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Podcast Gear News

Podcast Gear News

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 Award-winning podcaster, director, and YouTuber Hank Davis runs down all the latest news and reviews surrounding podcast equipment. From upcoming and recently released microphones and audio interfaces to the accessories and software used to create content, Podcast Gear News is a monthly resource that will help you keep up with all the latest podcasting technology. Each month, Hank will also discuss the products reviewed on his YouTube channel. This podcast is an offshoot of Hank's YouTube channel called Free Podcast Tools. Hank Davis has been a podcaster since 2006, a YouTuber since 2021, and a film and commercial director since 2023. Would you like to support Podcast Gear News? Please follow the links in the description. WEBSITE: https://freepodcasttools.com YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsCopyright 2026 Free Podcast Tools Politique et gouvernement
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  • PGN010 - NAB 26 Podcast Gear Roundup

    PGN010 - NAB 26 Podcast Gear Roundup
    Apr 26 2026
    I’m Hank Davis, and this is Podcast Gear News for April 2026 (Your monthly podcasting equipment news show).RØDE introduced a slew of new products. Their top announcement was Sonaura, an innovative studio-grade MEMS microphone technology that RØDE says will underpin a new generation of professional audio products across its lineup. The actual tech is ultra-compact at just 4mmx5mm.RØDE also showcased the LPA1 low-profile studio arm (up to 4.4pds), DS3 desktop studio arm, and the PodMic Flag for customised branding. You can print out your own logo as a sticker and place it on the flag.For both Windows and Mac, they also announced the new RØDECaster Studio podcast app, which uses AI to speed up the production process. Import local or cloud files, then allow the software to edit the files for you, and generate a title and summary automatically. It includes text and voice prompt editing as well. The app has optimized output settings which will deliver perfectly processed files for various platforms. No word on pricing so far.Blackmagic's Fairlight Live makes it easy to design your own mixer with flexible audio workflows. Add, modify or move inputs and buses at any time. You can easily change a four host panel into a remote guest setup. Plus there is an extensive native plugin library, EQ, dynamics and support for 3rd-party AU and VST plugins to enhance your mix (up to 24 per channel). Fairlight Live makes it easy to manage microphones, headphones, and mix-minus feeds. And for video creators integrated audio follows video (AFV) control links camera switching directly to the audio mix. Fairlight Live is currently free to download. https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/fairlightliveElgato's Wave Link 3.1 is available now. Version 3.1 offers more control over your audio effects including giving each effect a custom name with those names carrying over to the Wave Link Stream Deck plugin.You can now hide audio devices you don't need. This can be achieved directly in the app.You now have the ability to use a Cloudlifter without the software going into auto-mute.VST audio effect plugin scans have been overhauled. You'll now be notified which plugins are causing issues without the worry of repeated crashes.The software now keeps your drivers intact during instead of reinstalling drivers on every update. When an update does include a new driver, the software gives you a prompt.There are other minor changes as well. Link in the description https://help.elgato.com/hc/en-us/sections/4913442828941-Wave-Link-Release-NotesSUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsPROMO:If you would like to support Podcast Gear News, I have individual & business level Patreon, and also PayPal links in the description. Your support is greatly appreciated.FREE PODCAST TOOLS DONATIONS PAGE (PAYPAL): https://freepodcasttools.com/support/PATREON BUSINESS SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttoolsPATREON INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttools2Sonible announces pure:level an AI-Powered Level Rider. Pure:level provides intelligent audio leveling to ensure consistent levels while keeping dynamics sounding natural. The plugin has a group feature for multitrack usage as well. If you’re looking for a replacement for other leveling programs it might be worth a try. Pure:level retails for $39.00 but launched at just $25.00 ($19 in my case in the United States).The company blueAVS which is known for their budget-friendly HDMI capture cards recently released the blueCaster Two USB audio interface. The blueCaster Two is 24Bit/192kHz and features two versatile XLR/¼" combo inputs for microphones, instruments, or line-level sources. The device also has two mute and pad buttons, two headphone jacks, two 1/4" monitor output jacks, loopback, three monitor modes (stereo, mono, and crossfeed) and LED meters to monitor gain.https://amzn.to/4m8kbdFShure by Gator has a new low-profile desk mic boom stand in white.It attaches to any surface up to 2.17 in. or permanently attaches via the direct drill mount option. The mic arm provides nearly 3 feet of mic arm extension, silently rotates 360° horizontally with a 90° upper vertical adjustment, and also has a magnetic cable channel. This mic arm retails for $139.99.Shure by Gator also has a couple of microphone stands in white. The lightweight desk stand retails for $54.99, while the heavy-duty stand retails for $74.99.COMING SOON: My review for the blueCaster 2 will be out soon.SUBSCRIBE/SHARE:PODCAST: https://feeds.captivate.fm/podcast-gear-news/YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL:https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsERRORS OR OMISSIONS: If you’re a product manufacturer and I got something wrong, feel free to use the contact email in the podcast feed or my contact on the freepodcasttools.com website.Thank you for listening to Podcast Gear News. I’ll catch you next month.
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    8 min
  • PGN009 - Shure's New MVX2U Gen 2 Is It Worth It?

    PGN009 - Shure's New MVX2U Gen 2 Is It Worth It?
    Mar 22 2026
    I’m Hank Davis, and this is Podcast Gear News for March 2026 (Your monthly podcasting equipment news show).YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/qJuLBdqzrP4Yamaha has a new line of digital mixers in the MGX series. The MGX12, which retails for $799.99, is Yamaha's latest attempt at a RODECaster-like mixing console. Billed as an interface for live sound, podcasts, and streaming, the MGX12 has:4 Combo XLR-1/4" Mic/Line Inputs (with 86dB of gain)4 1/4" & RCA Inputs + XLR & 1/4" OutputsDual USB: 18x18 Rec/Play + 2x2 Rec/PlayBluetooth Audio Input, MicroSD RecordingCustomizable Sound PadsSmart Gain + Studio Quality FXBuilt-In Compression and EQ per ChannelFour Headphone OutputsIncludes Expansive Software Library and many more features that are too numerous to list in a short overview. The MGX line has larger versions as well ranging from $1099.99 to $1399.99.Elgato spammed products galore after the last episode of Podcast Gear News. Their offerings range from the WAVE 3 MK.2 USB condenser microphone which retails for $169.99, to the MK.2 version of the WAVE XLR (which also retails for $169.99), and the WAVE XLR Pro which retails for $349.99 and will be available in the second quarter of this year. The WAVE 3 MK.2 and WAVE XLR MK.2 both have real-time levels and tap to mute. All three products have the WAVE FX Processor onboard, auto gain, Clipguard 2.0, DSP processing onboard, and VST inserts. Please note that all the devices are 24-bit, and the two interfaces provide 80dB of gain.Each of the three podcast relevant devices has its own appeal, but I would lean towards the WAVE XLR Pro due to its dual PC connectivity, line in and line out ports. However it seems like it would almost be a must to own a streamdeck since the device doesn't have any physical buttons.Lost in the onslaught of Elgato devices was the Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR to USB audio interface. The device looks exactly like the original unit still provides 60dB of gain, and is still 24-Bit 48kHz. Although the added mobile-first design, real-time denoiser and digital popper stopper add to the unit's appeal. The original unit was designed for desktop with people having mixed success on mobile devices at that time. The MVX2U Gen 2 has a suggested retail price of $139.00.SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsPROMO:If you would like to support Podcast Gear News, I have individual & business level Patreon, and also PayPal links in the description. Your support is greatly appreciated.FREE PODCAST TOOLS DONATIONS PAGE (PAYPAL): https://freepodcasttools.com/support/PATREON BUSINESS SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttoolsPATREON INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttools2RODE announced their Universal Ball Mount. The mount has a threaded 5/8" and 3/8" on one end, and a 1/4" on the other end. It has all-metal construction and supports equipment up to 4.4 pounds. It can be used for microphones, cameras, and accessories. Its dual-axis design allows full 360-degree articulation, while a single central locking knob provides fast, secure adjustments for reliable placement. This accessory retails for $39.00, and should ship mid-April. RODE also officially announced their RODECaster Video Core. It comes in at $599.00 and features two combo jack mic/line level inputs, 3 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output, 2 USB-C inputs, and 2 USB-C outputs. The device has a single knob on the front of the unit which means that video switching and triggering other effects is solely done in software. While intriguing for newcomers to the RODECaster ecosystem, personally I wouldn't choose Core over the RODECaster Video or Video S.Based on a classic broadcast mic from the '60s, the Warm Audio Retro 64 is a cardioid dynamic microphone with a frequency response of 50Hz-18kHz, a sensitivity of -56dB, and a max SPL of 135dB. The mic can be used on stage, handheld, or in a podcast studio. The mic is rock-solid coming in at 1.7 pounds. The Retro 64 retails for $149.00 and is available now.COMING SOON:I’ll be testing a top-secret, budget audio interface in the coming weeks. More on that once I can speak freely about it.SUBSCRIBE/SHARE: PODCAST: https://feeds.captivate.fm/podcast-gear-news/YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL:https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsERRORS OR OMISSIONS: If you’re a product manufacturer and I got something wrong, feel free to use the contact email in the podcast feed or my contact on the freepodcasttools.com website.Thank you for listening to Podcast Gear News. I’ll catch you next month.
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    8 min
  • PGN008 - BOYA Caster X1

    PGN008 - BOYA Caster X1
    Feb 22 2026
    I’m Hank Davis, and this is Podcast Gear News for February 2026 (Your monthly podcasting equipment news show).Roland has introduced the Go:Mixer Studio, a versatile audio interface for content creators offering studio-quality recording and connection options. Besides have a color LCD screen the GO:Mixer Studio offers MIDI in and out, two USB-C ports (one for connectivity and one for power), two XLR inputs, two ¼:” outputs, a ¼” Hi-Z input, ¼” and ⅛” headphone jacks, an AUX input, and two ¼” line inputs. It even has what appears to be a ¼” thread to mount on the bottom of the unit. The device is 24-bit and has a sample rate of up to 192kHz. It provides up to +75dB of per-input preamp gain. You can use the device with Windows, MacOS 15 or later, IOS, and iPad. The Roland Go:Mixer Studio retails for $299.99.Right after recording last month's Podcast Gear News Shure dropped 3 new studio condenser microphones. The KSM32C which retails for $659.00 ($729.00 with the shock mount), the KSM40C which costs $879.00, and the KSM44MP which will set you back $1099.00.The KSM32C has a 3/4" capsule, while the KSM40C has a 1" capsule, and the KSM44MP shares the 1" capsule but has multiple polar patterns available (cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional).Berlin-based company Native Instruments is in preliminary insolvency. I’m not sure what that means for current hardware and software, but it is a story to keep track of going forward.SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsPROMO:If you would like to support Podcast Gear News, I have individual & business level Patreon, and also PayPal links in the description. Your support is greatly appreciated.FREE PODCAST TOOLS DONATIONS PAGE (PAYPAL): https://freepodcasttools.com/support/PATREON BUSINESS SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttoolsPATREON INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttools2CAD has two new supercardioid condenser microphones on tap as well as another E100 series addition. The GXL2000 retails for $79.99 and has a frequency response of 30Hz-18kHz, a sensitivity of -38dBV and a max SPL of 135dB.The GXL4000 retails for $149.99 and has a frequency response of 30Hz-20kHz, a sensitivity of -30dBV and a max SPL of 138dB. The GXL4000 claims to have an equivalent noise level of just 5dB (no rating could be obtained for the GXL2000 prior to recording).The Equitek™ E100VP is a fifth‑generation, US‑built condenser microphone with a gold‑plated 1‑inch large‑diaphragm capsule designed for rich vocals. A continuously variable polar pattern control allows seamless adjustment between omnidirectional, cardioid, supercardioid,subcardioid, and figure‑8 patterns. The E100VP has a 100Hz high-pass filter, 10dB pad for high SPL sources, and a low-profile shock mount to reduce mechanical noise. The microphone has a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz While the sensitivity and max SPL depend on the polar pattern, in the Cardioid setting the sensitivity is -37dBV and the max SPL is 127dB without the pad switch engaged. Also in the cardioid polar pattern the self noise is a quiet 9dBA-weighted. The E100VP has a suggested retail price of $299.99Cloud Microphones introduces the Mini CL-25 in-line microphone preamp. The Mini CL-25 has class-A JFET circuitry that provides you with an additional +25dB of clean gain. This new preamp is in the style of the Fethead which doesn't require extra XLR cables like previous Cloudlifters. It has a custom Neutrik connector and comes with Cloud Microphones' limited lifetime warranty. The Mini CL-25 retails for $149.00.The BOYA Caster X1 is a new audio interface that provides 70dB of gain, is 24-bit 192kHz, and features an auto-gain setting. The device has a multifunction control knob, and a dynamic light bar displays real-time sound waves, microphone gain, and headphone monitoring level at a glance. You can also customize the light's brightness and colors in BOYA Central on your computer. The device retails for $99.99.COMING SOON:Elgato says they're building a new generation of audio tools for creators. They're using the hashtag #WaveNext in their cryptic posts. We'll find out all the details in a couple of weeks.SUBSCRIBE/SHARE:PODCAST: https://feeds.captivate.fm/podcast-gear-news/YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL:https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsERRORS OR OMISSIONS: If you’re a product manufacturer and I got something wrong, feel free to use the contact email in the podcast feed or my contact on the freepodcasttools.com website.Thank you for listening to Podcast Gear News. I’ll catch you next month.
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    7 min
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