Finding gifts for audio professionals can be pretty difficult. We already have our book recommendations but if you are looking for other gifts then check out some suggestions here from the Production Expert team.
Mugs And Coasters
ELECTRIC GUITAR MUG - Giftboxed China Tall Latte Mug An Ideal Gift For Any Guitarist / Musician - Decorated with images of Images of guitars
Electric Guitar Design Tall China Latte Mug in Gift Box
Beautifully Decorated With Images Images of Les Paul Custom Red Wine, Gibson EDS1275, Fender Stratocaster, Les Paul Slash LP Custom, Ibanez UV777 & Fender Telecaster
Made From China & Comes Smartly Boxed - An Ideal Gift For A Guitarist
Measures Approximately 13cm Tall By 9cm Wide Rim
It's a Sharp Not a Hashtag - Mug and Coaster By Inky Penguin
Mug and coaster set.
Packaged in polystyrene casing and cardboard box.
Design printed on both sides of mug with matching coaster.
Perfect mug for gift.
Fun designs for every occasion.
6 PCS Retro CD Record Vinyl Coasters for Coffee
6 awesome coasters in a pack. Great gifts for any home or office.
The drinks coasters measures approx. 10 cm x 10 cm x 0.2 cm.
Stylish retro vinyl record coaster, perfect present for music lovers Non-slip insulated food grade plastic coaster, perfect for hold your cups or tableware to well protect your wooden or glass tables
Perfect gift for music lovers,Set of 6 drink coasters
This can be a great gift for a housewarming to a musician and music lovers and not just as coasters but as a decoration on the table or for the artists among you, you can use it as part of your masterpiece
Mic Cables
Mic cables and cables, in general, are areas where money can be well spent on high-quality products. if you aren't comfortable making your own then we recommend Van Damme cable and Neutrik XLRs.
These cables are a typical example using Van Damme Tour Grade Classic XKE Microphone Cable Genuine Neutrik Connectors which has a 2 Year Guarantee against normal wear and tear. Van Damme Tour Grade Classic XKE Microphone cable combines flexibility, durability, noiseless operation and excellent handling characteristics. Now upgraded with more advanced PVC jacketing materials. Each Cable Hand Built and Tested in the UK Please Note: All cables ordered under 1m will have "visible cable". For example, 25cm will have 25cm of cable plus connectors.
These aren't the only option there are plenty about but if you are looking to add quality XLR leads to your 'Wish List' then these will do the business.
Audio Lead Tester
Soundlab G027EB Universal Cable Tester 12 Type
Soundlab Universal Cable Tester (12 Type)Versatile lead tester for use most audio leads.
The product can test the following leads 8 pole Speakon, 4 Pole Speakon, Banana, 3.5 mm jack (mono and stereo), 6.35 mm (mono and stereo), phono, XLR (3 pin and 5 pin), DIN (3, 5,7 and 8 pin) and 4 pin mini DIN.
Ideal for Professional Audio Use
Electromarket Cable Tie Included
Tuner
If you ask around the team about the best tuner then a lot of will say the TC Electronic PolyTune. You can get it as an app, clip-on for acoustic instruments or pedal for electronic instruments.
tc electronic PolyTune Clip Polyphonic Clip-On Tuner
State of the art Clip-On Tuner
Polyphonic perfection: The best polyphonic tuner to date
New strobe tuner with +/- 0.02 cent accuracy
Ultra-bright and easy to read display. Polyphonic tuning allows you to tune all 6 guitar strings at once. Flat and capo tuning and reference pitch selection for total tuning flexibility
Adaptive screen: ensures a perfect readout no matter where you place PolyTune Clip
tc electronic Polytune 3 Ultra Compact Polyphonic Tuner
Built-in, high quality BonaFide Buffer
Selectable True Bypass / True Buffer modes
Always On' tuning mode
Polyphonic tuning lets you tune all your strings at once
Lightning-fast chromatic tuner offers 0.5 cent accuracy
Pop Filters
There are loads of Pop filters around but there is one brand that stands out for us and that is Rycote.
The Rycote InVision Universal Pop Filter has been specifically designed to optimise vocal performances, utilising a custom mesh capable of attenuating low-frequency vocal pops and thumps by up to 20dB while causing no audibly detectable high-frequency loss. The pop filter's ergonomic frame is designed for placement near the mouth and face of a vocal artist. It has a specially manufactured acoustic foam mesh filter, which can be removed for cleaning or replacement (spare foams are available separately). The Pop Filter is designed to lock tightly on a Rycote InVision USM outer support ring, but will equally fit almost any other mic suspension thanks to its universal screw clamp.
Rycote has since been honoured with a Technical Achievement Award from the Association of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and continue to set the standard for professional microphone wind shielding and handling noise reduction.
Fender Telecaster Chopping Board
Complete your kitchen collection with this Fender Telecaster Cutting Board, inspired by Fender’s timeless guitar designs. Each one is crafted from 100% bamboo, sporting natural knots and colour variations for unique aesthetic appeal. Perfect for any Fender fan to get their chops together.
Authentic Fender collectable
Crafted from 100% bamboo
Treat with 100% mineral oil before use
Phone & Tablet Stand
Many of us have incorporated touch devices such as tablets and phone into our audio production workflows. Tablets are great for running apps such as Slate Remote, Avid Pro Tools Control App, Duet... the list goes on. This means we need a sturdy stand to put our devices on. A great stand which is available in three different colours and supports any type of phone or tablet. This is a very rugged stand featuring a strong hinge and rubber feet to stop it sliding around a desk. The stand is made from aluminium which blends in beautifully with Apple products. If we told you this costs £15.99 would you believe us? Check out the Tablet Stand Multi-Angle, Lamicall iPad Stand : Desktop Stand Holder Dock for new iPad 2017 Pro 9.7, 10.5, Air mini 2 3 4, iPhone X 8 Plus, Kindle, Nexus, Accessories, Tab, E-reader, other Tablets (4-13 inch) - Silver on Amazon.
Reflection Filters
There is a huge variety of what are now described as Reflection Filters, but there are two brands that we recommend, the original range of Reflexion Filters designed and produced by sE Electronics and the more recent Halo from Aston Microphones.
The largest addition to the classic Reflexion Filter lineup: sE Electronics SEE-RF-SPACE Reflection Filter (Specialized Portable Acoustic Control Environment) comes with a larger surface area, enhancement of sE's patented multi-layer technology, deeper air gaps, and more efficient materials, the SPACE offers great full-bandwidth absorption, isolation, and diffusion to help you gain control over your acoustic environment. Larger than their RF Pro and entry-level RF-X, the added size also makes the SPACE filter perfectly suited for larger microphones. New specialised mounting hardware allows the SPACE to be easily mounted on any microphone stand or drum hardware, with a full range of motion - adjustable and lockable horizontally, vertically and tilted at any angle.
James from Production Expert took a look at the Aston Halo portable vocal booth from Aston Microphones. They are hitting well above their weight with some amazing new products and the Halo, which was first shown at NAMM 2016 is just one of them. There are many of these so-called reflection filters out there in the marketplace but for James this one ticks all the audio boxes. So much so that he awarded it Editors Choice. Watch and read to see why James has given the Halo the Expert sites highest award.