A full Dolby Atmos set up for £169: Meet Majority’s new flagship Bowfell surround sound systems and soundbarsCambridge-based audio company Majority has launched a new line of soundbars and surround sound systems, hailed as its “most ambitious and comprehensive” to date.
These new launches are designed for music fans as well as film lovers and gamers, and Majority says that the collection’s headliner, the Bowfell Halo Atmos, is “engineered to redefine what immersive home audio sounds like at this price level.”

READ MORE: Noble Sceptre: A tiny Bluetooth transmitter that unlocks high-res audio from almost any device – and lets you charge while you listen

The flagship Bowfell Halo Atmos is, as its name suggests, powered by Dolby Atmos technology, and delivers 300W of output. The system includes an external wireless subwoofer and dual wireless rear satellite speakers, creating a fully immersive, three-dimensional soundstage. Connectivity options include HDMI ARC and optical inputs, alongside Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless streaming. USB and AUX playback are supported, and a remote control is included. It comes in at £169.95.
The Bowfell Halo Dolby system offers a slightly cheaper price point (£119.95) and still offers some Dolby goodness. It delivers 5.1 surround sound with Dolby Audio processing and a total power output of 180W. The system features an external wired subwoofer and dual wired rear satellite speakers, as opposed to its wireless sibling. Connectivity options remain the same.
Moving away from the Halo offerings are the Bowfell Axis Atmos (£129.95) and the Bowfell Axis Dolby (£89.95) soundbars.  The Bowfell Axis Atmos is a 2.1 channel soundbar system also powered by Dolby Atmos, producing a 200W output, while the Axis Dolby delivers 120W of output with Dolby Audio processing. The Axis Atmos features an external wireless subwoofer (wired on the Axis Dolby), and connectivity options remain the same.
The Bowfell soundbar range will launch on 16 February and will be available from Amazon and Richer Sounds. The range will be showcased at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show from 20 February. Find out more via Majority.
The post A full Dolby Atmos set up for £169: Meet Majority’s new flagship Bowfell surround sound systems and soundbars appeared first on MusicTech.

Stacks Audio offers the FREE eleven-product NAMM 2026 Bundle
Stacks Audio has released its free eleven-product NAMM 2026 Bundle. For anyone lucky enough to visit the NAMM show in Anaheim earlier this year, I hope you had a great time. For everyone else, the only thing better than keeping up to date with YouTube videos is getting something free, just for the sake of [...]
View post: Stacks Audio offers the FREE eleven-product NAMM 2026 Bundle

Woodstock Audio releases free Waveform Compressor plugin for Windows and macOS
Woodstock Audio has released Waveform Compressor, a free compressor plugin for macOS and Windows. Obviously, free compressors are nothing new, and most of us already have way more compressor plugins than we realistically need. And pretty much every DAW out there comes with a decent comp of its own. But even so, Waveform Compressor is [...]
View post: Woodstock Audio releases free Waveform Compressor plugin for Windows and macOS

“The gold standard in dynamics – times five”: Softube and Weiss launch the DS5 Multiband CompressorSoftube has continued its longstanding partnership with Weiss Engineering with a new version of its award-winning DS1 mastering processor.
Offering “complete control over compression across specific frequency ranges”, the Weiss DS5 Multiband Compressor, Softube says, delivers the power of the Weiss DS1 “to the power of five” via “line-by-line code port” of the DS1, while retaining simple ease of operation.

READ MORE: Behringer launches the BMX, its take on the classic Oberheim DMX drum machine

The Weiss DS5 Multiband Compressor comes with a number of presets designed by prominent engineers including Bob Katz, Jonathan Wyner, Maor Appelbaum and Philippe Weiss, which can be further tweaked to user taste or to work perfectly with any mix.
Softube made every effort when designing the DS5 Multiband Compressor to adhere to Weiss’s philosophy of “transparency”. It says the plugin’s filters and compression are designed to be transparent, with fast-acting filters and pre- and post-ringing artifacts reduced to a “mathematical minimum”.
The plugin’s phase-compensated 24 dB/octave crossover filters can be activated in three modes: Dynamic Phase, Static Phase and Linear Phase.
The Weiss DS5 Multiband Compressor is available now at an introductory price of $449/€449 until 7 April, after which the price will rise to $549/€549.
The plugin is also available as part of the Weiss Complete Collection 3, which has an intro price of $899/€899 until 7 April, after which it’ll rise to $1,199/€1,199.
For more information, head to Softube.
The post “The gold standard in dynamics – times five”: Softube and Weiss launch the DS5 Multiband Compressor appeared first on MusicTech.

Icon Pro Audio announce the Touch 8 The latest addition to Icon Pro Audio's selection of interfaces boasts a striking design that centres around a 10-inch capacitive multi-touch LCD screen.

Plugin Boutique offers BFD 3.5 acoustic drum plugin for $39
Plugin Boutique is offering BFD 3.5, the flagship acoustic drum instrument from BFD, at an 80% discount until February 14. This brings the price down to $39 from the regular $199. BFD 3.5 is a full-scale virtual drum studio designed for realistic acoustic drum production. Instead of focusing on quick loop-based workflows, it aims to [...]
View post: Plugin Boutique offers BFD 3.5 acoustic drum plugin for $39

Ozzy Osbourne guitarist says Pro Tools would have “ruined” classic albums like Dark Side of the Moon and Sgt. Pepper’sOzzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde believes the best music comes from simplicity, and that if Pro Tools were around during the making of classic records like Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, these records wouldn’t have had the same magic.
Wylde joined Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band in 1987, and played for him on and off throughout his long career. He also fronts his own band, Black Label Society.

READ MORE: Inside Abbey Road Studios’ new collection of rare and vintage instruments: “We wanted not just the digital version of this gear, but the original”

And in a new interview with Metal Hammer, the guitarists reflects on why the simpler recording and production technology available to bands prior to DAWs like Pro Tools contributed to the success of such records.
“When you actually listen to all the old albums, Sgt. Pepper’s…, Jimi Hendrix records, the first Sabbath album or Zeppelin’s first album, you go, ‘Man imagine if they had today’s Pro Tools and had, you know, a hundred tracks.’ I’d go, ‘Those albums wouldn’t sound like they do.’
“It would have ruined them. [Pink Floyd’s] Dark Side Of The Moon wouldn’t have sounded like it does if it had today’s resources,” he continues. “If Led Zeppelin IV wasn’t recorded in ‘71, if it was recorded today, it wouldn’t have sounded the way it does, because a lot of things were either happy mistakes, or you had to be creative.”

Wylde isn’t the only artist who feels today’s tools may be having a counterproductive effect on record production. Looking back on the formative Smashing Pumpkins albums Gish (1991) and Siamese Dream (1993), Billy Corgan told Rick Beato in 2022 that modern tools are “like the filter on Instagram”.
“It’s hard to go back into that brain…” he said. “Now, if you try to do that, you’re thinking in the back of your mind, ‘Well, if I mess up, we can fix it, move it…’ And when you start moving – it’s over. It’s like the filter on Instagram.”
Emerging technologies are regularly the source of debate in the music world. With AI an increasingly common talking point, Zakk Wylde also reflected on its impact during a recent Q&A in London.
“AI is fine. It would almost be like if me and you were sitting around going, ‘Hey, guys, can you write a song you think Black Sabbath would write?’ So it’s no different than that.
“But you’re never gonna be able to replace what is coming out of Ozzy’s mind, what’s coming out of Tony Iommi’s mind, what Geezer’s [Butler] thinking when he’s gonna write lyrics, and how Bill’s [Ward] gonna approach the drums on a riff, what kind of drum beat he’s gonna play,” he added. “When you get a record from whatever your favourite artist or your favourite band [is], you’re getting a piece of them. So you can’t ever replace that.”
Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society will release a new album, Engines Of Demolition, on 27 March. Find out where to catch them on tour via their official website.
The post Ozzy Osbourne guitarist says Pro Tools would have “ruined” classic albums like Dark Side of the Moon and Sgt. Pepper’s appeared first on MusicTech.

SoundFlow 6.1 update SoundFlow 6.1 introduces a rebuilt Session Assistant, a new Learning Assistant feature that offers an intelligent alternative to manuals and online searches, and a selection of new organisation tools. 

AllMusic's Anticipated 2026 AlbumsAs the year progresses, we look to the future to guess at the upcoming releases from our favorite artists and pontificate as to what their new sounds will reveal. Here is a non-exhaustive list of albums that our editors have been anticipating in the first half of 2026.

Waymo is testing driverless robotaxis in NashvilleThis is the typical next step before it launches a commercial service.

20 Years of Music Education in Los Angeles With ETM-LAEducation Through Music Los Angeles (ETMLA) 20th anniversary gala at the Skirball Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Danny Moloshok/Moloshok Photography, Inc.

A passionate gathering of educators, facilitators and supporters joined to celebrate twenty years of Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) at their annual Gala. Raising over $500,000 to help the organization provide future music programming in under-resourced schools, the evening took time to celebrate the positive impact of four of the organization’s musical champions.

A Shining Star Artist Award was presented to the incomparable Diane Warren (17-time Oscar nominee, GRAMMY, Emmy, and two-time Golden Globe Award winning songwriter), with the ETM-LA Student Choir Ensemble (Cantara St. Elementary Choir and Castelar Elementary Rock Band) performing an arrangement of Warren’s Oscar-nominated “Dear Me” (from Grammy-nominated documentary, Diane Warren: Relentless). The ETM-LA Faculty Choir—along with soloists Eden Kontesz, Prez Blackmon (and ETM-LA Alumni Bettina Diaz and Krista Sims, and Zanaida Stewart-Robles and Lydia Lee)—also performed Warren’s “The Journey,” while the ETM-LA Rhythm Ensemble played “I’m Standing With You.”

Education Through Music Los Angeles (ETMLA) 20th anniversary gala at the Skirball Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Danny Moloshok/Moloshok Photography, Inc. Moloshok Photography, Inc. danny@molophoto.com www.molophoto.com-----

Warren’s publishing company, Realsongs is a major corporate sponsor of the foundation. “There is no better way of reaching young hearts and minds than music. What ETM-LA is doing is making that happen for so many who might never get the chance to experience the beauty and power of music,” said Warren. Penning nine #1 and 33 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Warren entered the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, was presented the Johnny Mercer Songwriter Award in 2024, and is tied with Lionel Ritchie (an Honorary Chairperson on the ETM-LA Board) for the most No. 1 hits written solely by one person. In addition to charting success, Warren’s songs have been featured in over 150 films.

Emmy-winning Composer Christopher Lennertz and co-Founder Tim Wynn of Sonic Fuel Studios received a Shining Store Corporate Award, recognizing their support of ETM-LA through their donations of studio time and space for student recordings. Their boutique, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly tracking and mixing facility specializes in film and television, and interactive media music, providing full-service recording and production for albums, film and television, and the Sonic Fuel team have experience ranging from rock, pop, jazz and Hip-hop, to musical theater. Lennertz and Wynn shared, “The mission of ensuring every child has access to quality music education at an early age is so vitally important.”

Recognized with the Shining Star Award, Ryan Gonzalez first began as a volunteer before becoming the Band and Orchestra Director at James Monroe High School in Los Angeles, supporting a concert band, orchestra, jazz band, marching band, and serving as Music Department Chair. Co-founding the James Monroe High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy (JMHS VAPA) and Monroe Community of Schools Fine Arts Conservatory (MCOS FAC), the organizations serve over 1,200 students annually. Gonzales’ tireless commitment to his students and community are undeniable, and he has received multiple awards and grants for his department during his tenure (including bursaries from The Milagro, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, and Arts and Healing Justice Network). In addition to steering the JMHS music department, Gonzales works as guest conductor to the CSUN Wind Symphony and Wind Ensembles, and serves as a middle and high school clinician throughout Southern California.

A surprise Champion Award was presented to The Milagro Foundation for their contribution to ETM-LA’s work. Launched by Carlos Santana, the Award was accepted by Santana’s son Salvador who shared that, ”if we want a brighter future, it starts with educating and investing in the youth, and what better way to do that than through music.”

As a non-profit organization with a mission to provide music to under-resourced schools to enhance academic achievement, creativity, and overall development, ETM-LA was founded in 2006, having since served over 190,000 students with musical education, and providing over 155,000 music classes in the Los Angeles area. The Foundation’s work has also provided over 60,000 hours of professional development for teaching staff.

Education Through Music Los Angeles (ETMLA) 20th anniversary gala at the Skirball Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Danny Moloshok/Moloshok Photography, Inc.
-----
Moloshok Photography, Inc.
danny@molophoto.com
www.molophoto.com

Executive Director Victoria Lanier expressed thanks to all of ETM-LA’s supporters. “We’re grateful for our incredible honorees and supporters who help further equity and access for all youth to receive comprehensive music and arts learning as part of a well-rounded education.”

Starting with just two schools and 800 students, ETM-LA now supports 43 schools and over 18,000 students annually, including the communities of Bellflower, Boyle Heights, Burbank, Compton, Chinatown, East LA, Inglewood, Pacoima, San Fernando Valley, and South Central.  Honorary Chairpersons include Randy Jackson, Rickey Minor, John Debney, Mike Knobloch, Lionel Richie, Nia Vardalos, Randy Speedlove, Paul Williams, and Renée Zellweger. Learn more at: www.etmla.org, or by calling 818-433-7600.The post 20 Years of Music Education in Los Angeles With ETM-LA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Bitcoin holders sell 245K BTC in tight macro conditions: Did the market bottom?Long-term Bitcoin holders sold 245,000 BTC as the price fell under $60,000 last week, but a fresh set of US macroeconomic cues and an uptick in BTC dip-buyers may signal that the market has bottomed.

Upcycling an iPad into a Touchscreen Display for your PCInstalling an RPi Pico board like it’s a modchip. (Credit: Tucker Osman, YouTube)
Although generally iPads tend to keep their resale value, there are a few exceptions, such as when you find yourself burdened with iCloud-locked devices. Instead of tossing these out as e-waste, you can still give them a new, arguably better purpose in life: an external display, with touchscreen functionality if you’re persistent enough. Basically someone like [Tucker Osman], who spent the past months on making the touchscreen functionality play nice in Windows and Linux.
While newer iPads are easy enough to upcycle as an external display as they use eDP (embedded Display Port), the touch controller relies on a number of chips that normally are initialized and controlled by the CPU. Most of the time was thus spent on reverse-engineering this whole process, though rather than a full-depth reverse-engineering, instead the initialization data stream was recorded and played back.
This thus requires that the iPad can still boot into iOS, but as demonstrated in the video it’s good enough to turn iCloud-locked e-waste into a multi-touch display. The SPI data stream that would normally go to the iPad’s SoC is instead intercepted by a Raspberry Pi Pico board which pretends to be a USB HID peripheral to the PC.
If you feel like giving it a short yourself, there’s the GitHub repository with details.
Thanks to [come2] for the tip.

What are parallel chords?
Discover how parallel chords can add depth, emotion, and harmonic interest to your music.

Suno’s revenue opportunity, $1.65bn M&A spending power, and TikTok: 3 things worth knowing from WMG’s latest earnings callElsewhere on the call, WMG's leadership team discussed TikTok, DSP pricing, and more. Here are three things that stood out.
Source