January 2026

Steinberg WaveLab 13 – mixing and mastering software

31 January 2026

Steinberg is introducing updated audio editing software with many new features.

Photo: official website steinberg

Version 13 offers Master and Album Audio Montage functions for more precise and easier completion of immersive projects. Master simplifies ADM file import and editing, applying processing, normalization and re-rendering while preserving spatial object information. Album helps organize multiple ADM files into a complete album master. Users can view clips in formats from stereo to 9.1.6, and the display can update automatically to match the Dolby Atmos renderer.

Photo: official website steinberg

Other features include loudness and TruePeak normalization across multiple ADM files; A/B comparison; multicore processor support for simultaneous Audio Montage tasks; and an updated MasterRig 2 plug-in suite with new processing modules, sidechain support and an improved interface. VocalChain is designed for vocal and speech processing. Audio can be routed directly to track plug-ins with sidechain support. Color coding helps users navigate clips and tracks. The update also adds expanded VST 3 compatibility, Pitch Shifter and Underwater plug-ins, interface scaling, instant plug-in removal and more.

Photo: official website steinberg

Steinberg WaveLab 13 supports Windows 10 or later and macOS 15 or later. The Pro version is available for $500, while Elements costs $100.

HEDD Audio Type 20 A-Core – three-way studio monitors

31 January 2026

HEDD Audio is expanding the analog A-Core series with an active seven-inch monitor for near- and mid-field use.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

The product has a strong matte-black MDF enclosure, a 7-inch woofer, a 4-inch mid/low-frequency driver, an AMT tweeter and ICE Power Class D amplifiers with a total power of 300 W. The new monitor provides deep, clear sound across the frequency range. HEDD's analog filter board allows each monitor to be tuned for the most natural sound. Controls include a standby switch, a volume knob and continuously adjustable HF/LF EQ (±6 dB) to suit the room and user preferences. Inputs include a balanced XLR/TRS combo connector and an unbalanced RCA connector.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

HEDD Audio Type 20 A-Core specifications

• Maximum SPL: 120 dB
• Amplifier power: 3 × 300 W
• Frequency range: 32 Hz – 40 kHz
• Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz / 3200 Hz
• Dimensions: 28 × 35.8 × 33.8 cm
• Weight: 15.4 kg per monitor.

Photo: official website hedd.audio

The HEDD Audio Type 20 A-Core will be available in mid-February 2026 for about $4000 per pair.

Austrian Audio OC-B6 and DMK1 – kick drum microphone and drum microphone kit

30 January 2026

Austrian Audio is releasing a large-diaphragm condenser microphone for use inside or outside a kick drum, along with a complete versatile drum microphone kit.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

The OC-B6 combines a large-diaphragm capsule with an extremely compact, stage-ready design. The microphone handles SPLs up to 170 dB while providing clean, natural and highly detailed sound. The new model uses a CKR6-B capsule designed for extreme sound pressure levels. The capsule doubles the distance between the diaphragm and electrode and has a lower tuned resonant frequency.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

Austrian Audio OC-B6 specifications

• Maximum SPL: 170 dB
• Frequency range: 18 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 0.8 mV/Pa
• Impedance: 108 ohms
• Weight: 280 g.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

A dedicated subsonic filter removes content below 18 Hz, reducing infrasound that could otherwise use up available mix headroom. The microphone has an integrated thread for direct stand mounting and Austrian Audio's swivel joint with 220° rotation for flexible, precise positioning on any kick drum. The complete DMK1 drum microphone kit is designed for studio and live use. The kit includes one OC-B6, two OC18, one CC8, three OC7, one OD5, four DPH12 drum mounts, and windscreens for the OC18 and CC8.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

The Austrian Audio OC-B6 will be available for $600, and the DMK1 kit will cost $5000.

miniDSP Tide16 – 16-channel AV processor with DSP

30 January 2026

miniDSP is introducing an immersive AV-DSP device based on a quad-core ARM processor. The product is suitable for home theaters, professional studios and audiophile systems.

Photo: official website minidsp

The new model supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and includes a complete set of Dirac Research room correction tools. Dirac Live (RC), Bass Control (BC) and Active Room Treatment (ART) licenses are included at no extra cost. The product decodes up to 16 channels from HDMI, depending on speaker layout and Atmos/DTS:X content. Three HDMI inputs are provided, along with eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for sources played through an eARC-compatible television.

Photo: official website minidsp

The processor has many stereo inputs, including USB ports, RCA and XLR analog inputs, Bluetooth with LDAC and APTX HD, and four coaxial/optical S/PDIF digital inputs. Tide16 specifications state a low noise and distortion level of 127 dB and THD+N of -118 dB (0.0001%). A color OLED display (1080p) and IR remote control are included. Configuration and control are also available through the web interface and miniDSP Device Console (DC).

Photo: official website minidsp

The standard miniDSP Tide16 package will be available for $3500.

Warm Audio Retro 64 – studio dynamic microphone

29 January 2026

Warm Audio is releasing a versatile vintage-style microphone for vocals, guitar cabinets, snare drums, toms and other acoustic instruments.

Photo: official website warmaudio

The microphone is based on the Electro-Voice 664 from the 1950s and has a specially tuned dynamic capsule. The capsule provides clear upper mids while reducing excess highs to limit feedback and harshness. The new model also offers effective noise rejection and off-axis control for work in noisy environments. An internal shock absorber protects the capsule from handling noise and general stage vibration. The product comes with a rigid mount and an EVA foam case.

Photo: official website warmaudio

Warm Audio Retro 64 specifications

• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Maximum SPL: 135 dB
• Frequency response: 50 Hz – 18 kHz
• Sensitivity: -56 dB
• Weight: about 700 g.

Photo: official website warmaudio

The Warm Audio Retro 64 is available in black and chrome finishes for $150.

Solid State Logic SSL Origin Evo – large-format analog mixing console

29 January 2026

Solid State Logic is introducing an inline console with E Series dynamics, available in 16- or 32-channel versions.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The product supports up to 84 inputs during mixing. The console combines SSL PureDrive microphone preamps with up to 70 dB of gain, the well-known E Series Black Knob 242 EQ, authentic E Series dynamics and a master section with an improved bus compressor. High-pass and low-pass filters can process the channel signal directly or feed the new dynamics section's sidechain. Each E Series compressor has a Link function that sends the sidechain to neighboring channels, allowing several consecutive channels to be linked. The dynamics section also has a true-RMS sidechain detector and a fully discrete gain reduction stage identical to the Class A VCA circuit.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The new console includes the well-known SSL bus compressor with extra ratio settings, a built-in sidechain filter and insert/return connections for external processing. A modular 19-inch rackmount center section supports different console configurations, provides space for extra outboard processors and can accommodate an SSL UF8 or UF1DAW controller. The Stereo Group fader module can be moved higher in the center section to place a UF8/UF1 in the lower space, directly in front of the engineer. The central 3U meter panel can also be moved, allowing screens to sit closer to the user without blocking the main meters.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

Other features include two stereo cue buses, four mono buses and 16 track buses; sound ranging from Ultra-Clean to Warm and Drive; Compressor/Limiter and Expander/Gate; classic and logarithmic Release modes; an 18 dB/octave high-pass filter and a 12 dB/octave low-pass filter; SF/LF routing; four-band parametric EQ; HF/LF bell/shelf switching; dedicated HMF and LMF Q controls; integrated DAW control with UF8 or UF1; and more.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The Solid State Logic SSL Origin Evo is available to order for about $50000 for the 16-channel model and about $75000 for the 32-channel version.

Sontronics ZETA – large-diaphragm condenser microphone

28 January 2026

Sontronics is introducing a studio microphone for vocals, voice-over and acoustic instruments.

Photo: official website sontronics

The new microphone has a highly sensitive JFET circuit that provides fine detail, natural dynamics and very low self-noise of about 9 dBA. This combination allows clean, low-noise recording of various sound sources. The microphone is designed as a versatile studio tool, connects through XLR and provides smooth highs, clear mids and accurate bass.

Photo: official website sontronics

Sontronics ZETA specifications

• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Maximum SPL: 125 dB
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Equivalent noise level: 9 dB
• Sensitivity: 33 mV/Pa
• Impedance: ≤200 ohms
• Weight: 0.68 kg.

Photo: official website sontronics

The Sontronics ZETA will be available for about $1200.

Roland GO:MIXER STUDIO – compact mixer and USB audio interface

28 January 2026

Roland is releasing a portable mixer/audio interface that supports macOS, Windows and iOS devices.

Photo: official website roland

The mixer has 12 input and six output channels, 16 memory slots for complete mixer settings, and simultaneous recording from several sources. Built-in studio-grade processing includes three-band EQ, compression and reverb. Effects can be recorded or used only for monitoring. Power comes from the connected mobile device or computer, an external adapter or a USB battery. Separate USB-C ports are provided for device connection and power.

Photo: official website roland

The new model has two XLR microphone/line inputs with wide-range microphone preamps, a dedicated guitar/bass input, 6.3 mm stereo inputs for instruments and a TRRS-compatible stereo AUX input for bidirectional audio with mobile devices. Other connections include USB-C, 3.5 mm MIDI I/O, 6.3 mm and mini-jack headphone outputs, and two 6.3 mm line outputs for monitors or PA systems, with level control from the front panel. The Roland GO:MIXER Cam application for iOS records multichannel audio directly with video. GO:MIXER Editor for macOS and Windows provides full parameter and session control on a larger screen.

Photo: official website roland

The Roland GO:MIXER STUDIO is available for $300.

Apogee Symphony Nova – USB audio interface with DSP

27 January 2026

Apogee is announcing a desktop audio interface with an extensive feature set.

Photo: official website apogeedigital

The device has four microphone inputs, each with dedicated DSP for latency-free processing during recording. All four inputs can be processed at once, applying consistent input processing to several sources without host-based plug-ins. Each input channel runs Apogee's ECS Channel Strip directly on the built-in DSP. The channel strip includes a newly developed four-band EQ, high-pass and low-pass filters, a compressor and a saturator. The new interface also offers real-time reverb and delay. All DSP processing runs entirely in hardware for zero-latency monitoring. Other features include real-time room correction on all analog outputs, direct import of SoundID headphone correction profiles into Nova, a built-in ADAT input and MIDI I/O.

The Apogee Symphony Nova is scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2026, priced at $1500.

Korg microAUDIO 22 – USB audio interface

27 January 2026

Korg is releasing its microAUDIO range of audio interfaces, starting with the compact 22 model.

Photo: official website korg

The new interface has two XLR/TRS combo microphone/line/instrument inputs, balanced TRS outputs, an assignable 6.3 mm headphone output and a USB-C port. Features include zero-latency direct monitoring, loopback, 48 V phantom power, Stereo Link for controlling both input channels with one knob, and a mono/stereo mix selector.

Photo: official website korg

The product includes Compressor, Limiter and Noise Gate processing on each channel. Bundled software includes Korg software, iZotope Ozone Elements, Ableton Live Lite and Filter Ark plug-ins. The interface can run on USB bus power or an optional USB power adapter.

Photo: official website korg

The Korg microAUDIO 22 is available for $200.

Beyerdynamic HEADPHONE LAB – studio headphone monitoring plug-in

26 January 2026

Beyerdynamic is releasing a free plug-in designed to bring the sound and spatial presentation of professional studio monitors to headphones.

Photo: official website beyerdynamic

The product supports macOS and Windows in VST3, AU and AAX formats. The plug-in emulates studio monitors by combining crossfeed processing with technology that accounts for frequency-dependent time and level differences between the ears. This method provides a more natural soundstage with better depth and localization than traditional headphone monitoring.

Photo: official website beyerdynamic

The new plug-in also includes calibration profiles for each supported Beyerdynamic headphone model. Standard calibration is available for all DT studio headphones, while factory calibration uses production measurements of the user's individual pair. Further controls include ear spacing and head circumference, virtual speaker angles of 40°, 60° or 80°, and optional room simulation. These settings help maintain a consistent reference sound in different working conditions.

Photo: official website beyerdynamic

HEADPHONE LAB is available as a free download from the official website Beyerdynamic.

Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini – versatile guitar processor

24 January 2026

Neural DSP is releasing an ultracompact version of its floor modeling processor for guitarists and bass players.

Photo: official website neuraldsp

The product uses the same processing methods, sound quality and Neural Capture technology as the original Quad Cortex, in a more portable enclosure measuring just 22.8 × 11.8 × 6.5 cm and weighing 1.5 kg. The new model fits more easily into pedalboards, desktop studios, small racks and suspended setups. The device has the same 7-inch touchscreen as the flagship, together with four stainless steel rotary footswitches for hands-on control.

Photo: official website neuraldsp

The Quad Cortex mini supports Neural Capture V1 and V2 for creating digital copies of amplifiers, cabinets, effects pedals, fuzz pedals and compressors. The processor includes more than 90 amplifiers, over 100 effects, 1000 impulse responses and 2000 captures. Cortex Cloud provides free access to thousands of additional community captures. The new model retains Preset, Scene, Stomp and Hybrid modes, Gig View, Focus and Pages systems, and Neural DSP plug-in compatibility. Presets and complete system backups can be transferred freely between the Quad Cortex mini and the original Quad Cortex, providing consistent operation across multiple devices.

Photo: official website neuraldsp

The new model can work as a 16-channel USB-C audio interface with eight inputs and eight outputs. A locking power connector provides a secure connection on stage. Connections include a combo instrument/microphone input with phantom power, balanced XLR outputs, TRS stereo send/return, MIDI over TRS and USB-C, and a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone output for quiet practice.

Photo: official website neuraldsp

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini is available for about $1300.

Audeze LCD-5s – flagship planar headphones

23 January 2026

Audeze is releasing full-size open-back headphones that improve on the popular LCD-5.

Photo: official website audeze

The new model has an updated 90 mm driver with a Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce diaphragm for accurate mids. SLAM technology provides a natural, open soundstage. The headphones use carbon fiber, magnesium, genuine leather and polished polymer acetate. The package includes a premium balanced four-pin XLR cable, a four-pin XLR to 6.3 mm adapter, a 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter and an aluminum transport case.

Photo: official website audeze

Audeze LCD-5s specifications

• Type: full-size, open-back
• Driver: planar magnetic
• Magnetic structure: Fluxor array
• Phase management: Fazor waveguides
• Acoustic management: SLAM
• Magnet type: N50 neodymium
• Diaphragm type: Nano-Scale Parallel Uniforce
• Driver size: 90 mm
• Maximum power handling: 5 W RMS
• Maximum SPL: >130 dB
• Frequency range: 5 Hz – 50 kHz
• THD: <0.1% at 100 dB
• Impedance: 30 ohms
• Sensitivity: 90 dB/1 mW
• Minimum required power: >100 mW
• Recommended power: >500 mW
• Weight: 475 g.

Photo: official website audeze

The LCD-5s ear pads have smooth, curved shapes to minimize audible reflections, improve accuracy and increase comfort. The product uses a high-quality cable specially designed with directional high-purity OCC copper conductors. The cable provides a low-capacitance, low-resistance signal path to preserve accuracy and clarity.

Photo: official website audeze

The Audeze LCD-5s is available for $4500.

PreSonus Studio One becomes Fender Studio Pro

22 January 2026

The well-known PreSonus DAW and interface ranges are being rebranded under the Fender Studio Pro name.

Photo: official website fender

Fender, which bought PreSonus in November 2021, is announcing that Studio One and the Quantum and AudioBox USB audio interface ranges will be sold under the Fender brand. Studio One software becomes Fender Studio Pro, while the hardware ranges become Fender Quantum and Fender AudioBox. Fender Studio Pro 8 has an updated interface, new built-in Fender amplifier and effects plug-ins, a redesigned channel overview, updated samplers, and AI audio-to-note conversion for sound layering combined with intelligent chord technology.

Photo: official website fender

The updated DAW includes well-known Fender amplifier and effects models, including Mustang and Rumble Native plug-ins. These provide 57 guitar and bass amplifier models and a hundred effects. Existing PreSonus customers will gain access to MyFender, which replaces MyPreSonus. The new platform will serve software and hardware customers as well as buyers of guitars, amplifiers and effects. PreSonus customers will continue to receive full support and updates.

Photo: official website fender

A perpetual Fender Studio Pro 8 license is available for about $200.

Austrian Audio The Arranger – open-back reference headphones

21 January 2026

Austrian Audio is releasing full-size headphones with a natural soundstage.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

The new headphones have 44 mm high-excursion drivers with DLC-coated diaphragms and the company's ring magnet. This design provides accurate impulse response, very low distortion and clean bass extension down to 5 Hz. The product has soft synthetic suede ear pads, a lightweight metal frame and a folding design with strong metal hinges.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

Austrian Audio The Arranger specifications

• Headphone type: open-back
• Frequency range: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
• Sensitivity: 110 dB
• Input power: 155 mW
• Impedance: 25 ohms
• THD: <0.1%
• Weight: 320 g without cable.

The ear pads and headband are replaceable. A symmetrical four-pin connector is provided with a TRS cable. Optional balanced cables include 4.4 mm Pentaconn and five-pin XLR versions.

Photo: official website austrian.audio

Austrian Audio The Arranger will be available in February 2026 for about $1000.

Solid State Logic SSL UMD192 – MADI/Dante audio interface

20 January 2026

Solid State Logic is releasing a digital device with rugged Ethernet ports, two primary and two secondary, for high-quality live sound, broadcasting and professional studios.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The product provides up to 192 channels and bidirectional audio transfer between any two formats: MADI, Dante and USB. Users can connect several MADI devices to a Dante network or record and play large channel counts over USB 3.0. A split of the audio signal can be sent to the third format. The new device offers full Dante AoIP compatibility with AES67 and ST 2110 support (with DDM), Dante latency as low as 0.25 ms, and synchronization to either MADI or Dante.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The interface has six pairs of MADI BNC connectors. In redundant mode, these provide three redundant MADI connections for critical broadcast and live applications. The device supports AC, Ethernet PoE or USB power and can complement System T, Harrison 32Classic, Oracle and Origin consoles. The UMD192 works directly with macOS Core Audio without additional drivers. Windows requires the SSL ASIO driver, available free from the Solid State Logic support portal. The ASIO drivers support multiple clients, allowing several ASIO applications to access the interface at once.

Photo: official website solidstatelogic

The Solid State Logic SSL UMD192 will be available in February 2026 for $3300.

AKG C104 – large-diaphragm condenser microphone

19 January 2026

AKG is releasing the C microphone series for professional audio capture by modern content creators, starting with the C104 cardioid model.

Photo: official website akg

The microphone has a wide frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and high detail, making the model suitable for musicians, podcasters, YouTubers and streamers. The product has a 22 mm electret condenser diaphragm and a transformerless FET circuit for very low self-noise of 14 dB. The body is made entirely from recycled PIR metals and alloys.

Photo: official website akg

AKG C104 specifications

• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Maximum SPL: 143 dB
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 80 dB
• Self-noise: 14 dB
• Sensitivity: 13.5 mV/Pa
• Impedance: ≤200 ohms
• Weight: 375 g.

Photo: official website akg

The AKG C104 is available for $130.

FabFilter Pro-C 3 – versatile stereo compressor

17 January 2026

FabFilter is introducing an updated version of its popular software compressor with an expanded feature set. The product supports Windows Vista or later (64/32-bit) and macOS 10.13 or later in VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX and AudioSuite formats.

Photo: official website fabfilter

The new version adds six compression algorithms: Versatile Style for a wide range of material; Smooth for compression that helps sounds blend together; Upward for more extreme compression; TTM, combining downward and upward compression across several bands; and Op-El and Vari-Mu, emulating vintage optical and variable-gain hardware amplifiers. Alongside internal, external and MIDI triggers, the Side Chain section now includes Host Sync with adjustable synchronization, offset and pulse duration.

Photo: official website fabfilter

A new Character panel offers Tube, Diode and Bright saturation, a Drive control and pre/post-compression routing. Pro-C 3 supports all major surround formats up to Dolby Atmos 9.6.1. Routing automatically adapts to the host project's multichannel format without manual setup. In surround mode, stereo linking works independently for each channel pair (L/R, Lc/Rc, Ls/Rs and so on), and the output meter displays all channels.

Photo: official website fabfilter

Other additions and improvements include Auto Threshold, which dynamically adjusts the threshold to produce the same amount of compression at different input levels; integration with the instance list introduced in the recently released Pro-Q 4); six-band Side Chain EQ with Brickwall and All-Pass filters, plus Mid-Only or Side-Only processing for each band; up to 32× oversampling; and a redesigned preset browser with search, tags and metadata. Showing or hiding the Side Chain section no longer turns sidechain processing on or off.

Photo: official website fabfilter

FabFilter Pro-C 3 will be available for about $160.

DPA 4099 CORE+ – versatile instrument microphone

16 January 2026

DPA Microphones is introducing a new generation of its well-known 4099 model.

Photo: official website lavprojekt

The new model offers improved, more linear sound and a 10 dB increase in dynamic range, with a higher level before reaching 1% THD. The CORE+ version also raises the clipping point by 3 dB, allowing the microphone to handle even more extreme sound pressure levels without losing sound quality.

Photo: official website lavprojekt

The microphone has a supercardioid polar pattern and a linear off-axis response with effective rejection of unwanted off-axis sound. Two versions are available. CORE+ Loud SPL has a red mark on the gooseneck and is suitable for close placement on most acoustic instruments, including harp and drums, with maximum SPL handling of 145 dB. CORE+ Extreme SPL has a yellow mark and is designed for very loud instruments, such as drums and brass including trumpets, with maximum SPL handling of 152 dB.

Photo: official website lavprojekt

Other features include a redesigned shockmount and microphone body with better isolation from instrument vibration and stage noise; the new MicroLock connector; and improved clips for stable, flexible mounting on different instruments. The microphone is available in Classic and Rock kits of four or 10 microphones, with suitable adapters, clips and cables.

Photo: official website lavprojekt

The DPA 4099 CORE+ is available for about $600.

Arturia 2026 Winter Sale

15 January 2026

Arturia is launching a winter sale with discounts of up to 50% on selected individual software instruments and sound banks.

Photo: official website arturia

The sale covers individual products including Analog Lab Pro, Pigments, Jup-8000 V, Acid V, Synthx V, CS-80 V, Mini V, DX7 V, Pure LoFi, Mix DRUMS, Bus TRANSIENT, Dist COLDFIRE, Tape MELLO-FI, EFX Fragments and EFX Motions. Sound banks include Timecop1983, Ambient Explorations, SQ80 Skylines, Tame Impala Tribute and more.

Photo: official website arturia

The Arturia 2026 Winter Sale runs until February 3, 2026. More information is available on the official website Arturia.

Black Lion Audio MIDI Eight – MIDI interface

14 January 2026

Black Lion Audio is releasing a versatile 128-channel 1U MIDI interface for controlling synthesizers, controllers, sequencers and drum machines from one device.

Photo: official website blacklionaudio

The new interface has an aluminum enclosure and eight DIN inputs/outputs, making the product suitable for modern studios and live use. The class-compliant design provides plug-and-play connectivity with macOS and Windows. A USB-C connection supports computer connection and bus power. A DC input also allows the MIDI Eight to run from the included power adapter without a computer.

Photo: official website blacklionaudio

The device has a built-in powered five-port USB hub, with three USB-A 3.2 ports on the rear and two on the front. Three standalone modes are available: Pass sends each MIDI input directly to the corresponding output; Thru distributes MIDI from the first input to all outputs; and Merge combines MIDI from all eight inputs at the first output.

Photo: official website blacklionaudio

The Black Lion Audio MIDI Eight will be available in February 2026 for $350.