“Without that synth, I wouldn’t have my sound”: Demi Riquisimo shines a light on essential hardwareRaised in Detroit and now based in London, Demi Riquisimo’s playful dance tracks reflect a vintage acid, Italo, and disco-inspired house sound made with a modern sensibility, making them huge hits on dance floors. It’s seriously hard to not want to move when listening to one of his tracks, as he laces old-school drums with break samples and combines them with tasty synths.

READ MORE: Back to school with Dillon Francis: Why a maturing music career still needs class clown antics

We speak to Riquisimo about the latest compilation on his label, Semi Delicious, and how he made his standout release on DJ Tennis’ Life & Death, an EP entitled Proto Call. A big advocate for the use of hardware, we get to hear about his hard synths and drum machines and we also learn of his sampling techniques. Just don’t ask Demi Riquisimo where he gets his vocal samples.

Semi Delicious · SEMID016 “Asylum Of Love” VA
Hey Demi, your recent VA compilation on Semi Delicious is fantastic!
Thanks. I’m happy with the SEMID016 Asylum Of Love EP. All the artists on this EP are people I’ve played with over the past few years and whose music I admire.
Demi Riquisimo in his studio
We also have to give a big shout-out to your recent Proto Call EP. It must’ve been a fun one to make.
Thank you. These were two tracks I made fairly close to each other in early 2022. They were both tracks that I made quickly which is normally a good sign. In October that year I had the opportunity to do a B2B set with DJ Tennis at ADE. I thought it would be a good opportunity to test these two tracks in front of the man himself and when I played Talk To Frank, which was labelled April 22, he asked me what it was. We pinged a few messages back and forth and then the Proto Call EP was created for a release on Life And Death, which then came out in June 2023.
Proto Call by Demi Riquisimo
Did you mostly make this using the hardware in your studio space?
This one was totally hardware for all the bass and mid-range sounds and samples as Rex files for the drums taken from jungle packs (I find slowing down the BPM for jungle loops better with Rex files as each hit isn’t being warped, although it’s old school). I used some PSP plugins for processing but that’s it. I try not to over-process sounds to keep them as raw and dynamic as possible.
Tell us a bit about the studio and how you use it.
My studio is based in Mile End, London. I’ve been there for eight years. Before that, I lived in Bristol, where I always had a home studio. I’ve always had the space in Mile End but for the first few years, I’d rent it out at the weekends as I’d normally be gigging. I currently do all my writing, producing and creating in the studio with all my gear, but I want to try and look to produce more on-the-go as I’m touring a lot more now, so to be able to do that whilst I’m away is very important to me.
Demi Riquisimo’s studio
What is your favourite piece of gear?
Novation Bass Station 2 – 100 per cent. Without that synth, I wouldn’t have my sound. It’s an affordable bit of kit which has amazing modulation features.
What synth or effect can be heard the most on Proto Call?
The Korg Prologue. It’s a fantastic poly-synth that mixes analogue and digital oscillators. It has an effects unit built in which creates a lot of original movement, especially the grain delay.
A synth rack in Demi Riquisimo’s studio
How did you create the synth line in Proto Call?
Both the synth line and bassline are from the Novation Bass Station. The synth-line is an auto-modulated high resonance SAW tooth and the bassline is a modulated sine wave.
How do you create drums?
I use a 606 drum machine for the hi-hats and I use analogue drum samples from sample packs which I put into samplers to create patterns. Processing-wise, I don’t use too much standard compression because I prefer to saturate and limit the sounds myself, which is a type of compression.
For me, it’s all about sample choice above everything. I would rather pick the right sounds than spend half a day picking the wrong one but trying to make it sound decent.
Novation Bass Station and Native Instruments Maschine in Demi Riquisimo’s studio
Where did you get your vocal samples from?
No producer is going to tell you where they get their vocal samples from! That would be telling. However, I will tell you that I processed the samples and added basic delay and reverb.
What’s been the biggest investment in your studio? Was it worth it?
The Korg Prologue. I bought it at the beginning of lockdown and it was my first modern polysynth. It was 100% worth it.
Records in Demi Riquisimo’s studio
What is next on your shopping list studio-wise?
I’ve been debating a Roland Juno X. I’ve never owned a Juno synth and the 106 has always been my dream synth. The X – although digital – has many of the sounds and features of the 106 while combining the modulation and programming of a modern synth.
How did you go about getting the acoustics right in the studio?
It took me many years. I’ve been in my studio for almost eight years now so it’s been a lot of trial and error. I’ve got bass traps in each corner of the room and panels on the side wall and hanging from the ceiling. All are made from rockwall; a highly absorbent material.
Do you have any frustrations with your current setup and why?
I’m running out of room for new gear!
What is your top piece of production advice?
Don’t be afraid to start a new idea if the current one isn’t working out. If you do have an idea that is working, try and finish a version there and then so when you go back to it you have an easier job ahead of you. I feel that if an idea is going well, the best ideas happen quickly, so I feel it’s good to make the most of this time.
Check out Demi Riquisimo on SoundCloud
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EastWest’s New Year’s deals EastWest are celebrating New Year with a selection of special offers on their award-winning sample libraries and virtual instruments.

Tech for Palestine launches to provide tools to help support PalestiniansThe Israel-Hamas war has proved divisive to the tech industry. This is one of the first public stances in support for Palestine.
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Spotify wants an Associate Director, Music Publishing LicensingAre you the next business lead in the Music Publishing team? At Spotify, we're passionate about providing the right music for every moment. We've connected millions of people to their favorite songs and built a service that people use to discover and share music they love. We're currently in 170 markets worldwide and growing fast. We are seeking to recruit an outstanding professional to be a deal owner and business lead in their Music Publishing Licensing team, at the Associate Director level.

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Kiive Audio Releases FREE XTMax Distressor Plugin
Kiive Audio released XTMax, a freeware drum compressor plugin based on the Distressor hardware compressor. XTMax is a drum compression tool inspired by the Empirical Labs Distressor and similar hardware units. However, it’s not a direct emulation of any particular hardware. Kiive Audio states that it analyzed various compressors and used those findings to create [...]
View post: Kiive Audio Releases FREE XTMax Distressor Plugin

BandLab’s Meng Ru Kuok: “I think there will be over 1 billion music creators by 2030, potentially even sooner”Editor’s note: MusicTech and BandLab are both part of the Caldecott Music Group.
Caldecott Music Group and BandLab Technologies founder and CEO Meng Ru Kuok reveals he believes over one billion people will be creating music in 2030.

READ MORE: LG’s forthcoming ‘smart home AI agent’ plays music based on your mood when you come home

In an interview with Music Business Worldwide, the CEO and founder explains why he thinks an eighth of the global population will be making music in just six years.
“This is with the caveat that I also believe the definition of a ‘music creator’ or ‘musician’ will change, just as the definition of a ‘photographer’ has changed with the advent of smartphones. That is to say hopefully we can and will both be right.”
The rise of music creation apps such as BandLab, GarageBand and others, means it has become easier than ever for anyone to create music, regardless of their experience and expertise. Perhaps the figure of one billion people creating music isn’t as wild as we think.
Kuok also explains how the new generation of music makers have a “desire for immediacy and social connectivity within the creative process”.
“Our insights show that these young creators are not looking for isolated software solutions, but a dynamic community that supports their growth and exposure.”
The interview comes after Music Business Worldwide awarded Kuok with the title of Entrepreneur of The Year, praising him for steering BandLab into “several moves” that strengthen its position in the music industry.
This includes the acquisition of beat marketplace Airbit, and the development of a suite of generative AI technologies, including SongStarter – an AI-powered tool that presents users with musical ideas to inspire creations.
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SPL launch Vitalizer Mk3-T & MixDream XP Mk2 The latest additions to the SPL product range offer upgraded versions of two of their popular analogue...

These Songs and Recordings are now Free to use: Public Domain Day 2024Every year, the copyright for thousands of songs, recordings, films, books, and more expire and enter the public domain. That makes them free to record, sample, use in videos, and. Continue reading
The post These Songs and Recordings are now Free to use: Public Domain Day 2024 appeared first on Hypebot.

LyricFind acquires Rotor, partners with CD Baby for easy video creationLyricFind has acquired Rotor Videos and partnered with CD Baby to launch integrations of Rotor’s video tools and LyricFind’s Lyric Video Enterprise solution. Rotor Videos‘ AI-powered tools allow artists with. Continue reading
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How to set New Year’s resolutions for your music that actually stick
Learn how to approach your New Year's resolutions from a habit-building perspective that allows you to maintain focus and motivation well beyond January.

DJ launches GoFundMe campaign to replace urine “soaked” decksA DJ has launched a GoFundMe campaign after his DJ decks were “soaked” in urine during a Thanksgiving rave.
It’s never nice when your DJ decks malfunction mid-way through a set. However, for one Chicago-based DJ, his decks faced a little more than a malfunction after a partygoer decided to pee above the DJ booth, leaving them completely destroyed.

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NERV MHZ launched the campaign in early December in order to raise funds to buy a new board to “keep raves running hot”
“So ravesgiving was lit but someone got too lit and peed above the DJ booth,” he explains in a post on GoFundMe.
“It ended up leaking down onto our DJs board when it was put away,” He continues. “The board was completely soaked in pee and doesn’t work anymore. Anything truly helps. Thank you.”
It appears that the DJ decks in question are the discontinued Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000.
Since the launch of the GoFundMe page on 10 December, he has raised over $500 of his $1,500 target.
“From the bottom of my heart, a ginormous thank you so much to everyone who donated,” he writes. “To be honest, we did not expect this much support towards this cause but we’re extremely grateful for every single one of you that either shared or donated.
“It puts such a huge smile on our faces on how many people can come together and show support in this community. Thank you once again. P.S. To all the donors, a very special mix will be created to share our gratitude through an auditory experience.”
Using the $500, NERV MHZ was able to put money towards a Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ.
You can still donate now by visiting GoFundMe.
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Best places for indie musicians to upload new musicFrom Spotify to Soundcloud, to Amazon Music to download (remember them?) sites and more, each platform can contribute to a track’s success in different ways. This guide goes over the. Continue reading
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“Kids tell me to make new moombahton. I make new moombahton. They hate it”: Dillon Francis on why he avoided the moombahton genre on his new albumElectronic music producer and DJ Dillion Francis has explained why he avoided the moombahton genre on his latest album, This Mixtape Is Fire TOO.
Released on 1 December, the record only hosts just one track within the genre – LA On Acid in collaboration with Good Times Ahead – as opposed to 2015’s  This Mixtape Is Fire, which hosted seven songs in the moombahton style.

READ MORE: Kenya Grace is leading the next generation of bedroom producers: “If you can use a DAW, you can do anything you want”

Moombahton derived from house music and reggaeton, and was created by American DJ and producer, Dave Nada, back in 2009. Speaking to MusicTech in a new cover feature about his comedic approach to his music career and the new album, Francis explains why he decided to mostly avoid the style all together on the new release.
“Every time I try to make a new moombahton song, the same thing happens: Kids tell me to make new moombahton. I make new moombahton. They hate it,” he says. “I just feel like I’m shooting myself in the foot and it’s not fun to be in that repetition of people telling me I suck.”
Despite this, it appears Francis almost has a love-hate relationship with the genre. As part of celebrations for the new album, he hosted a strictly moombahton event at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. Francis also has a full moombahton release, PERO LIKE, coming this month.
“Some of the downtempo records are some of my favourite records ever,” he says of PERO LIKE. “I’m trying to satiate everyone’s appetite for all different types of music. So go peep it. Hopefully, you enjoy it and if you don’t, you know where to find me. Just go and tell me I’m a piece of shit on Twitter or X or whatever the hell that stupid app is called now.”
You can check out This Mixtape Is Fire TOO below:

The post “Kids tell me to make new moombahton. I make new moombahton. They hate it”: Dillon Francis on why he avoided the moombahton genre on his new album appeared first on MusicTech.

LG’s forthcoming ‘smart home AI agent’ plays music based on your mood when you come homeLG Electronics will be unveiling its smart home AI agent at CES 2024 this January, where the brand will reveal further details about the hub and its capabilities – including what it can offer musically.
The AI agent has a built-in camera, speaker and various sensors to gather real-time data. It greets its owner at the front door when they return home, and can play music or other content to suit their mood.

READ MORE: Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot can now create songs thanks to Suno integration

Despite scepticism, we’ve seen a huge boom in AI within the music industry over recent years, including its assistance in various production tools and even music playback such as Spotify’s AI DJ, for example. We have not, however, seen anything quite like this tool yet.
This initial information has been shared by the official LG Newsroom, revealing that the agent boasts robotic, AI and multi-modal technologies that enable it to move, learn, comprehend and engage in complex conversations.
It is branded as “an all-around home manager and companion rolled into one”, set to deliver LG’s “Zero Labor Home” vision. It has a ‘two-legged’ wheel design, and will verbally interact with users and express emotions through movements. The agent can assist with a plethora of tasks including gathering data on temperature and indoor air quality, act as a pet monitor and even a security guard.
It can even patrol the home when no one is there, sending notifications to the user’s smartphone if it finds an open window or any appliances left on. Most notably, the AI agent greets its user when they arrive home and assess their emotions by analysing their voice and facial expressions. By doing so, it can select music which it deciphers as applicable for their mood.
“Our groundbreaking smart home AI agent combines cutting-edge autonomous mobility and AI technologies with advanced communication capabilities and services to help free customers from household chores,” says Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “A smart life solution company, LG will continue to help customers experience a smarter, more enjoyable life at home.”
Visitors to CES 2024 can see the smart home AI agent at the company’s booth (#16008, Las Vegas Convention Center) from the 9-12 January. Find out more at CES.
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Floating Knobs debuts with Cuisine, a 12-track performance sequencerBerlin brand Floating Knobs has kicked off 2024 with the launch of its first-ever product, a new 38 HP 12-track performance sequencer, Cuisine.

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Cuisine lets you create “tasty rhythms, juicy melodies and sparkling modulation” through “intricate rhythmic arrangements, organic patterns and polyrhythms”, the brand says.
Small in size with chunky, retro computer keyboard-style buttons, the sequencer lets you create rhythms up to 64 steps in length, which can be freely assigned to control drum voices, musical notes, or CV modulation.
You can have up to eight patterns per track, and 12 tracks per project. There are 16 slots available for saving your projects.

Clocking flexibility is a standout feature of Cuisine. Tracks can operate independently or sync together, offering opportunities for customised interactions and the formation of polyrhythms.
When it comes to melodies, Cuisine provides a personalised scale and transpose system that makes for the swift creation of melodies and chord progressions. There’s also a note override function.
Floating Knobs Cuisine makes for an inspiring production workflow, thanks to its small size allowing for use with just one hand, and its intriguing rhythm functions. There are three rhythm generators – Euclidean, polymetric and polyrhythmic. You can manipulate these organic patterns by adjusting size, offset, and steps. There’s also velocity control for more expressive sequencing.
With Midi In and Out, multiple Gate outputs, and CV connections, Cuisine seamlessly integrates with Eurorack modular setups, allowing for triggering, gating, and modulation. It’s offered as a standalone unit convertible to Eurorack.
This is the first product to be launched by Floating Knobs, which was recently founded by Dorian Largen, a French creative technician and instrument builder, and Ioana Vreme Moser, a Romanian sound artist. It plans to release two more modular racks in 2024, a quad complex LFO called Lovemake and a quad wavetable oscillator called Settlement.
Cuisine is available to buy for €450 from the Floating Knobs website. Shipping starts later this month.
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