Cryo-EM: Freezing Time to Take Snapshots of Myosin and Other Molecular SystemsUsing technologies like electron microscopy (EM) it is possible to capture molecular mechanisms in great detail, but not when these mechanisms are currently moving. The field of cryomicroscopy circumvents this limitation by freezing said mechanism in place using cryogenic fluids. Although initially X-ray crystallography was commonly used, the much more versatile EM is now the standard approach in the form of cryo-EM, with recent advances giving us unprecedented looks at the mechanisms that quite literally make our bodies move.
Myosin-5 working stroke and walking on F-actin. (Credit: Klebl et al., 2024)
The past years has seen many refinements in cryo-EM, with previously quite manual approaches shifting to microfluidics to increase the time resolution at which a molecular process could be frozen, enabling researchers to for example see the myosin motor proteins go through their motions one step at a time. Research articles on this were published previously, such as by [Ahmet Mentes] and colleagues in 2018 on myosin force sensing to adjust to dynamic loads. More recently, [David P. Klebl] and colleagues published a research article this year on the myosin-5 powerstroke through ATP hydrolysis, using a modified (slower) version of myosin-5. Even so, the freezing has to be done with millisecond accuracy to capture the myosin in the act of priming (pre-powerstroke).
The most amazing thing about cryo-EM is that it allows us to examine processes that used to be the subject of theory and speculation as we had no means to observe the motion and components involved directly. The more we can increase the time resolution on cryo-EM, the more details we can glimpse, whether it’s the functioning of myosins in muscle tissue or inside cells, the folding of proteins, or determining the proteins involved in a range of diseases, such as the role of TDP-43 in amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a 2021 study by [Diana Arseni] and colleagues.
As our methods of freezing these biomolecular moments in time improve, so too will our ability to validate theory with observations. Some of these methods combine cryogenic freezing with laser pulses to alternately freeze and resume processes, allowing processes to be recorded in minute detail in sub-millisecond resolution. One big issue that remains yet is that although some of these researchers have even open sourced their cryo-EM methods, commercial vendors have not yet picked up this technology, limiting its reach as researchers have to cobble something together themselves.
Hopefully before long (time-resolved) cryo-EM will be as common as EM is today, to the point where even a hobby laboratory may have one lounging around.

Tips on making samples from the Soul Surplus team
Soul Surplus share some tips on sample pack creation from their recent studio takeover at Drexel University.

Taylor Swift’s music is back on TikTok, despite no resolution in its dispute with UMGIt’s likely no coincidence that Swift’s music has reappeared on TikTok little more than week before the April 19 release of her new albu
Source

Benn Jordan: “I will get burnt out by YouTube. It’s gonna happen…”Musician and YouTube-based music journalist Benn Jordan has discussed his future as a content creator and how it will, eventually, burn him out.

READ MORE: Watch Depeche Mode play the final Memento Mori show in Cologne

On YouTube, Benn Jordan, also known as The Flashbulb, shares insights into his music production process, offers tutorials, and provides commentary on various aspects of the music industry. His account, at the time of writing, has 340,000 followers. On the latest episode of My Forever Studio, a podcast where guests run through their dream studio setup, he reveals that his time on YouTube might end sooner than we think.
“Yeah, I will get burnt out on YouTube,” he admits. “It’s gonna happen, you know, like, I’m gonna quit at some point.”
Despite this, he remains passionate about his music career, stating emphatically, “I’m not gonna quit writing music. I’m not gonna let that happen, because I know how these things build up.
“I think the reason why so many people, you know, tap out is because they over monetize their own craft, and then it becomes a job, and it becomes. And they wanna retire from working, whereas I don’t wanna retire from making music. I love it. I wanna retire to make music.”
Acknowledging the risk of over-monetisation leading to artistic compromise, Jordan mentions being inspired by Charlie Cooper, a member of the band Telefon Tel Aviv, who passed away in 2009.
“The late Charlie Cooper from Telefon Tel Aviv… He waited tables while Telefon Tel Aviv was in their height.
“And he did it because he didn’t want to monetize Telefon Tel Aviv as his primary source of income because then he would be more likely to write music that would be a pop hit than writing music that he actually wanted to write, which is such a logical, great way to look at that.”
He lauded Cooper’s approach of maintaining a separate job to preserve artistic integrity, emphasizing, “I’m okay with writing music for ads. It’s not really selling out as long as I put my art here and then have my service on this side.”
“Yeah…money and art just don’t really mix very well.”
Listen to the full episode below:

Also in the episode, in which Jordan dreams up a fantasy brutalist studio in a forest, the musician defends usic tech collectors. He estimates that “more than half” of gear owners “are not really making music on it…They’re just collecting it and playing with it.”
“They just buy the software, they play with the knobs, they listen to it for a second, and there’s no shame in it at all,” he adds.
My Forever Studio is a weekly podcast where guests musicians and producers are invited in to dream up their forever music-making space anywhere in the universe, or beyond. Sound easy, right? Here’s the catch: They must craft their dream setup using only six coveted items. Plus, no bundles are allowed!
Find all episodes on MusicTech.
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This beatmaker is going viral for proving that music production has no age restrictionsMusic production can feel like an ageing process. By the time you’ve finally cracked the perfect snare drum, you’ve got lines, and wrinkles and… jeez, don’t get us started on the lower back.
One viral UK-based producer, however, might be able to quell your ageing concerns, proving that age is no obstacle when creating noisy, electronic dance music, even experimental styles like EBM and industrial techno.

READ MORE: Mike Dean leaks a glimpse of Moog’s Muse, a forthcoming mystery synth

That man is Global Shuffle Dance Music – real name Nick Hayes – a relatively older producer who, for three years, has been posting clips of him making hard-hitting dance music to YouTube, then sharing the results on Instagram (techno producer Blawan follows him, obviously). According to Hayes, his music-making journey began six years ago in 2018.
Check out one of his brilliant videos below:

The clips, which are becoming increasingly popular with each upload, see Hayes play with a range of cutting-edge gear built for electronic syles. In one, he creates a devastating techno drum track using the Elektron Syntakt. In another, he takes Teenage Engineering’s OP-1 for a ride. Hayes’ music tech arsenal also includes a Roland S-1 and a Maschine MK3 (watch out, Fred again..)
​​

 

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A post shared by Nick Hayes (@the_last_dj_)

Hayes is not the only unexpected producer to go viral in recent years. On the other end of the spectrum, then-six-year-old musician Miles The Kid stunned the music world in 2023, when a video of him making a track in the legendary Electric Lady Studios went viral. In it, he makes the studio his own, constructing a track from scratch with complete confidence.
This and many of Miles’ other videos display the youngster’s acute ear for a good melody, arrangement skills and strong work ethic to get tracks finished in time. Let’s be honest, we could all take a leaf out of Miles’ book.
Follow the Global Shuffle Dance Music YouTube page, follow him on Instagram and check out Nick Hayes’ music on Spotify.
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Watch Depeche Mode play the final Memento Mori show in CologneIconic electronica band Depeche Mode have completed their Memento Mori world tour. The show, which you can watch in full below, was an emotionally charged final sendoff at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on 8 April.
The tour, spanning 112 shows and captivating over two million fans, commemorated the band’s 15th studio album of the same name and marked their first since the loss of longtime bandmate, Andy Fletcher, in 2022.

READ MORE: Producer James Ford on working with Depeche Mode for Spirit: “A lot of it felt like marriage guidance counselling”

The setlist for the memorable Cologne performance featured a blend of classics and newer tracks. From the energy of the 1990-launched Enjoy the Silence to the poignant rendition of World in My Eyes, dedicated to Fletcher, each song carried a weight of significance, considering the band has now been going for a whopping 44 years.
In a recent interview with NME, Depeche Mode members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore shared their thoughts on the future following the conclusion of the tour.
Gore emphasized the importance of creating music that resonates with fans, stating, “The most important thing is to be putting out good music and that people like it.” He outlined their post-tour plans, mentioning a break before considering future projects. “Once we finish this tour we’ll take a break, then we’ll see if and when we feel like doing it again,” Gore explained, highlighting the band’s flexible approach to their creative journey.
Gahan reflected on his own journey, acknowledging his initial reluctance and eventual compulsion to rejoin the group. “That is a good word. It was like that; I was compelled. Just when I thought I was out, they dragged me back in!” he confessed, alluding to the magnetic pull of the band’s camaraderie.
The passing of bandmate Fletcher added a poignant layer to their reflections. “Losing Fletch made that feeling more real. Everything will come to an end. I don’t know when that is.”
Monday’s final show of the tour in Cologne is available to watch in full below:

For more artist news, head to MusicTech.
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To build a fanbase, you need to reach every level of fandomLearn how to target different kinds of fans in order to drive engagement and get the most out of your content.....
The post To build a fanbase, you need to reach every level of fandom appeared first on Hypebot.

Spotify wants to use podcasts to help market musicSpotify intends to explore an untapped marketing strategy that would marry podcasts and music streaming for years to come. by Rutger Rosenborg of MIDiA Research Last summer, Variety published an article. Continue reading
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Record labels have some bad news for radio [Bobby Owsinski]Radio is still an important medium, but it is not as popular - particularly with music fans - as it once was. So many record labels are cutting their radio promotion teams.....
The post Record labels have some bad news for radio [Bobby Owsinski] appeared first on Hypebot.

Slate Digital introduce SD-PE1 plug-in The latest addition to Slate Digital's Virtual Mix Rack offers a versatile take on Pultec's classic passive EQ design. 

DDMF Releases FREE Endless Reverb Plugin
DDMF released a new free plugin called Endless, available for both Windows and Mac platforms. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, DDMF has provided us with great audio perks over the years, such as the infamous Plugindoctor and Metaplugin tools. Endless is a reverb plugin designed to create huge, ethereal spaces with seemingly endless decay, [...]
View post: DDMF Releases FREE Endless Reverb Plugin

New York DJ Mister Cee dies aged 57: “He wasn’t just a DJ; he was a pillar of our stations”Trailblazing Brooklyn DJ Mister Cee has died at the age of 57.
His death was confirmed by New York radio station Hot 97 in a statement: “As a family at HOY 97 and WBLS, we’re deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Mister Cee. He wasn’t just a DJ; he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live sets.”
“Mr. Cee’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves, shaping the very fabric of NYC’s DJ culture. Our hearts are heavy as we send our love and condolences to his family and the fans whose lives he touched his music. Rest easy, Mr. Cee, Your legacy will live forever.”
No cause of death has been revealed.

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Born Calbiun Lebrun in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood, Mister Cee made a name for himself as one of the pioneers of the city’s hip-hop scene.
Having learned to DJ at a young age, the musician got his start in the music industry as a DJ for Big Daddy Kane. In 1988, Mister Cee appeared on Big Daddy Kane’s debut album Long Live The Kane with the track Mister Cee’s Master Plan. He would go on to become the rapper’s official DJ on tour.
Cee is also often credited with discovering fellow Brooklyn hip-hop star The Notorious B.I.G. He served as executive producer on Biggie’s debut album, Ready To Die. Speaking of the late Biggie last year, Cee said: “I knew he was dope. I didn’t think he would become what he would before passing away. All I did at the time was try to get anybody and everybody to listen to him.”
In addition to his role as a producer, Mister Cee had a long career as a DJ on the renowned New York hip-hop radio station, Hot 97.
Tributes from fellow artists and fans have poured in from around the world following the news of Cee’s passing.
Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg wrote on X, “We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee.”

We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee.
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) April 10, 2024

“R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee, God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences,” wrote 50 Cent.

R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences. pic.twitter.com/poOcoaruVe
— 50cent (@50cent) April 10, 2024

Read more tributes below.

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A post shared by mclyte (@mclyte)

Rest In Beats my man. A good dude to the fullest. @djmistercee @hiphopgods @RockTheBells @RockTheBellsSXM pic.twitter.com/sAEDtXcf0C
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 10, 2024

Rest In Peace DJ Mister Cee pic.twitter.com/yY9y7KgU8e
— DJ Jazzy Jeff (@djjazzyjeff215) April 10, 2024

Rest In Peace DJ Mister Cee
Thank you for everything…
Enjoy this Biggie 'freestyle' he gave the world in 1994 pic.twitter.com/DO2T7mNY4U
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) April 10, 2024

Damn. RIP to The Finisher..Brooklyn's Own Mister Cee. Damn yo smh pic.twitter.com/OzCvf5AR2j
— Mad Skillz (@SkillzVa) April 10, 2024

The post New York DJ Mister Cee dies aged 57: “He wasn’t just a DJ; he was a pillar of our stations” appeared first on MusicTech.

Did Nothing just match their latest earbuds to the Playdate video game console?Leaked images of Nothing’s newly announced earbuds have emerged online — and it looks like the quirky tech company has given their upcoming release the Playdate treatment.
Named the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) — the company (which was co-founded by Teenage Engineering) previously announced that it will be dropping the numbers from its naming strategy — the new buds maintain the iconic transparent design the brand is known for. According to leaked renders shared by Android Headlines, the Ear and the Ear (a) will come in black and white variants, with the latter also available in a striking shade of yellow.

READ MORE: Mike Dean leaks a glimpse of Moog’s Muse, a forthcoming mystery synth

While it’s certainly possible that Nothing’s new colour scheme bears no relation to the peculiar video game console, the brand has previously teased some sort of Playdate partnership on their socials. On 3 April, Nothing shared an image of a black beetle next to a yellow frog, with the mysterious tagline ‘Play Date’, which sent fans buzzing in the comments section.

Play Date.
Want to hear more? Don’t miss our next Community Update.
18 April 2024. pic.twitter.com/KMAXbDWlb1
— Nothing (@nothing) April 3, 2024

Specs-wise, the report states that both models will feature active noise cancellation, dual connection, and an IP54 water-resistance rating just like their predecessor, the Ear 2. While the case of the higher-end Ear will come with an IPX2 splash resistance, the case of the Ear (a) will still feature a respectable IP55 rating.
The Nothing Ear also offers an improved battery life of 7.5 hours with active noise cancellation turned off, and 33 hours with the case, with the Ear (a) clocking in at eight hours of playback with ANC off, and a total of 38 hours with the case. Both earbuds will reportedly include a fast-charging feature that gives you 10 hours of use from a 10-minute charge.
The buds will be released officially on 18 April, with the Ear reportedly priced at €150 and the Ear (a) at €100.
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The Minimoog Book by Bjooks is a visual deep-dive into the most famous synth in music historyThe perfect coffee table book for synth lovers and Moog fans has finally arrived.
Launching on Kickstarter later this month, The Minimoog Book — the latest project of the excellent independent book publisher Bjooks — will take you through more than five decades of electronic music history through the lens of one synthesizer that changed it all.

READ MORE: How Moog’s Minimoog Model D became a massive miniature icon

Years in the making, The Minimoog Book is a comprehensive work chronicling the Minimoog’s entire journey — from its prototypes and the very first Model D #1001 through the Minimoog Voyager models and into the present day.
The book opens with a foreword from Rush frontman Geddy Lee, and features more than a decade’s worth of research by esteemed journalist and music historian Joe Silva.
“When I started digging into the history of the Minimoog back in 2010, I quickly realised how universal it was,” Silva said of the project. “I was continuously stumbling upon artist after artist or another famous piece of music that used it. It was pretty clear right away how important the instrument became once it came out.”
Readers can expect exclusive interviews and features with legendary musicians like Kraftwerk, Air, J Dilla, Mac DeMarco, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Chick Corea, Tony Visconti (David Bowie), George Duke, Anne Dudley (Art of Noise), Bernie Worrell, Devo, Gary Numan, and many others — as well as some of the most respected songwriters and multi-instrumentalists of today, such as Greg Kurstin (Adele) and Yumiko Ohno (Buffalo Daughter).
The book also features detailed photography and schematics, historical promotional materials, engineering interviews, illustrated sound patches, and over 70 artist features. A must-have for any electronic music fan out there.
Kim Bjørn, founder of Bjooks said, “The Minimoog Book is our most vital project yet, documenting and delving deep into the iconic electronic instrument that has shaped generations of musicians and songs.”
“We’re deeply privileged to bring this beautiful book to Kickstarter for our loyal readers and enthusiasts everywhere. Your support in making this labour of love a reality will mean the world to our small team.”
The Minimoog Book will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter later in April. Early supporters will get access to special perks and insider info like never-before-seen photos, behind-the-scenes content, a special edition of the book, and more.

Bjooks is renowned for its collection of thick, premium books that focus on synthesizer history and culture, including deep dives on Roland, Korg, modular synths, and guitar pedals.
For more information on backing the book and securing your early copy, visit the Bjooks website.
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Excite Audio’s Bloom Bass Impulse is a plugin designed to make “groundbreaking bass”Excite Audio has released Bloom Bass Impulse, a minimal-looking plugin that merges a range of modern synth bass loops, samples, and one-shots into a virtual instrument for “groundbreaking bass.”

READ MORE: Arturia AstroLab puts all of the brand’s synth emulations in one hardware unit

The Bloom Bass Impulse helps you increase low-frequency content in your tracks, with a particular focus on bass-heavy genres. With it, you can blend between bass styles – from drum and bass to tech to dubstep — and shape unique bass layers with expressive modulation. It’s designed to let you swiftly put together sequences with a varied library of bass sounds and explore the royalty-free loops and one-shots that are ready for use.
There are four macro controls (Sub-EQ, Noise, Crush, and Width) for instant tonal adjustments,  and the Edit page lets you customise almost everything you’d need to, with control over sample manipulation, sequence creation, modulation, and effects over 250 presets.

According to Excite Audio, to get started you can choose a key, pick a preset or sample bank, and start one of the 14 bpm-synced bass loops across two octaves. The white keys place bass samples and loops, while the black keys alter features like playback speed and pitch.
There are eight banks of sounds, each one focused on a different type of bass. You can trigger a sample with MIDI to add bass, or use the Phrase Player to integrate the sample into a more complex bassline. Bloom Bass Impulse has three bespoke effects modules, too. There’s Saturation, an Envelope Filler, and Reverb.
Bloom Bass Impulse Intro currently costs £39, down from the regular price of £59. It’s also included in the expanded Bloom Bundle and Excite Audio Bundle, while the Bloom Bass Impulse Lite edition is £19, down from the regular price of £29. Or, you can choose the rent-to-own option for £3.29 per month.
Find out more about Bloom Bass Impulse.
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