New Toys: D’Addario Autolock Swivel Guitar StrapD’Addario has come up with a simple and affordable solution to the age-old problem of guitar straps versus Strap Locks. The D’Addario Auto Lock Guitar Strap is a simple integrated strap locking system and requires no drilling or luthiers. Simply slide the strap end over the guitar strap buttons and you are locked in—it’s that easy. The grey latch is spring-loaded so it automatically clamps down on the strap button and won’t come loose until you release it.  Just push up on the grey latch, slide off the end, and the strap is removed. 

This innovation is a welcome relief to the market. If you have been playing guitar for a length of time, no doubt you have either seen or been the victim of a guitar strap letting go and damaging a precious expensive guitar. Additionally, it is ready to go right out of the store. You don’t have to consider whether to drill an expensive or vintage guitar—long a negative aspect of most of the Strap Lock. It just snaps right on.

I found the Auto Lock to be very secure and easy. The strap version I tried is made of Polypropylene, which has a similar feel to Nylon… it is a bit slippery, and the guitar moved a bit, so it made me want to try the leather version of the strap. New, and an additional innovation of this particular guitar strap is the Swivel feature.

The Auto Lock Swivel is designed specifically for guitars with rear-facing strap buttons. Rear-facing strap buttons can be a challenge for standard straps and can lead to twisting. This may cause the strap end to stretch, creating a risk that the guitar may fall off. The Auto Lock Swivel rotates as the strap is pulled in different directions and eliminates this issue completely. The strap stays straight and comfortable for the player. 

Two things to be careful about—use care when installing the strap on a guitar with a neck heel strap button, it can get a little tight there. Also, I would remove the strap when putting a guitar in a case so that the strap swivel does not hurt the guitar. 

The Auto Lock Swivel Strap was forged by virtuosic guitarist Joe Satriani and inventor Ned Steinberger. Steinberger designed the Auto Lock and Satriani formulated the swivel concept.

Available with multiple graphic designs, styles and materials, the Auto Lock Guitar Strap works with most strap buttons on the market. Ideal for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass. $16.99-$39.99

daddario.comThe post New Toys: D’Addario Autolock Swivel Guitar Strap first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Kamala Harris campaign may focus on highlighting innovation over cryptoMany in the industry don’t expect the Vice President to mention digital assets at the DNC, but her views on technology and regulation could signal a shift from Biden-era policies.

Gimbal Space takes on legacy suppliers with fast-paced component supply chainAmerica’s space industry seems mature, but the supply chain that provides all the parts and components for rockets, satellites, and other spacecraft is considerably less so. Gimbal Space is aiming to change that, starting with components in the crucial subsystem that enables a spacecraft to orient itself in space — but delivered cheaper and a whole […]
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You Can 3D Print Yourself Some Simple Magnetic SwitchesPermanent magnets aren’t typically switchable. They’re always doing their magnet thing. However, if you align them with a bunch of other magnets in just the right way, you can create a permanent magnet that you can effectively switch on and off. [Andrew Klein] has done just that with his 3D-printed magnetic switch design.
The concept is simple enough. The design consists of a 3D-printed housing in two parts, top and bottom. When set into one orientation, the housing holds two arrays of magnets in opposite orientations. This effectively cancels out their magnetic fields and allows you to move the assembly around as if it’s pretty much not magnetic at all. However, rotate the device to its alternative orientation, and the magnets poles are aligned. This effectively combines their magnetic fields and makes the assembly act as one big large magnet.
These devices are useful if you want to create magnetic clamps or fixtures that can be attached and detached at will from ferrous surfaces. Being able to effectively “switch the magnet off” is much easier than trying to wrench a powerful magnet from a metal plate, after all.
You can do something similar with electromagnetic techniques, too! Video after the break.

A Cheap DIY PLC Based on the Atmega328PIf you’re running a big factory, you’ve probably got a massively expensive contract with a major programmable logic controller (PLC) manufacturer. One shudders to think about the cost of the service subscription on that one. If you’re working on a smaller scale, though, you might consider a DIY PLC like this one from [Mr Innovative.]
PLCs are rarely cutting-edge; instead, they’re about reliability and compliance with common industry standards. To that end, this design features the ATmega328P. Few other microcontrollers are as well understood or trusted as that one. The device is compatible with RS232 and RS485 and will run off 24 VDC, both of which you would find in a typical industrial environment. It offers 24 V digital inputs and outputs, as well as analog inputs and outputs from 0 to 10 V. [Mr Innovative] demonstrates it by hooking up a DWIN human-machine interface (HMI) for, well… human interaction, and a variable frequency drive to run a motor.
If you want to run a basic industrial-lite system but can’t afford the real industrial price tag, you might enjoy tinkering around at this level first. It could be a great way to get a simple project up and running without breaking the bank. Video after the break.

Primary Wave acquires publishing and other rights to entire catalog of ‘Feels So Good’ composer Chuck MangioneMangione's five-plus decade career in music yielded more than 30 albums and two Grammy wins
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NetEase Cloud Music profit soars as revenue from streaming subscriptions jumps 25.5% YoYChina's second-largest music streaming company more than doubled its net profit year on year
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Explorations Vol.2 from Arturia Arturia have announced the launch of Explorations Vol.2, a collection of three new sound banks designed for their Analog Lab and Pigments software instruments. 

How Bandsintown has revolutionized live music discovery: Fabrice Sergent on the Adventures In Venueland podcastIt's not hyperbole that Bandsintown has revolutionized live music discovery and marketing. Bandsintown co-founder and managing partner Fabrice Sergent joins the Adventures In Venueland podcast to discuss the state of live music marketing and how the platform serves fans, artists, and venues.
The post How Bandsintown has revolutionized live music discovery: Fabrice Sergent on the Adventures In Venueland podcast appeared first on Hypebot.

DJ Snake and Beyonce among the artists warning US election candidates to stop using their musicEvery time there’s a US election, it seems at least one artist will decry the use of their music by one of the campaigning parties. The current presidential race has been no different and now, DJ Snake has been the latest person to voice his disapproval.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is currently in full swing and the second night saw rapper Lil Jon perform his 2013 smash hit collaboration with DJ Snake, Turn Down For What.

READ MORE: “I didn’t know anything about how the gear worked – I learned it all from reading magazines”: Rick Beato on becoming a producer at 37

The performance was part of the state roll call – Lil Jon was representing his native state of Georgia, while other songs chosen by their respective states include Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA for New Jersey and Kansas’ Carry On Wayward Son for… well, Kansas.
Nonetheless, DJ Snake wasn’t pleased about his song being used at the DNC. On X/Twitter, he wrote: “I did not and do not allow the use of my music to be played at a political event of any kind.”

I did not and do not allow the use of my music to be played at a political event of any kind. https://t.co/whYGssqrjJ
— DJ SNAKE (@djsnake) August 21, 2024

DJ Snake isn’t the only person to express his discomfort with his music being used in political campaigns. Usually, it’s the Republican campaign that attracts the most ire from artists, particularly those who don’t want their work to be associated with Donald Trump.
Beyoncé has reportedly sent the Trump campaign a cease-and-desist for its unauthorised use of her song Freedom in a social media video. She did, however, approve the use of the track by Kamala Harris’ campaign.
Celine Dion’s team rebuked the former President for using My Heart Will Go On without authorisation at a rally, which Dion “does not endorse”.
Meanwhile, earlier this year after The Smiths’ Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want was played at a similar event, Johnny Marr said: “Consider this shit shut down right now.”
The family of Isaac Hayes have also threatened a lawsuit for copyright infringement to stop Trump using Hold On, I’m Coming at rallies, claiming he has done so 134 times despite them asking him repeatedly to stop.
The post DJ Snake and Beyonce among the artists warning US election candidates to stop using their music appeared first on MusicTech.

Are Apple’s fourth-gen AirPods on the way? Here’s what we know so farApple’s iPhone 16 event is due to take place this September, and it’s widely believed the tech giant will announce the fourth generation of its non-Pro AirPods.
As per Engadget, the fourth generation could seemingly offer both an entry-level model and a more advanced “mid-tier” version, both of which could potentially replace AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.

READ MORE: “Apple leaked it so I can say it”: Flying Lotus confirms he made two of Apple’s iPhone ringtones

The second-gen AirPods were launched in 2019, with the third landing back in 2021. The AirPods Pro – the higher-end edition of the in-ear headphones – are also still on the market, but these are only in their second generation. It is not currently believed that these will be receiving any upgrades at this event.
It is suggested that both editions of the AirPods 4 will have a USB-C case. Interestingly, it has also been alleged that the cheaper version may not offer wireless charging, but that it’s slightly more advanced sibling potentially will. This more advanced version is also speculated to support active noise cancellation like the Pro model.
And while it’s not believed the in-ear Pros will see any changes, it’s also not clear if we will hear any news on its over-ear AirPod Max headphones either. It has been four years since these were launched, so it may well be about time for a refresh.
Of course, all of these predictions right now remain to be just that, and we won’t know for sure what Apple will announce officially until the big day itself. Currently, the iPhone 16 launch event is estimated to occur on 10 September due to previous patterns of its launch dates.
MusicTech will bring you more updates as we get them. In the meantime, you can view the current range of AirPods over at Apple.
The post Are Apple’s fourth-gen AirPods on the way? Here’s what we know so far appeared first on MusicTech.

Breath Control for Musicians: Find Your FlowUnlock the secret to mastering breath control for musicians and elevate your musical performance with Ray LeVier's groundbreaking techniques. Download a free snippet from his book Drumming in Flow and discover how to breathe your way to success both on and off the stage.
The post Breath Control for Musicians: Find Your Flow appeared first on Hypebot.

Noise Engineering introduce Dystorpia Dystorpia is Noise Engineering's first foray into guitar pedals and is said to offer an entirely unique approach to digital distortion and drive.

Top Streaming Statistics of 2024: Music, Video, Gaming & MoreBobby Owsinski covers the top streaming statistics of 2024 across multiple industries, from gaming to music to video and more...
The post Top Streaming Statistics of 2024: Music, Video, Gaming & More appeared first on Hypebot.

“I didn’t know anything about how the gear worked – I learned it all from reading magazines”: Rick Beato on becoming a producer at 37In an age where headlines are dominated by the youngest prodigies and award-winning musicians who seem to spring fully formed from the ether, it’s easy to forget that success doesn’t always come early.
Enter Rick Beato, the multi-talented music producer and YouTube host who says he only started producing at the age of 37, having never had prior experience before.

READ MORE: Shure’s new SM4 Home Recording Microphone captures “professional-quality recordings regardless of setup, environment, or experience”

“At age 35 I started my first band, at age 36 we got signed and at age 37 we got dropped. That’s the year that I started producing,” says Beato in a new video titled ‘I only have myself to blame’.
The producer cites himself as an example of a late bloomer who’s able to not only catch up but also thrive in an industry that often values youth over experience, saying “the idea that you have to do things when you’re young is not true”.
“I didn’t know anything about how any of this gear worked… I learned it all from reading magazines at a Barnes & Noble and asking questions to people that knew more than I did,” Beato explains.
He notes that his first platinum record as a producer came when he was 41, and that he earned his first number one song as a writer in 2013 at the age of 51 – hardly the age one would associate with a burgeoning career in the music industry.
“I’ve rethought my one premise of ‘you need to do things before you’re 30 because that’s when you’re able to really learn’ because when I was 54 I started on YouTube and YouTube didn’t even start till 2006 but people didn’t even have music YouTube channels till about 2010 or so,” he says.
“The thing that I’m doing now didn’t even exist!”
“So the idea that you have to do things when you’re young is not true,” Beato continues. “I could start this channel again now at 62 from scratch and I still think I would be successful at it.”
While it’d be “more difficult because it takes a lot of energy and I’m glad I did it when I was 54”, says the producer, “it can be done and you could do it too if you’re willing to work hard enough.”

Rick Beato currently boasts 4.4 million subscribers on YouTube. Head to his channel now to subscribe.
The post “I didn’t know anything about how the gear worked – I learned it all from reading magazines”: Rick Beato on becoming a producer at 37 appeared first on MusicTech.