A fascinating piece of gear quietly surfaced ahead of NAMM, and it sent us down a deep rabbit hole.

In this episode of The Pro Audio Suite, the crew digs into the Carno Sepia system, a digitally controlled, fully analog modular hardware platform that feels like a modern reimagining of the 500 series concept, minus the knobs.

We unpack how it works, who it's really for, and whether this kind of hybrid approach is genuine innovation or just another expensive way to chase "analog purity." Along the way, we talk NAMM expectations, Sweetwater leaks, digitally controlled analog routing, redundancy, reliability fears, scratchy pots, touring rigs, and whether DSP has already caught up anyway.

This one is equal parts curiosity, scepticism, and hard-earned industry perspective.

• A NAMM-bound product that surfaced early on Sweetwater

• Digitally controlled analog hardware with no physical controls

• How Carno Sepia compares to traditional 500 series systems

• Routing, redundancy, and remote control advantages

• Real-world concerns around longevity and software dependency

• Analog obsession vs modern DSP reality

• Who this gear actually makes sense for

• Why some innovation feels brilliant and ridiculous at the same time
  
  Thanks to Tri-Booth and Austrian Audio for supporting The Pro Audio Suite.

2025 has been a big year for The Pro Audio Suite, so this episode is a full end-of-year wrap up with Robbo, Andrew Peters, George "The Tech" Whitham, and Robert Marshall.

We look back at the biggest moments, the most downloaded episodes, the conversations that sparked the most reaction, and the industry shifts that actually mattered.

From the launch of the PASport VO and real-world use cases, to persistent Source-Connect confusion, to the realities of AI in voiceover and audio production, this episode ties together the themes that defined 2025 for working audio pros.

We also talk gear myths, room realities, video versus audio podcasting, career curveballs, and why experience still beats prompts every single time.

If you've followed the show this year, this is the episode that puts it all in context.

• The biggest Pro Audio Suite episodes of 2025

• PASport VO real-world workflows and lessons learned

• Source-Connect 3 vs 4, and why the bridge episode mattered

• Why AI still struggles with direction, nuance, and repeatability

• Gear matters less than people think, but understanding it matters more

• Room setup and monitoring mistakes that keep catching people out

• Audio-only vs video podcasting, what's worth the effort

• Career curveball gigs from the hosts this year

• Why experience still wins over automation

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Tri‑Booth

• Austrian Audio

Recorded using Source-Connect
Edited by Andrew Peters

Mixed by Voodoo Sound

This week the team dives into one of the strangest mics we've ever had on the show.
A client of George's sent through a full placement test of the Aston Element, the active moving-coil oddball with its own made-up technology name, the Rydion capsule. Aston claims it blends the bottom end of a dynamic, the clarity of a condenser, and the smoothness of a ribbon. Big call.

We compare it directly against a 416 and a TLM103, and the reactions in the room say everything.
Does it punch above its weight?
Is it just a quirky USB-era gimmick?
Does it actually compete with entry-level VO mics?
And most importantly, would any of us actually buy one?

We also wander into proximity effect, capsule placement inside shotgun mics, and George literally dismantles an NTG4 on air. Good fun.

If you're a mic nerd or you love oddball gear, you'll enjoy this one.

Brought to you by Tri-Booth and Austrian Audio.
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Episode recorded and produced by The Pro Audio Suite.

Listen, explore, connect at proaudiosuite.com