It's the most wonderful time...
Here we are, part two of our annual gift guide. Musicians are not easy people to buy for, and worst of all we’re buying ourselves little things all the time and we can ruin our own surprises! If I can offer any advice to the musicians reading, curb you spending for a few more weeks, I’ve been caught out too often buying myself something that a loved one already has on order for Christmas!
Read all the latest features, columns and more here.
Without further ado, Part Two of our annual Mixdown Gift Guide:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Headphones
Audio-Technica | RRP: $379
Recommended for:
This is a great solution for someone moving between studios, spaces and home, allowing you to use these as a wired solution for producing and mixing music, as well as switching to Bluetooth for general listening on the way home from the studio!
Features:
Possibly one of the most famous headphones of all time, and definitely up there with the most used, the ATH-M50xBT2 introduce Bluetooth to the ATH-M50x Headphones. 45mm aperture drivers, USB-C connection and multi-point pairing mode make the ATH-M50xBT2 a total solution for crystal clear, and accurate audio.
Overall:
These are a great buy for the buys music maker – we’ve got to slow down and enjoy music at some point, a welcome addition to our gift guide.
For local Audio-Technica enquiries, visit Audio-Technica Australia.
Blipblox MyTracks
Koala Audio | RRP: $599
Recommended for:
As their marketing suggests, the Blipblox MyTracks is for anyone and everyone! Regardless of age or experience, we can all make dynamic, professional music! A family friendly addition to our gift guide.
Features:
Featuring five tracks for layers and various instruments, with 48 unique, upgradeable and entirely musical sounds at the ready. The first track is dedicated to Drums, with 12 kits, the other four tracks being available for other layers, sounds or instruments, the built-in microphone even allowing you to sample any sound! Best of all, process and effect with onboard Filters, Pitch Shift and Delay.
Overall:
The Blipblox MyTracks makes making music really easy for beginners, and for the more experienced amongst us, it might just inspire something entirely new!
For local Bliplox enquiries, visit Koala Audio.
beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII
Syntec | RRP: $949
Recommended for:
The DT 1990 PRO MKII is a great solution for audio mixers, mastering engineers, musicians and music enjoyers!
Features:
The beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII features an open back design, great for breathability and comfort over extended sessions of critical listening, during recording, mixing and more. The open back design allows better air flow to your ear themselves, and for pristine sound reproduction. The MKIIs feature the latest TESLA.45 driver technology for pristine, high fidelity sound at all volumes.
These also feature an impedance of 30 ohms, meaning they’re an equally viable option for at home listening on a smart phone, or at a studio via a headphone amplifier. This is especially helpful for ensuring a consistent listening environment between the home and studio!
Overall:
It was no mean feat to improve on such an outstanding product, but here we are admiring the beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII headphones. While also available in the closed back variant, the DT 1770 PRO MKII, the 1990s allow for accurate, comfortable listening over extended periods. You can trust them from 5Hz up to 40kHz!
To shop their huge range of headphones, visit beyerdynamic Australia.
Artiphon Orba 3
Koala Audio | RRP: $279
Recommended for:
The Artiphone is a special beast, recommended for experienced music makers looking for something new, or for beginners looking for a simple way to make music fast!
Features:
Artiphon Orba 3 is the third iteration of the famed Orba Portable Multi-Instrument. With 300 sample-based sounds and a looper on board, you’ll have it at the ready when inspiration strikes. MPE MIDI over USB-C and Bluetooth ensure you’re able to connect no matter your system!
Overall:
The Artiphon Orba 3 is really something special, and truly a unique take on an instrument. Making original music has never been so easy!
For local Artiphon Orba enquiries, visit Koala Audio.
PreSonus ERIS-35BTW Bluetooth Active Reference Monitors
Link Audio | RRP: Expect to pay $279
Recommended for:
PreSonus are leaders in the pro-audio game, and their range of Eris monitors join the fold (and our gift guide) with pride!
Features:
The ERIS-35BT monitors are accurate, portable and reliable, accepting both analogue and Bluetooth input for sound. Perfect for general listening around the house, with accurate and crystal clear sound, as well as being a great pair of monitors to have for remote recording or small rooms where space is at a premium!
The ERIS-35BTW specifically have a pristine, white finish, housing 3.5” woven-composite, low-frequency drivers and 1” ultra-low mass, silk-dome, high-frequency drivers, and 50W of power.
Overall:
Classy looks aside, the PreSonus ERIS-35BTW Bluetooth Active Reference Monitors sound great and are supremely portable for the producer on the go!
For all your PreSonus questions and enquiries, keep reading at Link Audio.
Numark Mixstream Pro Go
Electric Factory | RRP: $1599
Recommended for:
Perfect for the travelling DJ, or small format, high quality mixing decks for a beginner!
Features:
The Numark Mixstream Pro Go is the latest in a range of wireless, truly portable mixing decks for DJing. Battery-powered, the Numark Mixstream Pro Go is the world’s first 100% wireless standalone DJ controller.
Integrating with Amazon Music means you don’t need an SD, USB or wired connection to access music! Built in speakers keep the party going, while balanced and unbalanced audio outputs are also available.
Overall:
What else is there to say? Numark are truly pushing the envelope with the Mixstream Pro Go, offering unprecedented access in an increasingly wireless world.
For local Numark enquiries, visit ELFA.
LD SYSTEMS ANNY 8 Portable Bluetooth Battery Powered 160W 8 inch Speaker
Link Audio | RRP: Expect to pay $899 (+ wireless options)
Recommended for:
For DJs, solo entertainers, producers and podcasters or musicians using their tablet for sheet music, educational videos, DAW Control and more!
Features:
Gravity products are built to withstand the rigours of the road and the stage, all the while securing your gear in the perfect position. The Gravity Professional Tablet Holder with Vari-Arm is no exception, with a secure thread for a mic stand or desktop, and a continuously adjustable tablet clamping range, so no matter your preference for size of tablet, you’re secure.
Easily re-position your tablet in and out of the way, all the while not compromising on the strength of hold with the Vari-Arm, all built to last, and finished in a robust, matte black finish for a subtle, subdued look.
Overall:
The Gravity Professional Tablet Holder with Vari-Arm is a great solution for holding a tablet, a tool that a lot of creators use! Secure it with style.
For local LD Systems enquiries on their huge range of products, visit Link Audio.
PreSonus GO Creator Bundle AudioBox GO
Link Audio | Expect to pay $279
Recommended for:
This is great for someone getting into sound and music production for the first time, as well as seasoned professionals looking for a bundle of new toys!
Features:
The PreSonus GO Creator Bundle features everything you need to get started in the world of music production. The Audiobox GO is a compact 2×2 USB-C audio interface that pairs perfectly with the M7 Studio Condenser studio microphone and HD7 headphones. Record, mix and master with the world-renowned Studio One software!
Overall:
If ‘plug-and-play’ were listed as a term in the dictionary, there might just be an associated image of this bundle. It couldn’t be easier!
For more products from PreSonus, keep reading at Link Audio.
EVO4 by Audient
Studio Connections | RRP: $220
Recommended for:
This is a simple, portable, bus-powered solution to record for beginners and seasoned pros alike!
Features:
With a compact size and easy to use controls, the EVO4 is one of the most compact interfaces available from pro audio juggernaut Audient. Producing everything from the EVO4 up to sprawling studio consoles, they know good sound!
The EVO4 is a 2-in, 2-out audio interface connecting via USB-C. Plenty of gain on board, as well as a huge 113dB of dynamic range – it’s a no brainer!
Overall:
A simple solution to recording on the go or your first foray into recording, the EVO4 from Audient will always come in handy!
For all your Audient enquiries, visit Studio Connections.
Solid State Logic MKII audio interface
Amber Technology | RRP: $429
Recommended for:
Solid State Logic are pro audio royalty, so we recommend this to anyone reading our gift guide who’s looking for good sound!
Features:
Two mic preamps offer crystal clear sound, allowing you to easily engage the famed ‘4K’ sound of SSL’s consoles. Independent phantom power, a compact design and road-ready chassis mean this unit will be providing world-class conversion for years to come. There’s a reason SSL is used by the best mixers in the world!
Overall:
Overall, this is a great solution to recording at a very accessible price. Record, mix and master, trusting this audio interface to get you through the session!
For local SSL enquiries, visit Amber Technology.
Warm Audio WA-19 Dynamic Mic
Studio Connections | RRP: $350
Recommended for:
Another classic from Warm Audio, the WA-19 is a vintage inspired, robust dynamic microphone for recording.
Features:
Famously used by The Beatles, the WA-19 is great for sources filled with detail and dynamic that require clarity and focus in a mix or arrangement. Some ingenious engineering additions add a high-pass filter, as well as reducing proximity effect via the vented slots that run along the mic’s sides.
Overall:
A great solution for studio and live applications, the WA-19 imparts a unique voice and character to sources, all the while accurately replicating the original sound. For the producer who already has one, we’ve included the WA-19 in our gift guide so you can make it a pair…
For local Warm Audio enquiries, visit Studio Connections.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X Mic
Audio-Technica | RRP: $269
Recommended for:
This USB mic is a great solution for podcasters, content creators and gamers!
Features:
A hugely successful mic from our friends at Audio-Technica is the AT2020, the AT2020USB-X packing all of this into a USB-version and adding some features!
Featuring the same great sound of the AT2020 mic, the AT2020USB-X adds headphone volume, mute button, as well as mix slider for listening to computer or mic sound, right onto the mic itself! Control everything from one spot with the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X Mic.
Overall:
This mic couldn’t be easier to use, offering you asll the controls you might need at your fingertips!
For all Audio-Technica products, visit Audio-Technica Australia.
Warm Audio HeadRoom Headphones
Studio Connections | RRP: $199
Recommended for:
Why monitor the great sound of Warm Audio gear through anything else?
Features:
These are a closed-back, studio grade headphone. Closed back means they’re better for isolation, either when recording or more mixing! Supremely comfortable, the HeadRoom Headphones are balanced, powerful and provide clear sound with generous headroom. With 45mm neodymium drivers, they’re at the cutting edge of headphone tech.
Combine comfort and quality for the best listening experience.
Overall:
A great solution to isolating sound, and you can never have too many headphones in a studio! You can’t go wrong and that’s why we’ve included them in our gift guide. Buy a pair or two …
For all Warm Audio info, keep reading at Studio Connections.
Audio-Technica AT-SP3X Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Audio-Technica | RRP: $399
Recommended for:
The Audio-Technica AT-SP3X Powered Bookshelf speakers are recommended for home listening, offering powerful, balanced sound ideally suited to use with the AT-LP70X turntable.
Features:
The AT-SP3X are a stereo pair of speakers, featuring 3” drivers and 1.1” tweeters, featuring built-in DSP for accurate sound. Equally useful for home recording, mixing and producing as they are as general listening speakers, the AT-SP3X straddle the line between accurate and enjoyable, making them a welcome addition to any and every home.
The speakers are active, so you can simply plug in and play, daisy chaining between the main speaker and the second with a speaker cable, all included. Connect via either RCA connection or wireless, Bluetooth connectivity, the speakers offering everything from 55 to 20,000 Hz.
Overall:
The Audio Technica AT-SP3X Speakers are a great, all ‘round solution to listening to music at home. Enjoyable, balanced sound for listening and music around the home, with accurate, detailed sound with in-built DSP processing for music production.
Well matched with Audio Technica’s own range of turntables, these active speakers take any complexity out of your system, meaning even those new to the world of hi-fi (welcome!) can easily achieve great sound.
For more Audio-Technica solution, visit Audio-Technica Australia.
Fender Mustang Micro Plus
Fender Music Australia | RRP: $289
Recommended for:
The Mustang Micro Plus is equally valuable for touring, professional musicians as it is the bedroom riffer! A great solution to silent practice.
Features:
The Mustang Micro Plus connects directly to your guitar’s input jack, and via headphones allows you to practice with world-class amps and effects from Fender’s Tone App.
Bluetooth connectivity allows you to jam along with backing tracks or your favourite songs, keep your chops up without shaking the house down!
Overall:
Every guitarist could use a Mustang Micro Plus from Fender, great for playing on the tour bus, for those fleeting moments of inspiration in inopportune times, as well as beginners needing great quality sound to work with.
For all local Fender enquiries, visit Fender Music Australia.
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT Turntable
Audio-Technica | RRP: $599
Recommended for:
With the return of vinyl to the industry, it’s high-time you got yourself a great turntable! We love to see some more consumer-audio items on our gift guide! It’s not all work!!
Features:
The Bluetooth model featured here specifically is a wireless, fully automatic, belt-drive turntable. Available in black/bronze or black/silver coloursways, the AT-LP70XBT can match your home’s aesthetic while serving your beautiful sound! An in-built switchable phono preamp allows connection to a home stereo, powered speakers and more!
Overall:
This is a great turntable, simply put. Ideal for someone amassing a vinyl collection, or those with a select few favourites that need a good spin!
For all Audio-Technica enquiries, visit Audio-Technica Australia.
Melbourne Guitar Show tickets
Melbourne Guitar Show | Enquire for pricing
Recommended for:
Rock guitarists, jazz bass players, metal guitarists, fusion guitarists, funky bass players, family of guitarists, pedal heads, pop guitarists and …
Features:
The Melbourne Guitar Show is THE place to be for every guitarist and bass player. The best possible place to try, buy, shop and browse a huge range of guitars, basses, amps and pedals, the Melbourne Guitar Show is back in 2025 after taking a short break this year.
Including live shows and a huge range of shops, stalls and demonstrations, the Melbourne Guitar Show can’t be missed.
Overall:
Tickets on sale soon, don’t miss out!
Keep reading about The Melbourne Guitar Show and all ticket sales here.
Check out Part One of our annual gift guide here.
