You can now talk to Universal Audio’s free LUNA DAW following AI-powered updatesUniversal Audio has launched LUNA v1.9, a software update for its free DAW with new AI‑powered features.
LUNA was released in 2020, and UA says it “continues to evolve into the most musician‑friendly DAW on the market”. The v1.9 update is free for all LUNA users and can be downloaded immediately.

READ MORE: Behringer’s BM-13 is a Moogerfooger-inspired phaser – and “a control freak’s dream”

Five new key features arrive with the update, including a voice control tool that lets users start and stop recordings using a simple “Hey Luna” voice command from anywhere in their space.
It also brings instrument detection, with LUNA now able to analyse incoming audio, identify instrument types, and automatically name and colour‑code tracks. Additionally, LUNA can also listen to performances and set the metronome to match.
On a similar note, the update lets LUNA automatically detect the tempo of any audio loop dropped into the timeline so everything locks in sync, and tempo extraction capabilities can now extract a dynamic tempo map from tracks or stems, including tempo changes and natural timing variations.
“We believe that the best audio tools can ‘disappear,’ and feel like they are simply a part of the creative process,” says UA CEO, Bill Putnam Jr. “We think the new AI‑powered tools in LUNA 1.9 start to make it feel like a behind‑the‑scenes music recording partner, not just a DAW. Ultimately, we always look forward to hearing what our users think.”

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In other DAW news, MusicTech recently reviewed FL Studio 2025 and praised its new AI chatbot, Gopher. The 2025 edition is a free update for existing owners from any earlier version, and it even coexists on your computer alongside the 2024 version if you want to keep both.
Interestingly, FL 2025 also introduces one particularly standout AI-powered update: a chatbot called Gopher, which has been trained on the FLS manual and other sources in a wide range of languages, so it can help users if they get stuck with any FL tools or features.
To find out more or download the LUNA DAW now, head over to Universal Audio.
The post You can now talk to Universal Audio’s free LUNA DAW following AI-powered updates appeared first on MusicTech.

US prosecutors expect to close case against Roman Storm by July 25The fourth day of the Tornado Cash developer’s criminal trial in New York kicked off with witnesses from the FBI.

What is trance music? History, artists, and subgenres
Learn about the history, key artists, and subgenres behind trance music, in addition to tips for how to make your own music in the genre.

Anthropic tightens usage limits for Claude Code – without telling usersClaude Code users have been hit with unexpectedly restrictive usage limits. The problems, many of which have been aired on Claude Code’s GitHub page, seem to be concentrated among heavy users of the service, many of whom are on the $200-a-month Max plan. 

Building a Stirling Engine BikeOver on his YouTube channel [Tom Stanton] shows us how to build a Stirling Engine for a bike.
A Stirling Engine is a heat engine, powered by the expansion and contraction of a working fluid (such as air) which is heated and cooled in a cycle. In the video [Tom] begins by demonstrating the Stirling Engine with some model engines and explains the role of the displacer piston. His target power output for his bike engine is 150 watts (about 0.2 horsepower) which is enough power to cycle at about 15 mph (about 24 km/h). After considering a CPU heatsink as the cooling system he decided on water cooling instead.

[Tom] goes on to 3D print and machine various parts for his bike engine. He uses myriad materials including aluminum and Teflon. He isn’t yet comfortable machining steel, so he had the steel part he needed for handling the hot end of the engine manufactured by a third party.
[Tom] explains that when he started the project he had intended to make a steam engine. But after some preliminary research he discovered that a Stirling Engine was a better choice, particularly they are quieter, more efficient, and safer. After a number of false starts and various adjustments he manages to get his engine to run, which is pretty awesome. Standby for part two to see the bike in action!
We have covered the Stirling Engine here on Hackaday many times before. You might like to read about how to create one with minimal parts or how to make one from expedient materials.

AI companies accused of ‘largest domestic piracy of IP in our nation’s history’ at congressional hearing led by MAGA RepublicanAt Meta, 'Mark Zuckerberg himself made the call' to pirate vast amounts of copyrighted material
Source

Here’s how Tomorrowland 2025 will go ahead following the main stage fire: “The plan is perfect”Yesterday, 16 July, the main stage of Belgium’s fantastical Tomorrowland music festival burned down just two days before the electronic music event was set to open its doors. Today, the festival has announced its plans to continue the show, with an outline of two scenarios that could unfold. An attendee at the festival, Thomas George, tells MusicTech: “We’re all happy to be here — the vibe is so good, everyone’s happy, the sun’s out, the food’s good and the music’s great. The plan that the festival has is perfect.”
Tomorrowland’s action plan ensures that all visitors and ticket holders will be able to access the full grounds of the festival from Saturday, 19 July, noon onwards. The organisers say in a statement that, “Even in these challenging times, we will be able to offer a program for all visitors and ticket types.”
Continuing its statement, the festival says: “We will be able to welcome everyone tomorrow. Currently, there are two possible scenarios for Friday, July 18. We expect to have more clarity by tomorrow morning.”
In Scenario 1, says the festival organisers, the mainstage area will be “secured and a new setup completed”, which will allow the festival grounds to open as planned for all visitors and ticket holders.
If not, Scenario 2 will be put in place, which means, “DreamVille [the festival’s campsite] and the festival grounds will function as two separate areas on Friday to ensure the safety of all guests,” says Tomorrowland.
In this instance, the Gathering Stage at DreamVille will be open for campsite ticket holders, where the Main Stage acts will perform on Friday, instead of playing their scheduled sets on the Main Stage. DreamVille visitors will be required to stay in this area and will not have access to the festival grounds.
Meanwhile, the festival grounds (minus the Main Stage area), will be open to all other ticketholders from 2 pm instead of 12 pm. This includes Friday Day Pass, Global Journey Hotel Packages and Full Madness Pass holders.
Scenario 2 means that acts, including Alok, Artbat b2b Kölsch, Axwell, ANNA, Martin Garrix, Meduza, Mike Williams, NERVO, Odymel b2b Pegassi, Sub Zero Project, Vini Vici, will all perform at DreamVille.
Speaking to MusicTech, festival attendee Thomas George continues: “I think the plan [Tomorrowland has] is perfectly fair, because the people have travelled from all over the world to be here.
“I was speaking to a couple who’ve wanted to come to Tomorrowland for years, and they were so upset when they found out about the Main Stage. But I told them that the Main Stage, in reality, is a minor detail — marketing-wise, it’s the pinaccle of the festival, obviously — however, the 14 other stages, the story behind everything that’s going on, the spectacle that you can see among the grounds…The Main Stage is amazing and, of course, we all want it to be here, but the festival as a whole is incredible. I keep telling people, if you’ve not been here before, the festival will be just as good as last year, even without the Main Stage this year.”
“The beauty of this place is that the magic isn’t within the festival, it’s within the people that are so fucking happy to be here.”
Continuing in its statement, Tomorrowland says: “We are still devastated, but the support we’re receiving from all over the world and the energy and joy of the visitors at DreamVille (the campsite) today are truly heartwarming. Meanwhile, hundreds of people are working tirelessly at the Mainstage area to ensure we can open the gates tomorrow. It’s a race against time, but we’re doing this together with the best and most amazing people in the world.”
For continued updates, check Tomorrowland’s website. 
The post Here’s how Tomorrowland 2025 will go ahead following the main stage fire: “The plan is perfect” appeared first on MusicTech.

The Crow Hill Company releases Bridge Guitar, the latest addition to the FREE vaults series
The Crow Hill Company released Solo Bodhrán and Acid Synth earlier this year, before rebranding for Season Two. Bridge Guitar is the first release since the rebrand. Bridge Guitar focuses on a particular sound that started in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, around 2010: the rubber bridge sound. The rubber bridge innovation is credited to Reuben [...]
View post: The Crow Hill Company releases Bridge Guitar, the latest addition to the FREE vaults series

Arturia launch Software Season sale Arturia have just launched their Software Season sale, with some generous discounts being applied across their range of software instruments and effects for the next three weeks. 

Breaking Sound, StrmMusic expand Artist Showcases to 100 citiesEmerging artist series Breaking Sound will expand artists showcases into the US and is partnering with global artist accelerator StrmMusic.
The post Breaking Sound, StrmMusic expand Artist Showcases to 100 cities appeared first on Hypebot.

How AlphaTheta Chordcat puts 110,000 chords at your fingertipsAd feature with AlphaTheta
For producers ready to move beyond simple beats and start building full songs, harmony often becomes the stumbling block. Music theory — especially chord construction and progression — can feel like a foreign language. Chordcat, a new groovebox from AlphaTheta, aims to bridge that gap.
Unlike other beatmaking hardware, Chordcat puts harmony right at the centre of the creative process. Whether you’re using one of the 145 onboard sounds or controlling an external synth, its intuitive system lets you explore 110,000 possible chord combinations, all without needing to know what a secondary dominant is.
What is Chord Cruiser?
Chord Cruiser is Chordcat’s big idea: one part music theory hack, one part harmonic adventure. Simply load up a chordset, and the unit starts suggesting musically related chords based on what you’re playing. Each time you trigger one on the touchstrip, the X/Y pad gives you compatible alternatives that can be auditioned on the fly.

Chordcat doesn’t try to force you to pick the ‘right’ chords. Yes, there’s a logic to its suggestions, but you’re always free to go off-course and bend the rules a little. It’s reactive, rather than prescriptive, which encourages improvisation and exploration. Of course, you’ll want to trust your ears, but fostering a sense of what sounds good is an important part of the production journey.
Once you’ve found a chord you like, save it to the touchstrip, and Chordcat will update its suggestions accordingly. It’s quick, playful, and incredibly easy to lose track of time jumping between options. Ready to commit? Play or program your chords into the sequencer. Each pattern can last up to 8 bars, so there’s plenty of scope for musical twists and turns.
Chordcat’s Chord Cruiser. Image: MusicTech
Chordcat’s Chordsets
If Chord Cruiser is Chordcat’s engine, chordsets are its fuel — 18 curated collections of chords based on genre and function, each offering its own flavour. Five are focused on basic major and minor families, providing a clean slate for experimentation. The other 13 take cues from genres such as house, R&B, and future bass, leaning into stylistic norms like minor 9s and sus chords for electronic genres, and seventh-heavy voicings for pop and soul.
These chordsets are a smart way to sketch out harmonic direction, especially for producers used to building from samples or loops. And because the system reacts dynamically to each chord input, it’s easy to stumble into unexpected territory. Even without knowing the names of the chords being played, progressions tend to feel connected and intentional.

To keep things fresh, Chordcat often throws non-diatonic suggestions into the mix — chords that stray outside your chosen scale or key. It’s an easy way to add jazz-y or neo-soul inflections to a progression, without needing to know why it works.
Chord Voicing
Chordcat also pays close attention to voicing — the way individual notes in a chord are arranged. Rather than defaulting to root-position triads, it leans into more expressive shapes that often mimic the choices a skilled pianist might reach for.
By favouring smooth voice leading and minimising big leaps between chords, progressions feel immediately musical, even when you’re throwing in extended harmonies or borrowed chords.

Simple menu options let you tweak voicings and inversions on the fly, so you can shape things based on what sounds good to you. And if you’re curious about the underlying mechanics, these voicings can help you understand how chords are built and connected.
Scales and Keys
The chords are in place, but what about melody? Chordcat’s scale and key functions ensure any notes you play fit with the chosen tonality. Choose E minor blues, for example, and only the notes from that scale are mapped to the touchstrip. With clashing notes effectively removed, you can play around without overthinking.
Scale mode is also an intuitive way to explore modal tonality and the feelings it can evoke. For a dreamy and ethereal vibe, Lydian’s a solid bet. Creating something darker and more ominous? Give Locrian a try.
From Beats to Songs
Grooveboxes aren’t typically known for their chord-creating abilities, and that’s where Chordcat breaks from the pack. Its deep integration of chords, scales, and voicings helps you with sketches but also actively encourages full song building.

With the pattern chain function, it’s easy to flesh out simple ideas into structured arrangements: intros, verses, choruses, whatever the track calls for. It’s a natural progression from beatmaking to proper songwriting territory.
By lowering the barrier to harmonic exploration and offering tools that react musically, Chordcat makes it easy to follow an idea from spark to structure, even without a formal music education, giving producers a fast and accessible way to bring chord-driven music to life.
For a hands-on look at the workflow, sounds, and sequencing, check out AlphaTheta.com
The post How AlphaTheta Chordcat puts 110,000 chords at your fingertips appeared first on MusicTech.

Proven Strategies to Sell More Tickets To Your Next Live ShowStruggling to fill the room? Here are seven proven strategies to sell more tickets to your next live show. While it's written from the artist's point of view, the strategies work for venues, promoters and festivals too.
The post Proven Strategies to Sell More Tickets To Your Next Live Show appeared first on Hypebot.

Get Honeycomb Bass OD by Canvas Audio FREE for a limited time
Canvas Audio is currently offering a sitewide sale on plugins and sample packs. Amid all discounts, you can also pick up their new Honeycomb Bass OD free of charge. The list price is $49, so if you want to buzz up your low end without lowering your net worth, this is the time. You can [...]
View post: Get Honeycomb Bass OD by Canvas Audio FREE for a limited time

Boss announce the RT-2 Rotary Ensemble Boss' latest pedal promises to accurately recreate the much-loved sound of a rotary cabinet, as well as adding a modern twist thanks to multiple operation modes.