So, the holiday season is upon us once again. Having a person in your life who creates music can be a double-edged sword for gifting. On one hand, their unwavering focus on their craft means a gift that aligns with their passion will undeniably strike the perfect chord. On the other hand, where the heck do you start within such a minefield of technical products?
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The 6 best holiday gifts for music producers
M-Audio AIR 192x6 Audio Interface
The place to start for music producers
An audio interface is perhaps the first gift you should consider for the music producer in your life and this offering from M-Audio delivers fantastic audio quality at a reasonable price.
- 24-bit/192kHz resolution recording
- MIDI in/out connections are always useful
- Combination jack inputs are very versatile
- Some may want more inputs
An audio interface is a fantastic place to start when considering a gift for the music producer in your life. Chances are, if they are just getting started in the world of recording or music production, an audio interface will be at the top of their list. Simply put, an audio interface converts signals from an instrument or microphone into a language your computer can understand. An interface can also route audio from your computer to studio monitors and/or headphones.
The M-Audio AIR 192x6 audio interface comes in at a price point that's a bit above the lowest cost, but remains affordable. The 24-bit/192kHz resolution recording provides great quality audio that will be more than enough for the vast majority of home studios. Combination jack inputs allow for both XLR and 1/4 inch connections. This means you can connect either microphones or instruments, depending on what your project requires.
The 5-pin MIDI input/output is a nice touch as less and less music production equipment includes this type of connection, so fear not all you vintage synthesizer aficionados. Lastly, there are included trials of different software programs such as Auto-Tune and Reason+ which will allow for some musical exploration. Although advanced producers will require more than four inputs, this will do well for beginners and intermediates alike.
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X
Premium recording that is out of this world
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X is a fantastic gift for those experienced music producers or home studio specialists, even if they already have an audio interface, chances are, it isn’t as good as this.
- Professional audio recording quality
- Unison microphone preamps are stunning
- Included LUNA software is an excellent pairing
- Price point may be out of reach for many
Universal Audio have claimed their Apollo Twin X audio interface is the 'best desktop audio interface in the world,' which is no small brag. However, we're inclined to agree. Universal Audio have borrowed elite-class A/D and D/A conversion from their rack-mounted interfaces and, when paired with the plethora of classic mic preamps, they offer unrivalled audio recording quality.
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Although the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X only has two inputs, there is an optical ADAT/SPDIF input which can allow for up to eight additional connections if you need to expand for an easier workflow. Although the price point isn't suitable for beginners, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X is the best professional audio interface gift this holiday season.
AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3
Start creating music immediately
If the music producer in your life is at the start of their journey, check out the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 MIDI controller. It's a fantastic controller that will allow musical creation from the moment they receive it.
- Fantastic choice of controls
- Lightweight and easily transportable
- Comes with free software
- More experienced producers will need something better
MIDI controllers are a fantastic gift idea for any budding music producer in your life. Even if the recipient has no instruments or microphones, they'll still be able to create music on a computer with a MIDI controller. This is because a MIDI controller can implement data on a digital audio workstation and trigger any instrument plug-in you assign to it.
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Whether you want to blast out tunes by the pool or fill the room during karaoke, pump up the volume with these speakers.The Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3 is pretty much everyone's first MIDI controller, and for good reason. There are a host of different controls to use, such as a four-way joystick, eight backlit velocity sensitive pads and eight 360-degree assignable knobs. So whether you're making beats, mixing on the fly or laying chordal pads over your music, the Mini MK3 has you covered.
Included totally free is a complete music production starter kit like MPC Beats, six Virtual Instruments and 2GB of sound content, ideal for those looking to experiment. There's no denying that more experienced producers are going to need something a bit more high-tech, but for those getting started, there's nothing better.
Yamaha HS5
Listening to your creations has never sounded better
The Yamaha HS series is one of the best studio monitors for music producers. A neutral response, helpful onboard controls and a small footprint will slot this into any home studio.
- A small, manageable footprint
- Neutral response ideal for production
- Helpful on-board controls
- Some may need a bigger driver
Yamaha is a titan in the music industry. Well, they are actually a titan in many industries, but their musical equipment is always of a fantastic build quality and the Yamaha HS5 studio monitors are no exception. What makes the HS5 monitors stand out from the crowd is their bi-amp design. This two-way bi-amp design means there is a separate amplifier for both the one-inch dome tweeter and the five-inch cone woofer.
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Lastly, the HS5s have a small footprint, so if you are strapped for space, they are an ideal option. Although some out there may prefer a bigger cone woofer for lower frequency bass response, the HS5 monitors stand out as a fantastic option for most home studios.
Shure SM7B dynamic microphone
From musical performances to podcasting
The Shure SM7B dynamic vocal microphone has been an industry standard for years. Largely thanks to its versatility and robust construction, it is a fantastic gift for music producers looking for a new microphone.
- Fantastic vocal recording qualities
- Versatile application
- Very robust design
- There are better options for instrument recording
Although Shure's SM7 microphone has a history dating back to the early '70s, the SM7b was released in 2001. Since then, it has been one of the most popular studio microphones in history and there are a few different reasons for this.
Firstly, the SM7b is an incredibly versatile microphone. Firstly, it is fantastic at capturing authentic vocals. Vocals are a pet peeve of many producers as capturing a natural vocal take is frustratingly difficult and the SM7b does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
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The on-board toggle controls are incredibly accessible, allowing you to cycle through four different frequency responses (normal, flat-response, mid-boost, bass roll-off) with ease. The microphone's natural state has a uniform frequency response which is ideal for capturing vocals and instruments alike, without any additional tone coloring.
The SM7b's easy set-up and plug-in-and-play capabilities have also made it popular for streamers and podcasters alike and, since it doesn't require phantom power for use, it is incredibly accessible. Lastly, the included electromagnetic shielding does a fantastic job of blocking out ambient noise like the hum of a computer or other studio noise.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
German headphone excellence
Looking for fantastic studio headphones this holiday season? Then check out the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones. You’ll likely never need another pair for music production.
- Open back allows for superb spaciousness
- Provide wide stereo imagery
- Extremely comfortable
- Some prefer closed back
If you're in the market for new studio headphones, Beyerdynamic stands tall. Dating back to 1924, this German company brings unparalleled audio expertise. Exhibit A: the DT 990 Pro headphones, epitomizing the brand's commitment to excellence. Take our word for it, you'll unlikely need another pair of studio headphones, even if your music makes it platinum, the DT 990 Pros will take you there and beyond.
Their open-back design delivers natural audio representation, preventing low-frequency build-up common in closed-back headphones. These headphones boast a wide stereo image, offering ample space for understanding mix depth. They detect even the subtlest acoustic changes, allowing for precise track adjustments. As studio headphones go, the DT 990 Pros are pretty affordable and a lot of people's budgets will be able to stretch to the asking price.
Comfort is a forte with the DT 990 Pros. Their plush, adjustable ear cups ensure fatigue-free long sessions, complemented by a sturdy spring steel headband. Although the earcups are incredibly soft, they can get a bit warm, especially during long studio sessions. However, this is sometimes a problem with headphones in general, so don't let that deter you. While closed-backs may offer isolation, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro remains an indisputable choice for top-notch studio headphones and is the best headphones gift for music producers this holiday season.
The bottom line: What's the best holiday gift for music producers?
If you're on the hunt for the best holiday gift for a music producer this holiday season, look no further than the M-Audio AIR 192x6 Audio Interface. Thanks to its fantastic audio capturing resolution, MIDI connection capabilities and reasonable price tag, it's bound to make any music producer happy this holiday season. Sure, there are more expensive options like the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X, but unless they are a seriously dedicated professional, the M-Audio interface is more than enough for home production.
If the music producer in your life is just dipping their toes into the water, then check out the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3. This will get them up and running, even if they don't have any instruments to create music with. The included digital audio workstation means they will only need a working computer/laptop to begin their musical career.
What is a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)?
A key tool for music production is the digital audio workstation (DAW), so it's important to understand what it is. But what is a digital audio workstation and what does it do? Well, a digital audio workstation is a software application which operates on your computer or laptop. This software application is what you record, edit and produce your recorded music and audio on. There are quite a few different DAWs to choose from, but really, whatever one you choose is down to personal preference.
Are gifts for music producers or creatives expensive?
Like most hobbies which include pieces of tech, things can get quite expensive fast in the world of music production. However, there are lots of products out there that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Also, these affordable products don’t compromise on quality. You just have to check out the M-Audio AIR 192x6 Audio Interface and the AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 to realise that there are some fantastic options out there for music producers which are very affordable. Don’t get us wrong, there is also a plethora of very expensive gear, which is absolutely fantastic, but if you’re on a budget, don’t worry too much, as it won’t cost a lot to get your music career up and running.
Should I try to find a new laptop or desktop for music production to give them?
Chances are, they'll already have a great PC for music production, so you shouldn't have to worry about gifting them that. In general gifting guidelines for friends and family, buying them a new laptop or desktop setup might just be a bit too far as they tend to be high-budget items and most people like to have a say in the primary device they'll use for their craft. The items we included on our list should hit a balance as great additions or upgrades to music producers' gear. However, our buyers' guide above can give you an idea of what specs are needed for music production on a PC set up, if you're interested in going all out.
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