Musicians today are blessed with a huge selection of gadgets and toys to customize their equipment. Whether you want high quality, on the spot recordings or instant sound manipulation from regular instruments like guitars, there’s a gadget for you. In this article we’ve scoured the net for the 5 most universally useful gadgets most musicians would love to have. They have a range of functions and prices, so if you’re shopping for a musician friend you can find something in your budget.

Photo by picjumbo, CC0 1.0

Ready to update your musical gadgetry? Here are the hottest devices available for musicians today.

1. Soundbrenner Pulse

Time. Rhythm. Fundamentals so basic to music that you may think it’s second nature by now, and the antiquated tools you use to keep time work just fine. You may think that, until you learn about the Soundbrenner Pulse, a sleek and stylish watch which helps you keeps customizable time with gentle vibrations.

Access advanced options on your phone with the Pulse’s Bluetooth capabilities. From there, you can sync up multiple Pulses (get one for everyone in the band to never be off time again), save settings, and even organize multiple rhythms for an entire set list. And don’t worry, you can wear the ‘watch’ almost anywhere so long as you can see the LED light flash or feel the vibration, so it’s easy to conceal if it doesn’t match your look.

For under $100, the Soundbrenner Pulse is a no-brainer for beginners and professionals alike.

2. Gibson Memory Cable

Some of us find inspiration in the strangest and sometimes most inconvenient times. If you’ve been looking for a solution to your on-the-go recording sessions, look no further than the Gibson Memory Cable. Simply plug this gadget into your instrument and play to start recording, no amp required.

They’re compatible with Windows and Mac so you can easily transfer your music via USB whenever it’s more convenient. It stores about 13 hours of high-quality, uncompressed music at a time, which should be plenty for even the biggest procrastinator. This piece also comes in at just under $100 and is worth every penny.

3. Ableton Push

This amazing MIDI controller will work with any popular DAW but of course it has advanced functionality with Ableton software. This machine was designed so you can make music more organically, without being confined to a computer, with all the basic and common functions that may otherwise keep you clicking and scrolling more often than actually playing.

Fine-tune your digital instruments and samples, or make and mix songs from start to finish, all on a beautiful digital display and hands-on playing that makes music fun.

4. Rocki

We’ve all been there- the only one with a great mix on our phone for the event but no way to connect it with proper speakers. Rocki was designed with you in mind, and especially musicians, who have a lot of reason to share their own music from their phones when they’re out of the studio.

Rocki is a pocket-sized gadget which plugs into almost any speaker and seamlessly syncs up with your phone to play the perfect playlist anywhere. Rocki chose Wi-Fi over Bluetooth, a move which helps retain quality through transmission to deliver you better sound. At $49 a piece, Rocki is a steal.

5. JamStik+

Chances are, you don’t live under a rock so you’ve heard of the JamStik+, but it’s worth a mention on the list anyway. This multi-tool is great for teaching beginners with interactive lessons on iOS devices, and can be used as a MIDI controller for experienced musicians. It features real strings and frets, coupled with easy portability formerly unknown to guitar players.

The JamStik+ is just under $300 and would be welcome in almost any musician’s collection.

Enjoy your new toys!

It’s nice to treat yourself sometimes and even better to treat others. If you’re looking for a hi-tech gadget for an audiophile, especially if that audiophile is you, any of these would be a great choice.

Author Bio:

Simon Hopes is a renowned author and social media enthusiast. Don’t be intimidated by the learning curve for such a sophisticated MIDI controller- just try an Ableton Push tutorial to see how easy it is to learn.