Full Bucket Music FB-02FB-02 is a software instrument for Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP/AAX) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/CLAP/AU/AAX) simulating the classic Yamaha FB-01 module from 1986. It is written in native C++ code for high performance even on "lighter" systems. Main features are: Simulation of the original FM sound generation unit. Original factory ROM and additional sounds. User interface can be used to edit the sound of the original FB-01. Program Browser. SysEx import and export. Resizable user interface (not "N" version.). Supports MTS-ESP by ODDSound dynamic micro-tuning. MIDI Learn – all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC. Plug-in supports Windows and macOS (32-bit and 64-bit). Special credits go to: Wolfgang Paulke for his FB-01 and Beta testing. Kraftraum for Beta testing and sound design. Llama Music for sounds and hints. MAZES for sounds. Vincent from dbwbp.com. Watch the Demo Video. Read More

Olivia Dean wins fans partial refunds from Ticketmaster and AXSLive Nation's Ticketmaster and AEG's AXS will give refunds to Olivia Dean fans who purchased resale tickets on their platforms, The partial refunds will reflect the difference between the original price and the higher prices charged by resellers.
The post Olivia Dean wins fans partial refunds from Ticketmaster and AXS appeared first on Hypebot.

PSI Audio launch first extended main monitor system PSI Audio new monitoring system combines the recently released A326 D-REX with the already powerful A226-MAIN, creating a seven-driver system that’s capable of delivering SPLs of up to 132dB.

Top Music Business News Last WeekLast week's top music business news include a big win for Olivia Dean and her fans, a UK plan to help grassroots venues, Bandzoogle updates, a deep dive into Bandsintown and more.
The post Top Music Business News Last Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Rage-bait? Reddit users stunned as Suno user complains about running out of prompt ideasWhether you like it or not, AI has slowly but surely infiltrated the music industry – even Warner Music Group has recently signed on the dotted line and cemented its partnership with AI music generator Suno. However, the question remains: is AI a helpful tool, or is it just making people lazy?
Well, a recent submission to Suno’s subreddit seems to suggest the latter. In what can only be described as a baffling post – and one which, quite frankly, reads as straight up rage-bait – one Redditor complains that they are “sick of having to come up with prompts” to put into Suno. Yes, you read that right – someone is actually complaining about the one and only stage of Suno’s AI process that requires human input.

READ MORE: AI music generator Suno raises $250M in latest funding round

“I like what I’ve made so far with Suno but now I’m kind of hitting a wall with ideas for prompts,” the poster writes. “Why doesn’t Suno also have a feature to write prompts for you?”
The user goes on to suggest a bright idea to help with their problem – adding a button that generates a ‘new prompt’. After flicking through the suggestions, you could then follow the standard procedure, clicking “make song” when it shows a prompt that “sounds interesting”.
“Thoughts?” the user ‘innocently’ asks to round off their post.
Sick of having to come up with prompts byu/ThrowRA1234567788777 inSunoAI

Of course, the response hasn’t been great. Even the typically AI-positive community on Suno’s Reddit page is raising an eyebrow. Because, of course, the idea would mean handing over total creative control to AI, removing any need for human thought.
“You are cooked,” multiple users reply. Elsewhere, users call out the post as blatant rage-bait, calling the poster is a “troll”. Others just laugh at the ridiculousness of the entire post, joking “SO true!!! This is the future of art!!”
Many are mocking the user’s laziness, while others are calling the post an act of trolling. Certain users are also sharing genuine advice, encouraging the mystery poster to “use their brain” instead of entirely relying on AI.
“Go into FL Studio (or whichever musical software you use), use that brain of yours, and make it yourself!” one user writes. “Sure, it might take a bit longer, but trust me, it will be so much better!”
Another writes: “I really don’t understand why you’d rather generate AI music if you are so creatively unimaginative that you can’t even articulate the kind of music you want to hear… This just feels sad and unnecessary. You’re turning yourself into the messenger between two computers making art with no meaning or motivation behind it.”
Some responders are attempting to supply actual ‘advice’ – though, they may also be adding fuel to the ‘trolling’ fire. “My streams on Spotify got a huge boost when I started using ChatGPT to help me with prompts,” one commenter explains. “Not using AI to at the very least refine your prompts is a wasted opportunity and anyone not doing this will be left behind…”
Regardless of whether this post is rage-bait or not, it’s interesting to consider AI’s impact on creatives. Nowadays 80% of producers are anti-AI-generated songs, but other sources suggest that musicians are just keeping their AI usage a secret. So it begs the question – is AI’s usage in music a thing to be celebrated, or is it the start of a downward spiral in creativity?
The post Rage-bait? Reddit users stunned as Suno user complains about running out of prompt ideas appeared first on MusicTech.

Supabase hit $5B by turning down million-dollar contracts. Here’s why.Vibe coding has taken the tech industry by storm, and it’s not just the Lovables and Replits of the world that are winning. The startups building the infrastructure behind them are cashing in too.  Supabase, the open-source database platform that’s become the backend of choice for the vibe-coding world, raised $100 million at a $5 billion valuation just months after closing $200 million at $2 billion. But co-founder and CEO […]

Waves’ secret free plugin revealed: Here’s how to energise your tracks with the new Magma StressBoxWho doesn’t love a free plugin on Black Friday?. In addition to its Cyber Weekend sale, Waves releases a new, secret plugin each year. This year, it’s giving away an addition to its Magma series: StressBox.
Control the dynamics with one knob
Producers already familiar with Waves’ product range might liken Magma StressBox’s workflow to the OneKnob series. But unlike OneKnob Pressure or OneKnob Pumper, StressBox packs two functions into its one knob.
As you turn it left, you hear a significant downward expansion effect. At 0.2, it imitates a noise gate pretty well.
When you turn it right, you get coloured yet smooth compression. Even at an extreme ratio like 20:1, StressBox maintains punch while evening out the dynamics.
For vocals and instruments that require surgical control, StressBox isn’t an ideal fit. You have more flexibility, even with stock compressors that include threshold, attack, release, and knee parameters. But StressBox promises to tighten or inflate the overall sound. By automating a single knob, you can quickly enrich the dynamic variety in your mixes with it.
Say you’re working on a track with a steady beat. You have the same drums looping in the verse and chorus sections. It gets dull after a while, so you drop StressBox on the drum bus. You run it in expansion mode during the verses, then transition to compression in the choruses. Problem solved.
Here’s how that transition sounds in real time on a drum loop from Splice.

Running it in expansion mode
As you can hear, StressBox lets the highest peaks through in expansion mode. It latches onto transients that reach above an invisible threshold. But it doesn’t eliminate the quieter details between them. It just makes them even quieter.
This type of processing is called downward expansion. It’s useful for reducing reverb tails, boosting the bounce of rhythmic pads, and tightening any instrument with percussive qualities.
Here’s how StressBox’s expander sounds on guitar, compared with a noise gate such as FabFilter Pro-G.

Exploring the StressBox compressor
There aren’t many practical and dedicated downward expansion plugins on the market. That alone makes StressBox a valuable addition to any music producer’s library. But it’s the compressor that’ll get you hooked, especially if you don’t already own other standard tube compressors like Teletronix LA-2A.
Like a transient shaper, StressBox’s compressor amplifies and sustains the quieter details in your mix. And somehow, it does this job without squashing the transients. In other words, it combines traits of both downward and upward compression.
There are similar compressors on the market, like Waves’ own MV2 and Xfer’s OTT. MV2 provides subtle control, while OTT lives up to its name by compressing in an over-the-top manner.
StressBox’s compressor is the compromise between the two. It may not work on every instrument or master bus you throw it on. But when it does, it takes little effort to dial in.
Because StressBox highlights lost details so well, I wanted to test it against a transient shaper like Native Instruments’ Transient Master. Here’s how they compare.

The signature Magma sound
Although StressBox isn’t a saturator, it has analogue character like all the other plugins from the Magma series.
If you own the Magma Tube Channel Strip, you already have the features StressBox offers, and much more. The key difference is the fluid simplicity of a single knob interface.
In Magma Tube Channel Strip, the compressor and expander are separate modules. You have the benefit of using both at the same time. But for moments that call for drama and a shot of extra energy, StressBox may be the better choice.
Music creators first got a taste of the Magma line with Lil Tube, the Black Friday freebie for 2022. Still available in the Waves Free Plugin Pack, Lil Tube comes with three saturation modes that take the analogue flavour of StressBox to the next level. Here’s how they sound together on a master bus.

Waves later introduced a paid version of Lil Tube: BB Tubes. With extra EQ and distortion features, BB Tubes delivers additional grit without sacrificing control.
A year later, Magma collectors got their first vintage reverb, Magma Springs. Seven types of spring units, plus drive, feedback, and EQ controls in a no-frills box, with the same tube sound.
It’s unclear whether we’ll see an advanced version of StressBox in the coming days. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Magma series continue to expand. With retro revival still thriving online, demand for vintage-style plugins shows no signs of slowing.
 
The post Waves’ secret free plugin revealed: Here’s how to energise your tracks with the new Magma StressBox appeared first on MusicTech.

alchemicAV FloojiFlooji is a demo product for a new system of tuning! The full name is Fluid Just Intonation. This plugin gives you the flexibility of Equal Temperament but utilizes the more consonant sounding Just Intonation Scale! Let's break down the features: Sound Source: By default, the plugin uses a sine wave to generate sound. Additionally, you can load your own soundfonts from here, greatly increasing the sonic potential of this new scale generation method. Sequence Settings: Choose the Loop Length and Loop Mode. Loop Length allows you to choose between 4, 8, 12 and 16 measure loops for extended composition options. You can choose between Set Mode and Shift Mode. Set Mode: This will generate the Just Intonation Scale for the first measure, then each additional measure will generate a new Just Intonation Scale for each selected root. Each additional measure root will be generated using the initial measure's Just Intonation Scale. For example, if the first measure is a C, then the next are D, F and G, the D, F and G will generate Just Intonation scales based on the first Just Intonation scale, C. This does not allow harmonic drift between measures and locks the generated scales to a common root. Shift Mode: This will generate the Just Intonation Scale for the first measure, then each additional measure will generate a new Just Intonation Scale for each selected root based on the previous root. For example, if the first measure is C and the next measure is D, the D will be generated based on the initial root of C. The next measure, F, will generate a Just Intonation scale based on the previous measure D. This allows for harmonic drift as each new measure starts with a different root and is not locked into a single Just Intonation scale. Current Status: Shows information of the current measure while playing the song. Measure Roots: Select the sequence of measure roots that the Just Intonation scales will be generated from. Current Tuning: This area shows the chromatic view of C5 through B5 in the current Just Intonation scale. It will highlight the measure root as it is being played and display the frequency and cents difference from Equal Temperament. Note: it does not show the current notes being played, only from C5 to B5 to get an idea how the frequencies for each scale are lining up compared to Equal Temperament. Read More

Build Your Own Compact Temp GunSometimes you need to know what temperature something is, but you don’t quite want to touch it. At times like these, you might want a temp gun on hand to get a good reading, like the one [Arnov Sharma] built.
The build is a relatively simple one, and is based around an Waveshare ESP32 C6 development module that comes with a small LCD screen out of the box. The microcontroller is set up to read an MLX90614 infrared temperature sensor. This device picks up the infrared energy that is emitted by objects relative to their temperature. The sensor has a great range—from -70 C to 380 C. The readouts from this sensor are then displayed on the screen. Battery power is from a small 600 mAh LiPo cell, which is managed by a IP5306 charge module.
It’s worth noting that these infrared temperature sensors aren’t infallible devices. The temperature they perceive is based on certain assumptions about factors like an objects emissivity. Thus, they don’t always give accurate readings on metallic or shiny objects, for example. It’s also important to understand the sensor’s field of view. Despite many commercial versions featuring a laser pointer for aiming, many of these infrared temperature sensors tend to average their reading over a small spot that gets larger the farther away they are from the object being measured.
Tools like portable temp guns are pretty cheap, but sometimes it’s just fun to build your own. Plus, you usually learn something along the way. Video after the break.

Manchester Music City publish grassroots venue report Manchester Music City have published a landmark report that aims to help strengthen the city’s grassroots music venues.

GRAMMY Nominations 2025: Best Progresive R&B AlbumThe 2025 GRAMMY nominations are here and we're going to help you to untangle it all right up until the big event, continuing with the Best Progressive R&B Album category.

Take a listen to the nominated albums below--who do you think will win?

See the full list of nominees in every category here.

BLOOMDurand Bernarr

Adjust BrightnessBilal

LOVE ON DIGITALDestin Conrad

Access All AreasFLO

Come As You AreTerrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon

Flo photo courtesy of Republic Records.The post GRAMMY Nominations 2025: Best Progresive R&B Album first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

This $1,800-value plugin bundle is just $69 for Black Friday – get it and you’ll never need to buy a plugin againWith so many deals floating around, Black Friday can often feel quite overwhelming. Thankfully, Plugin Boutique has made things easy for all the producers out there, and has curated an insane $69 mega bundle that contains every plugin you could ever possibly need.
[deals ids=”jhQFloZ37h1MQAvawIlRI”]
Quite frankly, Plugin Boutique’s official Black Friday 2025 Bundle is a staggering deal. Bursting with nearly 40 unique tools and sample packs, the original value of the bundle comes up $1,800 – and you can get it all for just $69. That’s a whopping 96% off the usual price.
The bundle includes a huge range of tools, from synths, to vocal processors, to effects, to diverse sample packs. There’s plenty of top brands included too, with plugins from Native Instruments, iZotope, Baby Audio and loads more.

READ MORE: Black Friday music deals 2025: The best early deals we’ve found on synths, DJ controllers and plugins

So, let’s get stuck in, shall we? Well, if we’re talking about synths, Plugin Boutique has cherrypicked a nice selection to include in this bundle. There’s Native Instruments’ phase modulator Kontour, as well as GForce’s versatile polyphonic synth, AXXESS.
DHPlugins also makes an appearance with its multi-tool rompler and synth, HALO-2 Lite, while ZAK Sound’s Arctic Spaces also boasts a slew of dual-layer synths, wavetables and arpeggiator abilities with 100 presets to toy with. Then there’s UJAM’s Usynth CORE, which offers its own healthy collection of synths.
If you’re hunting for some unique saturation tools, the bundle also includes a trio of saturation-centric picks. Singomakers’ Faturist offers a slew of saturation and distortion abilities, while United Plugins’ FireMaximizer is an all-in-one clipping, saturation and limiting tool. There’s also Brainworx’ bx_saturator V2, for those needing to tweak their M/S and toy with multi-band saturation.
Reverb-heads, don’t worry – there’s plenty of tools for you too. AudioThing’s Things – Texture granular reverb is included, as well as an ultra-intuitive Toneknob Stargazer one-knob reverb plugin from Audified.
The reverb plugins on offer also vary from ultra-vintage – like Wave Alchemy’s reimagining of the worlds first digital reverb, EMT 250 – to iZotope’s ultra-modern, AI-powered Neoverb.
Speaking of AI-powered tools, Stagecraft’s Simple Stems is also included. The plugin is essentially a nifty stem separator, which should make grabbing vocal tracks and any instrumental stems easy as pie.
Elsewhere, there’s a truckload of simulators and effects plugins. There’s Minimal Audio’s Flex Chorus effects tool, while Audiority’s PolyComp boasts analogue simulation abilities.
There’s also a nice selection of nostalgic simulation tools, with Karanyi Sounds’ Technocolor, Baby Audio’s Super VHS and Safari Pedals’ The Camel Strip all offering their own vintage 90s cassette filters, VHS-style simulation, and other unique tools.
Honestly, the list just goes on. From Kiive Audio’s S-Quick Strip mixing tool, to Denise Audio’s Bite Harder bit-crushing, to Tuned Plugins’ vocal sculpting Vocal Chain, to Pitch Innovations’ Rhythm Box sequencer, you’re sure to be satisfied by the variety on offer.
Oh, and there are also a slew of sample packs thrown in for good measure. From breakbeat jungle, to hardcore techno, to UK garage, there’s sure to be a loop or sample that will get your creative juices flowing.
On top of everything, there’s also a 1 month Artist Plan subscription for Loopcloud included. So you’ll be able to search through an even wider selection of over 4 million royalty-free loops, samples and pre-sets on top of the pre-existing sample packs – not too shabby!
All of that, and more, could be yours for just $69 – and the deal will be running from now until 4 January 2026.
To find out more, head to Plugin Boutique.
Check out the full list of plugins below:
Acon Digital – Equalize
ALM / Busy Circuits – MFX Echos
Audified – Toneknob Stargazer
Audiomodern – Gatelab 2
Audiority – PolyComp
AudioThing – Things – Texture
Baby Audio – Super VHS
BLEASS – Vox
Brainworx – bx_saturator V2
Denise Audio – Bite Harder
DHPlugins – HALO-2 Lite
Excite Audio – Bloom Bass Impulse Lite
GForce Software – AXXESS
Iceberg Audio – Beatgrader
Industrial Strength – Hardcore Techno
iZotope – Neoverb
Karanyi Sounds – Technocolor
Kiive Audio – S-Quick Strip
Loopcloud – 1-Month Artist Plan
Mastering The Mix – MIXROOM
Minimal Audio – Flex Chorus
Native Instruments – Kontour
OneZero Samples – Rare Jungle Breaks
Pitch Innovations – Rhythm Box
Plugin Boutique Presets – Serum Expansion Pack: Cinematic
Plugin Boutique – Exceed
Renegade Audio – Retro Funk Vocals
Rewind Samples – SKYHIGH: UK Garage
Safari Pedals – The Camel Strip
Singomakers – Faturist
Stagecraft – Simple Stems
The Tone Foundry – Late Night Drum & Bass for Serum
Tuned Plugins – Vocal Chain
UJAM – Usynth CORE
United Plugins – FireMaximizer
W.A. Production – Outlaw
Wave Alchemy – Dawn
ZAK Sound – Arctic Spaces
The post This $1,800-value plugin bundle is just $69 for Black Friday – get it and you’ll never need to buy a plugin again appeared first on MusicTech.

These hi-fi headphones we rated a 9/10 are $250 off this Black Friday[deals ids=”5TvRJGngIPgjiWNd35mQ3M”]
This Black Friday, Focal’s coveted Bathys headphones are a whopping $250 off at Zzounds.
Revered for its pro-grade studio gear, Focal has introduced more affordable headphones like the Bathys and Lensys Pro into its lineup. The Bathys, on offer here, are headphones with a wireless option, a wired analogue connection and even a fully digital USB-C connection providing up to 24-bit, 192kHz listening. Active noise cancellation is also on offer, with eight microphones to accurately capture your voice on calls.
With a unique design and several colourways, they’re pretty stylish, but it’s the sound capabilities that are most impressive.
The Bathys pack 40mm drivers with a 15Hz-22kHz frequency response, with a sound profile faithful to source material rather than imposing its own character. We found them to be impressively revealing – stereo separation, mastering decisions, even the loudness of heavily compressed tracks all come through distinctly. That transparency is rare among consumer headphones, which often cram all tracks into the same tonal shape. The low end is powerful and weighty, while the upper frequencies are pleasently articulate.
Our reviewer Hollin Jones said this about the Focal Bathys: “They straddle a line between premium consumer headphones – like Apple’s Airpods Max – and the more rarefied arena of audiophile hi-fi, where people consider paying thousands for a product. They could be an entry point to the audiophile world, for people who appreciate excellent fidelity but aren’t ready to go all-in with a huge investment.
“Sonically, these are gorgeous headphones…They’re a taste of the higher end of the hi-fi world without the full cost of admission, and with enough tech to satisfy today’s listeners.”
This $699 deal runs until 1 December 2025, so you haven’t got an awful long time to make the most of this deal.
For our other top Black Friday deals, check out our rolling guide. 
The post These hi-fi headphones we rated a 9/10 are $250 off this Black Friday appeared first on MusicTech.

This $29 UAD Minimoog might be the only plugin I actually buy on Black Friday[deals ids=”1zd8USgFULAmqYZktXiwOc”]
It’s overwhelming, isn’t it, all these Black Friday deals? $1,500 bundle here, 50% off there. Candidly, I try not to get pulled into the frenzy of it…but this $29 Minimoog emulation might be the only deal that actually wins me over.

READ MORE: Minimoog Model D: The legacy of Moog’s massive miniature icon

The Universal Audio UAD Moog Minimoog is the only official, Moog-endorsed plugin emulation of the brand’s legendary monosynth. You’ve heard it everywhere, whether you know it or not, and it’s an absolute essential for many of your favourite producers. The truth is, the original price of $149 has always been a little out of my price range for a Minimoog emulation, given how many other convincing plugins there are for much less. But at $29, this is genuinely attractive, and I reckon I could get my money’s worth after just a few beatmaking sessions.
In fact, after writing that last paragraph, I pulled the trigger — here’s the receipt of my purchase so you know I’m not BSing you. Deals like this really only come around once a year; the UAD Minimoog is only on sale at $29 until 30 November, so you’ll want to act fast if you’re anything like me.
Living proof that I succumbed to the Black Friday sales. Image: Sam Willings
UAD’s version of the Minimoog is really as authentic as it gets, replicating everything, even down to the historic feedback effect, achievable on the original hardware by looping the output to the input. Universal Audio’s version also comes with the same custom mods that some producers would pimp out their Minimoogs with, including legato, sample and hold, an additional LFO, and switchable note priority.
If the Minimoog isn’t your thing, there’s a boatload of other insane deals happening this weekend at Plugin Boutique. That includes 83% off IK Multimedia software, 76% off Sonnox plugins, some big savings on FabFilter essentials, and more.
Check out our full guide to Black Friday. 
The post This $29 UAD Minimoog might be the only plugin I actually buy on Black Friday appeared first on MusicTech.

Audio Assault adds three FREE amp models to Amp Locker for Black Friday
Audio Assault offers three new amp models for Amp Locker for free this Black Friday. Amp Locker is Audio Assault’s free amp-sim platform where you start with a small set of amps, cabs, and effects, and then expand the collection with additional gear. It’s a similar concept to AmpliTube CS. The idea is that you [...]
View post: Audio Assault adds three FREE amp models to Amp Locker for Black Friday