PGN008 - BOYA Caster X1

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.