Who owns Deezer today?Access Industries is Deezer's biggest shareholder, with ownership of over a third of the company
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Sketch Audio Phase Monkey — Poly Synth Phase Monkey is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the classic phase distortion synthesizers of the mid-1980s. However, instead of being a direct copy, Phase Monkey presents a fresh take... Read More

Ozone 11, Nectar 4 and Guitar Rig 7 Pro are unleashed in Native Instruments’ Music Production Suite 6iZotope Ozone 11, Nectar 4 and Native Instruments Guitar Rig 7 Pro are all part of the new Music Production Suite 6 software bundle, along with 30 more plugins from NI, iZotope and Brainworx.
READ MORE: Mastering The Mix’s FUSER plugin is “like having a personal mixing engineer”
With iZotope and Brainworx now operating under the Native Instruments company, the new Music Production Suite is packed with a diverse range of plugins from the three brands.
Most notable, though, are the upgraded versions of three major products: Ozone 11, Nectar 4 and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Here’s what’s new.
iZotope Ozone 11

Ozone 11 Advanced is an upgrade of one of the industry’s most revered mastering toolkits – Ozone 10 was given the MusicTech Innovation Award. This version brings a new Clarity Module, which “maximises the spectral power of your tracks,” says iZotope. In short, it adds, it makes your tracks louder, and more polished and pro-sounding with minimal effort.
A new Stem Focus tool uses AI to hone in on isolated stems in a mix and lets you apply any Ozone module. This helps you control the balance of a mixed file – “mix revisions are a thing of the past,” the brand claims.
Ozone’s Transient/Sustain mode let you separately alter the transient (kick drum, for example) and sustain elements (string sections, pads, horns and so on) of a signal.
Elsewhere, Upward Compress processing comes to the maximiser as one slider, and Assistive Vocal Balance helps you perfect vocals in your mix.

iZotope Nectar 4
iZotope’s all-in-one vocal mixing software is upgraded to version 4, and “makes it easier than ever to achieve professional-quality vocals,” says the brand.
Its new features include an Auto-Level module, an intelligent alternative to compressors; an improved Voices module for creating intricate vocal layers with presets and easy settings; an AI-powered Backer module to bring in virtual background singers; and a Vocal Assistant that helps you dial in the perfect preset and effects for your vocals.
Dig into more of Nectar 4’s offerings below.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 7 Pro
Guitar Rig 7 Pro is a coveted effects emulation software. It gives you the tones and textures of sought-after guitar and bass amps, pedals, and studio effects to run your instruments through.
This new iteration brings in a bundle of fresh new amps and pedals “powered by machine learning,” according to NI. 100 new rack presets are also included, and new processing modules that are designed to inspire your jam sessions and spark new ideas when producing.

What other plugins are in Music Production Suite 6?
There are over 30 more plugins in Music Production Suite 6. The most notable ones include:

Neutron 4; a mixing suite
RX 10 Standard; audio repair software
Neoverb; a smart reverb plugin
Tonal Balance Control 2; A meter for balancing a mix
Insight 2; software for mixing, mastering, and post production
VocalSynth 2; An effects tool for vocals
Audiolens; Track referencing from music streaming platforms
Symphony 3D and Stratus 3D; immersive reverbs
Brainworx Creative Mixing Set: Bx_delay 2500, Bx_boom!, Bx_subsynth, Bx _cleansweep pro, Bx_refinement, Bx_saturator V2
Native Instruments effects: Raum, Crushpack, Modpack, Supercharger GT, Replika XT, Solid Mix Series, Transient Master, Driver

Price of the Music Production Suite 6
New customers can take advantage of an introductory offer of Music Production Suite 6 and its individual products until 11 October 2023.
The Music Production Suite 6 bundle’s introductory offer is $449, moving up to $599 after 11 October.
Ozone 11 starts at £39, Nectar 4 starts at $49, and Guitar Rig Pro 7 starts at $199.
You can buy the bundle now at iZotope.com and native-instruments.com
The post Ozone 11, Nectar 4 and Guitar Rig 7 Pro are unleashed in Native Instruments’ Music Production Suite 6 appeared first on MusicTech.

DJ.Studio 2.0 is an AI-assisted “DAW for DJs” that lets you export mixes to Ableton LiveEver tried to construct a DJ mix for a radio show or party in your DAW? It can be a pain. DJ.Studio 2.0, which lets you build DJ mixes the same way as you would a song in a DAW and uses AI to quicken the process, could help.

READ MORE: Best DJ Gear 2023: 8 of the best Standalone DJ Controllers in 2023

The software, founded by Siebrand Dijkstra, syncs with popular DJ software such as Rekordbox, Virtual DJ, and Serato, so you can sync your libraries and drag and drop tracks into the app. You can even take tracks from YouTube if there are any missing from your own collection.
DJ.Studio will then order the tracks by BPM and key, and automatically create your mix for you using harmonic intelligence. You can then go in and edit the transitions, meticulously adjusting parameters such as the percentage of crossfade, the filter action, how the bass is cut and more. You can also save certain transitions as presets for reuse in the future.
DJ.Studio integrates seamlessly with Mixed In Key, using the Camelot wheel and other useful features to master harmonic mixing, making over 250 million calculations in seconds for professional-quality mixes in under fifteen minutes.
After your mix is complete, you can export directly to Mixcloud or YouTube, or export the file to Ableton Live for further editing and mastering. Impressively, any effects you alter in DJ.Studio – such as an EQ setting or phaser, for example – will be transferred into a Live Effect, complete with the automation you’ve applied in DJ.Studio. If you’re exporting the mix to Mixcloud, the software can also generate the tracklist instantly.

Founder Dijkstra says: “I have been passionate about electronic music for more than 25 years and I have been creating DJ mixes for the last 15 years. In that period I used an old legacy application, which unfortunately was only running in Windows and it got deprecated 10 years ago, so it was time for me to build it myself with my team.”
The recent update to the app has transformed the platform’s interface so it now offers a more intuitive, streamlined, and versatile user experience.
AI technology is being elsewhere in DJ tools. Launched in 2022, Serato Stems uses AI tech to let you separate stems from a track, such as the drums, bass and vocals, on the fly.
If you’re interested in this new approach to crafting DJ mixes, check out DJ.Studio, which costs $9 per month as a subscription model.
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Plugin Boutique Lets You Pick A FREE Gift With Any Purchase
Plugin Boutique offers two free add-on choices with any purchase in September. I hope some of you picked up the August gift at Plugin Boutique, but if you didn’t, don’t worry; September brings another good one. Plugin Boutique offers a choice between Audiomodern’s Loopmix Lite and a Mastering the Mix eBook as this month’s gift. [...]
View post: Plugin Boutique Lets You Pick A FREE Gift With Any Purchase

Toontrack launch Stories SDX expansion Stories SDX includes six kits that cover a wide variety of sounds, reflecting producer and mix engineer Frank Filipetti's diverse catalogue of work.

NOISY break down their new track, DANCEFLOOR: “The synths took it to another level”British indie-electro trio NOISY have released a video breakdown of their explosive new track, DANCEFLOOR featuring Charlotte Plank.
READ MORE: “Copy your favourite tunes” to learn production, advise Disclosure
The euphoric song is part of an upcoming collaborative mixtape titled FAST FWD: to friday [Vol 1]. “[DANCEFLOOR] was the first [track] that came about. That’s where we decided we wanted to do more collabs and explore different areas and sounds, and meet new artists.”
In the video, members Spencer, Connor and Cody run through the various elements of the new track, which they say is a “massive track” for them.
The foundation of DANCEFLOOR is a vocal sample that the band found on the sample marketplace Tracklib. You’ll hear the chopped-up sample in the intro of the track, which is layered with pitched-up and pitched-down versions of the sample, along with some overdub recordings to “beef up” the stack of vocals, Spencer says.
In the pre-chorus, NOISY introduces some progressive house-style synth chords to create a dramatic build-up.

The band recalls the synthesizers and sound design parts being the force that “took [DANCEFLOOR] to another level.”
Spencer, the band’s main producer, also breaks down the various drum sounds that were layered to comprise the intricate beat of the track. Combine those with the sample, progressive chords and powerful vocals from Charlotte Plank, and you’ll hear how much consideration went into DANCEFLOOR.
The band’s upcoming is touted to continue this sentiment, bringing in a diverse selection of artists from various styles and genres. Alongside Charlotte Plank, the collaborators include Tinchy Stryder, Master Peace and Frozemode, among others.
This won’t be the first collab on the band’s discography, either. They’ve previously collaborated with the likes of The Prototypes, 1991 and Zero, and have had liquid D’n’b royalty High Contrast remix their single 24/7.
On 8 September, Spencer, Connor and Cody will launch the mixtape at Signature Brewery Brew Hall, London.
You can buy tickets to the event at DICE and pre-save FAST FWD: to friday [Vol 1] now.
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UMG, Deezer ‘double boost’ launch upends streaming payments to artistsUniversal Music Group (UMG) has launched its long-promised artist-centric payment model with EU-based music streaming service Deezer. But unlike some of UMG’s other royalty experiments, this reveal comes with details. Continue reading
The post UMG, Deezer ‘double boost’ launch upends streaming payments to artists appeared first on Hypebot.

Should you Release Music as an Album, EP, or Track by Track?What are the pros and cons of releasing new music as an album, an EP, or as individual tracks? You’ve recorded new music and are trying to decide whether to. Continue reading
The post Should you Release Music as an Album, EP, or Track by Track? appeared first on Hypebot.

U.S. Copyright Office pledges to keep an eye on the implications of AIThe U.S Copyright Office is to study AI and how generative artificial intelligence should or not not play a role in the music industry. by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0. Continue reading
The post U.S. Copyright Office pledges to keep an eye on the implications of AI appeared first on Hypebot.

“Copy your favourite tunes” to learn production, advise DisclosureBritish dance duo Disclosure have offered advice for new producers, saying they shouldn’t be afraid to copy the sounds and techniques of their favourite artists as a way of learning.

READ MORE: Mac DeMarco: “I like to respect the way that recordings come to be”

The advice is offered during the pair’s recent Tape Notes podcast episode, in which the Settle creators unveil the production techniques and tools used on their latest album, Alchemy, and provide insights into the meanings behind some of its tracks.
“The best advice you can give someone starting out,” says member Guy Lawrence, “is ‘get in the studio and copy your favourite tunes all day’.
“That’s how you learn,” adds Howard.
“Yeah, then start to seep in some of your own [style] – like what you might do instead,” says Guy. “The first few songs of our career were just ripping off all of the UK underground. We were just like ‘I want to make tunes that will get us on to Boiler Room’.”

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Also in the podcast, the brothers discuss their priorities in terms of mixdowns on a project, saying that even if a mixdown isn’t perfect, by modern standards, as long as the song is “unbelievably good”, it’s okay.
“The song’s got to be unbelievably good if the mix is bad. Some of my favourite songs ever, the mixing is ‘bad’. ‘Bad’ is not a thing in mixing, it’s just ‘this way’ or ‘that way’,” says Guy.
At another point in the podcast, Guy reveals a cool technique used on Howard’s vocals in the track Looking For Love, that helps connect the song’s meaning with the production.
He achieves this by modifying the pitch formant of Howard’s vocals to match the emotional nuances in the lyrics by using Soundtoys’ Little Alterboy plugin. When the lyrics convey hope, he raises it, and when the mood turns sombre, he lowers it.
Listen to the full podcast via tapenotes.co.uk.
The post “Copy your favourite tunes” to learn production, advise Disclosure appeared first on MusicTech.

SM Entertainment artists including EXO, Red Velvet and aespa to join HYBE’s superfan app Weverse next weekSM Entertainment artists will officially be joining Weverse on September 12
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AudioSourceRE’s DRUMLESS lets you extract drums in real-time from any recordingA new AI-powered plugin by AudioSourceRE, DRUMLESS, has been launched. It lets you separate drums from “any audio track”, says the brand.

READ MORE: Group test: Six of the best stem separation tools in 2023

The plugin offers high-quality separation, letting you “effortlessly” rebalance or completely isolate drum tracks from their existing recordings. This way, you can extract standalone drum tracks of exceptional quality from even the most busy recordings and use them in your own projects.
AI technology allows for real-time extraction of drum tracks from mixed audio. It identifies and eliminates instrumental bleed from drum tracks, enhancing audio quality.
DRUMLESS is designed for DJs, remixers and drummers who are hoping to extract their favourite beats from any recording, whether it’s to quickly sample a slick drum loop or play along to a drum pattern to practice. The developer also says mixing engineers can use the plugin to remix a track without the original stems.

The DRUMLESS plugin is compatible with popular DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, and Cubase, guaranteeing a seamless cross-platform experience.
Stem separation is an in-demand feature for producers and DJs right now. In August, Serato launched the second iteration of its tool, Serato Sample 2.0, bringing stem separation technology as a plugin for your DAW for the first time.
It’s not just producers that now have simplified, quicker ways of extracting drums from recordings. Serato Stems was launched in October 2022, a feature that lets DJs isolate different elements of a song, with the brand saying it will “change DJing forever”.
This month, it looks as though Image-Line is looking to follow suit from Serato. A new video uploaded by a user teasing the upcoming FL Studio 21.2, shows an ‘extract stems from sample’ option, with options to extract ‘drums’ as well as bass and vocals.
It costs $99 and is downloadable from www.audiosourcere.com.
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Mastering The Mix’s FUSER plugin is “like having a personal mixing engineer”Plugin developer Mastering The Mix has released FUSER, a smart mixing plugin that is designed to resolve conflicting channels in a mix.
READ MORE: Best new mixing plugins, effects and VST instruments out this week

FUSER helps you create a more coherent mix by assisting you in setting volume balance, phase optimisation and mid/side-specific sidechain ducking. The plugin uses features Conflict Detection and Resolve Conflicts to provide you with a starting point in creating a clearer mix. The brand says FUSER is like “having a personal mixing engineer suggesting the perfect fixed for your unique song.”
Mastering The Mix offers some examples of where best to use FUSER. If the kick drum and bass parts of your mix are clashing, you can use the plugin’s Sidechain feature to quickly duck the bass and make room for the kick drum every time it hits.
How does this differ from sidechain compression? The company says that FUSER “achieves transparency by attenuating the frequencies and stereo position where conflicts occur,” but leaves the rest of the signal untouched.
Once you identify conflicting channels, you’ll put FUSER on the effects chain of the submissive channel, such as bass, and route the sidechain to the dominant channel, such as the kick.
The display panel lets you see the sidechain signal and the submissive signal playing together. A red glow will highlight mid channel conflicts, and a yellow glow will show you side channel conflicts. When you see any conflicts, hit the Resolve Conflicts button, and FUSER will get to work. You can then adjust the amount of processing using nodes, like in a graphic EQ, and alter parameter settings.
Check out the overview video below to see how FUSER works.

Reviews from the pros are already in, with multi-Grammy-winning mix engineer David Yungin Kim (credited on Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande and Nas records) saying: “As a mixer primarily in the hip-hop genre, I find it extremely important to have thumping low-end and clear, crisp vocals. I thought I was doing a decent job until I got my hands on FUSER.
“With FUSER I am able to get that next-level knock and clarity that I’ve been looking for my whole career. It’s really an amazing tool and it should belong in everyone’s plugin folder.”
FUSER is available for £49 and has a free trial available.
Learn more at masteringthemix.com
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