Sony’s Pro Audio Solutions Enhance Grammy-Nominated Artist’s Sonic WorldAs someone who “swam the path of digital technology in the early days” and was an early adopter of Pro Tools, Richard Tozzoli is no stranger to pro audio. His musical transformation may have originally started in the business world of banking, but he would end up taking a diverse path as a Grammy-nominated composer, mixer and producer. With music on over 1800 TV series in 40 countries, his credits range from the NFL, FIFA World Cup Soccer and the MLB to such shows as Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, as well as programs including Pawn Stars, Swamp People and Forged In Fire. As an engineer/mixer, he’s also worked with a number of artists he grew up listening to, including Ace Frehley, Al DiMeola, Hall & Oates and David Bowie.

With a fully equipped home studio for his distinctive productions, Tozzoli blends traditional recording techniques with cutting-edge technology. Sony’s MDR-MV1 headphones and C-100 condenser microphone were the perfect addition to his line-up.

“Sony truly breaks boundaries for me,” says Tozzoli. “I literally rely on these two pieces of gear every day to get my work done. I use the Sony headphones because not only are they ultra-lightweight and incredibly comfortable, but more importantly, they sound amazing. In fact, I literally look forward to using them each day to mix, compose and edit. They are like having clouds on your head.”

He is also a big fan of changing environments when composing and recording. Working with a powerful mobile rig, he travels to the Virgin Islands yearly, recording for a variety of television shows and pushing the boundaries of the latest pro audio equipment. This year, Sony’s MDR-MV1’s made the trip. “I can recall that experience vividly because it felt so good to put those headphones on and to sit there with the sunrise looking out over the Caribbean and composing to that view.” He says.

The headphones also enhance his creativity and productivity. Because of their accuracy, he’s noted how he can hear tiny details such as reverbs and delays that get lost in a room while using speakers, or with other types of headphones. Tozzoli was so impressed with the MDR-MV1’s that he now has two pairs, to make sure anybody working alongside him hears exactly what he is hearing.

Aside from the headphones, he’s also a big fan of Sony’s microphones, especially the C-100. “I started with the classic Sony C-800G and have used that on several projects, including guitarist Romero and Al DiMeola.  But now I love the C-100 because they not only capture the lows and mids beautifully, but because of the second capsule, they have an amazing high frequency response.” he says. Aside from their clarity, he’s also impressed with their ability to take equalization and compression well, which allows him to push their boundaries in a mix.

“I love the C-100 so much that on a recent project for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, I had a pair flown to Budapest, Hungary where the Budapest Recording Orchestra was tracking the piece. I ended up using a huge amount of those two mics in the final mix, because they sounded that good. I also used them on the same piece to track Omar Hakim’s drums, using them as overheads, along with some C-80’s for the drums. We were both blown away by the sounds. We’re now mixing the piece in Atmos and Sony 360RA, so stand by for that!” says Tozzoli.

“Sony’s pro audio products really enhance your sonic world,” he adds. “You’re going to play better, you’re going to write better and you’re going to perform better. When it comes to creating music, Sony’s pro audio equipment is a definite must.”

Wear Testing Different 3D Printer FilamentsOver the couple of decades or so since it started to be available at an affordable level, 3D printing has revolutionized the process of making custom objects. But as anyone with a 3D printer will know, sometimes the materials don’t quite live up to the application. There is a huge variety of available filaments to help make better prints, but which one really is the most hard-wearing? [My Tech Fun] set out to measure the resistance to wear of a variety of different 3D printed materials.
The test takes a standard print made across a variety of different materials, and several of each using different manufacturers’ offerings. These are then put on a test rig that moves backward and forward twice a second, with the test piece rubbing against a steel shaft under pressure from a 2.5 kg weight.
As might be expected, the common and cheap PLA performed the worst while PETG, PA, and TPU performed the best. But for us the interesting part comes in the variance between brands; the best PLA sample outperforms the worst ABS and nearly equals the worst of the PETG. Proof that maybe you do get what you pay for.
The whole test is well worth a watch, and if you 3D print anything that might be subjected to mechanical stress you should find it to be of interest. If comparing filaments is something you’d like to see more of, we’ve featured some tests before.

Biography on MF DOOM dissecting his “personas, projects, tracks, and lyrics” lands this yearA biography on the life and work of rapper and producer MF DOOM will be published this year, and it’s set to offer a deeper look into his personas, projects, tracks and lyrics.
Landing on 7 November 2024, The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Rap’s Masked Iconoclast will also include exclusive interviews with those who worked with him.

READ MORE: “With artificial intelligence, digital filters and programming, I wanted to go back to real instruments”: Beyoncé on her new album Cowboy Carter

The biography has been written by journalist S. H. Fernando JR, and as reported by DJ Mag, it has been newly announced that it will land later this year via Faber. News that a biography was in the works originally circulated back in May of 2022.
In the biography, Fernando lays out the history of east-coast rap against DOOM’s life story and provides an “intimate, behind the scenes look” into his life. The book “recounts the rise, fall, redemption, and untimely demise of MF DOOM”, and is broken down into five sections: The Man, The Myth, The Mask, The Music, and The Legend.
MF DOOM, real name Daniel Dumile, sadly passed away in October 2020. He was admitted to St. James University Hospital in Leeds after suffering a reaction to blood pressure medication. An inquest was later held following his death after concerns were raised over the care provided at the hospital. Leeds Hospital Trust then issued an apology.
Back in 2021, it was announced that MC Serch’s Did I Ever Tell You The One About… podcast would take a look back on the legacy of MF DOOM for the entirety of its second season. The programme was created with the approval of the late rapper’s wife and estate, with his story being told by his “family, friends and artists who knew him best”.
Copies of the new biography signed by the author are available through Rough Trade to pre-order now for £25.
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Songwriters: Are you getting paid all the Mechanical Royalties you’re truly owed?Navigating the digital music royalty maze can be challenging. This guide reviews what all songwriters need to know about royalties so that they are correctly compensated.....
The post Songwriters: Are you getting paid all the Mechanical Royalties you’re truly owed? appeared first on Hypebot.

SongTools adds SongFly, an advertising tool built for musiciansMusic and playlist marketing platform SongTools has added SongFly, an advertising tool designed to help artists grow their fanbase on streaming platforms.....
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Drum Depot Offers Vinyl Drums For FREE For A Limited Time!
Drum Depot, Marco Scherer’s boutique sample imprint, is offering the Vinyl Drums sound pack for free for a limited time. You might know Marco as the man behind the German Beat magazine (which has also been published in English in recent years). Vinyl Drums contains 24 WAV samples, numbered chronologically and ready to use in [...]
View post: Drum Depot Offers Vinyl Drums For FREE For A Limited Time!

How to use the same strategies that Major Artists use to Top the ChartsLearn what not-so-secret strategies top artists are using to rise up the charts, so you can see your own ranking rise. from single.xyz How You Can Learn from Top Artists. Continue reading
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Pendulum’s huge arena show proves the electro-rockers are still at the top of their game after two decadesFew bands manage to unify ravers, rockers and screamo fans quite like Pendulum – and, on the strength of their sonic explosion of a headline performance at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena, it’s easy to see why.
Taking to the massive stage amid their biggest UK tour in more than 10 years, which also includes a headline show at The 02 in London, the platinum-selling Australian band’s aural and visual onslaught instantly proves why they’re certainly no legacy act.
READ MORE: Kevin Saunderson is the past, present and future of techno
Despite bursting onto the scene two decades ago, it’s clear that the platform-elevated group – consisting of vocalist Rob Swire with his Ztar Z6S-XPA MIDI guitar (custom built by Starr Labs), Gareth McGrillen on bass and vocals, Peredur ap Gwynedd on guitar, KJ Sawka on drums, and Paul Harding on DJ duties – are as energised as ever.
Rob Swire, Starr Labs’ Ztar Z6S-XPA MIDI guitar. Image: Jaden Tiger Moss
The band’s diverse, 8,000-strong crowd is equally dedicated: a mix of ages, ranging from dads introducing their sons to the band’s hybrid sound to couples reliving their teenage years, the sea of black leather jackets and band hoodies (including many Korn and Nirvana ones) further reflect their wide-ranging appeal.
Onto the high-tech show and, after glitchy visuals on tall screens and a narrator-led opening that signals it’s time to “awaken the beast within”, the group kickstart their intense live production with the unreleased anthem-in-waiting Napalm.
An eruptive fusion of drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep and Slipknot-style metal, it somehow manages to fuse Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name with dystopian-future Black Mirror-esque lyrics that unleash an anti-establishment message: “Right control, break it strong; Keep ’em up, break them all”.

After just three songs, including a wildly-revived Propane Nightmares, circle pits break out left, right and centre. Before long, people are up on shoulders crowd-surfing to the front, with jumpers and beers flying overhead.
“If you took three pills and told your girlfriend it would be like Baddadan, you’re going to have a very difficult train ride home,” booms an ominous voice through the speakers early on. Alluding to the top-10 hit by Chase & Status, it’s a statement that resonates strongly with the band’s uncompromising ethos.
Yes, there’s plenty of on-trend live drum ‘n’ bass, but their sound stretches far beyond, incorporating plenty of screamo moments and thrashing guitar riffs; there’s even a curveball hardstyle moment with neon strobes that, while being a barrage of gabber, certifies that you really do get it all at a Pendulum gig.
Pendulum at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham.Image: Ross Silcocks, EntiretyLabs.
“This is the sonic recreation of the end of the world”, the narrator accurately tells the audience halfway through the 90-minute set, which balances nostalgic throwback hits and newer anthems.
Seamlessly flitting between tracks from their breakthrough 2010 album Immersion and cuts from their most recent EP, 2023’s Anima, tried-and-tested fan favourites from almost a decade and a half ago, like Watercolour and Witchcraft, work well alongside the band’s latest screamo-leaning releases, such as Halo (featuring Bullet For My Valentine).
Pendulum Live at Birmingham Resorts World Arena. Image: Ross Silcocks, EntiretyLabs
A reappearance from support act Scarlxrd elevates the rapper’s rage-trap-rock collab with the band, Mercy Killing, to a whole other level, with the refrain of “time is running out” coalescing into a headbanging apocalypse.
With a slot at Reading and Leeds Festival — the perfect festival, considering it’s split between rock and dance music — lined up for the summer, Pendulum are likely to once again welcome a new legion of fans into their world. Suffice to say, these electro-rockers are at the top of their game and aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
Pendulum Live at Birmingham Resorts World Arena. Image: Josh James
Check Pendulum’s upcoming dates and music at pendulum.com
The post Pendulum’s huge arena show proves the electro-rockers are still at the top of their game after two decades appeared first on MusicTech.

Playtime Engineering preview Blipblox myTRACKS The latest addition to the Blipblox range has been designed to introduce sampling and sequencing to young children.

“With artificial intelligence, digital filters and programming, I wanted to go back to real instruments”: Beyoncé on her new album Cowboy CarterBeyoncé has revealed a desire to “go back to real instruments” in a discussion about the making of her latest album Cowboy Carter.
The superstar’s long-awaited 27-track project was released on 29 March, and it’s already shattering records on streaming platforms, with Spotify announcing it as their “most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far.”

READ MORE: “When everyone has the same tools that can make professional quality stuff, then you get to see the actual talent really rise to the top”: Grimes discusses the potential of AI in music

Referring to Cowboy Carter — which spent 5 years in the making — as “the best music I’ve ever made”, Queen Bey said in a press release that “It’s been really great to have the time and the grace to be able to take my time with it.”
“I was initially going to put Cowboy Carter out first, but with the pandemic, there was too much heaviness in the world. We wanted to dance. We deserved to dance. But I had to trust God’s timing.”
Delving into her artistic process and some of the nuts and bolts of the album’s production, Beyoncé explained: “The joy of creating music is that there are no rules. The more I see the world evolving the more I felt a deeper connection to purity.”
“With artificial intelligence and digital filters and programming, I wanted to go back to real instruments, and I used very old ones.”
“I didn’t want some layers of instruments like strings, especially guitars, and organs perfectly in tune. I kept some songs raw and leaned into folk.”
According to Beyoncé, there was a concerted effort to infuse her music with elements from the natural world: “All the sounds were so organic and human, everyday things like the wind, snaps and even the sound of birds and chickens, the sounds of nature,” she said.

The singer’s comment on the growing presence of artificial intelligence in music is the latest in a string of voices — both in and out of the industry — who have expressed at the minimum some degree of scepticism toward the explosion of AI-generated music.
Rick Beato, for one, has voiced his concerns about the technology and its impact on artists in the future, saying: “There will be things that people like, that are created by AI, and there will be people 20 years from now, [saying], ‘Oh, I much prefer AI Rolling Stones than [the original] Rolling Stones. That’s just gonna be a thing.”
The post “With artificial intelligence, digital filters and programming, I wanted to go back to real instruments”: Beyoncé on her new album Cowboy Carter appeared first on MusicTech.

Spectral Plugins ceases operations, plugins are now free to downloadSpectral Plugins has ceased operations, and is now offering its entire plugin portfolio for you to download, completely free of charge.
“After careful consideration and deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to cease our company operations,” Spectral Plugins said in a statement on its website. This decision was not made lightly, but we believe it is the best course of action for the future of our organisation.”

READ MORE: Sequential to discontinue the Prophet X due to “unavailability of several key components”

“However, we are pleased to announce that we will be making our software available for free downloading to our loyal clients and users. We understand the impact that our tools and products have had on your operations, and we want to ensure that you continue to have access to them even after our closure.”
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of our clients for your support, feedback, and loyalty over the years. It has been an honour serving you, and we are proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together.”
Available for download are three plugins: Spacer, Pancz and OCS-45.
Spacer is a versatile modular multi-FX featuring five effects modules that can be linked in any order. It includes three reverbs (algorithmic, convolution, and grain), two delays, and a utility section with additional tone-shaping controls. With 150 global and 200 module presets, Spacer promises a fun and dynamic sound processing experience.

Pancz (pronounced ‘Panch’), meanwhile, is an audio plugin equipped with a powerful multiband transient shaper, clipping tool, and precise waveform analyser. It uses complex audio processing to directly control the shape of the sound. With an intuitive waveform window and a “cut line”, you can visually manipulate the sound to make it look and sound the way you want it to. Additional tone manipulation effects like EQ functionality are also included. Check out our review of Pancz for more information.
Finally, the OCS-45 simulates real life cassette tapes and adds a lo-fi, vintage feel to your sound. Get instant retro vibes by choosing from four authentic cassette types, each one modelled on the major tape types of the golden era of compact cassettes: Ferric Type I, Chrome Type II, Ferrichrome Type III, and Metals Type IV. Add in all the charming imperfections of tape by combining pitch modulation, background noise and dropouts. In addition to being a cassette simulation plugin, OCS-45 is a rich distortion processing unit with five programmed flavours of distortion — perfect for adding extra life and warmth to your sound.
Download them all at Spectral Plugins.
The post Spectral Plugins ceases operations, plugins are now free to download appeared first on MusicTech.

Marshall Motif II ANC: Unashamedly punchy listening — but not for all music fans£180, marshallheadphones.com
Marshall’s move into the world of wireless speakers in 2016 was unsurprising, given the company’s legendary position in the history of guitar amps. More recently, it’s entered the wireless earbud market, first with the passable Motif ANC and now with a new and updated model, the Motif II ANC.

READ MORE: Denon’s PerL Pro are just a rebrand of the excellent NuraTrue Pro – with one crucial benefit

Priced at £180, they’re priced similarly to Apple’s third-generation AirPods but significantly less than the acclaimed Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WF-1000XM5.
In these buds, Marshall explicitly leans on its iconic branding and design — which isn’t a criticism; many companies would kill for the recognition it has. This starts with the case and its faux-crocodile-skin style finish, the name emblazoned across the front in that classic font (almost like it’s cloned from a Marshall stack). The earbuds share this feel, their stems finished in cross-hatched metal and the ends in the same copper of an amp head’s dials. Crucially, none of this comes off as gimmicky — the various pieces all have a high-end and professional aura about them.
Marshall Motif II ANC earbuds in their case
How good is the battery life of the Marshall Motif II ANC?
The case charges over USB-C or wirelessly and battery life has been improved over the originals, with regular listening providing nine hours of playback in the buds and 43 hours in the case. This drops quite a bit when you activate the ANC, however, to just six hours in the buds and 30 in the case. That’s actually comparable with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 but significantly less than Soundcore’s Liberty 4 NC, which cost a little less.
To be clear, the battery life isn’t bad, but it’s mid-range if, as many people do, you mostly use them with ANC on. It’s a shame the battery life hasn’t been vastly improved since the first version of Motif where it was similarly average, as we pointed out. Still, both the case and buds fully recharge in 90 minutes and a quick, 15-minute charge will give you up to an hour of playback. There’s an interesting battery preservation option available where you can prevent charging to 100 per cent to extend battery life, as many smartphones now do.
The Motif II ANC earbuds in use
How do you connect the Marshall Motif II ANC?
You can pair the Motif II to your devices with a simple button press. Multipoint connectivity is supported so you can flip between devices easily. Though they don’t technically require it, you’ll want to download the Marshall mobile app to do some setup.
The buds have touch surfaces that can be customised to perform actions like volume, playback, answering calls and so on. They’re quite sensitive, which means they work well unless you’re the kind of person who finds it all too easy to trigger them while adjusting a bud in your ear accidentally — but they can be deactivated entirely. One option that catches the eye is support for Spotify Tap, an interesting feature that can play music based on your recommendations when you perform a specific tap on a bud.
There are three ear tip sizes provided, which is fewer than some other models but in our tests the default buds fitted supremely well – ears do vary of course – and felt incredibly secure. The body of each bud nestles quite deep into the ear canal and the stems sit flush against the lower part of the ear, giving them a very flat physical profile when worn. We find them to be very comfortable and not at all prone to slipping loose during movement. Incidentally, there’s IPX5 water resistance in the earbuds and IPX4 in the case, so going jogging shouldn’t be an issue. In-ear detection can pause sound when a bud is removed, and this option can also be disabled.
Motif II ANC touch controls on the Marshall app
How good is Marshall Motif II’s active noise cancelling?
The noise cancellation has ANC and Transparency modes, each with several level settings. Both work well; at maximum ANC, there’s still a little bleed-through from your surroundings but it’s barely noticeable when playing music unless it’s something boisterous like a police siren going by. Marshall says it’s improved the call quality in these new models and making and taking voice calls worked as well as most we’ve tried.
The codec support is disappointing, with only SBC and AAC available. This won’t trouble Apple users, whose phones can only support these, but it could be an issue for Android users whose phones can use aptX, LDAC and other higher-resolution codecs. Bluetooth 5.3 LE is supported, at least, with a decent range of 10 metres.
The Motif II ANC earbuds and their case on a coffee table. Image: Kevin Castanheira
How do the Marshall Motif IIs sound?
A 6mm dynamic driver is housed in each bud, with a standard frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Sonically, the Marshall Motif II ANCs could best be described as brash. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing — did anyone expect Marshall buds to be elegant?
To elaborate, their sound is very upfront, especially when pushed, with vivid power in the low, mid and high-frequency ranges. The low-end is weighty but sometimes tips over into boomy, and mids can seem quite prominent with some mixes. There’s also remarkable stereo separation, with panned elements much more evident than on other earbuds, leaping from one side to the other. Again none of this is bad, just something to be aware of.
Marshall’s companion app has some preset EQs and a five-band manual option; if you find any ranges overly prominent, you can dial them back a little. We certainly don’t find any of them need boosting as the buds’ sound is already very in-your-face. However, pulling EQ bands down from zero definitely results in less punch and focus in the soundstage overall so it’s probably something you’d want to avoid.
Motif II ANC EQ settings on the Marshall app
Should you buy the Marshall Motif II ANC?
To steal a famous joke, these buds really do “go up to 11”. Not literally, but there are bags of energy and volume when you push them hard. The rock connection is clear to see and hear but they’re also very lively with electronica and hip-hop. If you mostly listen to classical or jazz you might find the lack of finesse problematic but, hey, these are made by the rockers, for the rockers. Keep that in mind and they’re an interesting prospect: while most companies aim for all-round musicality, Marshall has unashamedly plugged in its guitar and started riffing away.
Key features

USB-C and wireless charging
Active noise cancelling
Up to 9 / 43 hours battery with ANC off
IPX4 / IPX5 water resistance
6 mm drivers
Bluetooth 5.3 LE
SBC and AAC codecs
20 Hz – 20 kHz frequency response
Touch controls
Mics for making calls

The post Marshall Motif II ANC: Unashamedly punchy listening — but not for all music fans appeared first on MusicTech.

“When everyone has the same tools that can make professional quality stuff, then you get to see the actual talent really rise to the top”: Grimes discusses the potential of AI in musicGrimes has spoken about the impact of AI in music and its potential in helping “actual talent really rise to the top”.
The musician, an avid supporter of Artificial Intelligence and its applications in art, was interviewed for the new six-part PBS docuseries A Brief History Of The Future, which uses “history, science, and unexpected storytelling to expand our understanding about the impact that the choices we make today will have on our tomorrows.”

READ MORE: Sequential to discontinue the Prophet X due to “unavailability of several key components”

“I think because we’re all alive, we all take it for granted that I can think and I have agency and I can feel,” Grimes begins. “I think the universe is empty and quiet and it wants to be woken up and filled with beautiful things.”
She adds that technological advancements over the years have made music-making a lot more accessible, saying: “When I started making music, there was sort of this revolution happening in music production. More people were being able to make music at home on their computers and I think there was a massive democratisation of who was allowed to make music that I took huge advantage of. That was fully the byproduct of technology.”
“And I think this is about to extend to all of art.”
“You know, when I see some of the new stuff coming with AI, all this stuff that is about to explode, when everyone has the same tools that can make professional quality stuff, then you get to see the actual talent really rise to the top,” Grimes continues.
“If there’s ever a moment to have a feeling of purpose, I think it would be now, because what we do in the things we create over the next few decades will probably shape all minds going forward for the rest of time.”

Last year, Grimes teamed up with music technology platform Slip.stream to make over 200 GrimesAI songs available for use by content creators on any platform. The singer has also launched her own AI software – Grimes AI – which allows users to mimic her voice in their own songs.
The post “When everyone has the same tools that can make professional quality stuff, then you get to see the actual talent really rise to the top”: Grimes discusses the potential of AI in music appeared first on MusicTech.

Remote collaboration with Waves Stream Stream can be used to collaborate with others, share high-quality audio with friends and clients, or for quickly checking a mix outside of the studio.

As Microsoft unbundles Teams, it might not have the impact on Slack you thinkOne of the primary reasons that Slack joined forces with Salesforce in 2021 in a $28 billion deal was to give the communications company the clout to compete with Microsoft. For years, company co-founder Stewart Butterfield railed against Microsoft bundling Teams with Office 365, calling it anti-competitive and saying at one point that Microsoft was […]
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