Home Studio Setups
Essential Monitors, Interfaces, Mixers, & More
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of RECORDING Magazine. This month’s theme is Home Studio Setups—Essential Monitors, Interfaces, Mixers, & More. The home studio has evolved dramatically over the past 39 years since our very first issue as Home & Studio Recording. When RECORDING launched in 1986, much of the technology we now take for granted—such as DAWs, audio interfaces, and even the modern studio monitor as we know it today—was still in its infancy.
Today’s home and project studios can range from modest bedroom setups to rooms rivaling professional production facilities—and everything in between. This month, we explore a variety of tools and essentials to help elevate your studio no matter where you fall on that spectrum.
REVIEWS
In microphones, we take a look at the Josephson Engineering C706, Shure KSM32C, and a brand-new signature microphone that is still under wraps.
In hardware, we check out the new Fender Quantum LY16 USB-C Audio Interface, the third-generation ART Pro VLA III compressor, and the new Yorkville MixerBPM12, a battery-powered, portable, USB-equipped compact mixer.
In the world of monitors, we review the Amphion One18x and the small-but-mighty IK Multimedia iLoud Sub.
Lastly, in software, we dig into Reason Studios Reason 14 and introduce you to Safari Pedals Meaw : Assist, your new AI cat friend and mix advisor.
INTERVIEWS
Our interview this month is with audio engineer Chris Gelin (Smashing Pumpkins, Los Lonely Boys, Trent Reznor, Phil Collins, Korn, Wilco, and many others). Chris invites us into Chicago-based Opus Labs to discuss his thoughts and experiences regarding the finer details of designing a home studio. [GET IT HERE]
FEATURES
In Studio 101, Joe Albano helps readers make the proper connections with his year-long look at studio terms and concepts, focusing this month on connection terminology including XLR, TRS, AES, S/PDIF, ADAT Optical, and more. [GET IT HERE]
In Field Notes, Giles Reaves shares his thoughts on arrangement. [GET IT HERE] In Recording Techniques, Dave Martin gives us the lowdown on acoustic guitar recording [GET IT HERE], and in this month’s Inside The Studio, producer Mark Hornsby discusses the challenges and solutions involved in Atmos studio design. [GET IT HERE]
RECORDING Remastered returns this month as we head back to February 2013 with Eric Ferguson and “Sweet Spot Conundrums.” [GET IT HERE]
REGULARS
In this month’s Studio Spotlight, we travel to Bolingbrook, IL, for a tour of Austin Nelson’s Smooth Recording Studios. [GET IT HERE] In this issue’s Fade Out, we feature a guest editorial from Sam Rudy, co-founder of ProStudioTime, titled “THE ART OF ASKING: Why Studio Booking Fails Before It Starts.”
As always, RECORDING Magazine remains dedicated to the art, craft, and technology of music production—from world-class studios to the spare bedroom creative spaces where tomorrow’s records are already taking shape.
We invite you to join us in reaching the engineers, musicians, producers, creators, and dreamers building the future of recorded music every single day.