In addition to writing for iPhone Life, I am a musician, DJ, and content creator. In 2024, the world of music and audio gear is brimming with cutting-edge innovations and thoughtfully designed equipment that caters to both audiophiles and creators alike. There’s been a ton of gear released recently that’s gotten me really excited to create and experience music in new ways. The boundaries of technology are always being expanded, combining superior audio quality while still being accessible to a wide range of people. Hopefully this list of my favorite music and audio gear helps elevate your creative potential and enjoyment of sound!
Note
Product prices were accurate at the time of publication but may have changed since then
Dato Duo ($339)
I am a professional musician and I own many intricate synthesizers. I also believe that music is for everyone, and have a deep love for intuitive, accessible instruments that non-musicians can use. This device has a unique two-person interface that encourages collaborative music making in real time. I’ve had a blast using the Duo with my 2-year-old son as well as some great collaborations with adult musicians who understand the synthesizer engine. The controls are simple and colorful, and you can’t help but tinker with it! It has a sequencer and a synth section with a robust set of controls. The sounds it creates can be customized endlessly and it offers a surprising amount of depth for creative exploration. While the price point may dissuade some, this is a fantastic addition to any creative space. The playful design and ease of use makes it a joy to pick up and workshop ideas in a loose and inviting instrumental setting.
Meze Audio 99 Classics ($309)
These headphones are beautifully crafted, and they sound even better than they look. The design features ear cups made of walnut wood with a steel frame. The look is timeless, and they’ve taken care to make every part replaceable so they’re built to last a lifetime. I really appreciate that there’s no glue in the construction, as I recently had the earpads fall off of a pair of headphones I used to love due to aging adhesive. The sound is warm and balanced, with surprisingly rich bass response. The ear pads are made of memory foam, so they’re snug without being uncomfortable when worn at length. I used these while streaming high-res music through the Tidal app on my Mac, and it was such a great listening experience! They also sound great as reference headphones when connected directly to an instrument. If you’re looking for warm, natural sound with a classic, elegant design, these are the headphones for you.
AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO ($1,499)
In the field of DJ controllers, the OMNIS-DUO is a truly singular offering. It is battery-powered, and can use Bluetooth and an input source. This means you can pull up a song in any app on your iPhone, and the OMNIS-DUO will immediately integrate the audio. You can then mix it in and blend it seamlessly with another track from another source, be it your Mac, an SD card, or a variety of other input options. This is the first DJ controller in the world that can do this! You can also output to Bluetooth, meaning you could connect your AirPods or any Bluetooth speaker wirelessly for listening. This freedom of connectivity had me DJing wirelessly in my kitchen while we were hosting a group of friends. The design is sleek and minimal and the touchscreen interface is fairly intuitive. Interestingly, it only comes in one color which is a matte indigo. The price for this unit feels high for the amount of controls you get, but for specific scenarios this is the perfect device. For a mixing experience on the go, without having to worry about setup and tear down of a bunch of cables, this is an awesome piece of gear.
We Are Rewind Cassette Player ($159)
In a world that is constantly moving away from physical media, We Are Rewind decided to create a cassette player with some contemporary updates. The most exciting addition is Bluetooth connectivity, which has me listening to cassette tapes through my AirPods Pro. Every morning when walking my dogs, I grab a cassette from my old collection, pop in the AirPods, press play and I’m transported back to 1990. Cassette playback undoubtedly lacks the audio fidelity of digital formats, which could be disappointing to true audiophiles. But the warm, fuzzy sound of tape is nostalgic, and it’s just fun! There’s also an input jack and a record button, so you can even make your own mixtapes! The Bluetooth can pair to and recall multiple devices, so it can also pair to a Bluetooth speaker, making for a modern-age boombox on the go. This device has sparked a renewed love for cassettes in my life, and given me another way to enjoy music. While this is obviously not going to appeal to everyone in 2024, the We Are Rewind cassette player sparks joy for me!
Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval ($299)
I have been a fan of the innovative Swedish company Teenage Engineering for over a decade. When I heard that they were releasing a Medieval-themed sampler, I had to try it. The concept is authentically weird: a modern instrument designed to capture the essence of early human music. It’s a very charming approach to creativity and I admire how all-in they went on such an unusual idea. The machine comes equipped with an array of ancient instrumental sounds like lutes, harpsichords, and hurdy gurdies. Like most of Teenage Engineering’s devices, it is easy to approach but rewards a deep knowledge of its inner workings. I kept the manual close at hand on my iPhone while I was tinkering. If you want to stray from the Rennaissance vibes, you can connect another device (I connected my iPad Pro) and add your own sounds. While extremely niche, if you’re interested in musical play in a sandbox of historical sounds, this thing is amazing. Thank you Teenage Engineering for scratching an itch I didn’t know I had!
Audigo Microphone ($249)
This innovative pocket-sized microphone transforms your iPhone into a portable recording studio, offering high-quality recording for musicians, podcasters, streamers, and content creators. For its size, I was impressed with the audio quality. It works best when paired with the Audigo Studio app for iOS, which offers a user-friendly platform for editing and sharing the audio that you capture with the Audigo microphone. The app is approachable and intuitive even for users without professional audio editing experience. The app unlocks EQ and reverb controls, and you can integrate videos from you iPhone to speed up the process of exporting a finished, polished video. There’s basically no other product like the Audigo microphone on the market. On a modern iPhone, the camera is extremely high resolution and professional grade, but the microphones are not. Audigo solves that problem in an elegant and affordable way.
