I write about studio gear for a living - here are my top 5 recording deals from the Guitar Center Holiday Sale

AKG C414 XLII: Was $1,319, now $1,119
It’s a go-to microphone for many a producer and can be used on pretty much anything, although I’ve primarily encountered it being used on vocals. It’s got a super flat frequency response, so I know producers who use it on guitar cabs, drums, pianos, and on one occasion a harp.

With its 9 switchable polar patterns, sensitivity options, and four-stage low-end roll-off there are few tasks this awesome condenser mic can’t handle. It also comes with a rugged case, shock mount, and pop filter so if you’ve only got the budget for one microphone, this would be my pick as a do-it-all studio workhorse.

Akai MPK Mini Mk3: Was $99, now $79
I’ve owned an Akai MPK Mini Mk3 for a good few years now and I find it to be the perfect MIDI controller for my home studio. I previously had a larger Alesis model but for me, the size of the MPK Mini means it fits much more nicely on a studio desk. Add a shedload of buttons and knobs and it will handle pretty much any recording task I need it to.

The pads are loads of fun to play on, and I use them for scoping out more general beat ideas before fine-tuning them in the piano roll. The configurable thumbstick can be used for pitch or modulation effects, super handy for creating rises or drops into a new song section. It’s not exactly a realistic key bed to play on, but for producers making music in the box, it will be an incredibly useful tool.

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8: $449.99, now $399.99
If you’re looking to upgrade your ins and outs for your home studio the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is a great choice. I used the 2i2 for a long time and can attest to the build quality and excellent sounding preamps these interfaces possess. This version has loads more inputs making it great for getting started recording drums or more complex multi-micing. 

With the release of the 4th Gen Scarlett interfaces, I’ve seen quite a few discounts on the 3rd Gen, which will still do an awesome job even without the extra additions of the new version. The 18i8 is also expandable via an optical input so you’re future-proofing yourself should you decide to add more input later down the line.

Shure SRH840A headphones: Was $149, now $119
Another one of my studio faithful, the Shure SRH840A studio headphones do a brilliant job as monitoring cans for studio work and occasional lunchtime electronic drum kit jams. They’re closed back so provide great isolation for drummers and vocalists alike during tracking and I’ve found them really comfortable for long sessions laying down endless guitar takes.

The cable is nice and long which makes it useful for a variety of situations and the sound is clear and articulate enough to give a good picture. I personally wouldn’t use them for mixing as they’re a little too bright for my taste, but they’re excellent value and over the last year or so have put up with plenty of abuse in my studio.

Universal Audio Volt 476: Was $369, now $319
With the launch of UA Spark and a range of non-DSP audio interfaces, you now don’t have to spend shedloads of cash to get into the UA ecosystem. The Universal Audio Volt 476 comes highly rated as a mid-level audio interface with four inputs, preset compressors, and ‘vintage’ modes.

I think they look fantastic and as an avid UA fan, I love the fact they’re addressing a gap in their product line by providing something much more affordable for music makers. The tube-emulated inputs deliver superb sound and having a one-button compressor can make the difference in a pinch. You also get a great selection of plugins included with it too.