Robot Gets a DIY Pneumatic Gripper Upgrade[Tazer] built a small desktop-sized robotic arm, and it was more or less functional. However, he wanted to improve its ability to pick things up, and attaching a pneumatic gripper seemed like the perfect way to achieve that. Thus began the build!
The concept of [Tazer]’s pneumatic gripper is simple enough. When the pliable silicone gripper is filled with air, the back half is free to expand, while the inner section is limited in its expansion thanks to fabric included in the structure. This causes the gripper to deform in such a way that it folds around as it fills with air, which lets it pick up objects. [Tazer] designed the gripper so that that could be cast in silicone using 3D printed molds. It’s paired with a 3D printed manifold which delivers air to open and close the gripper as needed. Mounted on the end of [Tazer]’s robotic arm, it’s capable of lifting small objects quite well.
It’s a fun build, particularly for the lovely sounds of silicone parts being ripped out of their 3D printed molds. Proper ASMR grade stuff, here. We’ve also seen some other great work on pneumatic robot grippers over the years.

From Warner’s Crumbl copyright lawsuit to the EU’s Downtown deal probe… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
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93% of UK music fans support £1 ticket levy on large events to help fund grassroots venuesA new survey has revealed that 93 per cent of music fans in the UK would back a £1 ticket levy on large scale events and arena shows to support grassroots music venues amid ongoing closures.
The survey, conducted by Music Fans’ Voice, collected responses from 8,000 music fans across varying genres (with rock being the most popular type of music the group attend gigs for), aged 18 and above.

READ MORE: Over 60% of emerging producers and DJs feel “the electronic music industry is a closed club”, with social media presence prevailing over skill

99 per cent of participants agreed that live music is an important part of UK culture, and 30 per cent said they visit a grassroots venue monthly. As for larger venues, these are attended less regularly, with 27 per cent saying they visit an arena less than once a year. A large number of respondents also said they “never” attend nightclubs.
58 per cent of fans said they have witnessed the closure of a locally important music venue or nightclub since 2020, and the same percentage of participants also said that more local events would enable them to attend more gigs, with transportation costs preventing people from attending venues.
For those who said they have been attending less live music events compared to a year ago, the high cost of tickets was the main reason why, with 64 respondents citing this as an issue. The general cost of living and frustrations with dynamic pricing on tickets also fall closely behind as reasons why fans are not able to attend as many gigs as they once did. Only 11 per cent of those who have experienced a ticket price surge due to the dynamic pricing model agreed that the concept of surge pricing was effectively communicated to them beforehand.
Last year it was revealed that the UK government was planning to look into the “transparency” of dynamic ticket pricing. It was also later revealed it was planning to tackle ticket touts by potentially introducing a price cap on resale websites.
You can view the full report via Music Fans’ Voice.
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NoiseWorks Audio’s DynAssist gains Pro Tools ARA integration The latest update for DynAssist provides ARA support for Pro Tools, offering tighter integration and allowing users to apply intelligent dynamics processing without the need for real-time playback.

This new mini synth from this.is.NOISE inc. promises to always be in key, and even comes with a virtual petA new mini synthesiser from this.is.NOISE inc., a boutique Canadian hardware company, promises to always be in key, and its OLED screen even features a built-in virtual pet.
The synth, called Gamma, is ready to be played “without the need for prior musical training”, as its seven chords and notes are mapped to a selectable diatonic scale so everything always sounds good together. And yes, you read that correctly – you can own a virtual pet right within Gamma, just like that Tamagotchi you let die back in the late 90s, and it will even evolve as you play.

READ MORE: “Designed not to deliver perfect results, but to encourage exploration”: Sampleson’s Predictor plugin generates new notes and voicings from any MIDI file

The mini synth offers 14 low-profile keys for triggering notes and chords, two thumbsticks for real-time modulation, and four knobs for “precise” control over sound parameters. The thumbsticks offer on-the-fly access to octaves and effects – these include reverb, delay, detune, glide, tremolo, vibrato, and advanced chord variations like sus, 7th, and 9th chords.
Overall, it has 10 oscillators and four waveforms, plus an ADSR envelope, low and high pass filters, a key selection encoder for jumping between major and minor scales, and an on-board speaker. As for connectivity, it offers MIDI Out, an audio out/headphone jack, and rechargeable USB-C power.
Get a closer look below:

Gamma is currently in its final stages of development and will be available for pre-orders from 1 May. No pricing details appear available as of yet, but if you sign up for email alerts, you’ll get a $50 discount code emailed to you upon launch day.
In other gear news and on the soft synth side of things, Arturia has released V Collection 11, the latest instalment of its revered suite of plugins that emulate classic analogue synths and acoustic instruments. Along with a handful of new emulations, V Collection 11 also introduces new additions to Arturia’s Augmented series and a new synth, Pure LoFi.
You can sign up to receive notifications when Gamma launches via the this.is.NOISE inc. website. 
The post This new mini synth from this.is.NOISE inc. promises to always be in key, and even comes with a virtual pet appeared first on MusicTech.

Guide to Meta Ads to Market Music on Facebook and InstagramWant to turn listeners into loyal fans? This step-by-step Guide to Meta Ads to Market Music on Facebook and Instagram includes how to grow an audience, boost streams, and make every dollar count.
The post Guide to Meta Ads to Market Music on Facebook and Instagram appeared first on Hypebot.

“Immersive audio is the new standard”: Neumann’s RIME plugin might be a game changer for producers working with multi-speaker immersive audioNeumann may have just changed the game for producers and mixing engineers working with immersive audio. The company’s new plugin, RIME – which stands for Reference Immersive Monitoring Environment – allows users to monitor and tweak immersive audio formats using a pair of headphones.
If you’re unable to get into the studio, RIME is able to emulate a multichannel speaker setup. Designed to work exclusively with Neumann headphones, the plugin converts multichannel formats to binaural audio. In theory, it makes it easier for producers to monitor Dolby Atmos, for example, if they’re working on the go.

READ MORE: Shure’s MV7i USB mic might be your go-to audio interface for mobile recording

RIME is easy to use, as it places your track within a single reference room that you can see on your screen. You can then see where each speaker is in the room, and experiment with audio levels emitted from each corner of the immersive set up.
The studio room captures the genuine ambience and feel of a real, purpose-built studio room. Neumann engineers captured the sound with an immersive setup of Neumann KH loudspeakers and subwoofers, which were then fine-tuned using MA 1 automatic monitor alignment. The three-dimensional sound field was captured with a KU 100 binaural head microphone, which was then ran through Neumann’s MT 48 audio interface.
Credit: Neumann
According to Neumann, this setup should ensure “pristine sound quality throughout the entire signal chain”.
The plugin also supports OSC compatible head tracker devices, meaning it is able to respond to a listener’s head movements during playback. As Neumann explains, the technology doesn’t just benefit producers and audio professionals – it also allows casual listeners to enjoy a surround-sound listening experience.
“RIME is not a simulation but captures an optimal control room in ultimate quality” Product Manager Jorma Marquardt explains. “RIME sounds real, because it is real!”
Credit: Neumann
“Immersive audio is the new standard,” he continues. “Streaming services favour content that can be enjoyed in spatial audio formats such as Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality. More and more DAWs now offer immersive audio capabilities. Engineers, producers, and musicians alike are eager to explore these new possibilities. Reliable monitoring is essential for this.”
“With RIME, we’re offering an integrated solution that meets these evolving needs. It provides a more cost-effective and mobile alternative to loudspeaker-based monitoring solutions. Our NDH headphones have the same carefully balanced sound as our studio KH studio monitors, making it easy to switch between the two. With RIME this unique benefit extends to immersive monitoring as well.”
RIME is available now for £85, with the option of a 14-day free trial. It is compatible with all major DAWs on Mac and PC.

The post “Immersive audio is the new standard”: Neumann’s RIME plugin might be a game changer for producers working with multi-speaker immersive audio appeared first on MusicTech.

Top Tours Chart powered by BandsintownHypebot now publishes an exclusive Top Tours Chart of the most popular tours and tour announcements powered by Bandsintown. The Top Tours Chart is based on data from 95 million registered music fans and across its growing tour date distribution network that includes Spotify, Google, Apple, Shazam and more.
The post Top Tours Chart powered by Bandsintown appeared first on Hypebot.

ToneLib releases TL BaxEQ, a FREE classic Baxandall EQ Plugin
ToneLib is back with another freebie after updating popular plugins TL NoiseReducer and TL TubeWarmth late in 2024. The developer’s latest freebie is TL BaxEQ, which pays homage to the late Peter J Baxandall. Peter J. Baxandall developed the Baxandall EQ over seven decades ago, and although successful, he never quite received the credit he [...]
View post: ToneLib releases TL BaxEQ, a FREE classic Baxandall EQ Plugin

Billy McFarland’s Fyre Festival brand is up for sale, as he describes the brand as “one of the most powerful attention engines in the world”Billy McFarland has announced that he is selling the Fyre Festival brand, as he describes it as “one of the most powerful attention engines in the world”.
McFarland was convicted of fraud over the original 2017 Fyre Festival, where attendees arrived to find all the talent cancelled, and promises of glamorous accommodation and catering were non-existent. The festival became the subject of the 2019 Netflix documentary, Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened.

READ MORE: Electronic music dethrones indie on TikTok for the first time in app’s history: “Dance music has become more accessible and big in the commercial sphere”

A follow-up to the event, named Fyre Festival 2, was planned to run from 30 May to 2 June this year, but was cancelled just over a week ago, with claims that it would be rescheduled. Shortly after, it was reported that Shawn Rech, co-founder of streaming service TruBlu, had acquired some Fyre IP – including two trademarks – potentially allowing him to start up a new streaming service.
Now, in a new statement directly from McFarland, he says the Fyre brand is more widely available for purchase — including its “trademarks, IP, digital assets, media reach, and cultural capital”. He says, “When my team and I launched Fyre Festival 2, it was about two things: finishing what I started and making things right. Over the past two years, we’ve poured everything into bringing Fyre back with honesty, transparency, relentless effort, and creativity. We’ve taken the long road to rebuilding trust. We rebuilt momentum. And we proved one thing without a doubt: Fyre is one of the most powerful attention engines in the world.
“Since 2017, Fyre has dominated headlines, documentaries, and conversations as one of the world’s most talked-about music festivals. We knew that Fyre was big, but we didn’t realise just how massive the wave would become. That wave has brought us here: to a point where we know it’s time to call for assistance. This brand is bigger than any one person and bigger than what I’m able to lead on my own.”
McFarland goes on to add that “there is a clear path for operators and entrepreneurs with strong domain expertise to build Fyre into a global force in entertainment, media, fashion, CPG, and more”: “For example, in the two years since we’ve relaunched Fyre Festival, Hollywood and entertainment executives have already licenced the brand to develop properties specifically in theatre, music streaming, and Free Ad-Supported TV.”
He also claims that following the postponement of Fyre Fest 2, which was due to happen in Mexico, the brand has been approached by several Caribbean destinations “eager” to host the event. You can read the full statement below:

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A post shared by FYRE FESTIVAL (@fyrefestival)

Interested buyers can learn more and fill out a brand offer form via the Fyre Festival website.
The post Billy McFarland’s Fyre Festival brand is up for sale, as he describes the brand as “one of the most powerful attention engines in the world” appeared first on MusicTech.

Splice’s final instalment of Oliver’s “Power Tools Decades” sample pack series is inspired by hit producers of the noughtiesSplice has officially released the final instalment of Oliver’s Power Tools Decades sample pack series, and this time he’s taken inspiration from the 2000s.
Power Tools Decades was launched by Splice and Vaughn Oliver (of production duo Oliver, a name which Vaughn still works under) in August of 2023 with the release of Power Tools Decades – 80’s. It featured 257 samples of synthetic drums, and was followed by a 90’s inspired pack (launched May 2024), which focussed on “modernising the raw grooves and energy of a decade that took hip-hop, house, and jungle into the mainstream”.

READ MORE: “Your favourite producer’s sounds are made here”: Vaughn Oliver shows off his synths and studio

According to Splice, this new pack channels “the groove and bounce of early 2000s drum programming”, and plucks inspiration from iconic producers like The Neptunes and Timbaland. Putting his own spin on things, Oliver layers “classic rhythms with modern processing, making them hit harder and sound more dynamic”.
Power Tools Decades – 00’s includes 177 drum loops, 10 clap loops, 62 full drum loops, 39 stripped drum loops, 10 high-hat loops, 32 percussion loops, seven shaker loops, 17 top loops, 124 one-shot samples, 20 Claps, 18 hi-hats, 29 kicks, 21 percussions, nine rims, and nine snaps.
“The 2000s had such a distinct rhythm and swagger. I wanted to capture that – but make it hit even harder with today’s tools,” comments Oliver. “For this pack, I leaned into live percussion and foley recording to give it that extra dimension and energy.
“I’m always so blown away with what producers and artists have made with my sounds and loops. I’m very grateful that I’m able to help and inspire other musicians, even in a small way,” he concludes.

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Kenny Ochoa, SVP of Content at Splice, adds: “After six chart-topping sample packs, Oliver has cemented his place as a cornerstone of Splice’s global producer community. His ability to consistently deliver pristine, punchy sounds has set the bar for quality in the sample game, defining some of the biggest records of the last decade. These sounds aren’t just about capturing nostalgia – they’re giving producers the tools to push sound forward.”
This sample pack concludes the Power Tools Decades trilogy, but Oliver is already working on another project for Splice called “Power Tools Presents”, for which he is planning to spotlight his favourite sound designers and collaborators. No further details on this project have yet been revealed.
Power Tools Decades – 00’s is available to download now via Splice.
The post Splice’s final instalment of Oliver’s “Power Tools Decades” sample pack series is inspired by hit producers of the noughties appeared first on MusicTech.

MPG Awards 2025: The Winners The MPG have released a full list of this year’s MPG Awards winners following a sold-out ceremony at The Troxy in London, UK. 

Video details
Video title:
Мои 16 лет
Artist(s):
Pchelsh
Genres:
Pop, Electronic
Release Date:
24-04-2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1D0rg9mT04
#newmusicvideo #VEVO #Music #LifeCycleLtd #artist #pop #electronic

Book Store: "Just 100 Questions" By Greg McVeighWriter McVeigh had the solid idea of asking a ton of people in the music industry one solitary question. He then compiled 100 of these into Just 100 Questions, and a fascinating collection of tips and anecdotes was born. Managers, engineers, mixers, producers, and of course musicians have their say, and we’re left inspired by Colin Hay (Men at Work)’s tale of audience growth, and the fact that MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer was highly motivated to create right up until he tragically left us last year. (Paperback) $38The post Book Store: "Just 100 Questions" By Greg McVeigh first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Federal Reserve withdraws crypto guidance for banksThe US Federal Reserve has announced it would withdraw guidance for banks engaging in crypto asset and stablecoin-related activities.”The Board is rescinding its 2022 supervisory letter establishing an expectation that state member banks provide advance notification of planned or current crypto-asset activities,” the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve explained in an April 24 statement.Any crypto-related activities will now be monitored through the Federal Reserve’s normal supervisory process, it said.The Federal Reserve is also rescinding its 2023 supervisory letter that impacted how state banks could engage in stablecoin activities.This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.