Monitors, Preamps, Room Acoustics, & More
Welcome to the November 2026 issue of RECORDING Magazine. This month, our focus is Studio Upgrades.
With studio upgrades touching virtually every corner of the recording world—from monitoring and acoustics to microphones, software, interfaces, furniture and accessories—the November issue offers a focused moment to connect with musicians, engineers and producers who are actively thinking about what’s next for their rooms.
That’s exactly where the November issue of RECORDING comes in.
REVIEWS
We have a cornucopia of reviews this month. In headphones, we have the beyerdynamic DT 275 PRO, compact on-ear monitoring headphones as well as the LEWITT LW6 Wireless Studio Headphones. In monitor speakers, we bring you the KRK V Series 5 powered monitors along with the new KRK MESH app.
Next, we move to microphones and preamps. Our microphone this month is the Mojave Audio MA-C handheld condenser microphone.
In the world of microphone preamps, we have the Cloud Microphones True Blue CL-520, a 500 Series preamp.
Our plugins this month begin with KIT Plugins BB Chamber D, a recreation of the well loved Chamber D at Blackbird Studio.
Next, we have sonible smart:chain, an intelligent channel strip and AI-powered mixing plugin, followed by Baby Audio SUBCULTURE, a pitch-tracking bass enhancer. For your vocal tuning pleasure we check out the latest version of Antares AutoTune Advanced.
In soundware, we have the Handcrafted Audio Handcrafted Mallets instrument.
In the world of apps, we look at Plugin Hub, a plugin management app designed to help keep your plugin collection organized, functioning at its best and up to date.
What studio doesn’t want a new effects pedal as an upgrade? As such, we have the Strymon TimeLine MX multi-delay pedal.
In other upgrades, from Lake People, we have the G103D4 two-channel Dante-based headphine amp, and finally, we bring you the Space Lab LIFT Mk II and LIFT Power Supply and Control Kit, a powered, height-adjustable speaker stand system.
There will also be a few additional review surprises that are currently under embargo.
FEATURES
In Studio 101, Joe Albano continues his year-long exploration of recording and audio terminology. In this year’s penultimate installment, Joe explores a diverse grab bag of studio upgrade terms and definitions, from OS upgrades and hard drives to microphone accessories, acoustic treatment and more. [GET IT HERE]
In Inside the Studio, Mark Hornsby once again shares his thoughts and expertise on studio and room design, and why great studio acoustics require more than panels on the walls. [GET IT HERE]
In Recording Field Notes, Giles Reaves tackles the subject of confirmation bias in audio and the ways our expectations can influence what we think we hear. [GET IT HERE]
Our 40th anniversary celebration continues this month with another installment of Recording Remastered. This time, we travel back 38 years for a fun look at the state of hard disk recording with Chris Meyer and his Hard Disk Recording Primer, originally published in the July 1988 issue of Home & Studio Recording. [GET IT HERE]
Finally, Bill Stunt shares some of his favorite software and hardware monitoring tools that help him get the mix right. [GET IT HERE]
At some point, every studio needs an upgrade. That might mean a new microphone, preamp, audio interface or piece of software. It might mean rearranging your room, moving your monitors three inches into a better position or, hopefully, adding the proper amount of room treatment to make things sound their best. Sometimes, even small, thoughtful changes can make a surprisingly big difference in how you work and, more importantly, how you hear.
We invite you to join us in the November issue of RECORDING Magazine.