Classical Highlights for September 2025What is in the current batch of new classical albums deemed by our reviewers as worthy of a listen? Start with the vocal ensemble Gesualdo Six (pictured) who put together another outstanding program on the new album Radiant Dawn. Find this and many more in our September classical review roundup.

Activist investor pushes Polygon tokenomics overhaul amid POL price slumpActivist investor calls for Polygon to scrap 2% inflation and launch buybacks to rescue POL’s price and restore investor confidence.

Lucid Motors sets record as Gravity sales pick up and tax credit expiresThe company has seen EV deliveries increase for seven straight quarters, even though it's still way off the ambitious goals it promoted when it went public in 2021.

Guitar Center partners with Schecter to launch exclusive SC-6 six-string bassTwo instrumental powerhouses, Guitar Center and Schecter Guitar Research, have teamed up to produce the Schecter SC-6 Six-String Bass, a piece that boasts unique clarity and a dynamic range, the ideal guitar for musicians looking to push the boundaries of their sonic comfort zone.

Exclusively available at Guitar Center stores in the U.S. and online at guitarcenter.com, the SC-6 has a Nyatoh body with a natural satin flamed maple top that offers rich resonance alongside a durable and easy-to-navigate rosewood fretboard. Available for $799.99, the SC-6 is easy on the eyes and houses Schecter Diamond 6ST Active Bass Pickups paired with the powerful 18V active 3-band EQ for a striking and flexible tone. 

“The SC-6 marks a major step in bringing extended-range basses into the spotlight for a wider audience,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center, in a press release. “By partnering with Schecter, we’re able to deliver a bass with boutique-level features at an affordable price, giving passionate players and aspiring performers access to the tools they need to push their music further.”The post Guitar Center partners with Schecter to launch exclusive SC-6 six-string bass first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

2G Gone? Bring It Back Yourself!Some parts of the world still have ample 2G coverage; for those of in North America, 2G is long gone and 3G has either faded into dusk or beginning its sunset. The legendary [dosdude1] shows us it need not be so, however: Building a Custom 2G GSM Cellular Base Station is not out of reach, if you are willing to pay for it. His latest videos show us how.
Before you start worrying about the FCC or its equivalents, the power here is low enough not to penetrate [dosdude]’s walls, but technically this does rely in flying under the radar. The key component is a Nuand BladeRF x40 full-duplex Software Defined Radio, which is a lovely bit of open-source hardware, but not exactly cheap. Aside from that, all you need is a half-decent PC (it at least needs USB-3.0 to communicate with the SDR, the “YateBTS”  software (which [dosdude1] promises to provide a setup guide for in a subsequent video) and a sim card reader. Plus some old phones, of course, which is rather the whole point of this exercise.
The 2G sunset, especially when followed by 3G, wiped out whole generations of handhelds — devices with unique industrial design and forgotten internet protocols that are worth remembering and keeping alive. By the end of the video, he has his own little network, with the phones able to call and text one another on the numbers he set up, and even (slowly) access the internet through the miniPC’s network connection.
Unlike most of the hacks we’ve featured from [dosdude1], you won’t even need a soldering iron, never mind a reflow oven for BGA. 

‘We’re in the business of working with people who change the way other people feel.’Peter Edge, RCA's Los Angeles-based CEO, on building careers in an age of shortened attention spans, why "premium" artists are winning in a crowded marketplace, and more
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Tubesessor plug-in from Heritage Audio The latest Heritage Audio device to be treated to a software counterpart is the Tubesessor, an optical valve compressor that offers the company’s take on the Tube‑Tech CL‑1B.

How Bands and Music Venues Can Market Live Shows Like the ProsEven the best live performances can fall flat if nobody knows they’re happening. Whether you're a band gearing up for a new release or a venue building your calendar, effective marketing is what turns a good show into a packed house. Learn how bands and music venues can market shows like the pros.
The post How Bands and Music Venues Can Market Live Shows Like the Pros appeared first on Hypebot.

Soniccouture Sun DrumsVintage Drums For Modern Beats. Sun Drums is a sister instrument to Soniccouture's acclaimed Moonkits - focusing purely on sticks, not brushes - with the same studio, the same vintage desk & mics, the same softer, dynamic drumming style. Featuring a huge collection of vintage & modern drums, Sun Drums is built with a modern, dry sound in mind - from classic breakbeats to booming hip-hop or just fat pop drums: 100+ VELOCITY LAYERS. BEAT TOOLS. 100 KITS. 8GB LIBRARY. Kontakt Player NKS. Read More

17 Killer Social Media Content Ideas for MusiciansA helpful guide for artists to cut through the noise of social media with time-tested and original content ideas that fit your brand.
The post 17 Killer Social Media Content Ideas for Musicians appeared first on Hypebot.

Akai’s new MPC Live III has launched: here’s everything you need to know about features, pricing, and availabilityAkai has launched the third iteration of its MPC Live workstation, offering the “fastest processor of any MPC to date”, and reimagined pads.
Building upon the MPC Live II, which landed back in 2020 and introduced built-in speakers, this new model offers a boatload of upgrades and new features, notably with the addition of new MPCe pads, which are 3D-sensing, ultra-responsive, and designed for more nuanced expression.

READ MORE: “Looping is merely the ultimate extension of overdubbing”: Top insights from the creator of the Akai MPC

Akai says that the MPC Live III has been crafted for “producers who move fast”, with a vast range of tools for all needs – from basic beatmaking to advanced music production – all within a standalone unit that requires no laptop. Let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer:
What are the key features of the Akai MPC Live III?
Credit: Akai Professional
Starting with the new MPCe pads, not only are they much more responsive, but they also enable X/Y control of one-shot layers, sample blending, plus dynamic note repeats and articulations. The unit also has a new 8-core processor with 8GB of RAM, stepping things up from its predecessor’s Quad Core, and has an onboard rechargeable battery, speakers, and a mic, plus deep MIDI and CV control.
For the first time ever in an MPC, this new unit also welcomes clip launching, step sequencing, and assignable performance buttons. Pro Stems Separation is onboard, and you can also load up to 32 instrument plugin instances and 16 audio tracks – all made smoother with its snazzy new processor, of course.
The MPC Live III also offers direct sampling via USB-C, and there are 32 channels of MIDI for seamless DAW integration if desired. Check out the video below for further details on its additional features:

How much does the Akai MPC Live III cost and when is it available?
The new Akai MPC Live III is priced at $1,699 USD / €1,649.99 / £1,399.99. It is available to buy now through select dealers including Thomann, Amazon, Andertons, and Bop DJ.
You can find out more about the MPC Live III or locate a dealer via the Akai Professional website.
The post Akai’s new MPC Live III has launched: here’s everything you need to know about features, pricing, and availability appeared first on MusicTech.

A Sound Effect offers the Circus Horror Strings sample pack FREE for a limited time
Whether you’re a fully-fledged horror movie superfan or you just like to embrace the madness of Halloween each year, there’s something strangely appealing about the sound of horror. You can now get that sound free of charge for a limited time with the Circus Horror Strings sample pack by A Sound Effect. But, you’ll have [...]
View post: A Sound Effect offers the Circus Horror Strings sample pack FREE for a limited time

Universal Audio launch UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp The latest addition to the UAD plug-in range brings another sought-after amplifier recreation to the collection, capturing the sound of Fender’s iconic Showman.

DAWJunkie releases RazorPluck Jr, a FREE pluck synth for macOS and Windows
DAWJunkie is offering RazorPluck Jr, a compact virtual synthesizer designed for crafting bright, expressive plucks — and it’s free for a limited time. The plugin is available for macOS and Windows. Although RazorPluck Jr is a streamlined version of DAWJunkie’s forthcoming RazorPluck ($49) synth, it feels like a complete instrument. Apart from a small Upgrade [...]
View post: DAWJunkie releases RazorPluck Jr, a FREE pluck synth for macOS and Windows

“I’m very, very scared… The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game”: Britney Spears hitmaker Justin Tranter warns “there won’t be anymore” songwriters if labels don’t step upJustin Tranter, the songwriter behind hits for Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Chappell Roan, and countless more has raised the alarm on the future of songwriting.
In a candid interview with Hollywood Reporter, the 45-year-old warns that if labels don’t start taking care of their writers, very soon “there won’t be any anymore”.
“The song is the most important part of the music business. It all starts at the fucking song. So why aren’t we taking care of the people who make the song? It’s crazy,” says Tranter.

READ MORE: “These are not songs coming out of Sabrina Carpenter’s head”: Rick Beato says most modern popstars are just “vehicles” for songs crafted by professional songwriters

Arguing for better support for songwriters, he adds, “if the labels don’t start taking care of songwriters, there won’t be any anymore, and it’s just going to be old people like me, who can afford to work for free.”
Tranter notes that while a small number of privileged writers like him can still make a living, the next generation faces steep challenges, particularly in the streaming era.
“I want it to be clear that I’m not complaining for me,” he says. “The bulk of the money I made was through radio, film and TV, when songwriters could still make real money. Across all the streaming platforms that give you numbers, I think I’ve had just over 70 billion streams. Very little of the money I’ve made has come from that. I’m very, very scared for this next generation of writers.”
At the heart of the problem, says Tranter, is the imbalance between creatives and the executives running the show: “The songwriter problem is a billionaire problem. And that’s where we should be focusing. There are record label executives, tech executives that have made a lot of the money that me and my co-writers should’ve made.”
The looming rise of AI only adds to his fears. “If we haven’t already, we are going to start to see a decline in greatness, fewer great songs,” he warns. “And that will eventually be a decline in [the music business’s] bottom line. The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game, which is scary.”
“As someone who’s a fan first, I want new hitmakers, new people behind the scenes. I still want to keep going, but I can’t write every fucking hit.”
The post “I’m very, very scared… The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game”: Britney Spears hitmaker Justin Tranter warns “there won’t be anymore” songwriters if labels don’t step up appeared first on MusicTech.