Q&A with Jenny LewisPhotos by Bobbi Rich

Headlining coast-to-coast shows with her Joy’All Ball, joining the Beck and Phoenix Summer Odyssey tour, and in performances from Madison Square Garden to The Hollywood Bowl as a member of The Postal Service on their historic 20th anniversary tour with Death Cab for Cutie: With the release of her fifth solo record, Joy’All, Jenny Lewis is undeniably high-profile.  

From a show business family, Lewis successfully survived her extensive childhood acting career to first emerge musically with Rilo Kiley, a band whose pensive songs became touchstones for a coming-of-age generation in the new millennium. Her solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat (with The Watson Twins) cast her as a sympathetic chanteuse cloaked in vintage fashion, imbued with quirky, approachable cool. 

As the title might indicate, the Blue Note/Capitol release, Joy’All, helmed by Nashville producer Dave Cobb, is charmingly upbeat, in contrast to the paradoxical asides, existential truths, and new chapters of hard-won wisdom that are revealed within. 

Music Connection: Greetings, Jenny. It certainly seems as if there is a huge upswing in your media visibility at this moment.

Jenny Lewis: I think it’s just all happening at once. I’ve been in The Postal Service for 20 plus years. I’ve been doing my own music since 2006, and then I’ve been in a bunch of side projects. So, I’m always doing a couple of things at once, but the culmination of this 20-year anniversary tour with my album release so close by is definitely a lot. I hope people aren’t going to get sick of me—because I’m sick of myself! 

MC: When do you sleep?

JL: I sleep on a tour bus in the fetal position, with earplugs, a sleeping mask, and a night guard. It’s very cute. 

MC: You are featured on a new segment of the television show, Austin City Limits. It is so interesting how the songs from the latest record translate in a live context. “Love Feel,” for example, is a barnburner. 

JL: Austin City Limits is so cool, because you get to do your full show, 70 minutes, or whatever you’re playing on the road, and then you get to pick the songs for the edited segment. But they make you pick the songs as soon as you walk off of the stage. So, you’ve just done this incredible thing with multiple cameras and a live audience, and then they say, “Okay—pick the songs now.” So, in keeping with the album cycle, obviously the new ones are the most exciting, but that was my third performance on ACL, so I had to remember what I had played in 2014, and with Rilo Kiley. So, it’s kind of a stressful situation.

MC: You write by yourself, correct?

JL: I do. I have, in my career, also written with my boyfriends, who I have happened to be in bands with. My co-writing has been pretty much limited to within these relationships. I never have done co-writes with any other writers in Nashville, or artists.  For me, the most important thing has been finding my autonomy as an artist in the world, and honing in on my true voice. On this record, I really wanted it to be conversational. And going into the studio with Dave Cobb, talking about what we were going to make, I made it very clear to him that I wanted the vocals and the stories to be very present, as if we are having a conversation throughout the record. 

MC: Joy’All is so mellifluous, so when lyrics come in that are edgier, deeper, and darker, it’s an interesting contrast. There is a lot of air in the sound of the record, enhancing the vocal clarity. 

JL: It’s very sparse. We cut it live on the floor at RCA Studio A in Nashville. It is just incredible to be in that building, and we cut it to tape. Dave is a big fan of miking the drums Beatles’ style, and it was a very small band. After we cut it live, Dave wanted me to play all of the keys, and all of the other additional parts. So, he would hum something, and I would play it on the piano, or the Mellotron, which we used quite a bit. 

I think he wanted to keep it true to the demos that I had cut at home in Nashville on my iPhone, because I don’t have a computer, so I do everything in Garage Band. And then when we mixed the record I thought, “This is a Nashville record, I’d love to have some pedal steel, and some extra bits, frequency-wise.” So, we had Greg Leisz play pedal steel on a handful of songs, and then added Jon Brion, who shares a space with Greg Koller who mixed the record. I got to be in the studio with Jon as he was listening to the songs and finding those moments, like on “Apples & Oranges,” it’s a B-bender guitar.

MC: “Apples & Oranges” reminds us of Tommy James and the Shondells. 

JL: Oh wow, you picked up on that! We had a “Crimson and Clover” tremolo on pretty much the entire track. Initially, we went overboard, but it’s in there. So you are feeling that tremolo, but it’s more in the mix now. I’m a big Nuggets (historic ‘60s garage bands) fan. I love all that. I would love to make a record one day that is as rough sounding as some of those recordings. 

MC:  You are certainly candid in sharing what seem to be autobiographical elements in your songs. 

JL: I am creating a story. There is a twist in Rilo Kiley’s “Does He Love You.” That’s not a true story, but there are elements within the story that ring true. That song was inspired by “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes. I wanted to write something with a twist in the last verse. Real life is interesting. I have had such an interesting 47 years on the planet: growing up in a musical family in Hollywood, in the Valley, a ton of family stuff went on, so it’s always been right there for me to channel and write about. I’m just trying to get it down on the page, because it keeps happening. It’s wild stuff!

MC: Having grown up in a show business family, one of the lessons you probably learned early was it is not all glamor and glitz. 

JL: In my family we were working class musicians, three generations of vaudeville performers, dancers, musicians; Las Vegas and Alaska lounge performers. My dad was in prison for a couple of years. He taught guitar to some of the guys up there. Music is the through-line in good times, prosperous times, and in tragic times. It’s always the music that has kept us together, and luckily I am a songwriter—the first songwriter in my family. So, I’ve been able to carve out a little spot for myself, because I am creating the material. But I come from covers, because my whole family would do them. And they were so good. But they didn’t write for some reason. That’s what differentiates me from the rest of my crew. 

MC: The process of writing the songs for Joy’All came from an online songwriting workshop. Tell us about it. 

JL: Part of the record was written during a songwriting workshop that Beck put together in 2021 during the pandemic, while we were still at home. I had about half of the songs for the record already written. The workshop included a very eclectic and awesome group of people.  Adam Green (Moldy Peaches), Sean Lennon, and Devendra Banhart who was there in the beginning. We would have prompts: write a song with 1-4-5 changes; write a song of all clichés—which is “Love Feel.”  The prompts would come, and we would write and record and send the song to the group a day at a time. It’s not something that I had ever done before. I write from this magical channeling zone. You don’t know where it comes from, and then a year later you are like, “Oh, that’s what that song is about.” Writing with prompts, you will never run out of things to write about. 

MC: Songwriters will talk about sometimes channeling lyrics and melodies that seem pre-existent. 

JL: There are different ways to it. Some people sit down every day to write. I imagine Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service) is very regimented with his schedule in writing. I’m writing every day, but it’s a little more freeform; not sitting down, but I’m out in the world where something will occur to me, and I’ll grab my voice notes, and go back home and figure it out on piano or guitar.  

MC: Do these fragments then become the centers of songs?

JL: For the most part, a feeling or an idea, or I will be jamming in my music room. I have this drum machine that J.J. Cale used on his records, so I might hit that, and I’ll have my guitar or bass, pick a key, and then something will come out of that. I will typically carve it into existence over a period of time. But sometimes songs arrive fully formed like “Just One of the Guys,” from The Voyager. That one just arrived, and I don’t know how it happened. Then the homework comes. I am always editing up until I record the song. And I’ll record it on my phone and work on the lyrics as I’m overdubbing drums, bass, and keys. I will do everything, and the lyrics come out of the production, as I’m figuring it out. Once I am going in the studio I will continue to edit the lyrics until the day of— moment of, occasionally.

MC: We think of the meaning of words versus the sound of words. We like the use of the word “ruminate,” in the line from “A Puppy and a Truck” that says “…Time to ruminate/What the fuck was that?”

JL: (Laughs) If there is a word for the pandemic, it would probably be “ruminate.” I spent March to October 2020 at my house in California, until I took a flight to Nashville that fall. I took it very seriously, and in some ways it was very good for me. I was totally alone. I had nothing on the books for the first time since I was a kid. When you are a performer, there is always this underlying anxiety. If you have a show coming up, it’s just part of the gig.  So, all of that went away. For the first time in my life, I felt totally free. Obviously, I was scared, and experiencing everything everybody else was, but I felt off the hook.

MC: For some, it was a good excuse to grow a beard. I bet you didn’t.

JL: I didn’t grow a beard, but I grew two marijuana plants that were, like, six feet tall. I grew them legally! They were beautiful. I did it totally on my own. Grew, trimmed, cured, jarred…it was absolutely incredible. 

MC: And you acquired a dog, Bobby Rhubarb, immortalized in your song “A Puppy and a Truck.”

JL: I was never able to have a dog before. I’ve been on the road for 26 years, out there playing music, so my real life has definitely taken a back seat.  Having a couple of years at home and being able to take care of an animal like that has changed me in such an amazing way. And I’ve become a bit of a stage mom, as is the family tradition. So Bobby Rhubarb has an Instagram account, and when we go out in the world some people say, “Oh look! It’s Bobby Rhubarb!”

MC: The song “A Puppy and a Truck” is so likeable. 

JL:  Thank you. I was very dear friends with Jimmy Buffett and his family. I was so lucky to be able to spend time with them, and learn how to be off the road. Jimmy had two dogs, they were with him everywhere, and there was this joy for life. And if you are hanging out with the Buffetts, you are getting in the water, even if you don’t want to. I’m not a beachy or boaty person, but they were like, “Get in the water Lewis,” and the dogs were there. Jimmy inspired “A Puppy and a Truck”. We miss him so much. 

MC: You reference the late Nashville artist from the early ‘60s, Skeeter Davis, as an influence on Joy’All. She is an artist who is sometimes underestimated. 

JL: We know her songs, but we don’t know it’s her singing them. What a great songwriter. I made the record and I was doing the album cover photo shoot at my house in Nashville with my friend Momma Hotdog—Bobbi Rich—and we went into this vintage store to look for something for me to wear. On the wall of this place called Black Shag Vintage was a green and white striped suit. We pulled it down, and it said it had belonged to Skeeter Davis. The reference for the album cover was a classic Skeeter Davis photo, and I’m wearing her costume on the cover of Joy’All. There are these signs from the universe that you’re on the right path. If you pay attention, they are there. 

MC: You toured with Harry Styles—what an interesting pairing. 

JL: It was the first show out of the pandemic that I did in the fall of 2021. I was terrified. I was vaccinated, but I am asthmatic. There were a lot of emotions. Harry picked me to open the tour—it wasn’t a business thing. It was everyone’s first shows back. The crowds were so loving, and so open, and beautiful, and sparkly with feather boas—a beautiful way to come back to playing music and a massive undertaking. I had never done a tour this big, but it felt intimate because we were in our bubbles. There was no press, no one backstage, and we didn’t eat in restaurants. So it was like the biggest indie tour that ever existed. It felt DIY, although it was massive. 

MC: A question based on your lyrics from the title song, “Joy’All.” Do we all get a little bit wiser every day?

JL: I think we do. That’s the paradox of being a human being—we are getting wiser but our bodies are deteriorating. You come into the world so innocent, but the older you get, you learn a little more. Hopefully, you learn to be more compassionate—especially to be more compassionate with yourself, which is so important.  

MC: Your astrological sign is Capricorn. Do you like to plan?

JL: I’m a Capricorn, so I’m climbing the mountain steadily, slowly but surely. As a kid, I used to make these handmade calendars. I couldn’t wait until the end of the school year. I am a planner by nature, but I’ve been doing a meditation practice since the first of the year, so I am trying to be more in the moment. With my schedule, I am forced to plan about three days in advance. I’m trying to enjoy the day, the moment, and the hour. 

Onstage, especially doing this tour with The Postal Service, we played three sold out shows at the Hollywood Bowl. And there were a couple of moments where I just had to say, “Take all this in right now. Take a breath and look out, because this is as wonderful as it gets. This may not happen again. Be present in the moment. Be grateful.” I looked out, and I wasn’t nervous at all. 18,000 people out there, and I felt so connected to L.A., so connected to 20 years of this record, and my other records. It’s important to be in the moment, and appreciate these beautiful times. 

JL: I think we do. That’s the paradox of being a human being—we are getting wiser but our bodies are deteriorating. You come into the world so innocent, but the older you get, you learn a little more. Hopefully, you learn to be more compassionate—especially to be more compassionate with yourself, which is so important.  

MC: Your astrological sign is Capricorn. Do you like to plan?

JL: I’m a Capricorn, so I’m climbing the mountain steadily, slowly but surely. As a kid, I used to make these handmade calendars. I couldn’t wait until the end of the school year. I am a planner by nature, but I’ve been doing a meditation practice since the first of the year, so I am trying to be more in the moment. With my schedule, I am forced to plan about three days in advance. I’m trying to enjoy the day, the moment, and the hour. 

Onstage, especially doing this tour with The Postal Service, we played three sold out shows at the Hollywood Bowl. And there were a couple of moments where I just had to say, “Take all this in right now. Take a breath and look out, because this is as wonderful as it gets. This may not happen again. Be present in the moment. Be grateful.” I looked out, and I wasn’t nervous at all. 18,000 people out there, and I felt so connected to L.A., so connected to 20 years of this record, and my other records. It’s important to be in the moment, and appreciate these beautiful times. 

Contact Jillian Condran, jillian@nastylittleman.com

Quick Facts

•The song “Psychos” from Joy’All became the first Jenny Lewis song to hit No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. 

•The Jenny Lewis touring band is currently comprised entirely of female musicians. 

•As an actress, Lewis appeared in over a dozen teen movies, including Troop Beverly Hills. Cast in a multitude of episodic television guest spots, she also played Lucille Ball’s granddaughter in the short run of the Life With Lucy sitcom.

•Her 2014 full-length The Voyager was an emotional compendium influenced by Rilo Kiley’s demise, and the death of her father, Eddie Gordon. 

•Among Lewis’ past side projects was the duo Jenny & Johnny, with Johnathan Rice, with whom she shared a 12-year relationship. 

•Following her breakup with Rice, Lewis shared an apartment in New York with Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent. With friend Tennessee Thomas and Erika Foster, she performed as Nice As Fuck, and released a one-off collection in 2016.

•Also in 2016, Lewis flew to Haiti with Jackson Browne, to join a cast of global musicians in a benefit project called Let The Rhythm Lead: Haiti Song Summit, Vol.1. In her song “Under The Supermoon,” Lewis finds solace from the world’s problems among her new Haitian friends. She performed the song with Browne and Malian vocalist Habib Coite’.

•A line in “Under The Supermoon” chronicles her reaction to the 2016 Presidential election with this couplet: “I’ve never had such a fright/I gasped on election night.” 

•Past Lewis recordings have enlisted illustrious players like Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner, and Benmont Tench from The Heartbreakers. 

•The video for “Puppy and a Truck” includes a character wearing a dog suit. As he removes the dog head in the concluding shot, the character is revealed to be Harry Styles.

I’m trying so hard not to gush over Teenage Engineering’s latest gadgetTeenage Engineering’s new $300 groovebox has no business being this cute. That’s the whole point. The EP–133 K.O.II (we’ll just call it Knock Out II) is a combination drum machine, synthesizer and sampler. It’s a supersized upgrade to Teenage Engineer’s pint-sized PO-33 K.O, which offers many of the same features for a fraction of the price. […]
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10 of the best Black Friday deals on headphonesWith more musicians than ever working from home studios, it’s never been more important to have a great pair of headphones to monitor and mix your music on. And of course, there’s the small matter of enjoying music and even making and taking phone calls on the move as well.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

We’ve gathered together the best Black Friday deals covering a range of headphones from traditional, wired studio models through to wireless options and even some that have both! Read on to find out how you can save money on a great pair of cans, whether you’re looking to power up your mixes or spend more time enjoying music on your daily commute.
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Save 44% on the Mackie MC-450
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Get a great deal on Shure SRH840A Professional Studio Headphones
Save $20 on Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Get money off the AKG K-701
Save 20% on Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1 DJ
Save $45 on Focal Listen Pro

Save 44% on the Mackie MC-450

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Audio Technica make all kinds of gear that audio pros rely on and here’s a chance to save on one of their most popular models. With a closed back design for better isolation they offer a flat frequency response that’s ideal for studio monitoring, a very high SPL tolerance for when you want to listen loud, and rotating earcups so you can monitor with one or both ears. Grab a pair today to take your productions to the next level!

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AKG’s open-backed circumaural dynamic headphones use flat-wire technology to achieve sparkling highs and rich bass end, with a frequency range of 10Hz – 39kHz that means you will hear every detail of your music. Lightweight and stylish, they also come with a ¼ inch adapter so you can use them between all your playback devices.

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DJs rejoice – here’s 20% off some excellent headphones that have been designed to power your performances. Optional coloured earpads can be swapped out to match your own personal style, while adjustable ear cups allow monitoring with both ears or just one. There’s also a choice of wired or Bluetooth modes so they’re flexible enough to suit the task at hand, and they even fold down making them convenient to transport.

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Listen Pro circumaural closed-back headphones from specialist manufacturer Focal are the essential work tool for music production. Significantly more affordable than many of the company’s models, they have a closed back design but still offer a vibrant and accurate playback, with exclusive cone technology offering acoustic transparency and excellent dynamics.

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Not seeing what you’re looking for? These are just a few selections. You can check out loads more Black Friday offers at your own pace from the following retailers:

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The post 10 of the best Black Friday deals on headphones appeared first on MusicTech.

Sony Music’s artists aren’t involved in YouTube’s new voice-cloning AI experiment. Not unrelated: Google’s recent filing with the US Copyright Office.MBW Explains: On 'fair use', Sony Music, YouTube's AI experimentation and the US Copyright Office
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10 of the best black Friday deals on studio monitorsEvery musician and producer needs a great pair of studio monitors that they trust to deliver powerful and accurate sound. Whether you’re recording, mixing and mastering or even just listening back to music for pleasure, a reliable pair of monitors is an absolute must.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

We’ve gathered together some of the best Black Friday deals covering a range of budgets from compact models through to super-versatile speakers and even subwoofers! Take advantage of this opportunity to supercharge your studio setup with a pair of studio monitors that’s right for you.
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Get 25% off the Yamaha HS7 6.5″ Powered Studio Monitor
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Here’s $50 off Yamaha’s HS5 Active Monitors
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Who doesn’t like more bass? That’s what you’ll get with JBL’s powerful 200W subwoofer that can be added to any monitor setup. Using a 10 inch downward-firing driver, it has a special optional feature that emulates the bass frequencies found in clubs so you can accurately hear what your mixes will sound like on the dancefloor. Or, leave it off for a more studio-focused sound. With a maximum SPL of 113dB you’ll feel every inch of the bass as you mix and master your tracks.

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Everyone loves a bargain when it comes to fitting out your studio with some great monitor speakers. Swissonic’s V7s have 70W of bi-amped power (50+20) across the 7 inch woofer and tweeter. With a stylish design, they have a frequency response of 39Hz – 25kHz letting you hear every detail of your music, and both jack and RCA inputs as well as a manual frequency correction option.

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KRK’s distinctive monitors are known for their amazing power and sonic accuracy. The Rokit G5 is one of the company’s more compact models, perfect for smaller studios or desktops. With a tweeter plus a 5 inch kevlar woofer it offers a built-in class D power amp and provides a wide, deep and dynamic listening “sweet-spot” with excellent imaging. What’s more, a clever onboard digital EQ system provides 25 different EQ setups and there’s a companion app for room correction. These speakers will do you proud!

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Here’s $50 off Yamaha’s HS5 Active Monitors

Yamaha’s super-compact studio monitors still pack quite a punch, with a bi-amped total power of 70W per side powering a 5 inch woofer and a 1 inch tweeter. As well as level controls they also feature a high trim switch and room control switch, all housed within an MDF bass-reflex cabinet. With a small footprint they are ideal for tighter spaces but will still deliver accurate and impressive results.

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These great-looking compact speakers from IK have won fans around the world for their incredible performance and portability. Boasting bi-amped Class D power of 50W per side, they use dual 3.5 inch drivers plus a tweeter to deliver a flat frequency response that’s perfect for mastering and mixing. Unusually they have a wider range of I/O than normal and can be daisy chained with extra speakers as well as having their own headphone port. There’s special self-calibration as well as DSP-controlled performance making these formidable speakers in any situation.

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Get $30 off Presonus Eris E4.5

Ideal for gaming and home video production, the Eris E4.5 delivers studio-quality sound but is also compact enough to fit in almost any space. It’s flexible too, with RCA and balanced inputs, an aux input for connecting smaller devices and an onboard headphone stage with its own amplifier. 25W per side class B amplification means solid power for whatever the task is at hand.

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Save $50 on the JBL 306P MKII 6″ Powered Studio Monitor

Producing a neutral sound across a wide frequency space makes these perfect for all your mixing and mastering applications. Active nearfield monitors, they have powerful class D amplifiers built in and are magnetically shielded for safe use around other equipment. A 6-inch woofer and 1 inch tweeter pump out plenty of power for mixing and mastering your tracks.

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Not seeing what you’re looking for? These are just a few selections. You can check out loads more Black Friday offers at your own pace from the following retailers:

Thomann
zZounds
Plugin Boutique
Amazon

For more Black Friday content, head to MusicTech.
The post 10 of the best black Friday deals on studio monitors appeared first on MusicTech.

Music production programme launched for women, non-binary and trans music producers looking to grow their skillsA music production programme called Process has been launched by Create Define Release (CDR) to support women, non-binary, and transgender people in the music production field.
The programme will run for an entire month from February to March next year (2024), and will celebrate and develop the skills of those involved, providing them with workshops and masterclasses run by industry professionals.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

Applications for Process close on 17 December at 10pm, and it will be initially offered to London-based music makers only. CDR hopes that this mentoring will aid in tackling the gender imbalances found across the music production industry.
As part of Process, those involved can select their preferred “stream” depending on their experience. The “Create” stream will focus on enhancing production skills, “Define” will provide hands-on training on how to perform your music for those looking to move from bedroom to stage, and “Release” will offer support in developing identity and release plans, according to the CDR website.
Participants will be mentored by singer-songwriter Mel Uye Parker, DJ and culture creator Ruby Savage, and producer, vocalist and Ableton-certified trainer, Pops Roberts.

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Tony Nwachukwu, CDR Founder and Director says, “I’m really glad to be taking this important next step in CDR’s journey. It’s clear to everyone in the industry that the music production space is still far too male dominated and we’ve been thinking for some time about how we can best use our position to tackle that.
“Over lockdown, we undertook some amazing roundtable discussions with inspiring female practitioners in the CDR community and got their input on what would be most helpful. This project is the result of that process – a proactive, targeted attempt to push towards an equitable, diverse industry where everyone can develop to their full potential.”
Head to Create Define Release for more information.
The post Music production programme launched for women, non-binary and trans music producers looking to grow their skills appeared first on MusicTech.

ValhallaDSP launches Supermassive update with new Leo and Virgo modesValhallaDSP has released an update for its free delay/reverb plugin called Supermassive 3.0, which features two new modes by the names of Leo and Virgo.
The update is the company’s way of contributing to the usual Black Friday rush, rather than discounting its products as many other companies and retailers do. The first version of Supermassive was launched as a free download on Black Friday 2020 and it has been repeatedly expanded over the last few years.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

Now, the plugin has grown yet again with the addition of the Leo and Virgo modes. To start with, Leo is a new super-rich delay/reverb mode with a very slow attack that is joined by a long to very long decay.
These are controlled by both density and feedback, and a high echo density with balanced modulation. Leo also offers high and low EQ filters in the reverb network, meaning you can craft a wide range of reverb decays, including dark, shrill, bass heavy, whisper light, or just perfectly balanced.
Costello has said Leo is ideal for big synth sounds as well as realistic cathedral sounds and other longer reverbs.
By contrast, Virgo is the smallest and sparsest mode in Supermassive to date. It has a fast attack and mimics a stereo delay in both sound and behaviour, but everything changes when the Density control is turned up.
Doing so enables you to achieve a grainy delay that is enveloped with a reverb. Virgo can be used to create pointillistic echoes, springlike reverb sounds, and other sparse effects to create more space around your sounds, says ValhallaDSP, and hear the space between the echoes.
The new update also ships with numerous ready-to-use presets for both Leo and Virgo modes.
Valhalla Supermassive 3.0 is the second major update in as many days from the company, who also released an update for one of its revered reverb plugins yesterday.
ValhallaRoom 2.0 introduces two key additions: the Space knob, allowing for subtle feedback manipulation for pre-delay and early reflections, and a new Lo Cut control for toning down bass frequencies in the reverb output. These additions give you more flexibility, so you can create diverse timbres from realistic short decays and metallic resonances to lush modulated reverbs.
For more information, head to ValhallaDSP.
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What Universal Music Group really thinks about generative AI and copyright law…MBW has digested UMG's revelatory 99-page submission to the US Copyright Office on generative AI. Here's what we've discovered.
Source

2B Delayed Classic Plugin Is FREE This Week!
The 2B Delayed Classic plugin is free this week at the company’s website if you apply the coupon BFDELAY at checkout. The plugin offers delay, reverb, filter, and distortion in a single package and is available for Windows and macOS. It has a regular list price of €24.99. 2B Played Music describes the plugin as [...]
View post: 2B Delayed Classic Plugin Is FREE This Week!

Cherry Audio emulates ARP’s preset synth with programmable and fully polyphonic Pro SoloistCherry Audio’s latest virtual instrument from its Synth Stack 4 collection is the Pro Soloist – an emulation of the 1972 ARP Pro Soloist, also known as the first commercial preset synthesiser.
This rendition of the classic synth expands upon its existing characteristics by making it fully programmable and adds full polyphony.

READ MORE: 5 of Amazon’s best early Black Friday deals on portable speakers, headphones and more

The original Pro Soloist became known for its presence in prog rock, but was also used by artists such as Gary Numan, Kansas, David Bowie, Brian Wilson, Prince, and many others. Tony Banks of Genesis also bought the Pro Soloist as his first ever synth.
The Cherry Audio Pro Soloist “exactingly reproduces” the expressive controls, 30 presets, and other characteristics of the original, whilst also introducing splits and layers, a mod matrix, integrated effects, and more.
A dual-layer voicing architecture, with 16 polyphonic voices per layer now, enables two different presets to be used simultaneously. There’s also a split keyboard mode and an option to simulate polyphonic aftertouch.
Notably, there is now an Edit mode, where all of the inside circuitry used for the Cherry Audio Pro Soloist becomes exposed. In this mode, users can access a five parallel bandpass filter Resonator Bank as well as other controls. An Arp/FX mode offers a syncable arpeggiator and a multitude of studio-quality effects for distortion, phaser, flanger/chorus, echo, and reverb.
“Pro Soloist is the latest in Cherry Audio’s roster of ultimate ‘what if?’ virtual instruments,” says the brand. “Featuring the precision-crafted and circuit-modelled DSP designs of award-winning developer Mark Barton, Cherry Audio’s Pro Soloist goes far beyond emulating the treasured, preset-based monophonic analogue synth originally released by ARP in 1972.”
Take a look at the video below for more:

The Cherry Audio Pro Soloist is available now for $49. Find out more at Cherry Audio.
The post Cherry Audio emulates ARP’s preset synth with programmable and fully polyphonic Pro Soloist appeared first on MusicTech.

killihu MKT Mapper MIDI key triggered mapper and CC sender. Each time a MIDI note is received, it advances one step in the sequence. Similar to the incremental MMap function found in Zebra 2. ... Read More

A2D2 streams audio directly from analogue devices to your smart speakersA2D2 is a new product that allows users to stream audio directly from devices such as record players or tape decks to smart speakers such as Alexa or Sonos.
The purpose of A2D2 is to carry the warm, rich tones of analogue devices that people love so much, and merge them with the modern convenience of smart devices.

READ MORE: 5 of Amazon’s best early Black Friday deals on portable speakers, headphones and more

A2D2 is small in size and has the “footprint of a credit card,” yet it can carry any analogue output to a WiFi-enabled device. For private listening, you can also use your smartphone with Bluetooth or wired headphones to listen to your favourite vinyl records, CDs or tapes.
“If your device outputs analogue audio, A2D2 can hear it,” says the startup brand. “It’ll digitise the audio it receives and then beam it to whatever device you like. We designed A2D2 to work best with Smart Speakers, but you can also tune in on your PC/Mac or Smart TV.”
Take a look at the video for more:

The revival of physical music formats such as vinyl and cassette tapes is continuing to grow. Earlier this year it was revealed that vinyl records had overtaken PlayStation games as the second biggest selling physical format of entertainment in the UK.
Data from the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) revealed in September that vinyl records had brought in £80.9 million so far at that time.
In 2022, Taylor Swift’s Midnights became the first album to sell better on vinyl than CD in 35 years, with the pop star having sold over 800,000 units of the album on vinyl at its initial release.
A2D2 is available now for £119. Shipping will commence in December, and you can currently get 20 percent off until Cyber Monday. Find out more at A2D2.
The post A2D2 streams audio directly from analogue devices to your smart speakers appeared first on MusicTech.

Black Friday 2023: the best deals on MIDI keyboardsBlack Friday 2023 is finally here. Well, more accurately it’s tomorrow (24 November), but that doesn’t mean all the biggest music retailers haven’t already started slashing price tags. And if you’re in the market to kit out your home studio with a new MIDI keyboard, there’s no better time in the calendar year to make that purchase.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

Here at MusicTech, we’re making it our sole mission over the next few days to bring you the best deals from the largest and most reputable retailers, in order to save you hours of endless scrolling and get you what you need, right now, for a massive discount. Sound good?
If so, go forth – or scroll down – to see the very best Black Friday MIDI keyboard deals on the web right now. We’ve trawled the likes of Thomann, zZounds, and Guitar Center to pinpoint where the best savings lie. All you need to do is head down and treat yourself. Its nearly Christmas, after all…
Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 Smart Keyboard Controller – 20% off

If you’re looking for a complete solution with an intuitive interface to browse and play software instruments, there are few options better than the Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2. Loaded with two high-resolution colour screens for enhanced user experience, the S61 MK2 features Native Instruments’ Native Browser, allowing you to browse your entire KOMPLETE and VST instrument library from one place.
The keyboard also sports stellar DAW compatibility, with dedicated controls to operate the transport, mixing and editing functions of your DAW. It’s got a load more handy features for ease and playability, too, and you can for just $599 over at Guitar Center. At a normal retail price of $749, that’s a $150 saving, or 20% off.

Check deal at Guitar Center

Yamaha PSR-E373 61-Key Portable Keyboard – only $179

Perhaps you don’t have a massive budget to spend, or you’re looking to add a new toy to the gear collection without breaking the bank. If this sounds like you, the Yamaha PSR-E373 should be right up your street. Ideal for beginners and hobbyists, this keyboard is loaded with over 600 high-quality instrument voices and accompaniment styles, but can also be plugged in via USB to control any number of software instruments you have lurking inside your DAW. And you can get yours now for just $179.99 at Guitar Center.

Check deal at Guitar Center

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 – only $96

This Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3 is currently just $96 over at Thomann. If you’re pushed for desktop space, this compact unit has everything you need and nothing you don’t, with 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, a four-way joystick for pitch and modulation control, and even 8 MPC pads – perfect if you’re looking to channel your inner Fred again..

Check deal at Thomann

Akai Professional MPK249 Performance Keyboard Controller, 49-Key – save $140

And if 25 keys just ain’t enough for you, why don’t you try this one on for size. The Akai Professional MPK249 Performance Keyboard Controller boasts almost double the number of keys (49), and is loaded with 8 assignable knobs, faders, and switches, and a cool 16 MPC-style pads. This really is the all-in-one MIDI keyboard controller. And over at zZounds, you can save a massive $140, and pick it up for just $329.

Check deal at zZounds

Arturia MiniLab 3 Alpine White – just $106

Black and white keys are conventional, but who says you have to conform? The compact Arturia MiniLab 3 does also come in a more standard black and white aesthetic, but over at Thomann, you can grab one in a striking full Alpine White. Features-wise, it sports 25 velocity-sensitive slim keys, two touchstrips for pitch bend and modulation, octave and transpose buttons, eight velocity and pressure sensitive pads, eight assignable encoders and four sliders. Get yours now for just $106.

Check deal at Thomann

More Black Friday MIDI keyboard deals
Of course, these are just the deals that caught our eye. You can browse the full lineup of Black Friday MIDI keyboard deals at any of the retailers below:

Guitar Center
Thomann
zZounds

The post Black Friday 2023: the best deals on MIDI keyboards appeared first on MusicTech.

Watch - Building A Library: Spitfire Audio’s Abbey Road Orchestra In the first episode of a new four-part SOS video series, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the process of planning, recording and developing an orchestral sample library.

5 of the best Black Friday deals on synthsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more information on how this works click here.
The Black Friday sale season is well and truly upon us once again for 2023. For producers and musicians, it’s a time to take advantage of offers and giveaways on a range of music tech-based products. You may be on the lookout for an electronic instrument or a funky new effect – whatever it is, you’ve got until the end of the month in most cases to grab a game-changing offer that could really amp up your production setup.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

If your sound is often driven by melodies or gritty basslines, a synthesizer could be the most important component in this. Some of the best dance tracks, for example, revolve around catchy or complex synth riffs. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your synth needs ot be physical either – there are loads of incredible software-based synths out there today that achieve as good, if not better, results than their hardware counterparts. These are five of the best synth deals to get your hands on this Black Friday.
Five of the best Black Friday deals on synths, at a glance:

Roland Juno-DS61 – save $200
Korg Minilogue Bass – now just $611
Novation Bass Station II Analogue synth – save $50
Diva by u-he – 50% off
Rhodes V8 Pro – 50% off

Roland Juno-DS61 – save $200

“Simply creative” is the slogan of Roland’s Juno-DS synths, which come in the form of the 61-key DS61 and the 88-key DS88. Joining a legendary series of synths that includes the Juno-106 and Juno-60, this synth is a solid all-rounder for a range of musicians and producers. The Juno-DS excels with improved controls, enhanced performance pads, added new organ sounds, an expanded Roland sound library, a lighter design, and a versatile vocoder. Price: $599

VIEW DEAL VIA ZZOUNDS

Korg Minilogue Bass – now just $611

Not just a fine-looking piece of kit with its swirling black-on-black design, red finishes and red keys, the Minilogue Bass is a fantastic first synth for beginners looking to add a bit of hardware-made bass to their sound. A limited-edition synth, this features 100 new sounds, 40 specifically designed for bass by professional programmers, offering true rich analogue capabilities. Price: $611

VIEW DEAL VIA THOMANN

Novation Bass Station II Analogue synth – save $50

We love the Novation Bass Station II. It’s perfect for dance music because of its focus on the low frequencies. It’s also analogue, so the basslines you can get from it are rich and warm – perfect for club sound systems. Launched in 2013, the Bass Station II has a dual-oscillator for flexible modulation, a built-in arpeggiator, a step sequencer, a 25-note keyboard, and multiple filters. Price: $449

VIEW DEAL VIA ZZOUNDS

u-he Diva – 50% off

It’s no secret that Diva, a software synth by u-he, is a beast. It’s often regarded as one of the best software synths on the market. Why? Well, it’s the first native software synth that uses methods from industrial circuit simulators in real-time, making it as close as analogue as you’ll get in a plugin, and it’s incredibly powerful and feature-rich, too. It’s a top choice for those who want dynamic, vintage results without forking out the cash for a physical analogue synth. On Plugin Boutique, you can grab it for half price. Price: $98

VIEW DEAL HERE VIA PLUGIN BOUTIQUE

Rhodes V8 Pro – 50% off

A Rhodes plugin?! Yep. In March, Rhodes released a software take on its legendary Rhodes MK8 and it really delivers. The plugin brings with it the revered Rhodes MK8 electric piano’s essence with extensive sampling, more modelling functions, and deeper effects control for meticulous customisation, complemented by artist-built presets. Price: $155

VIEW DEAL VIA PLUGIN BOUTIQUE

Not seeing what you’re looking for? These are just a few selections. You can check out loads more Black Friday offers at your own pace from the following retailers:

Thomann
zZounds
Plugin Boutique
Amazon

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