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Upgrades & Ergonomics = Successful Sound

Your studio is never finished—and that’s the beauty of it. Whether you’re running a modest bedroom rig or managing multiple rooms, staying current with gear and dialing in your workflow is what keeps your sound sharp and your sessions productive. The November issue of RECORDING is packed with tools, tips, and reviews to help you make smarter upgrades and unlock the full potential of your space.

Reviews

We have twelve products under review this month, and we start with five stellar interfaces. From Lynx, we have Mesa, the company’s first Thunderbolt desktop interface offering. Next up, from Audient, we look at the well-connected Audient iD48 USB-C Audio Interface. From Solid State Logic, we check out the SSL 18 USB-C Audio Interface. Finally, we connect to the new cutting-edge Imersiv D-1 Multi-Path DAC.

Next up, we have the latest StudioLive Series III mixer from PreSonus. To clean up your studio power, we bring you the impressive and massive Equi=Tech Model 1.5RQ balanced power system.

For your compression needs, we have the AEA 1029 stereo VCA compressor, and the 500-Series Pump from Empirical Labs–we check out a pair housed in the PowerGrod Duo 2-slot 500 Series Chassis from Wave Distro.

In plugins and software, we have the learn:bundle from sonible, Mantra from Neural DSP, and have a play on Modartt Pianoteq version 9.

Features

In this year’s penultimate installment of his year-long look at setting up a personal studio, this issue’s Studio 101 lesson plan finds Joe Albano talking all about necessary studio accessories. [GET IT HERE] In RECORDING Field Notes, Giles Reaves considers proper processing order—compress, then EQ or EQ then compress? [GET IT HERE]

In RECORDING Techniques, Dave Martin discusses preproduction, session planning, and not wasting time during your next session. [GET IT HERE] In Inside The Studio, Mark Hornsby talks about designing a multi-purpose single room studio for tracking, mixing and writing. [GET IT HERE]

Mixing and mastering engineer Stan Kybert joins us this month to take us Inside the Atmos Workflow: Reconstructing Iconic Records. [GET IT HERE]

Finally, we welcome back producer and engineer Chandler Bridges this month’s Fade Out, where he reminds us that controlling your environment controls your sound.

If you’re planning your next upgrade, optimizing your workflow, or just trying to get more out of your gear, this issue delivers the guidance—and gear intel—you need to make it happen.

Don’t miss November’s RECORDING—your shortcut to a smarter, better-sounding studio.