SAMPLED▌ FRONT AND CENTER
Is LUNA Really Free? The Free DAWs Worth Downloading on Mac, Windows and iPad
Universal Audio's LUNA now costs nothing on Mac and Windows. Here is what that gets you, plus the other free DAWs worth your time, including Sampledex on iPad, Mac and Windows.
// also right now
GearWhat Equipment Do You Need to Start a Video Podcast at Home?
A home podcast studio built from gear I actually use: a 4K webcam, a pair of tracking PTZ cameras and the headphones every broadcast booth already owns.
FeatureIs Sampledex for iPad a Real Free DAW, and What Can It Do?
Robert Clemons has brought Sampledex from the Mac to the iPad as a free download. Here is what it does, what it can't do, and who it's for.
// from the dispatch
Can You Fit a Whole Production Setup in a Backpack?
Six pieces — interface, sampler, mic, controller, monitors, headphones — that turn any laptop and a backpack into a working studio.
What Is the Best Cheap Audio Interface in 2026?
Three entry-level USB interfaces — the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen, the Steinberg UR22MKII, and the Arturia MiniFuse 2 — compared on preamps, channel count, MIDI, and bundled software.
Which Sampler Should You Buy in 2026?
Three hardware samplers built for making beats away from a computer: the SP-404MKII effects box, the battery-powered Akai MPC Sample, and the EP-133 K.O. II with 128 MB and 999 sample slots.
What Is the Best Condenser Mic for Vocals? AT2020 vs NT1 5th Gen vs LCT 240 Pro
Three condenser mic bundles for three budgets: the AT2020 starter kit with boom arm and pop filter, the dual-output RODE NT1 5th Gen, and the Lewitt LCT 240 Pro vocal pack.
Which Nektar MIDI Keyboard Is Right for You? SE61 vs Impact LX Mini vs GXP61
Three Nektar controllers for three different desks: the plug-and-play SE61, the travel-sized Impact LX Mini and the semi-weighted, aftertouch-equipped Impact GXP61.
What Are the Best Studio Monitors to Buy in 2026?
Four nearfields cover almost every real-world room and budget: the KRK ROKIT 5 G5, Yamaha HS5, JBL 305P MkII and PreSonus Eris 3.5. Here is how they differ and which one fits which desk.
What Are the Best Studio Headphones? ATH-M50x vs MDR-7506 vs DT 770 Pro
Three closed-back monitors have survived every trend in studio gear. Here is how the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Sony MDR-7506 and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro actually differ, and which one belongs on which job.
Why Does Every Studio Still Keep Sony MDR-7506 on the Mic Stand?
Introduced in 1991 and still on every tracking-room mic stand, the MDR-7506 is the closed-back monitor that outlived three decades of wireless flagships. From the records Andrew Scheps mixed for Adele and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the film sets that made it a location-sound standard, here is the history, the specs and why engineers never replace it.
What Should You Wear From Studio to Street? A Seven-Piece Wardrobe
A watch, three shirts, a bomber, a blazer, a waffle hoodie and a light rain shell. What each piece is actually for, how to size it, and what to skip.