Audio on The Go: 4 of the Best Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers for 2015
Been putting off your holiday shopping? If you hurry, there’s still time to grab a stocking-stuffer or two for the musicians and producers in your life.
Check out these four low-cost, small sized, easy to carry gadgets for audio pros on the go. Perfect for 2015, this audio technology is about as cool as Marty McFly’s Self-Lacing Sneakers.
Mikey, by Blue.
The “Mikey” Digital Microphone from Blue is an ultra-compact stereo condenser microphone that allows you to turn your iPhone or iPad into a sleek mobile recording device.
In addition to the stylish 230-degree rotating microphone for stereo recording, it provides a line-input and USB pass-through option.
Sonoma Guitar Jack
The Sonoma GuitarJack Model 2 is a small, high-quality iOS interface that allows you to connect an instrument, microphone and studio-quality headphones or speakers to your iPhone for use with apps like Fourtrack and StudioTrack.
With just two knobs and three 1/4” jacks, GuitarJack makes it possible to capture high-quality recordings anywhere, and anytime your phone is handy.
Gibson’s Memory Cable
The Gibson Memory Cable is a 16-foot 1/4” to 1/4” instrument cord that features a built-in, super-compact recorder that can store over 13 hours of audio.
This is a great gift that will allow the recipient to plug the cable into their guitar and press a button to have the cable record everything they’ll play. Great for sketching ideas or even demoing signal chains and re-amping guitar parts.
4. Aerodrums Air Drumming Percussion Instrument
Aerodrums is a novel percussion instrument that allows you to drum without a physical drum kit, by making air-drumming gestures. It is “air drumming“ made real.
This is a great gift for apartment dwellers, for professional drummers who want to practice on the go, for students and creative producers. It’s fun to use, provides high-quality sound anywhere, and compares very well with the kind of musical expressiveness you can coax out of a real or electronic drum kit.
One caveat: it’s important to note that due to its design, Aerodrums cannot be used to drum outdoors in daylight. Read more about this product at aerodrums.com.
That wraps up our picks of last-minute stocking stuffers for audio pros. With the list above, you’ll be ready to tackle your Christmas list in style.
Ryan Merriweather is an audio engineer, tech enthusiast, and writer.