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Gifts under $100
Link: Pomona Productions
Links: Stedman
It doesn't take a pair of golden ears to hear how the Blue Kiwi mic cable will maximize the sonic quality of the source. Blue makes some interestingly funky looking mics. This cable gets its name from the Blue Kiwi mic, which is a pleasantly sparkly large condenser mic. Blue packages this extremely high quality cable with the Blue Kiwi mic. If you can't spend the $2,000 to put the Blue Kiwi mic under the tree then save yourself $1,965 and give the Blue Kiwi cable instead. You can get a 20 foot Blue Kiwi mic cable for $34.95.
Links: Blue
Gifts under $200
The Audio-Technica AT3035 is a capable condenser mic costing $199 and the Shure Beta 58A is a dynamic mic that is $135 after rebate until the end of the year. The Audio-Technica AT3035 sounds good and doesn't require exacting phantom power to function well. By design, it works with a wide range of phantom power. It sounds pleasant on male and female vocalists. The Shure Beta 58A is a dynamic mic. Unlike the SM58, the Beta 58A possesses an open sound. It's just as durable as the SM58 but sounds much better and resists feedback.
Links: Audio-Technica
Shure
Gifts under $500
Links: FMR
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The Interactive Guide to Home Recording should be one of the first purchases made by a newbie or intermediate project studio enthusiast. If you won't buy it for yourself, then ask your own personal Santa to bring you one. Pomona Productions created this CD-ROM that provides easy to understand instruction. The best section of the CD-ROM is where the author, Mark Gifford, shows the effects of EQ on a mix. You hear the tracks as he adjusts the EQ. You can't do that with a book. A full review of this CD-ROM will appear soon on Mojo Pie. It's very highly recommended by Mojo Pie. The CD-ROM can be ordered online from Pomona Productions. It's a great product put out by a knowledgeable engineer. At $39, it's a bargain.
Stedman's PS101 pop filters use a metal mesh rather than fabric to screen out all the dirty bits. Jetphase says these are da bomb. First, the Stedman PS101 pop filters do not attenuate high frequencies like the traditional nylon pop screens do. Second, if you put one in front of you and blow through it, you don't feel any wind. It's an amazing diffusor. Third, they're very durable. You could destroy one if you really tried but in normal as well as heavy usage these hold up. And, if one bends, then you just bend it back into shape. Most users find the Stedman pop filter to be superior to the traditional nylon mesh filters. You can get one with the goose neck for only $42.95.
Geez. How long was the FMR RNP talked about? Has it been years now? It has finally arrived. Harvey Gerst's review of the FMR RNP helped launch Mojo Pie in August. The RNP is sonically very open. It sounds a little sparkly on the top end. It's only $475. It's a top end mic preamp except in the outlay of $$ required. Go now. Get on your knees. Beg your honey to put one of these under the tree for you.