UMG AI Strategy Shifts from Reaction to InnovationUniversal Music Group (UMG) CEO Sir Lucian Grainge shared a memo outlining how the world’s largest record label is approaching artificial intelligence (AI) in music. His open letter blends optimism with caution, showing how UMG hopes to lead in generative AI while defending the rights of artists and songwriters.
The post UMG AI Strategy Shifts from Reaction to Innovation appeared first on Hypebot.

Behind the Scenes of Touring: Booking Artist Interviews and Media AccessIn a new episode of the Music Biz Weekly Podcast, Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert dive into one of the biggest hurdles for music journalists and artist teams - booking artist interviews during a tour.
The post Behind the Scenes of Touring: Booking Artist Interviews and Media Access appeared first on Hypebot.

At just $99, the Akai MPK Mini IV looks to “set a new standard” for portable music creationAkai Professional has unveiled the MPK Mini IV, a new compact MIDI keyboard controller which aims to “set a new standard for portable music creation”.
The unit arrives five years on from its predecessor, the MPK Mini Mk3, and is touted as the “most substantial redesign” in the history of the MPK Mini series.
Chief among the updates is the addition of pitch and modulation wheels – which replace the four-way joystick found on the previous model – while there’s also a revamped keybed and an even more responsive velocity-sensitive RGB backlit set of MPC pads.

READ MORE: “Get a release-ready mix in minutes”: Producer Tim Exile unveils intuitive Finalist mixing tool

Additionally, the MPK MINI IV comes with Studio Instrument Collection, an all-new comprehensive software instrument with over 1,000 “professionally crafted” presets from Akai Professional, Moog and AIR.
A single download promises to have users up and running within 15 minutes, with one-to-one parameter mapping which provides “seamless control over every sonic detail”.
Akai is hoping the straight-forward plug-in-and-go appeal of the MPK Mini IV will appeal to a new generation of content creators, producers and streamers.

“The MPK Mini IV embodies our commitment to empowering creators of all skill levels with professional-grade tools,” says Andy Mac, Creative Global Marketing and Artist Relations Manager at Akai Professional. 
“We’ve completely reimagined what’s possible in a compact controller – delivering tactile, expressive controls; instant access to premium sounds; and true portability at an accessible price point. It’s designed to inspire creativity from the moment you plug it in.”
Other features include an enhanced interface and workflow – with a full-colour screen for real-time visual feedback, and expanded transport section mapped to DAW controls, and enhanced arpeggiator and Scale and Chord Modes – and updated connectivity, now with a five-prong MIDI output jack for integration with external gear, and USB-C compatibility.
Credit: Akai Professional
The MPK Mini IV also has pre-programmed DAW scripts for compatibility with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Bitwig and Cubase.
The MPK Mini IV is available now, priced at $99.
Learn more at Akai Professional.
The post At just $99, the Akai MPK Mini IV looks to “set a new standard” for portable music creation appeared first on MusicTech.

Safari Pedals Retro Rhino Reverb Plugin is FREE for a Limited Time
Safari Pedals is offering its Rhino Reverb plugin (list price $49) for free with the code SanjaySafariMadnessRhino for a limited time.  Rhino Reverb is a retro-inspired verb for macOS (macOSX 10.15 or later) and Windows (Windows 8 or later, 64-bit only). The formats are macOS (VST3, AU, AAX) and Windows (VST3, AAX).  To get your [...]
View post: Safari Pedals Retro Rhino Reverb Plugin is FREE for a Limited Time

Xilentch releases FREE XMTape&Clip mastering tape and clipper plugin
XMTape&Clip is the latest addition to Xilentch’s XM plugin series, which includes the promising XMLimiter that we checked out back in August. I missed XMLimiter the first time around, and as Tomislav pointed out in his article, the plugin was rough around the edges, which isn’t uncommon for a new developer (especially with freeware/donationware). However, [...]
View post: Xilentch releases FREE XMTape&Clip mastering tape and clipper plugin

“Get a release-ready mix in minutes”: Producer Tim Exile unveils intuitive Finalist mixing toolEver wanted to dip your toe into the world of mixing? Well, Finalist might be perfect tool for you. The brand new plugin makes the mixing process intuitive and fun – simply drop in your stems, pick a preset, tweak to your liking and you’re good to go.
Built by former Native Instruments collaborator Tim Exile, Finalist promises to provide a “release-ready mix in minutes”. The plugin serves as a playground for both budding artists and seasoned engineers alike, boasting 40 presents and a vow to never introduce costly subscriptions to unlock further assets and tools.

READ MORE: iZotope Ozone 12’s AI assistant is cool, but the Stem EQ is the real star

In terms of ability, Finalist can handle up to 32 stems and comes fitted with around 40 presets, which can then then be adjusted by four categories (Drum, Bass, Backing and Lead). It’s simple, easy work that provides killer results.
The presets available are split into five collections. There’s the Essential collection, with a more broader range, as well as an EDM-ready Hype collection, down-tempo pop-suited Balance collection and the perfect ambient collection that is Soft.
The FX collection also comes in as the more experimental set of presets, with presents Chewed, Ripped, Oops, Fuzz and Wrong all offering their own unique sonic textures. But there’s plenty to dig into – each collection boasts its own unique flavour, from analogue warmth emulation, to transient-shaping and way, way more to explore.
Alongside the four Drum, Bass, Backing and Lead categories, users can also experiment with Strength and Gain knobs to alter their sound. There are also module locks to guarantee you don’t accidentally mess around with a certain preset once you’re happy with it.

In a video premiering the plugin, Tim Exile himself shows how simple it all is. “Just drop in your stems, categorise them, the plugin analyses them, then it takes you to a simple, fun interface,” he explains. The video then runs through a whole host of tracks, showcasing how each one receives an instant sonic facelift.
However, do not worry; the plugin’s ability to ‘analyse’ is not powered by AI. “It’s not just a black box you give up all your creative control to – but it is smart,” he explains. “It listens to 300 data points about your audio and maps those onto its bespoke mixing engine via its presets… in all honesty, it even surprises me how well it works!”
Finalist supports both MacOS 11-15 and Windows 10-11, and can be used via Native Instruments’ free Reaktor Player.
In terms of cost, the plugin sits at just £99, with a 10% introductory discount until the end of October.
For more information, head to Tim Exile’s official website.

The post “Get a release-ready mix in minutes”: Producer Tim Exile unveils intuitive Finalist mixing tool appeared first on MusicTech.

Lauten Audio launch the Kick Mic Joining the Tom Mic and Snare Mic, and sharing their refreshingly logical naming convention, the Kick Mic promises to deliver instant attack, clarity and defined low-end power while avoiding common pitfalls such as bleed and low-frequency build-up. 

Seth Troxler is paying €10 an hour to those who will help salvage his record collection – which was damaged in an Ibiza floodDJ and producer Seth Troxler is offering €10 per hour to those willing to help him salvage his record collection, which was heavily damaged during a recent storm in Ibiza.
In an Instagram Story – reshared by I’ve Got It On Vinyl – Troxler reveals that of his astonishing 12,000-strong record collection, around 6,000 were submerged underwater.

READ MORE: How to get better Google Search results: follow MusicTech on Google News and make us a Preferred Source

“I need help from some people in Ibiza,” he says. “Most of my record collection was basically nearly destroyed in the flood.
“I was just with my wife and some people trying to clean them and save stuff, but it’s just too emotional… it’s fucking me up.”
“If you love records and would love to clean an incredible collection and try to save some really beautiful covers, please reach out to me,” he added, urging Ibiza locals to help.
Per Resident Advisor, Seth Troxler currently splits his time between Ibiza and Zurich, and has spent over a decade as a resident DJ at DC-10.
An “extreme” weather alert was issued on 30 September by Ibiza authorities, before the island was hit by severe flooding and torrential rain by Storm Gabrielle.
More recently, Storm Alice caused similar problems, sparking travel chaos as the airport was flooded, with at least 24 flights cancelled in recent days, per The Independent.

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The post Seth Troxler is paying €10 an hour to those who will help salvage his record collection – which was damaged in an Ibiza flood appeared first on MusicTech.

The Crow Hill Company release Rhythm Machine Vaults Rhythm Machine is said to capture the character of the hardware that inspired it, while expanding on the original design with the addition of some built-in effects.

Grindr’s owners may take it private after a financial squeezeGrindr's majority owners are scrambling to take the LGBTQ+ dating app private after a stock decline triggered a personal financial crisis, according to a report from Semafor.

California governor signs laws establishing safeguards over AI chatbotsThe laws will likely impact social media companies and websites offering services to California residents, including minors, using AI tools.

L7 and Lunachicks Party at the BelascoPhoto credit: C. Elliot Photography

Over the years, L.A. band L7 has been tagged riot grrl, grunge, alt-rock, and a bunch of other sub-genres that semi-fit. But the reality is, L7 is and have always been a punk band. A musically untouchable, melodically gifted, ferocious, intelligent and inspiring punk rock band.

At the Belasco, Los Angeles, on a Friday night in early October, L7 was celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the idea that they would still be performing after four decades must have seemed far-fetched in the '90s when they were throwing a tampon "from source" into the crowd at the Reading Festival, U.K. Or appearing sans pants on The Word. But here we are, and here they are.

And ok, nowadays the four musicians--Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch and Dee Plakas--aren't so much into baring asses or lobbing tampon grenades (Sparks in both cases), but they've lost none of the fire, the unbridled energy, that mades records like Bricks Are Heavy, Hungry For Stink and Smell the Magic so utterly infectious.

Photo credit: C. Elliot Photography

We got tunes from all of those and more at the Belasco. The wonder-drone of "Andres" came first, the stomp-along of "Everglade" soon afterwards. And we were reminded that, as good as The Prodigy's cover of "Fuel My Fire" was, nothing beats the original.

"Monster" and "Freak Magnet" have the sludgy groove that L7 perfected, and "Dispatch from Mar-A-Lago" is appropriately topical. "Pretend We're Dead" remains one of the best songs that ever came out of the '90s, and "Shitlist" is the chaotic, rapid-fire punk anthem than served as the soundtrack to Mickey and Mallory shooting up a diner in Natural Born Killers. At the Belasco, it inspired some bouncing and that was perfect.

Forty year in and L7 is still this good. Maybe 40 more is too much to ask for, but who the fuck knows?

Photo credit: Brett Callwood

Earlier, New York band the Lunachicks performed their first set in L.A. for 20 years. Marching on stage to the sound of Harry Richman's "I Love a Parade," pom-poms held aloft, the musicians of the Lunachicks were soon joined by singer Theo Kogan who span and pirouetted around the stage before she'd sung a note.
 
The setlist focussed on tunes from their most recent album, 1999's Luxury Problem, with just two tracks from the first two albums "Jan Brady" and "C.I.L.L." The title track from the Jerk of All Trades album was particularly welcome, but the likes of "Bad Ass Bitch" and "Shut You Out" really stole the show.
 
This was L7's night, but the Lunachicks are old friends and the limelight was duly shared.
 
Earlier still, Brazilian dance-pop, new-rave group CSS did a great job of getting the Belasco bouncing early on. Fronted by the incomparable Lovefoxxx, CSS has songs as hooky as "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above" to draw on. That said, the set was compelling from start to finish.
 
 

Edit this setlist | More L7 setlists
 

Edit this setlist | More Lunachicks setlists

The post L7 and Lunachicks Party at the Belasco first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

SMD Soldering with Big IronYou have some fine pitch soldering to do, but all you have on hand is a big soldering iron. What do you do? There are a few possible answers, but [Mr SolderFix] likes to pull a strand from a large wire, file the point down, and coil it around the soldering iron. This gives you a very tiny hot tip. Sure, the wire won’t last forever, but who cares? When it gives up, you can simply make another one.
Many people have done things like this before — we are guilty — but we really liked [Mr Solder Fix’s] presentation over two videos that you can see below. He coils his wire over a form. In his case, he’s using a screwdriver handle and some tape to get to the right size. We’ve been known to use the shanks of drill bits for that purpose, since it is easy to get different sizes.

Truthfully, while sometimes you do really need a tiny tip, we prefer having a tip with some thermal mass. If you use something shaped like a slotted screwdriver blade, you can get contact area when you need it, or rotate the iron 90 degrees and get a very narrow profile.
But the copper coil method does work well, as you can see. This will work with nearly any iron. The first examples with fairly large resistors work predictably well. But we were really impressed with some of the very fine pitch connectors in part 2.
Of course, a fine tip is only part of the equation. It doesn’t hurt that he has a microscope and thin solder. If you want to up your SMD game, Oregon State University can help. We find it amusing that many products today are smaller than the components we used to use.

Bootleg vinyl from Russia & China… and 3 other things you might have missed from the RIAA’s latest piracy revelationsUS recorded music revenues are still around $9 billion per year lower than they were before the age of digital piracy arrived, the RIAA says
Source

Playfair Audio update Dynamic Grading plug-in Playfair Audio have just released a free maintenance update that kits their Dynamic Grading plug-in a range of user-requested improvements and fixes