Arturia 25 Key Minilab
Arturia make attractive, robust, and well conceived products for the musician and home recording enthusiast. Their entry level, small formed 25 Key Minilab is a fantastic full featured midi controller that comes with Aruria’s Analog Lab Software package (over 5000 sounds) with assignable control knobs, sliders, & pads. Designed specifically to be portable, it has USB connectivity and midi, will work with an iPAD (camera connection kit required). Its 25 key velocity sensitive mini keyboard makes it perfect for small projects and it has a footswitch control jack, and a pitchbend/modulation touchpad to round out its features. It’s also a bargain price, sold on amazon ranging from $74.00 to $109. You can often find it bundled with other items (at the same price) from specific sellers including headphones or cables. Also check with your local music retailer.
Arturia BeatStep
The Arturia BeatStep is a portable pad controller that is capable of triggering clips and playing drums. It is also a 16-step analog sequencer that can interface with analog synthesizers, MIDI drum machines, MIDI keyboard devices, or computer programs. Its connectivity allows you to interface BeatStep with a computer or iPAD using USB(camera kit required for connecting to iPAD), a drum module using MIDI or an analog synthesizer equipped with CV/GATE. As a companion to the Minilab it represents amazing value for money and is one of the most music powerful tools you can buy at this price. If you are new to the world of this style of controller this is both a place to start and to stay awhile because it can do so much for so little investment. Usually found priced around $90-$109. Like the MiniLab – keep your eye out for bundle deals on amazon from speicifc sellers and don’t overlook your local music retailer.
Presonus AudioBox Studio with Headphones, Microphone, Mic Cable, USB Cable, and StudioOne Artist Software
To begin Home Recording you need an audio interface to get the music into your computer and DAW (reocrding program). The Presonus AudioBox USB is an entry level interface that sells for around $129 as a standalone. This is a USB 2.0 interface that works with Mac or PC and has instrument, Mic inputs (including phantom power) Midi I/O, and balanced Line and headphone outs. Consider a bundle for around $200 which usually includes things like cables, mics and headphones along with software that basically gives your novice recorder the ability to get started right out of the box. Like all things there’s an upgrade path in home recording equipment, but for the beginner and hobbyist this package represents quality and affordability – and can take you a long long way into the process before any need to upgrade. Presonus make excellent world class Audio Recording gear and they have world class support as well. For a step-up in quality consider the Presonus AudioBox 22VSL which has better technical specifications than the standard model, and usually runs around $159-179. Bundles are available for this too – check amazon for the various options.
Led Zeppelin (Super Deluxe Edition Box) CD & LP sets
If you are a Led Zeppelin fan looking to consolidate your collection and get definitive versions of their music then you must consider the new Super Deluxe Edition Boxed stets that contain both the CD’s and the LP’s. Priced between $110 and $150 these editions come courtesy of Jimmy Page and feature the cleanest and best mixes of the recordings ever released, bonus tracks, booklets, vinyl, CDs, original album art.
Led Zeppelin 1, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV
Tame Impala: Lonerism
It’s a myth that there’s no good music out there – that there’s no innovative music out there. When I first heard these guys I was very pleased to have found something that grabbed my ear and made me excited for the idea of music again. From Australia, Tame Impala is the feature project for impresario Kevin Parker. Lonerism is the follow-up to their debut album, Innerspeaker, and is considered their coming into their own moment. Go out and get this because it’s that good and fresh – especially if you’ve never heard of them before. There’s some great cuts here to explore and this is a band (and a guy — Kevin Parker) to watch. They will do more and it will be good too.
It’s Time To Get Your Blues On
(Reprinted from last year’s popular gift guide) Who hasn’t imagined themselves blowing a wicked blues harp with a smoking hot blues band playing behind them. In the old days, you’d have to travel on down to the delta and find yourself a mentor if you ever hoped to develop the skills of the old blues legends, but today that’s just not necessary. The internet is full of amazing blues harmonica resources that can fast track your playing and your learning curve in ways that make the dream so much more accessible. But it all starts with a good harmonica, and Hohner is one of the best (particularly in terms of bang for buck). The great irony is that Hohner’s own Bluesband harmonica is generally NOT the one used by serious students of the blues — we’ve got what you want right here. The classic 10 hole diatonic Hohner Marine Band. Its tones are just that much better than the Bluesband (with more crunch), and just about every major Blues Harmonical player has played (or still plays) a Marine Band Hohner. Now – with diatonic harmonicas, you need to buy them for a specific key, and it is universally agreed that you should start with C which gives you the ability to play cross harp in the key of G. (Don’t know what that means? – Don’t worry, you will — the internet is full of resources to teach you.) If you are expanding your stable of harps then you’ll want to grab a D, A, & F if you already have a C.