Opusonix Review: A Cleaner, Smarter Way to Collaborate on Music Projects
As an audio engineer, a surprising amount of time is spent not mixing or mastering, but managing files, links, and feedback. Cloud storage folders multiply, email threads grow long, and important notes get buried. Even with good intentions, projects can quickly become fragmented. Opusonix is designed to remove that friction by combining file storage, structured [...]
View post: Opusonix Review: A Cleaner, Smarter Way to Collaborate on Music Projects

Duetti secures $200m in fresh financing, led by $50m Series C equity investment from The Raine GroupThe funding consists of a $50 million Series C equity round led by Raine Partners and a $125 million private securitization.
Source

It’s the return of a Hollywood legend – Neumann revives its M 50 V Tube MicrophoneLights, camera, action – it’s time to roll out the red carpet for the return of Neumann’s legendary M 50 Tube Microphone. Originally released in 1951, the microphone defined an era of classic orchestral recordings and film scores. Now, the microphone has been reimagined for the modern era. Enter: the M 50 V Tube Microphone.
The original M 50 Tube Microphone was heralded as a Hollywood gamechanger due to its innovative design. The mic utilised a small diaphragm omnidirectional capsule mounted inside of a 40 mm acrylic sphere, as well as opting for a durable titanium diaphragm to improve stability. Its design resulted in a unique polar pattern and top-notch response – making it the perfect option for live recordings.

READ MORE: I’ve fallen in love with ribbon mics all over again with Warm Audio’s Fen-tone

The M 50 also served as a pivotal microphone in the development of the Decca Tree recording technique, a multi-miking technique often used for choirs and orchestras for a well balanced recording. It was the key to capturing truly vivid, deep sound, with a brilliantly powerful bass response unlike any mic before it.
The modern rebirth of the M 50 V meticulously revives the original microphones’ inner workings, with a few tweaks to suit our contemporary world. One example is how the original circuit design adds in an ultra-low-noise subminiature tube and an RF-proof connector to aid with modern interference from mobile networks and WiFi.
Credit: Neumann
Neumann has also improved the mic’s original yoke mount. The new mount adopts elements for mechanical decoupling of the microphone, as well as a nifty cable holder to suppress any potential cable-related interference.
There’s also a special NM V power supply that can automatically adapt to your local mains voltage – which supports the new M 50 V as well as any original M50s you may have lying around.
Speaking on the rebirth of Neumann’s M 50, the company’s Portolio Manager, Jorma Marquardt, explains: “The M 50 V is handmade in Germany to original specifications, but with enhancements like a titanium capsule and improved mechanical decoupling in the yoke mount. It is the ultimate choice for orchestral recordings and film scoring, be it in stereo, surround, or immersive formats.”
“This reissue is not just a microphone — it’s a piece of recording history reborn,” Medzid Veseli, Head of Neumann Service and Quality Control, adds. “The production team and I take immense pride in crafting each unit by hand. Every component is meticulously inspected and assembled to deliver the legendary sound that professionals expect from Neumann.”
This isn’t the first time Neumann has revived an old icon. Back in 2022, the company notably reimagined another legendary 1950s microphone, the M 49.
Head to Neumann to pre-order now, with first shipments due to kick off in February.
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Ed Sheeran Is Letting Fans Curate His Setlists. You Should Too. Ed Sheeran is letting fans curate five songs in his setlist on his current tour. Is this something all artists should take note of?
The post Ed Sheeran Is Letting Fans Curate His Setlists. You Should Too.  appeared first on Hypebot.

Brodinski on his sonic identity, production techniques, and new sample pack
In this exclusive interview, legendary producer Brodinski shares insights into his sonic identity, production techniques, and more.

FRCTL releases GRN Lite FREE granular effect plugin
FRCTL has released GRN Lite, a free granular effect plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux. I’m always curious to try new granular tools, especially since some granular plugins can feel a bit intimidating at first, so I like searching for ones that instantly click with me. We recently covered Fractive, which is a more advanced, [...]
View post: FRCTL releases GRN Lite FREE granular effect plugin

Neve’s NAMM 2026 launches It’s clearly been a busy start to 2026 for Neve, who will have not one, but three new products taking pride of place on their NAMM booth.

“For where traditional loudspeaker monitoring is impractical or impossible”: Beyerdynamic debuts free Headphone Lab plugin for optimising audio monitoring through headphonesBeyerdynamic has unveiled Headphone Lab, a free new plugin which enhances the performance of its range of monitoring headphones, aimed at producers working “outside of acoustically treated rooms”.
Setting up a fully fledged speaker system in your home studio is often both a logistically challenging and costly endeavour, so many producers opt for headphone monitoring to keep things simpler. But as Beyerdynamic explains, where conventional headphones deliver isolated signals to each ear, Headphone Lab employs a “sophisticated crossfeed model” that accounts for frequency-dependent time and level differences, and ensures accurate bass reproduction without phase issues or artifacts.
This, the brand says, results in a “centred, natural soundstage ideal for critical listening, mixing and mastering”.

READ MORE: NAMM 2026 Live: The latest guitar launches and news from the biggest music gear event on the planet

Compatible with Beyerdynamic’s range of monitoring headphones, Headphone Lab ensures “accurate, reliable” mix translation by optimising the tonal balance of said headphones.

“Each model’s fundamental sonic character remains intact, but it is refined using a proprietary studio sound profile – a scientifically developed reference curve built from years of research and collaboration with professional studios,” Beyerdynamic says.
Each headphone model has a Standard Calibration, which is based on a “Golden Sample” reference unit landed on by the Beyerdynamic acoustics team. 
Credit: Beyerdynamic
There’s also Factory Calibration, which uses “original production measurement data” from an exact headphone unit, “compensating for even the smallest manufacturing or material variations”, resulting in a technically precise calibration for peace of mind that mixes will translate across playback devices.
“Headphone Lab reflects our commitment to making professional-quality monitoring accessible to every creator,” says Martin Stahl, Director of Pro Audio at beyerdynamic. 
“Our studio headphones have long been trusted as a professional reference. Headphone Lab builds on that foundation, using innovative and precise factory calibration technology to unlock their full potential wherever creators work.”
Credit: Beyerdynamic
Headphone Lab’s Standard Calibration supports all Beyerdynamic DT headphone models, while Factory Calibration is available exclusively for the DT 700 Pro X, DT 900 Pro X, DT 1770 Pro MKII, and DT 1990 Pro MKII.
Headphone Lab is available now as a free download for Windows and MacOS, and supports VST3, AU and AAX formats for integration with any major DAW.
You can learn more at Beyerdynamic, or visit Beyerdynamic at NAMM 2026 and Booth #10702 – Hall A.
The post “For where traditional loudspeaker monitoring is impractical or impossible”: Beyerdynamic debuts free Headphone Lab plugin for optimising audio monitoring through headphones appeared first on MusicTech.

“The world’s most advanced analogue dynamics processor”: Cranborne Audio’s new Brick Lane MC4 is a four-channel analogue dynamics powerhouseCranborne Audio has announced the Brick Lane MC4, a four-channel, 19-inch rackmount Modal PWM Dynamics Processor described as the brand’s “most powerful and flexible” to date.
Building on the innovative architecture of the Brick Lane 500, the MC4 expands the concept into a fully featured, digitally controlled analogue dynamics system designed for tracking, mixing, and mastering.

READ MORE: RANE SYSTEM ONE: Say goodbye to your laptop with the world’s first motorised standalone DJ system

At the heart of the MC4 is Cranborne Audio’s Modal PWM Compression architecture, which offers six distinct compression modes: VELVET, FLOAT, SMASH, TAME, GLUE and POLISH. The STRESS control adds analogue harmonic saturation that evolves dynamically with gain reduction, making compression as much a creative tool as a corrective one.
Each of the four channels can operate independently or as part of advanced routing configurations including Mono, Stereo, Mid/Side, Series, Dual-Band, and De-Esser modes.
Credit: Cranborne Audio
Series mode chains two dynamic stages for smoother gain control, Dual-Band splits frequencies for precise multiband processing, while the De-Esser mode – built around analogue lookahead – provides precise high-frequency control without loss of clarity.
Despite its advanced control capabilities, Brick Lane MC4 maintains a 100% analogue audio signal path. All parameters are digitally controlled for precision and recall, along with a 5” full-colour TFT display, LED rings, and encoders providing detailed visual feedback. Remote control and preset management are available via USB or Ethernet via Cranborne Audio’s dedicated control plugin, enabling seamless DAW integration and instant recall across sessions.
“Brick Lane MC4 isn’t just more channels or more features; it’s the most advanced analogue dynamics processor we’ve ever built, and one of the most advanced ever made,” says Cranborne Audio Managing Director Sean Karpowicz. “Discovering Analogue Lookahead was thrilling in itself, then applying it to compression, and then realising that the same technology could create what is quite possibly the best analogue noise gate and expander ever made – that’s the kind of invention we live for.”
Priced at $2,799/£2699, the Brick Lane MC4 will be available from Cranborne Audio resellers at the end of Q1 2026.
Learn more at Cranborne Audio.
The post “The world’s most advanced analogue dynamics processor”: Cranborne Audio’s new Brick Lane MC4 is a four-channel analogue dynamics powerhouse appeared first on MusicTech.

Audiomack hits 50M monthly active users, adds Artist Pro toolkitAudiomack now has 50 million monthly active users fueled by 31% year over year growth. Learn how their human-powered curation and Audiomack Pro tools for artists are reshaping independent music discovery and marketing.
The post Audiomack hits 50M monthly active users, adds Artist Pro toolkit appeared first on Hypebot.

HEDD Audio welcomes the TYPE 20 A-CORE, expanding its A-CORE analogue monitor seriesOn the hunt for a latency and DSP-free monitor? Well, HEDD Audio has unveiled the latest addition to its analogue A-CORE Series, and its designed specifically for professional studio environments and any cases when clarity is absolutely crucial.
HEDD Audio’s TYPE 20 A-CORE comes as a powerful expansion on the possibilities of the A-CORE Series. Built with modern ICE Power Class D amplifiers and an Air Motion Transformer (AMT), the 3-way analogue monitor promises latency-free playback, focusing on ultra-fast response and pristine, detailed sound.

READ MORE: HEDD Audio’s Type 05 A-Core monitors are practically perfect

Boasting a frequency response extending down to 32 Hz, or right up to 120 dB SPL, the monitor’s custom Honeycomb Woofers and accompanying analogue filter aids the TYPE 20 A-CORE’s mission for sonic accuracy. Promising to help tighten up your midrange and extend those lower frequencies, its yet another effort to refine the A-CORE Series to suit a more professional setting.
Yet, that’s not to say the TYPE 20 A-CORE is restricted to professional studios. The monitor is designed to easily installed, with a plug-and-play setup that requires absolutely no configuration. That means you’re ready to experience the speaker’s direct and unprocessed sound with little hassle, whether you’re hooking it up to your at-home hi-fi or a more advanced studio set up.
The monitor also offers Bass and Treble EQ controls to tweak your sound, further allowing it to suit any acoustic environment. And it’s also got a slew of XLR, TRS, and RCA connections to ensure its fully compatible with any potential audio interfaces, mixers or playback devices in your set up.
The speaker also looks the part, with its black heavy-duty MDF cabinet not only absolutely classic, but its also designed to optimise airflow and driver performance to ensure your tunes sound ace.
While it wont start shipping until 20 January, the TYPE 20 A-CORE monitor is available for €1799, with a 5 year warranty.
For more information, ‘hedd’ to HEDD Audio.
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Aphex Twin is now pulling more YouTube listeners than Taylor Swift – and it all comes down to one trackIn one of the more unexpected streaming plot twists of 2026 so far, Aphex Twin is currently attracting more monthly listeners on YouTube than Taylor Swift.
According to YouTube Music’s latest figures (at the time of writing), the famously elusive electronic producer is clocking around 430 million monthly listeners, ahead of Swift’s 396 million on the platform – a somewhat surprising stat, given that Swift remains, by virtually every other measurable metric, the biggest pop star on the planet right now.

READ MORE: NAMM 2026 Live: All the news, gear, and innovations from the biggest music gear event 

Before the pop stans panic or electronic heads start rejoicing, it’s worth unpacking how YouTube arrives at these numbers. Unlike traditional streaming services, YouTube Music’s listener count draws from activity across all of YouTube – which includes official audio streams, music videos, fan uploads, Shorts, and even passive listens where a track is used as background audio.
Here’s where things get interesting.
Observers including DJ and RA contributor RamonPang have pointed to the viral resurgence of Aphex Twin’s 2001 Drukqs track QKThr as a major factor. The delicate piano piece has become a go-to soundtrack for countless Shorts and short-form videos in recent months, quietly racking up plays at an industrial scale.
More than anything, it’s a reminder of how differently music moves in the algorithm age. It also fits neatly into Aphex Twin’s long-running habit of operating just outside the usual industry playbook. In November, Richard D. James surprise-released two new tracks via his SoundCloud account – his first new material since 2024’s From The Merch Desk (2016–2023) compilation, itself another low-key, unannounced drop.

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AKG’s C104 review: “For the price, I can think of no other microphone that performs this well”€135 / £119 / $129, akg.com
The new affordable C-Series from AKG consists of three microphones: one small-diaphragm condenser design (C151) and two large-diaphragm models (C114 and C104). Designed with musicians, podcasters, YouTubers and streamers in mind, according to the company, this series aims to offer AKG’s signature sound for a lot less money than its higher-end microphones. The flagship C414, which is my all-time favourite mic, costs more than eight times the price of this new budget model.

READ MORE: I’ve fallen in love with ribbon mics all over again with Warm Audio’s Fen-tone

You would be forgiven for thinking the C104 is a cardioid-only version of the similar-looking C114, it features an entirely different capsule and so has its own unique sonic flavour. The C104’s capsule is a smaller (22 mm) electret condenser diaphragm design, made of a plastic foil that is nickel-sputtered on one side. This is done to prevent shorting to the back electrode, even at high SPLs. This mic’s ‘perceptible distortion’ limit (in AKG’s words) is 143 dB, so it only has a couple of dBs less headroom than the C114. A modern, transformerless FET circuit ensures low self-noise, unlike many vintage condenser designs.
Keeping things simple and affordable, there are no user-adjustable controls on the mic, so any filtering required must be performed within your preamp, interface or DAW. Phantom power is needed for all condenser mics, so be sure to engage it to make the microphone work.
Image: Press
Also keeping costs down, the C104 lacks the shock-mount supplied with the C114, a basic mic clip is included in the package.
For content creators, the no-nonsense, cardioid-only C104 could be the only mic you’ll ever need. While it doesn’t quite possess the hear-through clarity of far more expensive models, its tonal balance is perfectly suited to voices. There is a slight upper-mid-forward sound character that adds presence to vocals of all kinds, helping voices sound direct and distinct from background audio.
This bright balance is most welcome when vocals and lead instruments need to pop out of a mix; if used to record sounds with inherently high treble content, it might veer slightly towards being too sharp.
Image: Press
Further down the frequency spectrum, the mic’s tonality is well-ordered, with no muddiness or artificial bass thickening. As a cardioid mic, it does produce the proximity effect when used up-close, so voices will have a degree of chestiness that can add warmth and intimacy to performances.
Despite the lack of polar pattern options, the C104 could be happily used in a wide range of applications, and its entry-level status shouldn’t be blindingly obvious to all but the most fussy users. It’s unlikely to win many friends with those who require the utmost in transparency, professional classical recording engineers, for example, but for most pop music producers, it will cover all bases admirably.
For the price, I can think of no other mic that performs as well as the C104, especially for speech recording. Expect to see it on many podcasts and YouTube videos over the coming months and years.
Image: Press
Key features

Large diaphragm condenser
Cardioid pattern
22 mm electret capsule
Weight: 375 g
Comes with hard stand mount

The post AKG’s C104 review: “For the price, I can think of no other microphone that performs this well” appeared first on MusicTech.

The DJM-V5 from AlphaTheta: 3 channels, 4-band EQ, V10 sound – no Beat FX or crossfader.AlphaTheta has released the DJM-V5, a compact 3-channel DJ mixer built on the sound architecture of the DJM-V10, bringing flagship-style sound shaping into a smaller format. Available late January 2026 with a MAP of $2,199 USD, the V5 includes 4-band EQ and channel compression on every channel, per-channel Send FX, multi-mode filters, 96 kHz / […]
The post The DJM-V5 from AlphaTheta: 3 channels, 4-band EQ, V10 sound – no Beat FX or crossfader. appeared first on DJ TechTools.

Roland unveils plugin version of its classic CR-78 CompuRhythm Drum MachineThe Roland Cloud is growing once again with the introduction of the CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer, which “authentically recreates” the sound of the original vintage CR-78 drum machine.
Driven by Roland’s Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) technology, the CR-78 software version is brought into the present by modern sequencing features, individual sound mixing and tuning, DAW tempo sync, drag-and-drop audio/MIDI support and more.

READ MORE: Roland’s GO:MIXER STUDIO brings “studio-grade” recording to your iPhone or iPad

“Well before the famous TR-808 and TR-909 revolutionised hip-hop and dance, the CR-78 CompuRhythm had a massive influence on the music world,” Roland says.
“Debuting in 1978 as Roland’s first programmable rhythm machine, the CR-78 was quickly adopted by musicians and producers of the era seeking new rhythm textures. Its fat analog sound and distinctive pulse are integral to countless hits across many genres, from new wave and early electronic music to mainstream pop and rock.”
Credit: Roland
The new software version of the CR-78 sports a familiar interface based on the original CR-78, with selectable wood panel and black vinyl skins.
There are controls for rhythm patterns, instrument sounds, shuffle, fills, volume balance, fade-in/fade-out, and more.
Where the original CR-78 offered slots for four pattern variations, Roland’s new software version provides a detailed pattern view where users can enter, delete and fine-tune steps, control instrument levels, and adjust individual parameters like tuning and decay.
The CR-78 is available now via a Roland Cloud Ultimate membership or Lifetime Key purchase. Until 28 February, a Lifetime Key is available for an introductory price of $49 (regular price $199).
Learn more at Roland.
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