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In this edition of our NAMM 2026 article series, we’ll be looking at the pro audio, recording and live sound category. It’s a jampacked year of releases from the biggest names in the biz, accounting for everything from microphones and audio interfaces to portable column arrays, power conditioners, in-ear monitors and more.
While the tech nerd in me would love to regale you with long, tedious spec lists, the former working audio engineer—who often had to quickly extinguish studio “fires” and rarely got hung up on the technical minutiae during the heat of a session—considers that our time is perhaps better spent talking about why things are just plain cool. What’s unique about a certain piece of kit, and how might it complement your own journey as an artist, engineer, content creator or all-around creative?
I’ll do my best to share impressions of, and insights into, the products and collections highlighted here—from one “gear guy” to you.
Also, be sure to bookmark this page and check in for updates from my Guitar Center teammates as they interact with some of this gear on the convention floor.
Table of Contents
New in Pro Audio, Recording and Live Sound at NAMM 2026
AKG
Fender
JH Audio
KORG
Livewire
Neumann
QSC
RCF
Soyuz
Shure
Ultimate Ears
Warm Audio
Yamaha
Yorkville
Conclusion
New in Pro Audio, Recording and Live Sound at NAMM 2026
AKG
As a big fan of the C414 XLII, I’m happy to see AKG further expand the C-Series with budget-friendly options for home studio recordists. The C104 is a fixed cardioid condenser, while the C114 adds omni and figure-8 settings for recording flexibility. Both owe their heritage to the 414 and its predecessor, the legendary C12, and I think a plurality of aspiring engineers, podcasters and livestreamers would be impressed by the sound and stoked to have one of these AKGs in their setup. They look great, too.
Shop Now: AKG C114 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
AKG also announced the C151, which is an affordable pencil condenser based on the ubiquitous C451. If you plan on recording any acoustic instruments and want that incredible, hi-fi detail only a small-diaphragm condenser can reproduce, this will be a solid choice, for sure.
Shop Now: AKG C151 Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Fender
If Quantum Series audio interfaces sound familiar, it’s because they were under PreSonus’ name until the recent Fender rebrand. These strike me as a stepping stone for Fender into the recording world, where I imagine they’ll want to become an influential force in coming years as they bridge the gap between their instruments and the tools used to capture them.
Shop Now: Fender Quantum LT 2 USB-C Audio Interface
Fender Quantum LT 2 and LT 4 desktop interfaces are perfect for solo artists and producers recording an instrument or two at a time, while the project studio-oriented rackmount LT 16 has the I/O for drums and ensembles.
Three things impress me most about these interfaces:
- MAX-HD preamps with up to 75dB of gain. You can drive even the least-sensitive dynamic microphones, such as the SM7B.
- Built-in loopback for livestreaming, letting you route computer audio through the interface back to your broadcasting software.
- Sample rates up to 192kHz for maximum fidelity if you need it.
Shop Now: Fender Quantum LT 16 Rackmount Audio Interface
Accompanying new Quantum Series interfaces, Fender announced Studio Pro 8—the latest version of the DAW formerly known as PreSonus Studio One. Enhancements to the UI make Studio Pro’s drag-and-drop workflow even faster and more intuitive, while creative tools, such as Chord Assistant, can help you finish arrangements and stay locked in your flow state. The DAW also includes Fender guitar and bass amplifier software, a new Studio Verb plug-in, updated sampling instruments and more.
Shop Now: Fender Studio Pro 8 DAW Software
JH Audio
If you’re looking for quality in-ear monitors (IEMs) that won’t break the bank, JH Audio Jessie IEMs deliver the fidelity and fit that have made Jerry Harvey’s designs a must-have for some of music’s biggest names, including Kendrick Lamar, Deftones, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, The Weeknd and tons more.
Shop Now: JH Audio Jessie Universal In-Ear Monitors
Ultimately, they’re a gateway to high-quality IEMs without spending thousands on a custom-molded pair. After a gig or two, they’ll pay for themselves. Plus, as someone who used entry-level IEMs as everyday earbuds for a while—this was pre-AirPod days—you could totally get some mileage out of them that way, too.
KORG
With an abundance of home studio interfaces on the market, brands need bold features to stand out. In my opinion, KORG succeeded in that endeavor with the microAUDIO 722. It’s a compact, 2-channel desktop interface with MIDI I/O, but it contains an analog filter based on those found in miniKORG 700S synthesizers from the ’70s. That way, you have a little more creative control over your frequency content at the recording stage.
Also available, the KORG microAUDIO 22 is a streamlined version without the filter. Let’s be honest, though—the filter rules.
Shop Now: KORG microAUDIO 722 USB-C Audio Interface
Livewire
It’s important to feed your studio equipment steady voltage and ensure sensitive electronics are shielded from potential power surges. Guitar Center-exclusive power conditioners by Livewire are a cost-effective solution for clean, protected studio power.
The PP1000 model has nine back-panel outlets, while the PP2000 contains 11. Both offer USB-A and USB-C charging ports on the front panel, while the PP2000 sports an AC voltmeter and pair of retractable lights.
If you have a bunch of rack gear and still need a central power supply, check these out. They’ll give Furman a run for their money.
Shop Now: Livewire PP2000 Power Conditioner
Neumann
Neumann expands its studio subwoofer line with the KH 805 II, KH 810 II, KH 810 II AES67, KH 870 II and KH 870 II AES67 for medium and large rooms. All of them feature bass extension down to 16Hz, a full I/O complement (including audio networking capability in the AES67 models) and DSP control for integrating into stereo, surround or immersive Neumann speaker systems—and subsequently managing alignment, frequency response and phase.
These aren’t your average home or project studio subs; these are high-performing subwoofers for professional studios working in music production, film scoring and post-production, and broadcast.
Shop Now: Neumann KH 870 AES67 Dual 10" Powered Subwoofer with DSP
QSC
Of the many challenges of being a one-person show, consistent and reliable live sound reproduction doesn’t have to be one of them. QSC announced the ultracompact CB10 portable PA—a wireless, battery-powered system running a 10" speaker. What has me so chuffed with this pint-sized unit is its outrageously loud maximum SPL of 126dB. That puts it among the loudest in its class.
And while it’s fairly safe to say you won’t need to test its upper limits for a midday singer-songwriter set at your local coffee shop, the ability to get that loud tells me the sound will be clear and distortion-free across the spectrum at all reasonable volumes.
Shop Now: QSC CB10 Portable 10" Loudspeaker
For an entirely different set of live sound reinforcement needs, QSC also launched the LS218 dual 18" subwoofer. It’s a 200+ lb. behemoth for large events and fixed installations, outputting up to 141dB SPL with bass extension down to 35Hz. I can feel the kick drum in my chest already.
Shop Now: QSC LS218 5000W Powered Subwoofer
RCF
If the gig calls for big, bold sound and amply wide coverage, I’m not sure it gets any simpler or more convenient than fast-deploying column speaker systems. If you run a mobile live sound service, play DJ sets in decently sized venues or anything of the sort, RCF’s new EVOX JMIX-9, J9 and J11 portable column PAs should be part of your arsenal.
Shop Now: RCF EVOX JMIX-9 Active 3-Way Column Array System
These are true 3-way systems loaded with 3" full-range drivers. The smaller J9 models contain six of them, while the larger J11 ups the ante (and output) with 12. Three-way systems offer the practical advantage of punchier lows, smoother mids and shinier highs, as each speaker operates more efficiently within its assigned frequency range. Twelve-inch subwoofers drive the bass—and also form a stable base to hold up the column array.
Shop Now: RCF EVOX J11 Active 3-Way Column Array System
Soyuz
The Soyuz V1 dynamic microphone is a compelling choice when you need the rock-solid reliability of moving-coil designs with condenser-like clarity and precision. It’s voiced to sound great on vocals and instruments from the start, without the need for heavy post-processing just to land on a semi-useable tone. Focused lows that don’t muddy up from proximity effect, balanced mids and present highs paint the sonic picture.
Shop Now: Soyuz Microphones V1 Dynamic Microphone
Personally, I think this microphone looks so, so cool, too—for live performance, where all eyes are on the lead singer, that might be a factor for you. But, most importantly, I appreciate its versatility, from withstanding the rigors of the road to sounding fabulous on a variety of sources under the studio microscope.
Rarely does a new dynamic microphone come along that challenges our collective loyalty to time-honored designs—the Soyuz V1 could be it.
Shure
The absolute coolest thing about new Shure SLX-D+ Wideband wireless systems is that they offer nationwide coverage—no more frequency band-specific units or setup headaches. I mentioned earlier how part of anyone’s role as an engineer is being able to put out fires. Shure SLX-D+ Wideband systems prevent them from ever starting. The SLX-D+ series runs gamut from wireless microphone systems to portable bodypacks for all your guitar and bass needs.
Shop Now: Shure SLXD4D+/B58 Digital Wireless Dual Handheld Microphone System
Ultimate Ears
Best known for their custom-molded IEMs, new universal-fit 150, 250 and 350 pairs from Ultimate Ears offer a similar level of detail and comfort as their higher-end in-ears, right off the shelf at more affordable prices.
I like the fact that it’s a three-tier lineup, with the first digit of each model number actually representing the number of drivers in the unit. You essentially get to choose your level of sonic precision, whether you need a simple pair for stage monitoring or something you might also take into the studio for critical listening.
Shop Now: Ultimate Ears UE 350 Universal In-Ear Monitors
Warm Audio
The Warm Audio Retro 64 pays homage to a dynamic broadcast mic from the 1950s and ’60s, nicknamed the “Buchanan Hammer” after its Michigan birthplace and renowned toughness that could drive in nails. We’re talking about the Electro-Voice 664—popular in its time but underappreciated today, maybe because it’s been overshadowed by the Neumanns, TELEFUNKENs and AKGs that tend to dominate the “legendary microphone” conversation.
Shop Now: Warm Audio Retro 64 Dynamic Vocal and Instrument Microphone
The Retro 64 tribute is a stage-ready vocal mic with a carefully tuned, feedback-rejecting frequency response, an internal shockmount to minimize handling noise and a fabulous Art Deco enclosure. I’m confident it would excel in the studio for vocal recording, podcasting and livestreaming as well.
When people see this mic, it’s going to stir their curiosity, even if they’re not gear nerds like us. Warm Audio nailed it.
Yamaha
New MGX Series mixers bring digital features to tried-and-true Yamaha MG analog boards, including a touchscreen interface, numerous effects, savable and recallable scenes, automatic gain and more. These are flexible all-around mixers for live sound, music production, podcasting and streaming, and they’re portable enough for mobile rigs.
I imagine the digital overhaul will appeal to an entirely new segment of creators seeking intuitive operation and flexibility. The analog MG stuff is fantastic, but the MGX opens a whole other dimension of capability via something everyone can use—a touchscreen.
Shop Now: Yamaha MGX16 22-Channel Digital Mixer
In a similar vein, Yamaha introduced URX Series audio interfaces with touch-based DSP effects and multiple assistive functions, including auto gain, clip safe and Simple or Standard operating modes. Designed with content creators in mind, the flagship URX44V also incorporates HDMI-USB capture for video and streaming workflows.
These user-friendly interfaces and mixers should demystify audio fundamentals for entertainers who want great sound without much fuss.
Shop Now: Yamaha URX44V USB-X Audio/Video Interface
Yorkville
The Yorkville EF12P is a powered loudspeaker with a built-in mixer and DSP-driven playback profiles. A 12" woofer and 3" horn are housed in a nearly indestructible, ABS-coated birch cabinet, and the biamplified system generates a total of 1,200W for up to 131dB SPL. The Yorkville EF12P delivers outstanding fidelity and power for use as a stage main or portable PA, and they’re built insanely tough for years of dependable performance.
Shop Now: Yorkville EF12P 12" 1200W Powered Speaker
Conclusion
For more info on any of the gear featured here, tap in with Guitar Center’s Gear Advisers for expert guidance. Feel free to also check out our coverage of acoustic and electric guitars, amps and effects, keyboards and synths, bass gear and drums from NAMM 2026.
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