Exploring The Sega Saturn’s Wacky ArchitectureSega Saturn mainboard with main components labelled. More RAM is found on the bottom, as well. (Credit: Rodrigo Copetti)
In the annals of game console history, the Sega Saturn is probably the most convoluted system of all time, even giving the Playstation 3 a run for its rings. Also known as the system on which Sega beached itself before its Dreamcast swansong, it featured an incredible four CPUs, two video processors, multiple levels and types of RAM, all pushed onto game studios with virtually no software tools or plan how to use the thing. An introduction to this console’s architecture is provided by [Rodrigo Copetti], which gives a good idea of the harrowing task of developing for this system.
Launched in Japan in 1994 and North America and Europe in 1995, it featured a double-speed CD-ROM drive, Hitachi’s zippy new SH-2 CPU (times two) and some 3D processing grunt that was intended to let it compete with Sony’s Playstation. The video and sound solutions were all proprietary to Sega, with the two video processors (VDP1 & 2) handling parts of the rendering process which complicated its use for 3D tasks, along with its use of quadrilaterals instead of triangles as with the Playstation and Nintendo 64.
Although a lot of performance could be extracted from the Saturn’s idiosyncratic architecture, its high price and ultimately the competition with the Sony Playstation and the 1996 release of the Nintendo 64 would spell the end for the Saturn. Although the Dreamcast did not repeat the Saturn’s mistakes, it seems one commercial failure was enough to ruin Sega’s chances as a hardware developer.

Retrogadgets: Butler in a BoxYou walk into your house and issue a voice command to bring up the lights and start a cup of coffee. No big deal, right? Siri, Google, and Alexa can do all that. Did we mention it is 1985? And, apparently, you were one of the people who put out about $1,500 for a Mastervoice “Butler in a Box,” the subject of a Popular Science video you can see below.
If you think the box is interesting, the inventor’s story is even stranger. [Kevin] got a mint-condition Butler in a Box from eBay. How did it work, given in 1983, there was no AI voice recognition and public Internet? We did note that the “appliance module” was a standard X10 interface.

Of course, X10 automation was common enough in those days. But the voice command feature was certainly wrong. You did have to use a cassette tape to train the box to your voice. The whole setup was pretty intense and took about 25 minutes just for a simple single device.
In addition to the interesting technology, the story of [Gus Searcy] and his path to bringing this device to market is also interesting, if not a little strange. As you might expect, voice recognition in the 1980s was tough, even for big computers. So, how did Butler in a Box work? First, every user — you could have up to 4 — had to train their own butler name (like a wake word) and all the commands. It could only understand limited commands.
[Kevin] mentioned that if the power went out for a few hours, you would have to reprogram the butler again. However, [Gus] left a comment on the video that there was an optional pack that would backup your butler — no idea what that cost, though. We were afraid he wasn’t going to show us the device actually operating, but if you stick it out to the end, you will receive your reward.
We really wanted to see inside, but [Kevin] let someone else repair the box, so we didn’t get a peek at his. However, we found a post on the Vintage Computer Federation forums that satisfied our thirst for a teardown. Apparently, there is a potted module inside that has a PIN number that, if lost, renders the unit inoperable so people who are interested in these are trying to find ways to break the PIN code out. There’s a surprising amount of hardware inside, including an Intel 8748 and a Rockwell 6501. There’s another good teardown in another post of a later version, the Mastervoice ECU. Apparently, the company stuck around until around past the year 2000. The Wayback Machine is our friend. Note that price list!
The Smithsonian also has a picture of a board from one sans security module. In 2008, the company’s site claimed they had delivered 26,000 systems, so maybe one of those wound up in the museum. Home automation has come a long way. Don’t forget, there’s still time to enter our home automation contest.

Only 1 of the Top 20 best-selling albums globally last year WASN’T by a K-Pop actThe only non-Korean artist present in the Top 20 was Taylor Swift, with 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
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UVI unveil Xtreme FX 2 The latest version of UVI's sound design instrument features over 3000 new sounds. 

“I electrocuted myself so many times”: Chromeo tell tales of talk box terrorsWe each like to think that our jobs are the most dangerous and most gruelling. However, Chromeo might have just won the argument. Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel, one-half of the Canadian electro-funk duo, has revealed he’s “electrocuted himself so many times” while playing live shows.
This shocking revelation was made during the most recent episode of My Forever Studio, a podcast in which producers and artists discuss their dream studio space and their favourite music gear.

READ MORE: Blipblox MPC-style sampler myTRACKS aims to make music production fun for all

“How many times have you electrocuted yourself?” asks host Chris Barker during the show, referring to the talk box, which requires a tube to go into your mouth to sing through.
“A lot, Replies P-Thugg, recalling a specific live show where, according to fellow band member Dave David “Dave-1” Macklovitch, the synth player was “green”. “I electrocuted myself so many times,” he laughs.
The conversation delves into the challenges faced during live performances, particularly in the mid-2000s when talk box technology was less advanced. P-Thugg describes the cumbersome setup required to amplify the talk box, leading to instances where he felt like “part of a circuit at all times.”
P-Thugg is no stranger to the electrifying sphere of electronics. Recalling his journey into the world of talk boxes, he reminisces about his early encounters with the device, claiming to have built his own in the early days.
“I literally built my first talk box,” he reveals. “I’ve always loved electronics. I found an electronics project book which had one pedal per page. They gave you the schematics and how to build it. I built my first talk box.”
The discussion also touches upon the differences in voltage between North America and Europe, with P-Thugg expressing gratitude that his electrifying mishaps occurred stateside rather than overseas.
The My Forever Studio podcast, now in its sixth season, sees artists, producers and engineers conjure up their dream fantasy Forever Studio, wherever they want in the universe. Guests are permitted a limited number of items in their creative space, so they must choose carefully.
Listen to the show below:

Subscribe to the My Forever Studio podcast on Apple Music.
The post “I electrocuted myself so many times”: Chromeo tell tales of talk box terrors appeared first on MusicTech.

Level up your production this Easter with insane savings on SSL, UAD and Native Instruments plugins at Plugin BoutiqueWhether you’re a bedroom producer or a professional engineer, you’re always looking to upgrade your music-making toolset. And this Easter weekend might just be the perfect time to do it, thanks to a host of ridiculously good savings over at Plugin Boutique.

READ MORE: Start your Easter weekend right with Thomann’s killer 70th Anniversary offers on synths, controllers and studio gear

Solid State Logic SSL Fusion $29.99 Sale – up to 85% off
Until 3 April, you can save up to 85% on the whole range of SSL Fusion processors, all of which were modelled after the detail delivered by their acclaimed hardware counterpart, the analogue SSL Fusion.
Check deal at Plugin Boutique
Universal Audio ‘UAD All Stars’ Plugins Sale – 80% off
There’s a reason why UA plugins are some of the most sought after on the market; they’re perfectly modelled on the best vintage gear and instruments used by top artists, engineers, and producers for decades. Now, the analog sound of UA plugins is available natively for Mac and Windows with no UA hardware required. Save up to 83% on a massive range of UAD plugins in Plugin Boutique’s time-limited sale until 31 March.
Check deal at Plugin Boutique
Sonnox Manufacturer Focus Sale – 83% off
When it comes to the plugins the pros use, Sonnox is commonly in their arsenals. And you can save up to 83% on a range of the company’s finest effects, including Voca, Claro and Inflator, and the Broadcast Plugin Bundle Upgrade from any Sonnox plugin in Plugin Boutique’s exclusive Manufacturer Focus Sale.
Check deal at Plugin Boutique
Native Instruments Synthesizer Bundle – 49% off
For a limited time, you can grab two classic Native Instruments synths – Massive and FM8 – along with two modern day heavyweights, TRK-01 and the modular powerhouse Blocks Prime. And the best part? It’s $49 for the lot. Considering Massive retails on the Native Instruments website for $149, that’s a pretty mad deal. Ends 29 April.
Check deal at Plugin Boutique
There’s also a smorgasbord of other deals available across Easter weekend. To have a browse, head to Plugin Boutique.
The post Level up your production this Easter with insane savings on SSL, UAD and Native Instruments plugins at Plugin Boutique appeared first on MusicTech.

Blipblox MPC-style sampler myTRACKS aims to make music production fun for allPlaytime Engineering are continuing to shape the next generation of child prodigies with their Blipblox line.
Specialising in child-friendly instruments for kids three and above, Playtime Engineering’s latest addition to the Blipbox line encourages young people to experiment and unlock their musical potential. The Blipblox myTRACKS swaps out the lunchbox for a groovebox.

READ MORE: NAMM 2022: Playtime Engineering reveals synth and groovestation for kids, grown-up synth fans rejoice

Blipblox myTRACKS embraces a childlike, colourful aesthetic while also capturing the spirit of a hip-hop groovebox. It’s designed to be safe and accessible to anybody, just like a toy, meaning it can be enjoyed by just about any age.
The Blipblox myTRACKS is a total music production studio. There’s a built-in microphone for sampling, two FX processors and a slew of over 50 acoustic, electronic and percussion instrumental sounds to play with. With sound packs also available to download online, creators have ample to work with.
Powered by 25 glowing playpads and two bright purple levers, the myTRACKS is delightfully colourful. Navigating the tool is as intuitive as playing with a toy, the levers allowing users to adjust effects and modulation. There’s also a randomise feature to spur on creativity, allowing users to experiment with new sounds and be inspired by the unpredictable tracks myTRACKS generates.
The journey to creating myTRACKS started off as a fleeting hobby for a Silicon Valley engineer Troy Sheets. With his wife, Kate Sheets, the pair transformed the hobby into a fully fledged business. “Bootstrapping and crowdfunding our business has allowed us the freedom to design and produce our wildly creative line of instruments,” Kate Sheets explains.

“We are tremendously grateful for our supporters who helped fund both the original Blipblox and Blipblox After Dark, and we look forward to introducing more friends to the Blipblox community with the launch of myTRACKS,” she continues.
“Creating music with synthesizers and modern music tech has always felt like play to me,” Troy sheets explains. “By merging the portability, durability, and safety of toys with high-quality and advanced functionality of a legitimate instrument, we’ve created a fun and accessible music-making machine that anyone can play.”
Blipblox myTRACKS’  Kickstarter campaign to support the launch will open on 9th April. The first round of products is expected to be delivered by November 2024.
Reservations are currently open on the BlipBlox website.
The post Blipblox MPC-style sampler myTRACKS aims to make music production fun for all appeared first on MusicTech.

Start your Easter weekend right with Thomann’s killer 70th Anniversary offers on synths, controllers and studio gearThomann celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, having been a leading retailer of music equipment since 1954.
The German retailer is honouring this platinum milestone by offering exclusive, rotating deals all year round. On the first of each month, you can expect a refreshed wedge of new deals on loads of items, including synths, keyboards, controllers and audio interfaces.
But there’s also a host of excellent deals to be had all year round. They had to go big for their 70th, right? Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best offers you can snap up right now, including a snazzy audio interface from Steinberg, a limited-edition desktop monophonic synth from Waldorf and more. Thomann and Arturia have even co-launched a limited edition take on its flagship controller, just to spice things up even more.
Steinberg UR12 Black – now less than £40

Possibly one of the coolest-looking audio interfaces on the market, the black edition of Steinberg’s UR12, with its matte black housing and reddish gold front panel, is a thing of beauty.
This is a compact audio interface with 2-in/2-out USB 2.0 connectivity, 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, D-PRE mic preamp, Hi-Z input, and Cubase AI software compatibility.
If you’re looking for a new I/O, you’ve come to the right place. Thomann has slashed the cost of the UR12 Black by 50 per cent, making it less than £40!
Find this at Thomann.
AKAI Professional MPK 261 – 39% off

The AKAI Professional MPK 261 is a MIDI keyboard controller featuring 61 semi-weighted keys, 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads, and comprehensive software integration for music production.
One unique feature of the AKAI Professional MPK 261 is its integration with AKAI’s MPC software, so you can seamlessly incorporate the renowned MPC workflow, adopted by the likes of J Dilla, into your music production process.
Right now until stocks last, Thomann is cutting 39 per cent off the original price of this controller, making it just £259 down from £429.
Take advantage of this exclusive offer at Thomann.
Waldorf Pulse 2 Limited Edition

The Waldorf Pulse 2 is a compact analogue monophonic desktop synth with three oscillators, dual analogue filters, extensive modulation options, and a comprehensive interface. One unique feature of this synth is its paraphonic mode, allowing for the simultaneous articulation of multiple notes.
This limited edition model comes in a striking blue, donning an LCD display and a distinctive modulation matrix. This modulation matrix provides flexible control over 16 modulation slots, so you can assign various sources such as LFOs, envelopes, and controllers to manipulate parameters like oscillator pitch, filter cutoff, and more.
We’re actually unsure of the discount on price here, but, with a quick look, we can see that the original Pulse 2 goes for £384 on Andertons, so the price tag of £349 is certainly tempting.
Find it at Thomann.
Arturia Keystep Thomann 70th Anniversary Edition

Well, this one’s not strictly an offer, but it’s most definitely worthy of a mention. Thomann has teamed up with Arturia to deliver the brand’s flagship Keystep controller, but with a different look and feel.
Offering a refresh from its two standard white or black colourways, this limited edition unit now sports matte black casing, with Thomann’s signature teal colour acting as a background for the effects behind bright blue knobs. Above the 32 velocity-sensitive slim keys, the controller’s MIDI, gate and swing information have also been coloured with a distinctive blue, adding a pop of colour.
Find it at Thomann.
These deals are in place until stocks last. Find more offers at Thomann.
The post Start your Easter weekend right with Thomann’s killer 70th Anniversary offers on synths, controllers and studio gear appeared first on MusicTech.

Tak Young-jun appointed co-CEO of SM EntertainmentDecision was ratified during the company's 29th regular shareholders' meeting and board meeting on Wednesday (March 27)
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Native Instruments’ Electric Keys – Tines Duo are among the best Rhodes emulations out there£129 for both / £89 when bought separately, native-instruments.com
The latest addition to Native Instruments’ ever-expanding universe of Kontakt virtual instruments is a collaboration with Galaxy Instruments. Electric Keys – Tines Duo is made up of two emulated electric pianos, available individually or as a bundle at a significant discount.

READ MORE: Native Instruments Kontrol S-Series MK3 controller lets you focus on your music, not your computer

Likely for legal reasons, you won’t see the names of the original hardware mentioned, but any keys aficionado will recognise right away that Phoenix is based on the classic Fender Rhodes 73 and Diamond on the suitcase 88 model.
While the Rhodes isn’t exactly lacking in software versions (Rhodes released its own not so long ago), these two are among the more affordable and certainly among the most technically-advanced on the market. With original models as rare as ever and the new hardware models stunning but prohibitively expensive, a convincing emulation is still a sensible option for anyone wanting the classic sound that has spanned the decades and genres from jazz and rock through to pop and dance.
The Diamond
How to set up the Native Instruments’ Phoenix and Diamond
The two instruments are downloaded and installed via the Native Access app and run in Kontakt 7.8 or the free Player version. The modest 3.5GB file size is achieved by emulating certain components with processing rather than sampling every possible permutation of settings, though the core sample set is still comprehensive. Both instruments have an almost identical set of controls, so what applies to one generally applies to the other.
The designs of the interfaces are gorgeous, slick and minimal. NI has foregone the approach of letting you turn knobs on a virtual front plate of a ‘real’ keyboard in favour of simple, clean sets of parameters. While both approaches are perfectly valid, this one makes it easier to get to the sound you need quickly while simplifying a relatively large set of controls once you factor in the effects section.
The main page contains a row of quick controls for tweaking the most important performance parameters like the relative hardness of the tone, preamp EQ and more. There’s excellent integration with the new Kontrol S-series keyboards too, where these dials are mapped directly to the keyboard’s capacitive potentiometers and the browsing system seamlessly integrated between software and hardware.
Back in the software, an arrow by each dial lets you jump to an expanded control area in the Instrument section. This section is similarly well-considered and starts with the ability to blend DI and mic signals to give greater control over the character of the sound. There’s a Shape section which lets you set colour, attack and release and then the all-important Tone and Noise sections.
The Phoenix
How realistic are Native Instruments’ Phoenix and Diamond?
The Rhodes is legendary for the amount of variation a player can achieve by modifying their playing style. Greater force means the sound achieves more bite, while gentler playing sounds rounder and more dreamlike. On top of that, on a real Rhodes, it’s possible to physically adjust the height of individual tines — the metal bars that vibrate when hit — to achieve a harder or softer effect. And then the bottom end of the keyboard is typically very bassy while the top notes have a bell-like character to them.
All of this can be tweaked on a real Rhodes but in software, it’s much easier to achieve by simply tweaking the various settings. A classic jazz Rhodes for example will be smooth and even with a little bite when played harder. A rock Rhodes by comparison might start off rougher. All of this, designing your sound, is very easy to do here.
An important element of the Rhodes sound is imparted after it leaves the keyboard, either through an integrated suitcase amp or an external amp, typically a Fender Twin or Jazz Chorus. In addition, guitar effects might often be involved and, to that end, both these instruments have a configurable effects chain with processors taken from Guitar Rig. This is straightforward to use, with effects grouped by category that can be dropped into or between slots, each with its own set of controls. The chain can also work in series or parallel, letting you get creative with how the DI and mic signals are processed. There’s much to love, right down to selecting speaker and mic models for the virtual cabinets. Effects chains are available, too, and can be loaded independently of an instrument.
With all this sound shaping and processing available you can get deep into creating original patches, though each instrument comes with 100 presets which, honestly, covers more or less any use, at least as a starting point.
Diamond presets
The Rhodes isn’t a synth, it’s more akin to a piano and as such has a relatively limited sonic range in its basic form, albeit one that’s very pleasing. As such, many of the presets make heavy use of the effects to mix things up — plenty of space delays, distortion, stereo and so on. It’s all cool, though these instruments are usually at their best when keeping things relatively simple. So as well as the multi-effects patches, you’ll find comforting straight-up jazz Rhodes, lush tones and hard bell-like presets, all easily tweaked to your liking.
We said earlier that Rhodes emulations are easy to come by, but these two are definitely among the best out there. Beautifully sampled and affordable, they also offer a sublime playing experience and a deep dive into customising the character of the keyboard and its effects should you want it. For owners of Kontrol S-series keyboards, the prospect is even more appealing thanks to the deep integration with the new hardware.
The Rhodes sound is likely to always be in demand, and Phoenix and Diamond are an excellent way to bring it into your studio with minimal fuss.
Phoenix controls
Key features

Runs in Kontakt or Kontakt Player
100 presets per instrument
3.5 GB each in size
Deep sampling of hardware instruments
Modelling of preamps and other components
Effects section with effects from Guitar Rig
Customisable mics, amps and keyboard character
Serial or parallel effects chains
Blend DI and mic signals
Integration with Kontrol hardware

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US independent music venues are in crisis, and the UK has a solutionConcert attendance grew 20% last year, and if you read the headlines, the entire US and global live music business is booming. Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and more are breaking revenue and ticket sales records.
But beneath the surface, a storm is brewing......
The post US independent music venues are in crisis, and the UK has a solution appeared first on Hypebot.

Building a loyal Audience Community: a new frontier in Performing ArtsLearn about the importance of nurturing a loyal community of superfans, using data analytics to find new fans, and getting an audience fully engaged.....
The post Building a loyal Audience Community: a new frontier in Performing Arts appeared first on Hypebot.

SoundExchange royalty distributions pass $11 billionCulumative SoundExchange distributions have passed $11 billion in digital performance royalties since its launch in 2003.....
The post SoundExchange royalty distributions pass $11 billion appeared first on Hypebot.

Wusik JX1 Virtual Synthesizer Is FREE For a Limited Time
Wusik JX1 is a new virtual analog synthesizer in the Wusik lineup that is available for free for a limited time. It’s fully functional except for the preset saving capabilities, It certainly seems like the tail end of March is rife with cheap and free plugins. If you’ve been on the hunt for a new [...]
View post: Wusik JX1 Virtual Synthesizer Is FREE For a Limited Time

Native Instruments announce Crosstalk Piano Crosstalk Piano takes a new approach to piano libraries, combining faithfully captured recordings with a collection of processed multi-samples.