We’re almost to the big day, so for our last installment of the 2024 gift guide, we’re going hog wild, making it rain, living like a billionaire. We figure if you can afford anything on this list, you can also afford any rush shipping to get it to your front door before Christmas.
We have some of this gear, used some of this gear, and dream about all of it.
Happy reading, and before indulge yourself with purchasing anything on this list, we'd appreciate if you prioritize buying any of this stuff.
In no particular order:
1. Oberheim OB-X8 ($4,999)
This is an 8 voice synth that has a completely analog signal path. You basically get an old school OB series synth without having to deal with a 40 year old piece of kit that was kind of temperamental even when new. We have experience with the OG OB-8, and when it worked, it was incredible. You will be able to experience the most pure form of living out your Van Halen Jump dreams, and when you get bored with that, some Geddy Lee, newer Queen, and old school Prince.
We don’t own this, but we’ve played with it at trade shows, and it’s an incredible instrument.
Right now Sweetwater is offering a $1000 rebate, so if you have $4,000 laying around and have already purchased everything we sell, now is the time.
Also, if you do not need the spectacular Fatar keybed, there is a desktop model for $3500 (currently on sale at Sweetwater for $2799).
Or just get a second Platform, and get all your friends to get one so we can buy one of these.
2. Moog Matriarch ($1,899)
We raised the pricing bar with the previous synth to make this one seem extra affordable. You can get one of these, a Platform, and a pair of Frontier studio monitors, which we of course would be thrilled to provide, for less than the Oberheim. See how we're looking out for you?
The Moog Matriarch is a semi-modular analog synthesizer and sound-design powerhouse. It has paraphonic playability and 90 modular patch points. It has Moog worthy oscillators, dual ladder filters, powerful arpeggiation and sequencing, and even stereo analog delay. Considering all of the patching possibilities, you’ll never get bored with this thing.
3. Neumann U87 Ai ($3,750)
Last week we suggested a more affordable emulation of this microphone. This week, we’re suggesting the real deal. There’s not much we can add to what’s already been said. If it’s in reach, go for it.
4. Barefoot Footprint 01 ($4,495)
https://barefootsound.com/footprint01/
We’re huge fans of Barefoot which is why we partnered with them on Frontier.
The Footprint 01 was Barefoot’s first real foray into a more affordable price point, which considering the Micromains were north of $10,000, kind of put things in perspective. These are packed with features, but most importantly, sound amazing and true which is why they have become the standard.
5. Universal Audio Sphere DLX ($1,299)
https://www.uaudio.com/microphones/ua-sphere-dlx-modeling-microphone.html?
Assuming you already are in the Universal Audio Apollo ecosystem, this is a great way to add a host of virtual microphones to your collection. We’ll admit we were a bit skeptical about this mic until we started using it, and it’s incredible.
You can either use the DSP on your Apollo in conjunction with the unison preamps to print the emulation while recording, or you can record the audio raw, and use the software as a plugin to switch microphones on the fly.
Lastly, and most importantly, it’s our experience that the emulations sound like the real thing on the mics we’ve tested. We haven’t tested them all (we unfortunately do not own the $15,000 Sony C800G), but we’re confident that you will be impressed.
6. Avalon VT-737sp ($3,866)
https://www.avalondesign.com/vt737sp.html
This is an iconic channel strip that you can use on the front end or as an insert. In our current sterile digital world, this will add a ton of life to your recordings.
7. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor ($9,599)
https://vintageking.com/shadow-hills-industries-mastering-compressor
We have never used this, but we’ve used the plugin, and it’s incredible. We can only imagine what the actual hardware sounds like. If you get one, email us and let us know.
8. SSL Origin 32 Analog Studio Console ($54,999)
https://solidstatelogic.com/products/origin
If you’re familiar with the SSL 4000 series, you will feel right at home on this console. A few of us have used the 4000 series in our former days, and it's definitely the big leagues.
You’ll get the best of the old school SSL analog punchiness without a lot of the maintenance requirements of a vintage console. This is really the best of both worlds, and is less expensive than most luxury SUV’s. No one has ever produced a hit with a GMC Yukon. Choose wisely.
9. Rupert Neve 5088 16 Channel Console ($56,000)
Do you and your fellow pony tailed enthusiasts scoff at SSL users, and will only let your highly trained cochlea be tickled by audio that has gone through a Neve signal path? If that’s you, here you go, it’s half the channels of the SSL for slightly more money.
10. Sony C800G ($15,000)
https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/studio-microphones/c-800g
This mic came up before, because we’d all like to pretend to be Mariah Carey, and this mic is a requirement for that. However, since we're not Mariah Carey, we'd just settle for having arguably the best vocal mic ever.
