Austrian Audio’s PolarDesigner3 public beta Beta testing for the latest version of PolarDesigner is now open to all users, and those who participate and provide feedback will be entered into a competition to win an OC818. 

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admits that AI’s benefits may not be widely distributedIn a new essay on his personal blog, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company is open to a “compute budget,” among other “strange-sounding” ideas, to “enable everyone on Earth to use a lot of AI” and ensure the benefits of the technology are widely distributed. “The historical impact of technological progress suggests that most […]
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XRP futures open interest drops 37% — Are altcoin traders jumping ship?XRP saw a double-digit drop in its futures open interest, but is it a sign that the altcoin’s triple-digit rally is ending?

A Twin-Lens Reflex Camera That’s Not Quite What It SeemsThe Camp Snap is a simple fixed-focus digital camera with only an optical viewfinder and a shot counter, which has become a surprise hit among photography enthusiasts for its similarity to a disposable film camera. [Snappiness] has one, and also having a liking for waist-level viewfinders as found on twin-lens reflex cameras, decided to make a new Camp Snap with a waist-level viewfinder. It’s a digital twin-lens reflex camera, of sorts.
Inside the Camp Snap is the little webcam module we’ve come to expect from these cameras, coupled with the usual microcontroller PCB that does the work of saving to SD card. It’s not an ESP32, but if you’ve ever played with an ESP32-CAM board you’re on a similar track. He creates a 3D-printed TLR-style case designed to take the PCB and mount the camera module centrally, with ribbon cable extensions taking care of placement for the other controls. The viewfinder meanwhile uses a lens, a mirror, and a Fresnel lens, and if you think this might look a little familiar it’s because he’s based it upon his previous clip-on viewfinder project.
The result, with an added “Snappiflex” logo and filter ring, is a rather nice-looking camera, and while it will preserve the dubious quality of the Camp Snap, it will certainly make the process of using the camera a lot more fun. We think these cheap cameras, and particular their even less expensive AliExpress cousins, have plenty of hacking potential as yet untapped, and we’re keen to see more work with them. The full video is below the break.

Vicious Antelope From Memories - Cherry Audio Memorymode PresetsFrom Memories delivers 30 expertly crafted retro synth presets for the Cherry Audio Memorymode synthesizer. Carefully designed with a commitment to vintage authenticity, these presets draw inspiration... Read More

Song Athletics reveal Sad Piano sample pack Named Sad Piano, Song Athletics' new sample pack contains a selection of delicately played phrases that are said to be well suited to contemporary classical music. 

Trump ends legal battle over Twitter banPresident Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the company formerly known as Twitter appears to be over. Trump sued the social media platform for banning him in the aftermath of January 6, 2021, when Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. While a federal judge dismissed the suit in 2022, the then-former president’s lawyers continued to appeal. Soon […]
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Jeff Dunham Finds A NOS 1958 Philco PredictaWhen you see a ventriloquist like [Jeff Dunham], you probably expect to see him with a puppet. This time – spoilers ahead – you won’t. Besides his fame on stage, [Dunham] is also a collector of vintage tech and a die-hard television enthusiast. In the video below, [Dunham] has gotten his hands on a rarity: an unboxed 1958 Philco Predicta TV. The original tape was still on the box. We get to follow along on his adventure to restore this sleek, retro-futuristic relic!
[Dunham]’s fascination with the Predicta stems from its historical significance and bold design. At a time when television was making its way into American homes, the Predicta dared to be different with its swivel-mounted picture tube and early printed circuit boards. Despite its brave aesthetics, the Predicta’s ambition led to notorious reliability issues. Yet, finding one in pristine condition, sealed and untouched for over six decades, is like unearthing a technological time capsule.
What makes this story unique is [Dunham]’s connection to both broadcasting and his craft. As a ventriloquist inspired by Edgar Bergen — whose radio shows captivated America — [Dunham] delights in restoring a TV from the same brand that first brought his idol’s voice to airwaves. His love for storytelling seamlessly translates into this restoration adventure.
After unboxing, [Dunham’s] team faces several challenges: navigating fragile components, securing the original shipping brace, and cautiously ramping up voltage to breathe life into the Predicta. The suspense peaks in the satisfying crackle of static, and the flicker of a 65-year-old screen finally awakened from slumber.
Have you ever come across an opportunity like this? Tell us about your favorite new old stock find in the comments. Buying these can be a risk, since components have a shelf life. We appreciate when these old TVs play period-appropriate shows. Who wants to watch Game of Thrones on a Predicta?

AngelicVibes Basshead MiniBasshead Mini is a free, no-frills plugin featuring 10 handcrafted presets: 5 hard-hitting 808s and 5 deep basses. Equipped with just the essentials—attack, release, output, pitch, and a distortion... Read More

23DSP releases four new FREE audio plugins (open beta)
23DSP has released four new FREE audio plugins (open beta stage) for macOS and Windows. 23DSP is a new developer from Italy with four forthcoming audio plugins currently in their open beta stage. Marco, the man behind 23DSP, developed the plugins to simplify the mixing process and help creators focus on being creative. The available [...]
View post: 23DSP releases four new FREE audio plugins (open beta)

DIY and Independent Musician News Last WeekLast week, our tips, advice, and independent musician news covered how to find an entertainment lawyer, to writing viral hits, and more...
The post DIY and Independent Musician News Last Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Top Music Business News Last WeekA busy week by any definition, music industry news was no exception, with indies at the Grammy Awards, big music instrument sales, and more...
The post Top Music Business News Last Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Wolff Audio announce Dante & USB-C options for ProPatch A pair of upcoming expansion modules will add 32-bit/192kHz A-D and D-A converters to the ProPatch unit, allowing it to be integrated into hybrid studios without the need for external converters.

TOM PETTY ESTATE TO DONATE $100,000 FOR WILDFIRE RELIEFThe Tom Petty Estate has partnered with GoFundMe to provide relief for those affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires, with individual donations of $15,000 going to a number of vetted residents who desperately need help rebuilding their lives. The family estate continues to amplify fundraising efforts across social media, encouraging fans to participate.  “Our hearts are with LA and all those who have been affected by the recent wildfires,” the Estate shares. “It is hard to begin to know where to help. We have strong ties to and love this community. And Tom and his family had the experience of losing everything in a fire.”To join the Estate in supporting those affected and to read more about their stories, the Tom Petty Estate set up a GoFundMe profile page, see here. Jonathan Franklin and family evacuated with very few items in hopes they would be able to return. Unfortunately Jonathan and his family lost their home and all of their possessions, with little to return to—more information/donate here. Jose Trinidad Rincon and Maria Rincon lost everything when a wildfire broke out in Eaton Canyon. Jose’s GoFundMe is organized by his daughter, Cristina, who was raised in the family home that no longer stands—more information/donate here. GT, Vikki and Tyler lost their house in the Eaton Fire. Their GoFundMe is organized by the family’s long-time neighbor and friend—more information/donate here. Jeanina Quezada lost her home and piano studio to the devastating Eaton fires. A single mom and pillar of the community, Jeanina’s passion for music brings joy to children and their families across LA—more information/donate here. The Schoettler Evtuhov Family home was destroyed by the Palisades Fire while they were out of town and unable to retrieve any important documents or their beloved cat—more information/donate here. “At GoFundMe, our mission is to help people help each other,” Margaret Richardson, GoFundMes Chief Corporate Affairs Officer says. “We are inspired by and grateful to the Tom Petty Estate for its commitment to helping Los Angeles families who lost everything in the wildfires and are seeking help on GoFundMe. During moments of crisis, GoFundMe is a lifeline to so many, and we remain committed to ensuring those affected receive help quickly and safely.”Additionally, the Petty Estate shared a number of relief efforts that will aid further organizations and causes dear to the late musician—who cherished his adopted home of Los Angeles and experienced the devastation of a fire himself. The Estate has donated $12,500 to MusiCares—a charity founded by the Recording Academy to safeguard the well-being of the music community—and their short-term disaster relief to music professionals impacted by the wildfires. An additional 10% of last week’s sales in the Tom Petty Store will also contribute to the cause—join their efforts here.In the spirit of protecting the animals and wildlife affected, the Tom Petty Estate has donated another $12,500 to Healthcare for Homeless Animals, a non-profit funding vital veterinary care for at-risk animals at Agoura Animal Care Center. Further proceeds from a limited-edition “Last Dance with Mary Jane” print signed by artist Blaze Brooks—which sold out imminently— will also benefit the mission—learn how you can get involved here. The post TOM PETTY ESTATE TO DONATE $100,000 FOR WILDFIRE RELIEF first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Anthropic CEO says DeepSeek was ‘the worst’ on a critical bioweapons data safety testAnthropic's CEO Dario Amodei claims DeepSeek generated sensitive bioweapons data in a safety test it ran.
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