25 great gift ideas for musicians in 2025

Piano M

Our very own portable piano controller pairs RGB mini keys with endless expressive possibilities. For beginner pianists, it pairs with the ROLI Learn app (more on that later) to teach playing techniques and music theory via an ever-growing list of licensed hit songs — notes cascade off the screen, video-game style, and onto the glowing keys.

For more advanced players, the lights indicate scales, chords, and more, and the keys themselves contain hidden dimensions of expression. Pressing down harder adds emphasis, and you can bend individual notes with a slide to either side.

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Audio Technica AT2020 microphone

If you’re looking for a gift for a singer, you might want to consider a microphone that’s specifically designed to work well with vocals. This leads us to the realm of large-diaphragm condenser mics. There’s no real SM57 equivalent here, at least not one that everyone can agree on, but you’ll find plenty of pros who heartily recommend Audio Technica’s AT2020 as an excellent bang-for-your-buck vocal microphone. It’s often available bundled with a pop filter and stand, both of which are sure to come in handy.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

An audio interface is a device that allows audio to be input and output from a computer, and a good one will do so at the highest possible quality without introducing any noticeable latency. Thankfully, in 2025, this level of performance is more affordable than ever, and all the average singer-songwriter or beginner musician needs is a simple 2-in, 2-out box like Focusrite’s incredibly popular Scarlett 2i2. The latest generation even features handy additions like automatic gain control.

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

If your gift-giving target is a music producer, Rick Rubin needs no introduction. He co-founded Def Jam, produced hits for everyone from the Beastie Boys and Run DMC to Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Johny Cash, and Ed Sheeran, and has now turned his attention to packing everything he knows about being creative into one handy book. Pick the hardback for a gift that’ll look good on any musician’s shelf, or the audiobook for the added bonus of Rubin’s surprisingly soothing voice.

Pocket Operator

Teenage Engineering's Pocket Operators may seem toy-like, but these tiny, battery-powered synthesizers and drum machines sound a whole lot bigger than they look. Each one offers a different sonic palette — from bass synths to arcade FX — and a surprising amount of depth once you dig into the calculator-like controls. There’s even a built-in speaker (for sharing your in-progress beats with everyone else on your commute).

Decksaver protective covers

If you’re looking to buy a gift for the electronic musician who seemingly has everything, consider providing some protection for the gear they already own. Spilled drinks, dropped objects, and even household dust can all pose dangers to the delicate equipment you’ll find in an average home studio. Decksaver’s range of clear plastic covers keeps everything safe without hiding it all away. They’re custom-fitted to particular hardware, so you may need to do some snooping to figure out what to order.

Does your musician already own ROLI instruments? Check out our range of custom-fitted cases here.

Adam D3V studio monitors

If your chosen musician is producing or practicing with laptop speakers, wireless headphones, or, God forbid, a Bluetooth speaker, one of the best sonic upgrades you can give them is a dedicated pair of studio monitor speakers. Adam’s diminutive D3Vs make a good choice for a couple of reasons: Firstly, the passive bass radiators on the sides make them sound a lot bigger than they are, and secondly, they come with the option of connecting via USB, so you don’t need to add an audio interface to your list.

Sonarworks SoundID Reference

Speakers sorted? That’s a great starting point, but how about the room? A whole lot of what you hear from a given speaker setup is the space you’ve put it in — and if that isn’t a dedicated, acoustically treated studio, it’s likely far from ideal. Sonarworks’ SoundID Reference is designed to address this problem. Combining a clever bit of software with a precise measurement microphone, SoundID Reference walks you through the process of measuring the sound of your space before creating a custom EQ curve to correct for any issues it finds — helping your mixes sound better and translate more effectively to other setups.

Novation Circuit Tracks

A lot of the items on this list are designed to be part of a setup and require other components to work. If you just want an all-in-one music-making device that won’t break the bank, Novation’s battery-powered Circuit Tracks is a great place to start. This compact groovebox combines synthesis, drum sampling, and effects with an intuitive sequencing workflow that’s perfect for quick creative sessions.

Zoom H1essential

Portable recorders are handy bits of kit for musicians of all kinds. While a smartphone mic might suffice for noting down a quick idea, these compact devices can capture performances, found sounds, and samples in much higher fidelity — while saving space on your phone. Zoom’s H1 has long been a solid entry point to the world of field recording, and the latest iteration adds 32-bit float recording to make sure you can cleanly capture even the loudest of sounds.

Loop Experience 2 earplugs

Loop’s reusable earplugs are designed to be a cut above the squishy foam kind you might be more familiar with. Beyond better looks and a handy carrier for your keyring, they’re designed to attenuate sound more evenly, avoiding the muffled sound that most of us associate with foam plugs. This makes them ideal for discerning musicians who want to enjoy high-quality sound at concerts and other loud events while protecting their valuable ears.

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro headphones

For recording, late-night practice sessions, or creating on the go, every musician needs a decent pair of headphones. Whether you’re learning or creating, we recommend wired over wireless to eliminate any delay between what you play and what you hear. The DT770 Pros are well-regarded studio headphones that pair neutral, accurate sound with a robust build quality and exceptional comfort thanks to extra-plush ear cushions. Note that the DT770 Pros come in a range of different impedances — if in doubt, the 80 Ohm version should work and sound great with just about anything.

A subscription to Splice Sounds

For a few dollars per month, or a prepaid annual plan, you can give the musician in your life all the samples they could ever need and more. Splice Sounds is a cloud-based sample library that makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for and drop it seamlessly into your project — from kick drums to percussion loops, guitar riffs to vocal chops. It’s worth noting that to gift a subscription, you will need to create an account yourself and provide access.