Music-making platform BandLab surpasses 100 million usersApp has grown by 40 million users since January 2023
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ELVIS Act signed into law in Tennessee to protect artists’ voice and likeness from the misuse of AIThe bipartisan ELVIS Act was signed into law on Thursday (March 21) by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
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Vastly Improved Servo Control, Now Without Motor SurgeryHobby servos are great, but they’re in many ways not ideal for robotic applications. The good news is that [Adam] brings the latest version of his ServoProject, providing off-the-shelf servos with industrial-type motion control to allow for much, much tighter motion tracking than one would otherwise be limited to.
Modifying a servo no longer requires opening the DC motor within.
The PID control system in a typical hobby servo is very good at two things: moving to a new position quickly, and holding that position. This system is not very good at smooth motion, which is desirable in robotics along with more precise motion tracking.
[Adam] has been working on replacing the PID control with a more capable cascade-based control scheme, which can even compensate for gearbox backlash by virtue of monitoring the output shaft and motor position separately. What’s really new in this latest version is that there is no longer any need to perform surgery on the DC motor when retrofitting a servo; the necessary sensing is now done externally. Check out the build instructions for details.
The video (embedded just below) briefly shows how a modified servo can perform compared to a stock one, and gives a good look at the modifications involved. There’s still careful assembly needed, but unlike the previous version there is no longer any need to actually open up and modify the DC motor, which is a great step forward.

Dynamic Range Day 2024 Dynamic Range Day was started by mastering engineer Ian Shepherd, and aims to raise awareness of the negative impact that excessive dynamic processing can have on music.

A Binary Version of the Engima MachineThe Enigma machine is the most well-known encryption tool used by German forces in World War II, mostly because it was so famously cracked by the Allies to great effect. Like many hackers, [christofer.jh] was intrigued by the design of the Enigma, and felt compelled to build a binary version of his own design.
The original Enigma machine was designed to scramble the 26 letters in the Latin alphabet. This design is altogether simpler. Instead of 26 letters, it will scramble 1s and 0s of binary code based on the initial settings of the scrambler rings.

To send a message encoded with the machine, you must first translate your text into binary. You can use any method, and [christofer.jh] suggests a simplified one himself. Then, digit by digit, you push a button corresponding to the 1s and 0s of your message, check the output, note it down, and then push the lever to advance the rings. Enter the next digit, and so on. Decoding then involves setting up the machine in the same initial state and entering the ciphertext to get the message back out.
It’s an amusing little design and one that could be a good laugh to assemble for those interested in classical cryptographic methods. Design files are there so you can print your own if you so desire. Or, check out some previous Enigma projects from the pages of Hackaday.

Online Q&A with Studio Manager Candace StewartConnect with Candace Stewart, the legendary manager of East West Studios in Hollywood.

With over 30 years of experience in studio management, Candace is a leading figure in the recording business. As part of the core team at East West, she has helped the studio deliver over 190 Grammy nominated songs and albums. She has worked with artists across all genres of music, including The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, and Snoop Dogg, as well as acclaimed film composers such as Jerry Goldsmith and Paul Williams.

For the next seven days, Candace Stewart will answer all of your business and industry-related questions on our community platform. Learn about how to cultivate a successful career as a producer or engineer and find out what it takes to run one of the world’s leading studio destinations.

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Roland and UMG partner for a new set of principles of AI use in musicAs AI technology advances, more and more musicians are using it throughout the creative process. With free-to-use voice cloning AI software and TikTok’s AI Song features, AI is becoming increasingly easy to access and use when creating tracks.
However, it can be difficult to discern when an artist has utilised AI. In order to combat improper or undisclosed usage of AI, Roland and Universal Music Group have joined forces to lay down ground rules for AI usage in music.

READ MORE: TikTok testing generative AI songmaking tool – and so far, it absolutely sucks

The Principles for Music Creation with AI serves as a guideline for responsible AI usage in music. A dedicated website, AIForMusic.info, lists the 7 principles that will ensure human creativity is protected and AI is used with care.
The full list of core principles are:

We believe music is central to humanity.
We believe humanity and music are inseparable.
We believe that technology has long supported human artistic expression, and applied sustainably, AI will amplify human creativity.
We believe that human-created works must be respected and protected.
We believe that transparency is essential to responsible and trustworthy AI.
We believe the perspectives of music artists, songwriters, and other creators must be sought after and respected.
We are proud to help bring music to life.

In many ways, the list feels rather dystopian. Roland and UMG make a strong point of how AI could threaten human creativity; as the site preaches, “music is central to humanity,” and we should continue to put human creativity at the forefront of music creation.
“Enjoying and creating music is integral to our health, well-being, and happiness,” the site reads. “Music provides a human connection to each other and the world around us and is deeply personal.”
In a statement shared by Music Week, Roland and UMG explain their alliance. “United by a mutual desire for clarity of direction and intention to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation, the partnership involves the exploration of innovation sitting at the cross-section of music and technology,” the statement reads.
Masahiro Minowa, chief innovation officer at Roland, was also quoted by Music Week: “as companies who share a mutual history of technology innovation, both Roland and UMG believe that AI can play an important role in the creative process of producing music. We also have a deep belief that human creativity is irreplaceable, and it is our responsibility to protect artists’ rights.”
The partnership comes after a series of UMG deals with AI -driven companies. In October, UMG announced it was teaming up BandLab, stating it would be an “an expansive, industry-first strategic relationship concentrated on artificial intelligence.”
Last year, UMG also joint forces with YouTube‘s ‘Music AI Incubator’, as well as generative AI sound wellness startup Endel.
“At UMG, we have long recognised and embraced the potential of AI to enhance and amplify human creativity, advance musical innovation, and expand the realms of audio production and sound technology,” UMG’s chief digital officer, Michael Nash says. “This can only happen if it is applied ethically and responsibly across the entire industry.”
“We are delighted to collaborate with Roland… to promote adoption of these core principles with the goal of ensuring human creativity continues to thrive alongside the evolution of new technology,” he concludes.
The post Roland and UMG partner for a new set of principles of AI use in music appeared first on MusicTech.

GoFundMe launched to support the uncredited vocalist on DJ Deeon’s Freak Like Me after 28 years of no compensationWhile DJ Deeon’s 1996 release Freak Like Me has been a club staple for years, the identity of the vocalist has remained a mystery for 28 years. Until now.
Thanks to Berlin DJ Sarah Farina, it has been revealed that Tish Bailey is the woman who sings the dancefloor classic. However, Bailey has not received a penny from her involvement.

READ MORE: James Blake launches Vault, a direct artist-to-fan unreleased music streaming platform

In order to compensate for nearly three decades of no credit, Farina has set up a GoFundMe to support the wronged singer.
“Imagine the voice in Freak Like Me is your own, recorded during a studio hang out with a friend and swapped between producers without your permission,” the GoFundMe reads. “Now imagine you were never credited or paid a fee or royalties and simply ignored after being promised it would be ‘made right’.”
At the time, Bailey didn’t have access to the legal support to argue her case. She had given up any hope of receiving compensation. That is, until DJ Farina hunted Bailey down and offered their support in 2019.

An avid Freak Like Me Fan, Farina religiously played DJ Deeon’s classic during their sets. It became their mission to discover who the voice belonged to – and, after relentless searching, they soon reached out to Bailey.
In an Instagram post, Farina shared Bailey’s story. Farina explains how Bailey recorded vocals at DJ Funk’s studio at the age of 19 and heard nothing more of it – only to hear them years later at a house party when a DJ played DJ Deeon’s Freak Like Me.
“Since its 1st release in 1996, both independent and major label artists have sampled, remixed and re-released lyrics written & sang by Tish Bailey,” the post reads. “Like may Black femme artists and vocalists, Tish’s voice was used without her being credited, paid a fee or given royalties.”

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A post shared by Sarah Farina (ﾉ• ◡ • )ﾉ (@sarahfarinabln)

While the GoFundMe aims to support Tish, Farina is also uplifting Bailey’s voice by having her feature on the DJ’s upcoming EP Stay Soft, out 5 April.
Bailey herself has spoken out in light of the GoFundMe campaign. “Though I never desired fame or notoriety, knowing millions worldwide have heard my voice and enjoyed it for decades and continue to even today, brings me joy,” she writes on her website.
“Though few know my name or have seen my face, I know I’ve brought a lil spicy joy to countless people,” she continues. “That’s my life’s purpose so despite any downside, I humbly appreciate the opportunity to reach the hearts of many.”
People can support to Bailey by donating to the GoFundMe or pre-ordering her EP with Farina on Bandcamp.

The post GoFundMe launched to support the uncredited vocalist on DJ Deeon’s Freak Like Me after 28 years of no compensation appeared first on MusicTech.

Orange Clip by Schwabe Digital Schwabe Digital's new Orange Clip plug-in makes the sound of FL Studio's popular built-in clipper plug-in available to users of any DAW.

Fast Company Names 10 Most Innovative Music Companies of 2024Business journal Fast Company has released its annual list of Most Innovative Companies, including ten focusing on music, and it contains a few surprises.....
The post Fast Company Names 10 Most Innovative Music Companies of 2024 appeared first on Hypebot.

Reiya By NN Audio Is FREE For A Limited Time On Pluginomat!
For a limited time, you can redeem the Reiya instrument by NNAudio for free via Pluginomat. Interestingly, the Digital Echoes plugin from the same developer is also available for free. Reiya is built upon the concept of four-layered sample-based engines. It has a vast library of 200 presets divided into various instrument categories. While it [...]
View post: Reiya By NN Audio Is FREE For A Limited Time On Pluginomat!

Five questions to ask yourself before supporting the TikTok banBefore backing the bipartisan supported ban, maybe ask yourself these questions about the true intentions behind the bill.....
The post Five questions to ask yourself before supporting the TikTok ban appeared first on Hypebot.

What is the ‘right amount’ to charge for tickets to your shows? Are your shows too cheap? Or maybe you worry you are robbing people? This guide explains calculating your door charges and finding your Goldilocks ticket price.....
The post What is the ‘right amount’ to charge for tickets to your shows?  appeared first on Hypebot.

LufsLimiterFree Is A New Free Limiter Plugin By SaschArt
LufsLimiterFree is a free VST plugin for Windows only, designed, according to its developer SaschArt, to revolutionize audio limiting. Who said the loudness wars were dead? Sure, some platforms optimize and normalize audio for certain loudness standards, but you don’t have to. Well, that’s at least what my mastering clients tell me occasionally. I’m a [...]
View post: LufsLimiterFree Is A New Free Limiter Plugin By SaschArt

Minimal Audio launch Flex Chorus The latest plug-in from Minimal Audio promises to deliver everything from precise stereo enhancement to huge-sounding unison effects