Mike, Dan, James, Julian and Alan (Russ is poorly) get together for the last podcast of the year and podcast number 300 musing on our finds of the year.Podcast Sponsor - E-InstrumentsThis month’s sponsor is e-instruments, who make some of the finest Kontakt instruments around including Session Strings, Session Horns and the Session Keys Series.E-instruments are running a holiday sale until January 8th 2018 offering up to 25% off the Session Keys Electric series. You can buy either the Session Keys Electric S or Electric R for just $59 or buy them together for just $99.DealsSave 40% On Wavesfactory Sharine. Production Expert has teamed up with Wavesfactory to offer their fantastic Sharine percussion instrument with 40% off normal price, that's £31.00 instead of £52.00 plus taxes. Sharine is the first percussion library that fully retains the pre-roll (also called pre-shift) of each sample while keeping the grooves in sync with your DAW.  You get the best of both worlds, ultra-realistic sound with rock-solid timing. With a wide variety of sounds, unique types of shakers and tambourines and innovative features, Sharine is your new go-to library for creating realistic patterns with shakers and tambourines that will give life, energy and groove to your tracks. Check out the review of Sharine from Logic Pro ExpertCheck out the deals from our Partners in the Partner Deals section of the Deals page.Talking Points Kindly Sponsored By Universal Audio‘Tis the season to treat yourself to more UAD-2 plug-ins and save while you’re doing it.  Until the end of December 2017, Universal Audio are offering you the opportunity to pick any 3, 6 or 10 plug-ins and get another absolutely free.  You can get 3 plug-ins for £299 saving 60%. 6 plug-ins for £529 saving 65% or buy 10 plug-ins for £749 saving 70% and get another totally free!To take advantage of this offer simply enter the promo code WISHBOOK at the checkout.  If you are already a UAD user you might also find a £20 UAD Coupon in your account so why wait.  Find out more about this, and all the Universal Audio Holiday discounts.Highlights Of 2017Dan - Studio BuildJames - NAMM 2017. It’s nice to be out there with the industry but also with those who make the industry work. Yes I know NAMM is not a public show but there are so many of our community who have “links” to NAMM members so they can get tickets. It’s great to meet up with our partners and community to talk shop.Julian - Finally being able to come over to the blog full timeAlan - Reviewing a proper alternative for the Mac Pro and being able to demonstrate just how capable the Windows and Pro Tools Native platforms are now.Mike - iZotope RX6 AdvancedDan - Tegeler Audio Schwerkraft Maschine - A device that’s got me working out of the box more than everJames - More technology becoming “virtual”. By that I mean more software and DSP driven solutions making 1 piece of hardware sound like many different ones thus making your investment more worthwhile. Slate VMS, Townsend Labs Sphere and UA OX The Amp Top Box to name but 3. All of these technologies are now starting to develop and grow with more mic models for VSM and Sphere and I’m sure plenty more to come.Julian  - Making some music for the first time in too longAlan - Attending the launch of the new Genelec 8331 and 8341 “The Ones” monitors - utterly stunning sound, in a stunning location - Metropolis studios in London, plus I got to fulfill a lifelong ambition and meet the geniuses behind Genelec in person.Mike - Trip to US and Canada including AES 2017 and visiting iZotopeDan - Getting back into giggingJames -  My visits to high end “big boys” studios like Abbey Road and Real World.  Yes, I do love getting out to see these places and to get behind closed doors but it is also great to be able to show the community these places and get some insight into these patches of