26 new Live Music Society grants to small venues top $765,000Live Music Society has announced a new round of grants to 26 small performance venues. Recipients of these Music in Action Live Music Society grants will cumulatively receive $765,500 to support innovative li programming.
The post 26 new Live Music Society grants to small venues top $765,000 appeared first on Hypebot.

ZAK Sound Nebula KeysNebula Keys is built from a warm, characterful German upright piano. Recorded close and softly, it includes two layers—Core and Drift—along with 44 expressive presets that explore acoustic, lo-fi, cinematic, and ambient textures. Content: 2 piano layers: Core & Drift. 44 handcrafted presets. 870MB installation size. Requires Raizes Player (included). Read More

Acrobatics updates the FREE EGO Pad Groove Operator instrument for Windows
The EGO Pad Groove Operator instrument by Acrobatics is a free groove operator instrument for Windows that has been around for several years and is now in version 2.5.2. Acrobatics is the developer behind releases like the Alieno virtual synth and the Forbice stereo auto-filter plugin. (BPB covered Forbice way back in 2012). BPB was [...]
View post: Acrobatics updates the FREE EGO Pad Groove Operator instrument for Windows

TikTok for Artists Guide: Features, Benefits and Why It MattersTikTok just launched a free new tool that helps artists track their music and grow faster. From song stats to fan insights, here's the rundown on How TikTok For Artists can boost your career.
The post TikTok for Artists Guide: Features, Benefits and Why It Matters appeared first on Hypebot.

Tilr releases REEV-R, a FREE convolution reverb plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Tilr is a name we’ve heard multiple times this year, and it seems that one of 2025’s busiest plugin developers isn’t slowing down as they have just released REEV-R, a free convolution reverb plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Since February, Tilr has given us Time1 and Gate1, Time-12 and Gate-12, and the very impressive [...]
View post: Tilr releases REEV-R, a FREE convolution reverb plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux

Majetone release Dream Kit: Zenith Majetone have recently announced the launch of a new virtual instrument that offers a new take on drums, reimagining the drum kit as a fully chromatic, synthesizer-style sound source.

The TAPEoPLEX is Heritage Audio’s plugin version of the iconic Echoplex tape delay Heritage Audio has unveiled its latest vintage plugin emulation, the TAPEoPLEX. It seeks to mimic the sound of the legendary Maestro Echoplex EP-1, which was originally released in 1961 and used by Brian May, Jimmy Page, and other music icons. The model went over so well that two ensuing versions, the EP-2 and EP-3, were also released.

READ MORE: My Forever Studio: Luxxury goes punk rock in the Bahamas

The plugin’s interface has been designed to reflect the original hardware, with controls for Echo Time, Echo Repeats, and Echo Volume. There is also an overall input level and two-band EQ for greater frequency control. With this extensive functionality, the plugin hopes to offer users the wide-ranging sound expansions that made the original model so universally adored.
However, in the new digital format, TAPEoPLEX also offers features that the original machine doesn’t. This version’s delay operates in stereo rather than just mono, with individual delay time controls for each side of the mix. Plus, the plugin can simulate wear on the tape to get that authentic analog sound in the exact desired levels via distortion and colour levels.
“We are proud to announce the availability in native form of the Heritage TAPEoPLEX tape delay plugin. Based on the beloved vintage tape delay used by everyone from Eddie Van Halen to Brian May, Jimmy Page, Neil Young, and many others, the Heritage TAPEoPLEX just nails the sound of the most famous tape echo unit of all time,” Heritage Audio writes on Instagram. “Ranging from soft and clean delays to distorted repeats that lead to self-oscillation, the warmth and space that the TAPEoPLEX adds to your tracks is unmatched by any tape delay plugin in the market.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Heritage Audio (@heritage_audio_)

TAPEoPLEX is available for €99.00/$99.00 and is free for owners of any of Heritage Audio’s i73 PRO audio interfaces. Far cheaper than paying $1750 for buying a used original version.
In other news, Heritage Audio recently unveiled the P.LANE Type 436, reviving a classic compressor used by The Beatles.
Learn more at Heritage Audio.
The post The TAPEoPLEX is Heritage Audio’s plugin version of the iconic Echoplex tape delay  appeared first on MusicTech.

Wu-Tang Clan are releasing their own video game – and it looks very, very funLegendary rap outfit Wu-Tang Clan are releasing their own video game: Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver.
According to a description in the game’s official teaser trailer, the premise is as follows: “You’ve been called to battle back the forces of an invading, corrupting force – the Deceiver. You and your friends will fight alongside the Wu-Tang Clan, calling on their powerful skills and timeless wisdom to restore Shaolin to a beacon of hope, community, and prosperity.”

READ MORE: “The best Polyend deal on the internet”: Get over 40% off two of Polyend’s most celebrated pieces of gear on Reverb

The game will see Wu-Tang MC Ghostface Killah sending players on their mission, in which they’ll also rescue other MCs while customising their fighting style and earning outfits inspired by the group’s trendsetting taste. Check out the teaser trailer below:

 
As players engage in this adventure, they will listen to classic songs from Wu-Tang Clan in addition to a brand new soundtrack curated by the celebrated hip-hop producer, Just Blaze.
“I’ve actually gotten to reimagine the catalog in a space that is larger than life. A lot of times, when it comes to trying to make a record, you’re stuck within a certain format. With this, you can really stretch out. And just really let the music take you on a journey,” Just Blaze tells Rolling Stone. “This project is very much a love letter to hip-hop culture and to Wu in general. I wanted to make sure that we featured some of the lesser-known songs for the hardcore fans, like Bizarre by U-God or Dexbeat or Elevation.”
Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver is an accompaniment to Angel of Dust, an upcoming horror film produced by Ghostface Killah and directed and scored by RZA. At the end of the teaser trailer for the game, the title logo is struck by a lightning bolt and transmuted into a hooded figure with thick black wings, presented to look like the iconic Wu-Tang “W”.
“Creating Angel Of Dust has been an incredible journey,” Ghostface Killah says. “Bringing the story to life through film was just the beginning. Now, with the development of the video game, we are immersing fans even deeper into this supernatural thriller universe. It’s about blending music, storytelling, and interactive experience. I can’t wait for fans to step into the darkness and discover what lies beneath.”
Wu-Tang: Rise Of The Deceiver will be available on both console and PC, though no release date has been confirmed at the time of writing. For more info, head to the Steam Store.
The post Wu-Tang Clan are releasing their own video game – and it looks very, very fun appeared first on MusicTech.

AI storage platform Vast Data aimed for $25B valuation in new round, sources sayThe AI-friendly data storage startup is raising capital at a giant leap in valuation.

Universal Audio's Apollo E Series is Now Shipping WorldwideUniversal Audio, a leader in music and audio production tools with over 60 years of innovation under its belt, has officially begun shipping the Apollo E Series worldwide. The new series includes the Apollo e1x Remote‑Controllable Unison Preamp and the Apollo e2m Stereo Headphone Amplifier and Line Interface, both designed to seamlessly integrate with Dante-networked systems.The company first announced the Apollo E Series in March 2025, positioning it as an extension of the Apollo x16D interface and a powerful addition to networked environments such as live sound, broadcast, and multi-room studios. A statement from Universal Audio explains that the E Series “expands the capabilities of Dante‑networked audio systems and the Apollo x16D audio interface, allowing engineers to seamlessly integrate Unison preamp emulation, personal monitoring and UAD plug-in processing.”Both new units are designed with flexibility and efficiency in mind. Built for mic stand mounting and powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE), they function as streamlined “network endpoints,” making deployment across various locations more convenient than ever.Apollo e1x Remote‑controllable Unison PreampAt a MAP of $399 USD, the Apollo e1x brings UA’s renowned Unison mic preamp emulations—including iconic sounds from API, Neve, Manley, and SSL—to the Dante ecosystem. According to the release, users can now “expand any Dante network with remote‑controlled mic/line preamps using Power over Ethernet (PoE).”Designed to work seamlessly with the Apollo x16D interface, the e1x allows users to access vintage preamp tone without needing to rack up physical hardware. “Combine with Apollo x16D interface to get the authentic Unison mic preamp sounds of API, Avalon, Manley, Neve, SSL, and more,” the company states.Universal Audio also highlights physical integration: “Link multiple Apollo e1x units with included coupling bracket and integrated mic-stand mount,” offering engineers a modular and scalable preamp solution for any Dante-connected environment.Apollo e2m Stereo Headphone Amp and Line InterfaceThe Apollo e2m, priced at $499 MAP, acts as a flexible personal monitoring station and stereo line interface. “Apollo e2m is the perfect companion to the Apollo x16D interface,” the release notes, calling it “a sleek ‘endpoint’ on any Dante audio network.”With the e2m, engineers and performers can easily connect headphones, IEMs, powered monitors or wedges, as well as external gear like analog mic preamps, synths, drum machines, and playback devices. UA emphasizes its flexibility: “Use Power over Ethernet (PoE) and built-in mic-stand mount to place Apollo e2m anywhere monitoring is needed.”When used alongside the e1x and Apollo x16D, the Apollo e2m rounds out a “complete I/O solution on Dante networks.”Learn more about Apollo E Series:uaudio.com/products/apollo-e1xuaudio.com/products/apollo-e2mThe post Universal Audio's Apollo E Series is Now Shipping Worldwide first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Tonograph EQ from Atomic Analog Atomic Analog have announced that the Tonograph 500-series EQ module they launched in Janurary 2025 is now available in the UK via Make Noise Pro Audio.

Two Bits, Four Bits, a Twelve-bit OscilloscopeUntil recently, hobby-grade digital oscilloscopes were mostly, at most, 8-bit sampling. However, newer devices offer 12-bit conversion. Does it matter? Depends. [Kiss Analog] shows where a 12-bit scope may outperform an 8-bit one.
It may seem obvious, of course. When you store data in 8-bit resolution and zoom in on it, you simply have less resolution. However, seeing the difference on real data is enlightening.

To perform the test, he used three scopes to freeze on a fairly benign wave. Then he cranked up the vertical scale and zoomed in horizontally. The 8-bit scopes reveal a jagged line where the digitizer is off randomly by a bit or so. The 12-bit was able to zoom in on a smooth waveform.
Of course, if you set the scope to zoom in in real time, you don’t have that problem as much, because you divide a smaller range by 256 (the number of slices in 8 bits). However, if you have that once-in-a-blue-moon waveform captured, you might appreciate not having to try to capture it again with different settings.
A scope doesn’t have to be physically large to do a 12-bit sample. Digital sampling for scopes has come a long way.

What is blues music? History, characteristics, and impact
Learn about the unique history of blues music, its key characteristics, influence on other genres, and more.

Heavyocity Sonara: Voices In MotionSonara: Voices In Motion is an innovative and inspiring virtual instrument dedicated to modern vocal sound design, designed to imbue your tracks with dynamic and emotive vocal power. Building upon Heavyocity's reputation for impactful sound design, Sonara steps into the realm of human voice, delivering pristine and intimate performances that aim to feel as if they are unfolding live within your studio. This versatile Kontakt-powered library is crafted to seamlessly blend into a wide array of musical projects, from cinematic scores and game audio to contemporary pop, electronic, and ambient music. At its core, Sonara offers a rich tapestry of vocal elements, meticulously performed by three distinct vocalists: Kristin, Carla, and Ally. Each singer brings their unique timbre and expressive quality to the recorded material, ensuring a diverse and adaptable sonic palette. The library is not simply a collection of raw vocal samples; it provides a comprehensive toolkit of rhythmic pedals, melodic motifs, dynamic textures, and expressive improv phrases, all designed to be instantly inspiring and highly manipulable within Heavyocity's powerful Gravity 2 engine. This blend of organic vocal performances and advanced sound design capabilities allows composers and producers to create everything from subtle, ethereal vocal layers to driving, rhythmic elements and evolving, cinematic soundscapes. Features: Diverse Vocal Collection: Features over 2,060 unique vocal sources across three distinct female vocalists (Kristin, Carla, Ally), providing a broad range of tonal characteristics. Rhythmic Pedals: Includes 576 multi-sampled and tempo-synced rhythmic pedals, offering foundational rhythmic performances in straight and triplet feels, with solo, soft, backing, and soft backing styles for layering. Melodic Motifs: Offers 1,152 unique musical phrases across 24 motifs in 8 keys (both major and minor), providing ready-to-use melodic content. Dynamic Textures: Features 48 multi-sampled dynamic textures, including "Dancers," "Moving Vowels," "Sustains," and "Group Textures," for crafting lush pads and evolving soundscapes. Expressive Improvisations: Contains 288 improvisations in 4 different keys (major and minor) for adding organic, spontaneous vocal nuances. Gravity 2 Engine Integration: Housed within Heavyocity's powerful Gravity 2 engine, providing advanced control and flexibility for sound manipulation, including a convenient width knob, source swapping across channels, and a comprehensive effects section. Three-Channel Layering: Allows for rich, full-bodied vocal stacks by utilizing three channels to layer solo performances with background sources (panned left and right), including softer versions for intimate moments. Intuitive Browser: An intuitive browser allows for easy curation and loading of phrase-based sources across three banks. Tuning Keys: Provides tuning keys to change the root tune of phrases, adapting them to your composition. Macro Control: Features a MACRO knob for dynamic multi-parameter control and sequencing, enabling complex sound transformations. Per-Channel FX: Offers per-channel effects controls for Envelope, Tone, Drive, Motion, and Space. Advanced Mixer: Includes an advanced mixer with "Drift" and "Scatter" controls, plus recordable automation. Performance Controls: Provides performance controls for tempo-sync, start times, and sequencing. Custom Master FX: Features a custom master effects section including Punish, Compression, Reverb, and Delay. Settings Page: A detailed settings page allows for fine-tuning of legato, glide, sustain, and velocity parameters. NKS Ready: Fully compatible with Native Instruments NKS for seamless integration with Komplete Kontrol keyboards and Maschine. Compatibility: Requires Native Instruments Kontakt Full or Kontakt Player 7 or higher. Download Size: Over 8 GB of vocal content. https://youtu.be/uhnhCST7CXg?si=TsQKuvRqcoFA7AaU Read More

Franklin Templeton launches 'intraday yield' for tokenized assets on BenjiYield for assets is often calculated over at least one-day periods, a problem that blockchain composability could address, according to the asset manager.