“Why do so many DJs and festivals fail to tag music they play? It’s disrespectful”: Richie Hawtin backs campaign to credit electronic artists on social mediaA newly launched campaign is urging DJs, promoters, and brands to credit the artists behind the music they are sharing online.
#RespectTheCreators is backed by the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) alongside a number of venues and artists, namely Richie Hawtin.

READ MORE: “It’s very easy to lose yourself in a large show and end up creating something more for the eyes than for the ears”: Richie Hawtin warns against the spectacle of modern DJing

It asks that when DJs post a video from their gig, or a mix where the music isn’t theirs, that they tag the artists behind the tracks, and list the full track names in the most visible part of the post. Online platforms and promoters are also urged to credit any music featured in any shared sets or promotional materials for events.
“I thought supporting the community and the musicians who make the musical structure that our scene (and DJs) stand on was simply common decency (and sense),” Hawtin comments (via Billboard).
“So why do we see so many social media posts from DJs, promoters and festivals that completely fail to tag the music being played in the clips? It’s disrespectful and only takes further advantage of the musicians who are already struggling for recognition and a fair share of the economic pie of our ‘beautiful’ culture.”

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The campaign was partly inspired by research cited by Dutch DJ and producer Frank Nitzinsky at the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza earlier this year. On average, only three percent of a DJ’s set is music that they have produced themselves, yet up to 90 percent of DJ performance content shared on Instagram does not provide any credit for the artists behind such music.
AFEM COO Finlay Johnson says in a statement that while the campaign “may seem like a straightforward initiative, encouraging people to share and credit new music addresses significant challenges in the discoverability of emerging artists”.
Johnson further adds, “It also serves as a reminder for individuals to consider their metadata, which can directly enhance income through royalty collection. While white label and dubplate culture should be celebrated, the use of generic ‘original audio’ tags on social media does little to support artists. We encourage everyone to acknowledge and promote the team behind a record’s production and release.”
The post “Why do so many DJs and festivals fail to tag music they play? It’s disrespectful”: Richie Hawtin backs campaign to credit electronic artists on social media appeared first on MusicTech.

Digital Bumper Sticker Tells Everyone What You’re Listening ToBumper stickers are usually political, crude, or otherwise inflammatory. Rather a more fun example is this digital creation from [Guy Dupont], who made a bumper sticker that broadcasts what he’s listening to on the stereo.
[Guy] found a nice wide 11-inch bar LCD that was the right aspect ratio to suit the “bumper sticker” aesthetic. It had an HDMI interface, so he decided to drive it with a Raspbery Pi Zero 2W. Power for the system was derived from 12-volt lines going to his vehicle’s rear view camera. For an enclosure, he simply stuck the Pi and a buck converter on the back of the display and heat shrinked the whole thing. He also threw some magnets in there to stick it to the car.
How does the screen know what song to display? Well, [Guy] already has his Spotify listens scrobbling to Last.fm. Thus, he just made a script that scrapes his Last.fm page, which runs on a Particle Boron microcontroller, which has a cellular connection of its own. The Boron gets the song data, and spits it over to the Pi via Bluetooth. Then the Pi generates an image for the display.
Oh, and there’s also a neat Easter Egg. In honor of brat summer, the background changes to #8ACE00 green if the system detects you’re listening to Charli XCX. Neat.
It’s a neat build with a lot of moving parts. We’re surprised we haven’t seen anything like this before though, it’s really rather fun. Also, how’s about that taste of the old Internet—when was the last time you heard somebody mention scrobbling? Gosh, we’re getting old.
We’ve featured some of [Guy’s] works before, too, like the amusing Mailblocks project. Video after the break.

Apple’s new iPhones apparently have four “studio-quality” mics and multi-track recording in Voice MemosIt’s that time of the year again, as Apple unveils its latest generation of iPhones at Monday’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ keynote event.
Between the new A18 chip, an added Camera Control button, and the arrival of Apple Intelligence — the Cupertino giant’s very own artificial intelligence software, the iPhone 16 boasts a slew of exciting hardware and software upgrades for both serious and casual users alike.
For musicians and producers who rely on their iPhones for music-making and capturing song ideas, the new lineup introduces a range of audio enhancements designed to level-up your creative process.

READ MORE: Spotify wins lawsuit over Eminem’s publisher in licensing rights dispute

To start, the brand’s top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models are said to deliver a “big leap in audio performance” with not just one, but four “studio-quality” mics for higher-quality recording. The mics provide a lower noise floor so you get more true-to-life sounds without the need for extra gear.
Multi-track recording will also be coming to the Voice Memo app later this year. Users can now layer another track on top of existing recordings, which will come in handy for when you want to record your singing over guitar instrumentals, for example.
According to Apple, Voice Memos plays the guitar track through the iPhone speakers while simultaneously recording your voice. The system then uses “advanced processing” to isolate your new vocals and cancel the background audio for a professional result — without the need for headphones, or another app.

The iPhone 16 will hit the shelves officially on Friday, 20 September, with prices starting at $799 for the base model and $999 for the Pro model.
Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Tourist previously spoke about his love for Apple’s Voice Memos app, calling it an “absolute no-brainer” for music production.
“I mean there’s even a part of me that’s really happy with that built-in iPhone mic because it has such a character,” he said on MusicTech’s My Forever Studio podcast. “It sounds like the year that the phone was made. And the compression, whatever they do with that compression… I think people can hear an iPhone mic. I like that.”
Learn more at Apple.
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Wusik Limiter is FREE until November 1st
Wusik offers the Wusik Limiter (49.95 value) for macOS and Windows as a free download until November 1st. You might have already grabbed a bargain limiter this month with Plugin Boutique’s 1176 bundle deal: all three UAD 1176 plugins for £38 (usually £261). If you’re interested in the UAD collection, act fast; it’s a limited-time offer. [...]
View post: Wusik Limiter is FREE until November 1st

Essential Financial Strategies for Touring MusiciansIncome from live performances has become less reliable, but there are financial strategies for touring musicians that help turn a road trip into a profitable success. Avoid common pitfalls and learn how to maximize your earnings while on the road.
The post Essential Financial Strategies for Touring Musicians appeared first on Hypebot.

Meta and Instagram spotted developing a new social music-sharing featureMeta and Spotify are exploring deeper music integration in Meta’s Instagram app. New findings indicate the companies are testing a feature that would allow users to continuously share what music they’re listening to through Instagram’s Notes. The new functionality was first spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who often finds unreleased features while they’re still […]
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“A lot of producers don’t know how to do it properly”: Slash on the “dying art” of guitar recordingThe rise of amp modellers in modern music production has left many producers incapable of recording live guitar tones, according to Guns N’ Roses legend Slash.
The guitarist, whose new blues album Orgy of the Damned was recorded using live instruments, tells Goldmine that the technique is pretty much a “dying art” these days as more and more artists embrace the convenience of digital solutions.
He adds that Mike Clink – the producer who worked on GNR’s Appetite for Destruction (1987), Use Your Illusion I and II (1991), and his recent album – is one of the few up to the task.

READ MORE: Ibiza’s Pikes is extending its dancefloor phone ban to 7 days a week

“Mike Clink is a great producer, but more importantly… he’s one of the most fantastic, real-deal engineers,” says Slash. “He knows how to get a great sound out of a guitar or drums or a bass or whatever. He knows what he’s doing.”
“He’s almost one of the last of the Mohicans because it’s a dying art to be able to record a guitar through a cabinet. A lot of producers don’t even know how to do it properly anymore.”
He continues: “Mike was the guy that I knew could get these analogue sounds that we were producing and get them on tape properly and make it sound really good, which is exactly what he did. He’s also a great guy to work with, too.”
And while Slash himself has previously dabbled in digital gear — even praising the AmpliTube 5 for its ease of use, he maintains that amp sims only have a place in his writing process, and not his recording process.
At his core, the guitarist is very much still an “analogue” guy: “I love working with an amplifier because there’s something… Maybe it’s old school, but there’s something pure about the way the speakers react, the sound of the cabinet and all that kind of stuff,” he said.

The post “A lot of producers don’t know how to do it properly”: Slash on the “dying art” of guitar recording appeared first on MusicTech.

Watch Aphex Twin DJ at his friend’s weddingImagine celebrating one of the most important days of your life with one of the greatest electronic musicians of the 21st century spinning tracks just for you.
Last weekend, Aphex Twin – real name – Richard David James – was spotted DJing at a private wedding in what’s probably one of the most overqualified wedding gigs ever.

READ MORE: Watch deadmau5 play the medieval EP-1320 while wearing a suit of armour. No, seriously

The precious moment, which has since been immortalised on TikTok and Twitter/ X, sees the musician performing for a small crowd of under a 100 people at the wedding venue. One of the songs featured in James’s set was The Bells by drum and bass producer Jonny L. The DJ’s signature visuals were also projected on the screen behind him during the show.
According to an attendee on TikTok, Aphex Twin and the groom have been friends for years, and that the DJing gig was a wedding gift. The evening also featured British electronic musician Luke Vibert and a DJ from the London-based record label futureRetro behind the decks.
Check out the moment below.

aphex twin playing his friends wedding party yesterday. (luke vibert also played).
currently drowning in an endless sea of envy. pic.twitter.com/RjLZ0rLXI8
— babybera (@babyberafinance) August 18, 2024

Went to a friend's wedding reception last night and they had APHEX TWIN DJing! pic.twitter.com/nMHT14UaO3
— Heather (@_hthr_) August 17, 2024

Meanwhile, Aphex Twin is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his 1994 sophomore album Selected Ambient Works Volume II with a new box set arriving on 4 October. The collection will be available in digital, 3xCD, double-cassette, and 4xLP standard and box set editions.
This marks the first time that every track from the album will be universally accessible across all formats, bridging a gap that previously limited access to certain tracks, notably the vinyl-only release #19. The expanded edition also features two additional songs, th1 [evnslower] and Rhubarb Orc. 19.53 Rev.
Fans can pre-order the record from Aphex Twin’s web store.
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New Twitch DJ Program: Everything You Need To KnowThe new Twitch DJ program offers groundbreaking opportunities to expand reach, make money, and engage with audiences. Here's what you need to know to leverage this platform effectively.
The post New Twitch DJ Program: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Hypebot.

Roblox strikes deal with DistroKid – but indie artists won’t be paid any money from itRoblox revenues are forecast to hit $3.5bn across the course of this year
Source

Zedd to host super small NYC rave for only 25 people – here’s how you get inZedd is hosting a secret rave for just 25 attendees this August, and you’ll need to get your detective hat on if you want to get in.
In partnership with 5 Gum, Zedd is hosting an online scavenger hunt. Hopeful attendees will need to follow a series of hints shared on both 5 gum and Zedd’s social media channels.

READ MORE: Storage locker hunters uncover Kanye West gear in epic haul – featuring AKG mics, Yeezys, an Ensoniq sampler and more

This special, intimate show will take place on 22 August at a New York City bodega. Fans need to use the hints shared online to decipher the exact location, and also “decipher clues hidden in plain sight,” according to a press release (via EDM).
The first 25 people to figure out the location must visit the bodega in advance to receive a glow-in-the-dark pack of 5 Gum, which also serves as their ticket. At the show, fans will be treated to new music from Telos, Zedd’s forthcoming album (and first in nearly a decade), landing officially on 30 August.
Those who don’t manage to get into the super secret rave will still have the chance of winning $500 for tickets to spend on Zedd’s upcoming tour or event merchandise. The drawing will commence on the 5 Gum website on 26 August and run until 6 September.

“I love to deliver the unexpected at my shows, and performing at what will be one of my most intimate and unique venues yet – an actual New York City bodega – certainly aligns with that. Partnering with 5 Gum to deliver this amazing experience will definitely be one for the books,” Zedd comments.
“We know that 5 Gum and Zedd fans alike are known to embrace the thrill of a new adventure, so what better way to do that than getting the chance to be one of the few to uncover and attend such an intimate, unforgettable experience with a world-renowned DJ,” adds Maria Urista, Vice President, Gum & Mints at Mars.
Find out more information at 5 Gum.
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Drake just dropped 100GB of unreleased content – and it gives you a peek into the sound of Abbey Road StudiosDrake has once again surprised the music world with his latest content drop, offering fans a glimpse into his creative process at the legendary Abbey Road Studios via 100GB of unreleased content.
This treasure trove, available on the newly launched website 100gigs.org, includes unreleased tracks, demos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. It also marks the first major release from the Canadian rapper following his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar.
The pair have been trading diss tracks for the last couple of months, with Drake only featuring on tracks like Snowd4y’s Wag Gwan Delilah and Gordo’s Sideways during this period.

READ MORE: The beat for Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss Not Like Us was created in 30 minutes

With the new drop, fans now have an epic 100GB worth of fresh material to explore. Among the highlights of Drake’s latest release are three brand-new songs: It’s Up, featuring the dynamic duo of Young Thug and 21 Savage, Housekeeping Knows, a collaboration with Bitch From Da Souf rapper Latto, and a new Drake track titled Blue Green Red.
Beyond the music, fans can also dive into intimate studio sessions from the iconic Abbey Road Studios as well as from Barbados, alongside a variety of never-before-seen video content. In a moment that epitomises the behind-the-scenes chaos of music production, we see Drake’s producer, Noah “40” Shebib, working on tracks at Abbey Road before he accidentally knocks out the power for the audio interface running Pro Tools.
In short, it’s a lot of footage for a lot of stuff. Drake and his label OVO Sound have also shared screenshots of the site via their socials, inviting fans to dig away at the media dump.
Check out the new tracks via Drake’s new “plottttwistttttt” Instagram account below.

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4 places you’re missing to market music to tens of millions of fansEveryone markets music on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. But chances are there are at least 4 places you’re missing to market music to tens of millions of fans 4. Continue reading
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BandLab partners with London’s Strongroom Studios for “treasure trove” of royalty-free sample packsBandLab has partnered with Strongroom Studios for a “treasure trove” of exclusive royalty-free sample packs recorded by producers, engineers and artists who have worked at the Shoreditch, London recording facility.
Available both free within Studio, BandLab’s online DAW, and directly through BandLab Sounds, the Strongroom packs add to BandLab’s existing library currently comprising over 100,000 samples.

READ MORE: BandLab mobile users can now experiment with beats for free before buying

The new Strongroom packs series includes “breathtaking and inventive” piano sounds by Fi Roberts, “blissful and twinkling” pop elements by TATYANA, Jelly Cleaver’s smooth soul guitar and piano textures, Alex O’Donovan’s warping synth tones and gritty drums, and much more.
Strongroom Studios has, during its 40-year history, hosted the likes of Lorde, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX and Radiohead, but this new partnership with BandLab marks its first foray into the world of sample packs.
In other BandLab news, the platform last month rolled out advanced features for mobile users including automation, an expanded library of vocal effects and improved filters.
It later introduced BandLab users the ability to experiment with beats on the platform for free before buying, even allowing them to add additional tracks and apply effects to a beat with no up-front financial commitment.
“This is the latest among many updates that demonstrate BandLab’s commitment to eliminating any barriers to creativity and making music creation accessible,” said BandLab. “This feature encourages users to try Beats in real-time, experiment freely, and immediately put their inspiration to work without upfront costs.”
You can learn more about the BandLab x Strongroom collaboration and have a listen to some of the sounds over at BandLab.
Editor’s note: BandLab and MusicTech are both part of the Caldecott Music Group.
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What is a spectrogram?
Learn about what a spectrogram is, how to read one, and the unique findings it can uncover about your audio.