Native Instruments Middle EastNI's Discovery Series: Middle East is an evocative virtual instrument library that offers a wide-ranging collection of percussive, melodic, and stringed instruments drawn from the rich musical traditions of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian cultures. As part of Native Instruments' Spotlight Collection, this Kontakt-based library is designed to allow composers and producers to easily infuse their tracks with authentic regional flavors, whether for traditional soundscapes, film scores, or contemporary music. The library features 25 meticulously sampled instruments, including both solo instruments and ensembles. The percussive section is particularly diverse, containing a variety of goblet and frame drums like the darbuka, riq, and tombak, along with small kettle drums and finger cymbals. The melodic section includes iconic instruments such as the oud, kanun (a Turkish zither), ney (a long end-blown flute), and zurna (a medium-sized oboe), each captured in precise detail. A special highlight is the inclusion of a string ensemble from Istanbul, providing a beautiful and authentic bowed string texture. Beyond the raw sound, Discovery Series: Middle East excels in its playability and creative control. For melodic instruments, the interface provides access to a selection of authentic scales and editable phrases, making it simple to create traditional melodies. The percussion instruments come with a variety of customizable patterns and grooves, which can be fine-tuned and even dragged and dropped into your DAW as MIDI files for deeper editing. The seamless integration with Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol hardware further streamlines the workflow, making this a powerful and intuitive tool for adding unique textures and rhythms to any production. Features: Extensive Instrument Collection: Includes 25 characteristic instruments from Arabic, Turkish, and Persian traditions. Diverse Percussion: Features a wide range of goblet and frame drums (darbuka, riq, tombak, bendir, etc.) and other unique percussion instruments. Authentic Melodic Instruments: Provides access to a selection of iconic instruments like the oud, kanun, ney, zurna, and various saz models. String Ensemble: A dedicated Kontakt instrument featuring a string group of violins, viola, and cello from Istanbul. Phrase and Pattern Sequencer: Comes with a library of customizable melodic phrases and rhythmic patterns that can be easily edited or exported as MIDI files. Authentic Scales: Melodic instruments feature a selection of authentic Middle Eastern scales to ensure true-to-life performances. Ensemble Instruments: Instruments are available individually as well as in stylized ensembles that contain a combination of complementary sounds. User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive interface simplifies sound customization and makes it easy to navigate through the library's various features. NKS-Ready: Full integration with Komplete Kontrol and Maschine hardware for a seamless, hardware-based workflow. https://youtu.be/RaY-Jdhkc_g?si=mRDnQEwr1SZsp5EL Read More

Get Beatsurfing’s Random or 7DeadlySnares FREE with any purchase at Plugin Boutique
Plugin Boutique is a constant source of epic discounts, and the monthly “free with any purchase” promotions are often the icing on the cake. Their latest offer is Beatsurfing’s Random or 7DeadlySnares for free with any purchase at Plugin Boutique. There’s nothing better than planning to buy a plugin or bundle, finding a great price [...]
View post: Get Beatsurfing’s Random or 7DeadlySnares FREE with any purchase at Plugin Boutique

Top European music lawyer dismisses UMG/Downtown data concerns as ‘fantasy or paranoia’One of France's top music industry lawyers has dismissed concerns that UMG might misuse indie label data through its proposed $775m acquisition of Downtown
Source

Splice launches new flagship virtual instrument player, with over 1,200 presets available at launchSplice – a platform perhaps best known for its royalty-free samples and other plugins – has unveiled Splice INSTRUMENT, a new flagship virtual instruments player offering creators “world-class recordings with intuitive creative controls”.
Built in partnership with the team at Spitfire Audio – which Splice acquired in April for a reported $50 million – Splice INSTRUMENT comes loaded at launch with over 1,200 playable instrument presets, with many taking inspiration from the gear collections of world-class musicians.
Such presets include Philip Glass’s beloved baby grand piano recorded in his Manhattan home, drums by Abe Laboriel Jr. (Sir Paul McCartney) captured at the iconic Henson Studios in Los Angeles, and strings, woodwinds, and drums from the BBC Symphony Orchestra recorded at Maida Vale Studios in London.

With an accessible interface and full MIDI playability, Splice says more free and premium presets will be added “regularly, alongside feature updates in the months ahead”.
“Splice INSTRUMENT marks a major milestone for Splice,” says Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava. “For the first time, we’re moving beyond samples into full virtual instruments, bringing creative control and world-class recordings to musicians and producers everywhere in an accessible, playable form. This is just the beginning of what’s possible when we combine Spitfire Audio’s artistry with Splice’s innovation.”
“With Splice INSTRUMENT, we’re building on the foundation of LABS: affordable access to inspiring, expressive sounds with intuitive creative control,” adds Paul Thomson, Co-Founder of Spitfire Audio.
“Sounds from this collection have already appeared on Grammy-nominated albums and in blockbuster films. Whether composing for screen or producing the next big hit, this library captures the beauty of real instruments and the character of the rooms they were recorded in.”
Splice Instrument is usable both as a standalone plugin and as plugin within any major DAW. The software comes in two plans:

Free – available to all Splice users, with hundreds of sampled presets including pianos, orchestral instruments, choirs, synths and more. Each month, new free “drops” will be released, and once downloaded, they’ll remain permanently in a user’s library.
INSTRUMENT ($12.99/month) – Unlocks the full catalog of 1,200+ presets at launch, including flagship sounds such as Ultra Soft Piano, orchestral sessions performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, synths designed with Nathan Fake, and global genre packs like Amapiano.

For more info, head to Splice.
The post Splice launches new flagship virtual instrument player, with over 1,200 presets available at launch appeared first on MusicTech.

Machina Bristronica: Show Round-up The SOS team went along to Machina Bristronica 2025 to see what’s new, and managed to get some overviews and demos from a handful of the event’s exhibitors.

Sweetwater rock out with GuitarFest Hosted at the Sweetwater's campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, GuitarFest brought together over 70 manufacturers, more than 20 world-class guitarists and numerous industry leaders for a day-long celebration of all things guitar.

W. A. Production Vocal Compressor is FREE for a Limited Time via Gearspace
W. A. Production is offering its Vocal Compressor plugin for free in collaboration with Gearspace for a limited time. This isn’t a new release. Vocal Compressor is a previously paid plugin that usually sells for $39.90, now available at no cost for just a few more days. Its sibling Vocal Limiter was free a while [...]
View post: W. A. Production Vocal Compressor is FREE for a Limited Time via Gearspace

Novation Play packs Sequential, Oberheim and Novation synths into a single plugin for Launchkey MK4 ownersNovation has launched Novation Play, a new plugin for Launchkey MK4 users which packs in over 80 sounds sampled from classic Novation, Sequential and Oberheim synthesizers. 
With one-to-one hardware integration with Novation’s Launchkey encoders, pads and buttons, Novation Play offers an “instrument-like workflow”, and is available for free for existing owners of Launchkey MK4 keyboards.

READ MORE: Could the Novation Launchkey MK 4 become the new heart of your studio?

Made in partnership with Swedish plugin developer Klevgrand, Play is designed with hardware integration in mind. It features pre-mapped controls, hardware-based preset switching and visual feedback via colour-coded drum pads, to help “remove dependency on a mouse and keyboard and to keep users in their creative flow”.

“We’re proud to present Novation Play, our expressive and intuitive new instrument that brings decades of iconic, heritage synth sounds to Launchkey MK4 owners,” says Lola Muresan, Product Owner for Novation Play.
“We took a truly hands-on approach, spending weeks meticulously sampling Novation, Sequential, and Oberheim synths in order to showcase the beauty of each model. We’ve carefully shaped and curated each preset, and we’re looking forward to hearing how artists bring them to life in their own unique ways.” 
Included in Novation Play are 80+ sounds, including “expertly-designed” basses, leads, pads, FX and drum kits, sampled from well-known hardware synths including the Novation Bass Station II, Nova and Peak, as well as Sequential’s Prophet 5 and Prophet Rev 2, and Oberheim’s OB-6.
There’s also a host of FX onboard, including four pad FX buttons: Chorus, Cassette, Spinner and Freeze, as well as a lush reverb, spacey delay and powerful single-knob compressor at the end of the chain.
Novation Play works both as a standalone app and as a VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugin within all major DAWs.
New and existing Launchkey MK4 owners can download Novation Play now from the “My Software” section of their Novation account.
For more information, head to Novation.
The post Novation Play packs Sequential, Oberheim and Novation synths into a single plugin for Launchkey MK4 owners appeared first on MusicTech.

Artists, Voice Your Opinion in White House’s RFI on Future AI RegulationThe White House's new Request For Information allows citizens (and artists) to voice their opinion on AI regulation.
The post Artists, Voice Your Opinion in White House’s RFI on Future AI Regulation appeared first on Hypebot.

How streaming scams hurt independent musicians"It's not just you, music streaming is broken," says Cameron Gorham who makes music and videos under the moniker Venus Theory. Learn how streaming scams hurt independent musicians and why he argues, "you don't have to play the game."
The post How streaming scams hurt independent musicians appeared first on Hypebot.

Akai Launches MPC Live III Standalone With 8-Core Processor, Clip Matrix, Stems, and 3D PadsAkai launches the MPC Live III, a standalone music production center with 8-core power, 3D pads, Clip Matrix loop launching, and built-in mic + speakers.
The post Akai Launches MPC Live III Standalone With 8-Core Processor, Clip Matrix, Stems, and 3D Pads appeared first on DJ TechTools.

Introducing Splice INSTRUMENT: Our new flagship virtual instrument plugin
Explore Splice INSTRUMENT, our virtual instrument plugin that puts an ever-growing catalog of free and premium sounds at your fingertips.

“It’s shocking, disheartening and insulting”: Cardiff band speaks out after AI artist trained on their music outperforms them on SpotifyAI music is becoming more and more prevalent, with the likes of Deezer and Spotify both recently announcing measures to combat its rise on their platforms.
Spotify recently announced a crackdown on AI “slop” in a bid to protect the artists on its platform, while Deezer revealed nearly a third of all music uploaded to its platform daily is fully AI-generated.
The potential for fully AI-driven music projects to become successful is strong, as demonstrated by the Velvet Sundown, which, this year, amassed half a million monthly Spotify listeners before being revealed as an ‘artist’ with music generated by AI platform Suno.

READ MORE: Daniel Ek is stepping down as Spotify CEO

With the availability of AI music generators, it was inevitable AI-generated music would find its way into people’s playlists. But what about when it starts outperforming the music of artists upon which it has been trained?
Lucas Woodland, frontman of Cardiff-based band Holding Absence, says this has now affected his band, saying an AI artist by the name of Bleeding Verse has been trained on its music, and has more monthly listeners, at the time of writing.
At present, Holding Absence have just over 851,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, while Bleeding Verse has over 904,000.
Woodland, in a new post on X, has shared his thoughts on Bleeding Verse: “So, an AI ‘band’ who cite us as an influence (ie, it’s modelled off our music) have just overtaken us on Spotify, in only two months.”
He continues: “It’s shocking, it’s disheartening, it’s insulting – most importantly – it’s a wake-up call,” and urges listeners to “oppose AI music, or bands like us stop existing”.
Per Bleeding Verse’s YouTube channel bio, the project is “inspired by artists like Dayseeker and Holding Absence”, and “blends ambient textures, soaring vocals and poetic lyricism to explore grief, identity and healing. Lyrics from the heart. AI-assisted instrumentation and vocals”.
Legislation has yet to meaningfully catch up with the training of AI on copyright-protected material, with many artists and industry professionals concerned about the music on which these models are trained, and whether the appropriate licences have been obtained.
Last year, the big three record labels, Universal, Sony and Warner, sued AI music generation platforms Suno and Udio over “unimaginable scales” of copyright infringement.
The post “It’s shocking, disheartening and insulting”: Cardiff band speaks out after AI artist trained on their music outperforms them on Spotify appeared first on MusicTech.

Eldoraudio releases Stem Splitter, a FREE online stem separation service (beta)
Stem Splitter by Eldoraudio is a new online stem separation service that is available for free use. The service is currently in its open public beta stage, after which, the developer expects to launch a paid plan with premium features (longer audio files, higher quality output, etc.). The good news is that, even when a [...]
View post: Eldoraudio releases Stem Splitter, a FREE online stem separation service (beta)

Get the UVI Dual Delay X creative spatial delay plugin for just $19
You can snap up UVI’s Dual Delay X right now for just $19 (down from $59) in a 68% off exclusive deal at AudioDeluxe.  Dual Delay X is a 64-bit-only release for Windows 10 and later, and macOS 10.14 Mojave and later, available in AU, AAX, VST, and VST3 formats. Taking a gander at the [...]
View post: Get the UVI Dual Delay X creative spatial delay plugin for just $19