“Take your music back to the ’80s” with Solid State Logic’s new non-linear reverb plugin, GateVerbSolid State Logic has launched GateVerb, the latest in its growing lineup of FX pedal-style plugins.
Billed as a “non-linear, gated reverb”, the aptly named GateVerb allows producers to shape reverb characteristics with added speed and precision.

READ MORE: Can Solid State Logic’s Sourcerer solve your mic bleed and feedback problems?

As SSL explains, traditional linear reverbs maintain a consistent decay pattern, most often emulating natural spaces like halls or rooms. Conversely, non-linear reverbs allow producers to have greater control over a decay pattern, and thus create more complex reverbs that evolve and decay in unconventional ways.
Additionally, greater control over the reverb tail allows for interesting production possibilities. For example, you could set a massive, expansive reverb – which would normally have a long tail – to decay very quickly, leading to both space and punch in your mix.

GateVerb’s controls include Density, Time, Colour, Size and Retro – which allows you to dial in an old-school ‘70s- or ‘80s-style vibe. The plugin also features ducking and sidechaining features, as well as the ability to time-sync pre-delay and time parameters according to the tempo set in your DAW. 
Other features include a LoFi control, which enables users to deliberately degrade a signal with a lo-fi touch, adding to the plugin’s retro capabilities, and a Mix Lock control, which allows users to return to a previously locked setting following preset changes, a feature that will no doubt be welcome to those using the plugin in a live setting.
“GateVerb is an incredibly powerful creative tool that can add clarity, punch or an extra degree of vibe to almost any mix,” says Jon Sandman, SSL Plug-in Product Manager. 
“With its highly flexible set of controls and creative parameters, GateVerb can help users take control over how their reverbs morph and change over time. This can have a significant effect on the overall outcome of a mix.”
GateVerb is available now for $99.99/£79.99. For more information, head to Solid State Logic.
The post “Take your music back to the ’80s” with Solid State Logic’s new non-linear reverb plugin, GateVerb appeared first on MusicTech.

Wusik Limiter is FREE until November 1st
Wusik offers the Wusik Limiter (49.95 value) for macOS and Windows as a free download until November 1st. You might have already grabbed a bargain limiter this month with Plugin Boutique’s 1176 bundle deal: all three UAD 1176 plugins for £38 (usually £261). If you’re interested in the UAD collection, act fast; it’s a limited-time offer. [...]
View post: Wusik Limiter is FREE until November 1st

Free sample packs for progressive and tech houseAd feature with BandLab Sounds
Building a floor-filling progressive or tech house track requires a strong command of energy, groove, and atmosphere. Progressive house is known for its highly emotive melodies and evolving soundscapes, while tech house focuses more on tight, driving rhythms.
Artists like John Summit, Eric Prydz, and CamelPhat have mastered these styles, creating hypnotic tracks that are perfect for the clubroom and festival stage alike.
Achieving the sound requires a toolkit of high-quality samples — but luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to get started. To help you craft your own sonic odysseys, we’ve compiled a list of the best free sample packs that capture the essence of both subgenres.
[Editor’s note: BandLab and MusicTech are both part of Caldecott Music Group]
MusicTech: Wavefolding
MusicTech Wavefolding
If you’re looking to add a dark, gritty edge to your tracks, the Wavefolding pack has you covered. This collection features powerful synth stabs, ominous drones, and sweeping oscillators, all meticulously processed through a wavefolding hardware synth. The result? A set of raw, textured sounds that will add depth and intensity to your progressive house productions.
Download MusicTech: Wavefolding
Bingoshakerz Tech House Vol. 1
Bingoshakerz Tech House Vol. 1
Want to inject some high-octane energy into your production? Tech House Vol. 1 is your go-to pack, brimming with electrifying vocal phrases and driving basslines that provide relentless momentum. There’s a plethora of percussive loops perfect for creating irresistible grooves, plus a range of spine-tingling effects to give you deft control of your track’s tension and release — everything you need for your next tech house banger.
Download Bingoshakerz Tech House Vol. 1
Tech House Vocals
Tech House Vocals
Drawing inspiration from artists like Chris Lake, Fisher, and Defected Records, Tech House Vocals is designed to give your tracks the vocal edge they need. Its selection of 105 samples includes leads, hooks, and one-shots treated with autotune, distortion, and other intriguing effects, adding plenty of character to elevate your tech house productions.
Download Tech House Vocals
Malarkey: Lock & Key Sounds Vol. 1
Malarkey: Lock & Key Sounds Vol. 1
Lock & Key Sounds Vol. 1 presents a selection of highly usable samples from Spinnin’ Records signee Malarkey, known for his distinctive EDM style. This versatile pack includes 101 loops of crisp drums, soulful piano progressions, and evocative melodies that are certain to wash a sense of euphoria across your audience.
Download Malarkey: Lock & Key Sounds Vol. 1
Function Loops: Magnetic Tech-House
Function Loops: Magnetic Tech-House
Often, a great tech house track is all about an infectious groove — and that’s exactly what Magnetic Tech-House from Function Loops will help you create. Filled with pulsating basslines, hypnotic synths, and dynamic rhythms, this pack has all you need to create engaging tracks that keep the crowd moving. You’ll also find crisp toppers, minimalist synth leads, and vocal hooks in this tech house toolkit that covers all bases.
Download Function Loops: Magnetic Tech-House
Vocal Tech House
Vocal Tech House
While this pack does contain plenty of vocal samples, that’s not the only thing you’ll find. Vocal Tech House serves up a collection of slick bass grooves and pumping drum loops alongside, with more of a minimalistic and old-school vibe that’s ideal for building stripped-down yet highly effective dancefloor beats. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your sound, this pack is a solid choice for creating fresh, timeless tech house tracks.
Download Vocal Tech House
Tech & Melodic House
Tech & Melodic House
This curated selection of sounds features a mix of basslines, pulsing synths, and vigorous house drum patterns — ideal for bringing both energy and atmosphere to your productions. From classic 909 loops to resonant arp sounds, this sample pack is a treasure trove of possibilities.
Download Tech & Melodic House
Rave Grave Tech House by Cr2
Rave Grave Tech House by Cr2
Inspired by the underground rave scene, this pack from Cr2 is ideal for those looking to tap into a raw, intense flavour of tech house. Driving basslines, foley-inspired percussion, and euphoric synth melodies are what you’ll find inside, many of which have a more industrial feel. Thanks to deft use of effects, these samples deliver aggressive, distorted textures that are perfect for producers seeking a bit more edge.
Download Rave Grave Tech House by Cr2
Thomas Gold Tech House
Thomas Gold Tech House
Unmistakable German DJ Thomas Gold offers up a selection of his own sounds with this tech house sample pack. Featuring pumping house rhythms and aggressive basslines, this collection is all about impact, with screeching bass growls and hard-hitting four-to-the-floor beats tailor-made for producing tracks that demand attention.
Download Thomas Gold Tech House
Melodic EDM Vol. 2
Melodic EDM Vol. 2
Want to make radio-ready prog house hits with a more commercial flair? This pack is all about capturing the melodic side of dance music, including a variety of anthemic riffs and sounds perfect for crafting club anthems. It’s not all high-energy though — you’ll find plenty of softer tones for breakdowns and build-ups too.
Download Melodic EDM Vol. 2
Cazzette
Cazzette
Swedish electronic producer Cazzette brings the heat with this sample pack — a collection of speaker-shaking sounds including deep bass grooves, metallic sound effects, and a strong focus on percussion. Many of these samples have been treated with nuanced processing, delivering a level of detail perfect for making tracks that reward repeat listens.
Download Cazzette
The post Free sample packs for progressive and tech house appeared first on MusicTech.

Audiocube: New 3D audio software Audiocube have announced the launch of a new software suite that aims to transform the way users approach 3D and immersive sound design. 

New NCR Atleos/LibertyX feature converts BTC to cash at US ATMs Users of the LibertyX ATMs can send BTC to a LibertyX address and receive fiat for their crypto at ATMs in 30 states.

Metro Boomin Continues 'Leslie Joanne Single Moms Are Superheroes' Grant ProgramOn Wednesday night, GRAMMY®-nominated, diamond-certified producer and global superstar Metro Boomin took the stage in Denver, Colorado for the 19th stop of his ‘We Trust You’ tour with Future at the Ball Arena. The duo performed hits like “Like That” and “Type Shit” from their #1 Billboard 200 album, “We Don't Trust You”, which went #1 on Apple Music in over 80 countries and was the most streamed album in a single day of 2024. The Denver show of the tour simultaneously marks the 19th stop in Metro Boomin's “Leslie Joanne Single Moms Are Superheroes” Tour Grant-Giving Program, providing $20,000 grants and show tickets to selected non-profits supporting single mothers in each market. At the Denver stop, Metro Boomin awarded a $20,000 grant to the Rose Andom Center. The Rose Andom Center is a survivor-centered, trauma-informed collaborative that cultivates hope for individuals and families impacted by intimate partner abuse.

The distribution of this grant is a continuation of Metro's national tour initiative, which offers financial support and show tickets to nonprofits that work to support single mothers and their families in each tour market. The program officially launched in Kansas City and Saint Paul and has already traveled to Detroit, Atlanta, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and last night to Denver, providing grants to organizations including Essential Families, Jeremiah Foundation, Alternatives for Girls,  Atlanta Mission, Solomon’s Temple, YWCA Toronto, EMpath, Women Against Abuse, Grace Institute, Calvary Women’s Services, Shades of Blue Project, SAMMinistries, Viola’s House and Rose Andom Center. The ‘Single Moms Are Superheroes’ initiative launched in 2019 focused on hosting annual give-back events and activations. In December of 2023, Metro partnered with St. Louis-based non-profit organization RUNG for Women and presenting sponsor Amazon Access to launch his grant-giving program within the initiative in honor of his late mother, Leslie Joanne.The post Metro Boomin Continues 'Leslie Joanne Single Moms Are Superheroes' Grant Program first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Atlassian acquires Rewatch as it gets into AI meeting botsAtlassian plans to integrate Rewatch into its recently launched Rovo AI platform so that transcripts become searchable within the overall business context.
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Driven To Over-Engineer a Kids’ CarYou know, it feels as though it’s getting more and more difficult to compete for Father of the Year around here. And [Jon Petter Skagmo] just laid down a new gauntlet — the incredibly overly-engineered kids car.
While the original plan was to build the entire car from scratch, [Jon] eventually opted to use an off-the-shelf car that had a dead battery.
While the original architecture was quite simple, the new hardware has just about everything a kid could want in a tricked-out ride, most of which is accessible through the really cool dashboard.
We’re talking headlights, a music player, a siren, a selfie video cam that doubles as two-way communication with the driver, and even a garage door opener that uses an MQTT connection.
Under the cute little hood is where you’ll find most of the electronics. The car’s brain is a Raspberry Pi 3B, and there’s a custom daughter board that includes GPS/GNSS. This was originally meant to geofence [Baby Girl Skagmo] in, but Dad quickly realized that kids are gonna kid and disabled it pretty soon after.
This isn’t the first high-tech rebuild of a kiddie car that we’ve seen here at Hackaday. Makes us wish we were quite a bit smaller…

Steinberg’s 40th Anniversary Sale Steinberg are offering a 50% discount on four of their popular products in celebration of their 40th anniversary. 

2024 Tiny Games Contest: Blind Maze Is Fun For AllIf you think about it, even difficult mazes on paper are pretty easy. You can see all the places you can and can’t go, and if you use a pencil instead of a pen, well, that’s almost like cheating.
However, using a pencil is pretty much a necessity to play [penumbriel]’s Blind Maze. In this game, you can’t even see the maze, or where you are. Well, that’s not exactly true — you can “touch” the wall (or lack thereof) in front of you and to the sides, but that’s it. So you’re going to need that pencil to draw out a map as you go along.
This game runs on an Arduino Nano and a 18650 cell. There are three LEDs deep within the enclosure, which is meant to give the depth of walls. But, even the vision-impaired can play the Blind Maze, because there’s haptic feedback thanks to a small vibration motor.
If you want to play in hard mode, there’s a hidden paperclip-accessible switch that turns off the LEDs. This way, you have to rely on hitting the walls with your head. Be sure to check out the video below.

Sampleson announces CollaB3 V2, a FREE vintage tonewheel organ emulation
From developer Sampleson comes CollaB3 V2, a free vintage tonewheel organ emulation. We see many free virtual instruments come along, so forgive me if I’m missing any! That said, I think CollaB3 V2 is the best free organ I’ve ever heard. CollaB3 V2 is the latest update of Sampleson’s vintage tonewheel organ emulation, and it [...]
View post: Sampleson announces CollaB3 V2, a FREE vintage tonewheel organ emulation

It’s time for streaming services to act on AI musicThe following MBW Views op/ed comes from Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of the ethical generative AI non-profit, Fairly Trained
Source

‘Japan’s UGC monetization is starting late but growing rapidly.’MBW’s World Leaders series meets Alan Swarts, CEO of Orfium Japan
Source

Novation Launchkey MK4 series looks pretty powerful — and pretty affordableIs it MIDI controller season? Following Arturia’s drop of the masterful KeyLab MK3 this week, Focusrite Novation has announced the Novation Launchkey MK4, updating the series from its powerful 2020 incarnation. What’s new? A lot, actually.
The Launchkey MK4 series comprises six MIDI keyboards, ranging from the dinky Launchkey Mini 25 up to the desk-filling Launchkey 61. Naturally, the number beside each model indicates the number of keys on each controller. The standout features include compatibility with all major DAWs, a generative arpeggiator, chord and scale modes, polyphonic aftertouch on each drum pad, high-quality keypads, and a step sequencer for Ableton Live. You’ll also get a bundle of plugins with each purchase — more on that shortly.
When looking for a new MIDI controller, you probably want one that feels authentic, not like a cheap keyboard that happens to connect to your laptop. Novation reckons it’s nailed that feeling, saying it looks, feels and plays like an instrument that you can truly get hands-on with. To keep your eyes off the laptop screen, the Launchkey MK4 comes with OLED displays to quickly reference the virtual instrument you’re using, plus endless encoders to exactly dial in your desired settings
Each keyboard boasts eight of these assignable encoders, with the 49 and 61 key models featuring an additional nine faders. This means you can tweak your DAW or plugins pretty easily; if you’re using a major DAW, you won’t need to set up your MIDI mapping either — it’s automatic. You can, of course, customise your MIDI maps to control any facet of your software with these controllers.

For more creative performances, you can use the 16 velocity-sensitive pads found on all models. These all feature polyphonic aftertouch, too, so it’s not just drums you can bang out on these — you can play rich, evolving chords from virtual instruments, or use them to trigger samples in grid-based software. Novation says that the pads are made with a “patented design that delivers increased responsiveness than standard FSR drum pads.”
You can let the Launchkey assist you in your performances, too. The generative arpeggiator is reportedly an improvement from the Launchkey MK3, and the Chord feature will help you deploy quick chords with Fixed Chord, User Chord and Chord Maps modes. There’s also a Chord Detector, which will show you the chord you’re playing on the OLED display, which seems quite useful. Scale mode, meanwhile, will lock notes on the keyboard to the selected scale so you’ll never play out of key.
OK — onto the software. You actually get a decent bundle with each purchase: Ableton Live 12 Lite, which is a stripped-back version of Ableton Live; Klevgrand plugins including LUXE R0verb and Slammer, which are all beloved for their quirkiness and creative potential; GForce Software’s Oberheim SEM, OB-EZ and AXXESS for some vintage synth flavours; Orchestral Tools’ Parallel Orchestral Bundle for those cinematic and classical sounds; and Melodics, which offers bespoke keyboard lessons for musicians of all levels to help you get to grips with the Launchkey.
One thing to note: there’s the Launchkey and the Launchkey Mini. The Mini keyboards are available in 37- and 25-key sizes, and the major differences include smaller synth-action keys, and touch strips that replace the mod and pitch wheels.
Not bad, right? Well, we’ll be publishing a review of the series in the next few days to tell you how it really performs, but if you’re convinced already, here’s the price of each model.

Launchkey Mini 25: £110/$120/€110
Launchkey Mini 37: £140/$150/€142
Launchkey 25: £170/$180/€168
Launchkey 37: £200/$210/€193
Launchkey 49: £230/$250/€226
Launchkey 61: £280/$300/€277

You can order the keyboards from Thomann, Zzounds and Novation now.
The post Novation Launchkey MK4 series looks pretty powerful — and pretty affordable appeared first on MusicTech.

A timeline of Martin Shkreli and the lost Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin“Pharma bro” Martin Shkreli made headlines this week when he was ordered by a judge to return copies he’d made of Wu-Tang Clan’s ultra-rare Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album.
Shkreli has long been a controversial figure, after Turing Pharmaceuticals, the company he was CEO of at the time, bought the manufacturing licence for the antiparasitic drug Daraprim in 2015 and raised its price from $13.50 to $750 per pill.

READ MORE: Behringer 2024: Every synth, drum machine and controller Behringer is currently working on

The same year, Shkreli purchased Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, a somewhat mythical 31-track hip-hop album of which only one copy existed at the time. 
In 2017, Shkreli was found guilty of two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018, and later forced to forfeit his assets. One of them was Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, which was auctioned by the US government to NFT collective PleasrDAO for $4 million. But after he livestreamed the album on X earlier this year, Shkreli revealed himself to still be in possession of copies of the album. A breach of his forfeiture order, Shkreli has been ordered to hand over any copies of the album he owns by the end of this week.
Below, we chart the timeline of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, how it got into and out of Shkreli’s hands, and where it is now.
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin recorded – 2007 – 2013
The 7th studio album by Wu-Tang Clan, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin was recorded in secret over a period of six years between 2007 and 2013. Only one 2CD copy was pressed in 2014, which was then stored in a secure vault at the Royal Mansour Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, until its sale a year later.
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin purchased by Martin Shkreli for $2 million – 2015
After a year in storage at the Royal Mansour Hotel, the album was sold via online auction house Paddle8 in 2015 to winning bidder Martin Shkreli, who reportedly paid $2 million. The album was sold to Shkreli with a legal agreement stipulating that it couldn’t be commercially exploited – sold or distributed – until 2103.
Martin Shkreli convicted of securities fraud – 2017
Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Shkreli was originally arrested by the FBI in 2015 on securities fraud charges. They were related to his tenure at MSMB Capital Management – an asset management company he co-founded – and alleged he “ran his company like a Ponzi scheme”. He was found guilty of two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison.
Shkreli forced to forfeit assets – 2018
Following his conviction, Martin Shkreli was forced to forfeit nearly $7.4 million in assets, including the Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, along with other high-profile art pieces, like a piece by Pablo Picasso, and Lil Wayne’s then-unreleased album Tha Carter V.
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin sold by US government to NFT collectors PleasrDAO – 2021
After Martin Shkreli was forced to forfeit Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, the album was sold by the US government to NFT collectors PleasrDAO – who said they wanted to make the album more publicly accessible – for $4 million.
Martin Shkreli revealed to have made copies of the album before it was sold – 2024
On 9 June, 2024, Martin Shkreli livestreamed the album to an audience of around 5,000 on X. The album’s owners PleasrDAO then sued him for playing it publicly without permission, saying the album’s value had been diminished. A judge then issued a temporary restraining order preventing Shkreli from playing the album publicly. 
Obviously, this meant that Shkreli had to have made copies of the album before it changed from his hands to PleasrDAO’s. Now, a judge has ordered Shkreli to turn over all copies of the album he has in his possession by the end of this week.
Other Once Upon a Time in Shaolin news – 2024
The first exhibition officially offering listeners the ability to hear the album began in June at the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Tasmania. Attendees were played a 30-minute mix of the album, and were made to sign a waiver promising not to record the album. The same month, PleasrDAO began selling partial ownership of the album via NFTs for $1 each. Each purchase accelerates its release date by 88 seconds.

The world's most expensive album is available for $1.
Enter the chamber and secure a copy – 2103 will come faster than you think.https://t.co/QRmGdIrwOy pic.twitter.com/rTCkuH0It3
— Pleasr (@PleasrDAO) June 13, 2024

The post A timeline of Martin Shkreli and the lost Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin appeared first on MusicTech.