TechCrunch Space: Star spangledHello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. I hope everyone has a fantastic July 4 this week. Go eat a hot dog. Read my story from last week on the causes of Starliner’s additional delay and what it might mean for Boeing’s Starliner program. Want to reach out with a tip? Email Aria at aria.techcrunch@gmail.com […]
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Bitcoin hashrate drawdown reaches December 2022 levelsThis metric can be used to spot relative bottom points in the market price of Bitcoin and signal potential accumulation opportunities.

Warner Chappell Music now represents the publishing catalog of Tom Petty around the worldWCM hails pact as a milestone agreement with late songwriter's estate
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Split A USB-C PD Port Into Three Port-ionsThere’s no shortage of USB-C chargers in all sorts of configurations, but sometimes, you simply need a few more charging ports on the go, and you got a single one. Well then, check out [bluepylons]’s USB-C splitter, which takes a single USB-C 5V/3A port and splits it into three 5V/1A plugs, wonderful for charging a good few devices on the go!
This adapter does things right – it actually checks that 3A is provided, using a comparator, uses that to switch power to the three outputs, and correctly signals to the consumer devices that they may consume about 1A from the plugs. This hack’s documentation is super considerate – you get detailed instructions on how to reproduce it, every nuance you might want to keep in mind, and even different case options depending on whether you want to pot the case or instead use a thermal pad for a specific component which might have dissipate some heat during operation!
This hack has been documented with notable care for whoever might want to walk the journey of building one for themselves, so if you ever need a splitter, this one is a wonderful weekend project you are sure to complete. Wonder what kind of project would be a polar opposite, but in all the best ways? Why, this 2kW USB-PD PSU, most certainly.

Believe vows ‘continued expansion’ in Greater China, appointing Charles Liu as GM and Rebecca Dong as MD, Operations in key marketBelieve has appointed Charles Liu as the Group’s General Manager of Greater China, reporting to Sylvain Delange, Believe’s President of APAC, and Rebecca Dong as Managing Director Operations for Greater China. Based in Beijing, Charles Liu is responsible for defining and leading Believe’s revenue growth strategies in Greater China, focusing on the deployment of the … Continued
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The Tom Petty Estate Signs Worldwide Deal with Warner Chappell MusicThe estate of Tom Petty and Warner Chappell Music (WCM) today announced the signing of a new worldwide administration deal for the late rock icon’s storied music catalog. The milestone agreement includes the vast majority of songs written by Petty throughout his lifetime, including enduring hits such as “Wildlflowers,” “Free Fallin’,” “Learning to Fly,” “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “The Waiting,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” and dozens more. The pact encompasses Petty’s work with the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist.

“We’re looking forward to this new partnership with the team at Warner Chappell, as we expand the reach of Tom’s iconic song catalog. This partnership will open the door to new licensing opportunities and serve to introduce his music to a new generation across the globe,” the Petty Estate shares. “We’re excited for this new chapter of growth, and the preservation of Tom’s legacy both at home and abroad. We look forward to working closely with Carianne, Greg, Guy, and their incredible team.”

In making the announcement, WCM Co-Chair and COO, Carianne Marshall, and Co-Chair and CEO, Guy Moot, said: “Tom Petty’s music is woven into the fabric of our lives, not just across America, but around the world. He captured the full range and resilience of the human spirit in songs about freedom and dreams, outcasts and rebels, relationships and heartbreak, the personal and the universal.

Tom’s unmistakable sound and lyrics remain as timeless and vital today as ever, and all of us at Warner Chappell Music are honored to be joining with his estate to help amplify his extraordinary legacy on a global scale. Their work in recent years has already laid an incredible foundation, and we’re very excited to be partnering with such an innovative and forward-thinking team.”

WCM SVP, A&R and Catalog, Greg Sowders added: “This landmark new deal spans 40 years of Tom’s hugely influential and much-loved songs. The depth and breadth of his catalog is exceptional, including 15 top ten albums and an incredible stream of rock classics. Tom was a born storyteller and he turned life experiences, both good and bad, into songs of extraordinary power and emotion that continue to captivate millions of fans. Tom Petty and his songs are one of the reasons I became a musician and publisher. The whole team is looking forward to partnering with his estate to ensure that his music not only endures but that its impact continues to grow for many years to come.”

About Tom Petty

Over his 40-year career, Tom Petty became one of the biggest cultural icons in the world. In addition to the 13 studio albums he made with the Heartbreakers, Petty recorded three solo albums, including the acclaimed Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers. Petty was also a member of the supergroup, Traveling Wilburys, and in the pre-Heartbreakers band, Mudcrutch.

Hailed as one of the greatest rock artists of all time, Petty’s list of achievements include: Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, multiple Grammy Award winner, over 85 million records sold, performing to over 140 million fans worldwide, and Super Bowl halftime performer. Tom Petty passed away in 2017 shortly after completing his 40th anniversary tour, but his music continues to reach fans, both new and old, around the world today.

Most recently, some of Petty’s closest friends and collaborators came together to lovingly curate Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty via Big Machine Records in partnership with the Tom Petty Estate.The post The Tom Petty Estate Signs Worldwide Deal with Warner Chappell Music first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Casting Concrete With A 3D-Printed MouldWe’re accustomed to covering the use of 3D printing in casting, usually as a lost-PLA former in metal casting. That’s not the only use of the technique though, and perhaps one of the simplest is to use a 3D-printed mould for casting concrete. It’s what [ArtByAdrock] is doing in their latest video, casting an ornamental owl model.
The first part of the video below the break deals with the CAD steps necessary to produce the mould, and depending on your CAD proficiency may not be the most interesting part. The process creates a mould with two halves, a pouring hole, and registration points. Then a 3D printer produces it using flexible TPU. The pour is then simplicity itself, using a casting cement mix at a consistency similar to pancake batter. The video shows how a release spray provides easy separation, and the result is a fresh concrete owl and a mould ready for the next pour.
We can see that maybe readers have only so much space in their lives for concrete owls, but this process could be a valuable part of the armoury when it comes to making some less decorative items. It’s not the first time we’ve looked at this type of work.

Fix The Tix plots July 9 Day of Action to push for US Ticketing ReformThe Fix The Tix coalition is planning a July 9th Day Of Action to push the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive ticketing reform that protects fans and artists and restores. Continue reading
The post Fix The Tix plots July 9 Day of Action to push for US Ticketing Reform appeared first on Hypebot.

DC Snares: Plugin Boutique unveils the “ultimate snare construction kit”Plugin Boutique has unveiled DC Snares, a new virtual instrument designed by multi-award-winning producer and musician Davide Carbone.
The new kit is aimed at replicating Carbone’s design process and sounds, and promises to “simplify your workflow” while adding “serious impact to your productions”.

READ MORE: Tame Impala has founded a musical instrument company – but it’s super mysterious

With hundreds of custom-made onboard sounds, a purpose-built synth engine, and an in-built randomiser, the plugin allows you to create unique and powerful snares with ease.
At the heart of DC Snares is its four-slot sample layering system, which provides endless possibilities for sound creation. The plugin comes loaded with 684 internal samples curated by Carbone himself, covering not just snares but also kicks, cymbals, and various percussion sounds. This vast library is complemented by hundreds of main presets, that range from Simple and Electronic to Acoustic and Cinematic categories.
One of DC Snares’ standout features is the randomiser, which generates new combinations for all four sample slots at the touch of a button — perfect for overcoming those pesky creative blocks. It is also able to auto-generate names based on content.

Next, the plugin’s powerful envelope section allows for precise control over pitch and amplitude modulation for each layer. Users can copy and paste envelope settings across slots for a cohesive sound, and assign modulation envelopes to various parameters for extensive sound design possibilities. Real-time waveform updates, meanwhile, provide visual feedback when adjusting envelopes and internal effects.
The plugin also features a bespoke snare-oriented rearrangeable effect chain, including modules such as the ‘Sizzler’, ‘Transient Shaper’ and ‘Resonator’. The ‘Sizzler’ effect, in particular, is a “world first” that replicates how a room responds to a snare’s rattle.
In terms of sequencing, DC Snares features an internal sequencer engine designed to make playing and programming snare rolls intuitive and fun. Users can perform pitch-able triplet rolls, straight divisions, or play snares chromatically.
DC Snares is available in VST3, AAX, and Standalone formats for Windows and Mac. You can get it at an introductory price of $29/ £29 (U.P.$49/ £49) until 31 July 2024.

Learn more at Plugin Boutique.
The post DC Snares: Plugin Boutique unveils the “ultimate snare construction kit” appeared first on MusicTech.

Music Production Workshops with Alan Parsons The Art & Science Of Sound Recording's latest event sees the organisation take a new approach to their in-person workshops. 

10 Revenue Streams every Musician needs to know aboutEvery musician needs to know ten essential revenue streams to maximize their income. Learn the strategies to diversify your earnings and advance your music career. by Chris Robley of Reverbnation. Continue reading
The post 10 Revenue Streams every Musician needs to know about appeared first on Hypebot.

RIAA’s past statements undermine current AI lawsuit claims, says Mike MasnickMike Masnick of Tech Dirt says that the RIAA’s previous statements contradict their stance on AI, potentially unraveling their latest legal battles.  Op-ed Mike Masnick of Tech Dirt There have. Continue reading
The post RIAA’s past statements undermine current AI lawsuit claims, says Mike Masnick appeared first on Hypebot.

AudioScape’s new MAP D.AM-27 dual preamp AudioScape have announced a modern relaunch of Modular Audio Products, and the first release to sport the name is a dual-channel preamp based on Melcor’s AM-27. 

“If I could play bass like that, I would!”: Dua Lipa producer on Don’t Start Now basslineIan Kirkpatrick, the producer of Dua Lipa’s 2019 hit song Don’t Start Now, has dived into the making of the track’s iconic funky bassline.
“The bassline is a little Bee Gees and a little Daft Punk,” Kirkpatrick told Music Week [via Music Radar]. “It’s a little bit Alan Braxe and Fred Falke, if anyone knows those DJs – those old Eurohouse kind of classy basslines.”

READ MORE: Watch Fred Again..’s surprise ambient set at Glastonbury’s Strummerville stage

“It was the sum of me listening to awesome basslines for 10 years and trying to emulate that, so I’m glad people like it.”
Since its release, the song has spawned countless bass covers, with the most popular racking up an impressive 14 million views on YouTube. But did you know that no bass guitars were actually involved in the original track?
“It’s MIDI, don’t get mad at me!” Kirkpatrick said. “But it’s programmed responsibly, so people can actually play it. It’s meant to sound real and it might as well be. If I could play bass like that, I would!”

Elsewhere, the producer also spoke about how Don’t Start Now — written by Emily Warren, Caroline Ailin, Kirkpatrick, and Dua Lipa herself — was conceived during a songwriting session in Warren’s Wyoming cabin.
“The lyrical concept started in January and the vibe came from the night before,” Kirkpatrick recalled. “We’d gone out to this random bar in the middle of Jackson Hole and it was disco night, and Don’t Start Now came the next day.”
Kirkpatrick previously revealed during a Sound on Sound interview that he used the Scarbee MM-Bass plugin for the song’s main bass sound.
“I played the main part on the keyboard, and then edited it afterwards. There’s a sub bass underneath it, and it’s blended with slaps in the drop, which is from a [Spectrasonics] Trilian bass patch, plus there’s a thumb bass,” he said.

The post “If I could play bass like that, I would!”: Dua Lipa producer on Don’t Start Now bassline appeared first on MusicTech.

Tonnes of music tech gear is discounted at Thomann for the first 10 days of July – here are the best dealsThomann is celebrating a massive 70 years in business in 2024, and it’s doing so in style. During the first 10 days of every month of the year, the German music retail giant is offering discounts on tonnes of music tech gear, and we’ve sifted through July’s haul – which features over 100 discounted products – to bring you the very best deals.
First up is the Native Instruments Maschine +, now only €879 down from €1,199. This standalone groove box features 16 velocity-sensitive pads, machine effects and plugins, swing, pad link, note repeat and step sequencer functions and even vintage sampler emulation.

READ MORE: Best new mixing plugins, effects and VST instruments out this week

Or if you’re in the market for a new toy for your audio collection that won’t break the bank, the Flamma FS01 Looper/Drum Machine is discounted from €85 down to €69 for the first 10 days of July.
This pedal-based looper and drum machine features 20 minutes of recording capacity, 11 different groove styles with multiple time signature and tempo variations, three modes: Looper, Drum Machine and Mix, and a visible looper recording bar to support loop recording.
There’s also a killer deal to be had on the Native Instruments Traktor X1 MK3 modular USB DJ controller: now only €225 down from €299, there’s €74 to be saved here.
Built for seamless integration into Native Instruments’ Traktor software, the Traktor X1 MK3 features five OLED displays for remaining track time, track names, selected effects and effect parameters, 34 backlit buttons, a light-based system for visual feedback, four Endless rotary encoders, eight rotary potentiometers, as well as an integrated three-port USB hub.
There’s over 100 products discounted for the first 10 days of July, so head to Thomann now to browse them for yourself.
The post Tonnes of music tech gear is discounted at Thomann for the first 10 days of July – here are the best deals appeared first on MusicTech.