The holiday season is approaching fast, and there's no shortage of cool new music devices out there for the aspiring producers, gadget freaks, and all around audiophiles in your life. Whether you're looking to get your younger sibling a new set of speakers to blast the new Drake record on, or you're ready to spend that iTunes gift card on a really cool app, here are some of the best bits of technology coming from the music world.
Altec Lansing Custom In-Ear Monitors
Imagine a pair of headphones designed exclusively for you? Well, if you're a professional musician or hardcore audio nerd and are willing to shell out serious cash, Altec Lansing is offering a series of custom in-ear monitors. While the monitors are super pricey at $1000, $750, and $500, those who purchase them will be able to consult with an Audiologist to create the perfect mold to fit their ears, meaning your live sound and secret Britney Spears playlist will both sound clearer than ever.
Zephyr 5 Series Speakers
iPod docking stations have been mainstays at parties for years, as everyone wants to show off their latest underground dance playlist. Well, how much cooler would it be to have a Bluetooth-enabled pair of high-quality speakers, eliminating the fear that someone will remove your Mp3 player in favor of their bluegrass-filled device? That's exactly what Spar offers with their Zephyr 5 speakers ($160, $130, $100) which sync up to your device wirelessly and can charge your iPhone or iPod via a USB port. They also work great as a speakerphone, meaning your whole household can listen in while you argue with your significant other.
MotoACTV
Music and exercise have always gone hand in hand, and Motorola's MotoACTV is one of the coolest new devices for the fitness freak in your musical family. While it looks like nothing more than an iPod Nano strapped to a wristwatch, the MotoACTV ($250) is essentially your personal trainer and private DJ wrapped into one compact digital device. The sweatproof, scratchproof player tracks all of your workout data, and remembers what songs really get your heart pumping for future workouts.
Sinch
How many pairs of headphones of yours have fallen victim to being wrapped around your Mp3 device or simply stuffed in your pockets? You know the feeling, first one ear bud starts to fizzle out, then the other, then the tragic day comes when they both give out, leaving you on a crowded subway with no entertainment other than the Mariachi band that's weaving in and out of cars. The simple Sinch device has a solution. Only $16, the Sinch is a piece of elastic that keeps your headphones securely attached to your Mp3 player by means of a few magnets. No more broken headphones, or Mariachi bands... ever again.
Garageband has revolutionized the way aspiring musicians get their tunes out to the world when it made its debut on MacBooks half a decade a go. The user-friendly program packs a wealth of creative potential, and it just got even more accessible now that it's available on iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad. Even on the go, you'll be able to record your own sounds, arrange beats, or simply just see how goofy your singing voice sounds with a little auto-tune.
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