Musicians need a lot of accessories to keep their instruments safe and well-maintained. Maintaining a collection of useful accessories makes it easier to address contingencies, perform quick repairs, and play in different environments.
This is why we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best music accessories you can buy for your musician. These are sure to help them create more enjoyable and successful performances.
Korg LittleBits Synthesizer Kit
The Korg LittleBits Synthesizer Kit is a modular analog synthesizer that lets you build your own musical instrument without the need for any electrical engineering knowledge. Its bare-bones modules snap together magnetically and connect to speakers, computers and headphones.
The creative electronics company littleBits has partnered with Korg to create this incredibly powerful synthesizer kit that’s simple for both beginners and experts to use. It comes with 12 different electronic Bits that instantly snap together to form circuits like those found in Korg’s analog synthesizers.
The kit can be used to create a tone tuner, keyboard, spooky sound generator, drum sequencer, metallic sound generator and a monster synth with the help of its 12 modules. The included 35+ page booklet includes step-by-step instructions on how to create 10 different projects that can be explored by everyone from novices to expert musicians.
Planet Waves Elastic Cable Ties
The best way to extend the life of your guitar cables is to keep them neat and tidy. While you can use hooks and clips to hold them, there’s nothing quite like a neatly wrapped cable to save you the hassle of untangling it later down the line. A well-designed tie can tame the worst offenders and is a great addition to any gear collection. Featuring an elastic loop that can hold up to 50 feet of wire, the tie comes in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. A clip-on version is also available to make the task of removing it as painless as possible. The best part is, it’s a cinch to affix to your gear with no damage to your precious cables. The one drawback to these nifty ties is that they may be a bit tricky to use on shorter cables. This is especially true of those that haven’t been properly prepped and conditioned.
Vox Folding Headphones
Vox is known for making great music accessories, and these headphones are no exception. They are designed specifically for guitar players, so you can get a clear and pristine sound while practicing and jamming.
Moreover, you can plug in an audio source and blend it with what you’re playing for a rehearsed tone that will really help you learn new songs or play along to backing tracks. They also come with a 3.5mm audio cable for wired connection.
The Vox VGH AC30 is a special version of the original VGH headphones that has an integrated guitar amp inside them. They offer a full and dynamic sound that faithfully reproduces the character and subtleties of an analog amp.
Shure SE215 In-Ear Monitors
The Shure SE215 In-Ear Monitors are a great option for music lovers who want to improve their listening experience without spending a lot of money. These headphones offer excellent sound and comfort, and they come with detachable cables that can be replaced if needed.
The SE215s are a good choice for musicians who need a pair of in-ear monitors that can help them hear what they’re playing and what the audience is hearing while onstage. They also isolate sound well and can be used in noisy environments.
They come with a variety of ear tips, but we recommend using the black foam ones because they seal better and block out most external noise. The earphones are durable and can be paired with Bluetooth devices. They also come with a carrying case that can be used to protect them from damage.
PO-33 KO
The PO-33 KO is an ultra-portable micro sampler that offers 40 seconds of sample time, eight melodic slots and eight drum slots. It also features a 16-step sequencer and 16 patterns, giving you the flexibility to create quick ideas on the go.
The device has a number of switches and two multifunctional knobs that allow you to manipulate your sound recordings. Press the ‘fx’ button to cycle the ‘Speech parameters’ and turn knobs A and B to adjust the tone, formant, trim, ‘Hi-R’, and ‘Lo-R’ for different manipulation possibilities.
The PO-33 KO comes with a built-in speaker and 3.5mm stereo audio output. This audio I/O is useful for jam syncing multiple Pocket Operators and backing up, restoring and transferring sound and pattern data. The device is powered by two AAA batteries (available separately) for mobile convenience. It also comes with a foldout stand for hands-free operation. This pocket-sized synthesizer and drum machine is a perfect addition to any music collection.
PO-35 Speak
Since their release in 2015, the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator series of pocket-sized synthesizers and drum machines have made a huge impression on the world of electronic music. They’re affordable, easy to use and offer a unique approach to audio sampling.
One of the most interesting things about the PO-33 KO and the new PO-35 Speak is the built-in microphones for sampling audio. This is a big deal, as it means you can grab quick samples from YouTube videos, TV shows or even audio books and manipulate them instantly.
The PO-35 Speak has 120 seconds of sample memory, and its mic/line input allows you to record your own voice directly on the unit. As well as this, you can also edit your samples via a variety of ‘voice parameters’ (these are the same on the PO-33), with options to change the pitch, formant and trim levels of your sound.
Another big plus is the ability to transfer your settings between units with a simple AU/VST plugin called Microtonic, and this works either via a microphone or the line in.
PO-12 Rhythm
Teenage Engineering’s PO-12 Rhythm is a small, battery-operated drum machine and sequencer that you can take anywhere. It features 16 tweakable drum sounds, a 16-step sequencer, and 16 effects you can use to create unique beats.
It’s a great little device to have on hand when you’re in a pinch or need to quickly demo an idea. It’s also a cool way to get started with music production if you’re unsure whether or not you’ll enjoy it.
The Pocket Operator line of music accessories from Teenage Engineering are small, ultra-portable synthesizers that can be used individually or together with compatible gear. They offer a variety of cool features, and each model is compatible with all other devices in the series.
The percussion drum machine PO-12 Rhythm is the most feature-rich of the trio. Its 16 percussion sounds are well-thought out and include all of the standard drum sounds you’d expect to find in a drum machine.
PO-14 Sub
Powered by a pair of AAA batteries, the PO-14 Sub is an impressively designed little rig that is both a monophonic bass synth and a micro drum machine. With a novel animated LCD on a single circuit board, this device combines a Silabs EFM32 Gecko MCU, a Cirrus Logic DAC and a Knowles speaker to deliver impressive sound for its small size.
The Pocket Operator series from Teenage Engineering offers a variety of small, ultra portable music devices that are perfect for use on the go or as triggers for your DAW. Each model in the range is a unique device, from drum machines to bass and lead synthesizers to noise percussion.
The PO 14 Sub is one of the more interesting gadgets in the category, featuring animated graphics, real synthesizer engines, sync, punch-in effects and a built-in speaker, all of which are fun to play with. The best part is that it all fits in a high-quality, pro silicone case with anti-slip feet and professional feel buttons.
PO-16 Factory
Teenage Engineering’s Pocket Operators are a trio of small, ultra portable music devices with studio quality sound. They’re affordable and compatible with other music gear, including keyboards and drum machines.
The PO-12 Rhythm, the PO-14 Sub and the PO-16 Factory are all fun little synthesizers that fit neatly into your pocket. They’re all cleverly designed on a single circuit board, with vital components placed under the LCD display to save space and power consumption.
Powered by a pair of AAA batteries, the PO-16 Factory synthesizer harnesses multiple real synthesis engines ranging from FM and subtractive to wavetable and physical modeling. It also includes 16 punch-in effects, including delay, bit crusher and filters. This makes the unit perfect for melodic and harmony line creation. The intuitive 16-step sequencer allows you to chain patterns together to create entire songs. It also offers 16 arpeggio and chord play styles to make it easy to get your groove on.