Rodec isn’t reissuing its cult 1990 mixer: the Belgian brand pulls its phono stage and EQ into the BUNK 01, a discrete phono/line preamp with two voices — the original MX180 circuit or a modern stage — handbuilt in a wooden case.
The Tascam Mixcast 4 packs mic preamps, a multitrack recorder, a USB interface and sound-pad playback into one touchscreen station. Here is how to actually use it: wiring your mics, recording cleanly, bringing in remote guests and prepping the edit.
Los Angeles startup Thoughtful Things unveils Engram, a pad-based sampler and groovebox that runs small generative AI models directly on the hardware, with no internet or subscription. On the menu: sound generation, neural processing and knobs built to break the model.
Universal Audio overhauls the entire Volt range: 32-bit conversion, three switchable preamp character modes instead of one, and a new Max line that puts modeled analog compression right inside the interface. Six models, from $149 to $499.
Soundcraft revives its entry-level line with the Signature Plus: fully analog consoles that add a 4×4 192 kHz USB-C interface, built-in Lexicon effects and dbx compression. A smart pick for small venues, houses of worship and home studios, from $799.
Audio-Technica launches the ATH-M20xSTS, an all-in-one headset for podcasting and streaming: an M20x-derived listening base, a cardioid electret boom mic, and console or computer hookup via USB-C and USB-A adapters, all for €99.
Toontrack releases LA Sessions, an SDX expansion recorded by Niko Bolas at Studio D in The Village, Los Angeles: eight session-drummer kits, a percussion kit, 45 signed presets and 340 MIDI grooves for Superior Drummer 3.
The main PA never covers the whole room: the front rows, the sides and the back all need fill loudspeakers. Front-fills, out-fills, delays — what they’re for, where to place them, and how to time-align them for even coverage.
Shure updates its accessible USB dynamic mic: the MV6 Gen 2 keeps its cardioid capsule and onboard processing, but finally makes the auto level, denoiser and EQ adjustable. An interface-free podcast and streaming mic at $169.
Novation finally adapts the Launchpad concept for FL Studio: the FLpad and FLpad Mini are 8×8 pad grids built end to end for Image-Line’s software, with Channel Rack, step sequencer and finger drumming baked in. Price, specs and why it matters.