Reactions
Sequential’s Trigon-6 Desktop is compact and MPE compatibleSequential has announced a desktop version of its Trigon-6 analogue six-voice polysynth, now with added MPE support.
READ MORE: Best synthesizers to buy in 2023: 18 of the best synths under $600
The desktop version is a more compact version of the Sequential Trigon-6, which was launched in 2022 and combines elements of the Prophet-6 and the OB-6. It was the final farewell for Sequential’s owner, Dave Smith, who sadly died in May of that year.
Trigon-6 Desktop, while obviously acting as a space-saving instrument compared to the larger original, most notably has received MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) support. This means the unit can be hooked up to expressive keyboards such as the Expressive E Osmose and Seaboard Rise 2, letting you adjust pitch-bend, filter cutoff, and modulation functions just by sliding, touching and wiggling individual notes.
Alongside MPE, the desktop keeps the same aspects of the Trigon-6 such as its three oscillators per voice with triangle, sawtooth, and pulse waveforms, switchable two/four pole ladder filter with drive and feedback controls.
“Desktop module designs continue to be a popular choice with our players.” David Gibbons, CEO of Sequential has said. “We spent a little extra time on MIDI polyphonic expression capabilities as we finalised this one, in anticipation of people pairing it up with some of the awesome MPE-capable controllers on the market. We’re looking forward to hearing what people will do with it!”In our gleaming review of the original Trigon-6, we called the synth a “fitting conclusion to the monumental legacy of one of the synth world’s most revered minds”, praising the synth’s sound, which has “distinct character and real bite”.
The Trigon-6 sits alongside a string of recent releases by Sequential. The brand’s re-issued Prophet-10, which was launched in 2020, was described in our review as “climbing into a classic car which has made a couple of small concessions to the modern nature of driving.”
The Sequential Trigon-6 Desktop is available for $3,109. Find it at Thomann.
The post Sequential’s Trigon-6 Desktop is compact and MPE compatible appeared first on MusicTech.Hozier would “absolutely” strike over the threat of AI on the music industryIndie musician Hozier has said he would “absolutely” join strike action if any were to take place due to the threat of AI in the music industry.
AI technology is currently being used to emulate vocals, replicate lyrical and production styles, and even form music from brain scans.READ MORE: New music platform Myvox lets artists licence and monetise their own AI voice models
Music industry figures have been consistently divided on whether or not the tech is beneficial or a threat to artists since it began being used more prominently over the last year.
Artists such as Grimes, David Guetta and more have shown interest and support in AI, with Grimes even allowing people to use an AI version of her vocals to make music via her own software. Others such as Will.I.Am and Nick Cave however, have assumed more concerned stances.
Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on Newsnight yesterday (17 August), Hozier weighed in with his view: “Whether [AI is] art or not, I think, is nearly a philosophical debate. It can’t create something based on a human experience. So I don’t know if it meets the definition of art.”
He continues, “Actors at the moment… there’s huge strikes on at the moment. Yeah, a huge part of that is that [AI] can be used to create a product without human labour.”
Hozier was then asked if he could imagine going on strike over AI in music, to which he responds: “Can I imagine? Yeah. Joining in solidarity if there was action on that? Absolutely.”‘Can you imagine going on strike about AI?’ @vicderbyshire asks Irish singer-songwriter Hozier
‘If there was action on that, absolutely’
Tonight @ 10:30pm Hozier speaks to Newsnight ahead of the launch of his new album Unreal Unearthhttps://t.co/P0zxS1DNGF pic.twitter.com/Ej5XLgn0Ku
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) August 17, 2023Earlier this month, it was reported that Google and Universal Music Group are currently in talks over licensing issues that surround ‘deepfake’ AI music. Both companies are supposedly hoping to create a partnership through which deepfakes can be shared, with royalties going to Universal.
Hozier’s new album Unreal Earth lands today (18 August) – view his website for a full list of upcoming live dates.
The post Hozier would “absolutely” strike over the threat of AI on the music industry appeared first on MusicTech.G-High names 5 K-pop producers to watch
G-High of MonoTree sat down with us to share five K-pop producers / topliners that are worth keeping an eye (and ear) on.Kazrog launch Avalon VT-747SP plug-in Kazrog's latest plug-in emulates the Class-A optical compressor and six-band equaliser found in Avalon's VT-747SP, and is officially licenced by Avalon Designs themselves.
New music platform Myvox lets artists licence and monetise their own AI voice modelsArtists who want to clone, protect, licence and monetise their voice can now do so via a new AI music platform named Myvox.
READ MORE: The first prototype of Behringer’s OB-X clone, the UB-X, is here
Founded by musicians and producers Maeve (Arianna Broderick) and John Clancy, Myvox is an AI vocal and music distribution platform allowing users to transform their vocals into the vocals of their favourite artists using licensed AI voice models.
Per the website, users can create original songs with these AI-cloned vocals, distribute directly to all streaming platforms, collect royalties and share in the revenue with the artist, who maintains full control over the whole process by defining their own royalty splits.
To create your AI voice model, all you have to do is upload an acapella vocal or record a vocal directly on the Myvox platform. The firm’s AI technology will then transform your vocal into the vocal of a licensed artist.
The platform is said to be the first of its kind to allow direct distribution of licensed AI voices to streaming services, with the aim of making music production more collaborative, accessible and obtainable for those without access to swanky studios.
The service, which launched on 14 August, now offers a growing voice library of licensed studio quality artist vocals and royalty-free vocals for bedroom producers to create music they previously had no access to.
Myvox has also introduced their first AI artist, Dahlia, an AI voice model created by Iranian-Dutch singer-songwriter Sevdaliza. Creators can transform their vocals into Dahlia’s and release subsequent tracks on all streaming platforms, with a 50/50 royalty split with the artist. Sevdaliza introduced Dahlia last year via the video for OH MY GOD, which has since amassed 1.5 million views.
The first Dahlia track is slated to arrive on 24 August.
Currently, the free version of Myvox entitles you to two artist vocal conversions per week and unlimited royalty-free conversions; the premium version, which includes unlimited artist conversions, unlimited royalty-free conversions, two releases to all streaming services per month, automated royalty payments and artist distribution dashboard will cost you $14.99 per month.Learn more at myvox.
The post New music platform Myvox lets artists licence and monetise their own AI voice models appeared first on MusicTech.Ripple, ConsenSys participate in Mastercard program to promote CBDC innovationThe payment processor has enlisted a range of market players in its quest for innovation and efficiencies in a technology that 93% of central banks are investigating.
Documentary: Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)
The new Chip Baker film, "Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)", directed by Filmmaker Danny Garcia will have theatrical screenings across the globe. The American theatrical debut is set for a pair of New York City screenings at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater and are almost sold out. (See below for a list of worldwide screenings)
Actor, Writer, Musician and former resident Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, Law & Order, The White Lotus); Author Sherill Tippins (Inside the Dream Palace, The Life and Times of New York’s Legendary Chelsea Hotel); Actors Ned Van Zandt and Victor Colicchio; Musicians; Harley Flanagan (Stimulators/Cro-Mags); Richard Barone (The Bongos); Cynthia Ross (B-Girls); the late Howie Pyro (D Generation); Warhol Superstar Ruby Lynn Reyner; Photographer Marcia Resnick; and many others give first hand accounts of their time at the hotel.
SCREENINGS
All currently scheduled screening dates, locations and ticket purchase links for "Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (And Other Rock & Roll Stories)" are listed below, with more being planned.
>New York City, Sept. 5th & 11th @ Joe's Pub
https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2023/g/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel
>Seattle, WA, Sept. 5th @ The Crocodile
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel-here-after-tickets/13470588?pl=crocodile
>Düsseldorf, Germany, Sept. 6th @ Metropol
>Arlington, MA, Sept. 7th @ The Regent Theatre
https://regenttheatre.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=145
>Dallas, TX, Sept. 7th @ The Texas Theatre
https://thetexastheatre.com/film/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel-and-other-rock-roll-stories/
>San Francisco, Sept. 7th @ Balboa Theatre
https://ticketing.uswest.veezi.com/purchase/10587?siteToken=52wkfzmjpwjjfpz3ye7tz8wscg
>Toronto, Canada, Sept. 10th @ The Paradise
https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel-paradise-theatre-tickets/13385998
>Portland, OR, Sept. 13th @ Hollywood Theater
https://hollywoodtheatre.org/events/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel/
>Munster, Germany, Sept. 18th @ Cinema & Kurbelkiste
>Harrisburg, PA, Sept. 24th @ Midtown Cinema
>Philadelphia, PA, Oct. 4th @ PhilaMOCA
https://link.dice.fm/w23bfce89013
>Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 11th @ Trylon Cinemas
http://www.soundunseen.com/upcoming-events/2023/10/11/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel
>Berlin, Germany, Oct. 15th @ Lichtblick
>St. Leonards-On-Sea, UK, Nov. 8th @ Kino Teatr (The Art of a True Story Festival)
Match Group’s background check provider Garbo ends its partnershipTech nonprofit Garbo announced today it’s ending its formal partnership with Match Group, the dating app giant behind Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Match and other apps. The two companies first teamed up in 2021, when Match made a seven-figure investment in the background check provider, following a series of reports about harm that came to dating app users through Match-owned apps.
In particular, a damning investigative report by ProPublica and Columbia Journalism Investigations published in December 2019 prompted the company to begin to better focus on user safety, which also included a 2020 investment in Noonlight to help it power new safety features inside Tinder and other dating apps.
In March 2022, Tinder rolled out access to background checks powered by Garbo through the app’s in-app safety center. The experience directed users to the Garbo website where they were able to fill in basic information about their match. The company said users typically only needed their match’s first name and a phone number to get started.
Garbo’s unique quality, compared with other background check companies, is that it only focused on public records that contained reports of violence and abuse, including arrests, convictions, restraining orders, harassment and other violent crimes. It didn’t return any non-violent charges, like drug possession and general traffic tickets, excluding DUIs and vehicle manslaughter.
After Tinder, Garbo rolled out to other Match dating apps in July, including Match and the single-parent dating app Stir.
Despite its usefulness, there was some criticism that Match was passing the buck by offloading critical safety checks to a third-party partner which wasn’t deeply integrated into its apps, thus requiring daters to do more work. Others were skeptical about whether background checks were even helpful in terms of predicting the potential for abuse, as many abuse and domestic violence cases aren’t reported.
Today, Garbo says it’s winding down its consumer background check service and also ending its relationship with Match. However, it will continue to honor credits users purchased (for a limited period of time). This includes users who claimed Garbo credits through partnerships with online platforms, including Roomi, HUD and Match Group apps (Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Stir and Match.com). These new and existing credits will be honored through August 31, 2023, Garbo says.
For users who purchased credits directly from Garbo, credits are redeemable through August 31, 2023, or can be refunded through October 31, 2023.
Garbo says the decision to wind down background checks will allow it to focus on “new technology and tools that directly empower individuals to protect themselves in the digital age.” Specifically, the company says it will instead work on a new guidebook to help people protect themselves online across every platform.
There are hints of sour grapes in Garbo’s announcement, as it suggests that the Garbo app was meant to be an easier and more effective and affordable way to uncover histories of harm and violence, but “a lack of commitment from online platforms and the growing problems with public records has compromised the ability of users to harness the full power and potential of Garbo’s technology.”
Garbo’s decision to pivot its business follows leadership changes at Match which saw Match Group CEO Shar Dubey stepping down in May 2022, with Bernard Kim taking over just as Garbo was meant to start rolling out to the company’s dating apps, which may have complicated matters.
A Wall Street Journal report also indicates there were internal disagreements within Match Group about how Garbo tools should work, in addition to difficulties in getting online platforms to pay for its services. It also pegs the Match partnership investment at $1.5 million to get the background check service off the ground.
At Tinder, the report says, execs wanted to add badges to profiles that were background-checked. Garbo disagreed, saying that underreporting of sexual violence means a simple badge doesn’t provide a full picture. Garbo also didn’t feel like Tinder fully promoted the tool to users.
“Garbo is doubling down on our commitment to directly serving individuals over companies, along with more comprehensive engagement with public officials,” said Kathryn Kosmides, founder and CEO of Garbo, in a statement. “Over the next few months, Garbo is exploring a variety of innovations and opportunities to continue empowering people to protect themselves from bad actors. We will not stop advocating for survivors and working to protect those most vulnerable from violent and harmful behavior.”Tinder rolls out in-app access to background checks, powered by nonprofit Garbo
Lex Borrero’s NEON16 and NTERTAIN expand multi-year partnership with the NFLNEON16 acts will produce four tracks exclusively for the NFL and its 32 clubs to use as part of their soundtrack to the 2023 season
SourcePrimary Wave acquires catalog from Dennis DeYoung, founding member of rock band StyxDeYoung penned seven of the band’s eight Top 10 Billboard hits
SourceMIDI Innovation Awards: Finalists announced The MIDI Association have announced the finalists of this year’s MIDI Innovation Awards, with the winners to be revealed in a live stream event taking place on 16 September 2023.
Why isn’t Hip Hop conquering Live Music as it has Streaming?The new “Return to live” study by MIDiA Research based on data from Bandsintown showed that Hip Hop ranks lower in genres that music listeners prefer to see live. Report. Continue reading
The post Why isn’t Hip Hop conquering Live Music as it has Streaming? appeared first on Hypebot.Facebook is Out and Fizz is In on College CampusesSocial media platform Fizz IS giving early Facebook users deja vu with how it performs on college campuses. But does it have the potential to stick around? Keep reading to. Continue reading
The post Facebook is Out and Fizz is In on College Campuses appeared first on Hypebot.GRAMMY U drops college enrollment requirement, opens to anyone 18-29GRAMMY U has dropped its college enrollment requirement and opened membership to anyone between the ages of 18 and 29. Founded by the Recording Academy in 2006, Grammy U provides opportunities for. Continue reading
The post GRAMMY U drops college enrollment requirement, opens to anyone 18-29 appeared first on Hypebot.“I don’t think people can tell” the difference between original and re-issued Prophet-10, says Jungle’s J LloydJ Lloyd, one half of UK band Jungle, says that “I don’t think people can really tell” the difference between the re-issued version of the Sequential Prophet-10 synthesizer and the original.
READ MORE: Sequential Trigon-6 is Dave Smith’s final love letter to American synth icons
The highly-regarded and sought-after Prophet-10 – the first-ever polyphonic synth – was released in 1977 by Dave Smith’s Sequential brand. Since then, the company rehashed the legendary synth, with a re-issued, cheaper version being launched in 2020.
While a vintage Prophet-10 will set you back about $10k today, and a re-issued Prophet-10 Rev. 4 costs just under $5,000 on Thomann, J Lloyd believes there to be no significant difference in sound between the two.
“I don’t think people can really tell, to be honest with you,” Lloyd says on the latest episode of the My Forever Studio podcast. “I could play a Prophet-10 – the new one – and I don’t think you’d be able to go ‘cool, that’s the old one, that’s the new one’. Do you know, I mean?”
“Okay, if you’re a gear guy, cool, I’ll get an old one but they’re always just a little bit fucked,” he says, referring to the wear and tear state of vintage synths.J Lloyd isn’t the first artist to publicly praise Sequential’s impressive synth catalogue. Tame Impala recently described the sound of the Sequential Pro One as “crying in outer space”.
“I just thought it sounded incredible, you know?” He said. “The Pro One to this day is still one of my favourite synths. I guess just because of that reason, because of that time. It had this sound that I just fell in love with.”
In 2021, MusicTech reviewed the 2020 Sequential Prophet-10 Rev.4, describing its sound as “fat, lush” and “fantastic”.
We said: “Think about so many of the tricks synths rely on to capture your interest, whether it’s a slew of onboard effects or multiple synthesis personality types. The Rev4 Prophet is the opposite; it’s like climbing into a classic car which has made a couple of small concessions to the modern nature of driving.”
Listen to My Forever Studio via our Podcasts page.
The post “I don’t think people can tell” the difference between original and re-issued Prophet-10, says Jungle’s J Lloyd appeared first on MusicTech.
