Producer Crosstalk: The IvyBand and production team The Ivy – Wyatt Clem and Shawn Abhari – met in 2016 while studying music production at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Oklahoma City. Both arrived with a music background and a passion for the craft of making records. Together the duo has released three self-produced EPs and the full-length A Door Still Open is slated to drop on February 23. To date, The Ivy’s 2017 “Have You Ever Been in Love” has earned more than eighteen million Spotify streams.

Writing and recording a song is typically only part of the artistic equation. Another crucial piece is how an artist knows if what they’ve created has merit or commercial viability. “If I’m not vibing with it within the first few days, then I move on,” Clem observes. “But Shawn and I won’t give up if there’s a song with one sound that doesn’t fit. Sometimes we can lose sight of whether it’s a good song as a whole because we want to make a certain tone or performance work. Otherwise we try to follow our joy and excitement, especially if we both feel it.”

 “I’ve learned over the years that all of the sounds in a song should feel like they’re in the same environment,” Abhari adds. “If you use a certain amount of reverb on one instrument, then make sure that it blends into the mix so that it all sounds like it’s in the same room. If I get stuck, I just turn on the main core elements. If those all sound good, then I’ll add other things piece by piece. If something is really jarring, we figure out what’s working and what’s not by building it up track by track.”

Knowledge gained on earlier projects is drawn upon regularly when a new record is begun. Further lessons are also likely to be learned in the process. “A Door Still Open came from a bunch of demos we’d written before we even knew we were doing an album,” Abhari recollects. “The challenge was how to make only a chorus and a verse fit with some of our other ideas. That was always hard but engineers and producers in LA helped us make the environment feel like it was in the same headspace.”

Virtually any band would be thrilled with the eighteen million Spotify streams that “Have You Ever Been in Love” has amassed. But what was it about that song that imbued it with such stellar reach? “I don’t know why it hit other than maybe that indie-pop eighties genre was popular at the time and maybe it fell right into the algorithm,” Abhari speculates. “I loved the crunchy, eighties-sounding four chords. I took the drum rack from one of Wyatt’s demos that had some really cool reverse snares and things and made the beat from it.”

Many artists are noted for their customized gear. Eddie Van Halen had his Frankenstrat and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready has a custom-modified amp that goes to eleven (really). In Clem’s case, his most prized piece of gear is his hacked Mexican Strat. “I took the body off of Shawn’s first electric guitar – a twenty-dollar Squier – and combined it with parts from my own,” he recalls. “Now it feels better than it ever did. I don’t see myself parting with that anytime soon.”

The three most important lessons the two have learned as producers, musicians and engineers are:

It’s not about what you can do with your instrument. It’s how you can serve the song.

Any sound can be cool if you manipulate it hard enough. We once made a song entirely out of six samples of paper being torn.

You can achieve everything you need without spending thousands of dollars. Our songs that have reached the most listeners were done on inexpensive equipment.

For 2024, The Ivy plans to concentrate on local shows initially and to join a larger tour towards the summer. The two also have material for another record in their creative queue. Both Clem and Abhari maintain home spaces from which they record demos. Often they work at the Santa Monica studio of SameSame, the production duo of Rob Cohen and Blake Mares. Until 2021, all of their music on Spotify was recorded in their bedrooms.

Contact - wearetheivy.com; Instagram = @wearetheivy;

Amanda Curtis - Press Here Publicity, Amanda@pressherepublicity.com

Reservoir has spent nearly $1B on acquisitions and signings, and 5 other things we learned from its latest investor factsheetReservoir Media has clocked yet another year of strong growth, with revenues up 14.6% YoY in calendar year 2023. The company’s quarterly financial results show revenues of USD $140.5 million during the year, up from $122.6 million in 2022. With the company’s stock trading at $7.00 as of February 22 (up 6.4% over 12 months, … Continued
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Arturia introduce KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 Arturia's latest release brings the KeyLab Essential range’s 88-key controller in line with the recently launched 49- and 61-key mk3 models, and comes kitted out with a whole host of new creative features.

Arturia launches KeyLab Essential 88 mk3, putting a “full piano range at the fingertips” of producersArturia has launched the KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – the latest addition to its KeyLab Essentials range, following on from its 49- and 61-key models to offer a “full piano range” for producers and other music makers alike.
Described by the brand as “an intuitive, powerful, carefully crafted controller”, the KeyLab 88 mk3 enables users to control any DAW or MIDI hardware without the need for overly complex controls or a lengthy configuration process.

READ MORE: Arturia’s AudioFuse 16Rig is excellent for the modern studios of synth lovers

It hosts a full 88-note range, with a semi-weighted keyboard, and it easily integrates with Arturia’s Analog Lab Pro, Pigments, and V Collection.
New creative features on board for this new offering include a Scale Mode, Chord Mode, and an Arpeggiator. Users can also utilise custom DAW integration with the likes of FL Studio, Ableton, or Logic Pro, and Arturia also says more versatile presets are on board. Additionally, there’s easier controls and a streamlined interface.
So, what software is included?

Analog Lab V – a software instrument hub hosting 24 vintage instrument reproductions, including analogue and digital synths, acoustic pianos and electric pianos, organs, strings machines and samplers.
Ableton Live Lite – An introduction to Ableton Live, which lets you create, mix, and export your tracks. Over 800 instruments, drum racks, FX, and MIDI clips to explore are available here.
UVI Model D – Puts “the sound of the famous Steinway Model D grand piano at your fingertips”.
The Gentleman – Virtual instrument based on an upright piano from 1908 for vintage character.
Melodics – Provides instant access to lessons and tips on playing, performing, and production.
Loopcloud – A free 2-month Artist/Studio plan to this huge the Loopcloud sample library.

Find out more over at Arturia. 
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UMG, Jimmy Iovine backed NTWRK buys Complex to build a Superfan hubUMG and Jimmy Iovine-backed live-video shopping platform NTWRK will acquire media company Complex to create a music and culture superfan destination...
The post UMG, Jimmy Iovine backed NTWRK buys Complex to build a Superfan hub appeared first on Hypebot.

MIDiA identifies the top seven challenges Musicians face
Continuing from his "how difficult it is to make it in the music business" post, Bobby Owsinski breaks down a recent study revealing what's most difficult about being a professional musician.

Spoiler: It has nothing to do with talent...

The post MIDiA identifies the top seven challenges Musicians face appeared first on Hypebot.

Free tracking app Playlist Alert adds Apple MusicThe Playlist Alert iOS app sends real-time alerts when songs are added to playlists. Since 2021, the popular free app has focused on adds to thousands of Spotify editorial playlists...
The post Free tracking app Playlist Alert adds Apple Music appeared first on Hypebot.

Get 82% OFF Native Instruments Alicia’s Keys Piano Library
Get a massive 82% discount on Native Instruments Alicia’s Keys at Plugin Boutique. Alicia’s Keys (usually $112.69) is a Kontakt library created by Native Instruments in collaboration with the multi-award-winning singer/pianist Alicia Keys, and you can buy it for just $15.19 – which is a massive 82% discount! The library is compatible with the free [...]
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Man facing “first of its kind” trial for alleged streaming fraud after earning more than £500k in royaltiesA Danish man is currently facing trial for alleged streaming fraud after earning more than £500,000 (4.38m kroner) in royalties.
The case is being described as a “first of its kind” due to the large streaming numbers. It is alleged that the 53-year-old man profited from streams of 689 pieces of music across services including Spotify, Apple Music and YouSee Musik.

READ MORE: Electronic music generated £2.5 billion for the UK economy in 2023

As reported by The Guardian, the trial is taking place in the city of Aarhus in Denmark, and is expected to be heard over three days, with a verdict due next Tuesday.
The outlet shares that the defendant has also been charged with breaching copyright law for allegedly taking works from other artists and editing them, before publishing them under his own name. He has pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer, Henrik Garlik, has spoken to Danish news outlet DR regarding the case (translation via The Guardian): “I don’t think that such a case – regarding matters which the prosecution believes to be data fraud in connection with playbacks of musical works via various tendering services – has ever been tried in court.
“Somewhat dependent on the result, there is a possibility that both my client and the prosecution will appeal the verdict to the high court. And I also do not want to deny that a case like this could reach the supreme court.”
Anna Lidell and Lasse Matthiessen, the chair and a vice-chair of Autor, the largest Danish association for composers, songwriters, lyricists and producers, have said that in order to generate 1m kroner, a track would need to be streamed 20 million times and would have to be entirely owned by the artist, songwriter and label. They state that they do not know for sure how the defendant has earned so many streams.
Prosecution are reportedly seeking a fine, a prison sentence, and the confiscation of the defendant’s royalties. The trial remains ongoing.
In other related news, Benn Jordan’s music, under his alias The Flashbulb, was taken off streaming platforms earlier this month allegedly due to “streaming fraud”. TuneCore, his primary digital distributor, claimed Spotify had “identified and removed a high amount of streams” from his royalty calculation due to “evidence of abnormal streaming activity” on his releases. It also claimed to have conducted “an additional internal investigation” and confirmed the evidence.
Jordan is meeting with legal counsel as a result, and said in a statement, “Whether this is malice related to my Spotify criticism or simply negligence, this is dystopian for reasons much larger than myself or my loss of income. While being erased from existence and gaslit is among one of the worst things that can happen to an artist, if there was one fight I was born to fight, it’s this one.”
MusicTech reached out to TuneCore as this news broke, and has not yet received as reply.
The post Man facing “first of its kind” trial for alleged streaming fraud after earning more than £500k in royalties appeared first on MusicTech.

TikTok’s ‘Add To Music App’ feature is rolling out in another 163 countriesDespite its ongoing spat with Universal, TikTok is undeterred in its push to capitalize on the popularity of music on its platform
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IK Multimedia unveil ARC Studio IK Multimedia's new cost-effective hardware room-correction system has been designed to bring the benefits of DSP-based correction to any monitoring setup

IK Multimedia’s ARC Studio Hardware room correction system upgrades your studio monitoring gameIK Multimedia has unveiled ARC Studio, an out-of-the-box hardware acoustic room correction system designed to elevate the performance of traditional studio monitors instantly.
Comprising a standalone hardware processor, the new ARC 4 software (also available separately) for analysis and correction of the listening environment, along with a precision MEMS measurement microphone, ARC Studio offers a significant boost in performance and accuracy to any studio monitor, regardless of its make or model.

READ MORE: Lenco’s new L-3810 direct drive turntable is the perfect blend of traditional and modern features

As most of us are aware, the impact of room acoustics on music perception can be crucial. Factors like size, shape, materials, and furniture often skew the stereo image of studio monitors and warp our perception of frequency ranges. ARC 4’s all-new algorithm swiftly identifies and corrects these issues, resulting in improved mixing accuracy with more controlled low-end, tighter transients, and precise stereo imaging.
Installation is a breeze, says IK, with ARC 4 software guiding users through a quick measurement process of acoustical responses within their listening position. The correction profile is then loaded onto the ARC Studio processor, where it sits between the interface and monitors ready to be applied to all incoming signals.

The system also caters to various studio environments, including pro studios with both DAW-based and console-based setups. It offers transparent correction and custom-tuning for any monitoring setups from nearfields to mains.
For DAW-based studios, ARC Studio eliminates the need to insert the ARC 4 plugin on the master bus of a project and preserves zero-latency monitoring setups. This means you can enjoy acoustically corrected monitoring on your preferred streaming service without messing around with system drivers. Using ARC 4, profiles can be created and stored for every configuration, listening position or even monitor pair and recalled when needed.
There’s even a monitor emulation function (over 20 profiles are included), which lets you simulate iconic studio monitors, hi-fi speakers, mobile devices and other systems with “breathtakingly true-to-life results”.
Handily, ARC 4 now comes with 9 factory-tailored target curves suitable for a variety of situations. While ARC corrects the entire frequency spectrum, users can define the upper and lower limits of the correction ranges.

In terms of hardware, the ARC Studio features a 120 dB(A) analogue input to analogue output dynamic range, 0.5 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, and ultra-stable clocking for vanishing low jitter.
ARC Studio, which includes the processor unit, ARC 4 software, and measurement mic, will cost you $299.99, while the ARC 4 Software is priced at $149.99
Learn more at IK Multimedia.
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The best microphones to buy in 2024: 11 of the best microphones for rappers and MCsMost microphones will do a decent job at recording spoken word vocals. But, depending on whether your delivery is laid-back or all-out, the type of microphone you’ll want to use could be very different.

READ MORE: Best synth plugins 2024: 10 of the best polyphonic synth plugins for all genres

Vocal microphones tend to fall into these two major categories. Dynamics are hard-wearing and generally more adept at handling high sound pressure levels (SPL), making them ideal for loud vocalists and for live use. Being less sensitive, you need to work close to the mic, and as a result they’re handy for avoiding room reflections (and unwanted noise) in an untreated domestic room. A more even dynamic range off the bat is another advantage; dynamics make total sense as the go-to type when starting out at home.
Condensers, on the other hand, tend to be more sensitive and offer excellent detail, particularly in the high-frequency range. In the case of most vocal recording sessions, most professional engineers will reach for a large-diaphragm condenser, because it’s a safe bet that’s tuned to help vocals cut through the mix.
Here we’ve picked out a list of the best microphones for rappers and MCs – which also include some artist favourites for good measure.
11 of the best microphones for rappers and MCs

RØDE PodMic USB
Audio-Technica AT4033a
RØDE NT1 Signature
Shure SM7dB
Sony C-800G
Lauten Audio LA320 v2
Sony C80
Shure SM58
Neumann U 87 Ai
SE Electronics V7
Universal Audio SC-1

RØDE PodMic USB

As suggested by its name, the RØDE PodMic USB is designed with podcasters in mind – but being optimised for speech makes it just as suitable for rap. This model offers dual XLR/USB operation, making it far more attractive than its (non-USB) PodMic forerunner as an all-in-one recording solution.
This microphone features a pleasing tonality with just the right amount of push in the high-mid range that makes capturing great vocal tracks simple, even without much processing. Its outstanding off-axis rejection and included pop filter also help your recording stay focused on its source, and with fewer plosives to deal with in post.
In USB mode, versatile on-board DSP adds EQ sparkle, flattering compression and gates out unwanted noises, making you production-ready with a few clicks. Just plug the mic into your device with the USB-C cable, plug your headphones into the mic and you’re all set with a system that gets close to an SM7B and audio interface, at far less cost.
Price: £189
Type: Dynamic; XLR/USB operation
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: No
Other features: Onboard DSP (noise gate, EQ, compressor, exciter); audio interface/headphone amp; foam windshield
Check out the latest deals.
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Audio-Technica AT4033a
The Audio-Technica AT4033a is a versatile condenser that can be used on a variety of sources, from voice to acoustic guitar and even drum overheads. In the realms of rap, this is also the most current version of the microphone which MF DOOM used to record 2004’s Madvillain.
The switchable high-pass filter at 80 Hz is especially handy if you intend to close-mic your talent. This helps curb the unwanted low-mid boost that comes from being too close to the microphone, known as the proximity effect, and there’s also a sensitivity pad that can be put to use if the rap gets shouty.
Price: £359
Type: Large diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: 20Hz – 20kHz
Pickup pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Other features: High pass filter; -10 dB pad; shock mount included
Check the latest deals.
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RØDE NT1 Signature
Artist in the studio using the RØDE NT1 Signature
RØDE’s NT1 has been a staple in the home and project studio sphere for countless years, famed for its pleasing U87-inspired voicing and competitive price. It has a simple configuration with a fixed cardioid polar pattern and no high-pass or pad switches, so you’ll need to use an audio interface or preamp with a pad if you’re spitting super-loud bars.
The latest, Signature edition includes voicing tweaks taken from the preceding NT1 5th Gen (XLR/USB) release and comes in a range of fresh-looking body colours.
Price: £139 black / £165 for limited edition colours
Type: Large diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Other features: Shock mount and pop shield included
Read our review of the RØDE NT1 Signature here.
Check the latest deals.
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Shure SM7dB

 
An update to one of the most popular options in the market for all forms of vocal recording, the Shure SM7dB is a dynamic microphone that’s incredibly well suited for spoken word performances, podcasting and singing alike. It’s pretty much unrivalled, sound wise in its class, as this quirky spoken voice short from Podcastage demonstrates.
The latest DB variant overcomes the historic issue of the SM7B being a low sensitivity mic that requires excessive gain by including an internal booster preamp. For this reason, it does require phantom power.
The SM7dB also features an in-built windscreen to cut down on plosives (a thicker foam windscreen is also included) as well as both a bass roll-off and presence boost switches.
Price: £449
Type: Dynamic
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes – required to use the preamp
Other features: High-pass filter; presence boost; standard and big foam windscreens included
Check the latest deals. 
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Sony C-800G
Well-known as being the microphone of choice amongst artists the likes of Eminem, Dr. Dre and the late Mac Miller, the Sony C-800G is a condenser microphone that combines flattering tube saturation with crystal-clear high frequencies – seemingly, the perfect combination for making rap recordings punchy and intelligible.
Granted, the C-800G is a really expensive microphone. As such, it’s probably more suited for professional environments rather than project studios. Part of the big price tag comes from an integral cooling system designed to keep the microphone working at the correct temperature.
Price: £11,500
Type: Large diaphragm tube condenser
Polar patterns: Cardioid; omnidirectional
Requires phantom power: No, but uses the included power supply
Additional features: Windscreen and shock mount included
Check the latest deals.
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Lauten Audio LA320 v2

To enjoy tasty tube saturation without a prohibitive price tag, Lauten Audio’s improved LA320 v2 is well worth a look and listen.
The LA320 has a fixed cardioid polar pattern and a switchable high-pass filter, but more unusually, a low-pass filter too, giving the option at source for either a bright, modern sound or a more rounded vintage sound. Check out the mic in action with Carl Moore Music’s soulful singing and read our review of the original LA320 here.
Price: £611
Type: Large diaphragm tube condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: No, but uses the included power supply
Additional features: High-pass and low-pass filters; shock mount included
Check the latest deals. 
Sony C-80

The almost-pocket-sized Sony C-80 offers the same high frequency detail as the flagship C-800G (and even shares components with the larger sibling) at a relatively modest price point.
Vocal lines come across clear and with great tonal balance, meaning tracking is a pleasurable experience for talent as they can monitor their live signal with decent clarity on headphones. Down the line, you won’t need to do lots of EQ shaping to fit the tracks into the mix either.
Switches for a high-pass filter and sensitivity pad help shape the sound at source and handily, a shock mount is included in the box.
Price: £425
Type: Medium diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Additional features: High-pass filter; sensitivity pad; shock mount included
Read our review of the Sony C-80 here
Check the latest deals. 
[products ids=”4qpKYFZycQO2eaCFuN8Sk9″]
Shure SM58
Image: Shure
The SM58 (and the very-similar SM57) earns its status as the most ubiquitous microphone in the world because of the sheer reliability it provides at a really reasonable price. Whether you’re at a world-class theatre or even the dingiest of dives, you’re likely going to find at least a couple of these around.
It’s hard to argue against the SM58, its pokey high-mid range offering just the right emphasis to vocal lines, while its internal shock absorber works to minimise handling noise when placed in your hand. Oh, and it’s practically indestructible.
Price: £105
Type: Dynamic
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: No
Check out the latest deals.
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Neumann U 87 Ai

Lauded for its versatility in the studio, the Neumann U87 could be said to represent an industry gold standard for recording all types of vocals including rap. It has a perfect balance of mid-forward tonality and subtle saturation from the onboard transformer, both of which help voice parts command the mix.
This large diaphragm condenser offers three polar patterns (cardioid, omni and figure-8), a sensitivity pad for recording loud sources and a high-pass to avoid boomy proximity when working close to the mic with either of the directional pickup patterns.
Price: £2,449
Type: Large diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid; omnidirectional; figure-8
Requires phantom power: Yes
Additional features: High-pass filter; sensitivity pad; shock mount included
Check out the latest deals.
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SE Electronics V7
SE’s V7 is a handheld dynamic mic that gives the SM58 a serious run for its money for a lesser chunk of change. It has a fixed supercardioid pattern to bring an incredibly focused capture of sounds in front of the mic.
It’s smoother in the mid range than the ’58, getting you into the ballpark of the highly desirable SM7B sound for a budget price.
Price: £75
Type: Dynamic
Polar pattern: Super-cardioid
Requires phantom power: No
Read our review of the SE Electronics V7 here
Check out the latest deals.
 
Universal Audio SC-1
Universal Audio SC-1 in use
Why spend ages choosing between the high-end, dashing duo of the C-800G and the U 87 when you can have both of them (and more) inside a single mic? What’s this witchcraft, I hear you ask..?
Universal Audio’s SC-1 is a large diaphragm cardioid condenser mic with a difference. Its bundled Hemisphere plugin is used to emulate eight iconic microphones including those mentioned above plus the U 47, U 67 and TLM103 from Neumann, and two AKG greats (C414 and C-12). It’s a more affordable way into mic emulation from UA, coming off the back of its Sphere L22 microphone release in 2022.
Price: £475
Type: Large diaphragm condenser with mic modelling plugin
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Additional features: Hemisphere plugin to emulate 8 famous studio condensers including the holy-grail Sony C-800G
Read our review of the Universal Audio SC-1 here 
Check out the latest deals.
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