Here’s a curly one from the ‘Instruments Under $300’ range. This lightweight, compact design of Blackstar’s Carry-On keyboard unfolds into a full length 88-key piano for a truly portable experience. Besides its 128-voice sound engine, it offers MIDI over USB, has a 3.5mm headphone output for discrete practice sessions, stereo speakers for less discrete practice sessions, and a built-in rechargeable battery that gives 8 hours of performance time. It also comes with a sustain pedal and travel tote.

Blackstar Carry-On

Perhaps it’s time to treat Numero Uno this Christmas with RØDE’s NTH-100 headphones from the ‘Studio Gear Under $300’ offering. These over-ear headphones offer exceptional sonic performance and superior comfort. They feature custom-matched drivers that deliver an incredibly accurate frequency response and ultra-low distortion, and a precision-engineered acoustic design optimised for exceptional detail and clarity. And let those CoolTech cushions keep your head cool this summer.

RØDE NTH-100 Headphones

For the budding content creator in the family, get everything needed to help them on their way with this Broadcast Accessory Pack from the ‘Accessories Under $200’ aisle, from Presonus. The pack includes a sturdy microphone boom arm, a pop filter, headphones, and a professional XLR cable. The adjustable-tension PBA-1 microphone boom arm is compatible with Revelator, PX-1, PD-70, and most other standard microphones via the included 5/8-inch male to 3/8-inch female thread adapter. 

Presonus Broadcast Accessory Pack

Elevate is one of the most advanced mastering plug-in ever created. Coming in under the ‘Software Under $200’ range, this unique multi-band limiter, human-ear EQ and powerful audio maximiser will increase the loudness of mixes while maintaining or improving the dynamic perception. Using intelligent, adaptive technology that responds in real time to your music, it creates not only louder, but better sounding masters. This bundle also includes three additional plugins, EQuivocate, Saturate, and Punctuate.

Eventide Elevate Plugin Bundle

In the ‘Studio Gear Under $200’ field is the TT-1100USB from Gemini. This turntable comes with a classic manual belt-drive set up which helps to eliminate external vibrational feedback, and has a USB port to provide connectivity with PC and Mac, for easy digitising of vinyl collections.

Gemini TT-1100USB Turntable