Mixdown ’25 Gear Gift Guide: Pro Audio & Production
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04.12.2025

Mixdown ’25 Gear Gift Guide: Pro Audio & Production

Mixdown

Our '25 Gear Gift Guide is here to help you find the perfect pick for the music maker in your life.

There’s nothing a mixing engineer, producer, or budding music maker loves more than brand spankin’ new gear. We’ve put together a gift guide for the gear nerds, producers and lovers of all things sound. From headphones, mics and monitors to plugins and DJ controllers, we’ve got your holiday season covered.

AKG K240 STUDIO Headphones
MadisonAV | RRP $189

Recommended for:
Producers, recording engineers, mixing engineers and musicians who need precise frequency response and comfort during extended studio sessions—whether tracking, mixing or tonal sculpting.

Features:
 The latest incarnation of AKG’s most iconic studio headphone, the K240, features a semi-open back design that strikes the perfect balance between reduced spill and linear frequency response. Advanced 30mm transducers with patented Varimotion diaphragms deliver wide dynamic range, increased sensitivity and impressive output levels. Their semi-open design provides solid bass and extremely clear highs—ideal for isolating problematic frequencies during mix. Lightweight and breathable construction ensures comfort during marathon sessions. Favoured by producers and recording engineers worldwide, including the late Quincy Jones.

AKG C414 XL11
MadisonAV | $3199

Recommended for:
Recording engineers, producers and studios seeking a versatile large-diaphragm condenser that handles everything from intimate vocals to full orchestral recordings with legendary AKG clarity.

Features:
Found in more professional studios than any other condenser microphone, the C414 XLII is a true studio workhorse. Nine polar patterns—including cardioid, figure of eight, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, and everything in between—provide exceptional flexibility for any recording scenario. The classic AKG edge-terminated capsule design delivers a slight presence boost and impressive spatial reproduction at distance, a voicing that traces back to the original AKG C12 from 1953. Three switchable pre-attenuation levels, controlled by polarisation voltage, enable close-up recording of high-output sources up to 158 dB SPL. A peak light warns users of potential hardware clipping. Excels on vocals, guitar cabs, drum overheads, piano and orchestral applications—one of the most versatile studio microphones in existence.

JBL EON ONE Compact
MadisonAV | RRP $899

Recommended for:
Solo performers, buskers, small venue artists, content creators and mobile DJs who need professional sound quality in a portable, lightweight package without compromising on bass response or output.

Features:
Professional performance packed into an ultra-compact system weighing under 8 kg. Delivers best-in-class specs with a maximum SPL of 112 dB and bass response down to 37.5 Hz—impressive for its size. The full-featured 4-channel digital mixer includes pro preamps, dedicated guitar input, phantom power, and built-in Lexicon and dbx effects, plus music ducking and EQ. Bluetooth connectivity allows audio streaming and DSP control of up to four units via the JBL Compact Connect app, available for iOS and Android devices. Perfect for musicians and presenters who demand big sound from small gear.

MiRA Studio
MadisonAV | Click for price

Recommended for: 
Mix engineers, post-production professionals, music producers and sound designers working in immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D who need precise visual analysis of spatial distribution and frequency balance across multi-channel systems.

Features:
MiRA Studio is a real-time analysis tool that lets audio engineers see and analyse how their multi-speaker, immersive sound mixes behave across complex formats—supporting up to 24 channels. As you play or mix audio, the software displays not just levels, but how sound is distributed in three-dimensional space, showing exactly where sounds originate within your speaker setup. The specialised Nebula display presents a spatial spectrogram, visualising frequency content (bass, mids, treble) alongside spatial positioning for all speaker channels simultaneously. Spot problems faster and balance immersive audio with greater accuracy than metering alone allows.

M-Audio M Track HD Producer Pack
Electric Factory | RRP $349

Recommended for:
Budding producers, songwriters, engineers and musicians. The M-Audio M Track HD Producer pack includes everything you need to start producing and recording music.

Features:
The heart of the M-Audio M Track HD Producer pack is the M-Track Duo HD audio interface that employs two inputs and two outputs that connect via USB-C to your computer and DAW. Monitor your work with the M-Audio HDH41 monitoring headphones, the packs also including an M-Audio M100 studio condenser microphone. The pack includes M-Audio HDH41 monitoring headphones and an M-Audio M100 studio condenser microphone. Record latency-free with the M-Track Duo HD’s ‘Direct Stereo/ Mono’ output toggle.

Neumann RIME Immersive Binaural Monitoring Plugin
Neumann | RRP: $189

Recommended for:
Recording, mixing and mastering engineers and those looking to dip their toes into immersive sound.

Features:
The Neumann RIME Immersive Binaural Monitoring Plugin puts you into a virtual mixing room as a single source of truth. It’s designed and calibrated in a purpose-built studio room that employs reference-quality Neumann equipment. The plugin, when coupled with Neumann headphones, allows you to immerse yourself in sound and check your mixes on systems up to 7.1.4.

Neumann Miniature Clip Mic System MCM
Neumann | RRP $1349

Recommended for:
Live sound engineers and close miking applications.

Features:
The Neumann Miniature Clip Mic System is an ingenious way to spot mic instruments, intended for use in live applications but equally viable for the studio. While harnessing an electret design, the MCM System provides a true, clear and transparent sound in a robust design; each layer of the design is intended for optimal performance as part of the whole system. The tidy gooseneck design ensures optimal miking while keeping the mic out of the way.

Neumann NDH 30 Headphones
Neumann | RRP $1229

Recommended for: Music producers, mixing and recording engineers who need a clinical and transparent way to monitor for editing, mixing and mastering.

Features: The NDH 30 headphones are an award-winning set of open-back studio monitoring headphones. Built around a 38mm neodymium transducer, the NDH 30s reproduce every ounce of detail from 12 up to 34,000Hz with high-sensitivity, powerful sound for accurate and clear monitoring.

Neumann-MT 48 Premium Audio Interface
Neumann | RRP $3549

Recommended for: The works—mixing, mastering, producing and recording.

Features: Don’t let the compact, tidy package fool you. The Neumann MT48 interface combines world-class AD/DA conversion with optical connectivity, USB connection and GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output)/MIDI. The unit itself features two low-noise mic/line inputs accessible via combo 1/4”/XLR jacks, and four outputs available via your choice of 1/4” TRS or XLR. You can also adjust and monitor parameters via the built-in touchscreen.

LD Systems MAUI 11 G3
Link Audio | RRP $1699 or $2299 for the MAUI 11 MIX

Recommended for: Public address, performed music, parties, events and more.

Features: The LD Systems MAUI 11 G3 is a column-style PAT system offering 1460-watt peak power and offering up to 125 dB max. SPL. A bass-reflex design offers balanced low-end, while six 3.5″ full-range speakers provide clear mids and highs. The MAUI 11 G3 Mix is further augmented by a six-channel digital mixer with control via an app.

Audix OMX-E Vocal Microphone
Link Audio | RRP $279

Recommended for: While intended for use as a vocal microphone, the balanced and forward-sounding design makes this also a great solution for any lead instrument or source.

Features: The OMX-E is a dynamic, handheld microphone that features Audix’s proprietary VLM (very low mass) capsule technology. It shines on a vocal, with its balanced sound offering consistent sound, even with varying mic techniques. The OMX-E arrives safely in an Audix-branded pouch with a clip and thread adapter.

PreSonus AudioBox GOTM Creator Bundle
Link Audio | RRP $279

Recommended for: Anyone who writes, produces, records or mixes music.

Features: The PreSonus AudioBox GOTM Creator Bundle includes everything you need to make music. A PreSonus M7 studio cardioid condenser microphone, complete with windshield and mic adapter capture sound, and you can monitor it all on the PreSonus HD7 Professional Monitoring Headphones. The heart of the bundle lies in the AudioBox GO USB Audio Interface and six months of access to Studio One Pro, so you can start creating right away.

NTH-50 Professional On-Ear Headphones
RØDE | RRP $170

Recommended for: Content creators, music producers, podcasters and more.

Features: The NTH-50 Professional On-Ear Headphones are RØDE’s first offering in the on-ear field. Featuring custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers, the on-ear design helps isolate the sound and provide comfort. A resonant chamber provides deep and balanced bass, while a contoured headband minimises fatigue.

Pioneer PDJ-DM-40D
Jands | RRP $299

Recommended for: DJs, producers, music enjoyers and the like.

Features: The PDJ-DM-40D is a desktop monitor system, driven by two 4” drivers and a 3/4” (19 mm) soft dome tweeter on each pair. The woofers are fibreglass, the Class D amplifier is equipped with DSP for a seamless listening experience. DECO convex diffusers also help to evenly and accurately disperse sound for an accurate sound.

Pioneer PDJ-HDJ-CUE1
Jands | RRP $159

Recommended for: Those behind the decks, musicians, engineers and producers.

Features: The HDJ-CUE1 headphones are Pioneer’s entry-level headphones, though by no means lacking quality. Customisable to suit your style, they’re bolstered by dynamic drivers, as well as being built to last with a robust headband and ear cup design. Best of all, the ear cups are rotatable, so they remain comfy on or off your head, or half on, half off.

beyerdynamic DJ 300 PRO X CLUB DJ Headphones
Syntec | RRP $379

Recommended for: DJs, music creators and anyone who wants serious sound, high isolation and freedom of movement during live gigs and music production.

Features: On-ear or over-ear, these headphones offer a unique 2-in-1 system modular design. Simply swap the included ear pads for either configuration. A dynamic 45 mm driver delivers powerful, detailed sound with rich, defined bass. The foldable design with a left/right side lockable plug-n-play cable seals the deal!

beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X Headphones
Syntec | RRP $399

Recommended for:
Software-supported workflows, hybrid studio setups or mobile bedroom production.

Features:
Featuring the new 48-ohm STELLAR.45 driver system, these headphones deliver high-resolution sound reproduction. This allows for use with professional audio interfaces as well as mobile devices without compromising sound quality. Equipped with a lockable plug-n-play cable, soft earpads and headband padding, these are the perfect companion for long sessions.

beyerdynamic DT 270 PRO Headphones
Syntec | RRP $199

Recommended for: Everything from music production, recording and podcasting to giving your favourite tracks a spin.

Features: A low impedance of 45-ohms and a low weight of just 194 grams, these headphones are your new portable companions. A detachable cable that can connect to either side of the headphone and the supplied USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter make these super compatible with mobile devices.

beyerdynamic MMX150 Wireless Gaming Headset
Syntec | RRP $319

Recommended for: Social gaming, voice chats and music.

Features:40 mm drivers that deliver detailed and dynamic sound. That said, every type of game has its own unique sound stage. The MMX 150 wireless puts you in full control via the beyerdynamic app, giving you sound customisation. A fast 5.3 Bluetooth connection and Low Latency round off the offering. You’re in control!

AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2
Jands | RRP $399

Recommended for: DJs (including beginners), producers and anyone who loves a party.

Features: The AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 is a great portable DJ solution, and makes a great first step into the world behind the decks. Featuring everything you need to get started, the DDJ- FLX2 functions to play, mix, augment, trigger and monitor music for masses. Bus-powered by USB-C, the DDJ- FLX2 is compatible with rekordbox, djay, SeratoLite and TraktorPlay, as well as various music streaming services.

Alesis Drums NITROAMP
Electric Factory | RRP $159

Recommended for:
E-kit devotees and drummers practising at home.

Features:
An electronic drum kit is a great tool for practice, songwriting, production and more, though the use of headphones to monitor your performance can be stifling. The Alesis Drums NITROAMP is a 70-watt solution that mounts right onto your drum rack, allowing you to feel the great sound of your Alesis kit. Clean headroom and crisp, powerful sound are available via the TRS jack that connects directly to your Nitro drum module.