Audio Guru / An open notebook on sound
For curious ears.
For late hours.
Free plugins to explore, practical gear comparisons, and small ideas for your next session. Find a free tool to try ↗
Newest field note ·
Three synths for sustained chords
Compare GAIA 2, MODX M6 and multi/poly for lingering chords, layered instruments and moving textures.
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The other recent pages
This week in the reading room.
No other new articles this week. Browse the archive ↗
Hardware & software
Just released.
A fresh find, with more below.
24-in / 32-out digital Thunderbolt interface
Audient Horizon 8P
A digital Thunderbolt 3 interface for Mac known for eight analog console preamps and ORBIT variable impedance, with ADAT expansion for larger sessions.
Availability & sources
Audient states the range is available worldwide from September 28. Thomann Germany lists immediate availability, checked October 5. Sweetwater stock and Thomann US 2–5-day lead time were last checked September 28. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Audient launch · September 14 ↗ · Audient Horizon 8P details ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
Hardware & software
Coming soon.
One to watch. More on the way.
60-channel digital mixer
Yamaha DM5
A 60-channel digital console known for its DM7-style workflow, with 32 analog inputs, Dante networking and two banks of hands-on faders.
Availability & sources
Thomann Germany lists immediate availability, checked October 7. Older US checks: Sweetwater estimated December 2026, Thomann US estimated 4–5 weeks, and Guitar Center listed preorder without a confirmed arrival date on September 14. Regional stock is not a verified global release date. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Yamaha announcement · September 10 ↗ · Manufacturer photos & regional timing ↗ · Yamaha product details ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
More coming soon5 more
Analog + digital drum machine
Polyend Drums
An analog/digital drum machine known for its performance crossfader; it loads samples alongside four analog voices and digital percussion.
Availability & sources
Sweetwater estimates October; Thomann estimates 5–7 weeks. Polyend’s next direct batch is November. Perfect Circuit and zZounds preorders were last confirmed September 8. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Manufacturer specifications and batch information ↗ · Official press announcement ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
48-channel digital mixer
Yamaha DM5 Compact
A 48-channel digital console known for bringing the DM7-style workflow into a smaller footprint, with 16 analog inputs, 13 faders and Dante networking.
Availability & sources
Sweetwater estimates December 2026; Thomann US and Germany estimate 4–5 weeks; Guitar Center lists preorder without a confirmed arrival date. These are retailer estimates, not a verified shipping date. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Yamaha announcement · September 10 ↗ · Manufacturer photos & regional timing ↗ · Yamaha product details ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
16-in/8-out Dante stagebox
Yamaha RUio1608SB-D
A digital Dante stagebox with 16 analog inputs and eight analog outputs, built for portable setups with protective bumpers and a carrying bar.
Availability & sources
Sweetwater estimates November 2026; Thomann US and Germany estimate 4–5 weeks; Guitar Center lists preorder without a confirmed arrival date. Retailer estimates are not verified release dates. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Yamaha announcement · September 10 ↗ · Yamaha Japan announcement and Japan-only November timing ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
8-in/4-out Dante rack
Yamaha RUio0804-D
A digital Dante I/O rack with eight analog inputs and four analog outputs, built for live or installed setups in one rack space.
Availability & sources
Sweetwater estimates December 2026; Thomann US and Germany estimate 4–5 weeks; Guitar Center lists preorder without a confirmed arrival date. Retailer estimates are not verified release dates. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Yamaha announcement · September 10 ↗ · Yamaha Japan announcement and Japan-only November timing ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
Configurable 16-channel Dante I/O
Yamaha RUio16FLX-D
A digital Dante I/O rack with 16 channels configurable in pairs as analog mic/line inputs, analog outputs or AES/EBU digital outputs for changing installation needs.
Availability & sources
Guitar Center lists preorder. Sweetwater lists special order with a September 28 estimate. Thomann US and Germany estimate 4–5 weeks. Retailer estimates are not verified release dates. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Yamaha announcement · September 10 ↗ · Yamaha Japan announcement and Japan-only November timing ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
Field guides
Find the missing piece.
Start with the question your setup needs answered.
Latest software ·
Bazille, Diva or Hive 2 for metallic percussion?
Choose a synth for bells and clanks by how you want to shape the hit: cable patching, ring modulation or resonant processing.
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