NatLife Sounds Trance Essenziale Vol.1 for Arturia JUP-8000 VTrance Essenziale is a soundbank of 54 Arturia JUP-8000 V Trance presets, inspired by the classic sound of the late '90s and early 2000s. This pack gives producers authentic tones that shaped the golden era of trance music. Italian sound designer Gianfranco Carone created the original presets, and NatLife refined them for improved balance and usability. Together they built a practical Arturia JUP-8000 V soundbank that delivers leads, plucks, basses, pads, and atmospheres. Each preset captures the timeless energy of early trance, making this bank a solid choice for producers looking for reliable sounds with a classic vibe. Content: 54 Arturia JUP-8000 V trance presets Designed by Gianfranco Carone (Italy) and refined by NatLife. Inspired by trance styles of the late '90s–2000s. A practical soundbank that expands the classic Arturia JUP-8000 V palette. https://youtu.be/1CqN4a49U7A Read More

These Loewe headphones cost over $135,000. Why? Take a guessThe era of high-fashion headphones is among us, thanks to a new collaboration between hi-fi audio brand Loewe Technology and coveted jewellery company, Jacob & Co. The two available models, Noir Rainbow and Ice Diamond, will set you back €99,000 and €119,000, respectively. But is that price just for the diamonds, or will you actually get world-class audio quality with it?
With the handcrafted headphones, the two brands promise “high-resolution audio”, which one would expect for the price. More specifically, both the Noir Rainbow and Ice Diamond models feature an amplifier from Texas Instruments and a “high-performance” 50mm driver in each earcup, with a minimum frequency response of 20hz. They are compatible with spatial audio and are “optimised for Dolby Atmos.” You can use the companion app to customise the EQ of the sound, although it’s currently unclear how capable the app is. Mimi Sound is also supported for audio personalisation.
Meanwhile, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is available for both models, along with multiple settings for intensity and transparency, with an Intelligent ANC ambience control.

As for connectivity, the Loewe x Jacob & Co headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and sport an analogue audio input, plus a built-in microphone. Its Bluetooth connectivity supports AAC, LC3, LC3+ and SBC audio codecs — notably, there is no support for lossless codecs such as aptX Lossless.
Both models boast a 65-hour battery life.
Now for the expensive stuff.
The Noir Rainbow model, which is the €99,000 pair, is handcrafted with a 14-karat rose gold ring, with 15.97 carats of “vibrant gemstones”.
Meanwhile, the Ice Diamond headphones are handcrafted with a 14-karat white gold ring (weighing 42.5g), with 12.47 carats of “dazzling diamonds, including 456 brilliant-cut stones.”
“This is sound, reimagined as jewellery,” says Loewe. “Each headphone is a sculptural work of art the world has never seen before. A rare expression of beauty, precision and mastery. Shaped entirely by hand, every detail reflects the highest level of craftsmanship, from the radiant setting of each stone to the flawless finish. Singular in creation, timeless in spirit. A true collector´s treasure”

And, of course, what luxury headphone would be complete without a bespoke AI assistant? ‘Leo’ is on board both pairs — a “discreet voice assistant” for “real-time translation.”
Tempted? You’ll need to be super rich and super quick. The headphones are a limited edition series, with only 10 models being produced.
The luxury headphones will launch on the Loewe Yacht (where else?), which is a D55 Sportiva — “a masterpiece designed by Studio Dini”, according to a press release. “Entirely built in aluminium, both hull and superstructure, recalling the same materials belonging to Loewe, the yacht combines sophisticated design elements together with elegance in equal measure. Flying the Maltese flag, the Loewe Yacht (D55 Sportiva) embodies contemporary design and refined Italian craftsmanship.”
Finally, the two brands sign off on the press release, assuring that we can expect more products to come: “This collaboration marks not only a milestone in luxury audio art, but the start of a new chapter inLoewe’s journey, blending design, fashion, and technology. More extraordinary creations will follow in September 2025.”
Learn more at loewe.tv
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Y2K on Doja Cat, Grammys, Elliott Smith, and why making music with TikTok virality in mind is ‘setting yourself up to fail’Ari Starace is the latest interviewee in our World's Greatest Producers series
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Animatronic Eyes Are Watching YouIf you haven’t been following [Will Cogley]’s animatronic adventures on YouTube, you’re missing out. He’s got a good thing going, and the latest step is an adorable robot that tracks you with its own eyes.
Yes, the cameras are embedded inside the animatronic eyes.That was a lot easier than expected; rather than the redesign he was afraid of [Will] was able to route the camera cable through his existing animatronic mechanism, and only needed to hollow out the eyeball. The tiny camera’s aperture sits nigh-undetectable within the pupil.
On the software side, face tracking is provided by MediaPipe. It’s currently running on a laptop, but the plan is to embed a Raspberry Pi inside the robot at a later date. MediaPipe tracks any visible face and calculates the X and Y offset to direct the servos. With a dead zone at the center of the image and a little smoothing, the eye motion becomes uncannily natural. [Will] doesn’t say how he’s got it set up to handle more than one face; likely it will just stick with the first object identified.
Eyes aren’t much by themselves, so [Will] goes further by creating a little robot. The adorable head sits on a 3D-printed tapered roller bearing atop a very simple body. Another printed mechanism allows for pivot, and both axes are servo-controlled, bringing the total number of motors up to six. Tracking prefers eye motion, and the head pivots to follow to try and create a naturalistic motion. Judge for yourself how well it works in the video below. (Jump to 7:15 for the finished product.)
We’ve featured [Will]’s animatronic anatomy adventures before– everything from beating hearts, and full-motion bionic hands, to an earlier, camera-less iteration of the eyes in this project.
Don’t forget if you ever find yourself wading into the Uncanny Valley that you can tip us off to make sure everyone can share in the discomfort.

Free LA2A plug-in from Universal Audio Universal Audio have just announced that they will be celebrating Labor Day weekend with a flash sale. From 28...

I got lost in Moog Messenger’s massive Res Bass sounds£725 / $815, moogmusic.com
Haven’t you heard? It’s all about the bass. Or, more specifically, it’s all about Res Bass. Sure, Moog Messenger is a two-oscillator monophonic synth with wavefolding capabilities, FM, and plenty of modulation options. Yes, it’s got a robust arpeggiator, a 64-step sequencer with parameter recording, loopable ADRS’s, and the ability to store patch presets. All good stuff to be sure – but it was the new bass compensation feature, which allows you to dial up the filter resonance without losing low-end, that garnered the most attention upon the instrument’s release.
Well, I’m here to tell you that everyone is wrong – Messenger is not, in fact, all about Res Bass. It’s about so much more.

READ MORE: “We’re doubling down on what we stand for”: How Moog delivered the Messenger

Let’s start with my favourite surprise, the feedback circuit. This is one of the most musically satisfying implementations of feedback I’ve heard in a synth, and part of that is down to where it sits in the signal path. It’s pre-filter, taking its source directly from the mixer output, and this means that you can really push the sound in wild and weird directions before reigning it back in with a low-pass.
Then there’s the sub-oscillator. Erik Norlander, Moog’s Director of Keyboard Development, told me he challenged company veteran and VP of engineering, Steve Dunnington, to add a little “secret Moog sauce” to push Messenger’s capabilities beyond what the Subsequent 37 or Sub-Fatty could achieve. The result is a sub-oscillator with the nifty ability to change waveshape – from triangle wave to square wave with pulse width modulation – independent of its parent signal.
In practice, it’s an understated but surprisingly powerful addition that fills out the sound in a supremely satisfying way. And once you factor in the inclusion of continuous waveshaping and Buchla-style wavefolding on the two main oscillators, FM modulation, and the ability to sync both oscillators for additional tone control, Messenger’s sound design chops look very strong indeed. Using just oscillators and feedback, I found myself getting well and truly lost in the sound of this instrument before ever getting to Messenger’s mighty filter section.

Ok, let’s talk about Res Bass. Using what the company describes as a “unique pole-mixing design”, Messenger claims the ability to retain as much low-end as you could want, even as ear-splitting amounts of filter resonance is dialled in. I can happily report that the feature managed to exceed my high expectations.
If anything, the company has undersold the feature, because it doesn’t just add extra oomph, it can give your sound an entirely new character across the entire frequency spectrum. Bass tones bite, leads feel punchier, and filter sweeps growl with a weight and presence that I’m not sure I’ve heard before.
The new filter innovations don’t stop there. We also get a 2-pole 12dB slope in addition to the traditional 4-pole 24dB slope, and band-pass and high-pass modes. Taken together, these features add a lot of modern functionality without compromising the classic 904A filter sound – I wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of them become a standard part of Moog’s filter design moving forward.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
Messenger manages to seem bigger than it actually is. It feels solid and sturdy at 4.9kg, but with dimensions of 58 x 32 cm, this is still a fairly compact instrument. Yet nothing feels cramped; there are full-sized semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, room for pitch and modulation wheels, and extensive I/O options which include MIDI over USB-C and DIN, CV/Gate ins and outs, and external audio input to the filter.
Borrowing from its big brother synth, Muse, Messenger also boasts a powerful arpeggiator and sequencer combo. The line between these two melodic tools is actually quite blurry because the arpeggiator can act as a pseudo-sequencer with a 16-note pattern and the ability to turn individual steps off. Meanwhile, the sequencer brings more powerful options to the fore with per-step parameter recording, note probability, and note pool; a great new feature that lets you play a set of possible notes for each sequence step to draw from.
One thing you won’t see on Messenger is a digital display. Perhaps it’s just my own screen fatigue, but it felt genuinely refreshing to navigate this instrument using only physical buttons and dials. Thanks to a skilfully executed ‘one-knob-per-function’ layout and a classic left-to-right signal path, this instrument has a learning curve suitable for beginners and pros alike. After using it for less than an hour, both in-depth sound sculpting and mid-performance tweaks began to feel largely intuitive.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
That said, there are some drawbacks to a screen-less design, and these are apparent when using the arpeggiator or navigating the config menu to find deeper settings. Basic functions are a breeze, and even more complex parameters are all deftly handled with just a few button-plus-dial combos. But if you want to switch the arpeggiation to a specific pattern or fine-tune the pitch bend range, then consulting the manual is likely the only way to find what you’re looking for.
For a time, Moog’s instruments started to feel like bespoke luxury items – priced at levels that average musos would seldom consider. Messenger’s £725 ($815) entry fee is clearly a pivot moment, placing it firmly in ‘premium workhorse’ territory.
But the monophonic synth market has plenty of sharp-elbowed competition, and while Messenger lowers the ‘Moog-markup’, it certainly hasn’t eliminated it. For a few hundred less, you could net yourself a Novation Bass Station II or an Arturia MiniBrute 2. And, if you’re open to digital options like the Korg Wavestate MkII, or hybrids like Behringer’s Deep Mind 12, then the competition is arguably steeper still.
That said, I doubt anyone could regret investing in Messenger. It’s chock full of thoughtful design choices, future-ready features, and all backed up by genuinely fantastic sound. If you’re a first-timer looking for an approachable entry point to the world of synthesis, a professional looking to bring premium tones to the stage or studio, or if you’re just longing to own a piece of the world’s most famous synth brand, there’s never been a better moment to step into Moog’s world.

Key features

Two oscillators, sub oscillator, and noise generator
Classic ladder filter enhanced with multimode functionality and Res Bass
Two LFOs with options for frequency and audio rate modulation
32 full-sized semi-weighted keys with channel aftertouch
256 included presets
Pre-filter feedback circuit
External audio input to filter
6 CV ins/outs, MIDI over USB-C and DIN, sustain and expression pedal inputs
64 Step sequencer with note probability and parameter recording

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Reloop RP-7: The world’s first pro DJ turntable built just for 7-inch recordsFor decades, the 7-inch single has often been treated as more of a collectable novelty than a DJ workhorse. But Reloop wants to change that. The German company has unveiled the RP-7, calling it the first-ever professionally mass-produced direct-drive DJ turntable designed exclusively for 7-inch vinyl.
With this launch, we are not only celebrating the rich tradition of 45 vinyl culture, but also reimagining it for the future of performance in this iconic format,” says Reloop CEO Gerald Barbyer. “It’s a statement of our commitment to empower DJs and music enthusiasts with tools that inspire creativity and to share our love and passion for the thriving 7-inch collectors culture.”

READ MORE: The RANE ONE MKII DJ controller offers a stems-focused workflow and delivers the tactile feedback of true turntables

The RP-7 is no toy. At its core is a newly developed high-torque brushless DC motor (2.5 kg/cm) designed for accurate cueing and even scratching. The platter is precision-milled die-cast aluminium, paired with an integrated switching power supply to reduce interference. A straight copper tonearm with internal rubber damping is designed to offer exceptional tracking accuracy while minimising resonance.
Like its bigger siblings (the RP-7000 and RP-8000 MK2), the RP-7 also features a height-adjustable base. Installation has been streamlined too: the RP-7’s statically balanced tonearm system eliminates the need for anti-skating, a common pain point for beginners.

Specs-wise, the deck holds its own against full-size players. Users get three selectable speeds (33 ⅓, 45 and 78 RPM), a clickless tempo fader, an adjustable tempo range of +/-8 %, +/-16 % or +/-35 %, as well as a pitch reset toggle button.
As you’d expect from a professional player, the Reloop RP-7 has ample options for connectivity. Featuring a completely recessed connection terminal, it can integrate into a DJ setup with reliable protection for sensitive ports. Switchable phono/line outputs with gold-plated connectors prevent you from having to rely on dedicated phono inputs. A detachable LED needle light (for extra visibility in low-light settings) and a sleek, deep black metallic finish, meanwhile, round out the RP-7’s design.
Coming in at just 5.7 kg, the RP-7 weighs considerably less than a standard deck as well, making it the perfect travel companion for DJs playing 45 events.
The Reloop RP-7 is now available at €549 / $599 / £499.
Learn more at Reloop.
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AI finally pays up: Beatoven.ai’s new Maestro AI music generation model promises royalties for artistsAI music startup Beatoven.ai has launched Maestro, a new generative AI music model that claims to pay ‘ongoing royalties’ to artists, composers and rights-holders whose work was used in training.
Unlike other AI music tools that have come under fire for allegedly scraping unlicensed material, Maestro is “fully licensed and fairly trained” through official deals with rightsholders and it’s the first such model to do so, according to Beatoven.ai. Its partners include Rightsify, Soundtrack Loops, Symphonic Music, Bobby Cole, Vadi Sound and Pro Sound Effects.

READ MORE: Fake artists, real opportunities: Hoaxes and scams are holding back the potential of AI music

At its core, Maestro powers Beatoven’s expanding suite of music generation and analysis tools, letting users create instrumental tracks that can be tailored by genre or style. Support for sound effects and even vocals is already planned for future updates. The company also offers an API, allowing developers to integrate music generation directly into apps and platforms.
By working with rights management platform Musical AI, the company says it can identify which licensed songs or musical elements influenced each generated track, and distribute royalties accordingly. In theory, that means whenever Maestro’s outputs rely on a specific work, the rightsholder gets paid.
“Human creativity and AI can go hand in hand,” says Beatoven.ai CEO and co-founder Mansoor Rahimat Khan [via Music Business Worldwide]. “Most tools try to mimic humans, whereas AI should push human creativity forward by generating what we’ve never heard before. Hallucinations in foundation models are a feature in music, not a bug.”
The launch arrives amid mounting lawsuits against AI companies like Suno and Udio, both of which face legal action from Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment over the alleged misuse of copyrighted recordings. By contrast, Beatoven.ai is positioning Maestro as a test case for how AI and rightsholders might actually coexist.
Advocates of ethical AI have also welcomed the move. Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of non-profit Fairly Trained, comments: “If you respect musicians, you license their music. Beatoven.ai is providing yet more compelling evidence that generative AI doesn’t need to be built by scraping the music of the world’s musicians.”
Meanwhile, Sean Power, CEO of Musical AI, frames the partnership as a blueprint: “We’re showing the world what a fair AI deal looks like: attribution, respect of rights, and ongoing payouts every time a work contributes to an output. Maestro is a major step towards this better future.”
Learn more at Beatoven.ai.
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Native Instruments unveil four-layered Erosia The new addition to the Native Instruments range creates morphing and modulating soundscapes from materials under strain, powered by sources such as ice crackling across cymbals and glass vases straining under tension.

Bold Music Festival Curation: Beyond Big-Name ActsSome festival lineups are starting to look the same and fans are noticing. As ticket prices climb, bold music festival curation, not just big names, may be the best way to stand out and keep crowds coming back year after year.
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UAD Offers Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor Plugin FREE Until September 1st
Universal Audio is giving away the Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor plugin for free, with no UAD hardware required, as part of its Labor Day Flash Sale running until September 1st. This isn’t the first time UAD has offered the LA-2A plugin for free, so there’s a good chance many BPB readers already have it in [...]
View post: UAD Offers Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor Plugin FREE Until September 1st

Are the days of hashtags behind us? [Bobby Owsinski]Responding to TikTok's recent move to minimize the importance of hashtags, Bobby Owsinski argues that the sunset period for hashtags has officially begun.
The post Are the days of hashtags behind us? [Bobby Owsinski] appeared first on Hypebot.

APU Software releases FREE Spectrum Analyzer plugin for macOS and Windows
APU Software has released APU Spectrum Analyzer, a highly customizable and completely free spectrum analysis plugin and standalone application for macOS and Windows. APU Spectrum Analyzer provides super-detailed spectrum analysis for your DAW without costing a cent. The plugin supports multiple FFT window types (Rectangular, Hann, Hamming, Blackman, and Kaiser) and a wide range of [...]
View post: APU Software releases FREE Spectrum Analyzer plugin for macOS and Windows

Google outlines plans for ‘Universal Ledger’ amid race for institutional blockchainsGoogle Cloud’s Web3 head used a LinkedIn post to brand the company's upcoming Universal Ledger as a neutral blockchain for financial institutions.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ just became Netflix’s most-watched movie of all timeThe Sony Pictures Animation production is building on the unprecedented success of its music
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