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      Justin Sun vs. SEC, Do Kwon arrested, 180M player game taps Polygon: Asia ExpressChinese crypto billionaire Justin Sun sued by SEC, Do Kwon busted in Casino Royale location, game with 180 million players embraces Polygon.

      Chinese crypto billionaire Justin Sun sued by SEC, Do Kwon busted in Casino Royale location, game with 180 million players embraces Polygon.

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        38 million tracks on music streaming service were played ZERO times in 2022. (Or: why Spotify should take a leaf out of Elon Musk’s book.)Should Spotify, in a quest to improve its margin, start playing hardball with its least successful artists?
        Source

        24% of the 158 million tracks on music streaming services monitored by Luminate in 2022 attracted ZERO plays that year. That’s approx. 38 million tracks.

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          Daily Crunch: In SEC filing, Accenture reveals plans to dismiss 19,000 workers over the next 18 monthsTo get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PDT, subscribe here.
          Hello, and welcome to your Thursday — aka, the day the TikTok CEO went in front of Congress. Our team has been working hard all day to keep up with everything going on there, and you can read the fruits of their labor in the Big Tech section. Now, on with the news! — Christine and Haje
          The TechCrunch Top 3

          More layoffs: The layoffs affecting the technology industry are now making their way to the companies that service them. Accenture announced today that it will cut 19,000 jobs, Manish reports. That represents about 2.5% of its global workforce, but an eye-opening figure nonetheless.
          Do Kwon in custody: It looks like law enforcement caught up with Terra creator Do Kwon, who was reportedly arrested at the Montenegro airport, Jacquelyn writes. You might recall that Kwon has been under investigation in South Korea following the Terra/LUNA collapse, which wiped out about $40 billion from the cryptocurrency market. Despite saying he was cooperating with law enforcement, Kwon’s whereabouts have been unknown since September.
          An excuse not to go to the mall: DoorDash users can now order from Lush Cosmetics, Victoria’s Secret and Party City. The delivery giant also added some new shopping features, like search optimization. Aisha has more.

          Startups and VC
          At first glance, Boston Dynamics is a strange fit for a show like ProMat, Brian writes. For decades, the firm has presented a flashy image to the world — a company well known for robotic highlight reels, from the snow-traversing Big Dog to parkour-performing Atlas. But a recent approach has found it facing one of its biggest challenges to date: putting its robots to work in the form of commercialization.
          Lun, a climate tech startup out of Denmark, is on a mission to help heat-pump installers decarbonize homes and fast, Natasha L reports, starting with heating systems and swapping out boilers for electric heat pumps.
          Robots, heat pumps and five more tech news stories, oh my:

          F you, pay me: Mary Ann reports that a former Stripe engineer raises $4 million for Beam, a fintech startup out to help contractors get paid faster.
          Moar dollars for moar skillz: Workera double downs on AI for upskilling with a $24 million infusion, Kyle reports.
          Stop, collaborate and list-in: Hex lands another $28 million as the data collaboration platform continues to gain traction, Ron reports.
          Storefronts, get yer storefronts: Vue snaps up $20 million to grow its open source–based ‘frontend-as-a-service’ e-commerce toolkit and platform, Ingrid reports.
          Nah, we good: Indian edtech giant Byju’s says it’s not acquiring Unacademy, reports Manish.

          4 Indian investors explain how their investment strategy has changed since 2021
          Image Credits: mtreasure (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
          For our latest survey, TechCrunch reporter Jagmeet Singh asked four Indian investors about how their work has changed since the global tech downturn began.
          Venture capital funding in the region “dried up in the second half of 2022,” so he inquired about their current pace of dealmaking, which investment trends they’re watching and how founders can reach them:

          GV Ravishankar, managing director, Sequoia India
          Ashutosh Sharma, head of India investments, Prosus Ventures
          Vaibhav Domkundwar, CEO and founder, Better Capital
          Roopan Aulakh, managing director, Pi Ventures

          4 Indian investors explain how their investment strategy has changed since 2021

          Aaaand of course there’s three more from the TC+ team today as well:

          Time’s a-ticking: As TikTok and Coinbase face regulators, some questions are simpler than others, writes Alex.
          How to spot investment-worthy founders: Look for mindset, competence and confidence, writes Sanjay Reddy.
          A de-risking hardware trilogy: Haje recently covered Prelaunch’s $1.5 million round and spoke to the company’s founder about 10 tips to de-risk hardware. The final article in the trilogy is the company’s Pitch Deck Teardown, covering Prelaunch.com’s $1.5 million seed deck.

          TechCrunch+ is our membership program that helps founders and startup teams get ahead of the pack. You can sign up here. Use code “DC” for a 15% discount on an annual subscription!
          Big Tech Inc.
          The big news for today was obviously TikTok, and our colleagues were plugging away at everything from the Congressional hearing to who benefits if a U.S. ban happens. Find out any new developments here.

          TikTok ban will benefit Meta, Google and Snap the most: Bernstein, by Ivan.
          TikTok’s hearing in Congress is a reminder of Chinese startups’ identity crisis, by Rita.
          TikTok commits to deleting US user data from its servers ‘this year,’ by Sarah.
          China reminds US that it can and will kill a forced TikTok sale, by Taylor and Rita.
          TikTok called out for misusing Citizen Lab research, by Amanda.
          TikTok questioned on ineffective teen time limits, by Sarah.

          And now here’s six non-TikTok stories for you:

          If Reddit and Stack Overflow had a baby…: It would be Daily.dev, according to Paul.
          Unplugged: YouTube is shutting down Indian social commerce app Simsim but says it is still committed to building “a seamless shopping experience for viewers and supporting creators’ businesses,” Manish writes.
          Like riding a bike: Smoov and Zoov came together a couple of years ago and formed Fifteen, which is now showing off its latest shared, docked bikes. Romain has more.
          Brian walks into a supply chain show: And ends up having the best time. He chronicles his three days at ProMat and says he “may end up becoming a regular on the supply chain and logistics circuit as a result.”
          Coming to a theater near you…: Could be your favorite Apple TV+ movies. Apple is reportedly planning to shell out $1 billion a year to release its movies in theaters, Lauren reports.
          Looking for “the perfect vehicle for chaos?”: Then look no further than the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV. Roberto writes, “It’s too big and not very efficient, but it shines when tackling unexpected obstacles.”

          Daily Crunch: In SEC filing, Accenture reveals plans to dismiss 19,000 workers over the next 18 months by Christine Hall originally published on TechCrunch

          Hello, friends, and welcome to Daily Crunch, bringing you the most important startup, tech and venture capital news in a single package.

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            Patchmaker LO-FI Hip Hop & Trap - Serum & RC-20 Patchmaker is very proud to present this incredible collection of Serum & RC-20 patches suitable for LO-FI Hip Hop & Trap production. Producers searching for the sounds... Read More

            Patchmaker is very proud to present this incredible collection of Serum & RC-20 patches suitable for LO-FI Hip Hop & Trap production...

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              ‘Yes, AI is the future of music – but not in the way you’d think.’The following op-ed comes from Oleg Stavitsky, CEO of AI-powered sound app Endel
              Source

              The following op-ed comes from Oleg Stavitsky, CEO of AI-powered sound app Endel…

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                Patchmaker 500 Presets - Arturia Pigments After two decades of successfully producing software synths based on classic hardware products, Arturia released its first unique synth – Arturia Pigments. With a sonic palette... Read More

                After two decades of successfully producing software synths based on classic hardware products, Arturia released its first unique synth – ...

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                  A2IM announces 2023 Libera indie awards nomineesThe American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has announced the 2023 Libera Awards nominees. The ceremony will be held on June 15 at the Town Hall in New York City.  2023 Libera Awards. Continue reading
                  The post A2IM announces 2023 Libera indie awards nominees appeared first on Hypebot.

                  The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has announced the 2023 Libera Awards nominees. The ceremony will be held on June 15 at the Town Hall in New York City.  2023 Libera Awards. Continue reading

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                    Sonniss Offers 44 GB Of FREE Sound Effects
                    Sonniss released the GDC 2023 – Game Audio Bundle, a free collection of royalty-free sound effects. Sound effects are the lifeblood of an electronic producer, and you can snag a massive 44+ gigabytes of sound effect samples thanks to Sonniss for free. These aren’t your typical drum or melodic samples but rather field recordings, designed [...]
                    View post: Sonniss Offers 44 GB Of FREE Sound Effects

                    Sonniss released the GDC 2023 – Game Audio Bundle, a free collection of royalty-free sound effects. Sound effects are the lifeblood of an electronic producer, and you can snag a massive 44+ gigabytes of sound effect samples thanks to Sonniss for free. These aren’t your typical drum or melodic samples but rather field recordings, designedRead More

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                      TK Audio unveil SP502 preamp This 500-series preamp from TK Audio aims to deliver both vintage and modern tones by allowing users to switch between two separate output circuits. 

                      This 500-series preamp from TK Audio aims to deliver both vintage and modern tones by allowing users to switch between two separate output circuits. 

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                        5 tips for promoting music events for 2023Everyone is still adjusting to a post-pandemic world, and the music industry finds ways to adapt each year. Here are some tips for concert promoters in our current state this. Continue reading
                        The post 5 tips for promoting music events for 2023 appeared first on Hypebot.

                        Everyone is still adjusting to a post-pandemic world, and the music industry finds ways to adapt each year. Here are some tips for concert promoters in our current state this. Continue reading

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                          AIR release Vocal Effects Collection The latest plug-in bundle from AIR focuses on vocal processing, offering pitch-correction and distortion effects along with tools that allow users to generate harmonies and unison parts from a single vocal track.

                          The latest plug-in bundle from AIR focuses on vocal processing, offering pitch-correction and distortion effects along with tools that allow users to generate harmonies and unison parts from a single vocal track.

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                            Sounds like: Lane 8, Rufus Du Sol, Flume, Tourist Song: ZUSO - Higher...
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                              Mastering 7sus4 Chords like Bill Evans – “I Do It For Your Love” Intro – Jazz Piano TranscriptionOne of the most iconic piano intros in the history of jazz is Bill Evans’ intro in “I Do It For Your Love” from his album Affinity. The chords he plays in this intro are so unique and captivating that they leave listeners wondering where they came from and how to create something similar. In this video, we will dive deep into the concept of 7sus4 chords, specifically as Bill Evans used them in this intro, and learn how to create voicings like his.

                              Before we begin, let’s briefly discuss what a 7sus4 chord is. A 7sus4 chord is a dominant 7th chord with the third replaced by the fourth. For example, a D7sus4 chord would consist of the notes D, G, A, and C. The chord symbol can be written as D7sus4 or D7sus.

                              Now, let’s take a closer look at the chords Bill Evans played in his intro. The chord progression is a simple D7sus4, to Eb7sus4, to E7sus4.

                              To play the first chord, a run-of-the-mill D7sus4 voicing can be used.

                              However, to achieve the unique sound of Bill Evans’ voicing, the chord needs to be extended as much as possible.

                              To extend the chord, we stack thirds starting on the top note of the basic D7sus4 voicing. This gives us the notes D, G, A, C, E, G, B, D, and F#. The next note, A, is already in the voicing, so we don’t need to add it again. Notice that the third (F#) appears above the fourth (G) as a tension, rather than below it as in an add11 chord.

                              On his right hand, Bill Evans plays a Bm triad. He also drops the ninth (E) down an octave, making it a second.

                              To make this voicing easier to remember, it can be thought of as two upper structures: an add9 on the bVII and a minor triad on the 13th (or the 6th). Using this perspective, a D7sus4 can be voiced as Bm over Cadd9 over D. To achieve the final voicing, two Cadd9 chords can be stacked, with the highest and lowest notes removed. The resulting voicing is a D7sus4 with the 9, the 13th, and tension 3.

                              To play Bill Evans’ intro in “I Do It For Your Love,” simply start on a D7sus4 and move it up chromatically, creating the following sequence: D7sus4, Eb7sus4, E7sus4. The voicings for the latter two chords can be created using the same principles we used for the D7sus4.

                              By understanding and mastering 7sus4 chords like Bill Evans, you can add a unique and captivating sound to your playing. Practice these voicings and experiment with them in different chord progressions to fully understand their sound and potential.

                              If you are interested in more music resources like this, visit the mDecks Theory Journal on mDecks.com and gain access to their expanding library of music books, apps, piano arrangements, improvisation tips, and songwriting strategies.

                              One of the most iconic piano intros in the history of jazz is Bill Evans’ intro in “I Do It For Your Love” from his album Affinity. The chords he plays in this intro are so unique…

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                                Sounds like: Vacations, Glass Animals, Djo What's so good? Journey on HeroesTame Impala gives the...
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                                  Epic launches Unreal Editor for Fortnite, will give 40% of all revenue to creatorsEpic Games announced a new system for paying creators on Fortnite, the ultra-popular, free-to-download battle royale game.
                                  Announced on Wednesday at the Game Developers Conference, Epic will now share 40% of Fortnite revenue with anyone who design “islands” in the game. This includes money that Epic earns from the purchase of V-Bucks (in-game currency), real money spent in Fortnite on items like starter packs, quest packs and cosmetics, and Fortnite Crew subscriptions.
                                  On their personal island, creators can develop their own unique in-game experiences with custom rulesets and designs. A creator’s payout is determined by how popular the island is, and how many users keep returning to the island.
                                  According to Epic’s wording, companies can also earn payouts in this program, which means that, like with Roblox, professional game developers can also publish their own content on Fortnite and get paid. However, the language makes it unclear whether Epic itself is eligible to earn back a portion of the allotted 40 percent, which would make the actual sum going to third-party creators far smaller.
                                  Already, about half of play time in Fortnite takes place in user-created content, but these third-party maps are about to get a massive upgrade. Epic announced today that Fortnite is getting an Unreal Engine editor, which is now available in public beta. At least from the demo videos, this looks like it’ll be a game-changer (literally):

                                  Get ready to create.
                                  Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) available now in Public Beta on PC. Download: https://t.co/64xBgpsT6X pic.twitter.com/rIA4TSgw1a
                                  — Unreal Engine GDC (@UnrealEngine) March 22, 2023

                                  With the new editor, it only makes sense that Epic would switch up its creator system. Fortnite’s existing creator program offered relatively paltry incentives for would-be amateur game designers. Creators had a personal code, and if fans entered their code when buying an item in the Fortnite shop, they would get 5% of the revenue. To join the new program, which Epic is calling “Creator Economy 2.0,” users can sign up on Fortnite’s new creator portal. Any creator who joins before April 21 will be paid retroactively for any island engagement from March 1 onward. To be eligible for payment, users must be 18 or older and have an account that’s at least 90 days old.
                                  The 40% figure is an interesting choice. For years at this point, Epic has been embroiled in a lawsuit with Apple, alleging that the iOS App Store maker is anti-competitive, since it takes 30% of all in-app purchases. Epic originally sued Apple in 2020, when the company removed Fortnite from the App Store; Epic had implemented a new payment mechanism that allowed it to bypass Apple’s in-app purchase framework.
                                  The initial verdict on the case was mixed, prompting both companies to appeal. A judge ruled that Apple was not a monopoly, but that the company couldn’t prevent apps from routing customers to a different payment processor to get around the 30% cut. Epic appealed, pressing for Apple to support third-party payments. Apple also appealed, seeking to close up these workarounds and keep payments flowing through its own channels.
                                  Comparing Apple’s app marketplace to Epic’s in-game creator earnings isn’t exactly straightforward, given the nuances of the new Fortnite payments model. Epic argues that app developers have no choice but to host their apps on Google and Apple stores, but Fortnite is just one ecosystem of many in which developers can earn an income stream. Depending on how the details shake out — and what light they cast the company in — we may see bits of Epic’s new creator payments program bubble up in the ongoing appeals process between the two companies.

                                  Why should you care about Unreal Engine 5?

                                  Epic launches Unreal Editor for Fortnite, will give 40% of all revenue to creators by Amanda Silberling originally published on TechCrunch

                                  Announced at the Game Developers Conference, Epic will now share 40% of Fortnite revenue with anyone who design "islands" in the game.

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