This article getting the recording gear you want for Christmas first appeared in Recording Magazine. I reprint it here with permission, and I encourage you to subscribe to that publication, as they are a stand up bunch of folk! PS: you may find affiliate links in this post and I may get a commission if you buy something. 🙂
Let’s get real. We’re recordists. Outside of the occasional coffee, that means we spend every free dime on gear. So, when a loved one asks, “What do you want for Christmas?” it can be a little overwhelming.
First, there’s guilt. Studio stuff is usually hundreds or thousands of dollars. Anything under that we probably already bought. Next, the likelihood of getting it right is low – hell, we often don’t even get the purchase right ourselves.
We talked about this in Recording back in 2020 in “Gift Giving for People Who Love Recordists” and concluded that maybe it was best to leave the studio purchases to ourselves. But this year, we thought we’d talk about how to actually get what you want.
Start Small
We’ve established that recording gear is expensive and that most inexpensive stuff like adapters and mic stands is probably spilling out of closets and drawers. But there are several helpful studio accessories around these days that you might not have, like quick-release mic clips (workflow baby!), an ergonomic chair (back pain baby!), or a new staff paper notebook (transcription baby?). You may find yourself wanting some things that aren’t so costly and esoteric.
Be Specific
Some of us like surprises at gift-giving times. But that doesn’t mean you have to be coy and end up with an Apogee Duet when you wanted a UA Volt (although either would be awesome). Maybe if you want something studio-ish under the tree you should start dropping more specific hints – like leaving the home computer open on a very specific Sweetwater page or emailing lists of links out of the blue.
If you’re more into the conversation thing, come to dinner with a pen and paper so mom, dad, spouse, or whoever can write down a model number you’ve inexplicably memorized and muttered into your mashed potatoes while sliding the notepad stealthily across the table. All kidding aside – help your people out!
Don’t Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Depending on who’s doing the buying, they may take it upon themselves to get you a studio thing without you asking. But since you didn’t talk, it’s likely to be something oddly off. Maybe it’s a bass pedal when you play guitar. Maybe someone gets you something you already have. Don’t be weird about it – this is a brave and thoughtful act! If it’s something you can’t use, you can always make an exchange. Be grateful and gracious and know that whatever you got them is probably wrong too! It really is the thought that counts.
Get a Life
Recordists tend to be obsessed with what we do. That’s awesome but surely you have other interests too. Right?? Many of those interests and needs have nothing to do with music and many of them aren’t expensive. Maybe you’re into cooking or snorkeling or hockey. Maybe you love books or shoes or funny nose and glasseses. When they ask you what you want, try thinking outside the studio. After all, you need to refill the creative well with other interests.
Be Patient
For some of us growing up, our parents never bought us anything after about July. Even if we had allowances or jobs, we couldn’t buy anything in the Fall. Santa was coming!
That’s maddening. We’re grownups here. We’re not using broken headphones for six months. But we could try holding off on some of our studio purchases for a little bit (preferably the ones we’ve been dropping hints about). That makes it a lot easier for your loved ones. It’s impossible when you just get everything you want for yourself!
Be Flexible
Maybe getting the recording gear you want for Christmas is more about wanting what you get. If you’re making all your own purchases, your friends and family have no choice but to surprise you with something you wouldn’t think of. That could be cool! If you’ve never played a drum and your mom buys you a cajón, that’s an opportunity to find new creative avenues. Lean into it!
Be Generous
At the end of the day, the holidays are all about love and giving. So maybe the real way to get what you want is to spread joy, give a lot, and remember we don’t do this for gear as much as the connection. Merry Christmas, happy Chanukah and Kwanzaa, and may you and yours fare well next year!
I have never recorded a Christmas song. Ask me why on socials @RecordingLikeMacgyver.