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SpaceX looks to scale astronaut launch capacity with second Florida padSpaceX is in the final stages of certifying a second pad for astronaut launches, which should ease launch site congestion and help the company scale the number of humans it sends to space. SpaceX has performed 13 crewed missions, and all of them launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It’s the […]
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DIY RC Controller Built With Old-School PartsOnce upon a time, RC transmitters were expensive units that cost hundreds of dollars even at the low end. Now, you can get them pretty cheaply, or, you can choose to build your own. [Phytion] did just that.
The design isn’t based around a modern microcontroller, nor does it rely on WiFi or Bluetooth connections. Instead, it’s a little more old school. It’s built using the HT12E parallel-to-serial encoder chip, and the HT12D decoder chip for the receiver. The controller uses a pair of HT12Es on the transmitter, and a pair of HT12Ds on the receiver. These accept inputs from a pair of analog joysticks and encode them as serial data. However, they essentially just act as digital joysticks in this design. The HT12Es feed into an STX882 module which transmits the data from the HT12Es over 433 MHz. Another STX882 module receives this signal, and passes it through HT12Ds for decoding.
At the receiving end, one joystick can turn four outputs on or off depending on whether it is pushed up, down, left or right. A channel select switch then allows it to do the same for four further outputs. The second joystick just mirrors the operation of the first. It’s just intended to make controlling something like an RC car easier by allowing one stick to be pushed forwards and backwards, and the other left and right.
You don’t see many designs like this anymore. Realistically, it’s possible to get far more functionality out of a design based on an ESP32 or similar wireless-capable chip. However, this one doesn’t require any complicated handshaking and powers up instantly, which is a nice bonus. Plus, it’s always interesting to see alternative designs tried out in the wild. Video after the break.

Still not convinced about TikTok’s AI music ambitions? This web of patents and trademarks will change your mind.MBW has uncovered a series of US patents and trademark applications filed by a mysterious ByteDance affiliate
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James Blake joins $5-per-month ‘artist subscription’ platformVault says that "artists can share their unreleased tracks directly" with fans and "tap into a new recurring revenue stream".
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How to find vocal harmonies: A step-by-step guide
Explore the qualities that make a vocal harmony effective and learn how to write your own harmonies from scratch.

2024 Home Sweet Home Automation: A DIY SCADA smart homeTouch-screen control and monitoring
Supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, systems sit in the background in industrial settings, performing all kinds of important jobs but in an ad-hoc setup, depending on the precise requirements of the installation. When we think about home automation systems, they’re pretty much the same deal: ad-hoc systems put together from off-the-shelf components and a few custom bits thrown in. [Stefan Schnitzer] clearly has significant knowledge of SCADA in an industrial setting and has carried this over into their home for their entry into the Hackaday 2024 Home Sweet Home Automation Contest.
Having built their own home from the ground up, [Stefan] could run wiring and add sensors anywhere needed whilst working on the interior, giving a clean, full custom installation covering lights, heating, ventilation, even the robot vacuum cleaner and the cat feeder. No dodgy conduits and visible wiring runs!
SCADA systems are designed in a hierarchical manner, which makes them easy to understand. At the bottom of the hierarchy, which is level 0, we have the physical variables and control mechanisms that include things like room temperature control, door lock status and the cat feeder. Above this is level 1, the physical interface between levels 0 and 2. This level 1 hardware is based around a collection of Arduino UNOs and Mega2560s, keeping costs low. One extra, fancy addition was a Pixtend I/O board, which connects directly to the level 2 hardware, a Raspberry Pi3, which forms the SCADA supervisor and runs the web server for direct low-level control, as well as the Modbus TCP driver for the ethernet modules used on the Arduinos. This Pi also runs the MQTT broker and the Codesys software PLC. Finally, levels 3 and 4 are the coordination/production layers and are implemented with another Raspberry Pi3 that runs NodeRed and Grafana. InfluxDB is used for local data storage. This Pi also receives images from the IP cameras placed around the area and any connections to services outside the home.
We don’t get DIY PLC hacks too often; this one is from 2016, but still relevant. If you’re wondering how to secure all this complexity, we had a hack chat on this subject a few years back.

James Blake launches Vault, a direct artist-to-fan unreleased music streaming platformAfter teasing a “solution” to low artist royalties from streaming platforms and TikTok over the last week, James Blake has unveiled Vault. It’s a streaming platform that allows artists to upload unreleased music, for which fans pay a monthly subscription fee set by the artist.

READ MORE: The music streaming revolution is here, thanks to these new streaming platforms

Revealed in a video posted to X and Instagram, the British singer and producer said: “Most musicians are not extroverts who are social media and branding geniuses, least of all me. And I wanted to find a way for musicians to make money directly from the music they make, not least to be able to reinvest in the very expensive process of renting studios, hiring musicians, etc.
“Also, I’ve spoken to a lot of artists who feel frustrated that so much great music goes unreleased because it doesn’t meet certain requirements or trends.
“So after my tweets did the rounds, I was contacted by the makers of the platform called Vault, who are trying to tackle this exact problem. So I’m going to start the experiment off by releasing from my Vault of unreleased music for a subscription of $5 a month. It’s music direct from me to you, where no one can gatekeep what I release to you, or delay my releases. And I’ve got a chat section for everyone to discuss the music.
“This thing was built fairly quickly after my outburst on social media so we’ll be adding features as we go along. But the concept of subscribing to an artist directly, I think can change the game and release artists from the relentless merry-go-round of the current state of things.
“This is hopefully a great step towards allowing artists to be as authentic as possible, while still making a living.”
Watch the video below:

Ok, so for the first time I’m going to be releasing from my vault of unreleased music
We are launching @vaultdotfm to show music has inherent value beyond just exposure
Subscribe to unlock pic.twitter.com/pIic7Ef47G
— James Blake (@jamesblake) March 20, 2024

Leading with the slogan, “What if making music was enough?”, a video was also posted to the vault.fm X page showing how the platform works:

What if making music was enough? pic.twitter.com/oP64sE7llU
— Vault (@vaultdotfm) March 20, 2024

This all comes after Blake recently went viral on X for hitting out at TikTok after finding neither he nor Frank Ocean had received any payment for the wealth of uses on TikTok of his cover of Ocean’s track, Godspeed.
In a series of posts, Blake wrote, “Something I keep seeing is ‘if you’re lucky enough to go viral, just use the exposure to generate income some other way’. Musicians should be able to generate income via their music.
“Do you want good music or do you want what you paid for?”
He continued: “If we want quality music somebody is gonna have to pay for it. Streaming services don’t pay properly, labels want a bigger cut than ever and just sit and wait for you to go viral, TikTok doesn’t pay properly, and touring is getting prohibitively expensive for most artists.
“The brainwashing worked and now people think music is free,” he wrote.
We’ll keep you up to date as more details and reactions come out.
In the meantime, find out more at vault.fm.
The post James Blake launches Vault, a direct artist-to-fan unreleased music streaming platform appeared first on MusicTech.

Austrian Audio Extends Warranty for Studio-Grade Line of Professional HeadphonesCustomers can now benefit from up to five years of warranty coverage on the company's finest hand-crafted headphones.

Vienna, Austria, March 19, 2024 — Austrian Audio announced that each product in its line of high-precision made-in-Austria headphones will now include up to five years of comprehensive warranty coverage.

Effective immediately, purchasers of the pro audio company’s The Composer, Hi-X65, Hi-X60, Hi-X55, or Hi-X50 headphones can register their products on Austrian Audio’s website for the five-year warranty, and retaining proof of purchase will ensure they are covered.

Designed, engineered, and built in Austria, this line of pro audio headphones from the Vienna-based company delivers immersive sound quality ideal for any professional musician, producer, engineer, or discerning audiophile.

“We believe in the quality and durability of our products,” noted Martin Seidl, Austrian Audio’s CEO. “Extending the warranty to five years reflects our confidence in the tools we make and our commitment to the artists we design them for. It’s our responsibility to provide top-tier service for these top-tier products.”

“I’m most proud of elevating the sound and clarity of how we experience hip-hop”: Dr. Dre gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of FameRapper and producer Dr. Dre has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem, and more were in attendance at the presentation earlier this week as Dr. Dre’s star was unveiled. Dre has seven Grammy awards, is the CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and the co-founder of Death Row Records.

READ MORE: “Dr. Dre especially would love if there was a way to have total isolation with live drums”: Trevor Lawrence Jr. on blurring the lines between acoustic kits and drum machines

As reported by Billboard, Dr.Dre is the 2,775th person to receive a star on the iconic Walk of Fame, which occupies 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard, plus three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
In his speech at the presentation, Dr. Dre states, “Growing up in Compton, I never imagined that I would one day be represented here among some of my childhood heroes. I’ve been fortunate enough to make a living doing exactly what I love to do. How about that? Isn’t that the dream?”
He adds, “Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of finding and nurturing new talent as well as pushing the boundaries in hip-hop both in content and substance. But I’m most proud of elevating the sound and clarity of how we experience hip-hop.
“Getting that thing right is one of my greatest achievements. I love that this honour is unique to Los Angeles and brings fans from all over the world to connect with their favourite artists. I’ll be here forever.”

Last year, Dr. Dre revealed that he had previously turned down opportunities to work with Prince and Michael Jackson. The producer said that he liked “the way [he] [feels] about Stevie, Prince, Michael, Bruce Springsteen and all of these amazing artists,” and that this “could change by working with them” in a podcast hosted by Kevin Hart.
He added, “These are my fucking heroes…. I like the idea of what I grew up listening to and I want to keep it like that. And I don’t want to fuck up that idea and that look.”
The post “I’m most proud of elevating the sound and clarity of how we experience hip-hop”: Dr. Dre gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame appeared first on MusicTech.

Universal Audio has slashed $250 off its UAD Essentials bundle – deal ends 1 April and no, we’re not jokingLooking to add more effects to your production arsenal without breaking the bank? UAD’s latest deal on its Essentials bundle might just be the perfect solution.
From now till 1 April – we’re serious – the audio brand is offering an attractive $250 off its Essentials bundle (usual price $299), which features 11 “must-have” UAD offerings that “gives you the rich analogue tones heard on decades of classic albums”.

READ MORE: “Songwriters are generating record-breaking revenues via streaming services”: Spotify releases its annual Loud & Clear Report

Available now through Plugin Boutique, the $49 bundle requires no UAD hardware. When bought separately, the plugins are worth over $1,000.
Here’s what you’ll get with the Essentials collection:

Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection (3 plug-ins)
Pultec Passive EQ Collection (3 plug-ins)
Century Tube Channel Strip
Oxide Tape Recorder
Galaxy Tape Echo
Pure Plate Reverb
PolyMAX Synth

To sweeten things further, Plugin Boutique is also running a deal where you can buy any two UAD plugins for just $99. The deal was originally priced at $499, which means a delicious $400 in savings that could go to new synths, new mics, new MIDI controllers — you get the point.
Universal Audio hardware owners can pick from the entire UAD library of around 130-140 plugins that run on UA (DSP) hardware (30 of these are now native), while non-Universal Audio hardware owners can pick only from Native plugins.
“UA plugins perfectly model the best vintage gear and instruments as used by your favourite artists, engineers, and producers for decades. Now the authentic analogue sound of UA plugins is available natively for Mac and Windows with no UA hardware required. Save up to 83 percent on UAD Essentials Edition & the Custom 2 Bundle in our time-limited sale,” says Plugin Boutique.
The post Universal Audio has slashed $250 off its UAD Essentials bundle – deal ends 1 April and no, we’re not joking appeared first on MusicTech.

GForce unleash VSM IV The latest version of VSM extends the instrument’s functionality with new effects and modulation capabilities. 

Moog Music is moving out of its current Asheville homeIt’s the end of an era – Moog is moving out of its current famous home on Broadway Street in Asheville, North Carolina.
The brand has resided at its current red brick-walled building – which is easily recognisable for its bright music and synth-themed mural windows – since 2011, per the city’s website.

READ MORE: Moog’s Apple Vision Pro Animoog Galaxy softsynth is a “multidimensional sonic, visual and spatial experience”

It won’t be going too far though, according to a statement from the brand (via abc13 News), Moog is moving to the Asheville Citizen-Times building along O’Henry Avenue where it will continue to carry out work on product design, development, and engineering. It’s also expanding its manufacturing facility in Weaverville, a city just north of Asheville.
The Citizen-Times, which will be vacating its offices ahead of the synth brand’s move, reports that Moog president, Joe Richardson, says the new location moves Moog towards the city centre “where so much creativity and musical expression lives”.

The first floor of the building is currently home to record maker and cafe, Citizen Vinyl. Richardson also comments that Moog staff are “big fans of Citizen Vinyl” and that they appreciate CEO Gar Ragland’s efforts to support music in different ways.
“I sure hope there is a day in the future [when we] will be collaborating with artists and bringing more music to Asheville that we can all benefit from, both commercially and as lovers of music,” he adds.
Last September, it was revealed that “more than half of existing positions” at Moog’s Broadway Street facilities had been cut. In the previous June, the brand was acquired by inMusic, the company which also owns Akai, Alesis, M-Audio, Numark, and others. At the time of the layoffs, it was reported that most of its synths would then on be made in Taiwan. Richardson now states that the company intends to increase staff.
Check out the current product lineup from Moog.
The post Moog Music is moving out of its current Asheville home appeared first on MusicTech.

“Who knew that I would earn more money from a short guitar riff than I ever earned in 50 years as a member of Roxy Music?”: Phil Manzanera on being sampled on Kanye West and Jay-Z trackA guitar riff by musician and producer Phil Manzanera that he “forgot all about” was once sampled in a song by Kanye West and Jay-Z, leading to him earning more money than he ever did during his time as a guitarist in English rock band, Roxy Music.
The sample is taken from the title track of his 1976 solo album K-Scope, and can be heard on the song No Church In The Wild from West and Jay-Z’s 2011 album, Watch The Throne. In his new book, Revolución To Roxy, Manzanera has recalled how he found out about the sample.

READ MORE: Fred Again.. has produced a track on Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s VULTURES album

An extract of the book shared by inews (via MusicRadar) reveals that Manzanera was contacted by a representative of Roc-A-Fella Records, who informed him of the sample which had been sourced by 88-Keys. “Delving as deep as I knew how into the furthest recesses of my memory, I vaguely recalled being near the end of recording and at a loss for something new to play,” writes Manzanera.
“One evening I’d been sitting on the sofa and noodling with my guitar when I came across this riff which I quite liked. I played it only a few times, recorded it in the studio the next day, and then forgot all about it.”
After originally thinking that the call from the representative was a mix-up, Manzanera returned a call to the business affairs department at Virgin and spoke to an executive. “I told her about the phone call from Roc-A-Fella Records and asked if she knew anything about it. ‘Oh yes we know about it,’ she said cheerfully, ‘we’ve been discussing it with them for weeks.’”

Apparently, they didn’t need his permission to use the sample because the label owned the copyright, but the executive explained that negotiations had taken place and that he would receive a third of the royalties from sales of the track.
“Who knew that I would earn more money from a short guitar riff that I wrote one evening on a sofa in front of the telly in 1978 than I ever earned in the entire 50 years as a member of Roxy Music?” he says in the book. “Thank you, Kanye West, thank you Jay-Z, thank you Virgin and Universal, and thank you to the capricious mistress that is rock ‘n’ roll.”

The topic of West and sampling has been a point of prominent discussion in recent months. The rap artist has been criticised by Ozzy Osbourne for allegedly using an unauthorised sample from a performance of Black Sabbath’s Iron Man. Donna Summer’s estate has also accused West of using an alleged unauthorised interpolation of the late singer’s 1977 hit I Feel Love.
The post “Who knew that I would earn more money from a short guitar riff than I ever earned in 50 years as a member of Roxy Music?”: Phil Manzanera on being sampled on Kanye West and Jay-Z track appeared first on MusicTech.

Tyler, the Creator: “I’m always ahead of even myself, so AI will never catch up to me creatively”Amid the current AI debate within the music industry, artists have expressed a range of stances from curiosity to disdain and even considerable concern for the future of music if it’s eventually out of human hands. Tyler, The Creator, however, has expressed his own stance on it, and from the sounds of things, he appears unperturbed by the rapid advantages in technology.

READ MORE: “We should start putting out music again on Tuesdays and not Fridays”: Tyler, the Creator discusses changes he’d make to the industry

The musician says in a new interview that he feels he is “always ahead of even myself” which means that in his mind, “the AI will never catch up to me creatively”.
On a recent episode of De La Soul’s AOI podcast, the artist says he reckons AI can’t outpace “the superpower that we have” in terms of human creativity that “keeps things unique and moving forward”.
“Why have a computer do that special power that us as humans have?” he questions. “[We should make it] clean up the ground or for getting the cancer cells out of us. What? Making a beat? Like, no. Stop.
“It might have its perks but I’m always ahead of even myself, so the AI will never catch up to me creatively. It’ll only be a reference point of what I already did, not where I’m going because it’s not me.”

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In other AI news, YouTuber Rick Beato also recently weighed in on the subject and admitted he had mixed feelings on the emergence of the technology.
“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.”
He continues, “People, companies – whether it’s Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Warner Music, UMG, Sony – are gonna have all their own AI-generated music. Those are the downsides. Who’s gonna hold the copyright on it? What are the songs that the models are gonna be trained on? I believe, in the future, you’ll go to Apple Music or Spotify, you’ll see The Beatles, and The Beatles AI; Led Zeppelin, and Led Zeppelin AI.”
The post Tyler, the Creator: “I’m always ahead of even myself, so AI will never catch up to me creatively” appeared first on MusicTech.