Resources for Music Industry Professionals Affected by the LA FiresAs the long road to recovery begins for our Los Angeles community after the wildfires upended our city, many organizations are doing their part to support the musicians and other music industry professionals who have lost their homes. 

Senator Lummis claims FDIC destroyed Operation Chokepoint 2.0 docs"You must ensure your staff cease and desist destruction of all materials and end retaliatory actions immediately," Lummis wrote.

Building a 3D-Printed StrandbeestThe Strandbeest is a walking machine, a creation of the celebrated artist Theo Jansen. They can look intimidating in their complexity, but it’s quite possible to build your own. In fact, if you’ve got a 3D-printer, it can be remarkably straightforward, as [Maker 101] demonstrates.
The build relies on an Arduino Uno as the brains. It’s equipped with an L293D motor driver shield to run two DC gear motors which drive the walking assemblies. Power is courtesy of a 3-cell lithium-polymer battery. The chassis, legs, and joints are all 3D-printed, and rather attractively in complimentary colors, we might add.
Controlling this little Strandbeest is simple. [Maker 101] gave the Arduino an infrared sensor which can pick up signals from a simple IR remote control. It can be driven backwards and forwards or turned left and right. What’s more, it looks particularly elegant as it walks—a hallmark of a good Strandbeest design.
Design files are available online for the curious. We love a good Strandbeest build, and some can even be useful, too! Video after the break.

Audient introduce iD48 interface Audient's new iD48 brings a rackmounted 24-in / 32-out interface to their iD line-up, packing in eight of their renowned mic preamps along with 32-bit ESS converters that boast 126.5dB of dynamic range at the D-A stage.

Audient launches flagship eight-Channel iD Interface featuring new Switchable Analogue Insert technologyAudient has unveiled the iD48, an eight channel 24 in/32 out USB-C audio interface, previewing at this year’s NAMM show.
Expanding the iD interface range, the iD48 marks its largest to date and builds on all the core features of the line up so far. As the flagship iD model, this new offering also hosts Audient’s all new Switchable Analogue Insert technology and “more than enough I/O to handle any session”.

READ MORE: Audient ORIA — the best audio interface for spatial audio production?

The iD48 is designed with producers and engineers in mind, and delivers “industry standard features for the working pro”. It utilises eight ultra-low noise, low distortion Audient Console Mic Preamps which deliver 68dB gain. And as with the entire iD range, its op amp design is the same circuitry as found in the renowned recording console, ASP8024-HE.
Expanding on the all-new Switchable Analogue Insert tech, Audient’s Andrew Allen states, “For the first time ever, iD48’s Switchable routing enables you to select which source is feeding the ADC path. Letting you choose the Audient Console Mic Preamp or a DAW output to send to your outboard on a per channel basis – no fussing with cables. You can also bypass the Audient Mic Preamp altogether for a direct conversion path for recording.”
The id48 also has 32-bit ESS DAC converter technology designed to minimise quality loss whilst maximising performance during conversion, and users can optionally add up to 16 channels of external mic preamps. It further has professional monitor controller capabilities, and two independent stereo headphone amps to provide 124dB dynamic range and enough power to support headphones up to 600 Ohms.
Take a closer look in the video below:

Audient’s iD48 launches on 3 March and will retail at £799 (US $999/EURO €899). You find out more over at Audient, or visit the KORG booth #6903 in Hall C at NAMM between 23-25 January 2025 to chat to the team.
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Taser Ring Is Scary Jewelry You Shouldn’t BuildOfficially, the term “taser” refers to a particular brand of projectile-firing electric stun gun. However, the word is also colloquially used to refer to just about any device intended for delivering electric shocks to an adversary. The taser ring from [Penguin DIY] definitely fits that description, though we’d strictly advise you not to consider building this at home.
The build is a hacky one. An arc generator circuit was pulled out from a jet cigarette lighter, and reconfigured to fit in a small ring-based form factor. It was hooked up with a power switch and a small bank of 30 mAh lithium polymer cell for power, and a compact USB-C charger board was installed to keep the batteries juiced. The electronics were then delicately assembled into a ring-shaped mold, which was injected with resin to produce the final ring. Once cast, a pair of small metal electrodes were installed on the outside. Activating the taser function is as simple as squeezing the ring—easy to do just by making a fist.
We’ve seen projects like these before; our advice is usually to avoid them unless you really know what you’re doing. Whether you end up shocking someone else or accidentally shocking yourself, the results tend to be bad. The latter seems particularly easy to do if you’re wearing this thing on your finger. Given it’s a ring, don’t expect to be able to pull it off in a hurry, either. It’s hard to see how that ends well.

Introducing Two New Speakers from One Unstoppable PRX900 Powered Portable PA FamilyIntroducing two PRX900 Series loudspeakers that offer an even wider range of powered portable PA system versatility.The PRX925 two-way and PRX935 three-way loudspeakers take portable PA performance to the next level with advanced acoustics, comprehensive professional DSP, unrivaled power, durability, and complete BLE control via theJBL Pro Connect app. DISCOVER NOWThe post Introducing Two New Speakers from One Unstoppable PRX900 Powered Portable PA Family first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Good, Bad & Ugly for Indie Music in Year-End ReportThe there is good, bad, and ugly news for indie music in year-end report from Luminate.
The post Good, Bad & Ugly for Indie Music in Year-End Report appeared first on Hypebot.

The Spice all-in-one sonic enhancement plugin by Phil Speiser is FREE for a limited time
Phil Speiser is a musician, producer, and developer who embodies the term one-man-band.  Now, The_Spice, his all-in-one sonic enhancement plugin, is free for a limited time. Everything on his website (including the website design), from music to sounds and plugins, is 100% Phil. I’m sure we’ve all worked on songs or projects that change in [...]
View post: The Spice all-in-one sonic enhancement plugin by Phil Speiser is FREE for a limited time

As TikTok prepares to shut down in the US, Trump mulls executive order to keep it running (report)Legal experts have questioned the Trump administration’s ability to delay or water down the TikTok law through executive orders
Source

Musicians and TikTok ban: How to prepare now!Reuters has reported that TikTok is planning to shut down immediately if it is banned. "Musicians and TikTok ban: How to prepare now!" offers strategies to ensure your audience stays connected and content remains visible across multiple platforms.
The post Musicians and TikTok ban: How to prepare now! appeared first on Hypebot.

Reservoir acquires publishing catalog of Lastrada EntertainmentNew York-based Reservoir has spent some $1 billion on catalog acquisitions since its founding
Source

Focal announce Utopia Main 112 & 212 Focal’s new Utopia Main series see the company take a step into the field of large-format monitoring systems designed for the most demanding audio professionals. 

Caldecott Music Group announces two key divisional appointments at BandLab Technologies and Vista Musical InstrumentsCaldecott Music Group (CMG) – the global music industry operator behind BandLab Technologies, NME Networks, and Vista Musical Instruments – has newly announced two key divisional appointments.
Long-serving leader, David Nam Le, has been promoted to Managing Director of Vista Musical Instruments, and music industry veteran, Jon Bahr, now joins BandLab Technologies as Senior Advisor, Artist & Label Services.

READ MORE: BandLab’s Meng Ru Kuok: “I think there will be over 1 billion music creators by 2030, potentially even sooner”

CMG says these new appointments reinforce its “commitment to empowering music creators worldwide”, as it continues to deliver “meaningful products, content, and experiences for music lovers and makers everywhere”.
Le began his career at Swee Lee when Group CEO, Meng Ru Kuok, first took ownership and rose through roles in category management, buying, and product development. Le was also instrumental in the successful relaunch of legendary guitar brand Harmony, and also played a key role in the acquisition and integration of MONO and Heritage Guitars. Le will now collaborate on higher-level strategy and cross-group initiatives.
Also reporting directly to Kuok, Bahr will guide BandLab Technologies’ expanding suite of artist service offerings, which include licensing, distribution, publishing, and broader industry partnerships. He brings extensive experience from Downtown Music Holdings, where he served as Vice President of Business Development & Strategy and cultivated opportunities across operating companies such as CD Baby and FUGA. Prior to Downtown, Bahr spent over a decade at ASCAP, rising to Senior Director of Marketing & Communications.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead and work alongside our dedicated teams at Vista Musical Instruments,” comments Le. “We’ve crossed so many milestones in the last ten years, but there is still so much more to come from our brands and products, and I’m eager to do even more to drive meaningful impact across the division, group and the wider music industry.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Meng and the BandLab Technologies team,” adds Bahr. “BandLab Technologies has a thriving at-scale enterprise of creator-focused platforms and best-in-class technology that’s reshaping the way music is created. For the past year, Meng and I have been discussing how to support and build services for the global music business of the future, and I can’t wait to continue that work at an operating level.”
Kuok says both Le and Bahr are “passionate leaders with a wealth of experience”, and adds, “I’m proud to embark on this next chapter with both David and Jon, to strengthen our offerings and continue innovating across the music landscape.”
Find out more about Caldecott Music Group.

Editor’s note: BandLab, Vista Musical Instruments and MusicTech are all part of the Caldecott Music Group.

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“There’s a strange magnetism to this machine”: A rare piece of Beatles history is up for auctionA two-track reel-to-reel mastering machine once owned by Ringo Starr is currently up for auction on Catawiki. The Studer A80-VU II Audio Recorder was originally commissioned by The Beatles drummer and used at his personal recording studio, Startling Studios, in Tittenhurst Park.
The mastering machine is accompanied 4 original Dolby 360-1 units modules, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity from its designer, sound engineer Eddie Veale.

READ MORE: What to expect at NAMM 2025

Veale originally modified the machine per Starr’s request in the early 1970s. He commissioned it following his purchase of his Tittenhurst Park estate in 1973, where he used the Studer A80-VU II in Startling Studios. When Ringo sold Tittenhurst Park in 1988, the mastering machine was included in the sale.
The Studer A80-VU II currently sits in the studio of Dutch DJ Lex van Coeverden. Though he is auctioning the machine off, he insists this unique piece of Beatles history is fully functional. Experts value it between €39,000 and €46,000.
“There’s a strange magnetism to this machine – it’s like it carried its history with it, quietly waiting to tell its story again,” he says. “When I saw it, I didn’t just find a recorder; I snagged a piece of music’s soul.”
Credit: Catawiki
In Coeverden’s eyes, the machine serves as a reflection of The Beatles’ forward thinking musical experimentation. He’s utilised it for a decade, and now hopes another artist can take advantage of this uniquely creative tool.
Ariel Cabello, music expert and department lead at Catawiki, has also emphasised the rarity of this piece. “This recorder is a rare piece of musical evolution, a tool that has both witnessed and shaped the creative process of legends,” she says.
“Its analog complexity doesn’t just capture sound, it translates emotion–qualities that digital technology still strives to replicate,” she adds. “We’re beyond excited to be a part of this historic sale!”
The auction runs until February 2nd on Catawiki. The site also has a selection of other Beatles-related memorabilia up for auction, from watches to Zippo lighters.
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