Music Production for Women announce free in-person workshops Music Production for Women (MPW) have announced that they will be running a series of four music production workshops throughout July 2025 with the aim of empowering female and non-gender conforming musicians.

Roland Joins NFL Media and James Fauntleroy to Support Foster YouthRoland Corporation announced Thursday that it has, "partnered with 4x GRAMMY award-winning songwriter James Fauntleroy to host a Beat Garden for foster youth through Open Your Doors Dream Week in May, supported by the National Football League (NFL).""Each year, Open Your Doors creates opportunities for foster youth around Los Angeles to explore careers across the entertainment industry," they said in a statement. "Roland and Fauntleroy’s Beat Garden, hosted at Laboratory Studio in Burbank, marked one of several stops with the acclaimed musician, joined by rapper Hit Boy, hosting a total of 10 foster youth to discuss music production careers and offer hands-on beatmaking with tools like the iconic Roland SP-404MKII sampler and TR-8S drum machine, as well as pocket-sized products from the AIRA Compact line.""Fauntleroy has championed music education for years," they continued. "His initial idea for Beat Garden stemmed from an experience he had growing up, which he largely credits for his successful career today. By creating an inviting space for youth to explore their creativity, he is planting the seed for future generations of creators. Further cementing his goals, he recently launched All NEW, a cutting-edge platform dedicated to providing opportunities for underrepresented creatives."“Supporting the next generation of musicians has always been a huge passion of mine, and it was an honor to be able to speak with several similarly-minded foster youth this week,” James Fauntleroy said. “If history is any indication, beatmaking’s future visionaries are coming from all types of backgrounds, which is one of the things that makes this industry so powerful. I’m excited to continue providing these types of opportunities to underserved communities through my partnerships with Roland and the NFL Media, along with my program All NEW.”“We’re proud to support the incredible work Open Your Doors is doing and to help create meaningful moments like this one,” said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music. “It’s inspiring to see young people embrace the opportunity, especially when guided by an artist like James, who genuinely cares about the next generation. These are the kinds of partnerships we’re excited to grow.”Open Your Doors Dream Week concludes on Friday, May 16. For more information about Open Your Doors and its initiatives, visit openyourdoors.org.The post Roland Joins NFL Media and James Fauntleroy to Support Foster Youth first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

ETH price trend data suggests all future dips are for buyingTechnical data and ETH accumulation trends suggest price dips in the $2,100 zone are strategic purchasing opportunities.

Clay secures a new round at a $3B valuation, sources sayThe sales automation startup doubles its valuation a month after launching a tender offer at $1.5 billion.

Adapting an Old Rotary Dial for Digital ApplicationsToday in old school nostalgia our tipster [Clint Jay] wrote in to let us know about this rotary dial.
If you’re a young whippersnapper you might never have seen a rotary dial. These things were commonly used on telephones back in the day, and they were notoriously slow to use. The way they work is that they generate a number of pulses corresponding to the number you want to dial in. One pulse for 1, two pulses for 2, and so on, up to nine pulses for 9, then ten pulses for 0.
We see circuits like this here at Hackaday from time to time. In fact, commonly we see them implemented as USB keyboards, such as in Rotary Dial Becomes USB Keyboard and Rotary Dialer Becomes Numeric Keypad.

One thing that makes this particular project different from the ones we’ve seen before is that it doesn’t require a microcontroller. That said, our hacker [Mousa] shows us how to interface this dial with an Arduino, along with sample code, if that’s something you’d like to do. The schematic for the project shows how to connect the rotary dial (salvaged from an old telephone) to both a 7-segment display and a collection of ten LEDs.
The project write-up includes links to the PCB design files. The guts of the project are a 4017 decade counter and a 4026 7-segment display adapter. Good, honest, old school digital logic.

Win an MPC Keys 37 and more with our AKAI community challenge
Create an original track inspired by the MPC's rich legacy for the chance to win an MPC Keys 37 from AKAI.

From Sony’s $2.5bn spent in the past year to UMG’s Patrick Whitesell JV… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days
Source

ZenSound Serum2 ConnexiaSERUM2 CONNEXIA [AXIOM] Formed by 210 brand new patches designed for electronic, action, filmscore soundtracks and trailer music. Connexia offers a powerful, dynamic, industrial, gritty and damaged sound, a well balanced blend of analogue and digital. Influenced by the soundtracks of Mac Quayle (Mr Robot, Contagion), Ben Salisbury & Geoff Barrow (Ex Machina, Archive 81), Clint Mansell & Lorne Balfe (Ghost in the Shell) and the music of David Wright, Solar Fields and ARC. Tension building fast paced arps, dynamic and future shaped sequences, dramatic and complex percussion patterns, corroded and aggressive bass loops, slow evolving soundscapes, suspenseful dystopian keys and synths, lush menacing leads and edgy ethereal pads. Connexia recreates a hopeless collapsed world where synthetic human hybrids live in oppression and persecution, a megacorporation rogue AI taking unauthorized access to classified information, a quantum experiment went wrong causing time fractures across different eras. Full range of sounds; wavetable, spectral, multisample, granular oscillators and the effects rack adding detail and character to each patch. All eight macros are assigned for all the patches, ideal to perfectly fit the patch in your track or totally transform it with the twist of a few macro knobs; easy and quick. As extra there is CONNEXIA [AXIOM] adding 50 carefully selected expansion patches, with more degradation and more punch. Price: € 29. Read More

Bandcamp offers musicians community and tools to growBandcamp offers musicians community and tools to grow, Its low commission, direct-to-fan model funds albums, tours, and careers. Take a deep dive with Bandcamp's J. Edward Keyes and music marketers Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert.
The post Bandcamp offers musicians community and tools to grow appeared first on Hypebot.

Spotify mental health programs expand Heart & Soul initiativesSpotify has expanded its Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative. First launched in 2018, the Spotify mental health programs now include financial support for non-profits and musicians seeking care as well as expanded access.
The post Spotify mental health programs expand Heart & Soul initiatives appeared first on Hypebot.

Ibiza finally has an audiophile bar – here’s what it entailsBeach restaurant El Silencio Ibiza has opened the Urusai Sunset Bar, the island’s “first true vinyl-listening audiophile experience” dedicated to vinyl-only DJ sets and deep listening.
The bar is inspired by the Japanese jazz kissa tradition (cafes that specialise in playing recorded jazz music through high-quality audio systems), and is described as “a soulful fusion of vinyl culture, Japanese ritual, and Balearic legacy”.

READ MORE: Gadhouse’s vintage-inspired HENRY turntable offers “the perfect combination of nostalgia and progress”

The bar is located on the western coast of Cala Molí, and is open daily from 6pm (or golden hour, some might say) and into the night, during which you can hear genres including a mix of Western and Eastern Jazz, Soul, Funk, Disco, Afro-Boogie, and Balearic Disco.
The programming is curated by Jaime Fiorito, son of Balearic pioneer DJ Alfredo, and blends rare and reissued vinyl from the 1970s through to the 2000s, featuring records by Alice Coltrane, Patrick Cowley, Susana Estrada, Degrees of Freedom, Nu Guinea, and more.
The space has been designed by Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture, and in true kissa style, Urusai has a custom-built sound system that delivers “studio-grade clarity”. At its core is a hybrid analogue-digital mixer, completed by handcrafted coaxial speakers made from Baltic birch plywood, with each unit individually amplified for balance and tonal depth.

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“Urusai isn’t a club or a lounge, it’s a community in the making,” reads a press release. “It recalls the spirit of Ibiza in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when aristocrats danced beside farmers, and music discovery took precedence over genre.
“Providing a place for vinyl heads, creatives, collectors, and those who crave something more intimate and intentional. Urusai is a place where people from all walks of life can come together, united by a deep love for sound, sunsets, and soulful connection.”
To book a table, head over to the Urusai Sunset Bar website. 
The post Ibiza finally has an audiophile bar – here’s what it entails appeared first on MusicTech.

Spotify partners with Backline to launch first-of-its-kind mental health hub for music industry professionalsSpotify has teamed up with Backline, a nonprofit organisation connecting music industry professionals and their family members with mental health resources, to launch a global mental health initiative.
As part of the initiative, which is called Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators, Spotify and Backline are introducing the “first-ever” Global Mental Health Resource Hub – a “comprehensive support platform”.

READ MORE: Will Spotify be correct with its annual Songs of Summer predictions?

This is the first time that Backline has expanded its services beyond the United States, with the hub launched to support not just artists, but also touring crew and other music industry workers at all levels amid an ongoing mental health crisis.
As part of the Heart & Soul initiative, you can now get international support from Backline across a multilingual database featuring trusted music industry and mental health support resources and crisis lines from around the world. Backline has also launched global@backline.care, a dedicated email service that provides one-on-one support to help individuals navigate local care options in their countries.
A free digital guide titled Mind The Music: A Mental Health Guide for the Music Industry is also available, designed for every role in the industry and featuring tools to stay grounded on the road.
Furthermore, there’s also free support for Spotify’s EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the US via Music’s Mental Health Fund, a joint programme from Backline and Sweet Relief Musicians’ Fund that provides grants to cover the cost of therapy.

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“Backline is honoured to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community,” says Backline Executive Director & Co-Founder, Hilary Gleason. “Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders. Music knows no bounds, and now people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community.”
Spotify Head of Artist & Label Partnerships, Monica Herrera Damashek, adds: “It’s clear that the mental health challenges artists face are real, and that the current support systems often fall short. It’s on all of us in the industry to respond with action… We know this is only one step but we look forward to building on this for a more supported, sustainable environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”
“Heart & Soul is our commitment to the creators behind the music. Artists and songwriters face immense pressure, and their mental health can’t be an afterthought,” states Lauren Siegal Wurgaft, Head of Social Impact at Spotify. “Supporting creators’ well-being is essential to sustaining a vibrant music ecosystem.”
To find out more or get support, head over to Backline.
The post Spotify partners with Backline to launch first-of-its-kind mental health hub for music industry professionals appeared first on MusicTech.

Soulyft Audio release Chime The latest addition to the Soulyft Audio line-up is a gesture-based soft synth that turns noise into soundscapes using a combination of touch control, filters, delay and reverb.

MusicTech’s favourite plugins of 2025 — so farWe’re halfway through 2025, but plugin developers have already dropped enough software this year to keep you busy for about a decade. MusicTech’s reviewers have checking out as many of them as possible — thankfully, we’ve found some absolute gems and separated the hype from the genuinely helpful.
Whether you’re hunting for the best VST plugins of 2025 or just looking to upgrade your go-to tools, our team of producers and reviewers have some useful options. From sleek EQs to leftfield synths, these are the plugins that have actually made it into our day-to-day projects — and might just earn a spot in yours too. Here are MusicTech’s favourite plugins of 2025…so far.
Wavea’s Flite is one beautiful maiden voyage
Play interface. Image: MusicTech
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Beautifully wrapped in a minimalist UI, Wavea’s debut Flite plugin is a colourful playground of sound design that I’ve come back to time and time again. The starting point is an expertly curated preset library, but there’s so much versatility and scope for crafting unique and experimental sounds. With four samplers, a three-oscillator synth engine and a rounded selection of built-in effects, Flite’s strength lies in how easy it is to stack, combine, and route these modules swiftly and intuitively.
Flite proves there’s still plenty of room for indie developers to knock it out of the plugin park and stand shoulder to shoulder with the giant developers.
As mentioned in my review of Wavea Flite, it’s great value for money at $99. “This endearing plugin could easily become a firm favourite in your kit,” I added. “Considering that this plugin is the maiden flight from Wavea, you might expect it to be a little rough around the edges. Instead, Flite is warm, inviting and packed full of fun.”
— Garling Wu
Waves Curves Equator is an amazing value plugin
Editing on Curves Equator. Image: MusicTech
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The plugin I’ve probably used the most this year is Waves Curves Equator. I’m still a big fan of Oeksound’s Soothe 2, but I’ve found this to be a killer alternative for quickly and easily tucking in resonant frequencies on tracks and mixes. It’s relatively light on resources and just seems to get the job done with fairly minimal tweaking. However, if you want to delve in and target certain sections of the spectrum, then you have several methods for only affecting the problem frequencies. It’s a powerful tool for beginners and pros alike that can be used alongside traditional EQ techniques to create smoother-sounding mixes. You can also pick it up on sale for the ridiculous price of $35 — bargain!
In my review of Waves Curves Equator, I noted how I can “quickly dial in improvements that benefit individual tracks, or a whole mix when used more sparingly. When it comes to very fine-tuned resonance suppression, I would probably still reach for Soothe2 as it can be more precise– as mentioned, there are better plugins for reducing mix clashes. But for general mix duties, Curves Equator is a superb choice.”
— Alex Holmes
It might as well be FabFilter Pro-Q 4
FabFilter Pro-Q 4
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No matter what you’re doing with your DAW, the chances are that you have an EQ plugin on every channel. Even if you don’t perform surgery with the dynamic and spectral functionality with every instance of the plugin, FabFilter’s Pro-Q 4 is still an invaluable workhorse — and a gift that keeps on giving.
Simply by using the different character modes (Clean, Subtle, and Warm) with Gain-Q Interaction active, you start to get more musical results on busses or individual tracks, and improve your EQ skills while you do it. Then, when you want to go deeper, the spectral mode is perfect for taming the highs on overheads while keeping everything intact.
In my review of FabFilter Pro-Q 4, I said, “While other tools like Soothe2 and Gullfoss each apply their brand of magic to correcting unwanted resonances, Pro-Q 4 is not easily replaceable, given its versatility and depth of features. Pro-Q 4 will be loved equally by pro mixing and mastering engineers as it is by today’s generation of beat-makers and independent music producers.”
— Stefan Wyeth
The formidable T-RackS 6 Mastering Console
Credit: IK Multimedia
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It’s not often you review a plugin that immediately becomes a cornerstone of your creative process, but IK Multimedia’s T-RackS Mastering Console is easily my most-used tool this year. It’s got a slick UI, presents for a variety of mixing styles, and high-end features for finalising and releasing music. Whether you’re actually mastering a track or just want to make sure a demo sounds as convincing as possible, the T-RackS Mastering console can add some ready-made magic to any mix.
Mastering Console pulls off what seemingly every plugin developer is trying to do right now — it takes parts of production that were mysterious and expensive, and opens them up for everyone.
Like I said in my review of IK Multimedia’s plugin bundle Total Studio 5, the tremendous power of T-RackS 6 almost makes up for the cost of the entire Total Studio bundle on its own.
— Clovis McEvoy
Arturia Pigments 6 — maybe the only synth you’ll ever need
Envelope Follower. Image: Press
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I have an endless and deep fascination with sound synthesis in all its forms, and so have always been a big fan of Pigments’ semi-modular approach and hugely varied voice.
Here’s an instrument that can mimic a Minimoog, an MS-20, a Jupiter 8, and myriad other classic synths. It can be a mash-up of the best features of such classic synths, or it can be something entirely new and original. As the icing on the cake, Arturia’s sublime UI and UX design makes Pigments pretty much the best-looking plugin synth on the market, and also one of the easiest to use. What’s not to love?
I said in my Pigmnets 6 review that “it is an analogue monster, a digital dream, a sampling powerhouse, and now a physical modelling marvel.” Plus, its chameleon-like ability to be so many different types of synth means it could be the only synth you will ever need.
— Adam Crute
Output Co-Producer — an AI-powered plugin that actually promises to assist you
Output Co-Producer. Image: Output
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Output’s Co-Producer feels like it takes the best of developments in cutting-edge tech while avoiding the rest. Working as a plug-in, it listens to your track and provides instant access to a vast and ever-expanding library of project-appropriate loops made by real humans – no AI-generated music here. Preview and drag and drop them into your DAW directly inside a project. Easy.
I haven’t reviewed Co-Producer for MusicTech yet but, having used it a lot already, it solves my problem of choice overload — who wants to navigate through thousands of loops over and over? And since all the content is royalty-free free you are completely covered. The library adds new content regularly, so you can stay inspired.
In short, using a form of AI that encourages your creativity rather than replacing it, Co-Producer shows how technology can support music-makers in a positive way.
— Hollin Jones
Want more gear buying assistance? Check out our buyer’s guides.
 
 
The post MusicTech’s favourite plugins of 2025 — so far appeared first on MusicTech.

Solana futures open interest hits $7.4B amid ETF speculation: Is $200 SOL next?SOL’s futures open interest hits a 2-year high above $7.4 billion, but neutral funding and declining DEX activity cast doubt on a breakout to $200.