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.
The post “There’s a strange magnetism to this machine”: A rare piece of Beatles history is up for auction appeared first on MusicTech.

The producers, studios, DJs and artists affected by LA wildfires — and how you can helpWe’ll be updating this page as more information as it happens. 
Los Angeles is still enduring the massive wildfires that sparked last week. Since the blazes began in Southern California on 7 January, 24 lives have been claimed, 16 people are reported missing, over 180,000 people have been displaced from their homes, more than 13,000 structures have been destroyed, and the two biggest blazes, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, are yet to be contained.

READ MORE: What to expect at NAMM 2025

As one of the world’s greatest hubs for music, hundreds of artists, producers, engineers, and other industry professionals have lost their homes, studios and equipment. Furthermore, numerous acclaimed music studios were lost as well. This public document lists those affected and how to donate.
Madlib, the legendary hip-hop producer who’s worked with MF DOOM, De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Anderson .Paak, Freddie Gibbs, and countless others, lost his home in the Palisades fire along with his entire record collection, which fueled his sample-heavy production style. As of 2016, he was estimated to own over 16,000 records, many of them extremely rare. Also lost were many pieces of his recording equipment.
On Madlib’s Donorbox page, a statement assures that donations are directed to “provide assistance to help Madlib with immediate personal needs, essentials like clothing, temporary housing, transportation costs and the tools Madlib needs to continue creating the music that has touched so many lives.”
Madlib performing at Blue Note Jazz Festival in 2023. Image: Richard Bord/Getty Images
Another production hero, Bob Clearmountain, lost his home and studio as well. Clearmountain’s credits are all over rock and roll history. He has made records for Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Pretenders, and Bryan Adams. He is also a revered mixer who ran the board at Live Aid, The Concert for New York for 9/11, and the tribute performances for the late Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins.
The home of Jeffrey Paradise, the sole remaining member of the modern electronic project Poolside, was destroyed in the Palisades fire along with his home studio: “It’s all gone. Every piece of gear. Every guitar. Every flier I saved. Every record I dug for years and years. It’s all gone in an instant,” he wrote on Instagram.

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Harbor Studios — a staple of the Los Angeles recording community from when Joe Zawinul was recording works for Weather Report until Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj recorded their newest albums — is now gone. On Instagram, the team wrote “This is not the end of Harbor. We are restarting from scratch (again)… nothing we haven’t done before…We will come back stronger from this.”
Other major players in the world of music who have been affected include Mark “Spike” Stent, a producer who’s contributed to music from Madonna to Massive Attack to Coldplay to Frank Ocean, whose home burned down. Jhené Aiko, Diane Warren, Harry Mack, and Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, lost their homes as well.
However, as the destruction continues, the global music community is coming together to aid in relief. Several benefit concerts have already been announced by giant promoters such as Live Nation and Insomniac plus independent entities including Another Planet Entertainment and Framework.
Some organizations are already working to provide relief throughout the city. Universal Music Group cancelled its Grammy-week events and is donating those allocated funds to fire relief. MusiCares, the non-profit arm of The Recording Academy is currently distributing immediate assistance specifically to over 1,000 musicians, and The NAMM Foundation has also started the LA Fires Relief Fund in response to the devastation:
“Needs-based assistance will be provided to NAMM members, employees of NAMM member companies, music education programs, and music makers affected by the January 2025 fires,” the website reads.

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Certain individuals in music have made significant contributions as well. Beyoncé donated $2.5 million to a fire relief fund she established through her charity, BeyGOOD. Members of the classic rock band, Eagles, pledged the same amount to FireAid, the title of Live Nation’s benefit concert. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr is now donating the proceeds from his country concerts, Ringo & Friends At The Ryman, to fire relief as well.
These efforts are not reserved for major artists and organizations, though. Many other members of the LA community are doing their part to help.
Tristan Hoogland, a mixer and engineer for artists like Flume, James Blake, and SG Lewis has launched an equipment drive for musicians asking for donations of guitars, cables, synths, mics, and everything else musicians need to continue working in spite of the loss. Alex Rodriguez, who owns the LA record store Record Safari, is donating rare records from his personal collection for crate diggers who may have lost rare gems. Leaving Records, an independent ambient label is hosting its own benefit concert and giving the funds directly to struggling artists.
For anyone who is in immediate need of assistance, in the same sheet listing the music industry professionals who have been affected, there are also tabs for musician-specific resources and general resources to help with housing, transportation, food and other essential items, mental health and more.
For those who are interested in donating or volunteering to support relief efforts, Billboard has collated a comprehensive list of organizations that are addressing the situation.
Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California, on January 7, 2025. Image: David McNew/Getty Images
Here are some organisations MusicTech recommends:

The Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network has created an exhaustive list of ways those affected by the fires can find food, shelter, goods, pet care, money, WiFi, and means of charging their electronic devices.
The CA Fire Foundation works with local fire agencies as well as other community groups to financially support residents who have been affected by the fires. They also focus on supporting firefighters and their families.
World Central Kitchen provides free meals to first responders and families impacted by the fires.
Animal Wellness Foundation has opened its old veterinary care center to shelter animals that evacuated owners could not bring with them. Donations will go towards housing and feeding the animals.

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Chartmetric 2024 Report: new Superstars, Glocalization, MoreDiscover the highlights from the Chartmetric 2024 Report including new superstars, trigger cities, glocalization and more: One of several shockers: of the 11 million Spotify profiles tracked by Chartmetric, only 1.58 million (14%) have more than 10 listeners per month.
The post Chartmetric 2024 Report: new Superstars, Glocalization, More appeared first on Hypebot.