Take a look at the Lego prototype of Ableton Push: “It was playful and not permanent, that’s what allowed us to go through many iterations”Ableton’s Head of Hardware, Jesse Terry, has shared how the early prototypes for its Push music making system were made out of Lego.
According to Terry, these prototypes allowed for early experimentation, and meant Push underwent several different iterations before he figured out the right way he wanted to put it together, including aspects like ergonomics and tactility.

READ MORE: Claude can now be plugged into Ableton to assist with your music projects

Terry discusses the prototypes in a new video with Powerhouse Museum in Australia, which is home to one of just two of these early Lego versions of Push, both designed and built by Terry. He shares how he learned about Ableton Live when writing for a music magazine, and became fascinated with the ways you could “stretch audio and move it around like a rubber band”.
“The prototype of Push is like the way I work with samples; I chopped up a bunch of other products and sampled the parts of them that I wanted,” he goes on to explain. “Push was reconciling those worlds of using my hands, playing rhythmically, playing with nuance and swing, and the world of the computer, which can process audio in such cool ways.
“The Lego prototype went through many, many phases of moving buttons around, trying to figure out what was the right ergonomics for it, figuring out where and what buttons we wanted to have to do the different functions. It was playful and not permanent, and that’s what allowed us to go through so many iterations to get the right thing.”
He adds, “The tactility is important because you get nuances of rhythm and pitch with your fingers that you can’t get using a mouse or a computer keyboard. There’s these variations that are off the grid that I think is what makes human music have soul. We wanted something that could let beginners play it without years of training, but also something that would reward practice and let you become a virtuoso.”
Watch the full video below:

Ableton launched its Live 12.4 update earlier this month, bringing a number of new creative and workflow improvements, as well as new features for Ableton’s Push, Move and Note. The update is completely free for existing Live 12 users.
Find out more about Push via the Ableton website. 
The post Take a look at the Lego prototype of Ableton Push: “It was playful and not permanent, that’s what allowed us to go through many iterations” appeared first on MusicTech.

Assignments May 2026: Who Got Hired?Allie Moskovits

Head of Sync & Business Development

The Patron Saints of Music

The Patron Saints of Music has appointed Allie Moskovits as Head of Sync & Business Development. In the newly created role, Moskovits will lead sync strategy for Patron Saints’ rapidly expanding catalog to drive new business opportunities across TV, film, ads, gaming, and emerging media platforms. “I’m incredibly excited to join Patron Saints of Music,” said Moskovits. “Sync is evolving quickly, and I look forward to growing this historic company into bold new opportunities that connect its incredible music with today’s expansive media landscape.” For more, contact kelly@kelleemackpr.com.

Stevie Heckert

Senior Manager, Digital Marketing

The Syndicate

The Syndicate announced the hiring of digital strategy expert Stevie Heckert as Senior Manager, Digital Marketing. “I deeply admire The Syndicate’s reputation for thoughtful, culture-forward campaigns,” said Heckert. “Joining a dynamic team that prioritizes building genuine connections with fans through innovative thinking is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to building smart, impactful strategies that help our clients break through in substantial ways.” For more, contact jeff@thesyn.com.

Greg Levin

Chief Executive Officer/Board Member

Starbird

Starbird announced the appointment of Greg Levin as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, effective immediately. Levin will lead the company’s next phase of national expansion, bringing a guest-first leadership mindset, a proven record of scaling premium restaurant brands and deep experience building disciplined, high-performing restaurant concepts and operating systems. “As Starbird expands nationally, my focus is on building upon our strong, values-driven culture and strengthening execution and guest hospitality at every level,” said Levin. For more, contact pdonahie@championmgt.com.

Guji Lorenzana

Director, A&R & Client Development, APAC

Symphonic

Symphonic has promoted Guji Lorenzana to Director, A&R and Client Development, APAC. In his new role, Lorenzana will oversee regional A&R strategy, client development, and team growth across key APAC markets, working closely with artists, labels, and partners throughout Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Australia. “The APAC team has been thriving under Guji’s leadership,” said Ed Poston, Head of A&R at Symphonic. For more, contact laurie@jaybirdcom.com.

Josh Kritzler

President, North American Venues & Content

Legends Global

Legends Global has announced that Josh Kritzler has been appointed to President, North American Venues & Content. In this role, Kritzler will oversee the company’s portfolio of North American arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers and lead venue operations, content, and booking across the network. “I’m excited to step into this role and work alongside our teams to bring even greater alignment across content, commercial strategy, and operations,” said Kritzler. For more, contact sescudero@legendsglobal.com.

Jaymie Lunt

Junior Designer

The Syndicate

The Syndicate announced the expansion of its Creative Department with the addition of Jaymie Lunt as Junior Designer. Lunt most recently led marketing efforts for Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, where she played a central role in solidifying brand identity and elevating creative output through dynamic content and engaging design. Her background blends live music culture with strong visual storytelling, making her a natural fit for The Syndicate’s expanding roster of entertainment clients. For more, contact jeff@thesyn.com.

Mike Easterlin

Managing Director

ONErpm

ONErpm has hired Mike Easterlin as Managing Director of its Nashville division. Easterlin brings decades of experience in A&R and promotion to the role. “I’ve always believed in the independent spirit of artists—the drive to create, take risks, and build something real. Helping talent find their voice and turn it into a lasting career has always been my passion,” said Easterlin. ”ONErpm embodies those same values: passion, focus, transparency, and a real commitment to giving artists a global platform to grow on their own terms.” For more, contact jonathan@rockpaperscissors.biz.

Nick Weakley

Social Media Manager

Milestone Collective

Milestone Collective, the music-focused agency combining public relations and social media expertise, has promoted Nick Weakley to Social Media Manager, effective immediately. This title recognizes his creativity, strategic digital insight, and commitment to raising artists’ online presence, all supported by his deep passion for the music industry and the clients he represents. “From day one, Nick’s ambition, dedication, and willingness to expand his skillset, empowering our artists to make a greater impact on their social media platforms, stood out,” said Mike Gowen, the company’s founder and CEO. For more, contact jessica@milestonecollective.com.The post Assignments May 2026: Who Got Hired? first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Force56 Audio Software LAR-32 Synth VST ProLAR-32 Synth VST Pro is a sample-based virtual instrument featuring the complete melodic bank collection of the LAR-32 Synth VST series, inspired by the legendary Roland MT-32 era used throughout classic DOS games, adventure game soundtracks and retro MIDI productions. Built for composers, sound designers, preservation enthusiasts and retro computing fans, the Pro edition provides access to the full melodic library of LAR-32 Synth VST through a modern and streamlined workflow designed for contemporary DAWs. The collection includes multi-sampled keyboards, choirs, orchestral textures, synth leads, basses, fantasy pads and atmospheric instruments inspired by the characteristic sound world of vintage PC game music. LAR-32 Synth VST Pro includes: Full melodic bank collection (118 banks). Sample-based playback engine. Extensive multi-sampled retro-inspired sound library. VST3, AU and standalone versions. Windows and macOS support. Permanent access to Pro bank downloads. Free lifetime plugin updates. Fast bank browsing and modern workflow. LAR-32 Synth VST Pro was created both as a creative production tool and as a tribute to the golden age of MIDI-based computer music, helping bring classic MT-32 inspired sounds into modern music production environments. Ideal for: Retro game soundtrack production. DOS and adventure game inspired music. Vintage MIDI arrangements. Atmospheric electronic music. Retro computing music preservation. Related Links: Official Website Free Demo Download Roland MT-32 VST Roland MT-32 Plugin Looking for a curated and lightweight edition? Search for our related product, LAR-32 Synth VST Lite. LAR-32 Synth VST is an independent product developed by Force56 Audio Software, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Roland Corporation. Read More

Starship’s path to reusability looks murky after SpaceX’s S-1SpaceX's recent IPO and Starship rocket test flight delivered two big data points that offer a realistic vision for the coming years — and one that may disappoint both the company's boosters and its critics.

Get free lo-fi electric keys for Splice INSTRUMENT
Download our free lo-fi electric keys preset for Splice INSTRUMENT—grab these presets during the drop window and they’re yours to keep forever.

Honeywell X2S Smart Thermostat Firmware Reverse-EngineeringThe Honeywell X2S Smart Thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat that is meant to integrate with your typical ‘smart home’ setup, with mobile app control available as well. Of course, just using it as-is would be extremely boring, so fortunately we have [author0] to take it apart and reverse-engineer its encrypted firmware.
Of the two brains in this thermostat the first is a succinctly named Renesas R7FA6M4AF3CFP MCU containing a 200 MHz Cortex-M33 core with TrustZone features to theoretically keep out any firmware hackers. Handling the wireless side is a Realtek RTL8721DM Wi-Fi/BLE 5.0 SoC. There are also two Winbond Flash chips connected to these two main chips, with their contents of course encrypted.
Fortunately there are plenty of test points to connect to, for which a custom pogo-pin equipped breakout board was created. Cracking the encryption for the Realtek turned out to be as simple as using its RSIP decrypt-on-the-fly feature. From there exploring the firmware was the next step, with a TLS issue pertaining to certificates found to make man-in-the-middle attacks easy, along with a seeding bug that makes recovering session keys possible.
Although the Renesas MCU firmware still has to be decrypted and the full wireless handshake reverse-engineered, these do seem to be solid steps towards fully reverse-engineering this thermostat. It also makes it very clear once again that the ‘S’ in IoT absolutely stands for ‘security’. Maybe that’s why the smart home bubble popped.

UK authorities sanction HTX crypto exchange over support for RussiaFormerly Huobi Global, the exchange is the latest entity to be named as part of a crackdown on companies “exploited by Russia to circumvent UK sanctions.”

UMG and Sony seek to add over 61k recordings to Suno lawsuit after discovery reveals AI trained on ‘millions’ of their copyrighted tracksThe labels say they are asserting "only a small fraction" of those recordings – 61,026 works – in the proposed second amended complaint.
Source

Sennheiser unveils new flagship MOMENTUM 5 wireless headphones, built to “disappear on your head”Sennheiser has unveiled the latest addition to its MOMENTUM range of wireless headphones, which the brand describes as a “major step forward” for the flagship series.
MOMENTUM 5 headphones are said to be the “most capable” and user-focused evolution of the series, preserving the sound and battery performance of the line while introducing new enhancements, including 57 hours of battery life per charge with ANC engaged, and a user-replaceable 700 mAh battery.

READ MORE: How Sennheiser’s HD 480 PRO headphones have become essential to my daily workflow

The headphones host Snapdragon Sound technology featuring Bluetooth audio codec support up to aptX Lossless. Users can also access a free Smart Control Plus companion app with new 8-band EQ, presets, and a Sound Personalisation engine to shape the output to your preferences.
According to Sennheiser, the headphones are also up to three times more effective at reducing distracting background noise like voice chatter due to a supercharged active noise cancelling system; the number of microphones dedicated to ANC and transparency duties has doubled, with four microphones per side.
Credit: Sennheiser
The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless platform additionally gives owners new capabilities through firmware updates to the DSP and wireless engines. Early adopters will get day one updates, unlocking Dolby Atmos with head-tracking when listening to supported Atmos content. The headphones are even ready for Bluetooth 6.0 via a future firmware release.
“With MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, we focused on refining the entire experience without straying from the formula that made its predecessor such a success,” states Product Manager Sreenath ‘Sri’ Unnikrishnan. “These enhancements enrich the overall functionality while still capturing the magic you feel every time you press play.”
“With MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, we’re proving that high-performance sound and environmental responsibility can – and must – exist in the same product. With our new user-swappable battery, adaptable hardware, and shift to compact, plastic-free packaging, our customers will feel proud to choose a headphone meant to last,” adds Lilika Beck, President, Sennheiser Consumer Audio.
MOMENTUM 5 will be available in Black, White, and Denim finishes, and have an RRP of £329.90 / €399.90 / $399.99 / $749 AUD. Sales in the UK start on 30 June. Head to Sennheiser to find out more.
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Morphoice releases EightySix (beta), a FREE Juno-6 emulation for macOS and Windows
Developer Morphoice has released the beta version of EightySix, a free Juno-6 emulation for macOS and Windows. EightySix is free right now, but this beta version may stop working when a final release is introduced. The final release may be paid only. Morphoice is a producer, composer, and developer based in Germany. As a musician [...]
View post: Morphoice releases EightySix (beta), a FREE Juno-6 emulation for macOS and Windows

Tape Effects Collection from AIR Music Tech AIR Music Tech’s latest release delivers a set of plug-ins that aim to capture the character, movement and behaviour of three classic tape-based effects.

Save BIG on classic Roland plugins for a limited time at Plugin BoutiqueFor a limited time, Plugin Boutique is offering a cornucopia of Roland plugins at a fraction of the cost. The Icons of Sound sale sees the brand’s software synths, drum machines and exclusive bundles offered anywhere between 30% to 79% off until 31 May.
The biggest drop comes in the form of Roland’s Legends Bundle. Originally £442.99, a whopping 79% discount means you can grab this collection for just £89. The bundle includes three of Roland’s most coveted plugins: the TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines, and the JUNO-106 polysynth. The vintage-inspired collection comes as a great way of packing some authentic, old school punch to your production.
[deals ids=”43jMTDyoo5PpoyKd8pEWeb”]
Elsewhere, you can grab more throwback sounds with the Vintage Keys Essentials Bundle. Sitting at 77% off, the bundle is also available for just £89. The collection is a more synth-centric offering, boasting a killer trio of the JUPITER-8 polysynth, SH-101 monophonic synth, to the soulful D-50, with its nifty joystick interface.
There’s also sales on the Analog Monosynth Collection, with the quintet of analogue-inspired synths going for £134, a 49% discount. The collection offers an array of late ‘70s and ‘80s sounds, including soft synthesisers SH-101 and SYSTEM-100, mono synth SH-2, acid house’s favourite TB-303 Bass Line, and the JUPITER-4-inspired PROMARS.

READ MORE: “Who cares if you layer two kicks if it sounds great?”: Collect 200 talk synths, samples and letting the strongest parts of your tracks speak for themselves

Speaking of the JUPITER-4, Roland’s Analog Polysynth Collection is also available for £179 and comes with JUPITER-4. The bundle also features the JUPITER-8, the JUNO-60, the JX-3P and, last but not least, the JUNO-106.
For those after a slew of drum machines, the self-explanatory Drum Machine Collection could have you sorted. A 59% discount means its not available for £179, and it features five plugins with an ‘80s flavour. The bundle offers two of the same plugins as the Legends Bundle, the TR-808 and TR-909, as well as the TR-606, TR-707 and the Latin and reggaeton magic of the TR-727.
If you’re after a specific plugin, there’s also 33% off across Roland’s drum machines, with many sitting at £89 (with the exception of an even more enticing 66% off the TR-909, which is £44). Synth-wise, there’s more variety, with the JUNO-106 and SH-101 costing £44, while the JUPITER-8 costs £89.
To discover more Roland Icons of Sound deals, head to Plugin Boutique.
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Spotify partners with UMG on AI-powered remix tool as part of a “superfan initiative” designed to “support human artistry”Spotify is launching an AI-powered tool backed by Universal Music Group that will allow fans to create covers and remixes of songs.
The tool utilises generative AI tech and forms part of new recorded music and music publishing licensing agreements between Spotify and UMG. It will open additional revenue streams for artists, and will eventually launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users.

READ MORE: Judge orders Anna’s Archive to pay $322 million for scraping 86 million tracks from Spotify

This feature will only include music from “participating artists and songwriters”, though it is not clear at this point how artists can opt out or opt in. Spotify argues that the feature will be “grounded in consent, credit, and compensation”.
Alex Norström, Co-CEO of Spotify, says (via the Spotify Newsroom): “Solving hard problems for music is what Spotify does, and fan-made covers and remixes are next. What we’re building is grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part.
“Through each technological transformation, we have worked together with Sir Lucian [UMG CEO] and his team to evolve the music ecosystem into a richer, more beneficial experience for fans and a more rewarding outcome for artists and songwriters.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO at Universal Music Group, adds. “The most valuable innovations in the music business always bring artists and fans closer together. That principle is at the heart of this pioneering AI-enabled superfan initiative, which is designed to support human artistry, deepen fan relationships, and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters.
“Building on our long track record of leading the industry through technology changes, and collaborating with Alex, Gustav, Daniel and the team at Spotify, this initiative is firmly artist-centric, rooted in responsible AI, and will drive growth for the entire ecosystem.”
Interestingly, Spotify has also begun to roll out a new review feature that lets artists approve new releases before they go live on their profile. The feature was made in response to the rise of AI tracks, as well as incidents of songs landing on the wrong pages. The streaming service said at the launch in March that it is making the protection of artist identity a “top priority for 2026”.
Head over to the Spotify Newsroom to find out more.
The post Spotify partners with UMG on AI-powered remix tool as part of a “superfan initiative” designed to “support human artistry” appeared first on MusicTech.

JZ Microphones announce the MU-1 JZ's latest creation has been developed to offer a quicker and simpler solution to the popular approach of combining ribbon and capacitor mics on a single source.

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: the same ultra-low latency as the big brands without the hefty price£180, oneodio.com
Wireless DJ headphones have always sounded like one of those ideas that works better in a marketing meeting than it does in a club booth. A decision based on the tech bros solving a problem that doesn’t need solving. DJs are creatures of habit, after all, and few things are more deeply ingrained to a DJ than their choice of headphones and other kit. Any threat of latency, or a short battery life, has traditionally been enough to kill the concept before it ever reached a dancefloor.

READ MORE: The best headphones for music producers, DJs and musicians to buy right now

But OneOdio thinks it may finally have a neat solution; in collaboration with DJ and producer KSHMR, it could finally have made one headphone for all. The Studio Max 2 promises ultra-low-latency wireless monitoring aimed at DJs, while also functioning as a Bluetooth listening pair and wired studio headphones. On paper, it’s an ambitious all-in-one proposition and, at this price point, perhaps an unexpectedly convincing one too.
Image: Press
Going outside the box with the OneOdio Studio Max 2
Unboxed, the Studio Max 2s feel reassuringly luxurious. There’s a large sturdy hard shell carry case, an internal pouch for accessories and both straight and coiled cables included for wired use, as well as the dongle. The bundled 2.4 GHz transmitter dongle is what gives the headphones’ claimed nine-millisecond low latency performance using OneOdio’s RapidWill+ 3.0 wireless technology. And, it works. A single long press on the one button on the dongle and the central button on the right headphone cup connects you.
In use, there’s no noticeable lag while mixing. No interference, no drop-outs. Cueing tracks, beatmatching and quick cuts all feel natural in a way Bluetooth headphones simply never have before. If you’ve spent years instinctively dismissing wireless DJ headphones as unusable, the Studio Max 2 challenges that. Switching between modes is also handled neatly with the flick of a switch on the right headphone cup. Voice prompts announce connection states with phrases like “Bluetooth Mode, Connected” and “Low Latency Mode, Connected”, which is neat, but I would have personally also liked a clear visual cue on the dongle for the DJ booth.
Image: Press
Studio Max 2 are More than just DJ headphones
Part of the Studio Max 2’s appeal is that they’re clearly designed to live beyond the DJ booth. The low latency will also have appeal for gamers. Plus, connected to a phone over Bluetooth, OneOdio’s companion app lets you tweak the sound profile using a 10-band EQ, with settings carrying over into low latency mode too.
The app itself is functional, if slightly rough around the edges. Presets are oddly visualised, with one Bass Mode graphic featuring somebody playing guitar feeling particularly random, but most users here will likely ignore the presets entirely and head straight for the custom EQ.
The EQ is responsive and useful, yet it feels like a missed opportunity not to allow separate EQ profiles for Bluetooth listening and DJ monitoring. This would be a great feature in an update.
Image: Press
Build and comfort
The Studio Max 2 looks and feels more premium than its price might suggest. The 180-degree rotating and reversible earcups follow the familiar DJ headphone formula, although the plastic hinge sections do raise long term durability concerns if you’re picking up your cans by the ear cup. In my experience this is where most DJ headphones eventually fail. But being wireless, maybe you are leaving these on your head or neck, so picking up and putting down headphones less often? Again, those things I mention will depend on how you use your headphones when DJing. That said, during gig use the headphones feel solid enough, with no obvious creaks or weaknesses developing and I’m not worried at all about build quality, at least in the short term.
Comfort is another strong point. The earcups sit well during extended sessions and the headphones can handle high volume levels comfortably without becoming harsh. One particularly welcome touch is passive operation via cable even when the battery dies. That may sound basic, but it’s absolutely essential for any DJ headphone.
Image: Press
The sound of OneOdio’s Studio Max 2
I don’t feel short-changed on the sound. OneOdio has equipped them with 45mm drivers, comfortably within the standard range for DJ focused headphones, and there’s plenty of output available when needed. Obviously with sound, this is where things become a little more subjective. For DJing specifically, the Studio Max 2 lacks some of the instantly aggressive low-mid punch associated with classic booth headphones from brands like Pioneer DJ or Sennheiser. Out of the box, mixes can feel slightly lighter and less forceful while cueing in loud environments.
However, that sensation seems partly tied to isolation of the cups, rather than outright sound quality. The earcups don’t block external noise as well as others I have used, meaning club volume bleeds through more than I’m used to.
Outside of DJing, though, the tuning makes much more sense. For casual listening, production work and general studio use, the Studio Max 2 sounds balanced, detailed and enjoyable without becoming overly hyped or fatiguing.
Image: Press
Should I buy OneOdio’s Studio Max 2?
Studio Max 2 is a success, because it avoids trying to be purely a DJ headphone. Instead, it aims to become the single pair you use for everything, from studio work and Bluetooth listening to wired sessions and low latency DJing, and for the most part, it succeeds.
The wireless performance is the real breakthrough here. For the first time, ultra-low-latency DJ headphones feel genuinely viable. Although, like Bluetooth, it would be nice if manufacturers could all agree on a low-latency wireless audio standard that could be built into pro devices like DJ kit and audio interfaces. The AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 are locked into Pioneer’s SonicLink which new mixers like the A5 have built in, but unless that becomes standard, we are going to replace a cable with a dongle, which doesn’t feel like much of a win for me.
Hardcore club DJs may still prefer the isolation, impact and battle tested durability of traditional wired options. But for DJs wanting flexibility without sacrificing usable performance, the Studio Max 2 makes a surprisingly strong case for cutting the cord. They deliver exactly as promised, and are hard to fault at the price.
I do think most DJs are happy with their robust, wired reliability for now. But, if you want to dance on top of the DJ booth or slam cakes into the faces of your audience, OneOdio’s Studio Max 2 offers wireless freedom at a mega-competitive price point.
Image: Press
Key Features

Wireless closed-back headphones
Ultra-low latency mode (9 ms)
Bluetooth 6.0
120-hour battery life and fast charging via USB-C

The post OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: the same ultra-low latency as the big brands without the hefty price appeared first on MusicTech.