Psycho Circuitry Releases FREE Razorgate Dynamics Processor
Psycho Circuitry releases Razorgate, a FREE dynamics processor for macOS and Windows Razorgate by Psycho Circuitry is a free dynamics processor with a bit of attitude. As the catchy name suggests, Razorgate slices away any unwanted audio. In typical Psycho Circuitry fashion, Razorgate can be quite transformative by adding the additional character inspired by analog [...]
View post: Psycho Circuitry Releases FREE Razorgate Dynamics Processor

EastWest on how to make a plugin fit for the big screen with Hollywood Strings 2Ad feature with EastWest Sounds.
Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix know a thing or two about samples. Over the course of an almost 30-year creative partnership, the pair have raised the bar time and again, releasing wildly popular instruments, racking up industry awards, and pioneering new levels of musical realism.
So, when they say composers need a new orchestral string library, it’s probably worth listening to their reasoning.
EastWest, which Rogers founded in 1988, already offers two comprehensive, award-winning orchestral libraries: Symphonic Orchestra, and Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition. Hell, it also offers a fantasy-focused orchestral library that won this year’s prestigious NAMM TEC award for best musical instrument software. Still, they say, something was missing.
“I wanted a drier, closer, ‘in your face’ sound,” says Rogers, who takes the lead on shaping the sonic identity of EastWest’s libraries. “I wanted something where you’re actually in the sound of the instrument.”

That desire has culminated in Hollywood Strings 2 — a library that dispenses with standard string recording techniques and instead prioritises dry, intimate, meticulous samples. The results speak for themselves, with a hyper-focused string sound that sizzles on the ear drums. As Phoenix puts it: “I think this library takes it up to another notch, like you haven’t seen before.”
Considering that Rogers and Phoenix have access to some of the best-sounding rooms in the world, it might seem counterintuitive to record a string orchestra with minimal reverb. But, as Rogers points out, while luscious natural acoustics may sound great, they lock you into a specific type of scoring and mixing. “If you’re doing horror films, then you don’t want any room ambience, you don’t want that big Star Wars sound.
“Typically,” he continues, “When you’re recording orchestral instruments, you want the sound to merge with the acoustics of the room. Once you get into a big, 2,500-seat concert hall, like we did with Symphonic Orchestra, it’s a 50/50 combination of the instrument and the hall. We absolutely did not want that here.”
EastWest Sounds Hollywood Strings 2
Seeing the need for a more versatile string library, the pair eschewed the instantly recognisable resonance of EastWest’s Studio One, and instead opted for the much smaller, and drier, Studio Two. “It’s a little unusual,” admits Rogers, “Studio Two is the rock room at EastWest.”
And not just any rock room, Studio Two has been home to bands like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Weezer, REM, and Rage Against The Machine. It’s where they recorded some of the most iconic records of the 90s and 2000s. But the room still has pedigree when it comes to string sessions.
“If you look at the history of the studio, this was the room where the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Hawaii Five-O soundtracks were done back in the 60s,” Rogers says. “But creating a virtual instrument that has the versatility of a dry room, I think we’re the first to do this in here.”
In Studio Two, they had a room that balanced tight acoustics with a warm tone, but that was only part of the puzzle. The aim was to get samples with such detail that it would feel like your ear was right up against the body of the instrument – something that other sample instrument makers have tried to do but, in Rogers view, none have achieved. “I had looked at other collections that attempted to do this,” he says. “To my ears, they just weren’t close enough.”

“This type of sound really hasn’t been perfected,” agrees Phoenix. “There’s a lot of deficiencies in what’s been attempted in the past.”
The two producers tapped legendary mix engineer Shawn Murphy to help them get the sound they were looking for. With credits including blockbuster films like Titanic, Mission Impossible, Jurassic Park, and the Star Wars franchise, Murphy had built a career perfecting the kind of gigantic orchestral sounds that Rogers and Phoenix were specifically trying to avoid –nonetheless, they felt confident that he was the man for the job.
“He brings to the table an immense amount of experience,” says Rogers. “I said to him, ‘Shawn, I want to do something completely opposite to what you normally try to achieve, I want to be in the sound hole of the instruments’. So, he came up with the idea of putting clip-on DPA mics on all the instruments, and it just sounded incredible.”
To ensure maximum versatility, those super close clip-on DPA’s were backed up by two other close miking options, mid-fields, a classic Decca Tree to add warmth, and surround mics. “The user gets access to all of these different mic positions,” Rogers says. “They can have it literally in the sound hole of the instrument, or they can have a full Dolby Atmos mix, and anything in between.”

Alongside an ultra-focused string sound, and versatile mixing options, Phoenix says it was also essential to ensure the library was satisfying to play and compatible with other collections in EastWest’s sprawling catalogue of sample instruments.
“We’ve learned a lot from our previous ventures into orchestral sampling,” reflects Phoenix. “In this library, there’s a consistency to all the articulations and the sections that makes it a real pleasure to use – and, even though it has a much more intimate sound, it can easily be used alongside things we’ve recorded in Studio One, such as the original Hollywood Strings library.”
Despite that compatibility, when it comes to its purpose Rogers says Hollywood Strings 2 is the “complete opposite” to its predecessor. “It’s designed for horror, romanticism, and total intimacy,” he states. “I think for media and game composers who need strings to provide an atmosphere, but don’t want that bombastic ‘hit every wall’ sound, this is going to be very, very useful.”
By getting up close and personal with the string section, Rogers and Phoenix haven’t just created a beautifully detailed sample instrument — they’ve rounded out EastWest’s orchestral offerings into a one-stop-shop.
“The goal was to fill the missing gap between our Symphonic Orchestra and Hollywood orchestra,” says Rogers. “Now, users are able to do anything they want to do.”
Learn more about Hollywood Strings 2
The post EastWest on how to make a plugin fit for the big screen with Hollywood Strings 2 appeared first on MusicTech.

Viral HiChord goes live on Kickstarter — and raises £90k in the first dayLast November, a charming little synthesiser started popping up around TikTok. While it was only in its prototype phase, the HiChord had people thoroughly intrigued. Over the following months, users eagerly watched the dreamy retro synth’s development.
After six months of trial and error, the HiChord is finally ready. And the loyal fans made their support clear – the synth has raised nearly £90,000 on Kickstarter in its first day.

READ MORE: Blipblox MPC-style sampler myTRACKS aims to make music production fun for all

But what is it about the HiChord that has people so excited? The pocket-sized synth taps into a child-like sense of creativity – the small device looks and feels like a toy, with its seven buttons and joystick. The hands-on simplicity urges you to get stuck in and play around.
Chords are also made easy with the HiChord. Users select which musical key they wish to play in, and the HiChord does the rest – users can then play a perfectly suited chord with just one button. This allows for an inspiring musical experience, as users can never hit a bum note. The joystick then allows users to extend, modify and embellish the chord to their heart’s content.

@hichord
Quick HiChord jam – available for pre-order on Kickstarer #hichord #synth #kickstarter
♬ original sound – HiChord

While the synth has a focus on fun, there’s also an effort to help users learn. As you play with the synth, the OLED displays the current chord name, key, and other useful information, allowing you to understand more about chord progression.
The HiChord also comes with a range of built-in effects. From delay, reverb, tremolo, glide and more, users will truly be able to tweak their sound. There’s also a 10-oscillator digital synth engine with multiple wave forms, as well as arpeggio modes.
Powered by a rechargeable battery and boasting a built-in speaker the portable design is perfect for creating on the go. It’s also a great synth for the touring musician, with a high-quality 3.55mm output that is perfect for the studio or while performing. It can even fit on your guitar!

@hichord
#omnichord #teenageengineering #udosuper6 #dirtywavem8tracker #fender #chords #HiChord #chordprogression #critterandguitari
♬ original sound – HiChord

Backers supporting the current campaign are set to receive a classy orange, black and white HiChord. If there are enough backers, the HiChord will also be available in muted yellow/cream.
The HiChord is available to pre-order for £199 on Kickstarter, with plans to start shipping out in August.
The post Viral HiChord goes live on Kickstarter — and raises £90k in the first day appeared first on MusicTech.

Access “royalty-free loops and one-shots” with Tracklib’s new Sounds featureMusic sampling service Tracklib has unveiled Sounds, a new feature allowing producers to access a range of authentically recorded, royalty-free loops and one-shots.
Sounds complements Tracklib’s existing library of song samples, making it a convenient one-stop shop for music producers who subscribe to Tracklib’s service.

READ MORE: The samples used in every album from The Prodigy have been tracked down in one colossal YouTube video

For those who aren’t familiar, Tracklib simplifies the sample-clearing process for both indie and major artists. Samples cleared through Tracklib have featured in songs by some of the industry’s biggest names including Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. The company’s popular Sample Breakdown series has garnered over 100 million views at the time of writing.

With the addition of Sounds, Tracklib now offers everything from the slaps of a 808 drum machine to the vocals of an obscure 70s track, all with just one subscription.
Users can choose between three subscription tiers: Lite ($8.99/month), Premium ($13.99/month) and Max ($19.99/month). Sounds and unlimited sample clearance is included for Premium and Max subscribers. Annual plans are also available, which saves you two months’ worth of subscription fees. Users who want to try out the service can sign up for a free three-day trial.
“We maintain that music should remain a human process; everything you hear in our library has been created and curated with care by real musicians – it’s all about having the right sounds as opposed to the most sounds,” says Tracklib Chairman Andreas Liffgarden.
Andreas Ahlenius, Tracklib’s CEO, added: “This is a pivotal moment for Tracklib and our customers. Not only can music makers access hundreds of thousands of incredible songs, but we’ve now entered the royalty-free sound space, making Tracklib the one-stop platform for music production.”
Earlier this year, Tracklib removed the licence fee for most of its subscription plans, allowing users to clear an unlimited number of samples without extra costs. The company says that the number of samples cleared through its service has tripled since the move.
The post Access “royalty-free loops and one-shots” with Tracklib’s new Sounds feature appeared first on MusicTech.

From Universal’s TikTok deal to Blackstone’s bid for Hipgnosis Songs Fund… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days…
Source

4 Hacks that can Improve a Musician’s Quality of Life [Bobby Owsinski]Not feeling great lately? Here are four simple rules to live by that are bound to put some extra spring in your step and get you focused on doing what. Continue reading
The post 4 Hacks that can Improve a Musician’s Quality of Life [Bobby Owsinski] appeared first on Hypebot.

7 Ways Musicians can make Money on YouTubeYouTube offers tons of features to help creators like you optimize the money they’re making from the platform. Are you utilizing everything they have to offer? If not, here are some big ones you definitely don’t want to miss in 2024…..
The post 7 Ways Musicians can make Money on YouTube appeared first on Hypebot.

Dangerous Music announce S&M Anniversary Edition Dangerous Music are manufacturing a limited number of the S&M, a Mid-Side processing matrix that was much loved by mixing and mastering engineers.

RealCount: A talk with founder Diana GremoreDiana Gremore shares insights into RealCount, the live event analytics platform that is making waves and redefining the standard for ticketing data.....
The post RealCount: A talk with founder Diana Gremore appeared first on Hypebot.

Live Nation revenue reached $3.8bn last quarter; attendance grew 21% to 23m fans in Q1The concert giant's latest financial results were published on Thursday (May 2)
Source

Reason 13 is coming in June – with a host of workflow improvements and thousands of new patches, samples and loopsReason Studios has announced the latest iteration of its Reason DAW software, and with a heavy focus on workflow improvement, Reason 13 may be the company’s most streamlined and intuitive release yet. It isn’t out until June, but we’ve been given a glimpse in advance.

READ MORE: “Reason’s competition is actually Netflix and Steam”: CEO Niklas Agevik sees Reason as more than just a DAW

Most significantly, Reason 13 will include a brand-new browser. Users will be able to browse patches, samples and loops, all in one place. Users will be able to filter by names and categories, making it far easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
There will also be improvements on Reason’s sound bank library. Reason 13 will have thousands of new patches, samples and loops to choose from. Reason Studios has also packed in new Rack services, such as a Sidechain Tool, a Gain Tool and Stereo Tool to toy with your stereo width.
There’s also a new Polytone Dual-Layer Synthesiser inspired by the warmth of a classic, vintage Polytone synth. The Ripley Space Delay will also offer a nice combination of delay and reverb, offering some lo-fi, space-y ambience.
Not only has Reason Studios made it easier to navigate through your sounds, but the company has also improved its sequencer and editing process. With improved zooming and layout changes, Reason 13 is set to be a huge improvement on Reason 12, making it so users can focus on the creative process.
“We are thrilled to introduce Reason 13 to the world,” Product Manager Mattias Häggström Gerdt writes in Reason Studios’ latest announcement. “Our goal with this upgrade was to improve Reason’s unique music making workflow. Whether it’s your main DAW or go-to plugin, Reason 13 adds a ton of features – all designed to get you to your sound faster.”
Reason fans are already starting to express their excitement. “I was a beta tester and it gets crazy,” one commenter teases in an Instagram comment.
“Stepped away since it went subscription based but I still think you’re doing some lovely work,” another commenter says. “One day I may have to come back… Will 13 lure me in?”
YouTuber Chris Reed Beats also streamed his reaction to the announcement, regularly expressing his disbelief. “I didn’t think we’d get a Reason update so soon, I’mma be real with you all,” he grins at one point.

“There have been a lot of people complaining that Reason can sound thin… but this release looks like it will allow you to add more colours,” Reed assesses. “I already have so many ideas in my head as to how I can use [the Ripley Space Delay]!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reason Studios (@reasonstudios)

Despite not dropping til June, one particular fan has already committed to Reason 13 for life. In a video posted by Reason Studios, one guy has got a huge 13 tattooed on his leg above the Reason Studios box logo. Fair to say the Reason Gang are incredibly committed to their DAW of choice!
Reason 13 will be available for purchase on 18th June. For more information, and to hear sample sounds, check out Reason Studios’ official Reason 13 announcement.
The post Reason 13 is coming in June – with a host of workflow improvements and thousands of new patches, samples and loops appeared first on MusicTech.

Native Instruments release Glaze 2 Native Instruments' latest release packs in a powerful selection of vocal-production tools aimed at hip hop and pop producers.

SoundCloud launches fan-driven Buzzing Playlists to spotlight new artists and musicSoundCloud has launched ‘Buzzing Playlists’, a new “fan-powered” feature that spotlights up-and-coming artists and their music.
Updated weekly, these playlists are sourced from Next Pro artists (Soundcloud’s paid subscription program) who have opted in to have their tracks analysed by First Fans. The feature will help expose artists to more listeners, lending them the opportunity to be heard by potential new fans. Meanwhile, fans can discover new music based on what other fans are connecting with

READ MORE: UMG is returning to TikTok after settlement of months-long dispute

Featuring songs “based on genuine fan engagement”, Buzzing Playlists will showcase fresh tracks from the best up-and-coming Next Pro artists across various genres including Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, and Electronic.
Here’s how the feature works:
First, SoundCloud Next Pro artists can upload a fresh track and opt-in to have it analysed by First Fans, the platform’s AI recommendation algorithm (Launched last year, First Fans uses machine learning to match people’s music tastes to a song’s profile).
After analysing these uploads, First Fans will recommend the track to up to 100 listeners – “real listeners, not bots”, Soundcloud emphasises – who are most likely to love it, based on their past listening behaviour.
From there, the top tracks are then recommended to more listeners, up to 1000. The highest performing tracks of those recommended i.e. the ones that listeners engage with the most (engagement, plays, replays and playlist adds) will earn a spot on Buzzing playlist.

BUZZING is here. We’re highlighting tracks from emerging pop, hip hop, r&b and electronic artists on our brand new, engagement-based playlists.
Check them out now: https://t.co/WIF7FhgqGy pic.twitter.com/j6IDYuh7fj
— SoundCloud (@SoundCloud) May 2, 2024

In other news, a recent BBC investigation revealed that Illegal synthetic opioids, which have been linked to nearly three UK deaths a week on average, have been advertised on SoundCloud and X.
The drugs, known as nitazenes, were reportedly advertised across nearly 3,000 posts on SoundCloud and more than 700 on X. The investigation found that these ads often appear in the form of brief, seconds-long audio clips, with the drug’s name and dealer contact details appearing as the title of the track.
Learn more at SoundCloud.
The post SoundCloud launches fan-driven Buzzing Playlists to spotlight new artists and music appeared first on MusicTech.

“DJ Khan is available for bar mitzvahs, weddings and birthdays”: London Mayor Sadiq Khan showcases DJ “skills” at youth clubLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan has been spotted DJing at a youth club ahead of the city’s mayoral election.
In a video shared by The Telegraph, the Labour Party incumbent can be seen playing a “mini set” at Croydon Voluntary Action, mixing Dancing Queen by Abba with Jack Harlow’s Lovin’ On Me.
Khan was also heard telling the audience: “You know you wanna dance!”

READ MORE: More Co-op Live Arena shows postponed after air conditioning unit falls from ceiling during soundcheck

“DJ Khan is available for bar mitzvahs, weddings and birthdays,” he joked to The Telegraph.
The London Mayor also took the chance to promote community projects like Croydon Voluntary Action, telling reporters: “What we’ve seen over the last 14 years is lots of youth clubs closing down, lots of youth workers losing their jobs as a consequence of Conservative austerity.”
“What we’ve tried to do is support youth workers and youth clubs, often bringing them together because we’re duplicating services, duplicating provision… This isn’t just about reducing crime, it’s also about young people flourishing and thriving, so lots of things we’re doing from City Hall,” he said.
Watch the clip below.

Last year, Khan was in the headlines for alleging ‘hijacking’ plans for London’s planned Vegas-style Sphere venue with his “bogus last-minute report”.
The plans, put forth by the same company behind New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden arena, were rejected by Khan, who cited the “unacceptable negative impact on local residents.”
The firm later released a statement slamming the move: “The entire five-year planning process was hijacked by the mayor and his bogus last-minute report,” MSG said.
“Londoners should be dismayed that they are not going to benefit from this groundbreaking project, and others looking to invest in London should certainly be wary.”
The post “DJ Khan is available for bar mitzvahs, weddings and birthdays”: London Mayor Sadiq Khan showcases DJ “skills” at youth club appeared first on MusicTech.

The samples used in every album from The Prodigy have been tracked down in one colossal YouTube videoEver wondered where The Prodigy got all of their samples from? Well, this YouTuber has tracked all of them down and shared them in a mighty video.
At nearly two hours long, the impressive video from user Eightminutesupsidedown lists where the samples originate from and which song and album from The Prodigy it appears on, with a sound bite of each.

READ MORE: Seven iconic producers who changed sampling

The samples are incredibly varied, with snippets taken from artists such as Kate Bush, Kool & The Gang, Thin Lizzy, Public Enemy and a whole lot more.
Take a look in the video below. We cannot begin to imagine how long it took to put together:

Back in 2023, The Prodigy’s Liam Howlett spoke to NME about plans for new music. “I think I finally realised that I can’t write new finished Prodigy music unless we are doing gigs and [are] out there submerged in it,” he said.
“The best time to write for me is after I come off stage – that’s when the clearest vision is. The sweat and peoples faces are fresh in my mind, the feeling is present.”
He added, “I’ve been in the studio writing loads of beats and pieces but now we are back on tour it’s easier to feel what is the strongest shit and smash that into new tunes. I always write Prodigy music with a strong vision of us playing it live on stage… Nothing else comes into it.”
“Keef [late vocalist Keith Flint] always used to say, ‘In the studio the music is 2D, but when it hits the stage it becomes 3D. Playing it live brings it to fuckin’ life’ – and he was right,” he concluded.
View all upcoming live dates for The Prodigy.
The post The samples used in every album from The Prodigy have been tracked down in one colossal YouTube video appeared first on MusicTech.