Black Friday 2022 is a little bit away, but Reverb have started sale already. They’re running a pre-Black Friday sale with up to 60% off. Here are some cool deals to help with your compact and affordable home recording.
Reverb’s Black Friday sale 2022: listicle methodology
I haven’t done one of these in four years! In order to be most helpful, I’ll add some further criteria to compact and affordable.
- Firstly, I’m focusing on stores, rather than folks offloading their used gear: there are a few reasons for this; I don’t want to link to things that only one reader can get if they’re interested; stores are more likely to have free shipping and a return policy
- Secondly, I’ll try and focus on deals with free shipping: nothing is more annoying than finding a bargain, and finding that it’s debargained (that’s a new word, I’m sure) by the shipping cost
- Thirdly, I’ll try and avoid just putting the cheapest item: because my mantra from day one of light audio recording is that you get what you pay for; we’re on a budget, but we should try and avoid resorting to crap
Without further ado, let’s look at some cheap gear!
Recording equipment on Reverb for Black Friday 2022
Light audio recording was founded on recording, so it seems like a logical place to start.
Presonus Audiobox GO – $53.95
10% off; free shipping
Presonus are one of the longest standing names in home audio interfaces. From its release, their Audiobox GO has been had my eye as being ideal for light audio recording. I asked them for one to review because of how good my SEO writing is, but they never responded.
Anyway, this is ideal because aprt from being tiny and cheap, it works on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. Additionally, they have a nice straightforward USB-C connection. Further, it has two inputs, which is actually unusual at this price point: an instrument line, and a combined mic/instrument line.
At the time of writing, there are eight of these in Wisconsin. They’ve got free shipping and 10% off. While 10% off doesn’t seem much, they’re so painfully cheap to start with, you might as well just do it.
Headliner HD3 monitors – $84.99
15% off; free shipping
Full disclosure: I’m not familiar with the Headliner brand. But, from what I can see, they make good things.
These HD3 monitors are equipped with 3.5″ woofers, with 0.75″ tweeters. I like that they have both TRS and RCA connections – it gives a versatility that other monitors at this price lack.
At the time of writing, there are three of these pairs of monitors in Missouri, with free shipping.
Although they don’t have Bluetooth, this is quite a steal. They look ideal for recording, or just listening to music or gaming. Simple and smart-looking things.
Samson SR850 headphones – $42.49
15% off; free shipping
Although I try and avoid brand bias, I’m happy to include a deal from Samson. I’m a big fan of their BT3 monitors.
However, I digress – we’re here to help you, not for me to gush over my gear.
While Samson are a pro brand, and make some somewhat pricey gear, it’s nice to see them catering to smaller budgets. With that, the SR850s have a 10Hz–30kHz frequency response and
32Ω impedance.
If you’re looking for pro gear, but you’re on this website, the Samson SR850 headphones might be a good compromise.
In California, this seller has more than 10 in stock, with free shipping. Certainly worth checking out.
Samson C01 microphone – $67.99
15% off; free shipping
It’s difficult to select a microphone for inclusion here. While there are many budget options on the market, I maintain that you get what you pay for. And, with the rise of podcasting, demand for mics has increased, therefore so has production, therefore there are more cheaps mics on the market than ever before!
In addition to the sheer quantity of mics on sale right now, a lot of them are USB mics. Now, I hate to be a snob, but I still like to connect my mic via an XLR cable. But, given my neverending quest to streamline my rig, maybe it’s worth checking if a USB mic could replace faffing with audio interfaces.
But that’s an adventure for another day.
This year for Black Friday, I found this large diaphragm condenser mic from Samson, the C01. In light audio recording, I regard a large diaphragm condenser mic as the one mic to rule them all. That’s because it’s good for vocals, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. What’s not to love?
The C01’s main specs are a cardioid pickup pattern and a 19mm, dual-layer diaphragm. In terms of sound, Samson claim a smooth, flat frequency response.
This links to a seller in Cali, with free shipping, who, at the time of writing, had more than 10 in stock.
Guitars and bass on Reverb for Black Friday 2022
I make the rock music. Therefore at the core of my music is guitar and bass. If you’re in the market for one this Black Friday, here are some on Reverb for your consideration.
Framus D-Series Diablo – $594.15
15% off; free shipping
For an electric guitar, I wanted to suggest something versatile. With that, I looked for something with a humbucker-single coil-humbucker configuration.
I’m suggesting this D-series Diablo from Framus for a few reasons.
Firstly, it’s got the versatility that I was looking for for you. Secondly, Framus are a solidly reputable brand. Thirdly, it’s reasonably priced. And finally, it’s got classic vibes.
In addition to the HSH configuration, it has push-pull knobs for coil-splitting those humbuckers, so even more versatility!
This store in California seems to have plenty in stock in a both burgundy and black. They’re also on sale at 15% off with free shipping.
Fender FA-125CE electro-acoustic guitar – $206.99
10% off; free shipping
If you’re naming the top two guitar brands in the world, Fender is one of them. Even non-guitarists know of Fender. Affordability has long been a hallmark of the Fender brand, and this FA125-CE fits right in with that. It’s a classic dreadnought body, and will cover most people’s acoustic bases.
At this price, you can expect a no-frills affair. Although it does have a walnut fingerboard, which is interesting. But, there’s no binding and the rosette is minimalist. Nothing fancy here. It’s worth noting that it is an electro-acoustic model. That’s to say it’s good for gigging as well as recording.
This store in Texas has more than 10 Fender FA125-CEs in stock at the time of writing. They’re also offering 10% off right through until January, as well as free shipping.
Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision bass – $391.99
20% off; free shipping
When I was a nipper learning guitar, Squier were kind of mocked. They were very much cheap, beginner’s instruments, of patchy quality. But now, as production quality of Eastern-made budget guitars has rocketed over the past 20 years or so, Squier are seen as very legit, especially – anecdotally – for home recording.
I’m including this deal in particular because not only is it 20% off, but it comes with three months of Fender Play. That’s worth around $30. Which may not seem like much, but it’s better than a kick in the teeth, and you might actually enjoy it.
Now, I opted to share the Precision bass model because it’s just a solid all-rounder of instrument, although this store has other models for sale, also at 20% off with free shipping. They’re in Pittsburgh.
The model in the link has an Indian laurel fingerboard, and a Fender-designed alnico split coil pickup. This is a simple, solid work-horse.
Amplifiers on Reverb for Black Friday 2022
The last section is less fun without amps to play with. Here are some deals!
Laney MINI-ST-SUPERG – $101.99
15% off; free shipping
To be honest, I wasn’t very impressed with the range of guitar amps available in the Black Friday sale. I set the filters to combos under $300, and was disappointed that not a single tube amp was listed with this low budget. On the other hand, there were lots of modeling amps, if you want to play with different sounds.
But what I want to highlight is this dinky little thing from Laney, Laney have been plugging mini versions of some of their flagship amps for a couple of years now. In this case, we’re looking at a scaled down version of their Supergroup range.
But, you need to be realistic about how much a solid state amp with two 3″ speakers will sound like a tube amp going through a half-stack.
In addition to just plugging in your guitar for small noise for recording or home practice, the MINI-ST-SUPERG has the Laney Smart Interface (LSI) socket. With this, you can plug your phone into the amp, and access an onslaught of other amps using the Tonebridge app from Ultimate Guitar. Pretty nifty for experimenting.
I certainly think this, or something like it, is a cool thing to have around.
Fender Rumble 40 – $179.99
Whatever I thought about the pickings in guitar amps – somewhat predictably – the pickings in bass amps were even slimmer.
But I’m impressed with this one! The Fender Rumble 40 is a 40 watt solid state bass combo, with a 10″ Fender speaker. I opted to share this one with you because it has a DI output, which is best for recording or hooking up to a PA in live scenarios. Because the size makes it just big enough to play a small gig with.
As of writing, there are seven of these in stock at a store in Texas, with 10% off and free shipping.
It feels like the American answer to my Laney RB2. So because it’s not imported, that’s a really great price for what it is.
Other odds and ends on Reverb for Black Friday 2022
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25 – $143.65
$15 off; free shipping
I’m not much of a keys person, but I did invest in a small MIDI controller a while back. If you decide a song needs keys in BandLab, it is a lot easier trying to do it with an actual musical keyboard, rather than your computer’s keyboard.
Native Instruments is a respectable name in such things, so if you have been thinking about one, this store in New Jersey has seven of these in stock at the time of writing. They also have 15% off and free shipping.
Pig Hog 10′ right angle instrument cable – $15.66
15% off; free shipping
I have a special place in my light audio recording heart for Pig Hog. Early in the site’s existence, I explained what I was doing, and they kindly sent me a cable that I could review. I think it’s the only thing I’ve ever blagged for the site.
But I digress. Probably my favorite thing about them is the availability in colors that are not black. Before I started using them, finding my way through a mass of tangled black cables was a nightmare. With Pig Hog colors, problem solved!
For Black Friday 2022 on Reverb, this place in California has this 10′, right-angled, seafoam green instrument cable on sale with 15% off, with free shipping.
Black Friday on Reverb 2022: conclusion
I hope this little listicle was helpful for you. Obviously, it doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s available, but maybe it inspired you with some ideas!
Happy shopping!
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