FEATURE: The Picky and Passionate Music Lover: Great Music Technology, Album and Accessory Ideas for Last-Minute Christmas Shoppers

FEATURE:

 

 

The Picky and Passionate Music Lover

PHOTO CREDIT: @eugenivy_reserv/Unsplash 

Great Music Technology, Album and Accessory Ideas for Last-Minute Christmas Shoppers

__________

I have covered music books and the page-turners you need for Christmas...

 PHOTO CREDIT: @rawpixel/Unsplash

and listed the best albums of the year. I will do another gift-related piece this week but I wanted to bring together eleven gift ideas that cover accessories, technology and some essential music – perfect for stockings and those big presents alike! If you are stumped for great gifts for the music obsessive in your life; here are some ideas, in a variety of prices, that should give you some good ideas. It can be tough buying for that special someone who loves their music but, with these handy suggestions, you should be able to find something...

 PHOTO CREDIT: @lukesouthern/Unsplash

THAT brings a smile to their face!

ALL IMAGES/PHOTOS (unless stated otherwise): Getty Images/Manufacturer/Label

________________

Moleskine Large Music Notebook

Perfect For: Budding songwriters and composers who want to get down their musical inspirations!

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/886293310X/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?tag=skim1x180966-21&ie=UTF8&linkId=d5310148290457ac04ec753a2d7b5fc5

Price: £15.50 (Amazon.co.uk)

Vibes Acoustic Filter Ear Plugs

2.jpg

Perfect For: These decibel-reducing earphones are perfect if you want excellent sound and comfort without the annoyance of wires and endless tangling.  

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B018WPOQSG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?tag=skim1x180966-21&ie=UTF8&linkId=d1bf5dbf7202b01ffa3c86649bfa8f53

Price: £21.00 (Amazon.co.uk)

FORITO Retro Portable Cassette Player

What’s the Deal?

If you grew up listening to your favorite bands on a cassette tape, you know there's nothing quite like the sound of strumming guitars and thumping bass as it poured through the headphones of your shiny new Walkman. Well now, thanks to the Setech USB Retro Cassette Player you can convert all your old tapes and mixtapes to a digital MP3 format so you can listen to them on your new iPod or mobile device.

Simply pop in a cassette, hook up the USB cable to a laptop, and then easily convert all your music into easy-to-enjoy MP3 files. Then all you have to do is load them on your portable music player and listen to them in your earbuds, in the car or while you're going hard on that treadmill. Better yet, you can still use it listen to your tapes exactly as they are, and people everywhere will know that you're not only retro, you're still cool as they day you got that Walkman” (Amazon.co.uk)

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Cassette-Converter-Compatible-Earphones-White-Black/dp/B07GYNB1QH/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1545056792&sr=8-15&keywords=clear+cd+player

Price: £17.99 (Amazon.co.uk)    

Prince – Piano & Microphone 1983 (Deluxe Edition)

What’s the Deal?

Prince left behind a massive collection—a literal vault—filled with unreleased songs and recordings. The first collection of those recordings released is Piano & A Microphone 1983, a selection of work recorded during his iconic Purple Rain era. This box set is essential not only for Prince lovers, but for any music lover in general” (Esquire)

Buy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DKGDX9P?creativeASIN=B07DKGDX9P&linkCode=w61&imprToken=m6IcdUHkBtYHRT3NoUaI-Q&slotNum=1

Price: $35.77/£28.34 (Amazon.com)

The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album) (Deluxe Edition)

What’s the Deal?

This is the first time The BEATLES (‘White Album’) has been remixed and presented with additional demos and session recordings. To create the new stereo and 5.1 surround audio mixes for ‘The White Album,’ Martin and Okell worked with an expert team of engineers and audio restoration specialists at Abbey Road Studios in London. All the new ‘White Album’ releases include Martin’s new stereo album mix, sourced directly from the original four-track and eight-track session tapes. Martin’s new mix is guided by the album’s original stereo mix produced by his father, George Martin. During the last week of May 1968, The Beatles gathered at George’s house in Esher, Surrey, where they recorded acoustic demos for 27 songs. Known as the Esher Demos, all 27 recordings are also included in the 7 Disc Super Deluxe package, sourced from the original four-track tapes. The comprehensive, individually numbered 7-disc collection features: CDs 1 & 2: 2018 stereo album mix+H5 CD3: Esher Demos CDs 4, 5 & 6: Sessions - 50 additional recordings, most previously unreleased, from ‘White Album’ studio sessions; all newly mixed from the four-track and eight-track session tapes, sequenced in order of their recording start dates. Blu-ray: - 2018 album mix in high resolution PCM stereo - 2018 DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 album mix - 2018 Dolby True HD 5.1 album mix - 2018 direct transfer of the album’s original mono mix” (Amazon.co.uk)

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beatles-White-Album/dp/B07HFYZY7D/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1545053266&sr=1-1&keywords=THE+BEATLES+%28THE+WHITE+ALBUM%29)  

Price: £124.9 (Amazon.co.uk)

SONOS PLAY:1 Smart Wireless Speaker, White

Perfect For: Those who want a speaker that can fill any room; live up to all your demands and provide the very best and clearest sounds.

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SONOS-PLAY-Smart-Wireless-Speaker-White/dp/B00FMS1KJK/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1545053460&sr=8-2&keywords=sonos+one+speaker

Price: £139.00 (Amazon.co.uk) 

Steepletone '60s Rock Bluetooth Desktop Jukebox

7.jpg

Perfect For: Those who want a great blast of nostalgia and the ability to play all their favourite tracks instantly.

Buy: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/steepletone-60s-rock-bluetooth-desktop-jukebox?category=gifts-tech&color=020

Price: £100.00 (Urbanoutfitters.com)

GPO Brooklyn Grey Portable Boombox + Music System

7.jpg

Perfect For: People who want to get the sensation of a Brooklyn boombox but have a savvy and great piece of modern technology in their hands.

Buy: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/gpo-brooklyn-grey-portable-boombox-music-system?category=gifts-tech&color=004

Price: £250.00 (Urbanoutfitters.com)  

Numark PT01 Touring Vintage Suitcase Turntable

DESIGN CREDIT: Pitchfork

What’s the Deal?

The Numark PT Touring turntable is a styled suitcase unit that recalls the popular portable turntables from the past. PT Touring has a rugged case with a handle so you can carry it anywhere. It plays all your 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM records, comes with a 45 RPM adapter, and it has built-in stereo speakers for convenient listening without needing to connect external speakers. In addition, it has RCA outputs for simple connection to home audio equipment and a convenient auto-stop feature kicks in when it reaches the end of the record. Plus with its USB port, included USB cable and downloadable EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software, converting analogue records into digital files for archiving on your computer is a snap” - (Amazon.co.uk)

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015FJZZZA/ref=sr_1_1?slotNum=2&s=electronics&keywords=numark+PT01+USB&ie=UTF8&sr=1-1&linkCode=g14&imprToken=L20gT9-eL6TXUAIdERy5Gw&creativeASIN=B015FJZZZA&tag=pitchforkuk-21

Price: £58.95 (Amazon.co.uk)  

Urbanista Seattle Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

What’s the Deal?

Essential wireless headphones from Urbanista. The Seattle headphones combine minimalist style with maximum functionality with a hands-free microphone + volume control, memory foam headphone cushions + much more. Includes Bluetooth capabilities and voice assistance from Siri + Google Now for the easiest listening experience possible. Finished with a practical folding function that makes them easy to take anywhere” (Urbanoutitters.com)

Buy: https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/urbanista-seattle-wireless-bluetooth-headphones?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=066

Price: £90.00 (Urbanoutfitters.com)    

The Retro Monthly Vinyl Club

Perfect For: Available in a range of subscription plans and bundles; you can have your favourite classic albums delivered to your door at a great price.

Buy: https://theretro.co.uk/vinyl/

Price: Various (depending on subscription and number of albums per month)