Space solar startup Aetherflux raises $50M to launch first space demo in 2026Aetherflux, the space solar startup founded by Baiju Bhatt, the billionaire co-founder of Robinhood, has raised $50 million in a Series A round as it works to launch its first low Earth orbit demonstration in 2026.  The San Carlos, California-based startup, which came out of stealth last October, aims to eventually launch a constellation of […]

Programmer’s Macro Pad Bangs Out Whole FunctionsMacro pads are handy for opening up your favorite programs or executing commonly used keyboard shortcuts. But why stop there?
That’s what [Jeroen Brinkman] must have been thinking while creating the Programmer’s Macro Pad. Based on the Arduino Pro Micro, this hand-wired pad is unique in that a single press of any of its 16 keys can virtually “type” out multiple lines of text. In this case, it’s a capability that’s being used to prevent the user from having to manually enter in commonly used functions, declarations, and conditional statements.
For example, in the current firmware, pressing the “func” key will type out a boilerplate C function:

int () { //
;
return 0;
}; // f
It will also enter in the appropriate commands to put the cursor where it needs to be so you can actually enter in the function name. The other keys such as “array” and “if” work the same way, saving the user from having to enter (and potentially, even remember) the correct syntax.
The firmware is kept as simple as possible, meaning that the functionality of each key is currently hardcoded. Some kind of tool that would let you add or change macros without having to manually edit the source code and flash it back to the Arduino would be nice…but hey, it is a Programmers Macro Pad, after all.
Looking to speed up your own day-to-day computer usage? We’ve covered a lot of macro pads over the years, we’re confident at least a few of them should catch your eye.

DDEX Publishes Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN) Version 1.3DDEX, the international standards-setting organization dedicated to improving the exchange of data and information across the music industry, has announced the publishing of their Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN) Version 1.3.The Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN) fulfils a variety of communication requirements between musical work rights holders and downstream data recipients. This includes the communication of identification, rights and usage data for musical works and their associated parties to facilitate accurate claiming and remuneration for these musical works in the publishing rights ecosystem. The choreography for the MWN standard supports a number of use cases. These include the exchange of right share data, requests for augmented and enriched data about musical works, industry standard and proprietary identifiers, and more. The exchange of these data elements will provide significant value to both musical work rights holders and their licensees and other business partners. To communicate these use cases, the MWN standard specifies three message formats which enable the communication of the relevant data for different points in the digital value chain for musical works.Sony Music Publishing is really pleased that DDEX has announced the publication of version 1.3 of MWN,” said Alex Batterbee, Senior Director Global Administration at Sony Music Publishing. “The MWN working group has put in an incredible amount of work to develop this new version of the MWN standard in a short period of time, whilst ensuring the widest possible functionality possible. The standard enables the communication of really granular data about musical works and implementations of MWN v1.3 will, over time, see a significant reduction in bespoke and proprietary solutions that have had to be put in place in the past.”Any company implementing the MWN standard can see a number of business benefits including an increase in data quality and reliability; a reduction in the volume of manually rekeyed data being sent between parties; improvements in efficiency stemming from the automation of processes, consolidation of ad-hoc files, increased speed of payouts, and reduction in required resources; improved timeliness from speeding up the overall process for making and communicating right share claims. Finally, the new version of MWN provides the ability to incorporate other processes thus improving existing workflows which provides opportunities to align processes in parallel initiatives or activities.Paul Cohen Scali. Chief Information and Technology Officer at SACEM says, “SACEM is very proud to have contributed to this major effort alongside DDEX to implement a new format for work declarations. This has been a longstanding challenge for the industry, and we now have a standard that will help address market evolutions and meet the expectations of our publisher partners. Although there is still much to be done to implement this standard, an important first step has been taken. As the market leader, SACEM will be at the forefront of this implementation.”.Any organisation wishing to implement this (or any other DDEX Standard) is required to apply for an Implementation License. The terms of the license and an application form can be found here and here. While a company does not need to become a member to implement any of the DDEX standards, being a member of DDEX provides the opportunity to participate in and influence the development of international standards in the digital value chain. Information about membership of DDEX is available at https://ddex.net/membership/.Sign up for the DDEX newsletter to receive regular updates from the Secretariat at www.DDEX.net.Follow DDEX on:Twitter: @DDEXNetFacebook: @DDEXstandardsLinkedIn Company page: DDEXLinkedIn Group: DDEXThe post DDEX Publishes Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN) Version 1.3 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Spitfire Audio Abbey Road Orchestra: 1st Violins ProfessionalAdvanced legatos for ultimate expression Spitfire's professional tier is designed to help you work efficiently without sacrificing performance and nuance. 8 legato articulations — including extended patches — amazing sampling depth, alternative attacks and 16 signal options for the ultimate nuanced expression, this library is handcrafted for professional composers and producers. Their aim is to deliver the highest quality possible, working with the Abbey Road team — including GRAMMY -Award-winner Simon Rhodes — in a globally renowned studio and with masterful string players. The design, development and production reflects our commitment to deliver an orchestral range with unrivalled expression, realism, and playability. Put simply this library is future-proof. I believe this is the closest we have ever got to the 'perfect' string sound in my head. Full of vibrancy, passion and musicality, it is a joy to play. Paul Thomson - Co-founder of Spitfire Audio Where performance meets precision. Meticulously recorded to allow for smooth and expressive transitions between notes, emulating the natural way a violinist shifts from one note to another without breaks. All aspects of the legato programming has been improved in both Pro and Core versions, with multiple dynamic legato intervals, and flexible interval types triggered by playing speed and/or velocity. The extended techniques in the Pro version are the most advanced string patches we have ever created. With additional portamento and detaché legato styles, plus accented marcato and 'soft swell' entries for single long notes, the Pro version marks the absolute pinnacle of detail, expression and playability. Advanced legatos. Ultimate expression: Performance Legato (extended): hugely detailed and highly playable legato patch which reacts in real time to playing speed. Additional legato styles (portamento and detaché) plus marcato and soft entries for single notes - our most advanced legato ever. Lyrical Legato (extended): A relaxed legato patch for slower-moving melody lines. Additional legato styles (portamento and detaché) plus marcato and soft entries for single notes. Legato Runs: A very agile legato patch specifically for very fast passages and flourishes up to a minor 3rd. Legato Detaché: A legato-style patch in which all the connecting notes have broad but separated bow strokes, ideal for strong and impactful statements. Legato Portamento: A legato patch in which all the intervals are performed in a 'portamento' style with an intentional slide between notes. Legato Slurred: A legato patch with slurred intervals performed with a 'moderate tempo' feel for sweeping melody lines. Legato Allegro: A legato patch with slurred intervals performed with a sprightly 'uptempo' feel, ideal for quicker or arpeggiated ostinato material. Core. - A comprehensive collection of articulations, 11,000 raw samples, 2 technologically advanced and detailed legato techniques, a high level of sampling depth and one signal option curated by GRAMMY -Award-winner Simon Rhodes. Studio One: Icon of the past, innovator for the future. A host to celebrated classical recordings from Elgar and Prokofiev, as well as iconic film scores from The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back, and the more recent releases of Avengers: End Game and Black Panther, Studio One needs no introduction. Home to one of the greatest in-house collections of vintage and modern microphones and a control room fitted with a 72-channel Neve 88 RS console with a unique and comprehensive surround monitor section, Studio one is the perfect setting for our meticulously planned recording sessions. Our aim is to work with the best, to deliver you the world's most detailed sampling orchestra and in Abbey Road - one of the most in-demand recording studios in the film scoring landscape - we can achieve this. What's included: Legato Techniques: Performance Legato (Extended) - A hugely detailed and highly playable legato patch which reacts in realtime to playing speed. This extended Pro version includes additional legato styles (portamento and detaché) plus marcato and soft entries for single notes - our most advanced legato ever. Lyrical Legato (Extended) - A relaxed legato patch for slower moving melody lines. This extended Pro version includes additional legato styles (portamento and detaché) plus marcato and soft entries for single notes. Performance Legato - A hugely detailed and highly playable legato patch which reacts in realtime to playing speed. Lyrical Legato - A relaxed legato patch for slower moving melody lines. Legato Runs - A very agile legato patch specifically for very fast passages and flourishes up to a minor 3rd (Legato intervals greater than a minor 3rd will not sound). Legato Detache - A legato-style patch in which all the connecting notes have broad but separated bow strokes, ideal for strong and impactful statements. Legato Portamento - A legato patch in which all the intervals are performed in a 'portamento' style with an intentional slide between notes. Legato Slurred - A legato patch with slurred intervals performed with a 'moderate tempo' feel for sweeping melody lines. Legato Allegro - A legato patch with slurred intervals performed with a sprightly 'uptempo' feel, ideal for quicker or arpeggiated ostinato material. Long Techniques: Long (Extended) - A polyphonic sustained longs patch - this extended Pro version features additional soft and marcato styles for note entries triggered by key velocity. Long - A polyphonic sustained longs patch for pads and chordal writing. Flautando - A sustained note performed with a fast bow speed playing close to the fingerboard (sul tasto) creating a delicate and airy flute-like sound. Tremolo - A technique performed with rapid continuous bowing, creating delicate flurrying textures at lower dynamics with increasing intensity at louder volumes. Harmonics - Sustained notes produced from the overtones of the string (artificial harmonics) sounding higher than the fundamental to create glassy, suspenseful textures. Trills (Major & Minor 2nds & 3rds) - Rapid alternating between two notes. Tremolo (Measured - 150 & 180 BPM) - Tremolo performed with a specified number of repeated notes which may be sync'd to the host DAW's tempo. Short Techniques: Spiccatissimo - An extremely short note length performed by quickly bouncing the bow on the string - an agile technique for very fast, articulate material. Spiccato - A very short and crisp note length performed by bouncing the bow on the string creating a sprightly 'all-purpose' short articulation. Staccato - A short note length performed with the bow starting on the string, sounding clearly detached with a slight accent. Marcato - A technique performed with a strong accented front to the note - presented as a longer note length than 'staccato' with the option of Timed Release triggers. Pizzicato - A short note produced by plucking the strings with the fingers. 'Bartok pizzicato is recorded at the very highest dynamic. Col Legno - A technique performed by tapping the string with the back of the bow or a pencil, producing a light and woody sound. Signals: Mix 1 - A full-sounding room mix by Simon Rhodes, formed from Tree 1, Overheads, Outriggers 1, and a curated blend of spots. Mix 2 - A tighter mix by Simon Rhodes, formed from Tree 2, Mids and Outriggers 2 with a curated blend of spots. Close - Small diaphragm condenser mics placed on each desk and summed capturing a detailed and articulate close image. Close Ribbons - A combination of ribbon mics placed on each desk capturing a warm and rounded close image. Pop Main - A cardioid stereo valve mic placed above the section and panned centrally for a flexible image not restricted to the orchestral layout. Pop Room - Omnidirectional condenser mics placed either side of the section to add additional roominess and space to the Pop Main signal. Tree 1 - A decca tree formed of Abbey Road's finest trio of classic valve omnidirectional microphones creating a lush and full sound. Tree 2 - A tighter, closer decca tree formed from mics with a more directional pattern, suited to faster, more detailed material. Outriggers 1 - Used in conjunction with either tree to obtain a wider image. This pair utilises omnidirectional mics to reproduce the full width of Studio One. Outriggers 2 - Used together with either tree to obtain a wider image. This pair uses mics with a more directional pattern, pulling the edges of the room inwards. Mids - A pair of valve REDD mics placed between the conductor and the source which adds extra focus to the sound when combined with the Tree and Outriggers. Ambients - A pristine pair of small diaphragm omnidirectional microphones to the rear of the room for a natural ambience. Vintage 1 - A pair of original 1940s RM1B ribbon microphones placed in front of the conductor to create a vintage scoring stage sound. Vintage 2 - A pair of classic 44BX ribbon microphones placed by the conductor for an alternative vintage scoring stage sound. Leader - A single microphone placed on the section leader, used to add additional focus above the full section if required. Spill - A summation of spot mics placed around the other sections. These capture the natural 'spill' from the source across the orchestra for added realism. https://youtu.be/YkrLRM30gr4 Read More

One Night Live Tour: A new model for Emerging MusiciansThe just announced One Night Live tour offers a new collaborative touring model for emerging artists.
The post One Night Live Tour: A new model for Emerging Musicians appeared first on Hypebot.

After a three-year wait, Behringer’s 2-XM – inspired by “the polyphonic synth that started it all” – is finally hereBehringer has officially launched its 2-XM polyphonic analogue synthesiser, inspired by Oberheim’s Two Voice from the 1970s.
The Eurorack unit – which was first announced in 2022 but put on hold due to chip shortages – pays homage to the classic Oberheim synth, first released in 1975. Originally predicted to have a price tag of $299, the 2-XM comes in at a slightly more expensive $319 instead.

READ MORE: “Unlike most competitors, we don’t say, ‘How much could I charge and get away with it?”: Uli Behringer on Behringer’s pricing philosophy

The original Two Voice design consisted of two single-voice modules coupled together, and hosted a 37-note keyboard. It was also one of the first synths to introduce polyphony. Behringer’s 2-XM combines all the features of the original with modern additions such as MIDI and USB implementation, stereo, as well as “a tonne” of CV and gate ins and outs.
It has four VCOs, four envelope generators, two LFOs, and two multi-mode VCFs across two synthesiser expander modules. The two voices can be combined, split, or you use all four oscillators in unison for “intricate layering and rich, vintage analogue tones”, according to the budget-friendly brand.
Hear it in play in the video below:

Last year, Behringer released the UB-Xa synth, inspired by Oberheim’s OB-Xa. Following the launch, the classic brand’s founder Tom Oberheim responded to claims from Behringer that the UB-Xa was created with his “consent”, saying “there is no collaboration between us”.
To clear up the confusion, Behringer released a statement on its Facebook page to clarify its practice: “We clearly shared the plan for the UB-Xa synthesiser and received consent to use the trademark. We have utmost respect for the pioneer and it is unfortunate that this situation has escalated. We wish him the very best and much success,” it wrote.
To find out more about the 2-XM or locate a dealer, head over to the official Behringer website. 
The post After a three-year wait, Behringer’s 2-XM – inspired by “the polyphonic synth that started it all” – is finally here appeared first on MusicTech.

Yorkville expand NX Series The NX8P and NX12P boast advanced DSP and built-in limiting, and feature an onboard three-channel mixer that allows them to function as an all-in-one system for smaller events. 

Big discount for SXSW 2026 badges extendedThe big discount for SXSW 2025 badges has been extended. Don’t miss this opportunity to score the lowest rates of the season.
The post Big discount for SXSW 2026 badges extended appeared first on Hypebot.

Music Box Expo London: Free Pro Audio Show Join Sound On Sound for an electrifying day at the Music Box Expo London, a new premier Pro Audio event where top brands and industry experts converge.

Sweetwater partners with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to tackle hearing loss among music industry professionals: “Once the damage is done, there’s no going back to ‘normal’”Sweetwater has teamed up with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to provide support for the growing number of music industry professionals facing hearing loss.
A new Hearing Health Fund, launched by the two organisations, gives those working in the music industry access to a free, three-part hearing screening with a certified audiologist, and free Etymotic Research ER-20XS High Fidelity Earplugs to protect their ears as they continue to work.

READ MORE: 100-hour non-stop DJ Marathon to be broadcast from London in support of social mobility

As part of a free consultation, successful applicants will also benefit from a review of their screening results, with recommendations on how to continue caring for their hearing, plus general and individualised education on hearing health and personal sound exposure.
Musicians and other industry workers are at high risk of hearing loss, tinnitus, and other auditory health problems due to repeated exposure to loud sounds. Research shared in light of the partnership states that 7 in 10 music venue staff are exposed to noise levels above the daily recommended limit, with only 15 percent of workers reported to be using hearing protection regularly.
Todd Page, MD – Sweetwater’s in-house physician who provides medical care for employees and their families – states, “Screening is essential to protecting musicians from hearing loss because once the damage is done, there’s no going back to ‘normal.’
“It’s heartbreaking telling a fellow musician their tinnitus isn’t fixable; that it’s too late to reverse it, and all they can do is adapt and try to keep it from progressing. Getting musicians to respect the need for hearing protection despite a sense of ‘it won’t happen to me’ is so important when they’re just starting their musical journey.”
Aric Steinberg, Executive Director at the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, adds: “We’re thrilled to partner with Sweetwater to bring this vital resource to our music community, as we share a goal to keep musicians healthy. Music-induced hearing loss and disorders are 100 percent preventable. Our free hearing health screenings are another way for Sweet Relief to care for musicians and to help ensure that people of all income levels have access to quality medical resources.”
Music industry professionals based in the US can apply now for support from the Hearing Health Fund. Shop a massive range of musical instruments and gear at Sweetwater.
The post Sweetwater partners with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to tackle hearing loss among music industry professionals: “Once the damage is done, there’s no going back to ‘normal’” appeared first on MusicTech.

Union Audio’s uber-compact Elara.4 MK2 mixer has the “versatility and quality to elevate any DJ set, anywhere”Union Audio has unveiled the second edition of its small yet mighty Elara.4 analogue DJ mixer, introducing several new feature upgrades.
The Cornwall-based brand says the revised model builds on its “winning combination of modern compact design and analogue warmth”, and is suitable for those working in all sorts of environments, be it a club, studio, or at home.

READ MORE: Union Audio’s Elara.4 is a small window into Andy Rigby-Jones’ legendary career in DJ mixer design

The first iteration of the Elara.4 was announced back in November 2023, hosting a fully-featured channel strip with auxiliary send, channel level trim, a responsive three-band EQ, and a high-pass filter with auto-variable Q – just to name some of its features.
This evolution of the Elara.4 now brings high quality RIAA inputs across all channels, 45mm faders (from its larger sibling, the Elara.6), an additional 3.5mm headphone socket, and balanced XLR mic input. It also has a brand new master EQ/isolator with variable crossover control, unique to the MK2 model, which is designed to complement the channel EQ and allow for creative sound sculpting.

“The original Elara.4 was designed to give those DJ’s who struggle with limited space, either in the booth, studio or at home, the option to use a compact four-channel mixer which still retained a high level of functionality and provided the exceptional sound quality Union Audio are known for,” reads a press release shared with MusicTech.
“Based on user feedback we decided to extend the high-quality RIAA inputs across all channels and make the isolator crossover frequency control more playable, before adding the mic and headphone inputs, and standardising the faders across the Elara range. The resulting Elara.4 mk2 now offers the versatility and quality to elevate any DJ set, anywhere!”
The Elara.4 MK2 is priced at £1,575.00 GBP, with pre-orders due to ship on 15 May. Find out more over at Union Audio.
The post Union Audio’s uber-compact Elara.4 MK2 mixer has the “versatility and quality to elevate any DJ set, anywhere” appeared first on MusicTech.

“You can learn how to be a better producer but you can’t learn how to be a genius”: PinkPantheress opens up on the best mentors she’s worked withPinkPantheress has opened up on the artists and producers she’s worked with throughout her career, branding one producer in particular as a “genius”.
The 23-year-old, known for her hit track Boy’s A Liar, has a new project arriving this year. Not many details about it have yet been shared, but there is something coming on 9 May. The release follows on from her debut album, 2023’s Heaven Knows.

READ MORE: Timbaland thinks today’s music is “bland” and “boring”, calls AI the only thing with a “pure soul” right now

So far, PinkPantheress has collaborated with the likes of Central Cee, Kaytranada, Skrillex, and a whole lot more during her career – she’s even outlined an ambition to become the “female Rick Rubin”. Speaking to Mixmag for a new cover interview, she shares that one of her former collaborators especially stands out for his natural talent: Mura Masa.
“Mura Masa’s whole music making process is born out of the genius in his head. You can’t really learn from someone like him because he’s making it in real time but he’s making it super quick,” she says. “You can learn how to be a better producer but you can’t learn how to be a genius. You can’t learn the innate way of music making that sounds amazing from the jump. But I get inspired from watching these people – especially Danny L Harle – and he’s one of the best mentors l’ve ever had. I love him!”
She also praises duo Basement Jaxx, who not only has she worked with, but has also sampled on the new mixtape: “They’re two of the loveliest men ever,” she states. “They were very pivotal in my learning. I went in there to make beats and songs with them, but I ended up leaving by just seeing their creative process and style and picking their brains…. ended up sampling them. I don’t want to leak how they work, but just seeing how they reach certain sounds or develop ideas was really interesting.”

Later in the interview, PinkPantheress also goes on to explain how she always has a strong vision for how she wants her music to sound, despite working with such influential artists: “I personally don’t go in the studio unless I have a vision of what I kind of want. I used to go in and be free-wheeling, but my biggest flaw l’d say as a musician is that I’m very hard to convince. If I have an idea, it would be hard to persuade me to go against it,” she says.
Find out more about PinkPantheress via her official website. 
The post “You can learn how to be a better producer but you can’t learn how to be a genius”: PinkPantheress opens up on the best mentors she’s worked with appeared first on MusicTech.

Get JST Extra Spice saturation effect for FREE
Usually priced at $69, Joey Sturgis Tones is now giving away their free JST Extra Spice plugin. Extra spice comes in VST3, AU, and AAX formats and works with macOS and Windows. Most BPB readers probably have a thick folder of saturation plugins at this point, but one can never have too many, right? Distortion [...]
View post: Get JST Extra Spice saturation effect for FREE

“My goal is to make synthesizers for $9.90 so we can make them accessible to kids in poor countries”: Behringer’s synths are cheap – but it wants to go furtherAccording to Behringer’s CEO, the budget-friendly gear brand wants its prices to be even more affordable.
Uli Behringer, who founded the brand in 1989, wants its products to be more accessible to young people in particular, and has hopes that his low-cost classic synth remakes will allow children to experience iconic gear they may otherwise have not been able to afford. Across the years, the brand has released a vast number of products inspired by brands like Roland, Universal Audio, Boss, and more.

READ MORE: Behringer’s DeepMind X Series has an aesthetic inspired by a particular classic Roland synth line…

In a new interview with Sweetwater, Behringer explains, “It’s very, very fascinating for me to see how young people now rediscover this, and how they use these synths in a very different manner, right? And how they start to explore the gift of music and through that, then start to play other instruments or try other synthesizers and hopefully have a lifelong relationship with music. That, to me, bringing these synths to children is something that I feel very passionate about.”
He goes on to add, “As you know, we have synthezisers starting at $49. My goal is to make synthesizers for $9.90 so we can make these accessible to kids in poor countries, right? And not just a VST, but actually a little hardware device you can plug in your headphones. We’re looking at the next synthesizer for $9.99 and potentially give them away for free, as we have done before, we donated the 1500 synthesizers and actually tried to figure out where the areas are where people never get anything. So we spent the year figuring out the most rural areas around the world, from Nepal to Latin America. We made it a point to find out where these little schools and orphanages are, and it was a great experience when you see the videos that come back and the pictures come back with smiling kids. That’s something I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the Swiss founder explained that he is not motivated by money: “We have not invented synthesizers, nor will we ever claim [to], but hopefully people will remember us for having brought all these jewels back to life,” he says. “But only a few people can afford those, and I think it’s important to make them available, accessible to people who do not have deep pockets. That’s something we feel strongly about, and that’s the purpose why we exist.” He adds, “You have to have a purpose. You need to have a reason to get up. And it can’t be money, can’t be business.”
Though Behringer’s budget creations are loved by many, the brand has also faced criticism over the years for its gear emulations – including from the manufacturers of its original inspirations. Despite this, Behringer has reiterated that it follows the correct legal procedures. On its popular Facebook page, a post made back in January said: “IP refers to legally protected rights over creations, such as trademarks or patents. Unless these protections are registered, the content is typically in the public domain and free to use.
“This system is intentional. Society thrives on progress, and limiting rights to a few individuals or companies would stifle creativity. Imagine if only one company could produce cars or guitars – innovation would stall, and access would be restricted. If companies want to protect their IP, they must file for trademarks, patents, or other legal measures. At Music Tribe, we’ve done this with around 100 patents to safeguard our innovations.”
Find out more about the brand or view its full product range over at Behringer.
The post “My goal is to make synthesizers for $9.90 so we can make them accessible to kids in poor countries”: Behringer’s synths are cheap – but it wants to go further appeared first on MusicTech.

Bax Music files for bankruptcyDutch musical instrument retailer Bax Music has been declared bankrupt.
According to De Telegraaf, Bax Music was officially declared bankrupt today by The Netherlands’ Zeeland-West-Brabant court. The ruling reportedly comes after years of financial strain, with the company owing money to multiple investors and creditors, including the Dutch Tax Authority.

READ MORE: Two dance venues open in East London in quick succession – is the UK’s nightlife scene looking up?

The company also suffered financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a fire in 2023 that damaged numerous pieces of expensive gear.
Reportedly, the company originally approached the court hoping to suspend repayments on its debt. This request was denied, and likely spurred on the official bankruptcy ruling.
Bax Music is one of Europe’s largest online music retailers, with six brick-and-mortar stores across the Netherlands and Belgium, 300 employees and an operation across Europe.
Despite the news, one of the company’s co-founders, Jochanan Bax is keen to relaunch the brand in the future. According to the NL Times, Bax insists that investors are already showing interest.
Bankruptcy rulings are slowly becoming commonplace within the industry. Bax Music follows in the footsteps of Sam Ash, a US instrument retailed that shut up shop last May. Instrument manufacturers have also been suffering as of late, with Japanese brand Fernandes Guitars also filing for bankruptcy in July.
Elsewhere, Brighton’s iconic GAK may be doomed to face Bax Music’s fate very soon. According to local newspaper, The Argus, the instrument store has been shuttered up for a few days, with the company’s website also being taken offline. Seemingly there are hopes that a buyer could save the business, as it has been listed on Business Sale Report.
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