Roland’s new VMH-S100 studio headphones promise “unparalleled sound fidelity and exceptional comfort”NAMM 2025: Roland has unveiled its new pair of VMH-S100 studio monitoring headphones, promising “unparalleled sound fidelity, exceptional comfort and modern engineering”.
The VMH-S100 headphones offer a flat and accurate sound profile and an ultra-wide frequency response of 5-40,000 Hz via custom-engineered 50mm drivers. They also feature a closed-back design for the cancellation of ambient noise,

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Additionally, they are designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of music gear, with 30 ohms of impedance ensuring compatibility with synthesizers and keyboards to audio interfaces and more.
Credit: Roland

They are designed with ergonomics in mind, too, with replaceable ear pads and durable frame for maximum comfort during long production sessions, and a jack on each ear cup so you can plug the cable into whichever side is more comfortable.
Accessories include a carrying pouch, two cables – 1.5m and 3m – and a stereo 1/4-inch phone plug adaptor. Each purchase also comes with a three-month trial of Roland Cloud Ultimate, the top tier of Roland’s cloud-based suite of software instruments and sound tools.
The VMH-S100 headphones are available from January in the US, priced at $299.99.
For more information, head to Roland.
The post Roland’s new VMH-S100 studio headphones promise “unparalleled sound fidelity and exceptional comfort” appeared first on MusicTech.

Lynx introduce Mesa audio interface Lynx Studio Technology have unveiled Mesa, a desktop Thunderbolt 3 audio interface that doubles as a professional-grade standalone analogue-digital-analogue converter.

Evolution of Spotify from music to multi-content platformThere has been an evolution of Spotify from a music platform to multi-content platform with podcasts, audiobooks, AI-created tracks, and more. Learn how the shift is reshaping how we discover and experience music and entertainment.
The post Evolution of Spotify from music to multi-content platform appeared first on Hypebot.

How Legacy Recordings help Bands keep rockingLearn how legacy recordings help rock bands keep rocking. Legendary bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and now bands from the 1980's and 1990's have shared thousands of vault recordings over the last 50 years, and the fans still want more.
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Musical Instrument Industry joins to help LA Fire Victims20 gear and musical instrument manufacturers, Gibson and Guitar Center will support LA fire victims in the music community with a new joint initiative. Gibson and Guitar Center will support. Continue reading
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Roland launches new V-STAGE Performance Keyboards with four independent sound enginesNAMM 2025: Roland has launched two new performance keyboards, with each featuring four sound engines and an ergonomic interface for smooth control when playing live.
The V-STAGE Performance Keyboard is available in two models – the V-STAGE 88, for an “authentic acoustic piano experience” with an 88-note weighted keyboard, and the V-STAGE 76, featuring a newly developed 76-note semi-weighted waterfall keyboard for a traditional organ feel.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Given their red aesthetic and stage-ready tools, it looks like these new offerings are set to compete against NORD’s range of performance keyboards. Both versions of the V-STAGE host a colour LCD, Total Effects section, and a Master section with EQ and compression to fine-tune your output for varying venues.
With 512 scene memories and the Scene Chain function, players can also save complete setups and access them with speed while on stage. There’s also an XLR microphone input and a stereo line input for mixing in an external instrument, and computers and mobile devices can easily be integrated too.

The four sound engines in each are as follows:

Acoustic Piano – Offers “deeply expressive” pianos powered by V-Piano technology, including two concert grands, an upright piano, and a new felt-treated model.
Electric Piano – Includes tine, reed, digital piano, and clavinet instruments crafted with the latest SuperNATURAL advancements. Tremolo, amp simulator, and curated MFX processing are also onboard, plus a Sound Lift knob for cutting through dense band mixes.
Organ – Features a three-layer console organ powered by the latest generation of Roland’s Virtual Tone Wheel tech, plus two classic transistor models and a pipe organ. Harmonic bars and percussion controls are also on board, accompanied by overdrive, vibrato/chorus, and a rotary speaker effect with variable speed, brake control, and mic positioning.
Synthesiser – Driven by Roland’s ZEN-Core engine, this section provides over 400 onboard tones. Two simultaneous parts are available for fast sound shaping via attack, release, filter, and other controls. V-STAGE also supports ZEN-Core patch and sound options on Roland Cloud.

The Roland V-STAGE Performance Keyboard is available in the US from January for $3499.99 (V-STAGE 76) and $3,999.99 (V-STAGE 88). Find out more over at Roland, or visit the team at NAMM in Room 202, Level 2.
The post Roland launches new V-STAGE Performance Keyboards with four independent sound engines appeared first on MusicTech.

MQA Labs’ new mixing and mastering tools employ “previously unavailable methods” for noise shapingNAMM 2025: MQA Labs is launching new studio tools enabling engineers to employ previously unavailable methods for improved impulse response and noise shaping.
In a technical whitepaper shared with MusicTech, the brand has teased information about two new plugins – the Input Plugin and the Output Plugin – with the former designed to tackle unnatural time domain effects of the analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) to preserve resolution, and the latter for use on the Output Bus to enhance an entire mix.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

With these new plugins, MQA Labs is hoping to tackle the sense of “flatness” that can come across in digital recordings. In its own words, the brand explains, “The methods to digitally record, store or distribute the analogue signal cause it to deteriorate through the addition of noise, distortion, and other unnatural artefacts. People noticed that listening to music through a digital system was a much different experience to that of an analogue system. While digital no longer had the problems of wow, flutter, warping, skipping, scratches and inherent noise, it was also noted that it lacked the same sense of space and subtlety and conveyed a distinct flatness.”
It later goes on to explain, “Digital conversion processes use filters conventionally designed in the frequency domain with the intention of preserving all the audible frequencies of human hearing. Due to choices made decades ago and based on technology of the time, conversion filters most often targeted the very edge of our audible hearing range. The filters are designed to let in all the frequencies up to a point, but then sharply filter out those beyond that point… At MQA Labs, we design systems so that sound behaves as it does in the natural, analogue world, as we hear music traveling through air.”
Head to MQA Labs to find out more or catch them at The NAMM Show, Booth 15924, Acc North Level 1.
The post MQA Labs’ new mixing and mastering tools employ “previously unavailable methods” for noise shaping appeared first on MusicTech.

The official Bass Station plugin is here thanks to a collaboration between Novation and GForceNAMM 2025: Since hitting the market way back in 1993, the Bass Station has been a staple of the low end of many synth nuts’ setups. Now, that classic piece of hardware is now available as an official software version, thanks to a collaboration between Novation and soft synth purveyor GForce.
Though an “exact emulation of the original Bass Station”, the new software version also crams in a series of features not possible with the original, including wider 16-voice polyphony – where the original was monophonic –  and unison modes.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Elsewhere, the Bass Station software version is loaded with GForce’s unique X-modifier technology, which enables producers to work faster and “create extensive modulations of almost every parameter, without having to set up modulation paths”.
The GForce Bass Station also features a high-pass filter, and a powerful new sequencer and arpeggiator, which enables users to programme patterns and loops with controls for step length, velocity, swing, scales, probability and more. There’s even a randomisation feature if you’re looking for a little creative spark.
The plugin also comes with effects including distortion, chorus, delay and reverb. In terms of user experience, there’s also a fully scalable user interface and advanced patch browser streamline workflow.

The feature set is rich, to say the least, but while you’re getting your head around the Bass Station soft synth’s vast capabilities, there are also 300 onboard presets to play with.
The GForce Bass Station is available now directly from GForce for an introductory price of £49.99 (later rising to £99.99). All Novation Launchkey 4, FLkey and SL Mk3 users will also gain access upon registration.
For more information, head to GForce.
The post The official Bass Station plugin is here thanks to a collaboration between Novation and GForce appeared first on MusicTech.

Here’s why FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is almost the only EQ you’ll ever need£144 / $179 / €169 (upgrade pricing available), fabfilter.com
Pro-Q 4 is the latest version of the gold standard plugin for dynamic EQ. Because of the competition and the scores of copycats in the market, FabFilter has been forced to innovate to stay ahead of the pack — which is good news for producers.

READ MORE: Five new plugins, effects and VST instruments you need to know about this week

With Pro-Q 3, the renowned plugin developer added dynamic EQ features, allowing users to hone in and shape parts of the frequency spectrum. Now, in Pro-Q 4, these features have been expanded, and FabFilter has added spectral dynamic processing capabilities.
Another interesting new addition is the continuous slope feature, allowing you to set the slope anywhere between 12 to 96 decibels-per-octave for each band. When combined with the Q-Gain Interaction function, you have an amazing degree of control over the band shaping.
If you’re new to this, I know what you’re thinking — ‘This is all overly technical’. However, there is also a range of workflow features like the new Instance List and EQ Sketch, which we’ll get to later, that make it easier than ever to start creating your own EQ curves without the help of the extensive preset library.
Pro-Q 4 Dynamic Sidechain. Image: Press
How do I use the basic features of FabFilter Pro-Q 4?
Pro-Q 4 is designed as a be-all and end-all solution for creative and corrective equalisation in your DAW. That means you’ll use it on every single channel, from individual instruments to aux channels and even your master bus. Although you may have a different approach to each aspect of your mix, Pro-Q 4 has become your centralised EQ console for dealing with all the tone shaping in a project at once.
From the get-go, adding bands to the frequency spectrum is as easy as ever. However, the EQ Sketch function offers a new way to draw curves, and it intuitively switches from shelves to bell filters according to your position. While this might not be the most precise way to apply EQ, it quickly provides a foundation that you can then fine-tune for greater accuracy.
With each band added, you have a choice of 10 filter shapes, plus dynamic or spectral processing modes. What’s more, besides the default stereo mode, you can assign it exclusively to the left, right, mid, or side channels.
When it comes to equalisation for mixing and music production, Pro-Q 4 has three features in particular that alter the overall processing behaviour to provide a more analogue feel. Firstly, by using the Natural Phase option in the Processing mode selector, you can get Pro-Q 4 to behave like outboard hardware. Next, with the Character button, you can activate the colourful Warm mode for a saturated, tube-modelled sound.
Finally, when using bell filters, activating Gain-Q Interaction offers a classic console-like EQ experience. With this setting on, the Q-factor will increase, narrowing proportionally as you apply more gain.
Pro-Q 4 Spectral Controls. Image: Press
How do you use Pro-Q 4’s dynamic and spectral processing?
If you’ve never used a dynamic EQ before, you’re in for a real treat. With a straightforward workflow, it’s easy to turn any of the 24 available EQ bands into dynamic bands in a few easy steps. This means you can use the features according to your level of understanding, and gradually upscale your processing to a more elaborate level as you become more feature-savvy.
To activate dynamics on any band, simply click the drop-down button and select ‘Make Dynamic’ from the menu and you’ll immediately see the Dynamic Range ring around the Gain control illuminate.
Now, set the dynamic range and hit the disclosure button above the Gain control to reveal the expansion panel. Here, you can adjust the threshold, which is set on auto by default, as well as the attack and release controls, and the sidechain filter and external sidechain features.
You’ll notice that when you switch from spectral to dynamic mode, the internal sidechain filter functions are replaced by a Spectral Density slider. With this control, you can adjust the width of the peaks to which the processor is reacting. For targeting wide frequency bands like low-end elements, you’ll use a lower setting. Meanwhile, as you increase the value, you’ll be able to isolate and reduce spikes in the upper mids and high-frequency range.
Pro-Q 4 Instance List. Image: Press
What makes Pro-Q 4 special?
The beauty of the design of Pro-Q 4 is how it makes these advanced features and processing techniques so readily available. Even if you’ve never used a dynamic EQ, you suddenly have access to professional signal processing with a straightforward visual interface.
In a matter of seconds, you can draw in the basic frequency curve you’re working with, and then fine-tune each band and activate spectral or dynamic modes to carve and control instruments in any range, from vocals to guitars, synths, and drums. The secret of any successful audio design, from a Neve 1073 to a Summit TLA-100A, lies in how it allows you to achieve great results immediately, whether you’re an experienced mixing engineer or a bedroom producer. The Pro-Q 4 does exactly that.
As a plugin, Pro-Q 4 has come a long way from simply being an EQ that beats the stock EQ in your DAW. While there are other tools like Soothe2 and Gullfoss that each apply their brand of magic to correcting unwanted resonances, Pro-Q 4 is still not easily replaceable given its versatility and depth of features. For this reason, Pro-Q 4 will be loved equally by pro mixing and mastering engineers as it is by today’s generation of beat-makers and independent music producers.
Pro-Q 4 Continuous Slope. Image: Press
Despite its impressive spectral dynamics features, Pro-Q 4 still has a way to go before it becomes your main tool for resonance suppression. Its precise and flexible interface does allow you to tackle pretty much all you’d expect from an EQ, and then some – however, you’ll still have to reach for Soothe2 regularly for frequency-conscious sidechain processing to target resonances.
With a $179 price tag, Pro-Q 4 remains out of both reach and necessity for many bedroom producers. Also, one could argue that Sonible’s smart:EQ is doing a similar job for the majority of users for less money, while pros will likely want to use Soothe and/or Gullfoss alongside Pro-Q 4.
Current Pro-Q 3 users will likely want to upgrade. They’ll be thrilled with the new Sketch EQ and Instance List features that allow efficient management of tonal processing while having an overview of an entire project. Pro-Q 4 will become even more indispensable in your DAW workflow.

Key features

AU / VST / AAX / CLAP plugin for MacOS and Windows (including MacOS 10.15)
Improved sonics, EQ matching and analyser
Per-band spectral dynamics mode
Attack and Release controls for dynamic and spectral bands
EQ sketch feature
Instance list for viewing multiple tracks simultaneously
Gentle and Warm virtual-analogue character modes

The post Here’s why FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is almost the only EQ you’ll ever need appeared first on MusicTech.

Pro-Bitcoin presidents unite — Trump, Milei, and Bukele spark crypto optimismThe expanding ranks of pro-Bitcoin presidents are boosting global optimism for crypto mass adoption.

OpenAI’s agent tool may be nearing releaseOpenAI may be close to releasing an AI tool that can take control of your PC and perform actions on your behalf. Tibor Blaho, a software engineer with a reputation for accurately leaking upcoming AI products, claims to have uncovered evidence of OpenAI’s long-rumored Operator tool. Publications including Bloomberg have previously reported on Operator, which […]
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Smallest USB Device… So FarFor better or worse it seems to be human nature to compete with one another, as individuals or teams, rather than experience contentedness while moving to the woods and admiring nature Thoreau-style. On the plus side, competition often results in benefits for all of us, driving down costs for everything from agriculture to medical care to technology. Although perhaps a niche area of competition, the realm of “smallest USB device” seems to have a new champion: this PCB built by [Emma] that’s barely larger than the USB connector pads themselves.
With one side hosting the pads to make contact with a standard USB type-A connector, the other side’s real estate is taken up by a tiny STM32 microcontroller, four phototransistors that can arm or disarm the microcontroller, and a tiny voltage regulator that drops the 5V provided by the USB port to the 3.3V the STM32 needs to operate. This is an impressive amount of computing power for less than three millimeters of vertical space, and can operate as a HID device with a wide variety of possible use cases.
Perhaps the most obvious thing to do with a device like this would be to build a more stealthy version of this handy tool to manage micromanagers, but there are certainly other tasks that a tiny HID can be put to use towards. And, as far as the smallest USB device competition goes, we’d also note that USB-A is not the smallest connector available and, therefore, the competition still has some potential if someone can figure out how to do something similar with an even smaller USB connector.
Thanks to [JohnU] for the tip!

Two New Models & Spec Updates as PRS Guitars Continues 40th AnniversaryPRS Guitars today announced the continuation of its 40th anniversary celebration with two new models and several specification updates across their Maryland, USA-made electric instruments. New models include the Standard 24 Satin and Swamp Ash Special, while the new specs in multiple lines include PRS DMO and McCarty III pickups, EQ mini-toggles, Phase III tuners and expanded color options.2025 marks the 40th Anniversary of PRS Guitars. After announcing SE Series updates in October and officially kicking off their 40th Anniversary celebration this past November with the introduction of the 40th Anniversary Private Stock Dragon and Custom 24 limited-edition instruments, this month's launches are the next in a schedule of many product announcements to be made throughout the year.“Our mission hasn’t changed since day one in my first Garrett workshop - we want to build the best tools for musicians to do their jobs,” said Paul Reed Smith, founder & managing general partner of PRS Guitars. “But, as the saying goes, ‘windshields are larger than rearview mirrors for a reason.’ We do not want to spend our anniversary only looking back. We want to keep advancing our craft and adding value to our instruments by focusing on details we believe matter to musicians.”NEW MODELS: STANDARD 24 SATIN AND SWAMP ASH SPECIALWhen a young Paul Reed Smith was raising money to start his business, he traveled the East Coast with two guitars: a PRS and a PRS Custom. The PRS was an all-mahogany guitar that would later come to be called the PRS Standard. For 2025, the company is introducing a version of that pre-factory instrument in its Core line. Featuring a “sinky” satin nitro finish and the new PRS DMO pickups, the PRS Standard 24 Satin is a powerful, roadworthy workhorse. Its full, warm, organic tone is maximized not only by the finish, but thanks to the Phase III locking tuners with brass shafts, proprietary bone nut, and design of the PRS patented tremolo.The Swamp Ash Special bolt-on model is also making a comeback for 2025 but with an updated electronics layout. Its swamp ash body is equipped with a versatile hum/“single”/hum pickup configuration. Two 58/15 LT pickups flank a PRS Narrowfield in the middle position, which adds a single-coil bite – without the hum. Paired with a volume, tone, 5-way blade switch, and dual mini-toggle coil-tap switches (for the first time on this model), the Swamp Ash Special has a total of twelve sound combinations. Overall, the PRS Swamp Ash Special features tight low-end, bright but mellow high-end, and a welcome twangy tone that can reach “hot country,” blues and jazz territory.NEW PICKUPSMost notably, PRS is introducing two new pickup models in its Core lineup: PRS DMO and McCarty III treble and bass pickups. Through hands-on research into beloved vintage pickup models to advancements in signal analyzation and “tuning” technology, these pickups incorporate every detail of pickup knowledge PRS has gained in recent years of R&D.PRS DMO (Dynamic, Musical, Open) pickups are more modern-sounding and have a “wide open” sound with vocal character, meaning they deliver clear, pleasant-sounding tones across a wide range of frequencies (bass to treble) in each pickup. While McCarty III pickups are vintage-inspired humbuckers that bring a vocal clarity to their full, warm tone. PRS DMO’s will be found on the Custom 24, while McCarty III’s will be found on McCarty, Hollowbody, Special and Studio models.EQ SWITCH FEATUREOn select models, PRS has also updated the spec on their dual mini-toggle switches from coil-taps to EQ switches. EQ mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters when engaged (in the up position), removing shelved low-end and allowing the high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs. This spec will be found on the Custom 24-08, Modern Eagle V and S2 Custom 24-08.“These EQ switches were developed with and first featured on the Private Stock John McLaughlin model in 2023. Both John and I felt that they offered a different, but just as versatile, sound that played a significant role in the musicality of that guitar. I am happy that we are now extending this feature into more models,” said Paul Reed Smith.PHASE III TUNER EXPANDED OFFERINGThe entire S2 Series and select Bolt-On models are also being updated with Phase III tuners. Designed from scratch in 2012 to be wholly different from Phase II’s, Phase III tuners were originally introduced on PRS’s Core line. Notable features of these tried-and-true tuning machines include a handsome open-back design, highly usable gear ratio, unplated brass shafts, overall lightweight construction, and PRS’s proprietary wing button.PRS has also introduced new colors across their lineup, including Aurora Borealis and Black Gold on select Core models, Egyptian Gold and Platinum Metallic on the Myles Kennedy signature Bolt-On, five new colors on the NF 53, including Matcha Green and Jasper Smokeburst, and three new satin colors on the Fiore, including Lilac Satin, Hibiscus Satin and Amaryllis Satin.All of these specification details are aimed to make better guitars for musicians. Beyond these foundational updates, PRS Guitars is planning a year full of new product and limited-edition introductions. Stay tuned for those updates over the coming months. All things gear can be found on www.prsguitars.com and by following @prsguitars on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.The post Two New Models & Spec Updates as PRS Guitars Continues 40th Anniversary first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Modulathe Is CNC Ready And Will Machine What You WantOnce upon a time, lathes were big heavy machines driven by massive AC motors, hewn out of cast iron and sheer will. Today, we have machine tools of all shapes and sizes, many of which are compact and tidy DIY creations. [Maxim Kachurovskiy]’s Modulathe fits the latter description nicely.
The concept behind the project was simple—this was to be a modular, digital lathe that was open-source and readily buildable on a DIY level, without sacrificing usability. To that end, Modulathe is kitted out to process metal, wooden, and plastic parts, so you can fabricate in whatever material is most appropriate for your needs.
It features a 125 mm chuck and an MT5 spindle, and relies on 15 mm linear rails, 12 mm ball screws, and NEMA23 stepper motors. Because its modular, much of the rest of the design is up to you. You can set it up with pretty much any practical bed length—just choose the right ball screw and rail to achieve it. It’s also set up to work however you like—you can manually operate it, or use it for CNC machining tasks instead.
If you want a small lathe that’s customizable and CNC-ready, this might be the project you’re looking for. We’ve featured some other similar projects in this space, too. Do your research, and explore! If you come up with new grand machine tools of your own design, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Thanks to [mip] for the tip!

G-Sonique Vøn Brezekhiel's TreasuriesThe Vøn Brezekhiel Treasuries instrument is inspired by the lower layers of simulated reality / simulacra and is suitable not only for film and video game music, but also for dark techno, darkpsy,... Read More