The New Realities of Life as a Full-Time MusicianDiscover the real challenges and rewards of life as a full-time musician, and what it truly takes to turn your passion into a sustainable career...
The post The New Realities of Life as a Full-Time Musician appeared first on Hypebot.

Music Tech News: AmplifyWorld, Duetti add funding • UnitedMasters • AMPOLLO • CD Baby • BeatStars + VolocoIn recent music tech news, AmplifyWorld, a decentralized engagement platform that empowers musicians and fans by leveraging blockchain and Web3 tech, has announced a $1.2M investment from Chapel Ventures.
The post Music Tech News: AmplifyWorld, Duetti add funding • UnitedMasters • AMPOLLO • CD Baby • BeatStars + Voloco appeared first on Hypebot.

Steinberg launch Cubase 14 The latest version of Steinberg’s popular music production platform has just arrived, kitting users out with a whole host of new features and enhancements.

The Crow Hill Company release Glass Strings Described as “a love letter to music makers”, Glass Strings is said to be capable of everything from intimate pop tracks to full-on Hollywood epics.

Reddit users discover Teenage Engineering’s potential new product – the OP-XYTeenage Engineering is acting rather suspiciously, and users on Reddit appear to have discovered why. According to an FCC filing found by a user on the platform, the brand appears to be gearing up for the launch of a potential new product, the OP-XY.
The filing isn’t the only exciting activity happening at the TE camp either, as both its official Instagram and that of CEO Jesper Kouthoofd have also been dropping some strong hints. Alongside this potential new launch, it also appears that TE is looking to release another iteration of its Grip Car too.

READ MORE: Watch deadmau5 play the medieval EP-1320 while wearing a suit of armour. No, seriously

Last week, the brand posted a photo of a simple black to white gradient, with the caption “etwas kommt bald”, meaning “something is coming” in German (translation via Google). Kouthoofd also posted a similar photo of the same gradient, with the simple caption of #XY, among a number of other intriguing photos. The same image and text also appears on its website.

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Though staying pretty low-key about the speculative XY, he also posted a photo of what appears to be “grip car 2”. The caption states, “#XY #bluetooth approved #launch soon #gripcar2 #autonomous”. In the comment section, he also says this should be landing sometime next week.
Take a look below:

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The OP-XY appears to be a follow up to its OP-Z portable synthesiser and sequencer, which launched back in 2018. As per MusicRadar, the device looks to offer Bluetooth connectivity.
The FCC certification for the new device was approved in late October, meaning it has the green light for sales in the US. TE has also requested a confidentiality period that ends in April 2025, which prevents specific (and often sensitive) information from being revealed.
You can view the current full Teenage Engineering product range via its official website. Be sure to check back on MusicTech for further updates as we get them.
The post Reddit users discover Teenage Engineering’s potential new product – the OP-XY appeared first on MusicTech.

Torso Electronics S-4 is a beautiful but frustratingly incomplete granular sampler, synth and effects unit$899.00, torsoelectronics.com
Torso Electronics garnered some well-deserved attention from gear nerds with its first product, the T-1 Algorithmic Sequencer in 2020. Now the company returns with its second product, the S-4 Sculpting Sampler. While the T-1 scored some immediately positive reviews, coverage of the S-4 has been far more sparse.

READ MORE: Beetlecrab Tempera: “As soon as we placed our hand on the grid and played a chord, we knew immediately, ‘Okay, this is it’”

After spending several weeks poking at it and pushing it to its limits, I understand why. While it’s an incredibly compelling device capable of making absolutely gorgeous sounds, it’s also expensive at $899. And, to make matters worse, it’s not finished.
But let’s start with the positives — there’s quite a bit to like about the S-4. The hardware itself is satisfying. The screen is large and crisp, the push encoders are solid with excellent resistance and the keys are delightfully clicky. The S-4 is, from a purely tactile perspective, a joy to use. There’s also a decent amount of connectivity around back, including two ¼-inch line ins and outs, a headphone jack, MIDI in and out and analogue sync in and out. Finally, a USB-C port offers file transfers and transmission of audio and MIDI. Whatever your studio setup, the S-4 should be able to find a home there.
The user interface is also easy to navigate. I was able to quickly load samples from the 4GB of built-in storage, record synth pads using the audio inputs and then mangle them with the granular processor, bit crusher, delay and reverb, all without looking at the manual online.

Some of the more advanced features, like changing the modulation parameters, aren’t as obvious, but don’t require an inordinate amount of menu diving. You should be able to figure out most things through trial and error.
The heart of the Torso S-4 is its granular processor. It’s incredibly flexible with a number of controls and up to 128 grains that make it easy to turn anything into the stereotypical granular clouds of ambience, especially once you start dialling in the onboard delays and reverbs. It comes preloaded with around 300MB of samples for you to smear into oblivion — pads, basslines and even drum loops. With four tracks to work with, you can actually load up different loops and treat it almost like an oddball groovebox.
But this is just scratching the surface of the S-4’s capabilities. The default ‘material’ (sound source) for each track is Tape, which is a simple sample looper. But you can also switch it to Poly mode, which turns the S-4 into a MIDI-controlled granular synthesizer. Here, anything can become your sound source, from synth samples to field recordings of birds. As a granular synth the S-4 doesn’t do anything truly groundbreaking, but hardware granular synths are still pretty rare. And its host of effects make it simple to craft interesting and moving textures that aren’t easily achievable without combining several pieces of gear.
Image: Terrence O’Brien for MusicTech
If you’re looking specifically for a hardware granular synth, the S-4 might be your best bet. The 1010Music Lemondrop is half the price and equally capable, but its interface is fiddly, connectivity options are limited and the built-in effects are merely okay. The Tasty Chips GR-1 is an incredible piece of hardware with a gorgeous interface, but its older hardware, limited modulation options and higher price make it hard to recommend over the S-4. The Tempera is interesting, but its quirky interface is challenging to master. Beyond that, options are limited without spending thousands.
That all said, most people looking for a granular synth would be better off sticking to software. Plugins like Pigments, Quanta and FRMS will get you excellent results at a fraction of the price.
My favourite application of the S-4, however, has been as an effects processor. Switching the material to Bypass allows you to use the granular engine, filter, compressor, drive, bit crusher, delay and reverb for real-time processing of live audio, and it’s amazing. Staid synth pads suddenly become undulating drivers of your arrangement. Guitars sparkle and scream with lo-fi digital destruction. And drums sputter with glitchy fills. There are other granular-based effects out there, but few allow the depth of control of the S-4. If controlled chaos is your jam, then you will love what Torso offers here.
Modulation options and peripheral effects here have a lot to do with just how powerful of a sculpting tool the S-4 is. There are four mod sources per track which can be a simple LFOs, a random generator, or an ADSR envelope (an envelope follower is being added in an upcoming firmware update). These are all easily assigned to manipulate the size of the reverb, the pitch of the grains or anything else you might want. There’s even a filter-specific modulator called Waves that can do everything from subtle ebbs and flows to wild effects similar to an auto-wah. I like to leave Waves permanently on to create gentle movement.
Image: Terrence O’Brien for MusicTech
Physically then, the S-4 is a joy, it’s incredibly versatile and sounds fantastic. So what’s the problem?
To put it bluntly, it’s not a finished product. There are three buttons on the front panel — Temp, Perform and Scene — that simply say “Coming soon” when you press them. That a feature could be so important as to require a dedicated button, but somehow not be important enough to actually implement before shipping a product is baffling. That it happened three times here is bonkers. Even basic features were not ready at launch. For example, despite being available through retail channels as early as July, Torso didn’t implement MIDI sync until early September.
Even ignoring the missing features, the current firmware is quite buggy. On more than one occasion the S-4 crashed and rebooted on me. Sometimes it got stuck in a boot loop for no reason. Error messages popped up when trying to save or load projects. And there were times that required yanking the power cord. Other times, the S-4 immediately powers back on after being shut off, and remains responsive, but refuses to load samples or process incoming audio.
Rarely have I been so torn. The Torso S-4 has so much potential, yet paying $899 to be a beta tester is a big ask. If Torso can quickly iron out the bugs and roll out the missing features, the S-4 Sculpting Sampler could become a modern classic. Right now, it’s hard to recommend most people spend their hard-earned cash on it.
Image: Terrence O’Brien for MusicTech
Key features

Stereo in and out
⅛-inch MIDI in and out
Analogue sync in and out
MIDI and Audio over USB
Built-in microphone
4 stereo audio tracks
4 modulation sources per-track
128-grain granular processor
8-voice MIDI-controlled granular synth engine
Live audio processing
Multi-mode Resonant filter and resonator
Built-in compression, drive and bit crushing
Delay and reverb engines with shimmer
Dimensions: 242 x 156 x 39 mm
Weight: 820g

The post Torso Electronics S-4 is a beautiful but frustratingly incomplete granular sampler, synth and effects unit appeared first on MusicTech.

Noga Erez on her Major Label Debut Album and Dealing With HateThis week, Ari is joined by alt-pop singer, rapper & multi-hyphenate Noga Erez to discuss the creative process and working with labels.

Rhodes Music Celebrates Its Legacy with the Anthology Series PluginRhodes Music introduces the Rhodes Anthology Series, a collection of meticulously sampled virtual instruments that capture the essence of iconic and rare Rhodes pianos. This plug-in faithfully recreates the iconic warmth and character of these instruments, bringing some of the most influential sounds in music history into the toolkits of today’s musicians and producers.

“The Rhodes sound has always been more than just an instrument; it’s a cultural phenomenon,” says Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes Music. “The sound transcends the physical hardware. It’s a part of music history, and with the Anthology Series, we’re bringing that legacy into the digital world.”

For more information on pricing and to purchase, visit www.rhodesmusic.com.The post Rhodes Music Celebrates Its Legacy with the Anthology Series Plugin first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Canoo’s CFO and top lawyer are the latest executives to leaveEV startup Canoo has lost its chief financial officer and its head lawyer, the latest in a string of executive departures as the company continues to struggle to find mass adoption of its electric work vans. CFO Greg Ethridge and general counsel Hector Ruiz both resigned from Canoo on October 31, the company announced Tuesday […]
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2024 US elections live: Crypto on the ballotFollow Cointelegraph’s live updates on the 2024 US election and its potential impact on crypto regulations, markets and the future of digital assets.

Split-Flap Clock Flutters Its Way to Displaying Time Without NumbersHere’s a design for a split-flap clock that doesn’t do it the usual way. Instead of the flaps showing numbers , Klapklok has a bit more in common with flip-dot displays.
Klapklok updates every 2.5 minutes.
It’s an art piece that uses custom-made split-flaps which flutter away to update the display as time passes. An array of vertically-mounted flaps creates a sort of low-res display, emulating an analog clock. These are no ordinary actuators, either. The visual contrast and cleanliness of the mechanism is fantastic, and the sound they make is less of a chatter and more of a whisper.
The sound the flaps create and the sight of the high-contrast flaps in motion are intended to be a relaxing and calming way to connect with the concept of time passing. There’s some interactivity built in as well, as the Klapklok also allows one to simply draw on it wirelessly with via a mobile phone.
Klapklok has a total of 69 elements which are all handmade. We imagine there was really no other way to get exactly what the designer had in mind; something many of us can relate to.
Split-flap mechanisms are wonderful for a number of reasons, and if you’re considering making your own be sure to check out this easy and modular DIY reference design before you go about re-inventing the wheel. On the other hand, if you do wish to get clever about actuators maybe check out this flexible PCB that is also its own actuator.

“I was honoured to call Quincy a friend” : Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and other public figures pay tribute to Quincy JonesOn Sunday, legendary record producer Quincy Jones sadly passed away at the age of 91. He leaves a staggering sonic legacy in his wake; from producing Michael Jackson’s 1982 record Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, to composing tunes for Frank Sinatra, Jones worked with countless musical superstars.

READ MORE: 10 lessons everyone in music can learn from Quincy Jones

Many public figures have stepped up to pay their respect to the bold producer. Previous president Barack Obama shared some words via X, praising Jones’ multi-faceted career.
“For decades, Quincy Jones was music,” Obama writes. “From producing [Michael Jackson’s] Thriller, to composing the score for The Colour Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.”
“His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age,” the post continues. “By building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business.”

For decades, Quincy Jones was music. From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.
His music appealed to listeners of every race… pic.twitter.com/kKTJ8YFR3y
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 4, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, has also shared some words amid the current presidential election. “Quincy Jones was a trailblazer,” she writes. “A composer, arranger, record and movie producer, he created art that brought joy to millions of people.”
“As an activist, Quincy championed civil and human rights,” she adds. “As a role model, he offered inspiration and mentorship, in particular for young people of colour in the music industry. I was honored to call Quincy a friend, and I will always remember his generosity of spirit, his selfless support, and his deep kindness.”

Quincy Jones was a trailblazer.
As a composer, arranger, record and movie producer, he created art that brought joy to millions of people. As an activist, Quincy championed civil and human rights. As a role model, he offered inspiration and mentorship, in particular for young… pic.twitter.com/IeqjpTPtKr
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) November 4, 2024

Elsewhere, Oprah Winfrey has also shared her love for her “beloved Q” in a touching tribute. Without Jones “discovering” her for 1985’s The Colour Purple.
“My life changed forever for the better after meeting him.” she writes on Instagram. “I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love. He walked around with his heart wide open, and treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows. He was the first person I ever loved unconditionally.”

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Jones also played a part in kickstarting Will Smith’s career, urging him to audition for The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend,” Smith writes on Instagram. “He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me, he nurtured me… he let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

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Many musicians have also shared photos and tales of their experiences with Jones. In an Instagram post, Dr Dre explains how Jones’ work inspired him to pursue music. “Quincy is the reason why I decided to become a record producer,” he explains. “His records were my go-to when I started engineering. All of the time that I spent hanging out with him was priceless and I love how open he was- the advice he gave me, the conversations we had have helped me in my life and career. Forever inspired by the incomparable Quincy Jones.”
Rapper LL Cool J’s Instagram post honours Jones as an inspirational mentor. “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example,” he says. “Mentor. Role model. King. You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”
DJ and producer David Guetta took to X to share his own photo with Jones. “It’s hard to find the words to express the impact Quincy Jones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole,” he writes. “Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’, an album that set the standard for what music could be, blending genres and pushing boundaries.”
“I had the honor of meeting Quincy, notably at the Grammys, where we even had the chance to speak in French, a language he mastered so beautifully,” he adds. “Those moments will stay with me forever.”

It’s hard to find the words to express the impact @QuincyDJones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole. Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’ by… pic.twitter.com/LzADJWoyLl
— David Guetta (@davidguetta) November 4, 2024

Elton John praised the producer, noting that “nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones.” Mariah Carey also called Jones “a legend, a titan, a mentor” in another tribute post.
Respect is also being shared by actors. Cockney acting legend Michael Caine had a particularly unique bond with Jones. “My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world,” he writes on X. “He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”
Frank Sinatra’s daughters Tina and Nancy took to their father’s official Facebook page to reflect on Jones’ passing. “Quincy was an ever-present force in our lives – in good times and bad – constant and loving,” they write. “He was our ‘brother from another mother,’ he’d say. We were blessed to know him. We love you, Q – from here to eternity. Hug Pop and save us a seat at the bar!”

Quincy was an ever-present force in our lives—in good times and bad—constant and loving. He was our "brother from…
Posted by Frank Sinatra on Monday, November 4, 2024

Alongside his musical legacy, Jones leaves behind seven children and… 22 girlfriends, if he managed to keep them all since his 2018 interview with GQ. Classic Q.
The post “I was honoured to call Quincy a friend” : Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and other public figures pay tribute to Quincy Jones appeared first on MusicTech.

Open-Source Robot TransformsBesides Pokémon, there might have been no greater media franchise for a child of the 90s than the Transformers, mysterious robots fighting an intergalactic war but which can inexplicably change into various Earth-based object, like trucks and airplanes. It led to a number of toys which can also change shapes from fighting robots into various ordinary objects as well. And, perhaps in a way of life imitating art, plenty of real-life robots have features one might think were inspired by this franchise like this transforming quadruped robot.
Called the CYOBot, the robot has four articulating arms with a wheel at the end of each. The arms can be placed in a wide array of positions for different operating characteristics, allowing the robot to move in an incredibly diverse way. It’s based on a previous version called the CYOCrawler, using similar articulating arms but with no wheels. The build centers around an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, giving it plenty of compute power for things like machine learning, as well as wireless capabilities for control or access to more computing power.
Both robots are open source and modular as well, allowing a range of people to use and add on to the platform. Another perk here is that most parts are common or 3d printed, making it a fairly low barrier to entry for a platform with so many different configurations and options for expansion and development. If you prefer robots without wheels, though, we’d always recommend looking at Strandbeests for inspiration.

AFK Audio launch Drumbeam Kickstarter campaign Boasting an ultra-compact form factor and a completely customisable interface, the Drumbeam has been designed to provide players with a comprehensive drum controller that fits in a backpack. 

Believe and TuneCore say they ‘strongly refute’ copyright infringement claims in UMG’s $500m lawsuit and ‘will fight them’The lawsuit, filed on Monday (November 4) alleges that Believe has built its business through industrial-scale copyright infringement'
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