Waymo reportedly raising a $16B funding roundWaymo is reportedly finalizing a new funding round that will value the robotaxi company at $110 billion.

Thomas Edison May Have Discovered GrapheneThomas Edison is well known for his inventions (even if you don’t agree he invented all of them). However, he also occasionally invented things he didn’t understand, so they had to be reinvented again later. The latest example comes from researchers at Rice University. While building a replica light bulb, they found that Thomas Edison may have accidentally created graphene while testing the original article.
Today, we know that applying a voltage to a carbon-based resistor and heating it up to over 2,000 °C can create turbostratic graphene. Edison used a carbon-based filament and could heat it to over 2,000 °C.
This reminds us of how, in the 1880s, Edison observed current flowing in one direction through a test light bulb that included a plate. However, he thought it was just a curiosity. It would be up to Fleming, in 1904, to figure it out and understand what could be done with it.
Naturally, Edison wouldn’t have known to look for graphene, how to look for it, or what to do with it if he found it. But it does boggle the mind to think about graphene appearing many decades earlier. Or maybe it would still be looking for a killer use. Certainly, as the Rice researchers note, this is one of the easier ways to make graphene.

Spitfire Audio Originals - Cimbalom Tuned Percussion Plugin by Spitfire Audio The Spitfire Audio Originals Cimbalom is a meticulously sampled virtual instrument that brings the evocative, metallic sound of the concert hammered dulcimer to the digital audio workstation. Recorded at the world-renowned AIR Studios in London, this library captures the performances of Greg Knowles, a premier percussionist recognized for his work on major film scores such as The Hunger Games. The cimbalom is a trapezoidal chordophone played by striking metal strings with beaters, producing a shimmering tone that has become a staple in Hollywood for creating atmospheres of mystery and suspense. This plugin is part of Spitfire Audio's Originals series, which aims to provide essential cinematic sounds in a lightweight and affordable format. The library is housed in a dedicated, intuitive plugin that bypasses the need for third-party samplers like Kontakt. By utilizing three distinct microphone signals—Close, Tree, and the unique Pitched signal—users can blend the intimate mechanical details of the instrument with the natural reverberation of Lyndhurst Hall. The addition of the "Warp" preset and "Pitched" signal allows the instrument to transcend its traditional folk roots, transforming into eerie, frozen textures suitable for modern sound design. Designed for both professional composers and entry-level producers, the Originals Cimbalom offers a versatile palette of five presets. These range from "Sustained" and "Tremolo" for classic cinematic cues to "Damped" for percussive precision. Whether used as a featured melodic lead or a subtle textural layer within a full orchestral arrangement, the instrument provides a professional-grade solution for achieving the "sound of suspense" popularized by composers like Hans Zimmer and Alexandre Desplat. Features High-Fidelity Sampling: Recorded at AIR Studios, London, using the same world-class signal chain as Spitfire's flagship libraries. Expert Performance: Performed by renowned percussionist Greg Knowles (The Hunger Games, Sherlock Holmes). Three Microphones Signals: * Close: Captures the immediate detail and transient snap of the beaters. Tree: A Decca Tree array providing the lush, natural room ambience of Lyndhurst Hall. Pitched: A processed signal pitched down one octave for deep, atmospheric textures. Five Performance Presets: Includes Performance, Sustained, Damped, Tremolo, and Warp. Dedicated Plugin: Runs in Spitfire Audio's proprietary, easy-to-use plugin (no Kontakt required). NKS Compatible: Fully integrated for use with Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol and Maschine hardware. Dynamic Controls: Simple interface with sliders for Expression, Dynamics, Reverb, Release, and Tightness. Compact Footprint: High-quality sound with a disk space requirement of approximately 1.7GB. https://youtu.be/nJ6LldwcyJA?si=mYAn2ppAHxxNO2CX Read More

Synsonic Instruments now offers their paid drum plugins for free
Synsonic Instruments has made three of its previously paid drum plugins free to download for macOS and Windows. If you’ve been following Bedroom Producers Blog for a while, you’ll probably recognize the name Synsonic Instruments from their old BD-808 Free (featured in our article about the best free 808 plugins) and BD-909 Free plugins. Those [...]
View post: Synsonic Instruments now offers their paid drum plugins for free

RCJacH releases FREE RCSiner distortion plugin for Windows and macOS
RCJacH has released RCSiner, a free distortion plugin for macOS and Windows, now available as a standalone plugin. RCSiner is a waveshaping and phase-distortion effect built around sine-based shaping formulas. While the project has been floating around in various forms before (I first saw it mentioned in 2025, but haven’t featured it on BPB then), [...]
View post: RCJacH releases FREE RCSiner distortion plugin for Windows and macOS

Novation update the Launch Control XL Available now via Novation Components, the Launch Control XL 3's first major update adds compatibility for more DAWs, enhanced control for external hardware and deeper customisation options.  

DistroKid, repped by Goldman Sachs and Raine, exploring a saleNew York-based company claims that it handles 30% to 40% of new music releases globally
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TWICE Electrifies with Four Shows at the Kia Forum, InglewoodWith ten years under their belts, it’s no surprise TWICE is one of the best-performing girl groups in K-pop. The group (who graced the cover of Music Connection in 2024) is currently touring across North America for their 2026 THIS IS FOR World Tour and stopped by the Kia Forum in Inglewood for four sold-out shows. The tour is different from any other tour they’ve done before. It’s more ambitious thanks to the 360-degree setup with the stage extending throughout the entire floor. This allows a smaller and more intimate experience, as the group expertly utilizes every inch of the venue and offers close-up views of each of the nine members. There were no bad seats in the house for ONCE’s (name of fandom) as they equally spend time in each area. 
Marking the start of the show on Jan. 22nd, the venue lights dimmed as the words “TWICE THIS IS FOR” dramatically appeared on the screens. The screens then lowered down as the opening visuals showcased Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Mina, Momo, Nayeon, Sana and Tzuyu. It was fun seeing fans cheer with their glowing candybong light stick for their favorite member when they appeared onscreen. As the video montage ended, the screens raised to reveal the group on stage. TWICE aptly began their performance with “This is For,” from their fourth Korean studio album of the same name. This was the perfect song to start the night as the opening verse from Momo is meant to energize fans, “This is for all my ladies who don't get hyped enough / If you've been done wrong, then this your song, so turn it up.”
Photo credit: JYP ENTERTAINMENT, ANDY KEILEN
With a discography of over 200 songs, it’s no surprise that the setlist leaned heavily on their biggest hits. The first act started off strong with fan-favorite songs, including “SET ME FREE” and “I CAN’T STOP ME.” The stage setup allowed the group to freely move around with their dance routines, switching sides throughout the songs. Unfortunately, Dahyun sustained an ankle injury and remained seated for the entire show. That didn’t stop her as she participated by doing the dance routines with her hands. Most K-pop acts sing with a backing track, but that wasn’t the case for TWICE, as they had a live band performing alongside them. Each girl has a distinctive vocal tone that complements the others very well. The R&B track “Gone” specifically stands out for highlighting the group's strengths. Jiyho, Jeongyeon and Naeyon have powerful vocals with dynamic vocal ranges. Momo, Chaeyoung and Daeyon have great rhythm and rapping delivery, while Mina, Sana and Tzuyu have softer and breathier vocals. 
The middle act focused on solo performances, giving each member a chance to shine in the spotlight. Each girl, except Chaeyoung, performed shortened versions of their song from the album TEN: The Story Goes On. Tzuyu opened the act with “DIVE IN,” showcasing impressive high notes. The stage sparkled in gold and silver as Mina followed with “STONE COLD.” The performance featured intricate, hand-heavy choreography with dancers and highlighted Mina's strong whispery vocals. Nayeon is born to be a popstar as her song “MEEEEEE” is fun, catchy and showcases her confident energy. Earning the biggest cheers of the night was Jeongyeon, who was dressed in a pink cowgirl outfit for her country-inspired song “FIX A DRINK.” It’s always fun to see K-pop idols venture into different genres that they typically wouldn’t do. Dahyun began her song with a piano performance of Beethoven's famous piano piece "Für Elise," which is featured in her song “CHESS.” The song’s theatrical aesthetic was a real crowd-pleaser. Chaeyoung released her first solo album LIL Fantasy vol.1 last year and performed her dreamy pop single “SHOOT (Firecracker).” Jihyo is the strongest performer of TWICE and her urban-inspired song “ATM” indeed showcased her confident personality and powerhouse vocals. The energy in the venue grew as Sana’s sweet vocals and addictive chorus of “DECAFFINATED” had everyone jumping along. Momo closed out the solo performances with “MOVE LIKE THAT." The performance showcased why Momo is considered the best dancer of the group. She has a very strong onstage presence, very sharp and graceful with her movements. The act ended with Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung performing “TAKEDOWN,” from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. The trio recorded a special version of the song that was featured in the ending credits of the movie. Thanks to the viral popularity of the movie, the song is definitely a fan favorite and had the entire venue screaming along with every word. 

The group saved the best for last as the fourth act of the show included all their biggest hits, including “FANCY,” “What is Love?,""YES or YES,""Dance the Night Away,” and “ONE SPARK.” After a short break, the girls returned on stage dressed in their own merchandise for a very casual encore. The group focused their attention more on interacting with fans than actually performing, going along the stage saying hi to everyone and occasionally wetting them with water. Jeongyeon specifically let loose during this moment as she playfully drenched all the dancers with water. The group performed three more songs for the encore. The first song was the super popular “Feel Special.” They let the audience choose the second one, which ended up being the sub-unit song of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Mina, “BATTITUDE.” The group then started to say their goodbyes and were ready to end the show, but the entire venue started screaming, “one more song, one more song.” The group heard everyone's plea and obliged by singing, “TWICE Song.” This was the perfect song to end the night, as it’s a fun anthem that calls out each member. TWICE’s THIS IS FOR World Tour continues across North America; for info visit twice.jype.com.
Photo credit: JYP ENTERTAINMENT, ANDY KEILENThe post TWICE Electrifies with Four Shows at the Kia Forum, Inglewood first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Informant told FBI that Jeffrey Epstein had a ‘personal hacker’The hacker allegedly developed zero-day exploits and offensive cyber tools and sold them to several countries, including an unnamed central African government, the U.K., and the United States.

Ordering Pizza On Your Sega Dreamcast Is Very Clunky IndeedIf you’re ordering pizza these days, you’re probably using a smartphone app or perhaps still making a regular old phone call. If you’re creative and a little bit tricky, though, you can order pizza right from your Sega Dreamcast. You just need to jump through a few hoops, as demonstrated by [Delux] and [The Dreamcast Junkyard] in the recent past.
You used to be able to order pizza on the Dreamcast natively, all the way back in 1999. However, the modern Domino’s website doesn’t really work on the ancient Dreamcast browser anymore. The simple fact is that web technology has advanced a long way in the last couple of decades, and Sega didn’t exactly spend a lot of time maintaining a browser on a console that died mere months after its rivals hit the market.
Thus, to place a pizza order on the Dreamcast these days, you need to work within its limitations. [Delux] uses the Dreamcast with the Broadband Adapter to access a PC on the local network via the XDP web browser. That PC is hosting Web Rendering Proxy, a tool which converts complicated modern websites into something a simpler machine can parse. From there, it’s a matter of connecting to the Domino’s website, and slowly clicking through the online ordering pages. Between the proxy delay, the Dreamcast’s glacial processing speed, and the clunky Domino’s ordering interface, it takes ages. Never before has adding coupons felt like such a hassle. Still, after 15 minutes of fuss, the order is completed… and a short time later, a hot fresh pizza arrives.
It’s a fun hack, but really it’s the PC running the proxy that’s doing the heavy lifting. In 2026, it’s far more elegant to order a pizza from your Nintendo Wii.

From BMG’s reported Concord acquisition talks to UMG’s $3bn Anthropic lawsuit… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest headlines from the past few days...
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Oliver talks production tips, the “Espresso” sample, ’00s hip hop, and more
Oliver discusses his tips for producers, biggest sample placements, philosophy on music creation, and more.

Kymátika Sounds offers FREE Ptone for Audiomodern Soundbox
Kymátika Sounds has released PTone, a free sample library for the Audiomodern Soundbox virtual instrument, and it’s available as a pay-what-you-want download (starting at $0) for a limited time. The developer came across an old Casio keyboard at a flea market in Poland, discovered it was still working perfectly, and decided to turn it into [...]
View post: Kymátika Sounds offers FREE Ptone for Audiomodern Soundbox

DUY Software Time TravelDUY Time Travel is a cutting-edge marvel that utilizes advanced audio processing technology to recreate the experience of time travel. To achieve it DUY analyzed the thousands of new and old recordings from all eras and dissected them into their core elements. By modeling the unique characteristics and nuances of each era, Time Travel dynamically modifies the sound, allowing it to seamlessly pass from one time period to the next. With a time-traveling range spanning from the mid 19th century to the current day, Time Travel opens up a world of sonic possibilities. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a music lover, or simply curious about the past, Time Travel will captivate your senses and ignite your imagination. Among many other things, with DUY Time Travel, you can: Listen to your recordings as your grandparents would have listened to them. Hear what your favorite songs would sound like if they were covered by a band from a different era. Travel across time in multiverse mode through different sonic realities where the dynamics, the physics and the spectrum belong to different sonic epochs. Process the whole mix or one sound at a time. Features: Dynamically modifies the sound of any recording to create the illusion of time travel. Range of time travel from the mid 19th century to the current time. Easy to use interface. Compatible with all major platforms and operating systems: AAX, Audio Units and VST3, for Mac and Windows. Benefits: Experience the passage of time in sonic ways that have never been possible before. Create new and unique soundscapes. Get to know new sound perspectives you've never tried before. DUY Time Travel is the perfect tool for any musician, producer or mixing engineer who loves sound design. With Time Travel, you will be able to explore the passage of time in sound as never before possible. Imagine being able to listen to your favorite songs as they seamlessly transition from one era to another, capturing the essence of different time periods. With our unparalleled expertise in audio manipulation, we have achieved the impossible: bringing the past into the present. You'll feel as if you're immersed in a time capsule, witnessing the evolution of sound firsthand. But Time Travel isn't just limited to music. Picture yourself listening to speeches, ambient sounds or even music instruments. With its versatility, Time Travel delivers an unparalleled experience that transcends time itself. Read More

How Musicians Can Leverage New In-App Spotify Group ChatsWord-of-mouth has always been the gold standard for music discovery. Spotify is leaning hard into that reality with its latest update. The streamer expanded its "Messages" feature to include Spotify Group Chats. Now, users can share and discuss music with up to 10 people directly within the app.
The post How Musicians Can Leverage New In-App Spotify Group Chats appeared first on Hypebot.