PGN010 - NAB 26 Podcast Gear Roundup

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.