It’s that time of year again, so here comes the best gifts for musicians. We have already covered essential smart home gear, low-cost tech gifts and even some great ideas for keeping things organized around the office, but now it’s time for the loudest person on your list. Musical instruments and production gear has always been and will likely always be inherently expensive, so thinking slightly outside of the box for that special songstress on your list is a necessity. Fortunately for you, we have some great ideas below to get the wheels turning before it’s too late.
Moog Merchandise
If you have someone on your list that is into Moog synthesizers or really just electronic music at all, Moog merchandise is one of the best gifts for musicians. Everyone loves Moog and rightfully so. It is one of the most iconic names in electronic music and it makes some awesome swag. The Minimugs are a particular favorite of mine at just $10 each in black or white, but you also can’t go wrong with its apparel options as well. I don’t know very many, if any, musicians that wouldn’t love a Moog coffee mug in their stocking this year. (I hope the folks that are buying me gifts this year see this post).
Keep your coffee hot with the warm analog sound of the Minimoog Model D.
Just like the huge sound of the Minimoog that graces its face, this mug will fit a serious amount of coffee. Tell your friends you can’t live without analog sound or a great cup of coffee.
-Your choice of black or white
-Microwave safe ceramic
Moleskine Music Notebooks
Notebooks are a dime a dozen, but not all of them have a music staff on each page. Moleskine makes some great options regardless, but the Music Notebook at just $17.62 shipped offers your usual blank slate on the left while the right hand side of each page has a handy music staff. Perfect for scribbling down lyrics, chord progressions, guitar tab, melodies and other song ideas, every music maker needs something like this. And even you’re the type to use an iPad or something for stuff like this, having a nice little notebook that doesn’t cost a fortune to sketch out quick ideas is a must in my opinion. This one also ships with a bonus music ruler, a bookmark, elastic closure and a nice inner pocket for loose notes.
As an honorable mention on the notebook side of things, Moog also has an amazing little Moogerfooger Notebook & Synthesis Pencil Set that is just $14.99.
Art Vinyl Record Display Frames
Vinyl has seen a massive resurgence over the last number of years across all age ranges. Even if you aren’t the type to appreciate the analog, “purist” audio of a good record player, the vintage stylings and gorgeous artwork on the records themselves crosses just about any boundary. If you’re not going to grab some actual LPs for the vinyl head in your life, the Art Vinyl Record Display Frames are one of the coolest ways to put those amazing record covers to good use. The 12-inch display frame supports just about any sized record including singles, LPs or even triple albums. The crystal clear glass front features UV protection as well which will protect the album covers from fading while adorning the walls of your man cave, office or home studio.
You’ll find white and black variants, along with three-packs starting from $59 direct from Art Vinyl. But the official Amazon storefront is offering singles at just $49.99 shipped right now.
Maschine Mikro MK3 Controller & Sound Library
As we mentioned above, music gear is inherently expensive and more times than not, that special person on your list likely already has the gear they want. But having said all that, the new Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3 controller and sound library is easily one of the best gifts for musicians this year. It might be one of the more affordable pieces of actual gear out there that most musicians will appreciate on some level or other. Clearly, if we are talking beat makers and electronic musicians, this thing will be a great little gift even if it’s just to pad their existing battle station. And for those that sit in the more organic music category, this is a handy way for adding those special bells and whistles into their folk, rock, classical or jazz influenced recordings.
At $259, it certainly isn’t cheap, but considering what you get here, the value is pretty impressive. Along with a solid, robust physical controller and free access to the companion Maschine app, it can be used as a standalone unit or inside your favorite DAW (including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and FL Studio). Oh, and you also get 1.6GB of samples and sounds to get you started including everything from synths and loops to some great drum samples and other one-shot samples.
Tablet Mic Stand Mount
Whether we are talking about podcast and voice-over work or song demoing and professional recording, a tablet mic stand mount is a must have in my opinion. I was certainly guilty of being one of those people that said “nah, I’ll never need one those” or “you should have the lyrics memorized already, bro”. But things change, and I’m one of them. Macally makes a solid option for $16 but the IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand Universal Mic Stand Mount supports all tablets and iPads (7″ to 12.1”) at $39.99 shipped. It is perfect for lyrics and recording notes while you or your clients (drunk friends) are blessing the mic. But it keeps people from stumbling around looking for their phone around your pricey gear or from needing to reach into their pockets while you’re trying to get the perfect take. And that’s more than enough for me to be considered one of the best gifts for musicians.
Other 9to5Toys Gift Guides:
- Simon’s favorite tech gifts for banishing clutter
- Blair’s favorite smart home must-haves
- Trevor’s favorite low-cost tech essentials
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