Brainworx unveil bx_aura Brainworx bx_aura promises to set a new standard for creative reverb effects, and comes equipped with a choice of five algorithms that cover everything from realistic-sounding spaces to more dramatic effects. 

“I learn bits from him but mostly it’s all happening too fast for me”: Four Tet says Skrillex’s use of Ableton is like “alchemy”Four Tet has shared what it’s like working alongside his friends and collaborators Fred again… and Skrillex, and how Skrillex’s use of Ableton is like “alchemy” as he works at such a fast pace.
The trio are an unstoppable force in the world of electronic music, and Four Tet – whose real name is Kieran Hebden – says he learns from watching both of them work in a studio environment, though Skrillex’s workflow is a little overwhelming.

READ MORE: 7 music production techniques you can learn from Four Tet’s ‘Three’

Fans of Skrillex probably won’t be all that surprised to hear about his rather insane production ways – his experimental nature can be traced way back to his early catalogue. During his episode of the Tape Notes podcast, Four Tet explains that Fred again…, however, has a more mellow approach.
“[I’ve been] learning from Fred a lot about songwriting, seeing him just think so much in terms of the song, always, and being like ‘well, what’s the actual emotional idea here?’ and ‘what’s the song at the heart of it all?’
“[There’s] all sorts of sounds and drops and all these sorts of things, but unless there’s a song in there somewhere then he’s sort of less… It’s not working for what he’s trying to achieve and that’s very interesting to see, somebody who’s such a good songwriter.”

As for Skrillex, he says his production technique is “insane”: “Just watching him use Ableton is the highest level I’ve ever seen, the pace he works at and the way he knows how to use plugins and make sounds, it’s very overwhelming actually.
“I don’t really understand why his stuff sounds so insanely good, I watch him do it and it seems like alchemy to me, it’s another level. And I learn bits and pieces from him but mostly I look at it and it’s just all happening too fast for me to really replicate the ideas but it’s so brilliant to have him be like, ‘oh, hang on let me sort this out I’ll make the drop really really good’ you know? … He just does it in this amazing way.”
Of their dynamic as a trio, he continues, “The three of us complement each other really well, I think. They both bring things that I don’t necessarily know how to do, and then I must be bringing things to them that they don’t know how to do. I’ll finish one of these tracks and they’re saying to me, ‘how the hell have you made this?’”
Check out the podcast below:

The post “I learn bits from him but mostly it’s all happening too fast for me”: Four Tet says Skrillex’s use of Ableton is like “alchemy” appeared first on MusicTech.

Behringer UB-Xa now going for just $998 at Thomann – over 30% off the originalOn the hunt for a new synthesizer to add to your studio collection? The Behringer UB-Xa is now available at Thomann for an unbeatable price of just $998, down from its original price of $1499.

READ MORE: “As a producer, you don’t clock out. Some songs I’ve probably spent 600 hours on” Steve Aoki on making a career in music

Released last November, the UB-Xa is a modern homage to the classic Oberheim OB-Xa, known for its rich, analogue sound and versatile features.
With 16-voice polyphony, a 61-key semi-weighted keyboard, and an array of vintage modes, the UB-Xa aims to capture the essence of the original, while incorporating a bunch of “modern features” like “velocity and after-touch, 512 user programme memories and comprehensive MIDI implementation.”
According to Behringer, its “authentic” recreation of the synth cost a whopping $3.5 million to develop over six years.
The instrument comes with all of the original factory patches. Its VCOs and VCFs are heavily based on the original 3340 and 3320 chip designs, and it hosts the ability to split its keyboard so you can layer two different sounds with a bi-timbral mode.
There are also two LFOs with seven waveforms each, plus assignable preset recall buttons so you can access your favourite settings in a flash.
It isn’t clear when the sale will end, so head over to Thomann and grab your Behringer UB-Xa today before the price goes back up.
Meanwhile, the German retailer is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, with massive discounts on tonnes of music tech gear during the first 10 days of every month. Check out some of the best deals for July over at MusicTech.

The post Behringer UB-Xa now going for just $998 at Thomann – over 30% off the original appeared first on MusicTech.

Real-time voice morphing with Dreamtonics Vocoflex Dreamtonics have announced the release of a new AI-powered plug-in that’s capable of transforming the sound of a vocalist in real time.

Heritage Audio i73 Pro brings a classy vintage console flavour to your digital studioi73 Pro One: $649
i73 Pro 2: $999
i73 Pro Edge: $1499
heritageaudio.com
The uncompromising Class A design and super-sweet tonal characteristics of the Neve 1073 preamp have seen it modelled and recreated by many-a plugin developer and circuit designer, all keen to capture something of the sound and kudos of this legendary nugget of recording history.
Heritage Audio has built an extensive assortment of outboard hardware around just such an homage to Neve’s masterpiece, namely its 73 preamp. The latest addition to this collection is the i73 Pro range of audio interfaces, but the console-grade Class A preamps are just the start of what makes them so intriguing.
What features do the Heritage i73 Pro audio interfaces have?
The i73 Pro range covers three variants, starting with the i73 Pro One. This offers a single i73-equipped mic/line/instrument input and a second, transformerless auxiliary line input, along with a pair of main monitor outputs and a headphone output.
Heritage Audio i73 Pro One
The i73 Pro 2 – the unit we have in front of us – replaces the One’s auxiliary input with a second i73-equipped mic/line channel, and has a larger enclosure to accommodate this.
Finally, the top-of-the-line i73 Pro Edge adds an instrument input to the second i73 channel, as well as an additional pair of transformerless line inputs, a pair of auxiliary line outputs, a second headphone output, and ADAT in/out supporting up to eight additional digital inputs and outputs (dependent on sample rate).
Heritage Audio i73 Pro Edge
All mic/line inputs are of the XLR/jack combo variety and are rear-mounted, as are the line output jacks. The Hi-Z instrument inputs, which feed into the i73 preamp via their own integrated JFET circuit, and headphone outputs are front-mounted for maximum convenience.
Power is supplied by an external 12-volt DC transformer, and all models provide MIDI in and out via a mini-DIN breakout cable (included). Host connection is via a USB-C socket, with both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables bundled in. What’s good here is that all of these potential sources of interference are positioned as far away from the analogue signal path and i73 preamps as the enclosure allows.
How does the i73 Pro look and sound?
The look of the i73 Pro is highly reminiscent of vintage 70s gear, with chunky metal casings trimmed with faux wooden end pieces, a classic blue-grey paint job, and knob caps that closely resemble those used on the original 1073. Even the preamp transformers are on display, their green tops protruding slightly from the casing, partially for improved heat-sinking, but mostly because Heritage Audio likes how this looks. So authentic is this retro styling that it seems strange it isn’t accompanied by the combined aroma of Bakelite and dust cooking on hot circuit boards!
Heritage Audio i73 Pro 2
Sticking with authenticity, the i73’s input gain is controlled via a Marconi/Elma-style rotary switch that delivers precise gain adjustments in 5 dB steps, with the preamp’s output level controlled separately by an attenuator pot. This arrangement allows for detailed gain staging and, with input gain cranked up and output level reduced accordingly, faithfully delivers the characteristic colouration and warm, sparkling saturation for which the 1073 is famous.
Our only complaint here is that with some line sources, the maximum 20 dB of line input gain can be too little to really get the preamp cooking. Using a high-impedance instrument input or connecting lines to the mic inputs via a DI box can get around this, though.
What is i73 Pro’s bundled software like?
The software package that comes with i73 Pro consists of a bundle of six Heritage Audio plugins, along with the i73 Mixer app that manages monitor mixes and provides access to settings not available via hardware controls.
The plugins come in native VST, AU and AAX formats for use in a DAW, but four are also provided as onboard DSP processors, with each i73-equipped input channel providing four slots for latency-free hosting of these processors.
BritStrip, based on Heritage Audio’s hardware of the same name, extends the vintage console ethos of i73 Pro with ’73-style EQ and a diode bridge compressor based on Heritage Audio’s Successor bus compressor. If you want your front-end to inject more classic analogue character you can load the HA1200 Tape Saturator plugin, modelled on the Ampex 1200 multitrack tape machine.
A screenshot of the Small Recording Amp Serial # C17744 plugin
Guitar and bass players are well catered for too, with the awkwardly-named Small Recording Amp Serial# C17744 providing a classic Fender Tweed Champ guitar combo, and HA15 Pro delivering an authentic model of a vintage valve-driven Ampeg B-15 bass rig.
A nice feature of the DSP implementation is that the i73-equipped inputs are presented to the host DAW as both dry and processed buses. Recording these simultaneously means you can set up what you think will be a polished sound during tracking whilst leaving your options open in case you change your mind later on.
As well as allowing the DSP plugins to be loaded and configured, and managing monitor/cue mixes (each stereo output pair has its own independent mix), the i73 Mixer also provides two auxiliary sends on each input channel. These feed to a pair of auxiliary mixer channels that feature a slot for hosting a single plugin running natively on the computer instead of within the onboard DSP. Aux channels can’t be recorded, but they are just the ticket for adding reverb, delay and other effects in a headphone mix. Simply select something from your existing plugin collection and you’re away.
Should you buy a Heritage Audio i73 Pro audio interface?
We did find a few quirks during testing, although nothing drastic that can’t be worked around. For example, the interface can be fussy about connecting via certain USB hubs; a problem if your computer has a limited number of USB ports. Also, when the hardware sample rate is changed, such as when creating a new project in your DAW, the i73 Mixer has to be restarted in order to re-sync with the hardware, which feels clumsy.

These issues aside, working with the i73 Pro is enormously satisfying. The DSP plugins are well chosen to give your rig a flexible front-end, and we love how the preamp gain staging delivers genuine, authentic transformer overdrive. This provides a richness, warmth and sparkle that’s as hard to beat as it is to describe. The whole thing is just… well… classy!
Key features
All:

USB-C host connection
Up-to 192 kHz sample rate at up-to 32-bits per sample
MIDI in/out

Plugins:

BritStrip 1073-style EQ and diode bridge compression based on Heritage Audio Successor.
HA1200 Tape Saturator based on Ampex 1200
HA15 Pro based on Ampeg BA-15
TAPEoPLEX tape delay modelled on Echoplex EP-4
Small Recording Amp Serial # C17744 modelled on Fender Tweed Champ guitar amp
HA240 Gold Foil Verb modelled on EMT-240 Gold Plate reverb

i73 Pro One:

1 mic/line/instrument input driving i73 Class A preamp
1 auxiliary line input
Stereo monitor output
1 headphone output

i73 Pro 2:

1 mic/line/instrument input driving i73 Class A preamp
1 mic/line input driving i73 Class A preamp
Stereo monitor output
1 headphone output

i73 Pro EDGE:

2 mic/line/Hi-Z inputs driving i73 Class A preamps
2 auxiliary line inputs
Stereo monitor output
2 auxiliary line outputs
2 headphone outputs
ADAT in/out

The post Heritage Audio i73 Pro brings a classy vintage console flavour to your digital studio appeared first on MusicTech.

Google Maps announces new features and somehow none of them are ‘pause navigation’Look, we’ve all been there. You’re on a road trip and you pull off the highway for some food or fuel. And then Google Maps starts (rudely) yelling at you to get back on the road. The company has all the money and AI chips in the world and yet the app can’t just chill […]
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Sen. Lummis introduces Bitcoin Strategic Reserve bill in SenateThe pro-crypto Wyoming senator hopes the United States will purchase 5% of Bitcoin's total supply as a strategic reserve asset.

LightBurn Turns Back the Clock, Bails on Linux UsersAngry Birds, flash mobs, Russell Brand, fidget spinners. All of these were virtually unavoidable in the previous decade, and yet, like so many popular trends, have now largely faded into obscurity. But in a recent announcement, the developers of LightBurn have brought back a relic of the past that we thought was all but buried along with Harambe — popular software not supporting Linux.
But this isn’t a case of the developers not wanting to bring their software to Linux. LightBurn, the defacto tool for controlling hobbyist laser cutters and engravers, was already multi-platform. Looking forward, however, the developers claim that too much of their time is spent supporting and packaging the software for Linux relative to the size of the user base. In an announcement email sent out to users, they reached even deeper into the mid-2000s bag of excuses, and cited the number of Linux distributions as a further challenge:
The segmentation of Linux distributions complicates these burdens further — we’ve had to provide three separate packages for the versions of Linux we officially support, and still encounter frequent compatibility issues on those distributions (or closely related distributions), to say nothing of the many distributions we have been asked to support.
We’re not sure how much of their time could possibly be taken up by responding to requests for supporting additional distributions (especially when the answer is no), but apparently, it was enough that they finally had to put their foot down — the upcoming 1.7.00 release of LightBurn will be the last to run on Linux.

To really add insult to injury, LightBurn is paid software, with users having to purchase a yearly license after the time-limited demo period. Accordingly, any Linux users who recently purchased a year’s license for the software can ask for a refund. Oh, and if you’re holding out hope that the community can swoop in and take over maintaining the Linux builds, don’t — LightBurn is closed source.
While there are open source projects like LaserWeb that can be used to control these types of machines regardless of what operating system you’re running, losing LightBurn on Linux definitely hurts. While we try not to put our stamp on closed source proprietary software because of situations exactly like this one, we have to admit that LightBurn was a nice tool, especially when compared to the joke software that many of these lasers ship with.
The developers end their notice to Linux users with what seems like a particularly cruel kick while they’re already down:
Rest assured that we will be using the time gained by sunsetting Linux support to redouble our efforts at making better software for laser cutters, and beyond. We hope you will continue to utilize LightBurn on a supported operating system going forward, and we thank you for being a part of the LightBurn community.
So take comfort, Linux users — LightBurn will emerge from this decision better than ever. Unfortunately, you just won’t be able to use it.

TASCAM's CD-A580 Helps Dan Vargas Re-Discover LA PunkThe early Los Angeles punk scene has amassed a lot of publicity over the decades, as have notable figures whose music, art, media, and literature helped shape the influential cultural movement. To help bring the popular ‘70/80s generation music to still more listeners, Producer/Recording Artist Dan Vargas elected to digitize a collection to not only make this music more accessible, but to also preserve the nature of a generation’s artistic endeavors. To help with the process, Vargas employed the versatility found in the TASCAM CD-A580 Cassette Recorder/CD Player/USB Flash Drive Player/Recorder.

Many affiliated fixtures of the ’70/80s LA punk scene remain under-documented and relatively unknown; Dan Vargas is one such artist. Music on Fire is his latest venture. It is a self-released debut LP, written and engineered by Vargas at Safe at Home Studios in Long Beach, CA. The Los Angeles native cut his teeth in the scene’s salad days as a producer / manager working with artists such as Legal Weapon, Odd Squad, Sludge, The Brat, and Cambridge Apostles. He discussed his experience using the TASCAM CD-A580 on his latest initiative—known as the Eddie Ayala Project.

“Renowned East L.A. musician Eddie Ayala passed away in November 2023,” Vargas reports. “Eddie, who was a mainstay as a lead vocalist and frontman (Los Illegals, Orbit, Odd Squad, and Cactus Flower) also had a large unreleased catalog of recordings that he accumulated throughout the years. These recordings existed primarily in cassette format, along with a few CDRs. After his death, I was given access to these recordings in the hope that I could digitize them for Eddie’s loved ones.”

“These cassettes were in all different conditions,” Vargas added, “coming from three sources and stored in different environments. I tried to use a conventional cassette deck, but some of the tapes were weathered and wouldn’t play. I needed a more robust solution and the CD-A580 is an easy and efficient tool for projects such as this. I transferred multiple cassettes and CDRs directly into my workstation and the playback results were great. I used the CD-A580 to transfer 21 cassettes and three CDRs in real time.

This amounts to roughly 120 songs, including rehearsal and studio takes—all of which remained unheard for decades.” Vargas shared his thoughts on the CD-A850’s attributes he found most appealing. “The cassette function of the CD-A580 is exceptional because the sound quality delivered a faithful audio reproduction of the music. Even though some of the tapes were not well kept and over 30 years old, the CD-A580 transport system was able to play, fast forward, and rewind the tapes effortlessly. In some ways, I think the CD-A580 rescued the music that couldn’t be played on a regular cassette deck.

Eddie’s music is his legacy and the CD-A580 brought back the songs that he sang and now the world can hear.”

With many electronic products, questions arise. Hence, responsive and capable support services are crucial for keeping projects on schedule. Vargas shared his experience with TASCAM’s customer support services. “To be honest, the CD-A580 is a very intuitive piece of studio equipment and as a result, I didn’t require any support. I will say, however, that past experience has demonstrated TASCAM stands ready to assist their customers and they have always been very responsive.”

Before turning his attention to the business of the day, Vargas offered these final comments, “The CD-A580 is an incredible tool for use in any home or professional studio’s arsenal. Its audio performance is excellent and it’s a well-made, robust piece of equipment. I experienced nearly effortless transfer of both cassette and CDR content with top-notch A/D converters. Coupled with TASCAM simplicity, this project was all music and no fuss. The CD-A580 was a central fixture throughout the project, and I couldn’t be happier.”

To learn more about Dan Vargas, visit https://musiconfire.space/. A celebration of Life for Eddie Ayala will be held September 22 at the Pacific Island Project in Highland Park, California.The post TASCAM's CD-A580 Helps Dan Vargas Re-Discover LA Punk first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

This Singing Couple is Making It by Diversifying their Business and Writing Great SongsThis week, Ari sits down with Ni/Co, the musical duo of LA-based couple Dani Brillhart and Colton Jones.

AIR Music Tech overhaul TimewARP 2600 AIR Music Tech have re-released TimewARP 2600 with a whole host of new features that bring the ARP 2600's classic sound into the modern era.

FLOSS Weekly Episode 794: Release Them All with JReleaserThis week Jonathan Bennett and Katherine Druckman chat with Andres Almiray about JReleaser, the Java release automation tool that’s for more than just Java, and more than just releases. What was the original inspiration for the tool? And how does JReleaser help avoid a string of commits trying to fix GitHub Actions? Listen to find out!

– https://andresalmiray.com
– https://github.com/aalmiray
– https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalmiray
– https://jreleaser.org

Did you know you can watch the live recording of the show Right on our YouTube Channel? Have someone you’d like us to interview? Let us know, or contact the guest and have them contact us! Take a look at the schedule here.

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It’s ‘business as usual’ at Live Nation despite DoJ antitrust lawsuit, and 3 other things we learned on the company’s Q2 earnings callLive Nation addressed the antitrust suit, the slowdown in stadium activity, and the impact of the Paris Olympics on its live events
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Fracture Sounds release Epic Grand, a FREE piano library for Kontakt Player
Developer Fracture Sounds has released Epic Grand, a free larger-than-life grand piano library for Kontakt Player. Fracture Sounds is a developer I’m sure most of you know well, but if you’re new, they release some excellent libraries, like the lovely Homestead Piano. More importantly for us, they release some fantastic freebies under the banner of [...]
View post: Fracture Sounds release Epic Grand, a FREE piano library for Kontakt Player

‘This is just the beginning. There’s still so much potential for Afrobeats and Amapiano in the coming years.’MBW's Trailblazers series meets Camillo Doregos and Mark Mac, co-founders of Africa focused management and booking company, DC Talent Agency
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