The holiday season is upon us and if you are anything like me you’ve been eyeing some shiny new pieces of gear to add to your setup. Whether you produce techno, house, experimental, or something in between the following list of gear is something to checkout before you make your holiday gift demands.
Hologram Microcosm Granular Looper & Delay Pedal
The Hologram Microcosm is a granular effects pedal that rearranges and reinterprets your sound in new and exciting ways using a variety of sampling, pitch-shifting, delay, and looping techniques. Cascading micro-loops can be locked into tight, tap-tempo synced rhythms, diffused into glacial ambient textures, woven into hypnotic drones, and much more. This device is pure inspiration and sure to provide you with non stop possibilities.
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Moog Subsequent 37 Analog Synthesizer
The Moog Subsequent 37 Analog Synthesizer is amazingly powerful, 2 note paraphonic synth built with Moog’s famous Sub Phatty Sound Engine. This synth is a must have whether your are a sound synthesist, keyboard player, or a sound designer. The richness of the the Moog sound, friendly interface, and unlimited options are only a few reason this synthesizer is a must have this holiday season.
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Outfitted with 40 knobs and 74 switches, the Sub 37 places each critical sound creation element and live performance tool immediately at your command. Included are two fully programmable modulation busses with extensive assignment capabilities, two looping DAHDSR envelopes for vertiginous polyrhythms and an immensely programmable Arpeggiator/Sequencer. The panel of the Sub 37 Tribute Edition also provides instant access to Duo Mode, which activates independent performance control over oscillator 1 and oscillator 2.
In addition to standard level and mute controls for internal and external sound sources, the Sub 37 mixer also offers feedback control, which allows audio output from the filter to be sent back into the mixer – a trick often utilized on the Minimoog Model D that results in thick, overdriven bass sounds.
Make Noise Co. Erbe Verbe
For all the modular euro rack users the Erbe Verbe is a the synthesizer module you need for your reverb purposes and much more.
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The Erbe-Verb music synthesizer module is more than a collection of reverb algorithms or presets, it is a unique, modeless, continuously variable reverb algorithm with complete voltage control. Typical reverb types such as plate, room, hall, shimmer and others may be programmed by adjusting the knobs. The continuously variable algorithm allows for hybrid and unreal spaces to be found. Traveling between spaces is possible by modulating the algorithm or manually sweeping parameters. More than an end-of-chain effects unit, it’s a whole new building block for modular synthesis.
Jomox MBase 11
If you are in the world of sound designing drums, you do not want miss out of this next gift idea.
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The Jomox MBase 11 is a one-stop-shop for achieving some of the fattest analog kicks around. The module can cover 808 and 909 territory and beyond. It features a dedicated LFO with eight different waveforms, such as a true sine that can be used to create envelopes. But make no mistake, the MBase 11 is more than just as simple kick generator, it is a fully-fledged drum synthesizer. The unit’s compression parameter alters the thickness of the decay and provides a variable gate time for different attacks.
All this means that the MBase can also be used for limited bass duties if desired. Cranking the decay allows tones and pitch to be played across a keyboard, with a range of three octaves. Additionally, the kick can be triggered via trigger input, offering an effective means for drummers to incorporate the module into their performances.
Soundtoys Plugin Bundle
Not everything on the wishlist this year is an out of the box product. The software plugin company Soundtoys has a line of plugins out that sound absolutely amazing and is sure to fulfill your sound needs in one way or another. With 21 different plugins ranging from distortion, compression, delay units, panning devices, filters, pitch shifters and more.. This bundle has something for everyone.
Watch “How to Use The 7 Best Soundtoys Plugins”
Korg Volca Keys
This tiny but mighty 3 voice analogue synthesizer from Korg is must have this year for anyone looking to start their synth collection or expand an existing one.
Watch ” The Volca Keys Might be the Only Analogue Synth you Need”
Volca Keys is a long-awaited synthesizer that adds a new chapter to the long and storied history of Korg’s analog synthesizers. Volca keys is a 27-key analog lead synth that generates unbelievably powerful sound from its compact body. Starting with a filter section that uses the circuitry of the legendary miniKORG700S (1974), it delivers astonishing sound that takes full advantage of Korg’s half-century of know-how in circuit design.
With a simple structure that includes delay effect and a sequencer, it’s also an ideal choice as a first analog synth. It offers the richly expressive sounds that are distinctive of an analog synth, providing the enjoyment of simple yet deep sound-creation.
Tascam DRX 40 Recorder
Every sound enthusiast needs a good recorder in their tool arsenal whether looking to record a foley fx pack or maybe you want to save that DJ set you are playing next weekend the Tascam DRX 40 has got you covered.
Watch “Tascam Dr-40X Review”
The TASCAM DR-40X recorder offers pro-level four-track recording capabilities in a compact handheld format. It’s a smart choice for DSLR filmmakers, musicians, sound designers, podcasters, and other creatives that need a simple and high-quality solution for capturing audio. A pair of condenser microphones can be oriented for either A/B or XY stereo recording, with two more XLR/TRS combo inputs for additional mics or sound sources. The TASCAM DR-40X will even serve as a USB audio interface to record directly to your computer. However you use it, expect great sound quality and flexible connectivity from the TASCAM DR-40X handheld recorder.
Line Phono Turntable Stand + Vinyl Storage
This one is for all you vinyl heads out there looking to create that perfect feel to your listening area. Line Phono comes through with amazing customizable piece of craftsmanship that will pull together any room.
Watch “Turntable Station Turntable Stand Review”
Novation Launchkey
Novation give us the last MIDI controller you will need in your setup. Launchkey is their intuitive and fully integrated MIDI keyboard controller for making tracks in Ableton Live, designed to give you everything you need to create and play your music.
Made for creators of all abilities, Launchkey gives you inspirational tools to expand your musical vocabulary. Scale and Chord modes and a powerful arpeggiator push your musical creativity and help start new ideas. Custom Modes and a full-size MIDI output transform Launchkey into a powerful centerpiece of any music-making setup.
Watch “Best New MIDI Controller”
Sennheiser HD 25 Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 25 Headphones are considered to be the industry standard for DJs. These durable, lightweight, high performance headphones are a must have for any professional looking for optimal reliability while performing their craft.
Watch “HD 25 – The Watermelon Challenge”
Due to their low weight and the option of one-ear listening, the HD 25 headphones are indispensable for mobile monitoring. The closed-back HD 25 are purpose-designed, professional monitoring headphones offering high attenuation of background noise.
Capable of handling very high sound pressure levels and of extremely robust construction, these headphones perform exceptionally well in loud environments, e.g. ENG, sound reinforcement, studio monitoring and audio equipment testing. Ideal monitoring headphones for cameramen and DJs, these are a pair of true sound professionals’ working headphones.
Holiday Gratitude
Here at 6AM we have so much to be thankful for this season and so much to look forward to for 2023, we hope that no matter whats on your gift list this year that you take a minute to be enjoy the gift of music. Whether you are in the industry or just an avid fan we all have a connection to the sound that should be celebrated. Be sure to follow us online to stay in the loop with our upcoming shows, fresh new music, and pro audio material.