Songwriter Profile: Nadeem MajdalanyCreative Grit 

For two-time GRAMMY® and multiple award-winning musician-engineer-composer-songwriter Nadeem Majdalany, music was a passion before he knew how to play an instrument. “I could plunk out what I wanted, match the pitch where it was, then figured out reading the staff on my own,” he says. At age eight, he began formal training with Colin Mack, who taught him piano, theory, and composition, and began shaping him as a musician. Between pitch writing, scoring movies to Director specifications, writing songs for placement and inspired from his own life, and compositional works, Majdalany has never been one to take ‘no’ for an answer and represents the epitome of creating his own opportunities. 

His first commission was for the Athens Symphony at just 19 years old while studying at Berklee. Overhearing a conversation in the hallway mentioning that the artistic director and maestro were looking for a new rehearsal conductor (and with no one willing to write him a recommendation, saying he was too young), Majdalany submitted a VHS demo (conducting musical theatre) with just a cover letter. He was accepted with the feedback that “We know you don’t have any recommendation letters. You must be really good because that means you’ve already started upsetting people.” Majdalany says that these words would ring even more true over the years, and that the experience in Greece shaped his conducting. “I was being complimented by orchestral members that the energy I give is very inspiring [and] helps them play better. I always try to put that energy into things.” The Artistic Director commissioned him to create an orchestral piece during his tenure (“Gloria Et In Terra Pax”). 

While still in school in Boston and flying back and forth to Greece, he scored his first feature film (Hopeless) in 2010, which brought him to Los Angeles. Later contracted for three separate films— none of which moved into production— Majdalany says he always makes sure to get a deposit upfront for all of his work. 

The move to Los Angeles was not easy and there were challenging times— including a stint as a jazz pianist at three separate clubs (before finding himself replaced by deejays). Looking back, he says, “there’s a downfall but, to rise up again, you have to have the light and dark. Life is being strong enough to cut people out from your life entirely: it takes a lot not to play the game. I think the biggest thing you could do is be okay with who you are.” 

Starting out, Majdalany had a broken laptop and an Oxygen 8 keyboard with two missing keys. Needing a desk, he stole a milk create from Walgreens and a piece of plywood from a back alley. He worked that way for three years. “It didn’t stop me from making music,” he says. “You make use of the tools you have. If you can’t afford a $2,000 mixer, don’t put yourself in the poorhouse trying to make something.” Majdalany is also quick to stress the importance of work ethic. “We’re great excuse-making machines,” he says. “Whether you’re too hungover, too tired, or too sick, there’s always something that’s going to make you not want to do that thing, which means that you just genuinely don’t want to do it. Get off the bench and move over for someone else.” 

Good music balances light and dark, and delivers honesty in the melody and lyrics, Majdalany shares. To keep himself honest, he writes his newest ideas using a pen and paper, explaining that the physical connection represents energy leaving the brain and sending an impulse of an idea, which is lost in translation when using a keyboard. 

Best known for his album Phoenix of Atlantis, placements on FOX, MTV/ MTV2, OWN, HBO, NBC, and instrumental contributions on two GRAMMY®- winning albums, new films, American Suicide Mass Murders and Waterpot are coming soon, with a conductor tour towards the end of 2024. Majdalany is also working with the Art Heals Foundation highlighting their artist community in his performance series, Pandora’s Box. 

For more information, visit nadeemmajdalany.com The post Songwriter Profile: Nadeem Majdalany first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Disney’s VR treadmill, OpenAI fixes ‘lazy’ GPT-4, and Apple rolls out stolen device protectionHey, folks, and welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch’s regular newsletter covering notable happenings in tech over the past few days. On the agenda for this edition is Disney’s innovative VR treadmill, OpenAI fixing its “lazy” AI and MIT’s high-capacity, fast-charging organic battery tech. We also cover Apple’s new stolen device protection feature, AI […]
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Aim Audio: New brand introduce innovative mics Aim Audio are a new pro audio brand launching with a pair of innovative mics and a custom shockmount/pop shield system. 

Getting It Done: The Week in D.I.Y. & Indie MusicLast week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered how to get your first festival gig, eight tips for improving merch sales, and more…
The post Getting It Done: The Week in D.I.Y. & Indie Music appeared first on Hypebot.

REWIND: The new music industry’s week in reviewA busy week by any definition, the music industry was no exception, with royalty reports fromSoundExchange, Beatdapp beating fraud, and more…
The post REWIND: The new music industry’s week in review appeared first on Hypebot.

And they've released Eventide MicroPitch Immersive #Immersive pitch-shift #plugin as well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xhcZbVz864

Woo-hoo, an #Immersive Blackhole Reverb from Eventide! I believe this #plugin is rather interesting and we see the trend of new #Tools going further to spatial sound. Which is understandable...even Apple Music now pays more to artists who #Release #spatialaudio in their store.
#musicproduction #Producers #artists

Ultimate Ears Pro release Universal IEMs Designed as a first set of high-quality IEMs for aspiring musicians, UE aim to provide sound quality, comfort and durability.

Spotify calls Apple’s DMA compliance plan ‘extortion’ and a ‘complete and total farce’Count Spotify among those not thrilled with how Apple has chosen to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which sets the stage for sideloading apps, alternative app stores, browser choice, and more. On Friday, the streaming music company issued its response to Apple’s new DMA rules, calling the new fees imposed on developers […]
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Signing Story: Carpool Date Signed: October 2023 

Label: SideOneDummy Records 

Band Members: Chris Colasanto, guitar, vocals; Tommy Eckerson, guitar; Milo Duhn, bass, vocals; Alec Westover, drums, vocals 

Type of Music: Punk 

Management: Dan Doyle and Trevor Chesler - 918 Management 

Booking: Jason Parent - Sound Talent Group 

Legal: Henderson Cole 

Publicity: Daniel Cooper - Lucky Bird Media, daniel@luckybirdmedia.com 

Web: carpoolny.band 

Label Manager/A&R: Phil Bender-Simon 

Says Chris “Stoph” Colasanto of Carpool’s signing with SideOneDummy Records, “I’ve been buying shit from SideOne since I was 11 years old. It’s a very full-circle, wild moment to be on that label now.” The band has also signed with Sound Talent Group. 

With phenomenal friends and family supporting them, Colasanto says “Rochester's the number one city on Earth. They picked us up and put us on their shoulders, so it means a lot.” Releasing their 2018 EP independently (re-released with Old Press Records, now part of Acrobat) they performed in-studio at Audiotree in 2020 for wider promotion. Summer 2023 brought a tour supporting Cliffdiver (also on the SideOneDummy roster). Cliffdiver and manager Dan Doyle pushed for them to be heard. 

“I could go on forever about how much I love our team,” says Colasanto. “They’re great people. Referring to Doyle as a “true Western New York cat—cordial, kind, and cooperative,” Doyle ran a venue where 

 Carpool played frequently and the band invited him to join them on tour. Manager Trevor Chesler is a “nose to the grindstone, locked and loaded, man on his game,” and Colasanto describes label manager Phil Bender- Simon as “one of the realest people I've ever met in the industry, an absolute blessing and a dream come true. It’s a pure, genuine interaction every time.” 

The shift in momentum is already obvious. “Marketing, press, rollout— everything is official,” emphasizes Colasanto. “The song [“Can We Just Get High?”] is streaming better than any other song we have released. SideOne [gave] us an avenue to be ourselves and do our own thing, while pushing and marketing so people can latch on.” 

Bender-Simon shares that Carpool have great energy and felt like close friends immediately. “Their music has been stuck in my head for three years. It’s that incredible wide-eyed feeling when you hear something truly great.” 

The signing included an advance and one-album commitment, with an option for two more. Album My Life In Subtitles is scheduled for release in March. – Andrea Beenham The post Signing Story: Carpool first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Get IK Multimedia’s MixBox SE FREE For A Limited Time
Audio Plugin Deals offers the MixBox SE multi-effect plugin by IK Multimedia for free. As we march steadily into February, there is still space for a few more freebies before the month ends. Love or hate them, IK Multimedia has partnered with Audio Plugin Deals to give away MixBox SE. This acts as a wonderful [...]
View post: Get IK Multimedia’s MixBox SE FREE For A Limited Time

NAMM 2024: SoundCloud announces partnership with DJ Fresh-founded Voice-Swap AINAMM 2024: It seems SoundCloud is embracing a fresh wave of artificial intelligence tools designed with musicians in mind.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024 Live updates: All the biggest synth, studio, DJ and software releases

Yesterday, Voice-Swap – an AI platform which allows users to make their vocals sound like other artists – took to Instagram to announce its new partnership with the music platform, proclaiming that “soon Voice-Swap users will be able to upload their songs and demos directly to SoundCloud with a new integration”.

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A post shared by Voice-Swap.ai (@voiceswapai)

But what exactly is Voice-Swap? Founded by multi-platinum producer DJ Fresh and developer Nico Pellerin, Voice-Swap allows vocalists to emulate the voice of someone else.
While voice changers have been around for quite some time – we’ve all witnessed Kevin McCallister using his Talkboy to sound like an ‘adult’ in Home Alone 2 – Voice-Swap takes it to the next level. The software is quick and easy to use, allowing even the most tech-averse to quickly produce their own audio deepfakes.
Users are required to upload clips of them singing, then Voice-Swap does the magic. You just select a voice to emulate – there’s a wide selection on offer, from house artist Farley “Jackmaster” Funk to Swiss electro-popstar Mylène Schuler. There’s even a few text-to-speech options, if you’re too embarrassed to upload a clip of yourself attempting to hit the right notes.

Considering the negative press surrounding deepfake audio, Soundcloud are assuring its users are made aware of a track utilising Voice-Swap’s AI technology. Each track will be tagged, making it clear that Voice-Swap has been involved in the making of a track.
Soundcloud has also partnered up with Fadr, which allows users to create mash-ups and remixes, and Soundful AI, a software that generates studio-quality tracks for creators.
Last May, SoundCloud announced it had acquired Musiio, another music company at the forefront of AI technology.
Speaking to Music Week, the Soundcloud CEO Eliah Seton expressed his joy over partnering with even more AI-centric companies. “At SoundCloud, we take pride in being ground zero for musical experimentation,” he explained. “That’s why we’re home to what’s next in music. AI is top of mind for us in this context, and we’re excited about how this technology can be applied to serve and empower artists.
“These partners, which we’ve selected intentionally, reflect the very best of what the industry has to offer in this arena: tools that open up new creative avenues and make artists’ lives a little bit easier,” he concluded.
The post NAMM 2024: SoundCloud announces partnership with DJ Fresh-founded Voice-Swap AI appeared first on MusicTech.

The 6 best free plugins for your vocal chain (VST / AU)
From EQs to pitch correction tools, we share six of the best free vocal plugins (VST / AU) that you can add to your mixes in 2024.

NAMM 2024: Suzuki announces OM-108, the first Omnichord in 26 yearsNAMM 2024: It’s finally happened! Suzuki has officially launched the new Omnichord OM-108 – the first Omnichord model released in 26 years.

READ MORE: Heritage Audio introduces i73 PRO family, the “first-ever” USB-C interfaces with built-in Class A 73-style preamps

First launched in 1981, followed by several models until 1998, Suzuki’s Omnichord has become a cult classic embraced by artists like The Bee Gees, David Bowie and, more recently, Gorillaz, for example. This popularity comes down to its accessibility, unique, strummable interface and unique sounds that offer a distinctly retro feel.
Now, a new iteration of Suzuki’s much-loved Omnichord, the Omnichord OM-108, has been announced and is on display at the Winter NAMM Show 2024, confirms Suzuki.
Credit: Suzuki
It’s been a long time coming. Originally scheduled for a 2023 summer/fall launch to mark Suzuki Musical Instruments Manufacturing’s 70th anniversary, the release was sadly postponed “to improve and refine specifications, in order to provide our customers with the best performance experience possible with the new Omnichord”, it said at the time.

Designed for ease of use, the new Omnichord OM-108 allows users to play accompaniment instantly, even without prior musical experience. With a touch-sensitive strumplate, you can effortlessly strum chords and create arpeggios corresponding to the chord pressed.
The OM-108 reproduces the classic sound of the OM-84 model using analogue circuits, offering a selection of retro and new tones. It includes ten strumplate tones, including the classic “omni1” and “omni2” sounds reminiscent of the OM-84. The instrument also features a layer function for added expression, updated rhythm selections with contemporary drum beats, and expanded chord options.
Its compact and lightweight design, along with battery-powered operation, allows for easy portability and performance anywhere, whether in the studio or on stage.
No price has yet been revealed for the OM-108.
Find out more at Suzuki Music and find the brand at booth #9906.
The post NAMM 2024: Suzuki announces OM-108, the first Omnichord in 26 years appeared first on MusicTech.

Laidback Luke’s first partnered launch since Denon DJ departure, the Algoriddim Reloop Mixtour Pro compact DJ controller, is hereProducer-DJ Laidback Luke has announced his first partnered product launch following his recent departure from Denon DJ. Introducing the Reloop Mixtour Pro, an ultra-portable two-channel all-in-one DJ controller designed for use with Algoriddim’s djay Pro software, via your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024 Live updates: All the biggest synth, studio, DJ and software releases

Touted as a “professional yet portable solution for the club and festival scene”, the Mixtour Pro, despite its small size, is capable of supporting four-deck mixing with its powerful and intuitive controls.
The controller’s two channel strips are fitted with all the important controls for a modern DJ setup. Each channel features an electroplated bi-polar sound filter (LPF/HPF) with a dedicated LED indicator, in addition to gain and three-band EQ. The FX paddles, meanwhile, allow you to trigger effects in bursts via FX Hold mode or apply them indefinitely via FX On mode. A large, electroplated dry/wet knob controls the intensity of the effect, while the two dedicated parameter buttons offer complete control over the effect parameters.
The Reloop Mixtour Pro also incorporates djay Pro’s Neural Mix technology (Stems separation) into the workflow with dedicated controls, allowing you to isolate and manipulate individual drums, instruments, and vocals from tracks in real-time. Eight performance pads with RGB lighting provide users with more creative options with a wide range of modes including Hot Cue, Bounce Loop, Pitch Cue, Instant FX, Auto Loop, Sampler, Skip and Neural Mix
.
To ensure a smooth and efficient workflow, the Mixtour Pro’s transport section features four rubberized buttons for each channel to control Play / Pause, Cue, and Sync respectively, while the signature “Laidback Loop” button independently offers instant looping (In/Out/Exit) with a single control. The section also offers secondary layer functions to control Auto Loop, Key Match, Pitch Bend, and Key Shift.
Additional features include compatibility with the various streaming services, MIDI support, and the inclusion of two USB-C ports. Reloop’s Premium Modular Bag XT is also available as an optional accessory for safe transportation of the Mixtour Pro.
Of the release, Laidback Luke says: “This is my dream portable club-and festival setup! I was able to design this together with Reloop and it’s safe to say they gave me everything I wanted. This is a huge step up for my professional performances.”
Arriving summer 2024, the Mixtour Pro is priced at $499,99/ £399,99.

Learn more at Reloop.
The post Laidback Luke’s first partnered launch since Denon DJ departure, the Algoriddim Reloop Mixtour Pro compact DJ controller, is here appeared first on MusicTech.