Win $3,000 and get heard by Just Blaze via our beat battle with Sound Collective
Enter our beat battle with Sound Collective to win cash prizes and have the opportunity to be heard by the one-and-only Just Blaze.

Sonixinema releases FREE Whispering Woodwinds ensemble for Kontakt Player
Whispering Winds is the latest addition to Scorehub, a valuable source of free instruments, interviews, and advice for composers. It’s not long since we covered the last Scorehub freebie, Delicate Strings, and if Sonixinema continues at this rate, it’ll be a complete composers toolkit soon enough. Whispering Winds shares many things with Delicate Strings: the [...]
View post: Sonixinema releases FREE Whispering Woodwinds ensemble for Kontakt Player

Behringer’s DeepMind X Series has an aesthetic inspired by a particular classic Roland synth line…Nearly ten years after the launch of the original polyphonic DeepMind synth, Behringer has celebrated with its new and updated DeepMind X Series.
Comprising three models, the DeepMind 12XD, DeepMind 6X and DeepMind 12X, the DeepMind X Series celebrates a decade since the launch of the original DeepMind with a fresh, new aesthetic, inspired, no doubt, by Roland’s classic Juno line of synths.

READ MORE: Behringer recreates Universal Audio’s 6176 with its vacuum tube preamplifier and FET compressor

The 12X is a 49-key synth with 12-voice polyphony, the 12XD is the same but without the keyboard, while the 6X offers only 6-voice polyphony across a smaller 37-note keyboard. Each model features the same synth architecture as their original DeepMind counterparts, with two oscillators per voice, a 2-pole/4-pole, 6dB-per-octave filter and an array of digital effects.
Other features include three ADSR generators, an eight-channel Modulation Matrix and an onboard 32-step Control Sequencer. Each synth’s signal path also features legendary IR3109-style VCFs and stereo VCAs. Behringer promises these features make it possible to “recreate the magic” of the halcyon days of synthesizer-based music, or craft something modern and original.

The manufacturer has also included 4 simultaneous FX engines with over 33 world-class TC Electronic, Midas and Klark Teknik algorithms – including Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Delay, Multiband Distortion, and many more.
Altogether, 2025 has been a busy year for Behringer. Earlier this month, it announced it was recreating the 6176 Vintage Channel Strip from Universal Audio with the 676, a vacuum tube preamplifier and FET-style compressor.
Last month, it unveiled the RD-78, its recreation of the “granddaddy to all drum machines”, the Roland CR-78. It had first teased a CR-78 emulation all the way back in 2022.
That announcement followed the arrival of its Chorus Symphony pedal, which recreates the original Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble from 1976.
To learn more the DeepMind X Series, head to Behringer.
The post Behringer’s DeepMind X Series has an aesthetic inspired by a particular classic Roland synth line… appeared first on MusicTech.

Fernando Cabral de Mello named CEO of Sony Music Entertainment BrazilSony Music Latin Iberia has announced a new organizational structure for its operations in Brazil
Source

Focus Fuzz Deluxe from Great Eastern FX Co. Based on the original, limited-edition Focus Fuzz, Great Eastern FX Co.'s latest pedal boasts an array of new features including extra Boost and Drive modes and a footswitchable octave-up effect.

Music revenue growth is slowing as subscribers increaseIt's not really the headline most musicians or label heads want to read: music revenue growth is slowing even as subscribers are increasing. To put it another way, more people are paying to listen to music, but on average they are paying less and less for it.
The post Music revenue growth is slowing as subscribers increase appeared first on Hypebot.

Crows Electromusic unveils Lore: A tiny but powerful analogue synth with FM synthesisVancouver-based boutique synth maker Crows Electromusic has unveiled Lore, a pocket-sized analogue synth built for exploratory sound synthesis, ambient, drone and noise music.
Featuring individual controls for each function, Lore gives direct control of two independent triangle-core oscillators and can be switched to an FM synthesis mode to unlock a wide range of complex tones.

READ MORE: “The first synth that made dreaming big accessible to a schlub like me”: Rush’s Geddy Lee teams up with Moog Music on a special-edition, red-finish Minimoog Model D

Following the success of their 2023 release OVUM, Crows Electromusic designed Lore with two key goals: push the boundaries of compact synth design and enable harsher, more aggressive sounds. The result is an intuitive, hands-on instrument that encourages sound exploration, with no prior synthesis knowledge required. All in a tiny form factor measuring under 3 x 3 inches.
Equipped with 100% analogue circuitry, two crossfading oscillators, and a switchable FM mode, Lore delivers a wide spectrum of tones, from pure tones to those shimmering, metallic, grinding textures.
“The left oscillator can be sent to the audio output, where it will create harmony or dissonance with the right oscillator, or it can be switched to modulate the frequency of the right oscillator,” says the firm. “This is a simplified and analogue version of the kind of FM synthesis you’ll find in digital synthesizers like the DX7 and its descendants.”
As mentioned, each unit is hand-built and fully analogue, with no digital components, screens, quantization, or key-combinations to memorize — everything is immediate and at your fingertips. The synth is fully standalone as well — simply plug in your headphones via the 3.5mm jack and start playing. There’s also a line-out included for you to connect to an amplifier, audio interface, or external effects.
In addition, the Lore is housed in a green, translucent petroleum-free bioplastic enclosure and powered via USB, making it as portable as it is versatile. The unit does not contain a battery, though it can be powered by any USB power bank.
Lore is available now for $59 USD/$79 CAD.

Learn more at Crows Electromusic.
The post Crows Electromusic unveils Lore: A tiny but powerful analogue synth with FM synthesis appeared first on MusicTech.

“Staying in the streaming world and trying to play that game is probably more of a threat”: Bandcamp executive says its business model is “timeless” and “well positioned for the age of AI”Bandcamp’s direct-to-artist approach isn’t just “timeless”, it’s also well-equipped to navigate the challenges of an AI-driven music industry, says General Manager Dan Melnick.
Speaking to MusicRadar in a new interview, the executive posits that Bandcamp’s system is the norm, while streaming – where artists often receive only fractions of a cent per play – is the outlier.
“The biggest differentiation is our business model,” Melnick explains. “Bandcamp is about buying music directly from artists and labels. The majority of the money goes to artists and labels directly. They get paid. It’s a very simple value-based transaction, I think that’s sort of core to the ethos as well.”

READ MORE: Bandcamp union accuses Songtradr and Epic Games of unfair labour practices

“[When you think about it] it’s a timeless model,” he adds, “and the way streaming works is more of an anomaly than how we work at Bandcamp. What it does is it aligns all of our incentives very clearly. So, we do well, when artists do well. And, if labels sell more, we make a little bit more money, but if they don’t, we make nothing.”
As AI-generated music becomes more prevalent, Melnick sees Bandcamp’s model as a safeguard for human artists. “Bandcamp is not built to break you as an artist,” he says. “I think our business model is very well positioned for the age of AI. If the streaming world gets flooded with AI music, then it reduces the pie for living musicians.”
“I think because we’re already so focused on these direct fan relationships and sort of human-to-human connection and commerce, that we’re actually very well positioned in that sense.”
The executive also hopes that AI’s growing presence will encourage more musicians to rethink their reliance on streaming platforms.
He says: “I’m hopeful that it’ll actually cause more artists to realise, that’s how they should be running their careers. Staying in the streaming world and trying to play that game is probably more of a threat to your career than getting out and building those relationships. Letting fans interact on platforms where we can verify each other’s humanity.”
When asked where he sees the music industry in a decade, Melnick remains cautiously optimistic.
“I think, it’s obviously going to be extremely interesting to watch how disruptive AI is,” he says, adding that it’ll be important to differentiate between “AI as a tool versus AI as a finished product”.
“But I think musicians are going to adopt AI just like they’ve adopted all technology, you know, I think musicians are actually very adaptable to technology as a tool, and always figure out incredibly creative ways to use it.”
Meknick continues, “I think music and musicians are incredibly resilient, and I have a lot of faith that we’re still going to be listening to music made by human beings in 10 years and we’ll still be going to concerts for human beings in 10 years. That doesn’t keep me up at night.”
“I think the question is – how can musicians still make a living? I think that’s why Bandcamp is so important.”
The post “Staying in the streaming world and trying to play that game is probably more of a threat”: Bandcamp executive says its business model is “timeless” and “well positioned for the age of AI” appeared first on MusicTech.

“It was built from my own challenges as a producer”: Amy Winehouse and Adele Producer Dom Morley launches Multiband.io studio collab toolGrammy-winning producer Dom Morley, known for his work with Amy Winehouse, Adele, and more, has launched Multiband.io, a studio collaboration and organisation tool designed to keep every stage of a music project aligned.
The tool, which draws from Morley’s over 25 years of industry experience, bridges the gap between creative vision and technical execution, allowing users to track the progress of their productions from start to finish.

READ MORE: Producer Djrum on why having “too much of a goal” in the studio can be “restrictive”: “I’m always starting up sessions and not finishing them, but I don’t see that as unproductive”

Unlike venture capital-backed software platforms, Multiband.io is a passion project built by a producer who understands the real-world demands of audio professionals. It aims to eliminate the chaos of email chains, misplaced files, and miscommunications — problems that have long plagued producers, engineers, and artists who often find themselves working on multiple projects at once.
The tool basically offers a centralised workspace where everyone in the team can efficiently manage multiple projects, track mixes, and share updates in real-time. Users can upload the latest audio versions, ensuring that everyone always references the correct mix, while project sharing and commenting features improve collaborative workflow.
Free project templates for you to organise productions and arrangements efficiently are also included, along with switchable light and dark themes for a personalised workspace.
“I’ve been using Multiband.io for months, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to do a project without it now,” says Morley. “It was built from my own challenges as a producer, to make sure everyone is working in sync and achieving their best.”
There are three versions of the tool offering a varying number of features: Basic, which is free, Standard, which costs £4.50/month or £45/year, and Professional (coming soon), which will set you back £9/month or £90/year.

Learn more at Multiband.
The post “It was built from my own challenges as a producer”: Amy Winehouse and Adele Producer Dom Morley launches Multiband.io studio collab tool appeared first on MusicTech.

Pro-Ject’s new fully automatic A1.2 turntable is a masterclass in effortless vinyl playbackAustrian hi-fi maker Pro-Ject has unveiled the A1.2, the latest belt-drive, fully automatic turntable in its AUTOMAT lineup
Building on the success of the original A1, this new model refines its performance with a series of thoughtful upgrades aimed at enhancing sound and built quality, and ease of use.

READ MORE: These glam shots of Gadhouse’s new COSMO Solar turntable are so sexy they might just make you buy one

To start, the A1.2 features an all-new die-cast aluminium platter, replacing the A1’s stamped version. This upgrade, combined with CNC machining for greater precision, is said to bring a more stable, low-resonance playback experience.
Another notable improvement is the deck’s 8.3-inch “ultra-light-mass” aluminium tonearm, which now features a redesigned headshell made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. This construction increases stability while keeping weight to a minimum.
“The thoughtful engineering extends to the A1.2’s fully mechanical operation, eliminating motors or electrical components on the tonearm,” says Pro-Ject. “By eschewing these potential sources of interference, unwanted resonance is avoided, and once a record is playing, the mechanics disengage entirely, preserving playback quality.”
Similar to its predecessor, the A1.2 is handmade in Germany by a traditional manufacturer renowned for its expertise in automatic turntables, while final assembly is done in the Czech Republic by technicians with decade long experience.
Image: Pro-Ject
Setting up the A1.2 is straightforward, given that the tracking force and anti-skating are factory-adjusted, and the included Pro-Ject Pick it MM E cartridge is aligned and mounted for peak performance right out of the box.
Users can toggle the built-in phono preamp by lifting the mat and adjusting the switch, allowing seamless integration with any hi-fi setup. Operating the turntable is as simple as selecting 33 or 45 RPM, removing the stylus cover, and pressing start/stop — the platter will begin spinning, and the tonearm will move to the correct position before gently lowering itself onto the record. Once playback finishes, it returns automatically to its resting position.
Set to launch in the UK this April, the A1.2 is available in black or white finish, and is priced at £469.
If understated decks like the A1.2 aren’t your style, Pro-Ject had something louder in store earlier this year with the release of an AC/DC-themed turntable, complete with a bold lightning bolt design that screams High Voltage.
Learn more at Project Audio.
The post Pro-Ject’s new fully automatic A1.2 turntable is a masterclass in effortless vinyl playback appeared first on MusicTech.

“We will always remain unapologetically pro-Palestine”: Boiler Room issue statement addressing new ownership after artists pull out of eventsBoiler Room has issued a statement addressing concerns over its new owners, Superstruct Entertainment.
The online music broadcaster and club promoter was recently acquired by Superstruct Entertainment, the second largest festival group in the world, from ticket site DICE.
According to Resident Advisor, Superstruct’s parent company is KKR, a private equity firm with alleged ties to weapons manufacturers and businesses involved in the development of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, including Axel Springer, Guesty, Circor International, and Advanced Navigation.

READ MORE: 100-strong crowd breaks into Ministry of Sound with bolt cutters, hosts illegal rave and is chased out by security

Following the acquisition, various artists, including Ikonika, Beatrice M., Mia Koden, BasicDisarm, jtamul, and 8ULENTINA, have cancelled their Boiler Room performances in protest.
Of their decision to pull out of Boiler Room’s London festival performance this summer, electronic musician Ikonika wrote, “In light of this, I will no longer be performing at the event and urge my peers on the lineup to reconsider appearing. I will always stand in solidarity with the Palestinians and Indigenous people across the globe.”
And now, responding to the backlash on social media, Boiler Room says that while KKR holds “investments that categorically do not align with our values”, the platform had no control over the acquisition.
“No Boiler Room staff at any level held any ownership or voting rights in the company and had no control over the sale. We are also unable to divest because we have no say in our ownership.”
The platform also maintains that despite the new ownership, “we will always remain unapologetically pro-Palestine”.
The statement continues: “Boiler Room has been through various changes in control, investors, boards, and ownership, and through this our commitment to editorial independence and Palestine has never wavered. No investor, past or present, has ever influenced our output, this will never change. “

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Boiler Room (@boilerroomtv)

The post “We will always remain unapologetically pro-Palestine”: Boiler Room issue statement addressing new ownership after artists pull out of events appeared first on MusicTech.

Kilohearts Drops FREE Clipper Plugin for Windows and macOS
On Tuesday, Kilohearts dropped its free Clipper plugin, a no-frills design capable of producing some very interesting sounds, particularly for drums.  Clipper is a macOS and Windows release for VST, AAX, AU, and the Kilohearts snapin format.  At first glance, Clipper looks like your standard free plugin, with just four parameters on a bare-bones interface.  [...]
View post: Kilohearts Drops FREE Clipper Plugin for Windows and macOS

Hit’n’Mix RipX Backstage now available Hit’n’Mix have announced that the augmented/virtual reality version of their innovative DAW software that was previewed recently has now officially launched.

Native Instruments Claire: Avant Piano PluginNative Instruments describes their new piano virtual instrument Claire: Avant as an “avant-garde instrument, developed in collaboration with Galaxy Instruments, [which] transforms the sounds of a 10-foot Fazioli concert grand piano into a canvas for experimental soundscapes, featuring unconventional techniques that bring out the raw textures and hidden harmonics of the instrument. A piano like no other, Claire: Avant is a bold reimagination of the piano, capturing the character of a 10-foot Fazioli F308 concert grand, one of the world’s most revered and sonically rich pianos. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, extended resonance, and powerful low end, the Fazioli F308 delivers a depth and clarity that few instruments can match. Recorded with the lid off, Claire: Avant unveils the intricate resonances, overtones, and percussive textures often lost in traditional sampling. From metallic hits to delicate droplets, deep basses to high-grit tones, it invites artists to explore new sonic territories with scraped, struck, plucked, and dampened articulations.”The next evolution of their sampling capture of the Fazioli Grand Piano Claire, Claire: Avant is not designed to be a standard capture of a Grand Piano. Optimum for film scores or any music where a different piano sound is desired, many of the timbres available would fall into the category of prepared piano. Claire: Avant is designed to be expressive and unconventional. Claire: Avant introduces nine distinct articulations and preparations, including: brushed textures, Flageolet harmonics, damped una corda, soft, rubber and metal mallets, muted strings, wooden and ivory plucks. All these unique articulations are very malleable, which multiple mic variables and tonal combinations of textures that make Claire: Avant an enormously powerful and deeply variable sonic palette. Claire: Avant features the NI’s Particles engine, enabling each note to evolve with dynamic harmonic textures that change over time. The Particles Engine aims to inject dynamic and organic elements into your music by triggering and processing additional samples, or "particles," in response to your keyboard inputs. Combined with 40 custom presets for Kontaktʼs Pattern Tool, the instrument creates organic sequences and randomized textures.Native Instruments is one of the top leading companies in sampling. The innovation and depth of Claire: Avant is remarkable and not something that can be explored in one day. Featuring 122 presets, the sonics are top notch and unusual sounds are in every patch. The presets sound incredible and can be further edited substantially. This is an instrument that will continue to provide textures and inspiration for those inclined to explore it. Claire: Avant works both as a standalone application or as a plugin within Kontakt 8 and requires the very latest version of Kontakt 8.2.Claire: Avant $99; Special Bundle Offer: Claire: Avant and the Claire grand piano $199For more, visit native-instruments.comThe post Native Instruments Claire: Avant Piano Plugin first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.