Clubs gift guide 2008

Party in the palm
DJs, you knew this day was coming: Digital-age liberation finally fits in a single hand. The Swedish-designed Tonium Pacemaker hit the streets a few months back—and we’re still in awe of its power, which nearly justifies the sky-high price tag (about what you’d pay for a basic laptop). It stores 120 GB of your choicest music files and can do most of what a traditional mixer can with just its touch pad—cross fade, beat match by pitching, pause, cue, loop, split loop, EQ and effect to your ears’ content. Play in a club, no problem. It can also save your mixes for online trading or sending to your legions of “fans.” $874, pacemaker.net.

Good in the hood
Of all the trendy brand names found in the clubs and DJ bars these days, England’s Boxfresh consistently comes across as a nice blend of casual street style and innovation. The Gander cotton hoodie will see you through bright nights and bad style. You can always shove your hands in the kangaroo pockets and mope if your new friend stands you up. $85, karmaloop.com.

Permanent records
The once-stimulating album-art format now exists mainly as lo-res squares on iPod screens—and yet music graphics remain of key importance to many of us. Musikraphics, an art survey from Victionary/Gingko Press, attests to the vibrancy of electronic- and dance-CD-package art as well as DJ flyer and poster design even in the pixelated age. $39.95, powells.com.

Mikey likes me
Now mobile producers and podcasters can record their voices on the fly without a bag full of pricey gear. The portable Blue Snowflake microphone plugs straight into the laptop via USB and delivers almost pro-quality voice or vocals to throw down on your latest demo or DJ set. It folds up nicely into the DJ bag, too. $69.95, Apple.com.

Fine chap
The collectible-cap conglomerate New Era teams with hep Swede label WeSC for dapper chapeaus minus the sports-franchise logos. This straw version of the fedora from the spring collection comes a bit early—or just in time for your annual getaway to Rio. $44, karmaloop.com.

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