Is AlphaTheta’s CDJ-3000X really such a big deal for the DJ industry?The launch of a new CDJ from Pioneer DJ (now AlphaTheta) has always caused a stir in the DJ community. The price tag, the headline features, and, perhaps more importantly, the perceived missing features, will dominate forums and comment sections for months — and we’re already starting to see it happening with AlphaTheta’s latest.

READ MORE: AlphaTheta CDJ-3000X review: Bigger, sharper, smoother, and cloud-ready — but you’ll need very deep pockets

But let’s keep some perspective: the CDJ-3000X is an incremental update from the CDJ-3000. The ‘X’ bolted on the end makes that obvious, and we’ll probably be waiting another five years at least before a true leap in the form of a CDJ-4000, or some device deserving of a clean break in name and design. The bigger question is: “Does that really matter to most DJs anymore?” I’d argue that it doesn’t — but it might matter for DJs in the next 5 to 10 years.
The very idea of what a flagship DJ product represents has changed, along with the branding itself. AlphaTheta, the corporate parent that initially sat quietly behind Pioneer DJ, has stepped into the front of house. It claims Pioneer DJ isn’t going anywhere, which seems unlikely, and the rollout of AlphaTheta as the premium brand has felt…awkward. The 3000X isn’t proudly stamped with ‘AlphaTheta’ on its crowd-facing screen or rear panel. Instead, it carries only a minimalist icon — hardly the bold booth takeover we might have expected.
Considering how much of Pioneer DJ’s dominance was cemented through the sheer visibility of its logo in booth photos, livestreams, and social content, the absence of a strong brand identity on the new flagship feels like a strange misstep at a time when optics can matter as much as engineering. It does, however, show a bold confidence in the new product.
Image: Press
As for the deck itself, the 3000X is less a revolution and more a carefully planned collage. Think of it as AlphaTheta curating the most well-loved ideas from across its ecosystem and weaving them into a single premium package, housed in a familiar chassis that retains the muscle memory and instinct built from a long legacy of CDJ design.
Yes, there are new ideas.
Streaming has taken a step forward with onboard WiFi. Now, you can connect directly to Beatport, Spotify, Tidal, or your own cloud library without plugging in USB media as before. The NFC/QR log-in system is clever too: tap your phone and your entire rekordbox profile appears like magic, with streaming services soon to be logged in alongside it. Suddenly, DJing without a USB, media, or laptop is a reality. But is streaming ready to be the centrepiece of a professional set? Not yet. At this stage, it still feels like an auxiliary option, something you lean on in a pinch, or to expand your set, or take track requests with, rather than the backbone of your performance. Although you can cache a decent amount of cloud and streaming tracks on the device, you are still at the whim of a stable and fast internet connection. I suspect that will not stop someone at your future gig from asking if they can “log into your decks and play a few songs,” though…
Don’t get me wrong, I rated the CDJ-3000X very highly in my review. For what it’s designed to do, there is no better product in the market right now. The problem is that this end of the market is shrinking in relevance to the wider DJ culture.
Image: Press
I’ve been DJing for over three decades, and I have seen the format shifts up close: vinyl to CD, CD to USB, USB to laptop, laptop to controller. Each transition was messy, full of overlap and resistance. But since the 2009 release of the CDJ-2000, the chaos steadied, with DJs falling into mostly USB stick or laptop camps. It feels similar to how mobile phones hit a ceiling of innovation several years ago, and users realised most phones do pretty much everything they need, and yearly upgrades slowed.
In the five years since the CDJ-3000 launched, I can count on one hand the times I have actually encountered one in a booth. Each time, it was at a larger event where a hire company had supplied the kit. The days when every club, bar, and local venue felt compelled to invest in the latest flagship players are long gone. Many venues don’t own permanent DJ setups at all anymore, partly because the new-gen DJs arrive with their own controllers and gear they have rehearsed on; gear that feels like an extension of themselves.
If DJs are swapping out the installed kit for their own, and unless venues are booking high-end DJs with tech riders wanting the CDJ-3000X, why would they keep upgrading expensive CDJs or replace broken kit?
This is the quagmire AlphaTheta faces: satisfy top-tier professionals who demand familiar, robust, reliable gear for festival stages and installs, but also keep entry-level and mid-tier devices exciting, new, and familiar enough to funnel DJs into the rekordbox ecosystem for subscriptions and cloud services. This is where the long game is being played. Consider that pro DJs who were using Pioneer DJ regularly at gigs could avoid ever spending money with the company. Now they are monthly rekordbox subscribers, with AlphaTheta entering into the DJ services world to protect DJs’ music and back up their cue points, grids, and settings in the cloud.
Image: Press
The side effect of this product strategy is glacial progress in how features are adopted. It takes about a decade for meaningful innovation in DJ tech to settle in. It was about 10 years between laptops creeping into booths and Serato or Traktor becoming normalised; about 10 years between CDJs appearing in clubs and the 1210s finally fading as the default. Streaming could follow the same arc, but right now, it is still finding its place.
And this is where things get really interesting. As streaming grows, the economics of exclusivity will reshape the industry. Expect to see “streaming-only” releases, label-brokered exclusives tied to specific services, and a fragmentation of DJ libraries not unlike what has already happened with Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and the rest in the video world. The real disruption will not be a single device like the 3000X, but the moment when universal library access becomes viable across brands and platforms.
Imagine logging into a booth anywhere, whether it is AlphaTheta, Denon, or even some new competitor, and instantly having your cloud-based collection ready to go. That would take us full circle, back to a more gear-agnostic era where DJs really could just show up with their music.

And isn’t that supposed to be the point? Strip away the brand loyalty, the marketing, the endless debates about jog wheel tension and screen brightness, and the music itself should still be at the heart of DJing.
The CDJ-3000X is a brilliant piece of kit, but its true legacy might be less about what it does in the booth today and more about how it points us toward a future where the hardware matters less than the music that flows through it.
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IK Multimedia introduce ReSing IK Multimedia's new voice-modelling software claims to deliver natural-sounding vocal performances that they say are indistinguishable from those captured during live recording sessions.

HSBC claims a quantum breakthrough in algorithmic tradingResearchers at banking giant HSBC said they successfully applied quantum computers to algorithmic bond trading in an experimental test.

Viral call-recording app Neon goes dark after exposing users’ phone numbers, call recordings, and transcriptsCall recording app Neon was one of the top-ranked iPhone apps, but was pulled offline after a security bug allowed any logged-in user to access the call recordings and transcripts of any other user.

Universal and Sony Music partner with new platform to detect AI music copyright theft using ‘groundbreaking neural fingerprinting’ technologyCompanies to use "groundbreaking neural fingerprinting technologies" to detect copyright infringement in AI-generated music.
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AudioKit Pro VIRAL SYNTH T2xVIRAL SYNTH T2x is a virtual analog synth inspired by the sounds of the Virus TI2* synth series. Works on your iPhone, iPad, and iPad/iPhone AUv3 plug-in for DAWs like Logic for iPad. Includes over 500+ Inspiring and Original Presets. Not imitation, it's Innovation. Features: 64 Voice Virtual Analog, 64 independent filters (1 for each voice). Advanced Synth Engine (including PWM, Osc Morph and 48+ waveform shapes). Trance Gate with multiple destinations. Super Fun Vintage Arp & Step sequencer. Quickly make 4-voice Unison Saws, Super FM pitch dives, and more with one tap. FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. 3 LFOs with Polarity, over 70+ possible destinations, almost everything can be modulated! LFOs can even modify other LFOs. Over 6 panels of controls to shape your sound. Use with MIDI keyboard or iOS MIDI host. RECORDING – easily record your melodies, and sounds and export. No other apps needed. Includes full lifetime license for both iPhone & iPad. Download and Learn more: VIRAL SYNTH * This app has no affiliation or endorsement from Access Corporation. It is not a clone of the Virus TI2, or any other synthesizer. Nor does it use any Virus ROM or direct waveforms. The wavetables are legally different, and the names have been changed. While we were inspired by the sound and legacy of these iconic instruments, this is an original creation, built from the ground up. All product names, trademarks, and images mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used only to describe the inspiration behind this app and for purposes of reference. Their inclusion does not imply any association, affiliation, or endorsement. Read More

Tube Furnace is the Real HotnessWe aren’t sure what [theglassman] is working on, but based on his recent projects, we think it is probably something interesting. He’s been decapping ICs, growing oxide on silicon substrates, and has built a tube furnace capable of reaching 1200 °C.
What would you do with something that can melt cast iron? We aren’t sure, but maybe you’ll tell us in the comments. We do have a fair idea of what [theglassman] is doing, though.
The core of the oven is a quartz tube. Insulation is via refractory cement and alumina ceramic wool. The heating itself is classic Nichrome wire and a tiny thermocouple. The real key, though, is to the proper controller. [theglassman] suggests a ramp/soak controller. These allow you to program sequences that heat up and then stop, which, if done properly, can prevent your fragile quartz tube from cracking.

Naturally, you need the tube furnace to grow oxides on silicon. It is less clear why he’s decapping ICs. We were nervous about his process of boiling down sulfuric acid (fuming nitrate works better, anyway, if you just want to remove the epoxy).  If you want to remove everything like he does, sodium hydroxide will also work well.
Obviously, we need to keep an eye on [theglassman]. We are curious what he’s working towards. Maybe making a custom transistor? Or, dare we hope, a homemade IC?

Dive Behind the Boards with Sounwave at AES Show 2025Every once in a while, the Audio Engineering Society lines up a session that feels less like a panel and more like a masterclass. That’s what’s happening at AES Show 2025 in Long Beach, where GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Sounwave will sit down with legendary mixer Manny Marroquin for a conversation on craft, collaboration, and the delicate art of building sound. The talk, titled “Inside the Creative Process with Sounwave: Shaping Sound and Artist Identity,” lands on Thursday, October 23.For the uninitiated, Sounwave (born Mark Anthony Spears) isn’t just another name in the credits—he’s the creative engine behind some of the most era-defining records of the last decade. From Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer-winning DAMN. to SZA’s chart-dominating collaborations, from Taylor Swift’s Midnights to Beyoncé’s Renaissance, his fingerprints are everywhere. Most recently, he helped produce Lamar’s GNX, the album that spawned the cultural earthquake of Not Like Us—a track that didn’t just top charts, it set the entire internet ablaze.Beyond the studio, Sounwave’s resume stretches into moments that have defined pop culture at large: Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, the Grand National Tour, even consumer tech with his retro-futurist Songbook MAX speakers designed with Tivoli Audio. And yet, for all the accolades (seven GRAMMYs and counting), the through-line is his ability to translate an artist’s vision into sound that feels inevitable: music that sticks not because it’s engineered to, but because it resonates.AES president Gary Gottlieb put it best: “This session is about more than production techniques; it’s about understanding the art of building trust with artists and shaping music that defines a generation.” With Marroquin steering the conversation—a man whose mixing credits touch nearly 250 million albums—expect less industry jargon and more raw perspective on how great records are actually made.If you’re heading to Long Beach this October, don’t think of this as just another conference slot. Think of it as a chance to hear how some of the most important music of the last twenty years came to life, straight from the source. Until then, revisit the proof:

For more information about the AES Show 2025 program and registration, visit aesshow.com.The post Dive Behind the Boards with Sounwave at AES Show 2025 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Loewe’s first over-ear headphones are here – and they’re backed by David Guetta and Kylian MbappéAfter unveiling a pair of uber-high-end diamond-encrusted headphones – worth over $135,000 – last month, German electronics brand Loewe has launched its first ever pair of production-run over-ear headphones, Loewe leo.
The headphones combine “state-of-the-art technology, superb sound quality, and timeless design”, and have two very well-known faces proudly sporting them for the launch: footballer Kylian Mbappé – who’s been global Loewe ambassador since 2024 – and world renowned DJ David Guetta.

READ MORE: Nothing Headphone (1) review: Not bad, but definitely quirky

The Loewe leo headphones integrate a “top-quality” DAC, precision 50mm drivers, and full high-resolution codec support. The driver features a diaphragm crafted from lightweight OCE (Olefin Composite Elastomer), which according to Loewe, has a fast response and natural damping, and “delivers clear vocals, detailed highs, and smooth, controlled bass.”
Further key features include adaptive noise cancellation, transparency mode, and support for Hi-Res Audio Wireless, Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, and Bluetooth LE Audio. Users can also access Loewe’s exclusive Mimi Sound Personalisation through the Loewe app, which tailors playback to your unique hearing profile.
Leo also includes voice assistant support, real-time AI translation, multipoint connectivity, and offers 65 hours of battery life. The headphones also have a fold-flat design and are crafted with sustainability in mind; most of the components of leo are repairable, replaceable, and upgradeable.

“With Loewe leo, we’ve created more than just headphones,” comments Aslan Khabliev, CEO & Owner at Loewe Technology. “David and Kylian embody the spirit of Travel Beyond Sound: moving through the world while being transported by the immersive, precise sound of Loewe. Their stories show how music and performance merge into a single, powerful journey.”
“Music helps me stay focused and connected to myself. With Loewe leo, I can take that feeling with me everywhere – it’s like carrying my own universe of sound,” says Mbappé.
“For me, sound is everything,” adds Guetta. “It’s how I express myself and connect with others. Loewe leo delivers sound so pure and immersive that it feels like coming home, no matter where I am.”
Elsewhere Loewe has partnered with luxury jeweller Jacob & Co. to create the leo – bespoke edition. Limited to just 10 pieces worldwide, each handcrafted headset is set with around 12 carats of genuine gemstones, and is priced in the six-figure range.
The standard leo headphones are available in midnight blue and moonlight beige. They are priced at €1,299, and are available now. Find out more via Loewe.
The post Loewe’s first over-ear headphones are here – and they’re backed by David Guetta and Kylian Mbappé appeared first on MusicTech.

Focusrite launch Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition The Scarlett 2i2 Anniversary Edition retains the same features as the standard version, but sports a stylish blue finish inspired by Focusrite's renowned ISA range.

Reverb Wallet lets music makers get more money for their gear with a 1% cash back bonusMusic gear marketplace Reverb has launched a newly revamped version of the Reverb Wallet, allowing users to get even more money for their gear.
Those who opt to keep their earnings from gear sales in their Reverb Wallet will get to take advantage of a one percent cash back bonus, as well as faster earnings, and future access to exclusive perks.

READ MORE: “Greta Gerwig was in love with the sound of ‘70s and ‘80s analogue synthesisers”: How Mark Ronson took to Reverb to track down a Yamaha CS-80 for the Barbie soundtrack

This remodelled Wallet experience follows Reverb’s recent return to independence. The platform was sold by Etsy earlier this year, and was purchased by two new investors: Creator Partners, which also invests in BMI, SoundCloud, Color Studios, and Mogul; and Servco, which has been involved in musical instruments since 1937.
The newly imagined Reverb Wallet is also backed by a trusted and regulated payments platform for extra peace of mind. Exclusive perks for those who take advantage of the Wallet are due to arrive over the coming months, so users should keep an eye out for notifications on timely promotions.

To begin using the new Reverb Wallet, start by simply logging into your Reverb account and visit your Shop Settings. From here, you can select ‘Reverb Wallet’ in the payment settings section on the Policies page.
Reverb’s Chief Technology Officer, Jason Wain, comments: “One of the most important parts of music making is trying out new sounds. Whether you’re upgrading from an Epiphone Les Paul to a Gibson, or starting a new project that needs the dreamy tone of a Roland Juno rather than the gritty sound of the Moog Grandmother, we want to make that journey as easy as possible.
Wain adds, “With Reverb Wallet, players get access to more gear when they turn their old guitars, synths, pedals, and other instruments into higher earnings that help them refresh their rig.”
In other news from Reverb, the platform also relaunched in the UK earlier this month with lower seller fees – an “all-in” five percent on every sale, down three percent from before – and new tools for sellers.
Find out more about the new Wallet experience over at Reverb.
The post Reverb Wallet lets music makers get more money for their gear with a 1% cash back bonus appeared first on MusicTech.

Focusrite celebrates 40 years in style with super-limited blue version of the Scarlett 2i2Focusrite has unveiled a new super-limited-edition blue version of its widely popular Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
Boasting the High Wycombe, UK brand’s famous ISA blue colourway – which first featured on the ISA 110 and 130 modules Rupert Neve once created for Sir George Martin – the 40th Anniversary Scarlett 2i2 also sports Focusrite’s historic ff logo, and each unit is presented in a limited-edition black-and-gold gift box.

READ MORE: Shadow Hills OptoMax turns the prized optical section of the popular Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor into its own dedicated plugin

In addition to the standard Scarlett software collection which comes with the latest Focusrite Scarlett interfaces – including Pro Tools Intro+ for Focusrite, Ableton Live Lite and FL Studio Producer Edition – the Anniversary edition also includes three premium plugins.
Credit: Focusrite
These are: Sonnox Voca, an “intuitive all-in-one toolkit for vocal production”; Acustica Audio Rust, a recreation of the hand-built EQs that defined Motown; and Softube Opto Compressor, for adding natural warmth via classic optical tube compressor modelling.
“It’s fitting that we should celebrate the 40th year of the Focusrite brand by adding a limited edition to the fourth-generation Scarlett range,” says Phil Dudderidge OBE, Focusrite Chairman and Founder.
Credit: Focusrite
“In its usual livery, Scarlett acknowledges the original Red Range, which brought colour to the racks of monochrome outboard. This Anniversary Edition is blue, in celebration of our original house colour. Focusrite, in either guise, has always been about bringing colour to the music!”
Otherwise, the 40th Anniversary Scarlett 2i2 is the same as the current 4th Gen Scarlett 2i2, with 4th-Generation mic preamps boasting a massive 69dB gain range, Hi-Z instrument and line inputs, and the same studio-grade converters found on Focusrite’s flagship RedNet interfaces.
The 40th Anniversary Scarlett 2i2 is available for $229.99/£219.99. For more information, head to Focusrite.
Credit: Focusrite
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StubHub asks scalpers to self-police first US ticket resale capAs the first cap in the U.S. on ticket resale prices becomes law, StubHub is asking resellers to self-police their compliance. What could go wrong?
The post StubHub asks scalpers to self-police first US ticket resale cap appeared first on Hypebot.

Native Instruments’ new LCO Producer Strings instrument puts you “in the conductor’s chair” of the London Contemporary OrchestraNative Instruments has launched a new Kontakt Instrument, LCO Producer Strings, which unlocks the sound of the London Contemporary Orchestra.
The London Contemporary Orchestra was founded in 2008 by Hugh Tieppo-Brunt and Robert Ames, with the idea to push classical traditions into new territory. The famous ensemble has appeared on soundtracks for Ridley Scott and Paul Thomas Anderson films, as well as video games like Call of Duty, and has collaborated with huge artists like Radiohead, Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd.

READ MORE: Excite Audio’s Evolve Velvet is a sample-based synth that brings “cozy, timeless tones” to every corner of your production

Suitable for a range of producers, from “bedroom creators to film composers”, LCO Producer Strings promises to deliver “emotional depth through modern, gritty, and glitchy string textures”.
All sounds within the instrument were notably captured at London’s RAK Studios in partnership with acclaimed engineer, Fiona Cruickshank. Built around a flexible four-layer engine, it lets you stack violins, violas, cellos, and synths sections.
Producer Strings also lets you run wild with unique articulations – like cluster blooms, harmonic flickers, cascading runs, and percussive pizzicatos – and its hybrid sound sources spanning across acoustic and synthetic elements aid in expanding the creative space, so you can tap into sounds that stretch from organic and real, all the way to futuristic.
In other new launches from Native Instruments, the brand released a totally free soft synth back in July. The synth, titled Massive X Player, is said to offer an introduction to sound sculpting, and comes pre-loaded with 60 presets including basses, pads, leads, and much more.
LCO Producer Strings is fully optimised for Kontakt 8 and Native Kontrol Standard (NKS). It is priced at £89/$99. Find out more via Native Instruments, or learn more about the London Contemporary Orchestra.
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Instagram: 3 Billion Users and the Rise Of Reels and DMSInstagram has officially passed 3 billion monthly active users (MAUs), cementing its role as one of the world’s most influential social platforms. Along with the milestone, Instagram is signaling increasing emphasis on Reels and direct messaging (DMs). For marketers of music, this shift marks a new era of how to engage fans, grow audiences, and drive deeper connections.
The post Instagram: 3 Billion Users and the Rise Of Reels and DMS appeared first on Hypebot.