By George Petersen

After writing last week’s selection of fun audio holiday gift suggestions, I thought of a bunch more, so here—in no particular order—are a bunch more cool, affordable (and not-so-affordable) things just about anybody in audio could use.

+++ Shure 55SH Series II “Elvis” Mic (about $160/street)… This puts a modern SM58-style dynamic capsule in the coolest housing around, one that just makes anyone just wanna get up and sing. I bought a couple a few years back, just cause they’re so (hound) dog-gone much fun to perform with on live gigs. www.shure.com

+++ Optiquest Q19wb 19″ LCD Monitor (about $200/street, depending on rebates)… With flat-panel LCD monitors coming WAY down in price, now’s a great chance to retire that heavy, energy-wasting CRT and upgrade. From Viewsonic’s Optiquest line, the Q19wb 19″ widescreen LCD has a slim, black bezel and integrated power supply (no wallwart!), decent picture quality and a low price. The built-in speakers are crummy, but hopefully already you have some better speakers in your studio. www.viewsonic.com

+++ AC Outlet Analyzer (under $10)… A must for anyone who plays live in funky clubs, these simple outlet testers have three LEDs that glow to indicate correct wiring, open ground, open neutral, open hot, hot-ground reversal and hot-neutral reversal fault conditions. It’s a nice way to avoid those nasty 110 VAC shocks when you step up to the mic. Tripp Lite’s is model CT120, but generic versions are plentiful and available from lots of vendors, Home Depots, etc.

+++ Manley VoxBox ($4,000/list)… This is one of those products I reviewed and then shed tears when I boxed it up to send back. Basically it’s the sweetest tube mic pre//EQ/limiter/opto-compressor around—and it’s not just for vocals—it makes almost any signal better. At $4k, this mono channel strip it ain’t yer typical stocking stuffer, but going first-class never was cheap. Besides, you gotta get something for yourself, and aren’t you really worth it? www.manleylabs.com

+++ Frontier Design Group TranzPort ($249/list)… Providing wireless DAW control from anywhere in your studio, TranzPort can arm, mute and solo tracks, adjust monitor levels with real-time metering, create and navigate markers and more, including standard ffd/rwd/stop/play/record transport controls. Yeah! www.frontierdesign.com

+++ Alesis DM5 Electronic Drum Set (about $499/street)… Believe me, there are better (meaning way more expensive) electronic percussion kits than this, but for sheer cheap fun, this one rocks. The hardware is not the type you’d wanna gig with night after night, but the REAL key to this deal is the included DM5 drum module. One of the great unsung studio bargains around, the DM5 module has an ultra-fast trigger-to-MIDI converter with 12 trigger inputs, great sounds and four audio outputs. In the studio, it’s great for layering or as a drum replacer or just for its 500+ onboard sounds. www.alesis.com

+++ Hosa PWC-400 AC Cables ($25 to $70/list)… Don’t laugh, but if you’ve ever done a live gig and put a powered speaker on a tripod stand, you’ll understand why an AC cable can be cool. The stock 6-footers that come with the speakers seem pretty silly–even useless when they dangle a foot or so off the floor. Hosa makes 14-gauge standard Edison-to-IEC AC power cables in 15/25/50-foot lengths that really do the job right. www.hosatech.com

+++ SSL LMC-1 Listen Mic Compressor Plug-in (Free!)… Short on cash? Try this software version of the Listen Mic Compressor first used in Solid State Logic’s classic E Series consoles. Originally designed to prevent overloading the return feed from a studio communication mic, this comp’s fixed attack and release curves are ideal for tracks such as ambient drum mics. It’s offered free as a download for Mac or PC DAWs. www.solid-state-logic.com

+++ Autographed Fairlight CMI Keyboard ($100,000+)… As a fundraiser for Witness, a nonprofit founded by Peter Gabriel to document human rights abuses, Fairlight is auctioning a vintage model CMI keyboard with signatures from 41 top artists and producers, including Bono, Mark Knopfler, Kate Bush, Stevie Wonder, Thomas Dolby, Todd Rundgren, George Martin, Steve Winwood, Barry Gibb, Brian Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, David Bowie and more. The special eBay auction ends Dec. 11, so hurry! www.ebay.com

+++ MixBooks (priceless)… Still stumped for holiday gift ideas? The all-new MixBooks page has dozens of great ideas, from our popular CLASSIC TRACKS book to tutorials on nearly every aspect of audio and music production. Check it out! www.mixbooks.com

When not working on Mix stuff, George Petersen records and performs with the SF Bay Area-based rock band ARIEL. Check ‘em out at www.jenpet.com.

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So what’s your “dream” gift?

What are your suggestions for inexpensive sticking stuffers for audio pros?

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