Audio Guru / An open notebook on sound
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A quiet corner for instruments, software, and your next good find.
Newest field note ·
Three synths for sustained chords
Compare GAIA 2, MODX M6 and multi/poly for lingering chords, layered instruments and moving textures.
Compare the options ↗
The other recent pages
This week in the reading room.
Hardware & software
Just released.
A fresh find, with more below.
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Digital USB to analog audio / CV
Elektron Outbox 8
Choose forRouting tracks to external gear
A digital USB breakout box known for flexible routing, with eight analog outputs for compatible USB audio or MIDI-to-CV.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
Availability & sources
Sweetwater lists stock, checked September 18. Thomann’s 2–5-day estimate and Perfect Circuit’s preorder were last checked September 9. Audio and MIDI support vary by device and firmware. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
September 9 release announcement ↗ · Specifications and device compatibility ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
More just released3 more
Digital amp modeler + effects
IK Multimedia TONEX Board
Choose forA complete guitar rig
A digital guitar and bass floorboard known for captured amp tones, with dual signal paths, 76 effects and custom cabinet IR loading.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
Availability & sources
Thomann lists stock in both regions. Sweetwater estimates September 16; Guitar Center lists preorder. Check zZounds for current delivery. USB audio is planned for October 1 firmware. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
September 3 release announcement ↗ · Specifications and planned updates ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
Digital drum module + sampler
Yamaha EAD20
Choose forRecording your acoustic kit
A digital drum module and sampler known for bringing electronic sounds to an acoustic kit; it records and loads samples, with effects for live playing.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
Availability & sources
Sweetwater and Thomann Germany list stock; Guitar Center has an exact listing with availability to confirm. Yamaha’s German agency terms apply at Thomann. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
September 3 launch announcement ↗ · Onboard sampling and sample playback ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
14HP analog filter
u-he MELT
Choose forAdding analog drive to Eurorack
An analog Eurorack filter known for Core Temperature drive, blending three inputs through low-pass and band-pass paths.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
Availability & sources
Thomann estimates 2–5 days for its US and German listings, checked September 9. Perfect Circuit’s preorder listing was last confirmed September 8. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Manufacturer specifications ↗ · August 26 release announcement ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
Hardware & software
Coming soon.
One to watch. More on the way.
24-in / 32-out digital Thunderbolt interface
Audient Horizon 8P
Choose forRecording eight analog sources with ADAT expansion
A digital Thunderbolt 3 interface for Mac known for eight analog console preamps and ORBIT variable impedance, with ADAT expansion for larger sessions.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
Availability & sources
Audient gives September 28 availability. Sweetwater accepts orders but does not show a clear ship date; Thomann US and Germany each estimate 1–2 weeks. Confirm stock, delivery and country at the retailer.
Audient launch · September 14 ↗ · Audient Horizon 8P details ↗Manufacturer image supplied for editorial coverage.
More coming soon6 more
60-channel digital mixer
Yamaha DM5
Choose forMixing larger live setups
A 60-channel digital console known for its DM7-style workflow, with 32 analog inputs, Dante networking and two banks of hands-on faders.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
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.
48-channel digital mixer
Yamaha DM5 Compact
Choose forLive mixing in tighter spaces
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.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
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
Choose forPortable connections near the stage
A digital Dante stagebox with 16 analog inputs and eight analog outputs, built for portable setups with protective bumpers and a carrying bar.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
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
Choose forAdding I/O in one rack space
A digital Dante I/O rack with eight analog inputs and four analog outputs, built for live or installed setups in one rack space.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
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
Choose forChanging an installation’s I/O layout
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.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
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.
Analog + digital drum machine
Polyend Drums
Choose forDrum performance with a crossfader
An analog/digital drum machine known for its performance crossfader; it loads samples alongside four analog voices and digital percussion.
No listed offer in this region. Choose All to see every retailer.
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.
Field guides
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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.
Compare the options ↗
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