Hello New Gear – June 2024

This new dynamic vocal microphone for live performance continues the long tradition of the great Shure classics. The Shure Nexadyne 8 is available in 2 versions: the cardioid 8/C and the supercardioid 8/S. Both mics offer a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. The 8/C has a sensitivity of -46.5 dBV/Pa (4.7 mV) and a max. SPL of 151.5 dB, while the 8/S has a sensitivity of -49.5 dBV/Pa (3.4 mV) and a max. SPL of 154.5 dB. New classics with an all-black finish!

The Lauten Audio Tom Mic is exactly what its name suggests: a microphone for toms. The supercardioid mic with a 32 mm capsule was specially developed for recording all kinds of toms. It has switchable lowpass and highpass filters and operates on 48 V phantom power. As always, you can find all the specs on our product page, but what’s even more interesting is its sound. We recommend the detailed video below with Foo Fighters producer Darrel Thorp and Sean “Sully” Sullivan:

The original Arturia PolyBrute was already a fantastic synth, but its successor, the Arturia PolyBrute 12, steps it up a notch! Now with 12 voices, the polyphonic analogue synthesizer boasts a revolutionary new keyboard mechanism with various touch modes including polyphonic aftertouch. To make room for 6 additional analogue voice cards, the housing has grown a bit. One of the most powerful polyphonic synths of our time! Find out more about the new FullTouch keyboard in the video below:

This monophonic desktop synth has a completely analogue signal path. The Erica Synths Bullfrog was developed in collaboration with techno legend Richie Hawtin as a creative learning synth for subtractive synthesis, which is why the panel is very straightforward. The new XL version is not only super-sized, but also comes with additional features such as a two-channel oscilloscope and built-in speakers for hands-on patching. For all the details, we recommend the video below:

Ribbon technology, figure-of-eight polar pattern, a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz, and a maximum sound pressure level of 140 dB – the Warm Audio WA-44 is a brand-new studio microphone with a wide range of applications from vocals to drums and bass to brass. The retro-styled enclosure houses custom CineMag USA transformers and a 2.5-micron ribbon. Watch the video below to experience the microphone in studio use on vocals and various instruments:

The Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 is an analogue and fully modular synthesizer in Eurorack format. Thanks to its 101 patch points, it offers almost limitless sound design possibilities. With 2 oscillators, a ring modulator, FM, 2 linkable function generators, an amplifier, an attenuator, a mixer/splitter, and an LFO, as well as a MIDI-to-CV converter and much more, it leaves nothing to be desired. Moreover, it even comes with a complex 16-note touch controller and sequencer. More details and sound examples in the video below:

News from Moog! The Moog Spectravox is a semi-modular analogue spectral processor. It consists of a 10-band filter bank / vocoder, an analogue carrier oscillator, a noise generator, an LFO, and no less than 19 inputs and 17 outputs for patching and connecting other modular gear. Speaking of modular: The Spectravox takes up 60 HP of space when used in a Eurorack system. The song by Jamie Lidell in the video below consists entirely of sounds made or processed with the Moog Spectravox:

The popular Katana modelling amp series from Boss is back for a third round with the new Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 and Boss Katana 100 Gen 3 electric guitar combos. Both feature 12-inch speakers and deliver – the name says it all – 50 and 100 watts of power respectively. Thanks to the new Tube Logic technology, the playing feel is now much more realistic. Moreover, there are now 6 amp characteristics including the new Pushed type, all of which offer a selectable variation. As always, you can find all the details on our product pages.

One of the original units manufactured between 1994 and 2009 was reportedly sold for half a million dollars some time ago. Luckily, Warm Audio‘s accurate replica of the most sought-after overdrive pedal of all time is considerably cheaper. The Warm Audio Centavo Overdrive is now available as a limited edition in black. Like the standard model, it offers the original circuitry of the vintage pedal, as well as a “MOD” switch for a well-known modification that boosts the bass response – all at an affordable price!

Universal Audio’s dynamic microphone series has grown! The brand-new SD-5 is a dynamic microphone with hemisphere modeling that shines on all low-frequency signals from kick drums to bass amps. The hemisphere modeling technology allows for reproducing the sound characteristics of various microphones and shaping the sound of your recordings with the filter, proximity, and axis controls. The second new mic SD-3 is perfect for percussion and other instruments. The range also includes the SD-7, also with hemisphere modelling, and the SD-1. A versatile microphone family for every application with plenty of processing options for your sound.