In the wake of new Spotify deal, Universal Music Group adds $3.4 billion to its market cap; Warner Music Group shares up 4.7% as investors await similar agreement with streamerUniversal and Warner jointly pile on around $4 billion in market cap value following landmark announcement
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New Open Source DeepSeek V3 Language Model Making WavesIn the world of large language models (LLMs) there tend to be relatively few upsets ever since OpenAI barged onto the scene with its transformer-based GPT models a few years ago, yet now it seems that Chinese company DeepSeek has upended the status quo. Its new DeepSeek-V3 model is not only open source, it also claims to have been trained for only a fraction of the effort required by competing (open & closed source) models, while performing significantly better.
The full training of DeepSeek-V3’s 671B parameters is claimed to have only taken 2.788M hours on NVidia H800 (Hopper-based) GPUs, which is almost a factor of ten less than others. Naturally this has the LLM industry somewhat up in a mild panic, but for those who are not investors in LLM companies or NVidia can partake in this new OSS model that has been released under the MIT license, along with the DeepSeek-R1 reasoning model.
Both of these models can be run locally, using both AMD and NVidia GPUs, as well as using the online APIs. If these models do indeed perform as efficiently as claimed, they stand to massively reduce the hardware and power required to not only train but also query LLMs.

Soundiron Hopkin Instrumentarium: 2+2+12+2+1 is a 14-string zither featuring multiple bridges that divide each string into three segments. Two of these segments are longer, producing a lower-octave tone, while the shorter segment,... Read More

The FTC Take Action, Is Time Finally Up For John Deere On Right To Repair?Over the last decade we have brought you frequent reports not from the coolest of hackerspaces or the most bleeding edge of engineering in California or China, but from the rolling prairies of the American Midwest. Those endless fields of cropland waving in the breeze have been the theatre for an unlikely battle over right to repair, the result of which should affect us all. The case of FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, STATE OF ILLINOIS, and STATE OF MINNESOTA, v. DEERE & COMPANY  relates to the machinery manufacturer’s use of DRM to restrict the repair of its products, and holds the promise to end the practice once and for all.
This is being written in Europe, where were an average person asked to name a brand that says “America”, they might reach for the familiar; perhaps Disney, McDonalds, or Coca-Cola. These are the flag-bearers of American culture for outsiders, but it’s fair to say that none of them can claim to have built the country. The green and yellow Deere tractors on the other hand represent the current face of a company with nearly two hundred years of farming history, which by virtue of producing some of the first mass-produced plows, had perhaps the greatest individual role in shaping modern American agriculture and thus indirectly the country itself. To say that Deere is woven into the culture of rural America is something of an understatement, agricultural brands like Deere have an enviable customer base, the most loyal of any industry.
Thus while those green and yellow tractors are far from the only case of DRM protected repairability, they have become the symbolic poster child for the issue as a whole. It’s important to understand then how far-reaching it is beyond the concerns of us technology and open-source enthusiasts, and into something much more fundamental.
The text of the lawsuit itself can be readily downloaded as a PDF, and from our non-lawyerly pass it seems that at its heart lies the manufacturer’s monopolistic practices by restricting access to software diagnostic and repair tools, rather than the use of DRM itself. Thus should the suit not go Deere’s way, as we read it it wouldn’t undermine the DMCA or the use of DRM, but it would lessen the attractiveness of DRM to a manufacturer by removing their ability to restrict repairers whether they use DRM or not. This would propagate out beyond the farm, and have a consequent effect on the repairability of much more than tractors.
This lawsuit is the latest of many targeting the same issue, and despite having the FTC behind it we’re not certain of its chances of success in the current climate. We hope that decades of these practices causing a modern Deere to be worth considerably less than an old one will inflict enough damage on the brand for its competitors to take note. There was a time when buying a Deere such as the one your scribe piloted over the fields of Oxfordshire years ago was the “Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM” of agricultural machinery, while now there’s a seed of doubt as to whether a minor breakdown could cause a lost harvest. That’s not an enviable position for any brand to find itself in, especially by its own hand.

Ewan Bristow releases FREE EB-CatNip Frequency Shifting Delay for Plugdata
Ewan Bristow has blessed us with yet another weird and wonderful release: EB-CatNip, a frequency-shifting delay plugin powered by Plugdata.  If you’ve used Ewan Bristow’s plugins before, you can no doubt guess that EB-CatNip runs in the free Plugdata programming environment. Plugdata runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, and more as a plugin (VST3, LV2, AU, CLAP) [...]
View post: Ewan Bristow releases FREE EB-CatNip Frequency Shifting Delay for Plugdata

Two new Eurorack innovations from Endorphin.es The anticipated Ground Control v3 firmware update transforms their flagship sequencer with powerful new features, while the all-new Cockpit X 1U delivers a compact, crystal-clear analogue mixer.

Spotify UMG deal is good news for all Artists: Read Full TextA new multi-year deal between Spotify and UMG that includes recorded music and music publishing appears to establish a new precedent in how royalties - particularly those involving income from bundled subscriptions to songwriters - will be calculated.
The post Spotify UMG deal is good news for all Artists: Read Full Text appeared first on Hypebot.

4 Essential Strategies for Touring ArtistsTouring is no longer just about ticket sales—it’s a goldmine of revenue opportunities waiting to be tapped. Discover four proven strategies for touring artists to grow your fan base, boost merch sales, and connect with fans worldwide.
The post 4 Essential Strategies for Touring Artists appeared first on Hypebot.

Apple Music Stats 2025 You Need to KnowApple Music isn't always first on music marketers minds, even though it has 93 million subscribers and higher payouts than most competitors. Dive into Apple Music stats 2025 plus learn the features that set it apart.
The post Apple Music Stats 2025 You Need to Know appeared first on Hypebot.

“It has its uses, but it shouldn’t rip creative people off”: Paul McCartney and Elton John speak out against potential AI threats amid proposed changes to UK copyright lawBoth Paul McCartney and Elton John have spoken out against proposed changes to UK copyright law, which could allow AI developers to mine from creators’ content on the internet.
The suggested change would mean creative works could be used to develop AI models unless the rights holders actively opt out. Many have argued that an artist would face a lot of difficulty in trying to contact thousands of different AI companies to do so, and that keeping track of where their creations have been used across the web would be incredibly challenging.

READ MORE: Deezer’s new AI detection tool has already found 10% of all tracks submitted to the platform are AI-generated

The government says it aims to deliver legal certainty through a copyright regime that provides creators with “real control” and transparency, as per the BBC. In an interview for Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, McCartney argues that the changes could cause a loss in incentive for artists to want to create music, stating, “When we were kids in Liverpool, we found a job that we loved, but it also paid the bills.”
McCartney also shares concerns over the lack of rights over an artists’ own music: “You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it. They don’t have anything to do with it, and anyone who wants can just rip it off. The truth is, the money’s going somewhere. Somebody’s getting paid, so why shouldn’t it be the guy who sat down and wrote Yesterday?”
He adds, “We’re the people, you’re the government! You’re supposed to protect us… If you’re putting through a bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists, or you’re not going to have them.”
Reflecting on the use of AI to clean up John Lennon’s vocals in the “final” Beatles song, Now And Then, he says, “It has its uses, but it shouldn’t rip creative people off. There’s no sense in that.”

Echoing McCartney’s beliefs, Elton John tells The Sunday Times that “The wheels are in motion to allow AI companies to ride roughshod over the traditional copyright laws that protect artists’ livelihoods.”
He further states, “This will dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings even further. The musician community rejects it wholeheartedly… Without thorough and robust copyright protection that allows artists to earn hard-fought earnings from their music, the UK’s future place on the world stage as a leader in arts and popular culture is under serious jeopardy.”
The post “It has its uses, but it shouldn’t rip creative people off”: Paul McCartney and Elton John speak out against potential AI threats amid proposed changes to UK copyright law appeared first on MusicTech.

Andi Vax 222 Professional Presets for Valhalla Vintage VerbElevate your Valhalla Vintage Verb experience with 222 professionally crafted presets! Well-arranged into categories, this collection is perfect for mixing, creating cinematic soundscapes,... Read More

Universal Music Group and Spotify ink new multi-year deal that will “advance music monetisation” and “accelerate product innovation”Universal Music Group and Spotify have inked a new multi-year deal to “advance the next era of streaming innovation”.
The new agreements, centered around recorded music and music publishing, will focus “on growth, innovation and the advancement of artists’ and songwriters’ success,” said the companies in a joint statement.

READ MORE: Deezer’s new AI detection tool has already found 10% of all tracks submitted to the platform are AI-generated

The deal will also see artists, songwriters and consumers “benefit from new and evolving offers, new paid subscription tiers, bundling of music and non-music content, and a richer audio and visual content catalogue.”
“By deepening audience experiences, driving further engagement and amplifying the connection between artists, songwriters and their fans, the collaboration between these two companies will position the industry for continued subscriber growth and retention.”
Notably, the new publishing agreement establishes a “direct license between Spotify and Universal Music Publishing Group across Spotify’s current product portfolio in the US and several other countries, which reinforces a mutually beneficial relationship for songwriters on the platform.”
With the new partnership, UMG and Spotify are also renewing their “commitment to artist-centric principles, ensuring that artists continue to be properly rewarded for the share of audience engagement that they drive and that their streaming royalties remain protected through the platform’s application of its fraud detection and enforcement systems.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, said in a statement, “When we first presented our vision for the next stage in the evolution of music subscription several months ago—Streaming 2.0—this is precisely the kind of partnership development we envisioned. This agreement furthers and broadens the collaboration with Spotify for both our labels and music publisher, advancing artist-centric principles to drive greater monetisation for artists and songwriters, as well as enhancing product offerings for consumers.”
Spotify Founder and CEO Daniel Ek also commented: “For nearly two decades, Spotify has made good on its commitment to return the music industry to growth, ensuring that we deliver record payouts to the benefit of artists and songwriters each new year. This partnership ensures we can continue to deliver on this promise by embracing the certainty that constant innovation is key to making paid music subscriptions even more attractive to a broader audience of fans around the world.”
Last year, Ek drew flak from both musicians and fans after claiming that the “cost of creating content” is “close to zero,” with many slamming the tech executive for being “out of touch” with his remarks.
The post Universal Music Group and Spotify ink new multi-year deal that will “advance music monetisation” and “accelerate product innovation” appeared first on MusicTech.

API release ASM164 analogue summing mixer API have unveiled the ASM164, a 16-channel analog summing mixer that brings the analogue API sound into a compact and cost-effective 19-inch rackmount format.

Deadmau5 slams 3LAU for bragging about DJing a Trump inauguration ball: “What very little respect I had for you is gone”Deadmau5 has slammed fellow DJ 3LAU for performing at one of President Donald Trump’s inauguration balls, stating that “what very little respect” he had for the musician has evaporated.
Deadmau5’s scathing critique came after 3LAU, real name Justin David Blau, shared an Instagram post about his performance at Trump’s Starlight Ball in Washington, DC, last week. Calling the experience “an honour” and an “achievement unlocked,” the 34-year-old’s words quickly drew the ire of fellow electronic musicians and fans in the comments section.
“5 days ago the POTUS team reached out cause they needed a DJ for inauguration afters,” Blau wrote in his post. “Playing Starlight Ball was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I mean wow, what an honour. I was so nervous, and only got to play for 30 minutes but holy ****.”

READ MORE: Snowsky Retro Nano: FiiO’s new Walkman-inspired device is a music player, DAC and headphone amp rolled into one

In a pointed Instagram comment, deadmau5 blasted Blau for aligning with “Nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalise the very people who gave you a platform.”
He added, “Not a single person in that entire dumbfuck administration has ever known who the fuck you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest shit about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of ‘em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind [them].”
“What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal. Enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.”
In a follow-up comment, deadmau5 mocked, “What’s next 3LAU? A Jeffrey Epstein tribute show with Bassnectar and Datsik?”
Other DJs who have piled on the criticism include Finnish electronic producer Darude, Los Angeles based-artist J. Worra, and Ravenscoon, who described 3LAU’s decision as “wack and tone deaf”.
“This administration is against everything the dance music community stands for,” Ravenscoon wrote. “Electronic music is supposed to be a place that welcomes everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BLAU (@3lau)

In response, 3LAU wrote on X that since playing the ball, “I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.”
“A matter of fact: I am a proud American,” he continues. “The freedoms we have in this country make it possible for me to pursue my passions—whether as a founder, a CEO, or a musician. My pride should not be used as a vessel for other people’s anger. This is exactly the behavior that has divided us. I am unwavering in my decision to focus my music and my work on things that continue to push our country forward. This might not always align with a single party, but progress comes from working together, not against each other.”
“This administration favours many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice. And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy,” 3LAU concludes.

As many of you know, I had the honor of performing at the @POTUS Inauguration Ball.
Since then, I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.
A… https://t.co/TsOa7xikSU
— BLAU (@3LAU) January 25, 2025

The post Deadmau5 slams 3LAU for bragging about DJing a Trump inauguration ball: “What very little respect I had for you is gone” appeared first on MusicTech.

Roland introduce JC-120 Jazz Chorus plug-in Roland have released the JC-120 Jazz Chorus Software Effect, a software version of their iconic JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier.