A different kind of streaming fraud: Over 1m ‘manipulated’ tracks are on audio streaming servicesPex’s Rasty Turek believes the issue of ‘modified audio’ could be fixed by the DSPs
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Kali Audio announces LP-UNF Ultra Nearfield Studio MonitorsKali Audio has announced the LP-UNF Ultra Nearfield studio monitors. Similar to Kali’s IN-UNF, the LP-UNF is made for people working in desktop environments with limited space and ability to get loud. 

The LP-UNF is sold as a pair of speakers, with a primary speaker that houses the amplifier, electronics, and input section and a passive secondary speaker. Each speaker uses a 3.5-inch woofer and 1-inch textile dome tweeter, and measures 6.5 x 7.5 x 10 inches, taking up minimal space on a desktop. At the prescribed listening distance of 0.8 meters - about arm’s length - the LP-UNF delivers 85 dB max SPL with 20 dB dynamic headroom and has a frequency response from 37 Hz to 25 kHz. 

The LP-UNF is made to suit a wide spectrum of desktop applications. It includes tunings for optimizing the speakers’ sound to desktops whether the monitors are sitting directly on the desk, on desktop monitor stands, on the built-in stands found on recording desks, or even on speaker stands behind the desk. For all the of desktop applications, you can further optimize the sound for whether you’re against a wall or further out into the room. 

Robust inputs include stereo TRS for use with professional audio gear, 3.5mm for use with consumer equipment, USB-C for direct use with a computer or tablet, and Bluetooth 5.1 for casual listening. The USB-C connector will also allow users to keep firmware up to date as Kali adds features and improvements to the LP-UNF. 

The LP-UNF uses much of the same technology as Kali’s best-selling LP-6 and LP-8 V2 speakers. A 3-D imaging waveguide is employed to create a detailed, lifelike stereo image where all of the elements of the mix can be clearly perceived in space. The large front-firing port tube uses a unique. fluid dynamics derived shape that eliminates port noise and compression. This allows you to place the speakers against walls without worrying about adverse effects on the port’s performance. Like the larger LP-Series speakers, the LP-UNF uses Kali’s 2nd Wave amplifier technology for low noise, low distortion, and high dynamic range. 

The LP-UNF is available now in the United States, with an MSRP of $299 for the pair. More information can be found at KaliAudio.com/lp-unf  The post Kali Audio announces LP-UNF Ultra Nearfield Studio Monitors first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

IK Multimedia introduce iRig Stream Mic USB The new iRig Stream Mic USB makes many of the features found in their popular iRig Stream Mic Pro available at a lower price point.

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NAMM 2024: IK Multimedia’s new iRig Stream Mic USB is an “accessible” recording solution for musicians and streamersNAMM 2024: IK Multimedia has released a “more accessible” version of its iRig Stream Mic Pro – the iRig Stream Mic USB – which offers a “refined solution” for sharing your voice and music.
The iRig Stream Mic USB offers a unidirectional, cardioid pattern, which the brand says is ideal for focusing in on the speaker or singer, and rejecting any background noise. It also hosts an adjustable gain and selectable high-pass filter for eliminating rumble.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro X

Media players, keyboards, mixers, turntables, soundboards and more can be connected to the product via a “high-grade” stereo 3.5 mm audio input, which can be found directly on the mic. A monitoring mix control allows users to blend the direct or recorded audio via the headphone output.
A Loopback feature allows audio – such as backing tracks or sound effects – from a Mac/PC to be mixed into any recording or stream. Its headphone output offers direct monitoring and lets users check levels with any app, and its 16-bit, 48 kHz converters are said to offer “broadcast-ready” sound for both the mic and stereo aux input.
Each input has its own volume control, so users can make quick adjustments if needed when live on camera. It operates in stereo and pre-mixes multiple sources of audio down to a stereo track, ready to send to streaming apps such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitch.

iRig Stream Mic USB is powered by its host. It includes a USB-C to USB-C cable, plus audio and video recording app, iRig Recorder 3 LE (iPhone/iPad/Android), plus MixBox CS (iPad) and MixBox SE (Mac/PC) – a suite of effects including dynamics, EQ, reverb and others.
Back in 2021, we rated the iRig Stream Solo and iRig Stream Pro an 8/10 in our review. We noted that both products were highly portable for recording and broadcasting on the move or in smaller spaces, and suggested that streamers should look at the Solo while musicians may prefer the Pro model.
iRig Stream Mic USB is available now for $/€99.99. It ships with a table stand and USB-C cable for Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone 15. Find out more at IK Multimedia.
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These LEGO Sennheiser HD25 DJ headphones are just a concept – for now​​Hungarian designer Tamás Borján, known for designing DJ gear made of LEGO, has now built a pair of LEGO Sennheiser HD25 DJ headphones.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024: The hottest rumours and latest announcements from this year’s show

Borján, who last year constructed a pair of LEGO Pioneer CDJ 2000 Nexus and a DJM 900 Nexus mixer, revealed the headphones on Instagram, writing, “I thought the DJ equipment wouldn’t be complete without a nice pair of headphones.”
“The Sennheiser HD25 is an iconic piece among DJs”, he continues, “it is beloved by a lot of users around the world. I was also using these while I was DJing.
“This Lego version has the mechanical features of its real counterpart. The earphone can be rotated and the 2 bands can also be rotated to help make a perfect fit for anyone,” he says.

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A post shared by Tomasso Builds (@tomassobuilds)

According to the designer, the LEGO headphones consist of 350 pieces. While it’s sadly just a 3D render for now, he plans to build the headphones “for sure” in the future.
This creative journey began in July 2023 when Borján unveiled his playable Pioneer CDJ 2000 Nexus concept on the LEGO Ideas platform, where creators can submit designs for potential commercial products. Achieving 10,000 supporting votes can lead to the consideration of ideas for production, with creators earning 1 per cent of product royalties upon success. Currently, Tomasso Builds’ LEGO Ideas CDJ 2000 campaign boasts over 8,200 supporters, placing him just under 1,800 votes away from official consideration. Vote via ideas.lego.com.
Image: LEGO Ideas
Borján’s impressive LEGO constructions aren’t the only musical equipment to be made using toy blocks. In 2022, Brick Technology, a YouTube channel, crafted a fully functional drum machine entirely from Lego Technic pieces that can play Taylor Swift and Blur. Using a Roland TD-9 drum module and piezo pickups, the machine has a pianola-style rolling mechanism as a sequencer, utilising Lego Technic pins to create drum patterns.
Well, we for one can’t wait to see if Tamás Borján ends up making his Sennheiser headphones a LEGO reality.
Until then, keep up to date with actual headphone releases via MusicTech. 
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Moog Moogerfooger plugins are on sale at just £30 for a limited timeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more information on how this works click here.
For a limited time, a selection of Moog Moogerfooger time effects plugins are available for over half their original price at £30 each.
The deal, redeemable at Plugin Boutique, sees the price of the Moogerfooger MF-104s Analog Delay slashed by 62%, while the Moogerfooger MF-103S 12 Stage Phaser is discounted by 57%.
READ MORE: Universal Audio UAD bundles are 90% off until the end of today!
Based on the original hardware pedals of the same name, the Moogerfooger plugins bring the classic Moog sound into your DAW at a fraction of the price. A second-hand Moogerfooger MF-104s hardware pedal, for example, could set you back as much as £2,000 — over 66 times the price that Plugin Boutique has it on sale for. Not bad!
The MF-104s plugin brings a Bucket Brigade Device (BBD)-style delay to your DAW, with delay times ranging from 40ms to 800ms. As Plugin Boutique says, this plugin has been designed to “capture all of the warm, organic texture and character of the original analogue delay circuitry, while adding 21st-century flexibility and ease of use.”
Meanwhile, the MF-103S 12-Stage Phaser emulates the original 6-stage/12-stage voltage-controlled Phaser which Plugin Boutique says brings “not only the psychedelic enveloping sound of the original, but also the organic way in which the parameters interact to create a musical playing experience.”
Both plugins sport CV interconnectivity, stereo functions, and presets, and support for running multiple instance simultaneously.

When the Moogerfooger plugins were first announced in late 2022, Moog said, “The new Moogerfooger S-series plugins have been lovingly recreated to impart the same lush, distinctive tones of the original analogue circuits and can now be used in DAW-based environments. Great for audio engineers, guitarists, sound designers, synthesists, [and] composers — the ultimate creative and versatile tool.”
Get the plugins from Plugin Boutique until 22 January 2024.
Check out more music technology deals. 
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Too many choices? How Musicians Can Overcome Option ParalysisThe advancement of technology and the fact that artists can compose, produce, and promote their music from the comfort of their bedrooms, leaves musicians overwhelmed with options. from ArtistVerified via. Continue reading
The post Too many choices? How Musicians Can Overcome Option Paralysis appeared first on Hypebot.

NAMM 2024: Korg’s KR-11 is a compact yet feature-packed rhythm boxNAMM 2024: Korg has announced the KR-11, a compact rhythm machine that echoes the features of its 1963-launched Korg Doncamatic.
READ MORE: All of Dillon Bastan’s Max For Live tools are now free to download in one giant bundle

Arriving just in time for NAMM Show 2024, this retro-looking unit looks to follow Korg’s 2013-launched KR Mini. It also dons a similar size to products in Korg’s Volca range, clocking in at a similar size of just 160 by 115 by 44 millimetres.
While the KR-11 is small, affordable and described as “simple” by Korg, it is feature-packed, offering loads of sound presets and even velocity-sensitive pads.
With an intuitive interface, the KR-11 offers 126 rhythm patterns spanning various genres such as EDM, blues/R&B, jazz/latin and rock, and you can customise and save up to 14 patterns. Listen to its audio demos below:

The 16 velocity-sensitive pads make for fun finger drumming, providing a realistic drumming experience. In Pad Play mode, users can create authentic drum-like performances, further expanding the device’s versatility.
If you’re looking for hands-free control, an optional pedal switch is available, allowing you to start and stop or change patterns. This, along with its nifty size, makes it an ideal option for live performance.
The device features a headphone/line-out jack for external audio output, connecting to PA, mixer, amp, or other devices. With a metronome function, it caters to the needs of guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, and orchestral players.
Credit: Korg
It also has an in-built speaker that’s been newly developed and delivers a powerful yet compact sound range, complemented by Korg’s Acoustage Bass technology. This is an original sound enhancement technology designed by Korg to virtually enhance the bass range in audio output.
The Korg KR-11 isn’t the first piece of music tech to be announced ahead of NAMM, which takes place from 25 to 28 January 2024. We’ve also seen a new “completely redesigned” MOTU 828 audio interface, and Yamaha has revealed its intriguing new SEQTRACK, an all-in-one music creation machine. Another interesting release is the Dtronics DT-303, an FX box built to compliment 303 basslines specifically.
No price has yet been revealed. Find out more about the KR-11 via Korg.
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All of Dillon Bastan’s Max For Live tools are now free to download in one giant bundleDillon Bastan, the developer whose name you’d be hard pressed to miss in the Max For Live community, has released a free, all-in-one bundle containing the full collection of his free M4L devices.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024: Yamaha unveils SEQTRACK, an all-in-one music creation station for composing and performing anywhere

For the uninitiated, Max For Live is an integrated environment in Ableton Live that offers a wide range of creative tools, including synths, samplers, effects, and experimental MIDI generators.
Given the buckloads of devices – both free and commercial – available to choose from, the world of M4L can be pretty overwhelming if you’re new to the game. Here’s how Bastan’s latest release comes in, as it offers a great starting point for all you rookies out there looking to foray into the weird and wonderful world of M4L.
The package, which arrives as a single, downloadable bundle, features all 10 of Bastan’s free M4L devices. They include:

Fractal filters: a 50-band filterbank that uses a visualisation of Julia Set fractals
Strange Mod: a device that uses Strange or Chaotic Attractors to produce a moving 3D coordinate
Cellular Degradation: a polyphonic tone generator that combines cellular automation
Swarmalators T: a swarm synthesizer device
Swarmalators N: a swarm MIDI generator device
Spectral Attractors: a device that uses a physics simulation and a phase vocoder
Screaming Janus: a device comprising a simulation of Janus Bunch Oscillators and a corresponding bank of brutal oscillators.
Markov Variations: a tool to transition between Ableton Live variations using Markov Chains
Logistic Mod: a modulator device that uses the logistic equation for modelling population growth
Image2Wavetable: a tool that turns an image into a wavetable to be used by Live’s wavetable (and others).

Download the full bundle from Dillon Bastan’s website.
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PreSonus announce Eris Pro 4 monitor The compact PreSonus Eris Pro 4 version of their coaxial monitor design delivers a wide ‘sweet spot’ and maintains a symmetrical dispersion pattern, making it well-suited to use in multi-speaker immersive mixing rooms.

NAMM 2024: Up your Stylophone game with the CPM DS-2 analogue drone synthesizerNAMM 2024: Dubreq, creator of the iconic Stylophone, has unveiled the latest iteration of its famed pocket synth in the form of the CPM DS-2 analogue drone synthesizer.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024: Yamaha unveils SEQTRACK, an all-in-one music creation station for composing and performing anywhere

The first of Dubreq’s pro-audio Compact Portable Modular (CPM) range, the Stylophone DS-2 is a marked departure from the toy-like styling of the original.
Key features of the CPM DS-2 include two 3340 analogue oscillators, twin analogue sub-oscillators, and two analogue 3320 filters. Users can keep things musical by linking the pitch of the two analogue oscillators to ensure everything stays harmoniously in tune, or hard sync them for even wilder sounds.
The synthesizer also boasts a robust LFO section with 14 waveforms, two wave selectors, seven routing switches, and five depth attenuverters. Sonic vibes are further enhanced with the in-built vintage modulated delay as well as the option to add one of the eight vintage-inspired reverb algorithms.
Additional features include a built-in speaker, two stereo outputs, and a dozen modular patch points. Run sound sources from anything into the Aux input to take advantage of the included effects, creating a single hub for your music creations.
The DS-2 can be powered by mains or using AA-sized batteries, and Eurorack compatibility means that you can integrate the synth into your preferred modular system.
“The Stylophone CPM DS-2 Analog Drone Synthesizer is an ideal companion for those seeking innovation in sound creation in the studio, on stage or on the go,” said the company in a statement.
Priced at $259/ £209, the DS-2 is now available for pre-order on the Stylophone website.

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Is AI Music Taking Royalties From Musicians and Composers?This week, Ari is joined by Oleg Stavitsky, the CEO and Co-Founder of Endel.

At $159, RØDE’s NT1 Signature Series condenser microphone could be the ultimate studio all-rounder$159/£139, rode.com
Following the success of RØDE’s NT1 5th Generation, which incorporated a plethora of high-tech features, we now have the new NT1 Signature Series, a revamp of the classic and beloved analogue microphone.

READ MORE: Universal Audio’s SC-1 and Hemisphere eight-mics-in-one are tempting additions to any studio’s mic collection

The main features of the 5th Generation are its proprietary Dual Connect output with both XLR and USB connectivity, 32-bit float digital output and onboard DSP. But the analogue circuitry was also upgraded to deliver lower noise and higher SPL handling capabilities.
Now, the NT1 Signature Series incorporates the analogue improvements without all the digi-tech, for those who choose to work in a more traditional style. And while we are talking traditional style, the classic silver or black aluminium casework has been joined by a range of vibrant, limited-edition colours, including red, green, purple, pink and blue.
RØDE CEO Damien Wilson told us, “We wanted to offer creators this new-and-improved NT1 with the original pure-analogue design of previous generations – plus the option to get one in your favourite colour to match your own unique aesthetic.”
RØDE NT1 Signature Series condenser microphone in red, photographed against a background of red jewels
Whichever colour option you go for, the mic comes with its own high-quality shockmount, pop shield and a decent XLR cable so it’s ready to plug straight into your mic preamp or interface.
Under the hood, the microphone features an HP6 large diaphragm (1-inch) gold-sputtered capsule, which made its debut appearance in the 4th Generation model. This improves the capsule found in earlier incarnations of the mic, having been precision-engineered to sub-micron tolerances.
Like all NT1s, it’s a cardioid-only design with a tight response, which excels in rejecting unwanted spillage from extraneous sounds. This type of response really comes into its own when used in the context of a multi-player backing track session, yet also provides precise focus when used for vocals, individual overdubs and voiceover work.
As a vocal mic, the new NT1 retains the classic sonic signature that has placed it at the forefront of budget condenser designs for three decades. Its rich and detailed character flatters most vocalists with added warmth and a glossy high-end sheen that evades some mics costing considerably more. In this respect, it’s a great choice when a decent outboard EQ isn’t available.
RØDE NT1 Signature Series condenser microphone in blue, photographed against a background of blue flowers
Our vintage Neumann U 67 tube mic has a glorious midrange, yet it’s rare for us to achieve a final sound without adding a touch of super-top from a 16kHz EQ boost on a Pultec EQP-1A. Just think of the cost of that package…
Because of the Signature Series NT1’s inherent super-top lift, many users will find that they can produce a wonderful vocal sound with only a suitable level of dynamic control and no tone shaping whatsoever.
Although the broad treble region may not be as neutral or transparent as more expensive designs, the latest model expresses a more vivid, less scooped tonal balance than NT1s of the past.
Also, the mic exhibits extremely low levels of self-noise (at 4dBA), which, alongside the digi-equipped 5th Generation model, makes the new Signature Series the world’s quietest studio condenser microphone, according to RØDE.
ASMR artist tapping their fingernails on a RØDE NT1 Signature Series condenser microphone in pink
Before pressing the NT1 into service on a studio session, we like to test the mic on an acoustic guitar, alongside our stalwart Neumann U 67 and AKG C414 B-ULS mics.
Of course, our regular condensers are far more costly designs. But despite all three mics expressing their own unique sonic character, you wouldn’t pinpoint the new NT1 as the budget option.
Listening to the pass recorded with the new NT1, the guitar sound has a lovely, even midrange with just a hint of added low-mid warmth. It’s a presentation that works particularly well with singer-songwriter performances, especially when blended with an intimate, close-mic’d vocal.
However, in a busier mix, some of that low-mid can be usefully dialled-out with EQ to reduce clutter and increase clarity. That said, the clarity expressed in this microphone is impressive not only at its price-point, but also in absolute terms.
RØDE NT1 Signature Series condenser microphone in green, photographed against a background of green leaves
In comparison with the aforementioned U 67 and C414 mics, the NT1 has a more pronounced top-end, lacking the darkly forward nature of the ’67 or woody midrange of the ’414. This is no bad thing in the context of most popular music and speech recordings. However, those who desire to capture sounds without added top-end sparkle might prefer something a tad more neutral.
Granted, this type of product isn’t aimed at those who make highly-critical classical or jazz recordings and, for most of us working in the broad church of pop, it pretty much covers all bases.
As with any mic, its ultimate sound is a product of its interaction with the preamp it’s used with. We prefer the tonal balance of the NT1 with a punchy solid state design, such as a classic Neve-style mic preamp, rather than our softer, more open valve designs.
It’s with our Hairball Audio Lola preamp that we first use the NT1 to capture a full drum kit sound with the mic placed a few feet in front of the kit just above the top head of the rack tom. This produces an incredibly natural mono kit sound on its own yet also works brilliantly mixed with close spot mics and overheads; a pair of NT1s would make for a killer stereo overhead pair, then.
RØDE NT1 Signature Series condenser microphone in purple, photographed against a background of purple feathers
And as the latest incarnation of the mic has higher SPL handling capability than previous models – and way higher than most delicate boutique mics – you can happily place it close to an electric guitar amplifier or loud horn section.
The NT1 has always been a true studio stalwart, able to capture just about any sound you choose. Now it does a similar trick with more authority and refinement, with a price tag that definitely won’t break the bank.
When it comes to the age-old engineer’s debate of ‘if you had to choose one mic to record absolutely everything…’, the new RØDE NT1 Signature Series has shot straight to the top of our shortlist.
Key features

Cardioid condenser
HP6 gold-sputtered capsule
Aluminium body
Comes with studio-grade shockmount, pop filter and XLR cable
Available in classic black or a range of limited edition colours – red, green, purple, pink and blue
10 year warranty

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