The Official Live Sound Gift Guide [2025]

What should you get for the musicians and creators who constantly think about gear? It’s a question as old as music gear itself. And there are so many options out there that it’s nearly impossible to sort through — especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for…

Luckily, AMS is the place to spread cheer with great live sound gear! We’re your stop for commanding PA speakers, subwoofers, mixers, microphones, signal processing, and much, much more. So here are some of the best gifts in live sound, complete with a few specific ideas that I personally recommend. These gifts cover the whole spectrum of application and price, so be sure to check out the whole list for lots of options to consider.

We’re going big right out of the gate! If a performer, DJ, or band is looking to run their own setup, or expand on their existing one, there’s a good chance they’re looking at PA speakers.

As for size and configuration, it all depends on what they plan to do and where they plan to do it. If the plan is to stay in smaller venues and performance spaces, 10- and 12-inch main PA speakers and 15-inch subwoofers, as well as all-in-one powered line array systems would be suitable.

If it’s all about going really big, then 15-inch mains and either 18-inch or dual 18-inch subwoofers are going to have the power to cover plenty of interior square footage and outdoor spaces.

If you overhear an enthusiastic creative talking about wanting to add an extra layer of portability and freedom to their sound setup, you absolutely should look into battery-powered PA speakers — or maybe even the newest battery-powered complete PA line array systems!

These are very easy to deploy, can cover quick and easy applications (like couple of presenters in need of an extra boost), and can even have features like built-in Bluetooth audio connectivity and mixers for multiple device inputs and management.

Cases and padded bags are incredibly important for keeping equipment in good working order. You could be the most careful person in the room, but all it takes it one slip, one bump, or one rowdy individual who means well trying to “help” for an unsecured item to take a serious hit or fall. And as you take part in more gigs you take, the chance of those one-off accidents goes up and up until it’s practically inevitable.

Storage and transport equipment make the kinds of gifts that people don’t like to buy for themselves, because let’s face it, the new equipment and flashy tech is more exciting. But they will realize the value, thank you profusely, and enjoy peace of mind when they’re transporting and housing everything.

Do a little bit research into what your favorite person uses and help protect the gear that keeps their operation running at full speed.

The Gator All-Terrain Utility Cart is a great way for musicians to work smarter, not harder! Minimize lifting and save backs and bodies by giving the gift of a steady set of wheels to transport everything. They support plenty of weight and then break down easily to fit inside a vehicle or trailer.

Running sound shouldn’t be a “World’s Strongest Person” event where people struggle to carry heavy subwoofers for long distances. And don’t even get me started on the number of times I was told beforehand that I could unload right next to the performance area, only to find out later that no, I could not and had to park my vehicle blocks away. A rolling cart is the gift for live performers that they never knew they needed and will thank you for once it saves them from an impromptu lifting workout.

Mixer, Main PA speakers, Microphones, and Monitors. With sound, the 4 Ms get the largest share of the attention, but there is so much more that goes beyond to take the finished product to a whole new level.

Signal processers aren’t just for the studio. The right mix of equipment can be loaded up into a convenient rack case and brought to live performances. Rackmount mic preamps, mic splitters, audio compressors, EQ, and reverb and delay units are important to accompany analog mixers especially but can also add extra polish to the main mix, group mix, or individual track mixes on a digital setup!

Things are never certain when you run sound. You can (and should) plan for every possible detail.

Enter the direct box (DI), the ultimate save for when there’s an unexpected instrument or device that needs to connect to the system.

A guitar player who gets invited on stage as a guest but doesn’t have an amp to use. A keyboard player that brings out an extra surprise piece of gear that needs to be plugged in. Even someone who wants to hook up a laptop to play audio of some kind through the main PA. DI boxes are great gifts for any musician, sound engineer or venue owner to have on hand, just in case.

Do you know who could use more cables? Every single person working with live sound, that’s who! AMS is stocked with plenty of important cables. And they're a great and cost-effective gift for any live sound enthusiast on your list.

XLR cables that are 50+ feet long for speaker mains and subs, extra-long TRS 1/4” cables for outputs and sends on mixers with a small form-factor — from more of the standard essentials to a grab bag of different specialty cables, Y-cables, adapters, and couplers – these are so great to have in the toolkit.

Live sound is an expansive area of music with hundreds and hundreds of products to choose from. If you want to get the musician in your life a great gift, any of these products would definitely send them over the moon — and make their performances even better in the future.

If you’re still in search of that perfect gift, or have questions about any of the fancy gear terms, call AMS Customer Service at 800-458-4076. Our knowledgeable gear nerds will happily explain everything and point you in the right direction.