CONTROLLER

Embodme Erae 2

Embodme’s new Erae 2 is an expressive MIDI / CV controller and looper — from the future. As one of the only controllers that actually understands hand technique, and with an interface you can completely customize, there is nothing like it.

The Erae 2 is one of those rare instruments that changes how a musician thinks about the physical act of playing. It is not for everyone, and it does not pretend to be, but for the producer or performer willing to meet it halfway, it offers a depth of expression and a breadth of connectivity that almost nothing else in its price range can touch. $899.

MICROPHONE

Royer Labs R-12

Every Royer Labs story starts with the R-121. David Royer built his first ribbon mic in his garage in 1997, and Royer Labs opened in May 1998 with the aim of bringing ribbons back into mainstream recording. The Royer Labs’ R-12 really nails it on an unusually strong combination of sound quality, engineering, flexibility, durability and price. After we conducted an extensive test, we can confirm that among modern active ribbon microphones, the R-12 is one of the most complete and rationally designed packages available at its price. $899.

MIDI

Sim’n Tonic
Nome II

The Sim’n Tonic Nome II is exactly what it claims to be: a simple, stable and precise MIDI master clock that solves the synchronization problems that have frustrated hardware-oriented musicians for as long as MIDI has existed. U-SYNC, for macOS and and now Windows users, represents a genuinely novel approach to DAW-hardware integration that is easier to configure and more accurate than any audio sync track method. The build quality, the large-encoder ergonomics, and the thoughtful live-performance features communicate that this device was designed from direct personal experience of the problems it solves. $249.

SOFTWARE

iZotope Tonal Balance Control 3

iZotope’s Tonal Balance Control 3 is the plug-in you had no idea you needed. It comes packaged with iZotope’s Suites and Bundles, but often gets overlooked with all that plug-in deliciousness. Standing on its own, its immense value comes into focus once you start using it in our own productions.

While previous versions functioned as dedicated metering tools, Tonal Balance Control 3 adds an integrated EQ overlaid directly on the interface, enabling corrective adjustments without leaving the plug-in. Combined with the aforementioned Leveled View for more intuitive tone-shaping, and the three new specialized meters designed to align a track’s dynamics, stereo width and vocal balance with its chosen reference target, Tonal Balance Control 3 has everything you need in a reference plug-in. $129.

STOCKING STUFFER

Uniden R8w Radar Detector

We recently employed the Uniden R8w Radar Detector on a long drive to conduct an interview, and found it to deliver excellent long-range performance, 360° protection, and plenty of alerts for Red Light Cameras, Speed Cameras and other ways our lovely government has invented to “tax” you whenever you leave your house.

The Uniden R8w Radar Detector also features advanced DSP filtering, Wi-Fi updates, and Bluetooth app integration. It’s not cheap, but neither are tickets. $799.

GUITAR PEDAL

Polyend Mess

Polyend’s Mess, a powerful multi-track, step sequencer with unique stacking effects, has been a staff fav for the past year. With four fully customizable effect tracks, musicians can craft ambient soundscapes, intricate glitch sequences or even a familiar four effect chain sync’d to BPM.

With built-in chance and probability controls, Mess can generate randomized, yet rhythmic glitches, stutters, and repeats. With over 200 ready-to-play presets Mess provides instant creativity, and 1000 preset slots to store your own products. An intuitive knob per function interface and clear visual feedback on the 16 step-grid pad make the Mess a great gift for electronic musicians. $599.

HELMET AUDIO

Outdoor Tech Chips Ultra

We’ve been testing Outdoor Tech’s Chips Ultra over the summer on electric scooters, mountain bikes, ATV’s and dirt bikes for our upcoming review, and found them to punch way above their weight with great sound, a convenient charging system and superb connectivity.

We’ll be seeing how they perform in ski/snowboard helmets next month in the colder weather, but aside from their girth, they deliver on their promise. $229.95

LIVE PERFORMANCE HUB

OWC USB4

The OWC USB4 Hub is designed for musicians and creative professionals, as well as anyone else using a modern laptop who wants full desktop connectivity without the weight. With up to 40Gb/s of total bandwidth, plus an HDMI 2.1 display port, the USB4 allows users to directly plug in any modern HDMI display up to 4K 120Hz, 4K 240Hz with DSC, or 8K 60Hz without adapters or dongles. The dedicated power supply delivers up to 81W through the USB4 host connection and the Smart Power Delivery handles allocation between the laptop and connected devices automatically. Two additional 10Gb/s USB-C ports for drives, adapters, and accessories are provided with Thunderbolt 5/4/3, USB4, and USB-C Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPad Pro compatibility. The fanless aluminum housing dissipates heat efficiently for studios and live gigs that demand complete quiet. Even better, it’s only $129.