Christian Alexander SingleGrainSingleGrain — Granular Synthesizer VST3 / AU by LuvNote LLC. SingleGrain is a granular synthesizer built for producers and sound designers who want deep control without losing their workflow. Load any audio sample and reshape it at the grain level — sculpting texture, movement, and timbre that no standard synthesizer can produce. Core Engine. At the heart of SingleGrain is a real-time granular playback engine with independent control over position, grain length, attack shape, decay shape, and playback speed. Speed runs forward or in reverse. Lock Position mode pins the read head while grains continue cycling, creating evolving textures and freeze effects that are impossible in traditional sample playback. Modulation System. Three fully featured LFOs with free, envelope-triggered, and tempo-synced modes feed into a 32-slot modulation matrix. Eight macro knobs sit above the matrix, letting a single knob sweep multiple destinations simultaneously for expressive live performance and automation. Every modulation slot includes Fine Controls — a zoom lens that scales the modulation range down to microscopic precision — and a Direction mode for bipolar, split, upward-only, or downward-only modulation behavior. Frequency Shifter. A built-in single sideband frequency shifter using an IIR Hilbert transformer adds harmonic motion that sits entirely outside of what pitch shifting or chorus effects can produce. Use it for subtle detuning or extreme spectral transformation. Sample Recorder. Record audio directly from your session into the plugin, load it instantly, and begin granularizing it without ever leaving the instrument. No routing, no bouncing, no extra steps. Factory Content. Ships with 121 factory presets across 9 categories — Loops, SFX, One Shots, Downlifters, Risers, Subs, Sustains, Riddim Delay Fills, and Vocals — plus a curated set of samples and LFO shapes. All content is embedded in the installer. Specifications. Format: VST3 (Windows), VST3 + AU (macOS). Platform: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit), macOS 11.0+. Architecture: Universal Binary (Apple Silicon + Intel). License: Single user, unlimited installs. Developer: LuvNote LLC. Read More

US Treasury seeks public input for state-level stablecoin regulationsThe Treasury published its notice of proposed rulemaking as the market capitalization of dollar-pegged stablecoins neared $300 billion.

The reputation of troubled YC startup Delve has gotten even worseDelve faces new allegations that it violated the open source license of its customer, Sim.ai, by taking the customers's tool and passing it off as its own.

Battery Tester Outperforms Cheaper OptionsBatteries are notoriously difficult pieces of technology to deal with reliably. They often need specific temperatures, charge rates, can’t tolerate physical shocks or damage, and can fail catastrophically if all of their finicky needs aren’t met. And, adding insult to injury, for many chemistries, the voltage does not correlate to state of charge in meaningful ways. Battery testers take many efforts to mitigate these challenges, but often miss the mark for those who need high fidelity in their measurements. For that reason, [LiamTronix] built their own.
The main problem with the cheaper battery testers, at least for [LiamTronix]’s use cases, is that he has plenty of batteries that are too large to practically test on the low-current devices, or which have internal battery management systems (BMS) which can’t connect to these testers. The first circuit he built to help solve these issues is based on a shunt resistor, which lets a smaller IC chip monitor a much larger current by looking at voltage drop across a resistor with a small resistance value. The Pi uses a Python script which monitors the current draw over the course of the test and outputs the result on a handy graph.
This circuit worked well enough for smaller batteries, but for his larger batteries like the 72V one he built for his electric tractor, these methods could draw far too much power to be safe. So from there he built a much more robust circuit which uses four MOSFETs as part of four constant current sources to sink and measure the current from the battery. A Pi Zero monitors the voltage and current from the battery, and also turns on some fans pointed at the MOSFETs’ heat sink to keep them from overheating. The system can be configured to work for different batteries and different current draw rates, making it much more capable than anything off the shelf.

Cirkut Wins 2026 JUNO Award for Producer of the Year, Cementing Global Hitmaker StatusWhen it comes to shaping the sound of modern pop, Henry Walter—better known as Cirkut—has long been operating at an elite level. Now, the iconic producer has another major accolade to add to his already stacked résumé, taking home the 2026 “Jack Richardson Producer of the Year” honor at the JUNO Awards in Hamilton, Ontario.

The award, named after legendary Canadian producer Jack Richardson, recognizes excellence at the highest tier of music production—fitting for someone whose fingerprints are all over some of the biggest records of the past decade.

Originally from Halifax, Walter’s path to global success took shape after studying Audio Production at the Harris Institute in Toronto, where he later returned to teach. From there, he relocated to Los Angeles and quietly became one of the most in-demand producers in the industry, working with an A-list roster that includes Britney Spears, The Weeknd, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West, among many others. It’s the kind of client list that reads less like a collaboration history and more like a playlist of modern pop’s biggest moments.

If the JUNO win wasn’t enough, 2026 has already proven to be a banner year. Walter also secured three GRAMMY Awards, including Producer of the Year, thanks to his work on Mayhem by Lady Gaga, “APT.” by Bruno Mars and ROSÉ, and Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd. Across his career, he’s amassed multiple nominations in top categories like Album, Song, and Record of the Year—plus a Best Dance Pop Recording nod—underscoring both his versatility and consistency.

And the hits? They speak for themselves. With 10 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Cirkut currently sits at No. 3 on Billboard’s “Top Producers of the 21st Century” list—a ranking that reflects not just chart success, but cultural impact.

His story also serves as a strong endorsement of the institution that helped launch his career. The Harris Institute continues to tout impressive outcomes, including a 100% graduate employment rate in its Arts Management Program for a second consecutive year. In a landscape where post-secondary results are often mixed, those numbers stand out—especially alongside the school’s rare streak of zero percent student loan default rates.

That pride is shared at the top. As John Harris, President of the Harris Institute, put it: “Henry is having a remarkable career and we are proud to have contributed. He has produced and written many of the biggest hit records of the 21st century.”

For Walter, though, the latest recognition is simply another milestone in a career defined by momentum. Whether crafting chart-topping pop anthems or shaping the sonic direction of global superstars, Cirkut isn’t just participating in the industry—he’s actively steering it.

The post Cirkut Wins 2026 JUNO Award for Producer of the Year, Cementing Global Hitmaker Status first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Get a free granular synth texture for Splice INSTRUMENT
Download our free granular synth preset for Splice INSTRUMENT—grab these presets during the drop window and they’re yours to keep forever.

HYBE to inject $100M into US subsidiary, HYBE AmericaCapital injection was approved by HYBE's board on March 31
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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.

READ MORE: Electro-Harmonix partners with MixWave to bring its classic pedals to plugin form

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.
The post SoundCloud now lets you share releases exclusively with followers appeared first on MusicTech.

ESSENCE RS from Aim Audio Aim Audio's latest creation becomes the world’s first and only pro-grade microphone that doubles up as a fully functioning TV remote. 

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. 

What’s new in Waves’ ILLUGEN 2.0 update? These are the new features for its “most advanced music-creation AI model”A 2.0 update for Waves’ ILLUGEN sample creation tool has arrived, introducing a new sound engine with improved prompt accuracy.
ILLUGEN was launched in May last year, and is an AI-powered text-to-sound engine that can work from specific or even weird prompts. At its release, Waves stated that the model was trained “exclusively on documented, legally owned material”, and that “ethical AI development is a top priority” for the brand.

READ MORE: Waves Curves Resolve: this plugin “listens” and fixes conflicts between multiple tracks in your mix, intelligently

The biggest new feature as part of the 2.0 upgrade is a new Studio Engine. This new sound-generation engine joins the original Creative Engine, but is trained to deliver “exceptionally high-fidelity and musically realistic production-ready loops and samples for professional music creation”.
Its dual-engine design lets producers choose between polished studio-grade output and raw sound design material within the same workflow. And, in response to user feedback, ILLUGEN also now offers a lock to key feature, a loop length control, and a stereo control, so you can control the stereo width, from tight mono to wide stereo.
Check out more in the video below:

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A couple of months following its launch, Adam Crute reviewed ILLUGEN for MusicTech. Its pros included being able to use natural language to create sounds rather than hunting through sample libraries, and that the sounds you produce remain yours to keep, irrespective of subscription status.
However, results were reliant on the AI’s understanding of a phrase, meaning credits could be wasted on results that didn’t quite work. With the new 2.0 features, this should now be improved.
At the time, Adam wrote: “Illugen’s results don’t always hit the mark, but, in theory, should improve over time, both in understanding your specific phrases and a general understanding of what people mean by certain words and terms.
“Key to this is the ability to give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down reaction to the three results it presents and, in so doing, help Illugen learn what you like and what may be meant by the words you’ve entered.”
If you’re not already a subscriber, you can try out ILLUGEN 2.0 online for free. Find out more over at Waves.
The post What’s new in Waves’ ILLUGEN 2.0 update? These are the new features for its “most advanced music-creation AI model” appeared first on MusicTech.

We finally have the answer to Patrick Star’s legendary question: is mayonnaise really an instrument?We thought things would get weird around April Fool’s day, but not quite this weird. We finally have an answer to one of the most iconic and bizarre questions ever asked: is mayonnaise an instrument?
Patrick Star asked this very crucial question back in one of the most loved Spongebob SquarePants episodes of all time, Band Geeks, which aired in September 2001. Thanks to condiment brand Hellmann’s, “mayonnaise is officially stepping into the world of music”, apparently.

READ MORE: “Make the internet weird”: This new Chrome extension lets you control YouTube videos with a surfing cat

Hellmann’s put the question to the test by working with Dr. Rachael Durkin, Head of Global Music Technologies at Northumbria University, and her team of experts. Together, they have drawn on expertise in organology (the study of musical instruments), alongside acoustics and musicology.
Their research delivers a “clear, evidence-based verdict”, according to Hellmann’s – mayonnaise can indeed function as an instrument.
Dr. Rachael Durkin says, “Music has always evolved through experimentation. When you look at the core principles of how instruments create sound, you realise the possibilities for unconventional materials are endless. Exploring something like mayonnaise isn’t just about fun; it challenges our assumptions and invites us to think far more creatively about what music can be.”

Andy Arthur Smith, a music creator with over six million followers across social media, has collaborated with Hellmann’s to create an original track in honour of the news. Aptly titled Mayonnaise Is an Instrument, it is composed entirely from mayonnaise-generated sounds.
He adds: “It’s a question that’s been around for years, but no one’s really tried to answer it properly. Seeing people actually make music with mayonnaise and turning it into a real track has been wild. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. We’re bringing a new texture to music!”
Watch Andy Arthur Smith get creative with his new fave instrument below:

@andyarthursmith
The age old question – IS mayonnaise an instrument?! #hellmannspartner @Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
♬ original sound – Andy Arthur Smith

@andyarthursmith
Behold the delicious process of using mayonnaise as an instrument! #HellmannsPartner @Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
♬ original sound – Andy Arthur Smith

The post We finally have the answer to Patrick Star’s legendary question: is mayonnaise really an instrument? appeared first on MusicTech.

Plugoff is a FREE audio plugin manager for macOS and Windows
Midifex has released Plugoff, a free app for macOS and Windows that scans, organizes, and offloads your audio plugins. It supports AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats. Plugoff is currently free, but the developer stated that it will become a paid product in the future. So, now is the perfect time to get it. When [...]
View post: Plugoff is a FREE audio plugin manager for macOS and Windows

Job openings in music tech this month: Recording studios, music brands, and moreMusicTech’s jobs in April fall across education, marketing, retail, studio management, and more. There is room for hobbyists looking to step into the professional realm for the first time as an in-store product specialist for Roland’s London shop, as well as the most experienced professionals looking to shift towards some of the most prominent tech brands in the world such as L-Acoustics.
Read on to check out MusicTech’s April job openings.
Marketing and Content Manager at GForce Software
GForce Software is the developer behind VSTs of classic synths such as the Novation Bass Station and the Oberheim OB-1. The Marketing and Content Manager role is perfect for synth experts who can discuss the instruments with both general and advanced audiences, and also create videos and other content for social media.
A producer or sound designer with 3 to 5 years of experience in marketing, content creation, community management, or similar would be well-suited here. GForce is looking for a candidate capable of coordinating multiple workflows and with a keen eye for authenticity when building out campaigns. The core GForce team is small but creative and fast-moving; you’ll be working with freelancers and contributors a lot, too, so skills in communicating and collaborating are key here.

Salary: Dependent on Experience
Location: Remote UK
Required qualifications: 3 to 5 years of experience in relevant field
Best for: Synth lovers, bedroom producers, sound design nerds

Credit: Novation/GForce
Studio Manager/Engineer at Helix Records
Helix Records and Payday Publishing, home to such respected artists as Jamie Jones, San Holo, and Snakehips, have opened new studios in Central London. It needs someone to oversee operations as it brings in exciting new artists and songwriters to shape the new generation of electronic music. This job is for someone who knows how to run a studio session end-to-end and ensure there’s everything an artist needs to stay creative..
An experienced sound engineer or studio manager familiar with all manner of equipment, gear, and tech. That could include everything from recording techniques and studio operations to Pro Tools and Logic Pro, to recording consoles and outboard gear. You must be able to troubleshoot issues in real time and support clients. Excellent communication, organisation, and a passion for music are also required.

Salary: £36,000 to £60,000
Location: Central London
Best for: Studio experts. Music retail shop managers. Back-end producers.

Sound Designer – Rocksteady Studios
When it’s time to bring unforgettable characters under the Warner Bros. umbrella to video games, Rocksteady Studios answers the call. The developer behind classics such as Batman Arkham City is looking for a sound designer for a new AAA project. Specifics are sparse at the moment, but the right candidate could build the sound of the Batmobile revving towards the next battle with The Joker.
This role is for someone who has already designed audio for completed interactive media projects. You should know how to create a variety of different sounds, including SFX and environmental sounds, while also assisting with tasks related to field recording, music, and dialogue. Pro Tools is the primary DAW, but Reaper, Ableton, and analogue outboard gear are also used. Being able to identify and address issues and bugs throughout the development process is ideal as well.
Location: London hybrid
Best for: Sound design experts, video game composers
Software Tester – Music Technology at InMusic
InMusic is home to some legendary music tech brands, such as Akai, Moog, and Rane, and more. The Software Tester will get to ensure the upcoming digital products function properly by the time they become available for purchase, and also work out the kinks in any existing products.
Testers must know the deepest ins and outs of digital production products: how they’re made, and what needs to happen before they hit the shelves. They’ll also know how to clearly communicate what works and what doesn’t by developing testing parameters.

Location: Cambridge, UK
Best for: Synth lovers, bedroom producers.

Education Specialist, Americas at L-Acoustics
L-Acoustics supplies live sound for everything from the Olympics to Coachella to the Super Bowl. The Education Specialist will ensure that its global userbase understands how to use its full range of products, including loudspeakers, immersive audio, and staging software. They will teach and ensure education partners have the most up-to-date information and curriculum to pass along through their programs as well.
This is an educational role, so candidates must have an expert understanding of the products and the ability to explain them to audiences of all skill levels. Previous professional experience in teaching is ideal to ensure proficiency in commanding a room and developing education programs across dozens of courses.

Location: Nashville, Hybrid
Best for: Audio experts, production tutors

Marketing Co-ordinator (Permanent) at AlphaTheta
AlphaTheta CDJ-3000X. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
AlphaTheta is an iconic DJ gear brand, but it also manufactures speakers, headphones, production hardware, and more. The Marketing Co-ordinator will have a hand in campaigns across the full line, working closely with the Marketing Director to take care of whatever needs to be done.
This is a multifaceted role that combines product management, influencer and artist seeding for campaigns, social media, public relations, contracts, and budgeting. Working under the Marketing Director, the Co-ordinator will work on all elements of marketing campaigns, so organisational skills and time management are essential. Education in marketing will also help candidates understand the full range of campaigns.

Location: Remote, UK
Required qualifications: Degree in marketing or related discipline
Best for: DJ hobbyists, learned ravers

Roland London Store Product Specialist (Part Time) at Roland
Roland’s Denmark Street location is in one of the busiest districts in London, so these Product Specialists will be talking about Roland gear with all manner of customers. The store sells everything from brand-new synths to MIDI keyboards and electronic drum kits, so widespread expertise and enthusiasm are a must.
This is a customer-facing, retail position, so on top of in-depth product knowledge, a sunny disposition will go a long way. The ability to work with the public is essential as this is a high-traffic location that will see casual browsers and studio professionals come through the door. There will also be events in store that specialists will assist with, and supporting work, such as store maintenance, is part of the purview as well.

Location: Roland Showroom on Denmark Street, London
Best for: Synth experts, bedroom producers

DJ Instructor at Guitar Center
As DJing becomes more and more popular, more and more prospective jockeys are looking for help from experts. That’s where you come in. These are private lessons, so it’s possible you could be training the next DMC champion or the next Glastonbury headliner.
Instructors will teach lessons and also be responsible for increasing the number of students taking lessons. This will require working with the store on outreach and ensuring each student has a positive experience to fuel word-of-mouth recommendations. As such, prior professional teaching experience is ideal, but if you’ve taught your buddies how to DJ, that can be helpful, too. Guitar Center provides the curriculum as well, so you should be able to understand and communicate it to turn beginners into intermediates.

Salary: $16.90/hr – $19.90/hr Non-Teaching Rate and up to $29.70/hr Total Teaching Rate depending on background and experience.
Location: Multiple stores in the US
Best for: DJ enthusiasts

Additional Resources
The post Job openings in music tech this month: Recording studios, music brands, and more appeared first on MusicTech.

Electro-Harmonix partners with MixWave to bring its classic pedals to plugin formElectro-Harmonix pedals are legendary in the guitar world, and now, the brand has partnered with MixWave to bring a selection of its classic units to plugin form.
Comprising four plugins – offering six classic EHX circuits in total – the EHX Classics collection features, first up, the Big Muff Pi Fuzz. This includes three classic Big Muff fuzz/distortion circuits: the Big Muff Pi, Ram’s Head Big Muff and Russian Big Head.
“From smooth sustain to aggressive low-end punch, the plugin captures the unique response and tonal differences that made these variations so widely loved,” says EHX. “Switch between circuits to explore the full spectrum of Big Muff tones in a single plugin.”

READ MORE: Cherry Audio revives an oddball 1978 Italian synth with the Crumar DS-2: “A true example of ‘vintage digital’ technology”

The collection also features a plugin version of the Deluxe Memory Man Analogue Delay – the “pinnacle of BBD analogue delays” – as well as the Electric Mistress Flanger/Filter matrix, and Small Clone Chorus.
Each of these plugins has been created using “detailed component-level modelling” in order to faithfully capture the analogue circuitry of the original pedals.

“Few companies have shaped the sound of modern music like Electro-Harmonix,” adds EHX. 
“From soaring fuzz to lush chorus, sweeping flanger and expansive analogue delay, our pedals have defined countless recordings for generations of musicians and producers.”
The EHX Classics are available now, both individually, and as a bundle with an introductory price of $109 (normal price $149). You can also sign up to the MixWave newsletter to save 15%.
Learn more at MixWave.
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