SETH GLIER Things I Should Let You Know [MPress] With his polished tenor vocals and natural affinity for creating shimmering, seductive melodies, singer-songwriter Seth Glier knows how to sway the sentiments of his listeners. Here, the album title alone is enough to catch one’s attention, but it’s Glier’s precise phrasing and subtle touches that make for an engaging start-to-finish listen. Whether he’s singing solitary ballads like “Everything... 

JOHN TRAVOLTA & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN This Christmas [UMG] In 1978, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta were that too-cute couple from the blockbuster film Grease, not to mention its smash single “You’re the One That I Want.” Nearly 35 years later, they’re back with This Christmas, a 13-track collection of holiday faves that features such special guests as Tony Bennett (“Winter Wonderland”), Barbra Streisand (“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”)... 

Roland TD-30KV FOR THE E-DRUMMER BOY OR GIRL If you’ve been thinking about picking up a set of electronic drums, your options have never been better. On the high end, there’s the Roland TD-30KV. It combines Roland’s SuperNATURAL drum sounds, Behavior Modeling and advanced sensing technologies to provide realistic expression that’s been winning over acoustic-only stalwarts everywhere. One the other end of the spectrum, new entry-level kits... 

RME Fireface UCX FOR THE RECORDING ARTIST ON THE MOVE RME may have single-handedly legitimized the concept of recording studio-quality multitrack audio to an iPad. Another in the wildly popular Fireface series, the RME Fireface UCX delivers breathtaking audio quality, extreme monitoring flexibility, and comprehensive I/O via either FireWire or USB 2/3. But what sets this apart from other interfaces is its Core Audio support, which lets you hook it... 

Korg Krome FOR THE ARTIST SEEKING KEYS TO CREATIVITY Featuring a hit list of features borrowed liberally from Korg’s flagship Kronos workstation, the Krome keyboard is an ideal choice for stage and studio. Highlights include unlooped piano and drum sounds derived from the Kronos and hundreds of other top-notch programs, plus 900 exhilarating arpeggiator patterns and a library of more than 600 fun and inspiring drum grooves. A full-color touch... 

IK Multimedia iRig Pre FOR THE IOS POWER USER Plug your favorite mic into your iPhone with an IK Multimedia iRig Pre. The iRig Pre is an invaluable gizmo that allows you to plug any standard mic into the headphones/communications jack of an iOS device. Running on a single 9V battery, the iRig Pre can comfortably power condenser mics, while providing plenty of clean gain for stubborn dynamics. And thanks to its down-to-earth price tag, the iRig Pre... 

Fender Runaway FOR THE FEEDBACK FANATIC For anyone who’s ever wanted to play with feedback without suffering noise violations or bleeding eardrums, the Fender Runaway is just the ticket. By using an expression to blend in as much feedback as desired, the Runaway pedal provides the same kind of playable feedback you can achieve standing in front of a dimed stack—only quieter. That makes the Runaway pedal a natural choice for live playing and tracking... 

Akai MAX49 FOR THE TOTAL CONTROL FREAK Hybrid MIDI/CV circuitry and awesome built-in goodies such as a jaw-dropping step sequencer and arpeggiator engine make the Akai MAX49 the perfect keyboard controller for every synth nut. In addition to a phenomenal-feeling semi-weighted keybed and a set of genuine MPC pads, this full-service controller features eight touch faders and LED metering. Not only is the MAX49 a great hub for MIDI- and CV-based synths,... 

Audio-Technica AT5040 FOR THE AUDIOPHILE WHO KNOWS IT’S HIP TO BE SQUARE Flying in the face of convention, Audio-Technica broke new sonic ground with their AT5040. Ditching the traditional circular diaphragm, the AT5040 features a set of four low-mass rectangular membranes arranged like the panes of a window. The result is a sound that’s as full and vibrant as any large-diaphragm microphone, but with the crisp transient handling of a pencil condenser.... 

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder FOR THE MOBILE A/V ENTHUSIAST With Zoom’s impressive sound quality and an array of five studio-quality condenser mics—which offers recording in mono, regular stereo, Mid-Side stereo and even 360-degree surround sound—the H2n Handy Recorder promises a world of recording possibilities. Set this pocket-sized unit at the front of the stage and land excellent quality recordings you can share with fans. And since it doubles... 

Overtone Labs Tune-Bot  FOR THE PITCH-PERFECT PERCUSSIONST The Overtone Labs Tune-Bot takes drum tuning to a new extreme. Unlike traditional analog tension meters, the Tune-Bot attaches directly to the rim of the drum like a clip-on guitar tuner and “listens” to the pitch of the head. It measures not only the pitch at every lug, but also the overall tuning of the drum—making it faster and easier to get perfectly tuned drums. What’s more,... 

TC Electronic BH250 & BG250 FOR THE BASSIST WHO TRAVELS LIGHT When TC Electronic released their BH250 bass head and corresponding BG250 combo amp, they ensured that bass players everywhere would have something to put on their holiday wish lists. These amplifiers showcase what TC Electronic does especially well, combining a lightweight yet deceptively powerful solid-state bass amp with a set of freakishly flexible tone-shaping options. The onboard... 

Propellerhead Reason 6.5 FOR THE ARTIST WITH AN ANALOG APPETITE If you’ve long-since written off Propellerhead Reason as being limited, it’s time to take another look at this brilliant, analog-style music creation platform. Specifically, check out the new Rack Extensions introduced in Reason 6.5. Propellerhead created the Rack Extension system to open up the program to third-party manufacturers interested in developing plug-ins and instruments,... 

Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster FOR THE VALUE DRIVEN GUITARIST Squier nailed it when they created the J Mascis Jazzmaster. Rather than focusing only on matching its aesthetics, this guitar also recreates the sound and feel of the ace guitarist’s own heavily modified Jazzmaster. First there are the pickups—a pair of real Fender Jazzmaster single-coils, which is a step up for your average Squier. What’s more, it also sports the custom body contour... 

Ableton Live 9 & Push FOR THE ULTIMATE PAD PUSHER Create and perform music like never before with Ableton Live 9 and the new Push controller. Combining a matrix of 64 continuously touch-sensitive pads, keyboard-style playability, and all the functions you’d expect from a traditional large-format control surface, this controller is your ultimate connection to Ableton Live 9. Whether recording in the studio, sequencing synths and virtual instruments,... 

Yamaha THR Series  FOR THE AXEMAN ON THE GO Loaded with processors, effects, amp models and real tube tone, it’s small wonder touring guitarists the world over have made Yamaha’s pint-sized, battery-powered THR Series amps permanent fixtures on tour buses and in hotel rooms. A comprehensive set of controls provides instant access to tried-and-true amp sounds ranging from metal to country to blues, and USB connectivity lets you descend far deeper... 

Bogner Ecstasy & Uberschall FOR THE TONE-TAPPER Bogner’s mind-blowing new pedal lineup makes the coveted sound of their Ecstasy and Uberschall amplifiers affordable enough for any serious guitarist to own. The two Ecstasy pedals—Blue and Red—represent the blue and red channels on the Ecstasy head, whose gloriously fat overdrive is a benchmark of boutique amp sound. Both of these pedals feature multiple toggle switches that provide many... 

TAMA S.L.P. Series FOR THE DISCRIMINATING DRUMMER Rock, country, jazz—you name it, there’s an affordable TAMA S.L.P. Series snare drum designed to play the part. The amazing thing about the S.L.P. Series isn’t any one thing about any individual snare, but rather the entire concept behind the series, which is to offer pro-quality snare drums built to deliver appropriate sounds for specific musical styles. Finally, you can set aside that lackluster,... 

Moog Analog Delay FOR THE ANALOG GEAR GURU Formatted for API’s 500 Series rack system, Moog’s Analog Delay module is making more than a few wish lists this holiday season. The Moog Analog Delay is loaded with the deep and spacious quality only real analog circuitry can deliver, and features easy integration into any high-tech studio. There’s a CV input for analog synth control, but there’s also MIDI input—and when you dive into the included... 

Peavey AT-200  FOR THE TUNED-IN GUITARIST Never worry about tuning again. Admittedly, the idea of integrating Antares’ Auto-Tune technology into a guitar caused more than a few chuckles when Peavey announced their AT-200 electric guitar, but it only took one demo to prove the joke was on the skeptics. In a single strum, you can go from total discord to perfectly tuned—and the tuning tracks flawlessly all the way up the neck. What’s more, the... 

AKG D12 VR FOUR TIMES THE TONE A classic bass and kick drum mic returns in the AKG D12 VR. Unpowered, the D12 VR delivers the chest-pounding tonal response that made the original D12 a fixture in professional recording studios. Hit it with phantom power, and you’re playing a whole new ballgame. A trio of active filters provide an extended range of tone-shaping possibilities, allowing you to amp the bass, scoop up unwanted mids, or combine both... 

AirTurn BT-105 HANDS-FREE PAGE TURNER In a stroke of pure genius, the AirTurn BT-105 upgraded the iPad and Android tablets from alternatives to pen and paper to must-have live performance tools with this Bluetooth foot controller. In a nutshell, the BT-105 lets you turn the pages of your lyric sheets, chord charts or musical scores without taking your hands off the instrument—making it far easier to try out new songs live, or having to cram illegible... 

Pigtronix FAT Philosopher ATTITUDE FOR YOUR PEDALBOARD The FAT Philosopher combines two widely acclaimed Pigtronix pedals into a single super-versatile tone machine capable of pumping out all the sustain and overdrive any guitarist could ask for. On the overdrive side, there are all the goodies that go with the Pigtronix FAT Drive, most notably a cascading-diode-based gain-mashing system that ranges from bluesy breakup to over-the-top metal solo... 

Vox amPhone WEAR YOUR AMP! Following the wild success of the Vox amPlug series personal amplifier emulators, the firm has introduced a line of cool new amPhone headphones. The idea behind the amPhone series is simple: Take a pair of excellent Audio-Technica headphones and marry it to a custom guitar amplifier emulator built right into the housing. In a beat, you can go from listening to your iPod to rocking out with your axe without hooking up any... 

Roland M-200i V-MIXER FOR THE MASSES The Roland M-200i dramatically drops the price for getting into the company’s V-Mix live sound technology, while raising the bar for affordable digital mixers in general. Ideal for churches, auditoriums and most midsize venues, the M-200i combines powerful onboard processing and extremely clever iPad integration with simple and effective hands-on controls. A full eight busses bolstered by four additional matrixes... 

Novation MiniNova SMALL SYNTH, BIG SOUNDS Beefy basses, searing leads, glossy strings and crazy vocal effects—all of these and more live in the freakishly versatile Novation MiniNova keyboard and vocoder. On par with even the most portable synths, the MiniNova features the full-fledged sound engine from their popular UltraNova, offering 256 presets that range from bread-and-butter to analog insanity. A 20-slot modulation matrix makes creating fun... 

Whirlwind Bass Ten TOTAL CONTROL FREQ Expect to see the new Whirlwind Bass Ten graphic equalizer pedal popping up on pedalboards everywhere. Created by Tony Gambacurta— known as the guru of the modern EQ—the Bass Ten features a sophisticated constant-Q graphic equalizer design that’s been optimized specifically for bass. No matter how you boost or cut this EQ, each band’s range remains the same, eliminating the interplay that makes typical... 

PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom TRICKED-OUT TREMONTI It doesn’t take a Creed or Alter Bridge fan to appreciate the new PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom. Revamped and decked out with so many upgrades it hardly resembles the original SE Tremonti, the Custom model splits the difference between PRS’s budget-friendly SE lineup and their highly revered standard series. A maple neck and body provide a powerful voice, whose snap and sparkle are captured in every... 

Focusrite Forte POWERFUL, COMPACT INTERFACE When Focusrite revived the Forte moniker they did their legacy justice, approaching this recording interface’s design with the same ingenuity they devoted to their classic consoles in bygone days. Instead of a massive mixer, this decidedly compact desktop interface sports its impressive functionality almost entirely on the inside. A touch screen and a single knob are all it takes to control every level,... 

MXR Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Tribute Series HENDRIX EFFECTS MINUS THE BULK Breaking away from traditional styling, MXR’s Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Tribute Series pedals provide three of rock’s most iconic guitar effects of all time into compact, pedalboard-friendly stompboxes. These pedals include a shimmering Univibe, a super-fat Octavio, and a dynamically rich Fuzzface. All three sound like spot-on remakes of their namesakes, and... 

SONY IMAGINATION STUDIO 4 Master all your media needs Adapting to an ever more technological climate, today’s musicians are responsible for managing and producing a wide range of media from YouTube videos to SoundCloud audio demos. Sony Imagination Studio 4 packages four of Sony’s most popular production applications into a single time and money saving bundle. ACID Music Studio 9 and Sound Forge Audio Studio 10 covers all your multitrack, loop,... 

AKAI PROFESSIONAL EIE PRO AUDIO INTERFACE Supercharge your desktop studio The EIE Pro is the second in Akai Professional’s EIE desktop USB audio interface lineup. Supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz audio and an extensive array of I/O, the EIE Pro offers a ton of functionality for the price. Brightly backlit VU meters make it easy to monitor any of the four combo jack inputs. These phantom-powered inputs accept mic-, line- and instrument-level signal.... 

SKB 3I-4217-18T DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR CASE Dread not with this case Tired of gigbagging around? SKB’s military spec, waterproof Dreadnought case is worth checking out. Talk about tough! When we subjected it to our brutal trampoline test, its polypropylene copolymer resin shell and molded-in hinges easily withstood all the abuse we could throw at it. But this 3i Series case isn’t just tough, it’s luxurious, too. It features a set of extra-deep... 

PRS NF3 ELECTRIC GUITAR New-sounding classic The NF3 marks an exciting departure from the features that characterize most PRS guitars. Three narrow-aperture humbucking pickups and a wonderfully responsive floating tremolo make the NF3 one of the most versatile yet inspiring instruments we’ve played. The maple fretboard and neck combined with a Korina wood body gives this guitar extra snap and warmth, which the Narrowfield pickups capture beautifully.... 

DIGITECH IPB-10 PROGRAMMABLE PEDALBOARD Pedalboard simplicity and flexibility The DigiTech iPB-10 is the world’s first programmable pedalboard fueled by an iPad. Packed with 87 pedals, 54 amps and 26 cabinets, there’s a ton of onboard tone. The iPad touch screen makes it easy to adjust settings, swap out gear, and organize your presets and setups. Each setup holds up to 10 pedals, one amp and one cabinet. Five setup buttons and five assignable...