Ethereum Foundation nearly reaches 70,000 staked ETH goalThe non-profit foundation has staked 69,500 ETH, nearly reaching the goal it unveiled at the end of February, less than two months ago.

Pulsar-23: 1984 from SOMA Laboratory SOMA Laboratories have revealed an upcoming special-edition version of their Pulsar-23 unit that’s been created in collaboration with The Midium and the SOMA US division. 

SoundCloud now lets you share releases exclusively with followersSoundCloud has launched a new feature called Follower Exclusive Releases, letting Artist Pro users share tracks exclusively with their followers, either for a limited time only or indefinitely.
This new feature builds on its ethos of community, and is a way for artists to reward their most loyal listeners by deepening relationships. It means fans can hear tracks before others, DM artists directly, and even engage with music while it’s still in development. Artists can give their followers the first listen to early demos or something finalised as a surprise drop.

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The feature launches with support from Dutch DJ and producer Chris Stussy, who will release his track What makes you feel exclusively to his SoundCloud followers ahead of the full release of his debut album Lost, Found & Forgotten…, arriving 3 April.
“I’ve been using SoundCloud since the start. During my early days I was uploading a lot of podcasts and recorded sets. I sometimes gave away a free download or posted snippets of upcoming tracks I was making.
“For this occasion I’d like to share What makes you feel… as a thank you for everyone who’s been listening to me on the platform all those years. It’s part of the Forgotten side of my album and I’m playing this track a lot as my intro the last couple of months. Enjoy this one, all the best,” he says.

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Follower Exclusive Releases follows on from a number of other SoundCloud upgrades for artists, which launched in 2025. Back in July, it was announced that the platform had partnered with elasticStage, allowing musicians to release their work on vinyl.
In the same month, SoundCloud also rolled out a text feature allowing artists to connect with their fans on a more personal level, and announced the integration of Hook, an app that lets you legally remix songs for social media.
Find out more about Follower Exclusive Releases via SoundCloud.
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The Crow Hill Company announce Crystal Pianos Rather than faithfully capturing an acoustic instrument, The Crow Hill Company's latest release uses sampling to invent a completely new one. 

“More expressive. More you”: Suno adds voice cloning in its v5.5 updateSuno v5.5 has arrived, with the AI music creation platform touting it as its “best and most expressive model yet”.
Front and centre among the new updates for Suno v5.5 is the addition of Voices, a new feature which enables users to clone their own voice and create new music with it. 
Available on Suno’s Pro and Premier tiers, Voices entails a verification process whereby the singing voice in your live-captured audio is matched to a random phrase Suno asks you to speak, after which you’re free to create.

READ MORE: The Apple Mac Pro – the go-to computer for high-end music production – has been discontinued

Suno emphasises the importance of keeping each user’s uploaded Voice private: “Only you can use them to create new songs,” it says, also sharing future plans to “add voice sharing, but rooted in the principle that you stay in control of what you create”.
“The human voice is the oldest instrument we have,” Suno says. “Before notation, before strings, before drums carved from wood, there was the voice. Every culture on earth has used it to sing, celebrate, and tell stories across generations.
“The voice is the one instrument that every person carries with them, and yet most people never sing or share it with the world. With Suno, you can now capture your voice and create music with it.”
Also new to Suno v5.5 are two new ways aimed at making Suno “feel like yours”: Custom models and My Taste.

Custom Models let you tune the platform to the music you’ve created, meaning when you upload tracks from your original catalogue, it builds a personalised version of the model that knows your style. Similarly, Suno uses My Taste to learn the kind of music you’re drawn to over time, like your favourite genres and moods.
“From the beginning, we’ve built Suno around a simple belief: the best music starts with a human,” Suno explains. 
“Our tools exist to expand what people can create – to amplify the instinct, taste, and feeling that only a person brings to music. v5.5 is our deepest expression of that belief so far, a model that doesn’t just help create music, but fully reflects the person making it.
“This update also reflects something we’re seeing more and more: artists, producers, and music professionals are using Suno as part of their creative process. v5.5 was built with them in mind  because we believe the best version of Suno is one that works for anyone who makes music, from first-time creators to working professionals.
In November, Suno announced it had raised $250 million in its latest funding round, leading to a total valuation of $2.45 billion.
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Suno launches v5.5 AI model with voice capture and personalization featuresThe voice capture feature lets users record or upload audio of themselves singing and incorporating that vocal identity into tracks generated by Suno.
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The Crow Hill Company has added 1986, a Prophet-VS-inspired synth plugin, to the FREE Vaults series
1986 is the latest addition to The Crow Hill Company’s Vaults series, and it’s available in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows. As always, Vaults releases are free to download for six months before moving into the donationware category. At which point, they are available to purchase with a £3 donation, [...]
View post: The Crow Hill Company has added 1986, a Prophet-VS-inspired synth plugin, to the FREE Vaults series

Harrison launch LiveTrax 3 Harrison’s live recording and virtual soundcheck software has just reached its third major version, which among other improvements, delivers direct integration with DiGiCo consoles.

Yamaha Creator Pass brings 21 audio brands under one subscription – including LANDR, Output and GrooverYamaha has launched a new Creator Pass platform that gives musicians and podcasters access to a collection of audio tools under one subscription.
At launch, the Creator Pass is available in 37 countries and regions, spanning across the US, Canada, Europe (30 countries), Australia, Singapore and Japan. There are seven different plan tiers catering to the varying needs of music makers and podcast creators, from beginners to pros.

READ MORE: Bitwig Studio 6 has arrived: Everything you need to know about the latest version of the popular DAW platform

More updates will be rolling out in the coming months, but right now users have access to core tools including Output, LANDR, Riverside, and Groover. Pass holders will also be offered special discounts and incentives upon sign-up from un:hurd, RoEx, Linktree, freebeat.ai, SoundCloud, Steinberg, Adobe, Fourthwall, SymphonyOS, Offtop, DISCO, [untitled], Mogul, AudioShake, and DistroKid.
Over the next few months, subscribers will also be able to purchase add-on features from some of these huge brands. The current subscription tiers are: Beginner, Beginner Plus, Beginner Complete, Producer, Producer Plus, Podcaster, and Podcaster Complete.
“We believe that the creative process should feel inspiring and not complicated. With Yamaha Creator Pass, we’re proud to bring trusted music and podcast offerings under one unified platform so that artists and content creators at any level have access to tools that turn concepts into art,” says Yusuke “Scott” Sugino, President and CEO of YMI.
“YMI’s mission is focused on collaborating with startups and established companies shaping the future of music and audio to ensure the most effective solutions for consumers. By developing Yamaha Creator Pass with key best-in-class partners, we aim to empower the next wave of audio innovators and creators and SXSW provides the right stage to bring it to life.”
Prices start at $14.99 per month with seven-day trials available for Beginner and Producer plans, and 14-day free trials available for the Podcaster plan. Beginner Complete and Podcaster Complete are only available in the US for a limited time and do not include free trials. Groover is also not included in the Producer Plus free trial.
Subscribers can choose from monthly or annual billing, and as a limited offer, creators who choose Beginner Complete and Podcaster Complete plans will receive a Yamaha AG01 USB Mic.
YMI will showcase Yamaha Creator Pass at SXSW from 13-15 March through an interactive studio experience. To find out more, head over to Yamaha Creators.
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What is frequency masking? Definition, causes, and how to fix it
Learn about what frequency masking is, when and why it happens, and how to fix it in your mix.

Wooden Case Makes a 2026 TV StylishThe middle of the 20th century produced a revolution in understated stylish consumer design, some of which lives on today. The reality of living in a 1950s or ’60s house was probably to be surrounded by the usual mess of possessions from many past decades, but the promise was of a beautiful sleek and futuristic living space. Central to this in most homes would have been the TV set, and manufacturers followed the trends of the age with cases that are now iconic. Here in 2026 we put up with black rectangles, but fortunately there’s Cordova Woodworking with a modern take on a retro TV cabinet.
We’ve put the build video below, and it’s a wonderfully watchable piece of workshop titillation in a fully-equipped modern shop. While we appreciate they’ve put the design up for sale, we think many Hackaday readers could come up with their own having already been inspired. One thing we notice over the originals is that they use “proper” wood for their case, when we know the ’60s version would have had veneer-faced ply or chipboard.
The result is a piece of furniture which nicely contains the modern TV and accessories, but doesn’t weigh a ton or dominate the room in the way one of the originals would have, much less emit that evocative phenolic hot-electronics smell. We’d have one in our living room right now. Meanwhile if you’d like a wallow in mid-century TV, we have you covered.

Noble Sceptre: A tiny Bluetooth transmitter that unlocks high-res audio from almost any device – and lets you charge while you listenIf you’ve ever felt like your wireless headphones sound better on one device than another, Noble Audio has a fix. The company’s latest release, Sceptre, is a pocket-sized Bluetooth dongle designed to upgrade the wireless audio coming from your phone, laptop or tablet – so you can enjoy better sound without replacing your favourite headphones or earphones.

READ MORE: Audiotonix to acquire DPA Microphones, Wisycom, and Austrian Audio, delivering “substantial advantages to all professional customers who demand the best”

Sceptre connects via USB-C and works as an external Bluetooth transmitter, sidestepping the often limited wireless hardware inside everyday devices. It runs on Qualcomm’s QCC5181 chipset with Bluetooth 5.4 and supports advanced codecs including LDAC and aptX Adaptive, alongside AAC and SBC. In plain terms, that means clearer, more detailed and reliable wireless audio as long as your headphones or speakers support those formats too.
It’s not just about music, either. Noble says Sceptre is built for general media use, so streaming video, gaming and calls should all benefit from a more stable, consistent connection. The dongle supports standard Bluetooth profiles (HFP, A2DP, and AVRCP) for audio playback and controls, and offers a wireless range of up to 20 metres in typical environments.
One particularly useful feature is the charge-through USB-C design. You can keep your phone, tablet or laptop powered while Sceptre is in use – perfect for long flights, commutes or desk sessions where battery drain is a concern.
Setup is handled through the Noble app for the initial pairing, after which the dongle can be plugged into any compatible device as needed.
Priced at $69.99/£64.99/€69.99, Sceptre launches on 6 February 2026 and will be available direct from Noble Audio and selected retailers.
Learn more at Noble Audio. 
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I tried ROLI’s AI Music Coach — the tech works surprisingly wellROLI has officially launched its AI music coach. The new AI assistant, named Roli (of course), is now part of the ROLI Learn app to tailor your music lessons based on your musical interests and skill level.
In an era where the term ‘AI’ feels cheaply tacked onto products for the sake of it, I don’t blame you if you’re dubious. I was, too, when I tried it at NAMM 2026. But, actually, I’m surprised at how useful it seems.
The music coach works in tandem with the ROLI Airwave, a hand-tracking device that, when paired with a synth or virtual instrument, can offer new modes of expression similar to how a Theremin works. In the instance of the ROLI Learn App, the Airwave becomes an essential tool in mastering your hand placement and getting real-time feedback on your playing. It uses infrared camera technology to track the 27 joints in your hands at 90 frames per second. This, ROLI says, means that “it doesn’t just respond to the notes you play but, crucially, how you are playing them.” Plus, when paired with the ROLI Piano, you also get real-time visual feedback on individual keys (although you can use any keyboard or piano with the Airwave).

This all worked impressively well when ROLI gave me a preview. I’m not much of a piano player, but the hand-tracking and visual feedback had me playing a few new songs in no time. A representative for ROLI told me at the time that the AI music coach isn’t necessarily designed to replace music lessons, but instead to help music pupils have better practice sessions at home.
ROLI’s AI music coach also introduces a conversational aspect to your piano lessons. The voice assistant is as you’d expect from a typical AI voice model: placid, encouraging, and just annoying enough to consider turning it off. It does, however, help you better navigate lessons and the app, and it does allow you to talk through your preferences and musical tastes. There’s also support for 40 languages right now.
We’ll be publishing a full review of ROLI’s AI Music Coach in due course, but in the meantime, I’ll say here that it’s an impressive preview of the future of musical instrument education. It’s not, however, readily accessible. A ROLI Airwave is £299, and you’ll need a modern tablet to use the ROLI Learn App — and a subscription to the app starts at £13 a month or £70 a year. Plus, the ROLI Piano is £499.
Current Airwave owners, however, can access a closed beta today, with a public beta open by the end of March 2026. ROLI promises that “the AI Music Coach will be a cornerstone of ROLI’s learning experience.”
Learn more at roli.com
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Antares update Metamorph Metamorph V1.1 introduces the ability to import third-party RVC (Retrieval-based Voice Conversion) models, opening up a whole host of new creative possibilities while maintaining the security and privacy offered by the softwares offline local processing. 

LALAL.AI launches its first stem-splitting VST plugin for “unlimited experimentation” inside your DAWLALAL.AI has launched its first VST plugin, bringing its industry-leading stem-splitting technology to your DAW for the first time, “significantly reducing the time spent switching between workflows”.
The plugin uses its Lyra model, and is designed to run locally on nearly any hardware. According to LALAL.AI, Lyra delivers “fast and effective” stem separation for “unlimited experimentation” right inside the DAW.

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With the new plugin, artists and producers can split any vocal track into a vocal stem and instrumental bed, with multi-stem splitting for six separate instruments currently in the works. Additionally, it also works in any DAW compatible with VST3 technology, including Ableton, FL Studio, Audacity, and others.
LALAL.AI says this latest release marks the next step in the “quieter side of the AI transformation of music” that eliminates tedium and increases fun. Nik Pogorsky, product owner and co-founder, says: “LALAL.AI’s VST is not only the best in terms of quality, but it is the only AI-powered VST that truly functions as a VST within a DAW. Isolating vocals or making a purely instrumental track can happen as fluidly as a producer or artist does any other task inside their preferred software.”
Pogorsky adds, “Professionals are already adopting tools like LALAL.AI because they solve key problems for them. We’ve simply put that tool right where they need it, in their workstation, so that they can get more creative without getting dragged out of their flow.”
As for other AI-powered launches, following LANDR’s recent acquisition of Reason Studios, the company has launched two new tools to help inspire artists: LANDR Blueprints, which offers songwriting support, and LANDR Layers, assisting with the final mix. This dual release promises to “streamline your production process”.
The new plugin with its Lyra model is available now to LALAL.AI’s premium subscribers. Find out more via the LALAL.AI website.
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