arturia
Universal Audio
- Get 50% Off UAD Neve Plug?Ins
- Reality: Enamored by that Neve sound, then these deals could be all you needed to take the plunge. Recommended
- Universal Audio
Yum Audio
- 65% Off All Plug-Ins
- Reality: Strong discounts. Yum has some nice LoFi plug-ins. Worth A Look
- Yum
Mixed In Key
- 50% Off All Products
- Reality: Substantial discounts. One of the best options for harmonic mixing. Recommended
- Mixed In Key
