4 places you’re missing to market music to tens of millions of fansEveryone markets music on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. But chances are there are at least 4 places you’re missing to market music to tens of millions of fans 4. Continue reading
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BandLab partners with London’s Strongroom Studios for “treasure trove” of royalty-free sample packsBandLab has partnered with Strongroom Studios for a “treasure trove” of exclusive royalty-free sample packs recorded by producers, engineers and artists who have worked at the Shoreditch, London recording facility.
Available both free within Studio, BandLab’s online DAW, and directly through BandLab Sounds, the Strongroom packs add to BandLab’s existing library currently comprising over 100,000 samples.

READ MORE: BandLab mobile users can now experiment with beats for free before buying

The new Strongroom packs series includes “breathtaking and inventive” piano sounds by Fi Roberts, “blissful and twinkling” pop elements by TATYANA, Jelly Cleaver’s smooth soul guitar and piano textures, Alex O’Donovan’s warping synth tones and gritty drums, and much more.
Strongroom Studios has, during its 40-year history, hosted the likes of Lorde, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX and Radiohead, but this new partnership with BandLab marks its first foray into the world of sample packs.
In other BandLab news, the platform last month rolled out advanced features for mobile users including automation, an expanded library of vocal effects and improved filters.
It later introduced BandLab users the ability to experiment with beats on the platform for free before buying, even allowing them to add additional tracks and apply effects to a beat with no up-front financial commitment.
“This is the latest among many updates that demonstrate BandLab’s commitment to eliminating any barriers to creativity and making music creation accessible,” said BandLab. “This feature encourages users to try Beats in real-time, experiment freely, and immediately put their inspiration to work without upfront costs.”
You can learn more about the BandLab x Strongroom collaboration and have a listen to some of the sounds over at BandLab.
Editor’s note: BandLab and MusicTech are both part of the Caldecott Music Group.
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How Generative AI Music startups are redefining the Creative ProcessGenerative AI music companies are redefining the creative process by seamlessly integrating advanced technology into entertainment platforms and visual design software, delivering time-saving, streamlined, and enhanced experiences.
The post How Generative AI Music startups are redefining the Creative Process appeared first on Hypebot.

Teenage Engineering’s EP–1320 brings a new medieval theme and fresh sounds to the EP-133 K.O. IIAfter some retailer leaks and rampant speculation this week, Teenage Engineering has set ye olde record straight (sorry) and officially launched the EP-1320, a medieval take on the EP-133 K.O. II.
READ MORE: Teenage Engineering co-founder on ‘Fadergate’: “We guessed there would be transport damage, but not at this rate”
The revamped sampler, which retains the EP-133’s original price of $299, comes with a new design and packaging, plus a new set of effects, a new arpeggiator, and a collection of “craftily captured multisampled instruments,” says TE.
In great jest, the brand continues online: “Introducing the world’s first medieval electronic instrument! hurdy gurdys, lutes, Gregorian chants, thundering drums and punishing percussive foley fx. the EP–1320 is the first of its kind: featuring a large library of phrases, play-ready instruments and one-shot samples from an era where darkness reigned supreme, the instrumentalis electronicum is the ultimate medieval beat machine…

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“The line input and the internal microphone allow you to sample your own sounds in just seconds. whether you’re into making sultry serenades or bubonic beats.”
Teenage Engineering fans online have been theorising all week about this instrument, with some pointing out that this product could be linked to Sweden’s ‘Medieval Week,’ or ‘Medeltidsveckan’. It’s a festival that celebrates…well, you know…Medieval stuff. Interestingly, the logo for Medeltidsveckan also bears a striking resemblance to the typeface found on the EP-1320.
It’s not just the EP-1320 that’s jousting its way into the TE store (no, really, I’m so sorry). You can now cop a medieval-themed TE T-shirt, a medieval-themed vinyl, and a quilted bag to carry the EP-1320 in. The brand has also gone pretty hard on the theme on its website, too.
We’ve seen Teenage Engineering give its beloved products a fresh finish before. In 2020, the Swedish brand gave two of its Pocket Operators a retro Capcom theme, drawing from Street Fighter and Megaman for the PO-33 and PO-28, respectively. These also came with bespoke sounds, a new finish, and tongue-in-cheek marketing.
The EP-133 K.O. II was pretty much an instant hit among producers and musicians, not just thanks to its retro, calculator-style design but also its low price and intriguing feature set. Some issues quickly arose about build quality, however, when a significant number of customers found that the fader would be unresponsive straight out of the box. In our interview with TE’s David Eriksson, we learned that the team had changed the packaging and were “throwing [the EP-133 around] like a frisbee at work, at the walls, like over and over. And now it doesn’t break.”
Great news. Let’s hope the EP-1320 is protected like a knight in shining armour (we will totally understand if you never come back here again).
Check out the full details of the EP-1320 at Teenage Engineering’s website. 
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Humor in Hip-Hop: Exploring the Rise of TikTok RappersA new cohort of rappers is emerging from TikTok, finding humor in hip hop and gaining traction with comedic, un-serious lyricism and clever marketing tactics. Humor in Hip-Hop by Henry. Continue reading
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What is a spectrogram?
Learn about what a spectrogram is, how to read one, and the unique findings it can uncover about your audio.

RELIC joins UJAM Virtual Pianist range Described as the imperfect upright, the latest arrival to UJAM’s range of virtual instruments is said to provide the perfect sound for song accompaniments and lyrical rhythm elements.

Get 3 IK Multimedia T-RackS Plugins FREE With Loopcloud Subscription
A new month in music production means new deals and freebies, and as per usual, Loopcloud is offering some new freebies with their subscription. Loopcloud is a service that provides tons of samples for music producers with a subscription.  There are 3 tiers: Artist ($7.99), Studio ($11.99) and Professional ($21.99) and you can claim the [...]
View post: Get 3 IK Multimedia T-RackS Plugins FREE With Loopcloud Subscription

Roland teams up with New Balance for 808-styled sneaker, bringing together “the worlds of music, fashion, and technology” for 808 DayRoland has teamed up with footwear brand New Balance for the launch of some super sleek TR-808-themed shoes in honour of 808 Day on 8 August.
The special edition Tiago Lemos NM808 x Roland sneaker “celebrates the TR-808’s profound impact on music and culture, while also highlighting the intersection of skateboarding, hip-hop, and fashion”.

READ MORE: Behringer and Roland dominate in new world map showing most popular synth brands by country

The NM808 launch blends the style of skate legend Tiago Lemos with the New Balance aesthetic, reflecting the significant influence that skate culture and hip-hop have had on fashion trends over the years.
This partnership both pays homage to the iconic drum machine but also highlights how music, skateboarding, and street style continue to shape and redefine contemporary fashion. Available in a sleek black colour with accents of white, orange and yellow, these sneakers are engineered for both style and performance, featuring a reinforced toe cap, internal foam pods for a secure fit, and foot-locking straps.
To commemorate this collaboration, a special short film featuring Tiago Lemos and renowned DJ and producer Cut Chemist will also be released on New Balance’s YouTube channel on 808 Day.
“Hip-hop has been the soundtrack for my skating, and at the heart of many classics was the 808. To have a collaboration with the legendary Roland 808 on my shoe is an honour,” comments Lemos.
Cut Chemist also adds, “The 808 is responsible for some of the most recognizable beats in modern music history. It completely changed the game and is just as relevant today as it was at its inception. It’s truly the most important drum machine in hip-hop.”
The Tiago Lemos NM808 x Roland shoes are available now via New Balance. They will also be rolling out to select New Balance stores worldwide, Roland’s retail store in Tokyo, and through Roland Lifestyle’s web store on 808 Day.
Roland Lifestyle and New Balance have also collaborated on a limited capsule collection featuring hoodies, t-shirts, and hats, available exclusively on the Roland Lifestyle web store.
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Leak suggests a Medieval EP-133 from Teenage Engineering is on the wayGather round the lute, we’ve a tale to tell ye – according to a sneaky leak shared on social media, a Medieval EP-133 from Teenage Engineering could potentially be on the way.
No official information is available online right now on this suspected new product, but a screenshot shared to Reddit suggests that a new product, called the EP-1320, was accidentally put out for sale at a Guitar Center in the US. The alleged new product will supposedly land this August.

READ MORE: New earbuds by Teenage Engineering-founded firm Nothing feature ChatGPT integration

“Yo! I saw this today at the Guitar Center in Austin. I tried buying it and almost got away with it but the associate said they mistakenly had them out and won’t be released until August 7,” reads the post.
“It’s an EP-1320 Medieval. The text on the back of the box is in latin. Very peculiar. I’ve found no information on it online. Could it just be a new colourway of the EP-133? Could it be an entirely new machine? Guess we’ll find out on the 7th!”
New EP133 on the way AUG 7th!! byu/Trav4Forex inteenageengineering

MusicTech has contacted Teenage Engineering for comment on this alleged new launch. One thing we do know to be true is that the brand does love to release some extraordinary gear.
From its very expensive field desk to its weird wooden singing dolls, Teenage Engineering has put out some interesting launches over the years. One of its most popular though, is its EP-133 K.O.II, which dropped in November 2023.
Speaking to MusicTech back in January, David Eriksson, co-founder and head of hardware at the company said he was surprised by the huge reaction it received at its launch. “It was a bit overwhelming — we knew it would be popular, but that popular? I think we had different opinions.”
He added, “We’re not at all market-driven. I mean, most big companies on this planet are; they try to predict what might sell well. I think we’re probably the opposite.”
View the current product range from Teenage Engineering. Check back here at MusicTech for more updates as we get them.
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ROLI Seaboard Block M has the most expressive power you’ll find in a portable instrument£299.95, roli.com
ROLI’s Seaboard Block, released in 2017, was the company’s way of bringing the essence of its larger instruments — the Grand and Rise — to a wider audience in a more compact and affordable package. Following well-publicised turmoil in recent years, ROLI is back with a new version, Seaboard Block M. The team tells us it’s the model that people most frequently requested ROLI bring back and you can see why, pitched as it is between the heavyweight Rise 2 and the much smaller Block units, since discontinued.

READ MORE: ROLI on the Seaboard BLOCK M: “MPE has become accepted in many producer’s workflows — MIDI 2.0 will be another big step forward”

There really are only a couple of differences between the previous Block and the new M, with ROLI taking the view that they were mostly happy with the existing design. The only major new feature is a hardware MIDI output port — a 2.5mm to DIN cable is supplied — for connecting directly to your synths and other gear. Elsewhere, small modifications have been made to the design of the keywaves, the tactile ‘notes’ on the playing surface, but these are subtle.
The instrument is compact and portable, weighing in at just 650g. With no moving parts it’s robust and you feel safe carrying it in a rucksack alongside your laptop, with the option to add a carry case if you like. There’s a 10-hour internal battery that charges in 4-5 hours including when it’s tethered to your computer over USB-C using USB MIDI.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
Bluetooth lets you perform without a physical connection and, in addition to the hardware MIDI out, which will be handy for fans of modular equipment, there are two ‘DNA’ connectors. These are magnetic terminals you can use to snap on additional Seaboard Block Ms or the smaller Block units.
ROLI’s core approach is the embrace of what it calls 5D Touch, a system that uses MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) to add new dimensions to the way you play and control sounds. In the company’s early days, support for MPE across the industry was patchy at best but has now improved significantly; DAWs such as Cubase, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Cakewalk and a host of synth plugins all support it.
MPE is also baked into ROLI’s own stable of software of course. Purchasing a Block M gets you ROLI Studio Player, a standalone app and plugin containing patches from the company’s flagship instruments Equator2, Strobe2 and Cypher2. Designed to partner with the hardware, it also contains manual controls for effects, sound shaping and powerful arpeggiator and Smart Chord tools for livening-up your performances.
ROLI Studio Drums. Image: MusicTech
While Block M does expression incredibly well it’s not physically best-suited to piano-style playing of repeated notes or chords, so these software tools go a long way towards remedying that. You also get ROLI Studio Drums with a bunch of kits you can play and mash up in creative ways. If you want to go the whole hog, a licence for the flagship Equator2 MPE soft synth is $249.
There’s also the Dashboard app which provides a way to customise the behaviour and response of the instrument; vital since it has no display of its own. Here you can tweak the curves for the five MPE dimensions – strike, glide, slide, pressure and lift, making them more or less sensitive. Each one maps to a parameter on a compatible instrument patch making it possible to control things like bend, swell, intensity and much more with your fingers.
ROLI’s keywaves involve a starkly different way of performing compared to a regular keyboard and so do take some getting used to. Initially, the sheer range of things that change as you slide and press on the surface can be overwhelming. A great way to start is to activate Piano Mode in the Dashboard which makes the keywaves behave more like piano keys, each one triggering a single pitch instead of bending wildly with the slightest movement of a finger. There’s still a ton of expressiveness but it’s less disconcerting until you get used to the system.
Seaboard Block M dashboard. Image: MusicTech
Block M’s smaller keywaves encourage you to play fewer notes, but play them more expressively. You can play polyphonically but this isn’t like sitting at a piano, at least not unless you are experienced with the system and comfortable with its advanced techniques. The availability of chord mode and the arpeggiator mitigates this somewhat and means you can increase the complexity of patterns without using more fingers. Plus there’s a lot of customisation available that will help you make the instrument behave in a way that suits you, and effects in the software that lend more depth and space to your performances.
Ultimately, the Seaboard family is a unique instrument, not just a keyboard with more expression and as such it won’t be for everyone. Performing with keywaves is immensely powerful but does take some learning. That said, it’s unlike any kind of MIDI instrument you’ll have played before if you’re unfamiliar with ROLI. A small size and long battery life make Block M super portable and flexible, and its ability to operate in wired or wireless modes is handy.
For modular gear fans the new MIDI out port is a definite bonus and while it might not necessarily prompt you to trade in your original model for this new one, it’s great for anyone buying now. You also get a software bundle that provides an excellent jumping-off point for creating with MPE, plus there’s a fair chance your existing DAW will work with the protocol too.
Priced significantly lower than the Rise 2, Block M gives you an entry point into the world of 5D touch to explore new forms of expression that are genuinely liberating.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
Key features

24 multi-touch keywaves
DNA connectors for other ROLI gear
USB-C and Bluetooth MIDI
5D Touch
MIDI 2.5mm output port
Octave transpose controls
10-hour battery life
Dashboard app for customisation
ROLI Studio software instrument
Sound Store voucher

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