DJ gifts and gadgets

business card holder with Pac Man game design - holds 10 cards

Review: Here's a great gift idea from Banpresto for the retro-loving businessman (or woman!). The Pac-Man Business Card Holder is a neat case in the design of arcade game superstar Pac-Man. Approaching his thirty-year anniversary in 2010, it's about time Pac-Man got a promotion! The cases hold most card sizes and have two sections for ease of organization (that is, your own cards and your clients'). Choose from two snazzy designs too: 'screen' version shows a retro arcade interface; 'game' shows the famous graphics in detail.

Review: The Buddha Machine is a little plastic box that plays music. Specifically, FM3 constructed nine drones, varying from two seconds to 42 seconds, which repeat endlessly in the listener's ear until the 'track' is switched to the next drone (or the two AA batteries run out). The machine has its own built-in speaker, in case one would like to fill a room with the drones, but there is also a headphone jack for more personal meditative experiences. There's a switch on the side that allows for traversal of the tracks, and a DC jack (though an adapter is not included) for those who would like the Buddha Machine experience be truly endless. In a way, it's like the cheapest pre-loaded MP3 player you'll ever be able to buy!

A small soundbox, an integrated speaker, a volume control, mini jack-out and a switch to choose between nine different loops

Review: Aural bliss in a see-thru box.

The all-new, third-gen Buddha Machine from Beijing duo Christiaan Virant and Zhang Jian. This soundbox contains pure, crystal-clear melody and 4 extended-play loops. Advanced 12K audio quality and deja-vu translucent styling make Chan Fang the freshest Buddha ever. Chan Fang, which translates as Zen Room, sees the duo swap drones and tones from their first two Buddha releases for unadulterated classical loops. All tracks were composed and performed on the Qin, a seven-string zither revered as the grand-daddy of Chinese instruments. Deep sonorous tuning and complex harmonic overtones give the Qin a contemplative and soothing voice.

Turn on Chan Fang and soundtrack your life. Tweak the pitch to match your mood. Pair it with another Buddha Machine for a pocket orchestra to enlighten your morning commute, long bath, thinking, reading, relaxing, romancing Chan Fang comes in plastic-fantastic clear black to match even the most fashion-forward lifestyle. Christiaan and Zhang were pioneers of electronic music in China even before releasing their first-generation Buddha Machine in 2004. Fueled by praise in media as diverse as tech blog BoingBoing, the New York Times and the avant-rock Arthur Magazine, the Buddha Machine series has become one of the most-talked-about ambient music releases of all time.

Review: The Chord CG2 portable guitar amplifier is a miniature 2W guitar amplifier in a plastic cabinet. It has controls for master volume, tone and a switch for on/off/overdrive. It is powered by a 9V battery or optional DC power adaptor.

The Chord CG2 portable guitar amplifier is a mini amplifier perfect for connecting to a guitar, synthesizer, drum machine, stylophone or other musical instrument.

Review: The mini pin comes with a small plastic gift case (5.3cm x 4.3cm x 1.8cm).

Stylophone portable electronic beats machine with beatbox, percussion & bass sounds, record loop & playback function, tempo adjust, volume control and MP3 function

Stylophone original pocket electronic organ featuring MP3 input and a headphone socket

Review: Back in 1969, kids didn't crave MP3 players or boast to their friends about the number of functions on their mobile phone. Instead, they begged, borrowed and stole to get their hands on the no. 1 must have item of the late 60's and early 70's a pocket synthesiser called the Stylophone.

An amazing 3 million people got their hands on one and loved nothing better than to play tunes on their shiny new instrument. New for 2007 is a version that has been developed in collaboration the original inventor's son, which blends the original design (now a retro classic) with updated technology. This wonderful little instrument has all the charm of the 1969 version, but now has added features more fitting with today's technology, including an MP3 input and headphone socket. The most important remaining feature is that it is still a musical instrument that anyone can play and that everyone loves and for those old enough to remember has that great Stylophone organ sound.

Requires 3 x AA batteries (not included).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFXLAqaFj2Q

Review: Impress your friends at cocktail hour with Omar S-branded deep house ice cubes.

Stay cool in the summer heat with the Omar S branded deep house ice cubes.

Self-assembly analogue synthesizer with English translation of the assembly instuctions

Review: This unique build your own synth kit features a built in speaker, LFO with 2 wave shapes, cutoff, pitch envelope, plus attack and decay controls and an external source input.

The Gakken analog synthesizer SX 150 synthesizer requires no soldering or complex tools, it just screws together.

Buy it from Juno and get exclusive English-language assembly instructions (not available elsewhere). 9/10 review Future Music Magazine May 2009.

Mini 4-legged self-assembly theremin with English translation of the assembly instructions

Review: Watch it being operated by a cat on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ONJfp95yoE&feature=player_embedded

Hardcover magazine with DIY pinhole Planetarium kit

Review: Since being founded in 1947, Gakken have created fascinating learning materials about science that have won them fans all over the world. Each issue of Science Of Adult gives you all the parts and information you need to build fun and awesome science projects.

The 9th contents introduction scientific magazine from a publishing company/author of adult, a pinhole-type planetarium. The scientific editorial department of adult was able to go ahead through the plan examination of the planetarium which was newer than the front with planetarium creator Takayuki Ohira who developed the most advanced planetarium megastar in the world for approximately 3 years. It, the cause of the backup of the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) space opening laboratory, the pinhole type planetarium which projected starlit sky more were completed this time. To the fixed star ball of the regular dodecahedron, about 10000 fixed star data are plotted more than the seventh class star. Gakken can reflect starlit sky in time to like it by a degree of leaning and the turn of the fixed star ball on a favorite place, a day of liking it (only in the Northern Hemisphere). Of course is similar and becomes the assembling kit.

Furthermore, customization to the original is possible because Gakken introduce the various remodeling in the their magazine. One's room wants you to taste an impression satisfied by a star by all means.

You can assemble & get your own the dodecahedron planetarium which features the data of about 10000 fixed stars. You can project the constellations, starrysky of anytime, anywhere (northern hemisphere only) in your own room, and also you can custom it to suit your style too.

This is a science magazine + science project kit from Gakken that's entirely in the Japanese language.

Science magazine + science project kit (4bit Microcomputer)

Review: Since being founded in 1947, Gakken have created fascinating learning materials about science that have won them fans all over the world. Each issue of Science Of Adult gives you all the parts and information you need to build fun and awesome science projects.

Here's a project all fans of old-school computers will want to try, a working 4-bit Microcomputer that you can do some fun things with. The set includes a motherboard and all the parts you need to assemble a real 4-bit Denshi-Block FX Micro Computer that went on sale in Japan in 1981. (Note: no soldering required.) It features hexadecimal keys, a reset button, full CPU, speaker and numeral LED. You can do many projects with this computer, including playing music and several games. In addition to the parts to assemble, the magazine is filled with interesting articles on the early history of hobby computing in Japan and around the world.

This is a science magazine + science project kit from Gakken that's entirely in the Japanese language.

Science magazine + science project kit (Twin-lens Reflex Camera)

Review: Since being founded in 1947, Gakken have created fascinating learning materials about science that have won them fans all over the world. Each issue of Science Of Adult gives you all the parts and information you need to build fun and awesome science projects.

This is a fun project, an old-style twin-pens reflect camera, which you build and use to take cool photographs with. The camera is a replica of models used in the early 20th century, and takes photographs with a cool aesthetic blur. In addition to taking unique photographs, you can personalize your camera with the stickers included in the magazine. In addition to the camera parts, the magazine covers the history of these cameras and is fascinating to read.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSl_ck0esiM

This is a science magazine + science project kit from Gakken that's entirely in the Japanese language.

Science magazine + science project kit (8bit Microcomputer)

Review: Since being founded in 1947, Gakken have created fascinating learning materials about science that have won them fans all over the world. Each issue of Science Of Adult gives you all the parts and information you need to build fun and awesome science projects.

This is a fun device called a Japanino which is a small 8-bit computer with LED lights which swing back and forth on a motorized bar, and which spell out certain words like I love you and Doremi. You download information into the device through your Mac or PC. Of course the programs can be customized easily for many messages. There's also a speaker you can access with your program.

This is a science magazine + science project kit from Gakken that's entirely in the Japanese language.

Science magazine + science project kit (Electronic Block Mini)

Review: Since being founded in 1947, Gakken have created fascinating learning materials about science that have won them fans all over the world. Each issue of Science Of Adult gives you all the parts and information you need to build fun and awesome science projects.

This issue presents a fabulous science project for you to build with your kids: a denshi block mini. Each small, easily moveable and replaceable block is a part of a transistor logic board. Through this kit you can better understand the workings of all the electronics that surround our daily lives. A very cool activity to share with someone.

This is a science magazine + science project kit from Gakken that's entirely in the Japanese language.

4-octave real analog synthesizer

Review: You ou can create your own beat with this item.

Series analog synthesizer sound gadget SX-150 MARKI 126,001 adult science /
Body size: 44mm × 165mm × 126mm
Package size: 58mm × 175mm × 135mm.

LFO will be able to adjust the cover, and also to modulation RESONANCE FM, made more extreme sound has become possible. Youcan capture the sound of the audio player to your existing external input, and enjoy a sound quality change in the VCF.

The SX150 MARKII has been upgraded significantly from the SX-150 and became a big hit as unusual analog synth. Review the parameters, in order to improve the performance, Gakken added 2 control buttons VCF and LFO. You can slide the bar on the carbon electrode, while chasing a melody, or turn off the sound, or is freely over the vibrato.

The play moved along the carbon body panel (the part of black), the tip of the rod electrode. When you move to the left lower pitch, the pitch becomes higher and move to the right, the sound of a four-octave range will appear about as a whole. You can adjust the Cutoff knob on the button in the body. Take a deep filter and press down the button, because it takes a little shallow and press, you can enjoy a subtle change in tone. Button in the LFO is adjusted by the push of a button so this knob of LFO depth. While playing with a stick electrode, let's change of attitude and tone of various sounds by pressing these buttons.

A small soundbox, an integrated speaker, a volume control, and a switch to choose between 13 different Throbbing Gristle loops

Review: Bastard offspring of now-famous ambient loop player the Buddha Machine, the Gristleism is part Industrial sound machine, part noise instrument.Featuring 13 original and uncompromising loops, the Gristleism delivers a mix of signature TG experimental noise, industrial drone, and classic melodies and rhythms.

This palm-sized unit (size: W 67mm x H 69mm x D 35mm) features a built-in speaker, volume control, pitch-shift control and loop selector switch. The Gristleism features more loops and almost twice the frequency range of the Buddha Machine. GRISTLEISM is powered by 2 x AA batteries and is the world's first and only portable TG aural exciter. The Gristleism was born from a collaboration between Industrial Records, Throbbing Gristle and Christiaan Virant, the creator of the original FM3 Buddha Machines.

The Gristleism comes packaged in a exquisite chinese paper-cut wrapping, featuring a repeating TG logo pattern, foil embossing and UV ink.

Review: Magma's convenient lanyard with separately removable key holder, in black and white.

Musical toy, tail acts as a keyboard

Review: Is it a toy? Is it a musical instrument? The Otamatone is both.

This Maywa Denki creation looks like a musical note and sounds like a Theremin. The tail acts like the keyboard, slide your fingers up and down to make the cute mouth open and sing. For the real maestro, you can adjust the musical settings on the back, but this is a toy that can be enjoyed by the very young as well as the very talented.

LED light key ring

Review: LED light key ring with Hardcore logo.

Toy uses your body as an instrument

Review: The Ningengakki toy is designed for 4 players. People have to touch each other to produce any kind of sound or music. It is a little music box that you and your partners have to hold in one hands and touch each other with the others hands to make it work

With a set of different pre-recorder tunes as well as a wide range of instruments, the Nigengakki toy will allow you to play or create your own tune by just gently touching your partner.

The song mode plays the notes in each preset song in succession, leaving the tempo and note lengths up to the artistic creativity of the performers; the SFX mode is a sound board with a multitude of sound effects; and the most interesting the drum mode, turns you into a full drumset.

The Ningengakki toy requires 2 x AAA batteries (not included) to play.

Size: 106mm x 160mm x 40mm.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgJHiJ1uhPc

Key chain/bottle opener from Nixon

Review: Founded in 1997 in Southern California, Nixon are the premium watch and accessories brand for the youth lifestyle market. Focused on making the little stuff better, Nixon began with a small line of team-designed, custom-built watches sold exclusively in specialty boardsport and fashion retailers. Nixon's product range has grown to include select men's and women's soft goods, leather goods and custom headphones.

Icon bottle opener key chain in a blackened copper finish

Review: Founded in 1997 in Southern California, Nixon is the premium watch and accessories brand for the youth lifestyle market. Focused on making the little stuff better, Nixon began with a small line of team-designed, custom-built watches sold exclusively in specialty boardsport and fashion retailers. Nixon's product range has grown to include select men's and women's soft goods, leather goods and custom headphones.

Review: Founded in 1997 in Southern California, Nixon is the premium watch and accessories brand for the youth lifestyle market. Focused on making the little stuff better, Nixon began with a small line of team-designed, custom-built watches sold exclusively in specialty boardsport and fashion retailers. Nixon's product range has grown to include select men's and women's soft goods, leather goods and custom headphones.

Musical toy, tail acts as a keyboard

Review: Is it a toy? Is it a musical instrument? The Otamatone is both.

This Maywa Denki creation looks like a musical note and sounds like a Theremin. The tail acts like the keyboard - slide your fingers up and down to make the cute mouth open and sing. For the real maestro, you can adjust the musical settings on the back, but this is a toy that can be enjoyed by the very young as well as the very talented.

Review: Connect the pocket drummer to your speaker/iPod or headphones and you can make a drum session with snare/hi hat/bass and symbol.

portable, mini planetarium, creates atmosphere with ambient lighting

Review: Sega Toys present the mini portable version in the Homestar series of home planetariums, the Homestar Pure. You can have beautiful views of 60000 stars right at home with this portable, battery-powered planetarium. The Homestar Pure includes 2 Northern Hemisphere Star Discs, which are rotated manually. It is perfect for parties, chilling-out & home-clubbing.

Black mini bubble machine with 1/2 Ltr reservoir

Review: The Sound LAB Mini Bubble Machine is a powerful bubble machine with a 1/2 litre reservoir that will keep making bubbles for up to 1/2 hour continuously. It is supplied with a mains adaptor.

Hand-held soundbox with 16 sound effects

Hand-held soundbox with 16 football sound effects

Hand-held soundbox with 16 cartoon sound effects

Hand-held soundbox with 16 horror sound effects

Hand-held soundbox with 16 sound effects

Miniature record player in the form of a Volkswagen van that plays records at 33 RPM from self contained speaker

Review: This little van is actually the world's smallest portable record player. The Van (officially licensed by Volkswagen) actually drives around your record and plays music out of the self contained speaker. It uses a small stylus under the van to track the record while the internal motor propels the van around the record at a perfect 33 1/3 speed. The sound isn't the greatest (it's a toy speaker of course), but it's mad fun to use and can act as an emergency record player at used shops and garage sales if you forget to bring your portable. Runs off a 9V battery not included.

NOTE: Not recommended for use on invaluable records and please note this is intended as a toy not a serious piece of audiophile equipment. This version is a limited edition robo grey edition.

Boombox-style amplifier and speakers for MP3 players

Review: The Cardboard Classic iPod Mini Boombox will plug into your MP3 player and amplify your sound.

Analogue FM radio with MP3 player input

Review: Some people would say they've already missed the boat on this and some will say it's never too late to miss a boat, in many ways it doesn't matter, since this article is nothing to do with boats, but in the midst of man-made Armageddon, it's time Suck UK started to design, manufacture and consume more responsibly. With this in mind Suck UK have teamed up with designer Christopher McNicholl and produced our first cardboard radio. The internals are housed in a simple card structure which can be recycled at the end of the product's life.

The radio's form is simple and concise and adds to its no nonsense appeal, which is a shame, since you can no longer roll out all the bad puns you had planned.

Cat scratch mat which comes flat packed and folds together into a simple structure, includes a poseable spinning tone arm for your cat to play with

Review: Never let it be said Suck UK don't dabble in science. In the name of completely misunderstanding Schrodinger's work, Suck UK introduce their newest cat/box combination, the scratch mat. The cats scratch furniture to mark their territory, exercise their muscles and for sheer pleasure. All similar reasons youths mix music and if you are to cross over both those cultures you'd rather get cats mixing music than teenage boys bringing bedraggled birds back to your doorstep.

The decks come flat packed and fold together into a simple structure with poseable tone arm and a top which spins as your cat paws at it, meaning you can sit and giggle in a look the cat is doing human things way rather than watch in horror as she shreds your favourite couch into tiny pieces.

Review: The Suck UK Key bottle opener is a modern design classic in its own lifetime. It is the coolest bottle opener ever to adorn your key chain. Forget Homer Simpson keyrings, or even those shark things. If you really want to impress your mates when you are drinking al fresco, watch their amazed faces as you open your beer with your keys.

The Suck UK Key bottle opener looks exactly like a standard door key, but the action end is a bottle opener that will never leave your side (as long as you don't lose your keys).

USB stick featuring up to 2 hours of digital music and comes in a selection of 6 different surprise designs (cannot specify which one you will receive)

Review: Remember the days before digital music and MP3 players? If you do then you probably made compilations of all your favourite music to share with your friends and loved ones, on good old-fashioned blank cassette tapes. If you miss making mix tapes this product will inspire you again.

Instructions: 1. Add your own sounds to the USB stick. 2. Place the stick inside the tape-style gift pack. 3. Write your own message and playlist. 4. Give it to someone you love.

Store your own mix on the USB stick by plugging into your PC or Mac, then add MP3 or any other files to the USB stick. Stores up to 2 hour of high quality digital music, the same amount as you get on a C120 cassette tape. Perfect for creating your own unique compilation or mix tape. When you only have 120 minutes you have to think carefully about what you are going to put on there. Write your own title, messages and playlist all over the retro gift pack. Mac & PC compatible. 6 different designs to collect. Home taping never killed music.

Review: Teachmix is a simple to use guide to learning the art of DJing. In four easy steps we will take you from just playing music, to really experiencing the energy, beat and buzz of DJing. Teachmix will teach you a basic understanding of the 'decks', right through to the skilled practice of catching the beat, releasing the track and mixing the vinyl, giving you the confidence to create your own unique mixes.

Official rubber Technics 1210 deck key ring

Review: Official Technics Deck Key Ring made from rubber. This miniature Technics 1210 Key ring is made to the highest standards & is official Technics Merchandise.

Limited edition gold alloy metal headshell keyring

Review: The Technics headshell bottle opener is the official Technics merchandise.

This bottle opener is made from high-quality, alloy metal and shaped into a Technics headshell for easy opening of the bottle of your choice.

3 posters from Stefan Marx in 12" record sleeve

Review: With his debut release on co-owned Smallville label, Stefan Marx presents an exclusive Poster Collection coated inside a gatefold 12" cover sleeve. Giving the Smallville shop and label a visual face since the very beginning, Stefan Marx created hundreds of posters and partyflyers, painted the shopwindows regularly and set up every single record cover. Now its the time for himself to release an extraordinary Smallville issue in 12" format.

Three posters (each has the size of 90cm x 60cm) including a first appearance of his band project The Dead Sea (aka Stefan Marx, RVDS, Lawrence and Birte Loschenkohl). The Smallville 25 is a collaboration with Nieves, the Zurich based publishing house of Stefan Marx and some all-time favorite contributors such as Kim Gordon, Mike Mills, Mark Gonzales and Wesley Willis. Stefan is working with Nieves since 2004, publishing books and zines on regular basis. The Smallville Release is dedicated to Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, probably the best band in the world.

Review: The Uncivilized World's convenient key lanyard is designed for all your key carrying needs.

USB lava lamp, compatible with DC 5V/0.6 @ 0.8A only

Review: This USB lava lamp creates a calming effect on the environment. Connect it to a PC and the special liquid will be heated, which makes the glittering parts roam around the lamp. During this, the colour of the lava also changes. The stylish design makes this gadget a real wannahave for the interior.

4 GB USB 2.0 flash drive

Review: Officially licensed Vestax VCI-300 shaped flash drive from USA company Stokyo. This little drive is the perfect tool for swapping files and music and comes looking like a mini replica of the popular Vestax DJ controller with the VFX-1 effects controller acting as the cap for the drive.

The Vestax VCI-300 is constructed of thick rubber material and includes a keyring. It holds up to 4 GB.

Electronic musical toy

Review: Is it a toy? Is it a musical instrument? The Otamatone is both. This Maywa Denki creation looks like a musical note and sounds like a Theremin. The tail acts like the keyboard - slide your fingers up and down to make the cute mouth open and sing. For the real maestro, you can adjust the musical settings on the back, but this is a toy that can be enjoyed by the very young as well as the very talented.

Cellphone strap DJ speaker with voice, scratch & siren sound effects

Review: This tiny Zumreed turntable from Japan connects to your MP3 player so you can mix, sound and scratch effects into the music you're playing. It comes with a USB cable for charging and a 3.5mm mini-jack lead for audio in/out.

Cellphone strap DJ speaker with voice, scratch & siren sound effects

Review: This tiny Zumreed turntable from Japan connects to your MP3 player so you can mix, sound and scratch effects into the music you're playing. It comes with a USB cable for charging and a 3.5mm mini-jack lead for audio input/output.

Review: This Zumreed heart speaker is ideal for those times when you find yourself needing immediate and portable volume. Via its 3.5mm cable it will plug it to your iPod, iPhone, PC or any audio player. Crisp, clean and powerful sounds appear at your fingertips.

The Zumreed speaker is great for late nights around the campfire.