3 Reasons Artists should still do Virtual ConcertsCheck out why, even post-lockdown, artists should still do virtual concerts. Discover the benefits and challenges, how they offer a new way connect with fans worldwide, and their impact on the future of live performances.
The post 3 Reasons Artists should still do Virtual Concerts appeared first on Hypebot.

“You may never EQ again – if we succeed”: Waves Audio announces new Curves plugins, which it claims can do your EQ for youWaves Audio has announced a new trio of plugins, the Curves Spectral Series, which it claims will help do your EQ for you.
The first plugin in the trilogy, the Curves Equator, focuses on resonance suppression and will be available this month. The next two plugins will arrive next year and are set to focus on traditional audio equalisation and EQ matching respectively.

READ MORE: PreSonus users rage at Studio One Pro 7 upgrade prices and lack of new feature mentions

In a new video hosted by Product Manager Shai Fishman, he claims: “You may never EQ again… if we succeed.”
“We know you know how to EQ,” Fishman continues. “If you think about EQ technology, it hasn’t really advanced in the last 30 years. We thought there had to be a better way to get rid of Q’s and frequencies and nodes and all that stuff that’s really tedious and technical about EQ. Why not have the technology do the work for you? Go where you want to go, without worrying about the technical aspects?”
Fishman later explains how the Curves plugins together can effectively “do the EQ for you” with artificial intelligence. “It listens to your content,” he says. “Each plugin in the Curves series can learn your audio. Equator stabilises and protects it from anomalies. The next plugin will be able to EQ for you and even provide you with a few options, and the last plugin will be able to match any target you give it. It’s going to minimise errors, it’s going to actually do the work for you with a very intuitive GUI that allows you to control a lot of technology with very simple and basic functions.”

In June, Waves was one of 50 companies to sign a set of guidelines called Principles for Music Creation with AI, which advocated for the responsible use of AI in music creation. The guidelines seek to protect the rights of musicians as generative AI technology develops, while also acknowledging that AI can be an empowering tool if used correctly.
Waves says the Curves Equator, the first plugin in the Curves Spectral Series – will arrive September 2024. And as we’re nearing the end of the month, we’re betting the release is imminent.
For more information, stay tuned at Waves.
The post “You may never EQ again – if we succeed”: Waves Audio announces new Curves plugins, which it claims can do your EQ for you appeared first on MusicTech.

Women’s Empowerment Anthems: Understanding What MattersWomen's empowerment anthems are not knew but they are seeing a resurgence. What makes some, like Charli xcx's "360" resonate, while others, like Katy Perry's "Woman's World," flop? 
The post Women’s Empowerment Anthems: Understanding What Matters appeared first on Hypebot.

How to create an authentic vintage drum reverb for synthwave and chillwave music stylesThe story of how gated reverb came about at the end of the 70s is a well-read chapter in the Book of Music Production Lore. We aren’t going to rake over those old coals here, but the effect, best exemplified by that drum fill in Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight, became a defining element of 80s music production.

READ MORE: How to make samples sound better in your music

Overuse of the effect saw it fall out of favour and become increasingly clichéd, but the growing popularity and influence of synthwave is driving a resurgence of interest in the effect.
Many modern reverb plugins feature algorithms and presets for gated ‘verb, but used in isolation these rarely deliver that quintessential 80s sound, especially when it comes to drums. With a little bit of additional work, though, the sound and spirit of the age can be resurrected.
Create a Beat
Create a new project in your DAW and add a drum machine, sampler, or other instrument that can create drum sounds. We’re using Native Instruments Battery 4.

The 80s was when all the now-classic drum machines appeared, so load up a patch or sample bank that mimics a machine of the age. The ongoing popularity of 808s and 909s means their sound can be somewhat timeless, so we suggest looking for something that isn’t so widely used today, for example, a 707 kit (which is what we’re using).
Choose a tempo and create a few bars of a simple beat. We’ll be using the reverb to create interest and impact in the drum sounds, but it doesn’t work so well on rapidly played parts. So keep the beat simple and avoid rapidly repeating parts such as hi-hats, shakers, etc.
Choosing A Reverb Plugin

We aren’t going to create a gated reverb effect entirely from scratch here, but we are using a plugin dedicated to producing the effect: SSL GateVerb. This has an authentic sound and full control over both the gate and the reverb so, if you don’t already have it, grab the demo to follow along closely. If you’re using a different reverb, be sure it has a gated algorithm or impulse – most of this should translate well enough.
We want to use the reverb as a send effect, so create a new bus track (or whatever your DAW calls such things) and insert an instance of your chosen reverb plugin.
Route the Signals

Unlike regular reverb, where typically the aim is to simulate an acoustic space, the aim of gated reverb on drums is to add something that becomes an intrinsic part of the sound itself. The source drum sound does little more than trigger the reverb and provide a transient, and it is the reverb itself that constitutes the majority of the overall drum sound.
Create a send from your instrument track to the reverb track. Set the reverb’s wet/dry balance to 100 per cent wet, turn its channel up to 0dB (remember, we want the gated reverb to be prominent), and then start playback.
Configure the Reverb

Set the reverb’s pre-delay to zero. Adjust GateVerb’s reverb time, trigger threshold and hold time, with the aim of creating a snap of reverb that partially fills the gaps between drum hits.
Keep in mind that, even though the gate hold time deals with the length of each burst of reverb, if you use a long reverb time those bursts may still contain the sound of previous hits, which sounds messy. Conversely, if you use a shorter time, the natural decay of the reverb will kick in before the gate shuts, changing the nature of the effect. So be sure to explore balancing these three parameters until you get a crisp, clean reverb snap after each drum hit.
Adjust the other GateVerb settings to hone in on a sound that you like, and adjust the effect track’s fader to get a good balance with the source drum sounds.
Tuning the Reverb Sound

The gated reverb should now sound like part of the drum sounds themselves. But to get the effect just right we need to do some sculpting with EQ.
Insert an EQ plugin on the effect track, positioning it after GateVerb in the chain. Typically, we want to shape things so the reverb blends well with the snare, and we don’t want too much boominess. Experiment with your reverb until you get to a sound you like.
Further Enhancing the Effect

The varying energy of different drum sounds and hits can create an unevenness in the sound of the gated reverb, and can also make it tricky to set a “just right” trigger threshold for the gate itself. Fix this by adding a compressor plugin prior to GateVerb in the effect chain.
Turning down the source drum track can make it easier to hear the compressor’s effect during setup. To do this you will need to switch the drum track’s effect send to operate in pre-fader mode and then turn down the track’s fader; it will also help to disable GateVerb so you can focus on the compression.
Load a compressor. Set a very fast attack and fairly quick release, and configure the threshold and ratio such that every drum hit has a very similar output level from the compressor.
Re-enable GateVerb, return the drum track to post-fader mode and turn up the drum channel once you’re happy with the compression. Tweak GateVerb’s parameters, in particular the gate Trigger level and Hold time, to accommodate the now compressed input signal.
Different Verbs For Different Drum Sounds

Whilst applying the same gated reverb to kicks, snare, toms and like can work just fine, the point of gated reverb is to enhance each drum hit, and so ideally you should add different gated ‘verbs to match each drum sound or group of sounds. This becomes particularly important with hi-hats, shakers and other drum sounds that are higher in pitch and that tend to have shorter gaps between each hit (shorter gaps demand a shorter reverb time and gate hold time).
The solution here is to create separate outputs from your drum machine/sampler/instrument, and send each to its own effects chain. Some sounds may warrant their own dedicated output (kicks, for example) while others may be happy sharing the same chain (snares and claps, for example).
Configure your drum sound source to use multiple output channels (if it can), and then use the techniques above to create perfect gated reverb effects for each drum channel.
Learn more music production techniques.
The post How to create an authentic vintage drum reverb for synthwave and chillwave music styles appeared first on MusicTech.

Roadsoul Bass Lite is a FREE vintage bass instrument for HALion Sonic
Phasenpunkt releases Roadsoul Bass Lite, a FREE vintage bass instrument for HALion and HALion Sonic. Roadsoul Bass Lite is a vintage bass instrument sampled from the Crumar Roady. The instrument aims to deliver classic keyboard bass tones heard throughout the 1980s. Before the Crumar Spirit (designed by Bob Moog) came along, Crumar released multiple keyboard [...]
View post: Roadsoul Bass Lite is a FREE vintage bass instrument for HALion Sonic

Maida Vale Studios unveils revamp plans led by Hans ZimmerWest London’s historic Maida Vale Studios might get a new “state of the art” makeover led by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, who became co-owner of the site last year.
The former BBC site, located on Delaware Road, was sold by the broadcaster to Zimmer and others last August for a reported £10.5 million.

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The partnership – Working Title Films chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, and Zimmer’s business partner Steven Kofsky – have shared plans for Maida Vale Studios ahead of an expected planning permission application to Westminster City Council.
MVS Partnership LLP are yet to submit a formal planning application to the council, according to BBC News.
However, the Zimmer Group has already begun a consultation on a “retrofit-first refurbishment” approach seeking to minimise carbon emissions and bring high-tech upgrades to the historic venue, Ham & High reports.
Further refurbishment plans include adding editing facilities, new planting and seating areas outside, composer rooms, on-site food and drink stations for staff and customers and around 42,000 square feet of creative workspace.
The Zimmer Group have also proposed the renovated studios will be fully electric and use energy-efficient lighting to reduce its carbon footprint.
The consultation says the refurbishment of the Grade II listed premises would continue to be of “national importance to UK and creative industries”.
It continues: “This [sic] proposed upgrades will set new benchmarks for excellence in British film and music post-production, fostering the creation of new jobs, driving innovation, and promoting industry investment.”
Geoff Barraclough, a cabinet member and councillor for Maida Vale, says: “We’re delighted that Maida Vale Studios’ long history will continue under new ownership. We are particularly pleased they will be working closely with Westminster council’s new North Paddington Creative Enterprise Zone, which will give local young talent the chance to work in this wonderful new facility.”
He continues: “As with any planning application, there will be plenty of details to examine before the scheme is approved and we will want to ensure that local residents don’t suffer during the building works.”
Maida Vale Studios was first bought by the BBC in 1993 and has hosted a range of outstanding artists including The Beatles, Beyoncé, Elton John and Hans Zimmer.
Now, under new ownership, the German film composer recalls working at Maida Vale nearly 45 years ago.
“I still remember the strong pull, the desire to touch the walls, as if that would somehow allow me to connect to the artists whose extraordinary music had resonated against these walls on a daily basis,” he tells the BBC.
“This was a place of revolutionary science in the service of art, this was a place that inspired you to give your best, where music was performed around the clock and art was taken seriously. For the people by the people. This was the place that kept a struggling musician like me from giving up.”
His plan for the newly refurbished Maida Vale Studios is “[to] make [it] a place that inspires, teaches, technologically serves the arts and humanity, and gives the next generation the same opportunities I was given: to create and to never give up”.
Find out more about Maida Vale Studios.
The post Maida Vale Studios unveils revamp plans led by Hans Zimmer appeared first on MusicTech.

Serato to revive its iconic Scratch Live Control Vinyl for a limited-edition anniversary reissueIn celebration of its 25th anniversary, Serato is launching a limited-edition reissue of its Scratch Live Control Vinyl.
Serato Scratch Live first launched in 2004, becoming the first digital vinyl system to allow DJs to mix and scratch digital music using specially designed control vinyl or control CDs with DJ hardware.

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The brand itself was founded by New Zealand natives Steve West and AJ Bertenshaw, with its first product, the Pitch ‘n Time, landing back in 1999. In honour of its birthday milestone, just 1,500 units of the Scratch Live Control Vinyl are to be launched as part of this commemorative reissue.
Buyers will receive a pair of 12” 140g control vinyls, encased in a special 25th-anniversary jacket. Five classic colours will also be available, including black, transparent red, transparent blue, orange, and grey marble – though this will remain a surprise until you actually unwrap the package.
Throughout its lifetime, Serato has been name-dropped across lyrics from Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Drake, A$AP Rocky and more. Artists like Questlove, Erykah Badu, Metro Boomin, A-Trak, DJ Snake and DJ Jazzy Jeff have also utilised its software for their music.

“At Serato’s core is a passion for music and technology, and we’ve built our foundation on the ongoing commitment to creating best-in-class products for DJs and music producers,” states Nick Maclaren, Serato’s Chief Strategy Officer who, as a club DJ in the 2000s, was one of the first to trial Scratch Live.
“When Serato Scratch Live was first introduced, it reinvented what was in the realm of possibilities for DJs at the time. As we celebrate 25 years of empowering artists through Serato’s advanced technology, we’re excited for our community to experience the magic of this innovation once again with the reissue of the Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl.”
This limited drop will be available to purchase in select stores globally for $49 USD starting October 1 2024 at 9am NZT. Find out more via Serato.
The post Serato to revive its iconic Scratch Live Control Vinyl for a limited-edition anniversary reissue appeared first on MusicTech.

Roland release JUNO-D keyboard series Roland have released the JUNO-D6, JUNO-D7, and JUNO-D8 keyboards, offering portability, professional-grade sound and modern features.

UAFX Enigmatic '82 Overdrive Special Amp Pedal New addition to the UAFX pedal lineup aims to capture the legendary sounds associated with renowned guitarists such as John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Carlos Santana.

IK Multimedia’s Brandenburg Piano is FREE Until October 3 on Audio Plugin Deals
Audio Plugin Deals is giving away IK Multimedia’s Brandenburg Piano virtual instrument for free until October 3, 2024, down from a list price of $50. The freebie is an Audio Plugin Deals exclusive and unavailable on the official IK Multimedia site.  Brandenburg Piano is a 64-bit-only release for macOS and Windows, available in VST2, VST3, [...]
View post: IK Multimedia’s Brandenburg Piano is FREE Until October 3 on Audio Plugin Deals

21.co’s Bitcoin wrapper to add Chainlink proof of reserveThe integration comes as other Bitcoin wrappers face scrutiny for custody practices. 

Artist Jessica Downs Gifts Purple Rain/Purple Haze to Guitar Center Music FoundationA guitar is not only a beautiful instrument both physically and aurally, but also a canvas for art. Local artists are creating masterpieces on the body of the guitar to raise funds for Guitar Center Music Foundation. The first entitled, “Purple Rain/Purple Haze” was created by artist, Jessica Downs, to pay tribute to Prince and Jimi Hendrix. The guitar is on display at the Hollywood Guitar Center store located at 7425 Sunset Blvd.

The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF) is a nonprofit organization that advances the healing, transformative power of music by granting instruments to music education and music therapy programs in need across the country.

guitarcenterfoundation.org

Read more on Jessica Downs and Art Rock LA

The post Artist Jessica Downs Gifts Purple Rain/Purple Haze to Guitar Center Music Foundation first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Here is what’s illegal under California’s 9 (and counting) new AI lawsCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom is currently considering 38 AI-related bills, including the highly contentious SB 1047, which the state’s legislature sent to his desk for final approval. These bills try to address the most pressing issues in artificial intelligence: everything from futuristic AI systems creating existential risk, deepfake nudes from AI image generators, to Hollywood […]
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A Beautiful Lamp-Inspired PC CaseSometimes you see something super cool and think of how it would be really neat if applied in a totally different context. [MXC Builds] saw an awesome lamp from [karacreates], but decided it would be better as a PC case.
We love seeing how different techniques can be used in conjunction to make something that no one method could produce on its own, and for this build, we see [MXC Builds] use 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, sewing, soldering, and traditional woodworking techniques.
A large part of the video is spent on the CNC process for the walnut base and power button enclosure for the build. As with any project, there are a few places requiring some creative use of the tools on hand, like the walnut piece for the base being too tall for the machine’s usual z-calibration puck or any of [MXC Builds]’s bits to do in one pass, and it’s always interesting to see how other makers solve these issues.
If you’re looking for other beautiful casemods, how about a transparent PS2 or this Art Deco number? Before you go, may we bend your ear about how PC Cases are Still Stuck in the Dark Ages?

Quavo sued for alleged copyright infringement over ‘Bubble gum’ from Quavo Huncho albumA rapper called Lamount London (L.Mont) alleges that Quavo ripped off parts of his own track called 'Bubblegum'
Source