Production KiCad Template Covers All Your BasesEver think about all the moving parts involving a big KiCad project going into production? You need to provide manufacturer documentation, assembly instructions and renders for them to reference, every output file they could want, and all of it has to always stay up to date. [Vincent Nguyen] has a software pipeline to create all the files and documentation you could ever want upon release – with an extensive installation and usage guide, helping you turn your KiCad projects truly production-grade.
This KiBot-based project template has no shortage of features. It generates assembly documents with custom processing for a number of production scenarios like DNPs, stackup and drill tables, fab notes, it adds features like table of contents and 3D renders into KiCad-produced documents as compared to KiCad’s spartan defaults, and it autogenerates all the outputs you could want – from Gerbers, .step and BOM files, to ERC/DRC reports and visual diffs.
This pipeline is Github-tailored, but it can also be run locally, and it works wonderfully for those moments when you need to release a PCB into the wild, while making sure that the least amount of things possible can go wrong during production. With all the features, it might take a bit to get used to. Don’t need fully-featured, just some GitHub page images? Use this simple plugin to auto-add render images in your KiCad repositories, then.

We thank [Jaac] for sharing this with us!

Songwriter Matt McKinney Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Position MusicShown (left to right): Mark Chipello (President, Position Music), Chandler Thurston (Position Music, A&R), Matt McKinney, and Tyler Bacon (Founder & CEO, Position Music)

Position Music officially announced that Nashville-based songwriter Matt McKinney has signed a worldwide publishing deal. The move brings McKinney into a growing stable of Nashville talent that already includes names like Dave Cohen, Matt Geroux, Khal Yassein, Steve Solomon, and Zach Skelton—a sign that Position is doubling down on deepening its footprint in Nashville.

McKinney, originally from Augusta, Georgia, made the move to Nashville just after graduating from the University of Georgia. He wasted little time establishing himself: his first publishing deal was with Sony Music Publishing, and he has since amassed a catalog of cuts with major artists such as Jordan Davis (“Part Of It”), Elle King (“Ohio,” “Lucky,” “Tulsa,” among others), Jon Pardi (“Beer For Santa”), Bryce Leatherwood (“Neon Does,” “In Lieu Of Flowers”), along with songs for Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, ERNEST, Kolby Cooper, and Shane Profitt. This range speaks to his versatility and his growing reputation on “Music Row.”

Position Music CEO Tyler Bacon underscored their confidence in McKinney, while A&R rep Chandler Thurston praised his “honest, authentic, and genuine” style, calling him “a great storyteller.” “We are proud to welcome Matt McKinney … and our team is excited and ready to lean in to help unlock new opportunities for him,” said Mark Chipello, President of Position Music.

McKinney himself shared the excitement with characteristic humility: “I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this roster and team at Position moving forward in my career, and thankful to have a champion like Chandler in my corner as we turn a page to this exciting chapter.”

The post Songwriter Matt McKinney Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Position Music first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

‘That’s called robbery’: Gene Simmons urges US Congress to end loophole that allows radio stations not to pay for using recordingsThe KISS frontman told a Senate hearing that recording artists are treated 'worse than slaves' in the US
Source

u-he announces Zebralette 3.0 RC, improving one of the best FREE synthesizers
There isn’t much more to say about Zebralette; it has been among the best free software synths for a very, very long time, and the excitement about this new release is merited. For anyone new to Zebralette, it’s the much-loved little brother of u-he’s premium synth Zebra, and you can find out more about it [...]
View post: u-he announces Zebralette 3.0 RC, improving one of the best FREE synthesizers

Modartt SyngularSyngular is a creative playground with imaginary timbres and organic expressivity that transforms Pianoteq's physical modelling engine, originally designed to emulate real acoustic instruments, into a powerful laboratory for sound creation. While rooted in the modelling of strings and hammers, the technology extends far beyond just pianos, enabling the generation of entirely new, imaginary timbres. Its core parameters – Unison Width, Strike Point, Spectrum Profile and many more – become instruments for exploration, allowing users to design sounds that are detached from the limitations of real-world acoustics, and yet retain an organic, dynamic feel with natural velocity response. Syngular comes with more than 50 presets: inspiring Keys ranging from crisp and shimmering to warm and lo-fi; richly textured Pads, some soothing and nostalgic, some tense and mystical. Dive into Replicant Dream, a spacious, retrofuturistic keys patch, or lose yourself in Outer Rim, a richly textured pad that feels like floating among the stars. For cinematic scores or ambient soundscapes, layer the Mixed Choir or Strings Ensemble presets with your favourite grand piano. Syngular also features a range of Basses, Leads, and Synth-like sounds for modern productions. Being part of the Pianoteq engine, Syngular can be layered and morphed with other Pianoteq instruments. All the creative features of Pianoteq are also available with Syngular, including Mallet Bounce for expressive note repetition, Randomisation for instant exploration of many variations of a preset, and audio effects like Amp distortion and Ping-pong delay. Read More

2025 Live Music Society Toolbox Grants awarded, surpassing $5.1M in total support for Small VenuesLive Music Society is closing out 2025 with a major boost for small independent venues. The nonprofit announced recipients of its 2025 Live Music Society Toolbox Grants, awarding $252,500 to 33 small performance spaces across 19 states and Washington, D.C.
The post 2025 Live Music Society Toolbox Grants awarded, surpassing $5.1M in total support for Small Venues appeared first on Hypebot.

6 New Year’s Resolutions for Musicians in 20262026 is right around the corner. Need help figuring out your musical goals for the next year? Here, borrow some of ours.
The post 6 New Year’s Resolutions for Musicians in 2026 appeared first on Hypebot.

Get the “unmistakable vibe of classic spring reverb” with Solid State Logic’s new SpringVerb pluginSolid State Logic has expanded its SSL ‘Verb’ collection with the new SpringVerb, offering producers the “unmistakable vibe of classic spring reverb”.
SpringVerb joins two other reverb plugins in the ‘Verb’ collection – PlateVerb and GateVerb – completing a comprehensive lineup of reverbs for producers.
As SSL explains, Spring reverbs have a tendency to emphasise the mid and high frequencies of a mix – areas that can become busy very quickly. But SpringVerb offers “precise control” over these areas, with dedicated controls to tame problem frequencies before they build up.

READ MORE: Best gifts for musicians and producers this holiday season

SpringVerb features three spring models – a famous “space-age echo”, classic rackmount spring tank and an emulation of the spring reverb used by the likes of dub legends King Tubby and Lee Perry.
At the heart of the plugin is an interactive Spring Tank, with a Tension control, as well as a Strength knob and a Boing button for chaotic reverb bursts. There’s also a Width knob, which can be turned fully counter-clockwise for a vintage-style mono reverb, and fully clockwise for a stereo image even beyond 100%.

There’s also controls including pre-delay – perfect for utilising a rhythmic slap back effect when locking into a global tempo – as well as a Drive section for adding saturation to an input signal, and damping knobs for tuning specific frequencies of a reverb tail.
SpringVerb is part of SSL’s Complete Access Bundle subscription, which also features a wealth of Harrison Audio and Slate Digital plugins – as well as Academy tutorials, samples and producer presets –  for $19.99 per month.
Alternatively, SpringVerb is available perpetually from the SSL eStore for an introductory price of £21. A 14-day free trial to SSL’s Complete Access Bundle is also available.
Learn more at Solid State Logic.
The post Get the “unmistakable vibe of classic spring reverb” with Solid State Logic’s new SpringVerb plugin appeared first on MusicTech.

SSL introduce SpringVerb plug-in The latest addition to SSL’s family of plug-ins promises to deliver an authentic recreation of some classic spring reverb effects, but also includes some parameters that allow it to offer far more control than would be possible on a physical unit. 

Best gifts for musicians and producers this holiday seasonThat time of year has come again, when you’re wracking your brain to come up with gift ideas for your music producer friend or family member. As a long-time producer myself, I can tell you that they probably have a very specific idea of the items they’d want when it comes to expanding their studio. Unless they’ve specifically asked for something, it’s probably not a good idea to take a chance on a random expensive synth or MIDI controller, as there are so many options out there. They probably don’t want an extra pair of budget headphones when they have a decent pair already.

READ MORE: The best gifts for DJs this holiday season

With that in mind, we’ve picked out 10 affordable gift ideas with a broader appeal that should put a smile on the face of your favourite producer.
A perfect coffee-table book to get lost in
[products ids=”1fCpZRBW5E9VZ7KH2vHyBk”]
If you have a synth lover in your life but you don’t want to fork out thousands for a vintage analogue synth, then you could opt for one of these incredibly well put together books from Bjooks. They’re not cheap (for books), but they’ve been lovingly put together with exceptional attention to detail, pictures, tutorials and how-to diagrams, and a solid hardback cover. Options include rare synths, modular synthesis, stompbox effects, and specials on Moog, Korg and Roland.

Find out more at thomann.co.uk
Their favourite drum machine on their feet
New Balance – New Balance Numeric x Roland Tiago Lemos 808 trainers £105
Who doesn’t love a bit of crossover merch? Clothing brand New Balance teamed up with pro skater Tiago Lemos on a range of high-quality skate shoes. They also made a special Roland edition that features the 808 colour scheme, the Roland R logo on the tongue, and Rhythm Composer written on the back. The box is pretty cool as well. It goes without saying that you’ll need to know the recipient’s shoe size for this one.
Find out more at routeone.co.uk
Mighty FX fun in a tiny package
Don’t let its tiny size fool you, the Korg NTS-3 Kaoss Pad is a beast. You can have four simultaneous effects that can be controlled via the XY pad or edited and fine-tuned using the controls. What’s even more amazing is that you can develop your own effects via a software development kit or download additional algorithms from other creators and companies. It’s surprisingly powerful and incredibly versatile, which is why it makes for a great gift. And it comes as a DIY kit, so it will also keep them busy for half an hour.

Find out more at zzounds.com
Something different for the one that has everything
For those who love sound design, found sound and field recording, then Soma’s ETHER could be the perfect, unusual gift. It lets you tune into the invisible world of electromagnetic waves that are generated by electrical equipment and are all around us. It’s a simple device with a volume control and a headphone out. You could go for a meditative wander around town with your headphones on, waving it at lights and machines to the bemusement of onlookers. Or you could hook up a recording device and capture some unique electrical soundscapes to use in your music.

Find out more at thomann.co.uk
Give the gift of knowledge
This is a strong open-ended gift if you don’t know much about what kind of music or production your loved one is into. MacProVideo has a vast library of online video courses that cover pretty much everything, including synthesis, sound design, recording, mixing, mastering, specific plug-ins, DAWs, bits of hardware, and writing with different instruments and genres. It also has both beginner and advanced levels so there’s something for everyone. If that sounds like too much for you to choose from, then fear not. You can purchase an all-access library pass and select it as a gift on checkout, then the recipient can choose to view as many courses as they like for a month (or a year if you’re feeling generous).
Find out more at macprovideo.com
Give the gift of money!
Zzounds – Gift Vouchers
Some may view a voucher as a cop out gift, but it can also be the best one of all, because it lets them choose what they want instead of getting something they don’t really need.
Zzounds has a wide selection of studio and DJ equipment. Vouchers can be purchased with amounts starting at $250, and can either be sent digitally to arrive by email, or you can easily print it out to include as a present with a greeting card.
Find out more at zzounds.com
A gift for the acid raver in your life
Do you have an uncle who doesn’t stop going on about the glory days of acid house? Or perhaps your daughter has just discovered clubbing and the joys of a squealing acid bassline. An analogue 303 was once an elusive bass synth that would cost you north of a thousand pounds, but now you can pick up a Behringer TD-3 clone for a mere £85.
Is it as good as the original? Maybe not, but it still sounds great, and you’ll be raving around the Christmas tree by lunchtime (as long as they can work out how to program the sequencer).

Find out more at thomann.co.uk
Something for the messy ones
Here’s a way to not so subtly hint that your producer friend’s studio looks like an explosion at a spaghetti factory. There are lots of different cable management options you could consider, including cable ties, clips, and mountable cable racks. These JOTO Cable Tidy sleeves are a simple solution that can be used to bunch multiple cables together. Especially useful for turning multiple leads into one on equipment that might have both stereo and MIDI leads going in and out. It may not be fun, but at least it’s useful.

Find out more at amazon.co.uk
Add some studio vibe with LED strip lights
Lighting can dramatically help to improve the vibe of a studio room, and LED strip lights let you do it in a way that can make it look like your furniture is glowing from behind. The amount you can spend varies greatly, and whilst there’s no denying that the more expensive options like Philips Hue are higher quality products, you can still get great results on a budget. This 5 metre strip from Govee lets you choose from 16 million colours via WIFI or Bluetooth and the Govee Home App. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be set to react to the beat.
Find out more at uk.govee.com
A fun stocking filler for the cost of a pint
If you’re just looking for a simple stocking filler, then these keyrings are fun and cheap (although you’ll need to pay for postage from Japan). They come in a range of product options including a Roland 303, 808, 909 and Juno 106, Sequential Prophet 5, Nord Lead, Yamaha DX7 and a Korg M1. If it’s someone that has a lot of keys, then you could opt to get a set. Alternatively, Etsy has some great synth related knick-knacks like synth knob fridge magnets, synth post-it notes and badges if you do a search.
Find out more at etsy.com.uk
The post Best gifts for musicians and producers this holiday season appeared first on MusicTech.

Subtronics has a complex relationship with studio monitors: “I’m superstitious. Every speaker sounds a little bit different”When I visited Subtronics’ studio in his new home perched on a rolling peak of the Hollywood Hills, I expected to see hundreds of dancing lights and colourful knobs primed for the kind of eclectic, intense sound design that fuels his aggressive and diverse interpretation of dubstep.
Instead, the only studio gear was his MacBook Pro and two PMC Micro Main 27 monitors. His computer is suitably stocked with plugins, but for Subtronics, real name Jesse Kardon, the speakers and a properly tuned room are the most important aspects of his creative process.

READ MORE: Kelly Moran on prepared pianos, the Prophet 12, and why compression is overrated

“I’m superstitious. Every speaker sounds a little bit different. When I use my ears following one pair of speakers, that mixdown sounds universally one way. Then I use my ears on a different pair of speakers, that mixdown sounds far better or far worse,” Kardon says. “So it really is about trying to find the pair of speakers that when I use my ears and tune it to how those particular things sound, I get a better mixdown overall. Especially when working with such detailed music where there’s such fine-tuned, tiny little things, really good speakers can help you hear all of it, and I get hyper-obsessed.”
Kardon released his new album, Fibonacci, in two parts, each made on different monitors. The first part, Oblivion, was made almost entirely on Barefoot Footprint01s, which are the same speakers he’s used for the bulk of his catalogue. This part largely consists of his celebrated heavy dubstep sound, captured by tracks such as Lock In and Oblivion.
Image: OhDagYo
Kardon made part two, Infinity, which completed the album on 5 December, with PMC MB2S XBDs. Given that those speakers sell second-hand for $18,495 on Reverb, he describes them as such:
“They are unlike anything I’ve ever heard in my life. They are four or five tiers above what I was used to.”
The PMCs were recommended by an acoustician and mastering engineer named Matt Davis. He also helped Kardon tune his Philadelphia studio to achieve a “hideously flat response curve” that reaches down to 17Hz.
“[You can hear] the most unbelievably minute things that the audience would never in a trillion years pick up on,” Kardon says. “Like the low-end attenuating speed: how quickly it can make a low-end thump happen and disappear.”
Image: OhDagYo
With the ability to deduce all those intricate details, Kardon’s intention for Infinity shifted subconsciously towards more subtle music. Songs such as Antidote and Contour begin with extended instrumental or vocal passages that build into deep, minimalistic drops or beat patterns primed for dancing rather than raging.
“My usual insanely, punchy, harsh, intense kick drums— I could hear all their imperfections all of a sudden. They sounded blown out, real squashed, and I wasn’t particularly happy with them,” Kardon admits. He adds that the shift in audio quality has such a strong effect on the final product because he approaches every song as a blank canvas; he experiments with sounds and follows what interests him in the moment. Or, as he puts it: “I’m just goofing around. I try and follow that lead and develop it into whatever it sounds like it needs to be. So, doing that on those speakers led me to a different result.”
Other than the influence of the tech, the musical dichotomy befits Kardon’s intent with the two-part album: to create a project that demonstrates evolution. Kardon has undergone considerable evolution both personally and professionally over the last few years.
He married his longtime partner, Sonya Broner, who is also a bass artist, releasing and performing as Level Up. His touring profile has developed to where the week of the album release, he plays six shows at the illustrious Los Angeles venue The Shrine (when we speak, five of them were sold out). He has a new home in LA after living much of his life in Philadelphia (he still feels he cosmically belongs there, and the only reason he didn’t bring the PMCs was that they’re each almost six feet tall and weigh nearly 200 pounds).
Image: OhDagYo
Kardon acknowledges his fortunate position to be able to afford such speakers. But another core element of evolution on this album — especially Infinity — is his courage to take more risks with his music. In this case, that meant focusing less on showing off technically and being more honest with his feelings.
“I really wanted to write songs that hit you on an emotional level. I’ve always tried to do that, but I’m putting the most effort into it that I ever have,” Kardon shares. In that pursuit, he had to work through the severe pressure of what his audience of millions may want from him after so many years. “I was specifically ignoring what’s popular, but I really like it, and I had so much fun making it. It feels freeing to not give a fuck.”
He broke through external expectations for his sound, but Infinity is still filled with his production hallmarks. On the title track, right when the drop takes a hard left turn from house to dubstep, he throws in one of his hallmarks: a frequency-shifting fill that places obscure, disparate sounds together in a way that somehow just works.

“There are a bunch of different concepts and principles that make a sequence of sounds satisfying to the brain,” Kardon says enthusiastically. “One thing I go by is ‘loud, quiet, loud.’ It’s just so effective. The other thing is spanning the frequency spectrum. You want to scatter it all over the place so it becomes dazzling, and then it all comes back together. It’s harnessing the dynamics and the power of juxtaposition.”
When it comes to creating the various sounds at the different frequencies and volumes, he often experiments with stock Ableton plugins. Despite his reverence for his five-figure monitors, he willfully admits many of his best songs have been made on laptop speakers with stock plugins. Black Ice, his collaboration with REZZ, was little more than a square wave squashed by Xfer’s OTT and the same drums he employs throughout his discography.
“It was so minimal effort. It’s just the idea was a good idea, and it was executed simply enough. There wasn’t bullshit getting in the way. I wasn’t overcomplicating it. I wasn’t overthinking it,” Kardon recalls.

Subtronics has always stood on the soapbox for not needing expensive gear to write good music. “Facebook ads saying ‘You just need this one thing’ are scams. It makes me so sad because there are so many aspiring producers who get tricked. Early on, I saw ads for VSTs, and I thought, ‘I suck, and if I buy that, I won’t anymore.’ That’s just not how it works.”
Kardon is still getting used to the PMC Micro Main 27s in his new studio, but whenever he releases a new song, whether it’s a headbanger’s dream or something more heartfelt, there’s a strong chance any producer with a MacBook and a DAW has all the same tools in hand.
The post Subtronics has a complex relationship with studio monitors: “I’m superstitious. Every speaker sounds a little bit different” appeared first on MusicTech.

LaRussell Built His Empire Brick by BrickThis week, Ari is joined by rapper LaRussell to discuss independent success and building a sustainable career.

Assignments December 2025: Who Got Hired?Rachel Wein

Senior Director, A&R

MNRK Music Group

MNRK Music Group announced the hiring of Rachel Wein as Senior Director, A&R. In her new role, Wein will identify and develop talent for both the MNRK and Dualtone labels, while cultivating deeper relationships with managers, attorneys, and other industry leaders. She will report directly to MNRK COO Chris Moncada and is based in Nashville, TN. Moncada said, “We are so very fortunate to have Rachel on board. Her compassionate ear is a huge asset as we continue to grow the artist roster at both MNRK and Dualtone.” For more, contact gmelchiorre@mnrk.com.

Mark Skipper

National Sales Manager, Eastern U.S.

Solid State Logic

Solid State Logic has announced the appointment of Mark Skipper to the position of National Sales Manager, Eastern U.S. Skipper will be responsible for SSL Broadcast and Live solutions, joining SSL’s U.S.-based distributor, Group One Ltd. as part of expanding its business development and customer relationships, reporting to Rick Naqvi, Senior VP of USA Sales. "I am proud to be working alongside such an extraordinary team of professionals, making an audible difference in the productions of our customers,” said Skipper. For more, contact jeff@hummingbirdmedia.com.

Hannah Carlen

VP, Marketing and Communications

Nonesuch Records

Hannah Carlen has been named Nonesuch Records’ Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In her new role, Carlen oversees marketing, sales, publicity, new media, and content creation for the Warner Music Group’s acclaimed label. Carlen reports to Nonesuch President David Bither and is based at the label’s global headquarters in New York City. “I am grateful that Nonesuch will benefit from the rich experience [Carlen] brings us,” said Bither. Carlen added, “I am honored beyond belief to have the trust of [Nonesuch's] leadership.” For more, contact melissa.cusick@nonesuch.com.

Weston McGowen

Global Head of Catalog Services

SourceAudio

SourceAudio has promoted Weston McGowen to Global Head of Catalog Services. Based in New Orleans, McGowen will now oversee SourceAudio’s global catalog ecosystem, including client operations, metadata, and rights-management infrastructure for the company’s extensive network of rightsholders, publishers, broadcasters, and media partners. He will also direct SourceAudio’s Rights and Royalties Division, which includes SourceAudio Collect, the company’s publishing-administration arm representing more than 1.6 million works.For more, contact laurie@jaybirdcom.com.

Alexander Shelley

Principal Conductor

The National Concert Hall

The National Concert Hall (NCH) has announced the appointment of Alexander Shelley as National Symphony Orchestra Ireland’s new Principal Conductor. This will be for an initial term of three seasons, commencing in September 2026. Alexander takes on these roles further to the completion of Jaime Martín’s term as Chief Conductor in May 2024. “I am deeply honoured to be joining National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and to become part of an organisation so devoted to making music a central force in Ireland’s cultural life. I’m inspired by the extraordinary artistry of the Orchestra’s musicians,” said Shelley. For more, contact assumpta.lawless@nch.ie.

Tammy Hurt

Board of Directors Member

Marathon Live

Music executive Tammy Hurt has joined the Marathon Live Board of Directors. She brings 25+ years of entertainment business experience to the growing Nashville based full-service facility promoter and operating company. "I’m thrilled to join the board of Marathon Live and contribute to its legacy as a vibrant hub for live music. It’s an honor to help shape its future and champion the artists, fans, and community that make it extraordinary," said Hurt. CEO Mark Dinerstein added, “We value her decades of experience and perspective on the state of the music industry to help shape Marathon Live’s future.” For more, contact agreenberg@falconpublicity.com.

Dr. Richard James Burgess, MBE

Chair

PPL

PPL has appointed Dr. Richard James Burgess, MBE as its new Chair. Burgess will lead the PPL Board as the organization continues to grow. Peter Leathem OBE, CEO, PPL said, “[Burgess] brings a strong vision, a track record of balancing innovation with institutional stability, and deep personal experience across many of the roles our members hold.” “I look forward to guiding the next chapter of [PPL’s] growth and ensuring its continued strength and relevance in today’s rapidly evolving global music ecosystem,” said Burgess. For more, contact jeff@thesyn.com.

Brooke Webster

A&R Manager

Prescription Songs

Prescription Songs has announced the promotion of Brooke Webster to A&R Manager. Webster, who is based out of the company’s Los Angeles office, looks after a diverse roster of artists, songwriters and producers. “Brooke’s passion for working with our writers and producers, and her knowledge of both the Nashville and Los Angeles music scenes, has been invaluable to Prescription,” said Rhea Pasricha, Head of A&R, West Coast. “We are so excited to see her take on this new A&R Manager role and help shape the future of the company.” For more, contact agreenberg@falconpublicity.com.The post Assignments December 2025: Who Got Hired? first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Fal nabs $140M in fresh funding led by Sequoia, tripling valuation to $4.5BThe round, which was Fal’s third fundraise this year, also included a secondary sale for early investors, sources tell us.

HOFA release Colour Saturator Colour Saturator promises to open up new possibilities for producers, mixers and sound designers, and will deliver everything from “silky harmonics and subtle warmth to aggressive distortion and extreme fuzz”.