News

Allen & Heath Qu-3 — a compact digital mixing console

11 November 2026

Allen & Heath is expanding its Qu series with a compact desktop console for live sound, broadcasting, fixed installations and home recording. The mixer uses the company's XCVI processing core. It offers 32 mono channels that can be linked into stereo pairs, plus two additional stereo channels.

Photo: official website allen-heath

The console has nine motorised 100 mm faders, individual channel displays and colour signal-level indicators. Controls include a 7-inch touchscreen, six configurable fader layers and eight assignable SoftKeys. Remote control is available through the company's apps. An optional mounting kit allows installation in a standard 19-inch rack.

Photo: official website allen-heath

The mixer has 12 buses for auxiliary mixes or groups: six linkable mono buses and six stereo buses. It also has four matrices and a main LR stereo bus. Six effects processors have dedicated stereo returns. Additional DEEP Processing and RackExtra FX algorithms are available separately. Other features include a 32-channel automatic microphone mixer, Gain Assistant for setting input gain, and Feedback Assistant, which uses up to 16 filters per output to reduce feedback.

Photo: official website allen-heath

Connections include 16 XLR/TRS combo microphone/line inputs, an additional TRS stereo input, eight analogue XLR outputs, an AES3 digital stereo output and a headphone output. The SLink port connects compatible stageboxes and supports up to 128 × 128 channels with other Allen & Heath systems. The built-in USB-C audio interface supports 32 × 32 channels of recording and playback. The SD slot supports standalone recording with 16 channels at 96 kHz or 32 channels at 48 kHz. A separate USB-A port handles stereo recording, playback and data transfer.

Photo: official website allen-heath

The Allen & Heath Qu-3 will be available for $1,800.

Ableton Live 13 — an updated version of the professional DAW

11 November 2026

Ableton has announced version 13 of its digital audio workstation. It adds tools for creating rhythms and melodies, expands audio processing and improves the workflow. A public beta is already available. The final release is planned for early 2027.

Photo: official website ableton

A major addition is the built-in Step Sequencer. It creates MIDI patterns with separate lengths and playback settings for each row. This makes it easier to program polyrhythms and melodies that change over time. Each step has controls for velocity, trigger probability, repeats and pitch using Pitch Bend.

Photo: official website ableton

The DAW adds ARA 2 support to integrate compatible audio-editing plugins directly into a project. Capture Automation saves parameter changes made without first enabling automation recording. Contextual Browsing lets users add devices and change presets directly from the processing chain.

Photo: official website ableton

Other additions include the Drum Synth percussion synthesizer, expanded rack features and more tools for mixing and sound design. These include the Looplet granular looper, Transient Shaper and Clipper effects, and five analogue emulations from Softube. Features depend on the edition, but Step Sequencer is included in Intro, Standard and Suite. Under an offer running from 10 November until the new version is released, buyers of Live 12 receive a free upgrade to the matching edition of Live 13.

Photo: official website ableton

Ableton Live 13 will cost $100 for Intro, $350 for Standard and $750 for Suite.

Arturia AstroLab 61/88 — free V Collection 11 Pro with keyboard registration

10 November 2026

Registering an AstroLab 61/88 stage keyboard between 10 November 2026 and 31 January 2027 gives immediate access to V Collection 11 Pro at no extra cost.

Photo: official website arturia

The stage keyboards AstroLab 61 and AstroLab 88 combine premium quality with a powerful software ecosystem. V Collection 11 Pro is a software collection of 45 classic keyboard instruments in one package. Using V Collection 11 Pro with Arturia AstroLab gives musicians more ways to shape sounds and create presets. Musicians can then take their own sounds directly from the studio to the stage.

JBL 305P MKIII — an active two-way studio monitor

7 November 2026

JBL has introduced the third generation of its compact nearfield studio monitor. It is the first model in the updated 3 Series P range.

Photo: official website jblpro

The monitor has an updated 5-inch woofer with a stronger magnet assembly and an aluminium shorting ring designed to reduce distortion. The updated 1-inch silk-dome tweeter sits in JBL's Image Control Waveguide. The waveguide provides a wide listening area and a stable stereo image. Unlike the previous generation, the Slipstream bass-reflex port is on the front panel. This makes it easier to place the monitor near walls where space is limited.

JBL 305P MKIII specifications

• Maximum sound pressure level: 109 dB
• Frequency response: 55 Hz–27 kHz (±3 dB)
• Amplifier power: 43 W (LF); 43 W (HF)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 83 dB (A-weighted / 1 W)
• Crossover frequency: 2,160 Hz
• Dimensions: 32 × 17.5 × 25 cm
• Weight: 5.3 kg per monitor.

Photo: official website jblpro

Two Class D amplifiers drive the woofer and tweeter separately, with a total output of 86 W. According to JBL, the new design provides more headroom and lower self-noise. Four DSP controls offer 81 setting combinations to match the monitor's position, distance from walls and bass/treble balance. The monitor connects through a balanced Neutrik XLR/TRS combo input. The cabinet uses 15 mm MDF and has eight M4 mounting points in a 75 × 75 mm pattern for compatible mounts.

Photo: official website jblpro

The JBL 305P MKIII is available to order for $200 per monitor.

Steinberg Cubase 16 — an update to the professional DAW

6 November 2026

Steinberg has released version 16 of its digital audio workstation. The update adds more flexible MIDI options and many improvements to the built-in effects and instruments.

Photo: official website steinberg

A major addition is Instrument Stacks. This feature combines several VST instruments, sampler tracks and drum tracks into one playable instrument, with shared controls and separate MIDI filtering for each layer. The Key Editor now has a Strum tool. It shifts notes one after another to create more natural, expressive chords that imitate guitar strumming. Stretch Selection expands or compresses MIDI passages in time.

Photo: official website steinberg

The built-in Stem Separation engine can now split a finished recording into six parts: vocals, drums, bass, piano, guitar and other instruments. New Spectral AudioWarp algorithms allow extensive changes to the timing and pitch of audio material. Tempo Detection has a more accurate algorithm and a simpler workflow. The Omnivocal Basic vocal synthesizer uses the Yamaha Omnivocal NX engine and lets users edit lyrics directly beside MIDI notes.

Photo: official website steinberg

Other additions include the DrumChain drum processor, the VocalTouch vocal processing plugin, the Module library with more than 200 FM presets for HALion Sonic, five new sample packs, Ableton Link synchronisation, custom MIDI CC names, a redesigned searchable settings window and an updated Audio Pool file manager. Features vary by edition: Instrument Stacks is available in Pro and Artist, while stem separation and Spectral AudioWarp are exclusive to Pro.

Photo: official website steinberg

Steinberg Cubase 16 is available for $100 (Elements), $300 (Artist) and $600 (Pro).

Steven Slate Audio VSX Horizon One — closed-back studio headphones for control room modelling

4 November 2026

Steven Slate Audio has introduced professional full-size closed-back headphones designed for use with the virtual monitoring system VSX.

Photo: official website stevenslateaudio

The new headphones are designed for mixing and checking mixes with software models of studio control rooms and different playback systems. The aluminium frame has maple earcups and specially designed 50 mm dynamic drivers. According to the manufacturer, the updated drivers offer low distortion, greater clarity and more detail. The headphones have a 32-ohm impedance and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The closed-back design provides passive isolation from external noise.

Photo: official website stevenslateaudio

Horizon One comes in Essentials and Platinum editions with different sets of VSX virtual spaces. The software lets users check their material in modelled studios, cars and other listening environments without leaving their workstation. Existing software users can choose a Loyalty Upgrade without buying another software licence. The package includes a detachable 1.9 m Y cable with a 3.5 mm plug, a 6.35 mm adapter and a protective case.

Photo: official website stevenslateaudio

Steven Slate Audio VSX Horizon One is available to pre-order for $400 for Essentials, $600 for Platinum and $300 for the Loyalty Upgrade.

Behringer 1601 Sequencer — an analogue Eurorack sequencer

3 November 2026

Behringer has introduced an analogue sequencer inspired by classic instruments from the 1970s. It can run one 16-step sequence or split the sequence into two independent 8-step sequences.

Photo: official website behringer

The sequencer has a two-octave quantizer for melodic parts and a separate CV output with a ten-octave range for modulating filter cutoff or pulse width. Three separate Gate bus outputs, with individual switches for each step, allow complex rhythmic links between devices. Skip and Reset support CV control, and the step switches can skip steps or reset the sequence. A separate CV input transposes patterns from an external MIDI keyboard or another controller.

Photo: official website behringer

Other features include CV control of clock rate and pulse width, a Clocked Gate 1 output for accents, a Position 1 CV output for triggering external events at the start of a pattern, separate quantizer inputs for external CV, and four additional signal splitters (Multiples). The model has 42 controls, MIDI with channel selection and transport synchronisation, and a USB port. It can work as a standalone module or fit in a standard Eurorack case.

Photo: official website behringer

Behringer 1601 Sequencer is available to pre-order from selected retailers for around $200.

Phaze Audio Tilia Active — active two-way bookshelf speakers

2 November 2026

Russian brand Phaze Audio has expanded its speaker range with the Tilia Active model.

Photo: official website phazeaudio

The new model combines a two-way speaker system, built-in amplification, wireless audio and several wired connection options. It is designed for listening to music at home and for use with a TV. The built-in phono preamplifier allows turntables to connect without extra external equipment. The speakers have 4-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters. Total amplifier power is 60 W RMS, or 30 W per channel, with a peak of 100 W. The frequency range is 50 Hz to 20 kHz. The amplifier and connections are in the right speaker; the left speaker connects to it with speaker cable.

Photo: official website phazeaudio

Connections include HDMI ARC, an optical digital input and an analogue RCA input that switches between line level and the built-in phono preamplifier. Wireless audio uses Bluetooth 5.2. Bass and treble controls help match the sound to the room and the listener's preferences. Each cabinet is made from MDF. Four finishes are available: Black, Latte, Ocean Blue and Walnut, matching the Phaze Audio Celine turntable.

Photo: official website phazeaudio

Native Instruments Massive XL — a new generation of the popular wavetable synthesizer

30 October 2026

Native Instruments has introduced the third generation of its well-known software synthesizer, the successor to Massive X. The new version keeps the series' flexible architecture, extensive modulation system and characteristic sound. It adds a redesigned interface and tools for creating original sounds more quickly.

Photo: official website native-instruments

Massive XL is designed for wavetable synthesis. It offers ten oscillator modes, more wavetables and clearer visual feedback when editing patches. New sound design tools include Mutator, which changes selected elements of a preset, and Morpher and Animator, which create dynamic transitions and parameter movement during performance. The AI-based Preset Generator analyses an imported audio file and creates four editable synthesizer patches from it. Users can also import their own sounds to create custom wavetable sets.

Photo: official website native-instruments

The instrument has an updated effects system and clearer parameter controls. A separate oscillator view provides more detailed control of wavetable shape and behaviour. Massive X presets and Expansions are supported, making it easier to move to the new version and keep using an existing sound library. More than 1,000 factory presets are included.

Photo: official website native-instruments

Native Instruments Massive XL is available at an introductory price of $100, instead of the standard $200. The offer runs until 31 December 2026. The software supports Windows 10 or later and macOS 14 or later, in VST3, AU and AAX plugin formats.

HEDD Audio TYPE 40 System — a modular studio monitoring system

30 October 2026

HEDD Audio has introduced a modular monitoring system for studios that need high output, extended bass response and room for expansion.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

The system is built around the TYPE 40 Main, a three-way active monitor with a sealed cabinet and Class D amplification rated at 1,300 W in total. It uses a 10.75-inch woofer, two 4-inch midrange drivers and HEDD's AMT tweeter. TYPE 40 XTD modules can extend the system. Their 10.75-inch woofers operate from 20 to 250 Hz.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

The modules support sealed and bass-reflex configurations, with four operating modes: Front-Fire Ported, Front-Fire Closed, Cardioid Ported and Cardioid Closed. The cardioid modes reduce bass radiation towards the rear wall. This helps in rooms with difficult acoustics or when monitors are placed close to a wall.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

The built-in DSP handles phase and time alignment at a processing rate of 96 kHz. Zero Phase corrects both frequency and phase response; Flat corrects frequency response without phase compensation; Off offers the lowest latency. HEDD CTRL software switches profiles, provides calibration with a 12-band parametric equalizer and configures systems ranging from conventional stereo to immersive setups with up to 250 speaker channels.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

A fully expanded HEDD Audio TYPE 40 System with three XTD modules costs around $50,000.

RME ADI-2/4 Pro EX — an ADC/DAC converter and high-end headphone amplifier

27 October 2026

RME has introduced the updated ADI-2/4 Pro EX converter. It combines a two-channel ADC, a four-channel DAC, a headphone amplifier and a USB audio interface. The new model builds on the features of ADI-2/4 Pro SE.

Photo: official website rme

The model uses ESS ES9823Pro and ES9039Q2M converters with improved signal-to-noise and distortion figures. The specified signal-to-noise ratio of the analogue inputs reaches 127 dBA. The SteadyClock EX system adds factory calibration of the internal clock to ±1 ppm and manual frequency adjustment in 0.1 ppm steps for matching external equipment.

Photo: official website rme

The built-in DSP provides five-band parametric EQ, bass and treble controls, Crossfeed and Loudness. DSD recording and playback are supported, along with RIAA equalization for digitising vinyl records. The EX version has a separate ground terminal, switchable 94/47 kΩ input impedance and RIAA equalization available in line mode. An IPS display shows device settings, signal levels and a 30-band spectrum analyser.

Photo: official website yamaha

Analogue connections include two XLR/TRS combo inputs, a pair of XLR outputs and a pair of TRS outputs. The Extreme Power amplifier provides two stereo headphone outputs, balanced connection through a 4.4 mm Pentaconn socket and separate power modes, including an IEM mode. Line outputs and balanced headphone outputs can carry different signals at the same time. Digital connections include optical S/PDIF input and output with ADAT support, plus coaxial S/PDIF and AES/EBU through the supplied adapter cable.

Photo: official website rme

Other features include a locking USB-C connector with USB 2.0 support, independent DC protection for the headphone amplifier channels, active protection against power overvoltage and reversed polarity, control through ADI-2 Remote, and compatibility with the RM19-III rack adapter. macOS is supported natively. A MADIface-series driver provides full WDM and ASIO operation on Windows.

RME ADI-2/4 Pro EX is available for $3,000.

Fender Studio Pro 8.2 — an update to the professional DAW

26 October 2026

Fender has released an updated version of its Studio Pro digital audio workstation. The update adds more automation options, extra tools for organising projects, improved stem separation and other features.

Photo: official website fender

A major addition is Trim Automation, which adds another layer of volume automation for channels and sends. Users can adjust levels while keeping existing curves and the relative positions of automation points. No extra plugins or VCA faders are needed. The mixer also adds Dim Solo: rather than muting all other channels, it lowers them by a set amount so the selected track can be heard within the arrangement.

Photo: official website fender

The DAW now supports Multiple Marker Tracks. These can be placed in different parts of a project and independently linked to absolute time or the musical grid of bars and beats. This helps with complex sessions and video work: scene markers, for example, can stay in place when the song tempo changes. Built-in stem separation can now extract guitar and piano parts for editing, replacing a performance or converting to MIDI.

Photo: official website fender

The Vocal Tune plugin adds a Low Latency mode that reduces its processing latency to less than 3 ms. This allows pitch correction during recording and monitoring. Follow mode tracks the project's key and scale. Other improvements include assigning Sound Variations articulations to individual notes; MIDI 2.0 support for compatible controllers and instruments on macOS and Linux, including high-resolution velocity and controller data; and improved track and channel freezing that preserves volume and pan settings.

Photo: official website fender

The 8.2 update is free for Fender Studio Pro+ subscribers and perpetual licence owners with an active update entitlement. The entitlement lasts 12 months after buying a licence or the latest paid upgrade.

Photo: official website fender

Licence and upgrade prices:

• Monthly subscription: $20
• Perpetual licence: $200
• Upgrade to a perpetual licence: $100
• Annual Pro+ subscription (includes a perpetual licence): $180

Yamaha CK76 — a digital piano

24 October 2026

Yamaha has expanded its CK digital keyboard range with the CK76 stage keyboard. The model sits between the compact CK61 and the full-size CK88, offering a middle-sized option for touring musicians.

Photo: official website yamaha

The new model has a 76-key semi-weighted Future System Basic (FSB) keyboard. Its responsive key travel and increased initial resistance give more precise control of dynamics. The sound engine combines AWM2 sampling with a dedicated AWM organ-modelling processor. The instrument includes 363 sounds, covering acoustic and electric pianos, organs, strings, brass, guitar and more. The front panel follows a One-to-One layout for quick access. Physical controls operate the effects blocks (drive, reverb and delay), envelopes and filters without opening menus. Nine physical drawbar faders control the organ section.

Photo: official website yamaha

The CK76 has an analogue input and digital conversion for connecting dynamic microphones or external instruments directly and applying built-in effects. The integrated USB audio interface records performances directly to a computer or mobile device. Bluetooth streams backing tracks from a smartphone through the keyboard's speakers. The instrument can also run independently for 4.5 hours on eight AA batteries.

Photo: official website yamaha

Connections include two inputs for expression and sustain pedals, a pair of 6.3 mm inputs and outputs (L/R/MONO), a 6.3 mm headphone socket and MIDI I/O. The instrument offers 128-note polyphony, 160 presets (80 factory and 80 user) and a built-in 12 W stereo speaker system (6 W + 6 W). Alongside the new model, Yamaha has released the free CK OS 2.0 firmware update. It adds Advanced Split Mode, which divides the keyboard into three zones, and three extra electric piano sounds across the range.

Photo: official website yamaha

Yamaha CK76 will be available for $1,250.

ADAM Audio H715 Reference — flagship open-back studio headphones

23 October 2026

ADAM Audio has announced its flagship open-back headphones. The new model is designed for professional mixing, mastering and hi-fi music listening.

Photo: official website adam-audio

The headphones use custom 40 mm drivers with titanium-coated PEN diaphragms, neodymium magnets and a patented through-ventilation system. The drivers sit at an angle inside woven steel mesh earcups, surrounded by vibration-absorbing material. The physical design provides a flat, neutral sound with deep sub-bass response starting at 9 Hz. A distinctive feature is a built-in mechanical hi-fi mode switch on the left earcup. Using the supplied metal pin, the user presses the switch to change from studio mode to a dedicated mode for hi-fi equipment.

Photo: official website adam-audio

ADAM Audio H715 Reference specifications

• Maximum sound pressure level: 113 dB;
• Frequency range: 9 Hz–40 kHz (-3 dB);
• Nominal impedance: 150 ohms;
• THD: <0.05%;
• Weight without cable: 0.3 kg.

Other features include integration with dedicated Sonnox calibration software: the Headphone Utility plugin and ListenHub macOS application provide system-wide frequency response correction and flexible crossfeed adjustment. The ergonomic spring-steel headband has a central cutout to reduce pressure. Magnetic memory-foam earpads are easy to replace, and the dual-sided cable connections have secure locks.

Photo: official website adam-audio

The package includes a hard zip-up travel case, interchangeable synthetic leather and soft fabric earpads, a coiled studio cable extending from 1.3 to 3 m, and a dedicated 3 m hi-fi cable with a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector.

Photo: official website adam-audio

ADAM Audio H715 Reference will be available in December 2026 for $700.

Akai MPK Mini Plus II — a compact USB/MIDI controller

22 October 2026

Akai Professional has announced the second generation of its popular three-octave MIDI keyboard/controller, the MPK Mini Plus II.

Photo: official website akaipro

The new model has a 37-key Gen 2 mini keyboard and completely redesigned pads. The eight MPC-style RGB pads now respond to both velocity and aftertouch, adding expression when programming beats and launching clips. A bright 160 × 80-pixel full-colour LCD replaces the previous monochrome screen. It shows parameter names and exact values in real time, reducing the need to look at the computer screen. The controller has eight assignable 360° knobs, pitch and modulation wheels, three 3.5 mm CV/Gate outputs (Pitch, Gate and Mod), a sustain pedal input, MIDI output and a USB-C port.

Photo: official website akaipro

Other features include hardware integration with MPC workstations and MPC Desktop software, allowing navigation, mixer and plugin control directly from the keyboard. A built-in generative engine offers Glitch, Mutate, Strum, Freeze and Follow modes for instant changes to melodic and rhythmic patterns. The advanced arpeggiator supports custom patterns, with Chord Creator, Note Repeat and storage for user chord progressions. Included control scripts support popular DAWs such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio and Cubase. Full NKS support connects the controller to the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol ecosystem.

Photo: official website akaipro

The device is powered through USB-C and can run from an external power bank. The software bundle includes Studio Instrument Collection libraries with more than 1,000 sounds from AIR Music Technology and Moog, Native Instruments Komplete Select (Akai Edition) and the MPC Beats DAW.

Photo: official website akaipro

Akai MPK Mini Plus II is available for $170.

Lisk Audio Control Panel 2.0 — a new generation of audio device control software

22 October 2026

Russian manufacturer of high-quality audio equipment Lisk Audio has released Control Panel 2.0. The updated software controls volume and settings on Lisa, Lisa Pro, MUX and MUX2 audio interfaces. It uses a modern platform with hardware-accelerated graphics.

Photo: official website liskaudio

The key feature is an interface built dynamically for each audio device. The firmware tells the panel which parameters are available, their names, control types and current values. The software then creates the required knobs, switches and lists while running. A new protocol in the Lisa, Lisa Pro, MUX and MUX2 firmware lets users select a value directly with one mouse click. Control from the OLED screen and hardware buttons remains fully available. Changes appear in the software at the same time, with full parameter names and Russian tooltips.

Photo: official website liskaudio

The interface uses WinUI 3, Microsoft's native platform with Fluent Design principles, high-resolution graphics and current interaction methods. Both client and server are written in C/C++ and work directly with Windows features. This combines a modern appearance with full control of performance, memory and data exchange. Light, dark and custom colour schemes are available, with correct scaling at 125%, 150% and 200%. Peak meters use GPU-accelerated DirectX rendering, meter ballistics and a logarithmic decibel scale. Graphics acceleration keeps CPU use at or below 1%.

Photo: official website liskaudio

The update goes beyond appearance. The whole control chain has been redesigned, from audio device firmware and communication protocol to the server process and graphical client. Lisk Audio Control Panel 2.0 reflects the manufacturer's integrated approach: hardware, firmware and software are developed together. Users get direct, fast access to device settings and can see the current state. They can choose the OLED screen and buttons, the graphical interface with a mouse, or hotkeys in any application.

Photo: official website liskaudio

Before release, the updated panel went through extensive tests of playback and recording, audio mode switching, device reconnection during operation, multiple windows, different scaling settings and themes. The application includes automated feedback tools. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Print Screen creates a file containing the user's problem description, a screenshot, component versions and logs. This helps developers reproduce and fix reported issues quickly. This thorough approach helps Lisk Audio products stand out in the audio equipment market.

Lisk Audio Control Panel 2.0 runs on Windows 10/11 x64 with the updated version 6.2 driver and version 1.40 firmware. The new panel is completely free for all Lisk Audio users. Details are available on the official Russian-language website Lisk Audio.

Arturia MiniFreak 49 — a six-voice hybrid synthesizer

20 October 2026

Arturia has released an improved version of its popular MiniFreak instrument with more features.

Photo: official website arturia

The new model has two digital processors with more than 30 oscillator modes using algorithms from Arturia, Mutable Instruments and Noise Engineering. Analogue filters and VCAs on each voice allow rich polyphonic textures as well as broken rhythms with sharp harmonics. Its 49 full-size semi-weighted keys respond to velocity and monophonic aftertouch, allowing chord playing, melodic lines and two-handed performance. A new XYZ touch matrix combines modulation and navigation on one surface.

Photo: official website arturia

Other features include aluminium pitch and modulation wheels, an FM filter, dedicated Type, Wave, Timbre and Shape controls, voice panning that spreads individual voices across the stereo field, and three effects slots, each with its own access button and 13 algorithms. There is also a 64-step sequencer, four modulation lanes, Freak Control mode and an included software version of MiniFreak V .

Photo: official website arturia

Arturia MiniFreak 49 will be available for $800. More information is available on the official website Arturia.

sE Electronics KLS 150 — full-size studio headphones

20 October 2026

sE Electronics has introduced affordable closed-back dynamic headphones with effective passive isolation. They are designed for studio monitoring and work at live venues.

Photo: official website seelectronics

The model has a lightweight, durable construction reinforced with fibreglass and spring steel. Double-walled earcups provide passive isolation and minimise sound leakage. Replaceable earcup covers allow personal customisation. Synthetic leather earpads and a padded headband provide comfort during long sessions, while the folding, swivelling design makes storage and transport easier.

Photo: official website seelectronics

sE Electronics KLS 150 specifications

• Maximum input power: 1,600 mW
• Frequency range: 12 Hz–28 kHz
• Sensitivity: 98 dB
• Impedance: 39 ohms
• Dimensions: 16.6 × 8.3 × 20 cm
• Weight: 335 g.

Photo: official website seelectronics

The headphones use specially designed 40 mm dynamic drivers for balanced sound and accurate bass reproduction. A key feature is the bass adjustment system under the outer covers of both earcups. It allows a ±5 dB bass adjustment to suit the listener's preferences. The KLS 150 comes with earcup covers, a cover-opening tool, a cable with a locking 3.5 mm connector, a 6.35 mm adapter, a USB-C adapter for mobile devices and a case.

Photo: official website seelectronics

sE Electronics KLS 150 will be available for $170.

SSL Bus Comp Classic — an analogue VCA compressor

19 October 2026

Solid State Logic has released a two-channel VCA compressor in a classic 1U format. It offers the original sound associated with the FX384 and 4000-series consoles, with additional modern features.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The device uses THAT 2181 chips and has classic Threshold, Attack, Ratio, Release, Make-Up and SC HPF controls. Its main new feature is the continuously variable VCA Drive control. At the fully left position, the circuit operates in a fully balanced mode, giving a transparent, open sound and fast transient response in the style of modern SuperAnalogue 9000-series consoles. Turning the knob right moves the preamplifiers into unbalanced operation and gradually adds harmonic saturation. The effect ranges from subtle console-style colour to the dense, aggressive character of early 4K models.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The compressor has stepped six-position controls, SSL's programme-dependent Auto Release mode and a dedicated stereo External Side-Chain input. The sturdy steel enclosure has a classic VU meter. A universal power supply automatically adapts to mains voltages around the world. The rear panel has balanced left/right XLR inputs and outputs, plus two additional connectors for the stereo sidechain.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

SSL Bus Comp Classic will be available for $1,800.

IK Multimedia ARC Studio+ — a standalone monitor room-correction system

16 October 2026

IK Multimedia has announced its flagship room-calibration interface. The new model develops the idea of the original compact device. It offers fully independent studio monitor calibration without requiring a computer, along with more professional features.

Photo: official website ikmultimedia

A dedicated ARC MIC XLR microphone input is on the rear panel. Users can connect the supplied measurement microphone directly to the hardware and start a quick one- or three-point room calibration using the front-panel controls. The processor analyses the room's acoustic response and saves the resulting filter profile in internal memory. Updated ARC X software is included for more detailed three-dimensional analysis using 21 measurement points.

Photo: official website ikmultimedia

Connections include two XLR/TRS combo inputs, a pair of XLR outputs, a dedicated TRS subwoofer output, optical S/PDIF input and output, and USB-C. Automatic Subwoofer Integration aligns phase, delay, level and the crossover point between the main speakers and subwoofer during calibration. Three front-panel SCENE buttons instantly switch between profiles for the engineer's position, a client's sofa or simulated playback systems such as cars, clubs and smartphones. Optical connections allow an entirely digital signal path without extra analogue-to-digital conversion. The hardware takes all correction processing off the computer's CPU during mixing.

Photo: official website ikmultimedia

IK Multimedia ARC Studio+ will be available for $450.

Behringer Jam — a compact MIDI/USB keyboard

15 October 2026

Behringer has released a 32-key controller with advanced features for controlling hybrid setups, virtual instruments and analogue equipment.

Photo: official website behringer

The new model has 32 compact mini keys with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch. A 64-step sequencer offers eight-note polyphony, step note entry, Rest, Tie and Legato options, ratcheting and gate randomisation. For live performance, Chord Play stores chords of up to 16 notes, and the multimode arpeggiator offers eight playback styles.

Photo: official website behringer

The device has four assignable encoders and two touch strips for pitch and modulation. Power comes from the USB-C bus or an external DC adapter. CV/Gate connections use standard 3.5 mm sockets, with Pitch CV, Gate and Mod CV outputs for modular synthesizers. Other connections include Sync In/Out, full-size five-pin MIDI I/O for hardware synthesizers and drum machines, two USB-C ports for class-compliant computer connection and standalone power, and a standard sustain pedal input.

Photo: official website behringer

Behringer Jam will be available for $90.

MOTU OctaLite — a USB audio interface and optical expander

13 October 2026

MOTU has announced a compact multichannel audio interface in a half-rack format, offering 16 inputs and 12 outputs. The new model suits both mobile recording and ADAT expansion of existing studio setups.

Photo: official website motu

The device has a sturdy steel half-rack enclosure, low-noise Burr-Brown operational amplifiers and ESS Sabre32 converters using the ES9026PRO chip. Its main feature is eight full XLR/TRS combo microphone, line and instrument inputs in a portable enclosure: two on the front and six on the rear. There is also a TRS headphone output with an independent level control, a pair of TRS monitor outputs, USB-C and three optical ports: ADAT or TOSLink input/output and an SMUX 5–8 output. Each channel has +48 V phantom power and a -20 dB pad. The preamplifiers offer up to +74 dB gain and an equivalent input noise of -129 dBu.

Photo: official website motu

MOTU OctaLite specifications

• Dynamic range: 115 dB (microphone input), 125 dB (line output), 118 dB (headphone output);
• THD+N: -114 dB (0.0002%);
• Round-trip latency (RTL): 2 ms (32-sample buffer at 96 kHz);
• Weight: 1.36 kg.

Other features include a built-in DSP mixer and audio effects, three virtual mixer buses and dedicated loopback channels for streaming and podcasts. A bright OLED display shows signal levels clearly. CueMix 5 software provides remote control of all routing settings.

Photo: official website motu

The interface comes with an external 15 V power supply, MOTU Performer Lite and Ableton Live Lite licences, and a 6 GB sample pack from developers including Big Fish Audio, LucidSamples and Loopmasters. It supports class-compliant operation with macOS, Windows and iOS. The Coupler Kit allows two OctaLite units, or an OctaLite together with UltraLite-mk5 , to sit side by side in one standard 19-inch rack unit (1U), providing 16 microphone channels.

Photo: official website motu

MOTU OctaLite will be available for $850.

EVE Audio and Arturia announce a partnership

12 October 2026

EVE Audio and Arturia have officially launched a strategic partnership. The companies are offering ready-made bundles of speakers and music creation software.

Photo: official website eve-audio

A joint promotion is central to the partnership. From 1 October to 31 December 2026, anyone buying a pair of EVE Audio monitors from an authorised dealer receives a free 12-month licence for the flagship software package Arturia FX Collection 6 Pro. The annual subscription normally costs $500, but is included free in this partner promotion.

Photo: official website eve-audio

The promotion covers the German brand's full active speaker range, from EVE Audio EXO models to large SC-series studio monitors. The software bundle includes 39 plugins and more than 1,000 presets, covering compressors, preamplifier emulations, saturators, filters, delays and reverbs. The licence is delivered automatically through the user's account on the manufacturer's website.

Photo: official website eve-audio

To claim the gift, buy a pair of monitors during the promotion and register their serial numbers on the EVE Audio website. An activation key for the Arturia plugins will then be sent by email.

Photo: official website eve-audio

More information is available on the official website EVE Audio.

ADAM Audio Sub8 PRO — an active studio subwoofer with DSP

9 October 2026

ADAM Audio has expanded its professional bass speaker range with a studio subwoofer featuring a full DSP processor. It is designed to extend the low-frequency response of A-series monitors.

Photo: official website adam-audio

The new model has a sturdy MDF cabinet designed to resist vibration and resonance, with a front bass-reflex port. A key feature is ADAM Control network integration, which allows remote adjustment of every subwoofer parameter over Ethernet. The built-in DSP also supports Sonarworks SoundID Reference calibration filters. Users can measure their room with a measurement microphone and load the correction profile directly into the subwoofer's DSP.

ADAM Audio Sub8 PRO specifications

• Phase settings: 0°, -45°, 90°, -135°, -180°, -225°, -270°, -315°;
• Maximum sound pressure level: 105 dB SPL;
• Frequency range: 26–300 Hz (-6 dB);
• Amplifier power: 325 W RMS (peak);
• Low-pass filter settings: 70, 85, 100 and 115 Hz;
• Weight: 15.3 kg.

Photo: official website adam-audio

The subwoofer has an 8-inch fibre-reinforced paper composite woofer with a flexible rubber surround for accurate transients and low harmonic distortion. A strong steel grille protects the driver. An efficient Class D amplifier is rated at 325 W RMS peak power. The crossover has four fixed frequencies: 70, 85, 100 and 115 Hz. Three modes are available: Stereo, LFE for Dolby Atmos systems, and full-range Wide mode. Connections include balanced analogue XLR/TRS combo inputs, XLR outputs, AES3 digital audio and a bypass footswitch socket.

Photo: official website adam-audio

ADAM Audio Sub8 PRO is available for $1,000.

Audient Horizon 32 — a flagship Thunderbolt 3 audio interface

8 October 2026

Following the release of the 16, Audient has expanded its Horizon studio interface range with a 50-input, 50-output model. The new interface is designed for large commercial studios, broadcast facilities and extensive multichannel setups handling dense audio projects.

Photo: official website audient

The interface uses a 1U rack enclosure with passive, fanless cooling. The main change from the smaller models is twice the analogue connectivity. Eight rear-panel DB25 connectors provide simultaneous access to 32 line inputs and 32 line outputs for mixing consoles or racks of external analogue processing. Like the Horizon 16, it has no front-panel audio connections. The rear panel also provides a dedicated Stereo Mix-Bus for direct recording of the final summed mix, independent TRS monitor outputs, 16 channels of ADAT I/O expansion and BNC Word Clock connections.

Photo: official website audient

The device allows precise manual calibration of the reference level to analogue equipment standards of +18 dBu and +24 dBu. Dynamic range reaches 133 dB. The high-speed Thunderbolt 3 bus allows up to four Horizon interfaces to be daisy-chained. This expands the studio system to 200 × 200 inputs and outputs under a single macOS driver.

Photo: official website audient

Horizon Control software operates the device, routing and extensive monitoring section, including mono, polarity inversion and Dim functions. Round-trip latency when recording through native plugins is 0.99 ms at 32-bit/192 kHz. The circuitry uses ESS ES9823PRO and ES9039 converters, ultra-low-noise OPA1602/OPA1612 operational amplifiers and hybrid PLL circuits for hardware jitter suppression.

Photo: official website audient

Audient Horizon 32 is available for $4,300.

Arturia AstroLab 2.0 — a major firmware update for stage instruments

7 October 2026

Arturia has released the free 2.0 firmware update for AstroLab stage USB/MIDI keyboards. The update adds more sound design options directly from the hardware panel.

Photo: official website arturia

The main addition is Sound Edit mode, which gives access to internal synthesis parameters without a computer. Settings such as envelopes, filters and glide are now arranged across display menu pages and automatically assigned to the four macro knobs.

Photo: official website arturia

The update also adds more than 60 preset sounds, including Pure Grand Clean, an acoustic grand piano with eight velocity layers, plus extra brass, string and bass instruments. Other improvements cover the sample engine algorithms and Synthx V polyphony, display of the current transposition on the octave LEDs, aftertouch response, more stable synchronisation with Analog Lab desktop software and easier update installation.

Photo: official website shure

The 2.0 firmware update is available as a free download for owners of the AstroLab 37, 61 and 88. The update runs semi-automatically through Analog Lab when the keyboard is connected to a computer. More information is available on the official website Arturia.

Shure MV6 Gen 2 — a dynamic USB microphone for gamers and streamers

6 October 2026

Shure has released the second generation of its popular desktop USB microphone. Designed for gamers, streamers and content creators, it offers more digital audio processing options without an external audio interface.

Photo: official website shure

The new model has a cardioid dynamic capsule and Shure's Voice Isolation Technology to reduce unwanted noise in untreated rooms. The main improvement is greater manual control of the built-in DSP. Unlike the original version, the updated automatic gain mode lets users set the target speech level and response speed. The Real-Time Denoiser now has continuous adjustment of noise reduction strength to help preserve natural voice tone. Digital Popper Stopper remains included to reduce plosive consonants without an external pop filter.

Photo: official website shure

Other features include a five-band parametric equalizer and three processing presets for speech, vocals and instruments, configured through the Shure MOTIV app. There is a touch-sensitive mute button with LED indication and a standard 3.5 mm headphone output. Plug-and-play compatibility covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

Photo: official website shure

The microphone has a sturdy die-cast zinc alloy body. A new white finish is available alongside classic black. The package includes a stable desktop stand, a 2 m USB-C cable and an adapter for a standard 5/8-inch threaded mount.

Photo: official website shure

Shure MV6 Gen 2 is available for $170.

Wes Audio ngOmniBox — an analogue processor for mixing and mastering

5 October 2026

Wes Audio has released a versatile stereo mastering processor that combines a complete analogue final-processing chain with digital control.

Photo: official website wesaudio

The 2U rack device has a fully analogue signal path, Total Recall for instant settings recall, and parameter automation directly from a DAW through VST, AAX and AU plugins. The ngOmniBox contains five independent processing sections, each of which can be enabled or fully bypassed: a two-band passive inductor equalizer, a stereo bus compressor with flexible timing and parallel compression, a harmonic saturator, an analogue clipper and a Stereo Width module. The equalizer and compressor can also change places in the signal chain.

Photo: official website wesaudio

Other features include an adjustable input high-pass filter, plus stereo input and output inserts that operate in stereo or Mid/Side mode for connecting external rack equipment. An A/B/C system instantly compares three independent settings configurations. A full-colour front-panel LCD shows current settings clearly, while USB and Ethernet provide remote software control on macOS and Windows.

Photo: official website wesaudio

Wes Audio ngOmniBox is available for $4,000.

Austrian Audio OC616 — a studio condenser microphone with multiple polar patterns

3 October 2026

Austrian Audio has introduced a large-diaphragm microphone that combines the flexibility of its flagship models with a simple workflow.

Photo: official website austrian

The OC616 has a 1-inch CKR12 capsule with a ceramic insulator for high temperature stability and consistent performance in stereo recording. Its bright, clear and well-defined sound helps vocals and instruments fit into a mix without extensive EQ. Open Acoustic Technology eliminates internal sound reflections within the steel protective grille. A conventional analogue XLR connector provides the output.

Photo: official website austrian

Five polar patterns are selectable on the body: cardioid, hypercardioid, wide cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-eight. A three-position high-pass filter, with cutoff settings of 40, 80 and 160 Hz, reduces stage rumble and proximity effect. A two-step pad offers -10 dB and -20 dB attenuation.

Austrian Audio OC616 specifications

• Maximum sound pressure level: 147 dB; 157 dB with pad
• Dynamic range: 134 dB
• Frequency range: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa
• Equivalent noise level: 13 dB
• Impedance: 108 ohms
• Weight: 345 g.

Photo: official website austrian

The product has a sturdy all-metal body and comes in an expanded Studio Set. Alongside the microphone, the package includes an OCS6 elastic shock mount, a rigid OCH8 plastic microphone clip and an MSC616 semi-rigid travel case for safe transport.

Photo: official website austrian

Austrian Audio OC616 is available for $750.

sE Electronics V8 — a flagship dynamic microphone for live performance

2 October 2026

sE Electronics has introduced a premium handheld stage vocal microphone with a new capsule design and strong isolation of the performer's voice.

The new model has an updated DMCV8 supercardioid dynamic capsule, providing detailed treble, even midrange and full bass. The design helps vocals stand out in a mix without heavy EQ or drastic frequency cuts. Its narrow supercardioid pattern rejects off-axis stage sound, giving high gain before feedback even in very noisy live environments. A conventional gold-plated analogue XLR connector provides the output.

sE Electronics V8 specifications

• Type: dynamic
• Polar pattern: supercardioid
• Frequency range: 25 Hz–21 kHz
• Impedance: 300 ohms
• Sensitivity: -53 dBV
• Weight: 340 g.

Photo: official website seelectronics

An internal shock mount greatly reduces handling noise. A bevelled, multi-sided ring around the grille stops the V8 from rolling on flat surfaces. The capsule is also designed for integration with third-party wireless transmitters. The microphone has a sturdy all-metal body with a wear-resistant matt finish.

Photo: official website seelectronics

The microphone has a protective spring-steel grille and comes in matt black or graphite grey. The package includes a soft branded travel pouch, a sturdy microphone clip with a threaded adapter, an internal foam windscreen and a microfibre cloth.

sE Electronics V8 is available for $200.

Yamaha UR12MK3 — a compact USB audio interface

2 October 2026

Yamaha has released the third generation of its popular affordable UR audio interface range. The two-channel UR12MK3 is the entry-level model for beginners.

Photo: official website yamaha

The interface has a sturdy all-metal enclosure and an input dynamic range of 106 dB. The main hardware change is a move to USB-C (USB 2.0), used for both computer data exchange and independent power. Inputs include one XLR/TRS combo microphone/line input with Yamaha's discrete UR Class-A preamplifier and 48 V phantom power, plus a separate high-impedance Hi-Z TRS input for instruments.

Photo: official website yamaha

Other features include a front-panel Mute button for instantly silencing the input, a separate USB-C power port for use with an iPhone or iPad, and a Direct Monitoring switch for zero-latency monitoring. There is built-in loopback, a pair of balanced TRS line outputs for monitors and a stereo headphone output sharing the main volume control. The interface is fully compatible with iOS and iPadOS devices.

Photo: official website yamaha

Available in black or white, the interface includes easy-to-use standalone MixKey routing software, Cubase AI for computers, Cubasis LE for mobile devices, and access to the expanded Steinberg Plus plugin and virtual instrument pack.

Photo: official website yamaha

Yamaha UR12MK3 is available for $120.

Universal Audio Volt 1 Gen 2 — a compact USB audio interface

1 October 2026

Universal Audio has announced the second generation of its popular affordable Volt audio interfaces, starting with the Volt 1 Gen 2.

Photo: official website uaudio

The main change is a move to 32-bit ADCs and DACs supporting sample rates up to 192 kHz, for greater dynamic range and headroom during conversion. The single XLR/TRS combo input has an improved Tone Shaping Preamp with up to 60 dB gain. The first version emulated only the tube stage of a UA 610 console. The new circuit offers three hardware sound-colouring modes: Warmth for tube saturation, Focus for a transistor character and Shine for a British Class A console effect.

Photo: official website uaudio

Other features include integration with the UAD Console virtual mixer and LUNA DAW, 48 V phantom power and built-in loopback for streaming and podcasts. Connections include a pair of balanced TRS monitor outputs, an independent studio-grade headphone amplifier and a Hi-Z TRS instrument input. USB-C supplies all power, with support for macOS, Windows, iPad and iPhone. The UAD Volt Studio Bundle includes 15 plugins, among them LA-2A and 1176 compressors and UAD Topline Vocal Tune.

Photo: official website uaudio

Universal Audio Volt 1 Gen 2 is available for $150.

Sennheiser HDB 630 Lunar Silver — flagship wireless closed-back headphones

30 September 2026

Sennheiser has released a premium full-size wireless audiophile headphone model in a Lunar Silver finish, with hybrid adaptive noise cancellation and a transparency mode.

Photo: official website sennheiser

Like the original version, the HDB 630 Lunar Silver uses 42 mm dynamic drivers for clear reproduction, detailed midrange and fast transient response. Crossfeed gently blends the left and right channels to create a natural stereo image and the acoustic feel of a mastering studio. Bluetooth 5.2 supports the aptX Adaptive codec. A USB-C transmitter is included for devices without native support for this standard. A conventional 3.5 mm analogue cable connection is also available.

Photo: official website sennheiser

Smart Control Plus software provides precise adjustment of the five-band parametric equalizer, crossfeed, ANC algorithms, wear sensor and preferred codecs, plus cloud sharing of user presets. Battery life is up to 60 hours per charge. Fast charging provides seven hours of playback from a 10-minute charge.

Photo: official website sennheiser

The ergonomic headband and soft earpads use durable Japanese synthetic leather from IDEATEX. The outer earcups have a deep matt Lunar Silver coating. The package includes a protective travel case, USB-C cable, detachable 3.5 mm analogue cable, splitter adapter and compact USB-C Bluetooth transmitter.

Photo: official website sennheiser

Sennheiser HDB 630 Lunar Silver is available for $500.

Audient Horizon 16 — a Thunderbolt 3 audio interface

29 September 2026

Following the 8P , Audient has expanded its flagship Horizon audio interface range with the Horizon 16, designed for modern hybrid studios.

Photo: official website audient

The new interface offers 34 inputs and 34 outputs for extensive integration of external analogue equipment. Unlike the 8P, it has no built-in microphone preamplifiers and focuses entirely on line-level connections. Four DB25 connectors provide 16 line inputs and 16 line outputs for permanent connection of external compressors and equalizers. The rear panel also has a dedicated pair of balanced TRS Stereo Mix-Bus inputs, TRS monitor outputs and 16 channels of ADAT I/O expansion.

Photo: official website audient

The product offers switchable reference levels of +18 dBu and +24 dBu, a dynamic range of 133 dB and expansion to four interfaces in one system. Up to 200 × 200 inputs and outputs can run under one macOS driver. Routing settings can be saved in software and recalled instantly for previous sessions. The dedicated application provides independent polarity inversion and digital attenuation for each of the 16 analogue channels.

Photo: official website audient

Horizon Control software acts as an advanced virtual matrix mixer. Round-trip latency is 0.99 ms at 192 kHz with a 64-sample buffer. The hardware uses flagship 32-bit ESS ES9823PRO and ES9039 converters, ultra-low-noise OPA1602 and OPA1612 operational amplifiers for accurate transient reproduction, and hybrid analogue/digital PLL circuits for jitter suppression. Rear-panel BNC Word Clock inputs and outputs provide external synchronisation with signal termination.

Photo: official website audient

Audient Horizon 16 will be available for $3,500.

SWAUDIO V76 — a modular studio microphone

28 September 2026

SWAUDIO has announced its flagship microphone for precise recording of overheads, percussion, hi-hats and acoustic instruments, both on stage and in the studio.

Photo: official website simplewayaudio

The model's main feature is the integration of advanced circuitry from SWAUDIO's discrete preamplifiers directly inside the microphone body. An analogue stage provides clean, wide-band +10 dB gain immediately after the capsule. Total harmonic distortion stays at thousandths of a percent. The signal path has a bandwidth of up to 350 kHz and a level capability of up to 4 V peak-to-peak. This preserves strong attacks, small dynamic changes and fine decay details without phase artefacts.

Photo: official website simplewayaudio

The microphone uses photovoltaic optocouplers to produce a fully isolated, stable capsule polarisation voltage. Its modular design includes three compact, quick-change capsules with low capacitance of 58–59 pF. These provide cardioid, supercardioid and omnidirectional patterns. Sensitivity ranges from 34 to 46 mV/Pa, depending on the capsule.

Photo: official website simplewayaudio

The microphone is available to pre-order as a starter set with one cardioid capsule or as a full set with cardioid, supercardioid and omnidirectional capsules. More information is available on the official website SWAUDIO.

Antares Auto-Tune Advanced — a flagship automatic vocal pitch-correction plugin

26 September 2026

Antares has released Auto-Tune Advanced. The plugin uses an automatic tuning algorithm rewritten from scratch and offers a different workflow for studio production.

Photo: official website antarestech

The main addition is patented DVA (Dynamic Vibrato Alignment) technology, which detects and preserves the singer's natural vibrato. The DVA engine allows the fastest Retune Speed settings without turning natural singing into a robotic effect. It keeps the original dynamics and details of the vocal performance. A built-in analyser in the modulation section shows vibrato behaviour in real time. A creative Vibrato FX section can also generate artificial vibrato using four waveforms: sine, square, sawtooth and triangle.

Photo: official website antarestech

Another major improvement is the updated Live mode for performance and monitoring during recording. Processing latency drops to 0.84 ms at 44.1 kHz, avoiding timing mismatch in the performer's headphones. Two rendering modes are available: Low Latency for recording with a small buffer, and High Quality for maximum processing precision during final mixing. An updated Formant Designer adjusts vocal tone and formants, alongside custom scale editing and a 78-key virtual keyboard. MIDI Perform maps plugin parameters to physical knobs on an external MIDI controller for manual automation during mixing. The software includes a large preset bank created by Grammy winners, including Julian Marley and Ann Mincieli.

Photo: official website antarestech

Antares Auto-Tune Advanced is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS, priced at $450.

Edifier MR5 — active three-way studio monitors

24 September 2026

Edifier has expanded its nearfield speaker range with the three-way MR5. The new model is designed for home studios and offers much clearer reproduction in the important midrange region.

Photo: official website edifier

Unlike the smaller two-way MR4.5, the larger model has a full three-way design with separate amplification for each frequency band (tri-amping). The pair uses two 5-inch woofers, two 3.75-inch midrange drivers and two 1-inch silk-dome tweeters. The tweeters sit in recessed waveguides to widen the effective listening area. The high-density MDF cabinets have rear bass-reflex ports. Built-in Class D amplifiers, DSP and a three-way crossover provide a total output of 110 W RMS.

Photo: official website edifier

Edifier MR5 specifications

• Maximum sound pressure level: 101 dB SPL;
• Frequency range: 46 Hz–20 kHz;
• Amplifier power: 30 W + 30 W (bass), 15 W + 15 W (midrange), 10 W + 10 W (treble);
• Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥89 dB(A);
• Codecs: LDAC, SBC;
• Pair weight: 10.38 kg.

The monitors have both Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. Built-in Bluetooth 6.0 supports the high-bitrate LDAC codec and simultaneous connection of two sources. Physical connections include professional balanced XLR and 6.35 mm TRS inputs, unbalanced RCA inputs, an AUX input and a front-panel headphone output. Rear-panel tone controls and detailed parametric adjustment through the Edifier ConneX mobile app help compensate for room acoustics.

Photo: official website edifier

Edifier MR5 is available in black or white for $350.

Neumann KK 104 A and KK 105 A — replacement capsules for Sennheiser wireless systems

24 September 2026

Neumann has released new interchangeable condenser capsules for wireless vocal systems, designed for concert and studio use.

Photo: official website neumann

The KK 104 A has a cardioid capsule for consistent rejection of off-axis sound. The KK 105 A uses a supercardioid pattern with a narrower front pickup angle. This provides stronger isolation of the voice from stage instruments and high resistance to feedback.

Neumann KK 104 A and KK 105 A specifications

• Maximum sound pressure level: 154 dB
• Frequency range: 40 Hz–20 kHz
• Dynamic range: 132 dB
• Sensitivity: 3 mV/Pa
• Weight: 187 g.

Photo: official website neumann

The new capsules have a multi-layer metal grille with built-in wind and pop protection. This protects the diaphragm from plosives and moisture while preserving clear treble. Their mechanical design reduces handling noise transmitted through the structure. The capsules are fully compatible with the standard threaded connectors on Sennheiser handheld transmitters, including Spectera, EW-D, EW-DX and Digital 6000/9000 systems.

Photo: official website neumann

Neumann KK 104 A and KK 105 A will be available in black and nickel finishes in late September 2026. Prices have not yet been announced.

MOTU Digital Performer 12 — an updated version of the professional DAW

23 September 2026

MOTU has released version 12 of its digital audio workstation. The update improves both creative and technical aspects of music production and mixing, including immersive Dolby Atmos mixing.

Photo: official website motu

Any sound source, whether an audio clip, effect or virtual instrument, can now be placed in a multichannel 3D space. Up to 128 channels can be positioned freely within the three-dimensional sound field. Monitoring configurations up to 9.1.6 and binaural headphone monitoring are supported. A built-in AI stem separation engine can extract vocals, drums, bass, guitar, strings or brass from a finished stereo audio file.

Photo: official website motu

The new Arrangement Strip is a flexible editing tool for changing song structure by dragging coloured blocks representing song sections. Changes apply globally to all channels, and gaps between sections are easy to create. Other improvements include one-click Enhanced Track Freeze; MusicXML support for notation software such as Dorico, Sibelius and MuseScore; and Track Presets for saving individual channels' plugin and I/O routing settings. Ready-made presets cover vocals, drums, bass, guitar and other instruments.

Photo: official website motu

MOTU Digital Performer 12 is available for $500. Users who bought DP11 or upgraded to it on or after 1 May 2026 are eligible for a free DP12 licence.

LEWITT LW6 — wireless closed-back studio headphones

23 September 2026

LEWITT has released its first full-size wireless headphones. According to the manufacturer, the model is designed specifically for professional studio mixing, mastering and monitoring.

Photo: official website lewitt-audio

The new model uses LEWITT's RealSound wireless technology. Unlike Bluetooth, RealSound operates in an ultra-wideband frequency range from 6.8 to 10.2 GHz, depending on the region. This provides much more bandwidth than Bluetooth and carries uncompressed PCM audio at 1,728 kbit/s with 5.8 ms latency.

Photo: official website lewitt-audio

The headphones pair with a compact LW TX transmitter. It connects to the same socket normally used for wired headphones, for example on an audio interface, or directly to a computer through USB-C. Within a 5 m range, audio is transmitted without compression or noticeable delay. The LW6 has 40 mm dynamic drivers with biocellulose diaphragms, memory-foam earpads and a silicone headband.

Photo: official website lewitt-audio

Built-in DSP includes a five-band equalizer for creating sound profiles and saving them in the device. A single button switches profiles without connecting to a computer or smartphone. Virtual Studio Monitors simulates an acoustically treated mixing room. Loudness Guard protects hearing against dangerous peak levels by allowing a user-set limit. Advanced monitoring functions check audio in mono, side-stereo and side-mono modes and swap left and right channels directly in the headphones.

Photo: official website lewitt-audio

LEWITT LW6 specifications

• Type: closed-back, dynamic
• Maximum sound pressure level: 121 dB
• Frequency range: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 114 dB
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Dimensions: 22 × 18.9 × 8.6 cm
• Weight: 358 g without cable.

Other features include two customisable buttons with single- and double-press actions, and control software for computers and smartphones. A transmitter thread adapter secures the LW TX to microphone stands. Battery life in RealSound mode is up to 21 hours, with a full charge taking 80 minutes; a 15-minute charge provides three hours of use. USB-C charging is possible while listening. Wired options include a USB-C audio interface connection with an ASIO driver and a 3.5 mm analogue input. Bluetooth 5.3 supports SBC and AAC. The included Space Replicator Essential plugin simulates real listening spaces, from high-end mixing studios and clubs to car interiors.

Photo: official website lewitt-audio

LEWITT LW6 is available for $700.