April 29, 2025- Did you create anything new this week? When I was young and working a lot of overtime at my straight job I could not get enough time in my little recording studio. Here is an article to help you get over "writers block" and create your best work ever. In other news we're going to be wrapping up the big burst of microphone reviews very shortly and changing focus back to synthesizers, drum machines and Eurorack. Have a wonderful week!
April 27, 2025- Time is flying by, I've been in the lab with all sorts of microphone testing, rebuilding old mics, testing unbelievable microphone clones from China, story coming very soon, all our staff is working on this... You think your Podcast mic is a Shure SM-7B, but is it really?
April 21, 2025- A new week, new studio adventures. A new Model D is in the house, review coming soon.
April 18, 2025- Have a glorious Easter Weekend. More music, recording and sound next week!
April 18, 2025- Still working on microphone reviews, getting them ready to publish, last minute additions. After the mic reviews are published we'll be moving to synths and drum machines. Currently in the lab, three drum machines getting ready for a beat-smackdown. It was almost ready to roll but MPC 3.0 came along and it's a major upgrade so we're doing more testing. Not enough hours in the day...lol
April 14, 2025- We've been very busy here at H.o.T. HQ gathering historical information to create a burst of stories about microphones that shaped our recording journey. Mic's are the ears of recording and sound engineers, the right one can elevate a voice to the next level. Here is a shortcut link to view the newly revised section 11 of Table of Contents, enjoy! 11 Microphones.
April 14, 2025 - We've added the NEWS page (you're soaking in it), a new selection and section where we can post information about forthcoming gadgets and musical things.
Today's Big Story - I actually spotted this news a couple of weeks ago, I've listened to the demos and here is what I've dug up so far on this exciting new synthesizer product.
Can’t wait for this retro-inspired beast to drop? Neither can we!
Behringer is turning up the heat in the synth world with the upcoming 2-XM, a semi-modular analog synthesizer that channels the soul of the Oberheim Two-Voice into a compact, Eurorack-ready package. Priced at an irresistible ~$399 USD, this duophonic dream machine is set to drop jaws—and killer sounds—in studios and live setups alike. Get ready, because the 2-XM is about to make vintage vibes accessible to every synth nerd out there!
Crafted with a pure analog signal path, the 2-XM packs two independent voices, each loaded with dual VCOs (sawtooth and pulse waves with sync), a multimode VCF (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch), and a punchy VCA. With four envelope generators, dual LFOs, and a noise generator, it’s a playground for crafting everything from thunderous basses to cosmic pads. The 32-point patchbay—16 CV ins, 16 outs—begs for wild modulation experiments, making it a natural fit for Eurorack enthusiasts itching to push boundaries.
What’s got us buzzing? The 2-XM’s versatility. Play it duophonically, split voices across MIDI channels, or stack all four oscillators for massive unison leads that’ll shake the room. A stereo mixer with panning and portamento sliders adds lush depth, while MIDI, USB, and polychain support (link up to 32 voices!) ensure it vibes with modern workflows. Housed in a sleek desktop skiff that slides into any Eurorack case, its 64 knobs and switches scream hands-on control.
“Behringer’s 2-XM is our love letter to the Oberheim legacy,” says a company spokesperson. “We’ve distilled that iconic ‘70s SEM sound into a synth that’s affordable, modular-friendly, and bursting with creative potential. Whether you’re a bedroom producer or a live performer, this is the analog spark you’ve been waiting for.”
We’re counting down the days until the 2-XM hits shelves. Why? Because this isn’t just a synth—it’s a portal to retro-futuristic soundscapes at a price that won’t break the bank. From gritty leads to evolving textures, the 2-XM is poised to be the heart of countless rigs.
