Audio-Technica, one of the world’s finest manufacturers of audio equipment, has launched an online search for the most entertaining alternative Christmas track.

The popular music manufacturer is looking for fun and vibrant YouTube video entries from the underground music scene that put a positive new spin on the age old tradition of Christmas carols.

The nationwide competition, which is being judged by Grammy & Brit award-winning record producer and chairman of the Music Producers Guild Steve Levine, is being formally launched via Audio-Technica’s social media channels of Facebook and Twitter.

The online competition is not restricted to any particular type of music so bands, DJs or music producers from any genre have the opportunity of scooping either the top prize of £500 or five runners-up prizes of £100 worth of Audio-Technica equipment. As an extra incentive the first 100 entries will all receive a free pair of Audio-Technica ATH-CK51 headphones worth £30 each.

Harvey Roberts, senior marketing manager at Audio-Technica commented: “We are really excited about this competition as we think it might help bring some added impetus to music during the Christmas period. Every year we hear the same few songs, so it would be nice to see something new and creative. The truth is we have an awful lot of musical talent in this country and we just felt that a competition like this would help give them some extra inspiration.”

Roberts continues: “The competition is an open book for musicians, they can do a quirky cover version of a Christmas carol or song or they can write a whole new piece of music themselves - we don’t mind it’s the creativity that matters. We want people to express themselves and have some fun making music. Who knows someone might even pen a brand new Christmas hit.”

Audio-Technica is asking people to submit their entries, which can be up to five minutes long, to YouTube. The best entries will be shared by Audio-Technica on its social networking channels. Alternatively people can upload their video clips to YouTube and email the link to [email protected].

The winning entries will be announced on Thursday 23rd December 2010.

Audio-Technica, which has its UK office in Leeds, sells microphones, headphones and high fidelity equipment across the world.

For full Terms & Conditions and instructions on how to enter please visit www.audio-technica.com/competitions