Revealed Recordings Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1 is a collection of 50 presets and MIDI for crafting breakdowns, main themes, and standout toplines. From euphoric trance and lush progressive tones to melodic hooks and techno driven grit, this pack gives you the tools to unlock new creative directions. Among every preset having modwheel assignments, each preset is assigned all eight macro controls, providing quick modulation options to customize your sound. With Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1, you get a suite of modern pluck sounds to spark creativity and bring your melodies to life in Progressive House, Trance, Big Room, and Techno. Reveal Yourself. Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1 - Details PLUCK (50). Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1 (MIDI) - Details MIDI (50). 50 presets, 50 MIDI Core synthesizer patch mapping and programming All presets assigned intuitive modwheel parameters All presets assigned all eight macro controls for easy tweaking and multiple sound variations. Preset format(s): .SerumPack (Full Bank) Note: Presets Require Full Retail Version of Xfer Record's Serum 2 version v2.1.2 or later Approx. 9.7MB compressed .zip download. Read More

How to watch NASA’s Artemis II splash back down to EarthNASA's Artemis II mission has traveled farther from Earth than any mission before. Here's how to watch the crew's return landing in the Pacific Ocean.

Prediction market users await Artemis II mission splashdownThe 10-day lunar flyby mission is expected to end in a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean on Friday evening.

Assignments April 2026: Who Got Hired?

Chip Herter

SVP, Music Supervision & LicensingThe Syndicate

The Syndicate has announced the appointment of Chip Herter as the SVP, Music Supervision & Licensing. In this newly created role, Herter will build a division focused on creative music supervision, licensing, and end-to-end music support for The Syndicate's clients and partners. “The Syndicate has an incredible 28-year legacy in artist development, marketing, and culture-making,” said Herter. “I’m thrilled to join the team and launch a music supervision and licensing practice that prioritizes creative integrity, meaningful partnerships, and real impact for brands and artists alike." For more, contact chip@thesyn.com.

John Powenski

Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources OfficerBMI

BMI announced that John Powenski has joined the company as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer. Powenski will lead Human Resources across the organization, focused on supporting BMI’s continued growth and organizational performance, including the company’s HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Total Rewards, People Operations, and more. He will be based in BMI’s Nashville office. For more, contact lfischer@bmi.com.

Joe Rinaldi

PresidentThe National Independent Venue Association of California

The National Independent Venue Association of California has announced that Joe Rinaldi has assumed the role of President. "Independent venues are the heartbeat of California’s culture and economy," said Rinaldi. "After years of advocating for our community in Southern California, I am honored to lead the statewide effort to ensure our industry not only survives but thrives. Our mission is clear: we must unite our 630-plus qualifying venues, promoters, and festivals to become a self-sufficient force for change." For more, contact nivacalifornia@gmail.com.

Mikelle Schwartz

Co-Head, Label MarketingPosition Music

Position Music announced that Mikelle Schwartz has been named Co-Head of the company’s Label division. Schwartz will take on the role of Head of Label Marketing, where she will oversee Product Management, Digital Marketing, and DSP and distribution partnerships. "I’m excited to join Position Music and help shape the next chapter of its label business —building alongside Tyler, Mark and Garrett, who are all forward-thinking leaders redefining what growth and artist partnership look like today,” said Schwartz. For more, contact deborah@drpr.us.

Lindsay Hayes

Vice President of DevelopmentMusic Health Alliance

Music Health Alliance (MHA), the nonprofit dedicated to providing advocacy and access to healthcare and mental health for the music industry, has appointed Lindsay Hayes as Vice President of Development and announced several staff promotions across its advocacy and healthcare navigation team. In this role, Hayes will lead the growth of MHA’s fundraising and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term financial sustainability. “I’m thrilled to now make things official and join MHA at a time when their work has never been more vital,” said Hayes. For more, contact caitlin@musichealthalliance.com.

Bailey Aldrich

Senior Marketing and Event SpecialistKHS America

KHS America has announced the promotion of Bailey Aldrich to Senior Marketing and Event Specialist. In her new position, Aldrich will lead content and advertising deployment for all KHS America brands, implement digital marketing strategies alongside the Educational Brand Management team, and direct the administrative operations of major trade shows and industry events. "Since she started with KHS America, Bailey has consistently stood out for her exceptional initiative, organization, and team support," said Ryan Rehnborg, Creative & Marketing Communications Manager.  For more, contact kate@richlynngroup.com.

Björn Sandberg

Head of Commercial MarketingAudioSalad

AudioSalad, a music technology company, announced the appointment of Björn Sandberg to the newly created position of Head of Commercial Marketing. Based in London, Sandberg will lead the evolution of AudioSalad’s artist and label marketing and will report to CEO Iain Catling. "Björn’s experience and deep understanding of commercial marketing in today’s complex marketplace make him a tremendous addition to our team," said Catling. "His expertise further strengthens our distribution capabilities as we continue building best-in-class services for artists, creators, and labels." For more, contact jsmith@sesac.com.

Garrett Ream

Co-Head, Label CreativePosition Music

Position Music announced that Garrett Ream has been named Co-Head of the company’s Label division. Ream will take on the role of Head of Label Creative, where he will oversee Content & Digital Strategy and Radio Promotion, while continuing to play a key role in the label’s A&R and signing strategy. “Our focus has been building a digital-first infrastructure and in-house agency that allows us to move at the speed of the audience. I’m incredibly grateful to Mark and Tyler for their trust and support in building this vision and their commitment to being active partners to our artists,” said Ream. For more, contact deborah@drpr.us.The post Assignments April 2026: Who Got Hired? first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Battle Born Explains How Its Battery Thermal Safety WorksAutopsy of Battle Born LFP battery with the ‘thermal safety’ on the bus bar. (Credit: Will Prowse)
After users of Battle Born LFP batteries encountered issues such as a heavily discolored positive terminal and other signs of overheating, multiple autopsies showed that the cause appeared to be the insertion of a thermoplastic between the bus bar and the terminal. Over time thermal creep loosened the connections, causing poor contact and melting plastic enclosures. According to Battle Born, this is actually part of an ingenious thermal safety design, and in a recently published article they explain how it works.
The basic theory appears to be that if there’s a thermal event, the ABS thermoplastic will soften and reduce the pressure on the bolted-together copper bus bar and brass terminal. This then allows for an aluminium-oxide layer to form on the aluminium connecting bolt courtesy of the dissimilar copper/aluminium interface. Aluminium-oxide is non-conductive and thus interrupts the flow of current.
Of course, there are countless issues with that theory, least of all the many reports of in-field failures. We recently covered [Will Prowse] studying the death of one of these 100 Ah LFP batteries from brand-new to failure under controlled circumstances. This clearly shows the thermal creep loosening up the connection and causing poor contact between the bus bar, the bolt and the terminal, with poor contact and thermal issues resulting.

Naturally, [Will Prowse] had to address this most recent statement by Battle Born, with the latter taking care to indirectly attack and dismiss his findings. Here Battle Born’s argument seems to hinge on the removal of the lid damaging this aluminium-oxide layer and preventing the ‘thermal safety’ from working, yet not addressed are the many batteries that failed in the field and showed loose connections due to thermal creep from the ABS layer.
It’s also never addressed why these LFP batteries cannot simply be equipped with a traditional thermal fuse rather than this convoluted contraption, among many other questions that remain. Correspondingly [Will] is rather incredulous at this response, as should anyone be who has been following this saga.

UJAM open Gorilla Engine to third-party developers UJAM’s latest announcement sees the company ‘open up’ the development platform that has powered their own product catalogue, along with releases from the likes of Avid, Reason, Loopcloud, The Crow Hill Company and others. 

From Pershing Square’s $64 billion bid for UMG to Wireless Festival’s Kanye West cancellation… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest headlines from the past seven days...
Source

Gavin Brivik on scoring Faces of Death, sound design techniques, and collaboration
In this interview, award-winning composer Gavin Brivik discusses his creative process behind composing the score for Faces of Death.

A rare retro synth signed by Bicep is up for auctionA rare MAM Systems MB33 Retro synth signed by electronic duo Bicep is up for grabs in a fundraising auction for Youth Music.
Youth Music is a national charity based in the UK that helps marginalised young people to make and monetise music. It funds grassroots music projects and supports aspiring young creatives. The auction is organised by A Noble Gift, and also features a number of other music-themed items up for grabs as well as experience gifts like spa days.

READ MORE: Loops, leaks and Roger Linn: How Akai’s MPC Sample became the most-hyped gear of 2026

Opening bids for the MAM Systems MB33 Retro start at £250. This analogue monophonic bass synth features all the core sound parameters of the classic Roland TB-303. There is little information out there about MAM Systems, but this 2017 Synth Anatomy article refers to it as “a very little company from Germany”, which developed the synth in partnership with Thomann and Musicstore.
Other goodies up for grabs include a custom-made Dr. Martens jukebox machine, hand crafted by Sound Leisure, which is one of only a small number created for Dr. Martens and was previously housed in one of their high street stores. It even offers Bluetooth connectivity.
Also on sale are two autographed Arctic Monkeys albums (AM and their most recent record, The Car), a print of the iconic ‘Bowie’s Eye’ photograph by Rankin, and an AlphaTheta X ELIJAH Omnis-Duo, a limited-edition all-in-one DJ system featuring a custom skin designed by Elijah, a London-based DJ. It also features his mantra: “If you love music, you should learn how to DJ.”
If you fancy placing a bid on the Bicep-signed MB33, then you can also check out our tutorial on how to sound like Bicep.
To learn more or place a bid, head over to A Noble Gift. You can also find out more about Youth Music.
The post A rare retro synth signed by Bicep is up for auction appeared first on MusicTech.

Elektron responds to acquisition concerns: “It strengthens our ability to realise our plans quicker”On 8 April, Swedish synth creator Elektron was acquired by Bonnier Capital, an investment arm of Swedish family-owned media conglomerate, Bonnier Group. The buyout was touted as “the beginning of a more ambitious journey” for Elektron, according to Alexander Hellström, CEO of Elektron. The immediate reaction online, however, was less optimistic — comments on MusicTech’s social media post of the news saw synth fans concerned about Elektron’s future.
Following MusicTech‘s reporting earlier this week, we reached out to Elektron with questions about the acquisition, what it means for the future of Elektron’s staff and ethos, and whether Elektron fans and customers will see a change to the brand’s beloved product line. The Elektron Team has responded in detail to each question, which you can read in full below.
MusicTech: What was the price of the acquisition? Are you making this publicly available?
Elektron: “We can’t comment on that, unfortunately, which is standard practice for acquisitions of this nature. But we can state that the acquisition took place with Elektron already in a very stable economic position. As such, we have been courted by many prospective parties. This has allowed us to be very careful in choosing the right owner or partner. Bonnier has a long-term commitment to all its investments and is investing from its own balance sheet using its own internal funds for acquisitions, without using loans or debt. We are therefore now in an even stronger financial position.”
MT: Why Bonnier Capital and why now? Was Elektron actively seeking investment, or did Bonnier approach Elektron?
E: “Elektron has been open to and received investment over the last 15 years. Our current CEO joined the company through that process a couple of years ago. The previous investment group, with Jonas Hillman as the main owner, had been leading the company since he took over in 2005. When Bonnier Capital approached us, they stood out through their long-term perspective and genuine understanding of Elektron — not just as a business, but as a company rooted in creativity and music culture.
“As custodians of the Elektron name and legacy, that was the most important factor in our decision. Many of us are Elektron users ourselves, and so that perspective is integral to how we think about the company and its direction. Bonnier Capital becoming majority owners is in many ways a continuation of the previous method, rather than a big change in the ownership process. Jonas Hillman and the management team have reinvested as part of this transition, underlining their continued commitment to Elektron.”
MT: The press release mentions that Elektron’s existing staff will remain — does this mean a commitment to no lay-offs during the transition period?
E: “The transition period is already complete. There are no plans for restructuring or lay-offs. Bonnier’s position is one of a long-term commitment to supporting already exceptional brands and teams, helping them grow and develop over time. Examples are companies such as Acast, Adlibris, and BookBeat.”
MT: Does this change any product roadmaps Elektron had that customers were anticipating?
E: “The acquisition does not change our product roadmap. If anything, it strengthens our ability to realise our plans quicker and more efficiently than we were previously able to. We remain committed to developing exciting new instruments — with some already in the works — and supporting and improving existing machines with fun OS updates and extra features — a core part of our DNA.”
Learn more about Elektron at elektron.se. Read more music tech news. 
The post Elektron responds to acquisition concerns: “It strengthens our ability to realise our plans quicker” appeared first on MusicTech.

Hip-hop figure Afrika Bambaataa has died at 68Founding hip-hop figure Afrika Bambaataa has died aged 68 due to complications from cancer. In the later years of his career, the rapper, DJ, and producer was accused of child sexual abuse and trafficking, which he denied.
Bambaataa, born Lance Taylor, grew up in the Bronx borough of New York City during the black liberation movement. In 1973, he co-founded the Universal Zulu Nation, an international hip‑hop awareness group.
His 1982 hit Planet Rock garnered global recognition and was certified Gold by the RIAA in the US. Across his career, he worked with a number of musicians across varying genres. In 1985, he helped make the anti-apartheid album Sun City along with Run-DMC, The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, Bono, Ringo Starr and many others.
As per the BBC, Bambaataa led Universal Zulu Nation until 2016, when he stepped down after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced from the 1980s and 1990s. He denied the accusations, describing them as “baseless”. In 2025, he lost a civil case in which he was accused of child sexual abuse and trafficking after failing to show up in court.
The Hip Hop Alliance shared a statement regarding Bambaataa’s death. It reads, “Today, we acknowledge the transition of a foundational architect of Hip Hop culture, Afrika Bambaataa… His vision transformed the Bronx into the birthplace of a culture that now reaches every corner of the world.”
The statement also acknowledges “that his legacy is complex and has been the subject of serious conversations within our community”, and goes on to conclude: “Today, we extend our condolences to all who were impacted by his life, his work, and his presence… Rest in Power Bam.”
You can read the full statement, posted to Instagram, below:

View this post on Instagram

The post Hip-hop figure Afrika Bambaataa has died at 68 appeared first on MusicTech.

Save 90% on IK Multimedia’s TOTAL Guitar MAX at Plugin Boutique
You can now save 89% on IK Multimedia’s TOTAL Guitar MAX as part of a limited-time deal at Plugin Boutique. It’s been quite a while now since IK Multimedia’s 2025 Group Buy promotion, and I still think about it every time the developer’s name comes up. It’s the closest we’ll ever get to playing a [...]
View post: Save 90% on IK Multimedia’s TOTAL Guitar MAX at Plugin Boutique

Sonuscore releases LUX Orchestral Strings Elements, a FREE library for Kontakt Player
Sonuscore has released LUX Orchestral Strings Elements, a free orchestral strings instrument for the free Kontakt Player. The amount of high-quality orchestral content available for free nowadays is something I still find hard to believe. Even ten years ago, getting your hands on an in-depth orchestral string library without spending serious money was pretty much [...]
View post: Sonuscore releases LUX Orchestral Strings Elements, a FREE library for Kontakt Player

Audiotool is hosting a “hackathon series” to teach people how to make virtual instruments, plugins and music education toolsAudiotool, a free multiplayer music studio, is launching a new initiative to get more people making virtual instruments, music-related games, and music education tools, without any need for coding skills.
The initiative, called Let’s Build!, partners with organisations and educational institutions around the world, and will run from 11 May – 6 July this year. This “hackathon series” will bring together students, musicians, music lovers, and developers to make apps and DAW extensions using AI-powered coding and NEXUS, Audiotool’s SDK.

READ MORE: Reason 14 is coming, with a new track panel, sequencer upgrades, and more 

Events will happen online on Audiotool’s Dev Discord, as well as in real life at partnering organisations. The resulting projects will go before a panel of judges, including Manon Dave, Head of Future World Design at BBC Research & Development and award-winning music producer who has worked on projects for will.i.am and Idris Elba.
Along with top music schools, such as Berklee and NYU, Audiotool will collaborate with some of its long-standing supporters, including the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup, and the WHO Youth Council. Let’s Build! is also supported by OpenAI, Base44, and ElevenLabs, among others.
Audiotool says that Let’s Build! is “the first step in what promises to be the complete transformation of music into a flexible world where everyone can play thanks to AI code assistants”. Andreas Jacobi, its co-founder and CEO, says its core ethos is to be “community-first”.
Jacobi says, “We have worked for years to remove barriers to collaboration, creativity, and exploration, and now technology is allowing us to tear down yet another – the technical barrier between a cool idea and an amazing new piece of software. If you can describe it, you can now build it. We can’t wait to see what community members, music-loving developers, artists, really anyone who’s excited about coding, come up with.”
Manon Dave adds, “I’m super excited to be invited to judge the Let’s Build! hackathon. I started out making tunes in my bedroom and hacking away on software similar to Audiotool, trying to find a unique sound for my music, so I know how powerful it is when you’re given the chance to get under the hood and bring your ideas to life.
“What Audiotool is doing here is opening that up even further, bringing creativity and coding together so people can build entirely new ways of making music. I’m excited to see what people create when you have the space to experiment.”
Find out more or sign up for free via Audiotool.
The post Audiotool is hosting a “hackathon series” to teach people how to make virtual instruments, plugins and music education tools appeared first on MusicTech.

MeldaProduction MLimiterX is 90% OFF for BPB readers (only €10)
MeldaProduction is offering BPB readers an exclusive 90% discount on MLimiterX, its brickwall limiter plugin. Use the coupon code BPBMLX90 at checkout to bring the price down from €99 to just €10. The offer runs until April 19th. MLimiterX is a mastering-grade brickwall limiter built on MeldaProduction’s MDynamics kernel. The whole idea here is to [...]
View post: MeldaProduction MLimiterX is 90% OFF for BPB readers (only €10)