Arturia launches KeyLab Essential 88 mk3, putting a “full piano range at the fingertips” of producersArturia has launched the KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – the latest addition to its KeyLab Essentials range, following on from its 49- and 61-key models to offer a “full piano range” for producers and other music makers alike.
Described by the brand as “an intuitive, powerful, carefully crafted controller”, the KeyLab 88 mk3 enables users to control any DAW or MIDI hardware without the need for overly complex controls or a lengthy configuration process.

READ MORE: Arturia’s AudioFuse 16Rig is excellent for the modern studios of synth lovers

It hosts a full 88-note range, with a semi-weighted keyboard, and it easily integrates with Arturia’s Analog Lab Pro, Pigments, and V Collection.
New creative features on board for this new offering include a Scale Mode, Chord Mode, and an Arpeggiator. Users can also utilise custom DAW integration with the likes of FL Studio, Ableton, or Logic Pro, and Arturia also says more versatile presets are on board. Additionally, there’s easier controls and a streamlined interface.
So, what software is included?

Analog Lab V – a software instrument hub hosting 24 vintage instrument reproductions, including analogue and digital synths, acoustic pianos and electric pianos, organs, strings machines and samplers.
Ableton Live Lite – An introduction to Ableton Live, which lets you create, mix, and export your tracks. Over 800 instruments, drum racks, FX, and MIDI clips to explore are available here.
UVI Model D – Puts “the sound of the famous Steinway Model D grand piano at your fingertips”.
The Gentleman – Virtual instrument based on an upright piano from 1908 for vintage character.
Melodics – Provides instant access to lessons and tips on playing, performing, and production.
Loopcloud – A free 2-month Artist/Studio plan to this huge the Loopcloud sample library.

Find out more over at Arturia. 
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UMG, Jimmy Iovine backed NTWRK buys Complex to build a Superfan hubUMG and Jimmy Iovine-backed live-video shopping platform NTWRK will acquire media company Complex to create a music and culture superfan destination...
The post UMG, Jimmy Iovine backed NTWRK buys Complex to build a Superfan hub appeared first on Hypebot.

MIDiA identifies the top seven challenges Musicians face
Continuing from his "how difficult it is to make it in the music business" post, Bobby Owsinski breaks down a recent study revealing what's most difficult about being a professional musician.

Spoiler: It has nothing to do with talent...

The post MIDiA identifies the top seven challenges Musicians face appeared first on Hypebot.

Free tracking app Playlist Alert adds Apple MusicThe Playlist Alert iOS app sends real-time alerts when songs are added to playlists. Since 2021, the popular free app has focused on adds to thousands of Spotify editorial playlists...
The post Free tracking app Playlist Alert adds Apple Music appeared first on Hypebot.

Get 82% OFF Native Instruments Alicia’s Keys Piano Library
Get a massive 82% discount on Native Instruments Alicia’s Keys at Plugin Boutique. Alicia’s Keys (usually $112.69) is a Kontakt library created by Native Instruments in collaboration with the multi-award-winning singer/pianist Alicia Keys, and you can buy it for just $15.19 – which is a massive 82% discount! The library is compatible with the free [...]
View post: Get 82% OFF Native Instruments Alicia’s Keys Piano Library

Man facing “first of its kind” trial for alleged streaming fraud after earning more than £500k in royaltiesA Danish man is currently facing trial for alleged streaming fraud after earning more than £500,000 (4.38m kroner) in royalties.
The case is being described as a “first of its kind” due to the large streaming numbers. It is alleged that the 53-year-old man profited from streams of 689 pieces of music across services including Spotify, Apple Music and YouSee Musik.

READ MORE: Electronic music generated £2.5 billion for the UK economy in 2023

As reported by The Guardian, the trial is taking place in the city of Aarhus in Denmark, and is expected to be heard over three days, with a verdict due next Tuesday.
The outlet shares that the defendant has also been charged with breaching copyright law for allegedly taking works from other artists and editing them, before publishing them under his own name. He has pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer, Henrik Garlik, has spoken to Danish news outlet DR regarding the case (translation via The Guardian): “I don’t think that such a case – regarding matters which the prosecution believes to be data fraud in connection with playbacks of musical works via various tendering services – has ever been tried in court.
“Somewhat dependent on the result, there is a possibility that both my client and the prosecution will appeal the verdict to the high court. And I also do not want to deny that a case like this could reach the supreme court.”
Anna Lidell and Lasse Matthiessen, the chair and a vice-chair of Autor, the largest Danish association for composers, songwriters, lyricists and producers, have said that in order to generate 1m kroner, a track would need to be streamed 20 million times and would have to be entirely owned by the artist, songwriter and label. They state that they do not know for sure how the defendant has earned so many streams.
Prosecution are reportedly seeking a fine, a prison sentence, and the confiscation of the defendant’s royalties. The trial remains ongoing.
In other related news, Benn Jordan’s music, under his alias The Flashbulb, was taken off streaming platforms earlier this month allegedly due to “streaming fraud”. TuneCore, his primary digital distributor, claimed Spotify had “identified and removed a high amount of streams” from his royalty calculation due to “evidence of abnormal streaming activity” on his releases. It also claimed to have conducted “an additional internal investigation” and confirmed the evidence.
Jordan is meeting with legal counsel as a result, and said in a statement, “Whether this is malice related to my Spotify criticism or simply negligence, this is dystopian for reasons much larger than myself or my loss of income. While being erased from existence and gaslit is among one of the worst things that can happen to an artist, if there was one fight I was born to fight, it’s this one.”
MusicTech reached out to TuneCore as this news broke, and has not yet received as reply.
The post Man facing “first of its kind” trial for alleged streaming fraud after earning more than £500k in royalties appeared first on MusicTech.

TikTok’s ‘Add To Music App’ feature is rolling out in another 163 countriesDespite its ongoing spat with Universal, TikTok is undeterred in its push to capitalize on the popularity of music on its platform
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IK Multimedia unveil ARC Studio IK Multimedia's new cost-effective hardware room-correction system has been designed to bring the benefits of DSP-based correction to any monitoring setup

IK Multimedia’s ARC Studio Hardware room correction system upgrades your studio monitoring gameIK Multimedia has unveiled ARC Studio, an out-of-the-box hardware acoustic room correction system designed to elevate the performance of traditional studio monitors instantly.
Comprising a standalone hardware processor, the new ARC 4 software (also available separately) for analysis and correction of the listening environment, along with a precision MEMS measurement microphone, ARC Studio offers a significant boost in performance and accuracy to any studio monitor, regardless of its make or model.

READ MORE: Lenco’s new L-3810 direct drive turntable is the perfect blend of traditional and modern features

As most of us are aware, the impact of room acoustics on music perception can be crucial. Factors like size, shape, materials, and furniture often skew the stereo image of studio monitors and warp our perception of frequency ranges. ARC 4’s all-new algorithm swiftly identifies and corrects these issues, resulting in improved mixing accuracy with more controlled low-end, tighter transients, and precise stereo imaging.
Installation is a breeze, says IK, with ARC 4 software guiding users through a quick measurement process of acoustical responses within their listening position. The correction profile is then loaded onto the ARC Studio processor, where it sits between the interface and monitors ready to be applied to all incoming signals.

The system also caters to various studio environments, including pro studios with both DAW-based and console-based setups. It offers transparent correction and custom-tuning for any monitoring setups from nearfields to mains.
For DAW-based studios, ARC Studio eliminates the need to insert the ARC 4 plugin on the master bus of a project and preserves zero-latency monitoring setups. This means you can enjoy acoustically corrected monitoring on your preferred streaming service without messing around with system drivers. Using ARC 4, profiles can be created and stored for every configuration, listening position or even monitor pair and recalled when needed.
There’s even a monitor emulation function (over 20 profiles are included), which lets you simulate iconic studio monitors, hi-fi speakers, mobile devices and other systems with “breathtakingly true-to-life results”.
Handily, ARC 4 now comes with 9 factory-tailored target curves suitable for a variety of situations. While ARC corrects the entire frequency spectrum, users can define the upper and lower limits of the correction ranges.

In terms of hardware, the ARC Studio features a 120 dB(A) analogue input to analogue output dynamic range, 0.5 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, and ultra-stable clocking for vanishing low jitter.
ARC Studio, which includes the processor unit, ARC 4 software, and measurement mic, will cost you $299.99, while the ARC 4 Software is priced at $149.99
Learn more at IK Multimedia.
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The best microphones to buy in 2024: 11 of the best microphones for rappers and MCsMost microphones will do a decent job at recording spoken word vocals. But, depending on whether your delivery is laid-back or all-out, the type of microphone you’ll want to use could be very different.

READ MORE: Best synth plugins 2024: 10 of the best polyphonic synth plugins for all genres

Vocal microphones tend to fall into these two major categories. Dynamics are hard-wearing and generally more adept at handling high sound pressure levels (SPL), making them ideal for loud vocalists and for live use. Being less sensitive, you need to work close to the mic, and as a result they’re handy for avoiding room reflections (and unwanted noise) in an untreated domestic room. A more even dynamic range off the bat is another advantage; dynamics make total sense as the go-to type when starting out at home.
Condensers, on the other hand, tend to be more sensitive and offer excellent detail, particularly in the high-frequency range. In the case of most vocal recording sessions, most professional engineers will reach for a large-diaphragm condenser, because it’s a safe bet that’s tuned to help vocals cut through the mix.
Here we’ve picked out a list of the best microphones for rappers and MCs – which also include some artist favourites for good measure.
11 of the best microphones for rappers and MCs

RØDE PodMic USB
Audio-Technica AT4033a
RØDE NT1 Signature
Shure SM7dB
Sony C-800G
Lauten Audio LA320 v2
Sony C80
Shure SM58
Neumann U 87 Ai
SE Electronics V7
Universal Audio SC-1

RØDE PodMic USB

As suggested by its name, the RØDE PodMic USB is designed with podcasters in mind – but being optimised for speech makes it just as suitable for rap. This model offers dual XLR/USB operation, making it far more attractive than its (non-USB) PodMic forerunner as an all-in-one recording solution.
This microphone features a pleasing tonality with just the right amount of push in the high-mid range that makes capturing great vocal tracks simple, even without much processing. Its outstanding off-axis rejection and included pop filter also help your recording stay focused on its source, and with fewer plosives to deal with in post.
In USB mode, versatile on-board DSP adds EQ sparkle, flattering compression and gates out unwanted noises, making you production-ready with a few clicks. Just plug the mic into your device with the USB-C cable, plug your headphones into the mic and you’re all set with a system that gets close to an SM7B and audio interface, at far less cost.
Price: £189
Type: Dynamic; XLR/USB operation
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: No
Other features: Onboard DSP (noise gate, EQ, compressor, exciter); audio interface/headphone amp; foam windshield
Check out the latest deals.
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Audio-Technica AT4033a
The Audio-Technica AT4033a is a versatile condenser that can be used on a variety of sources, from voice to acoustic guitar and even drum overheads. In the realms of rap, this is also the most current version of the microphone which MF DOOM used to record 2004’s Madvillain.
The switchable high-pass filter at 80 Hz is especially handy if you intend to close-mic your talent. This helps curb the unwanted low-mid boost that comes from being too close to the microphone, known as the proximity effect, and there’s also a sensitivity pad that can be put to use if the rap gets shouty.
Price: £359
Type: Large diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: 20Hz – 20kHz
Pickup pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Other features: High pass filter; -10 dB pad; shock mount included
Check the latest deals.
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RØDE NT1 Signature
Artist in the studio using the RØDE NT1 Signature
RØDE’s NT1 has been a staple in the home and project studio sphere for countless years, famed for its pleasing U87-inspired voicing and competitive price. It has a simple configuration with a fixed cardioid polar pattern and no high-pass or pad switches, so you’ll need to use an audio interface or preamp with a pad if you’re spitting super-loud bars.
The latest, Signature edition includes voicing tweaks taken from the preceding NT1 5th Gen (XLR/USB) release and comes in a range of fresh-looking body colours.
Price: £139 black / £165 for limited edition colours
Type: Large diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Other features: Shock mount and pop shield included
Read our review of the RØDE NT1 Signature here.
Check the latest deals.
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Shure SM7dB

 
An update to one of the most popular options in the market for all forms of vocal recording, the Shure SM7dB is a dynamic microphone that’s incredibly well suited for spoken word performances, podcasting and singing alike. It’s pretty much unrivalled, sound wise in its class, as this quirky spoken voice short from Podcastage demonstrates.
The latest DB variant overcomes the historic issue of the SM7B being a low sensitivity mic that requires excessive gain by including an internal booster preamp. For this reason, it does require phantom power.
The SM7dB also features an in-built windscreen to cut down on plosives (a thicker foam windscreen is also included) as well as both a bass roll-off and presence boost switches.
Price: £449
Type: Dynamic
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes – required to use the preamp
Other features: High-pass filter; presence boost; standard and big foam windscreens included
Check the latest deals. 
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Sony C-800G
Well-known as being the microphone of choice amongst artists the likes of Eminem, Dr. Dre and the late Mac Miller, the Sony C-800G is a condenser microphone that combines flattering tube saturation with crystal-clear high frequencies – seemingly, the perfect combination for making rap recordings punchy and intelligible.
Granted, the C-800G is a really expensive microphone. As such, it’s probably more suited for professional environments rather than project studios. Part of the big price tag comes from an integral cooling system designed to keep the microphone working at the correct temperature.
Price: £11,500
Type: Large diaphragm tube condenser
Polar patterns: Cardioid; omnidirectional
Requires phantom power: No, but uses the included power supply
Additional features: Windscreen and shock mount included
Check the latest deals.
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Lauten Audio LA320 v2

To enjoy tasty tube saturation without a prohibitive price tag, Lauten Audio’s improved LA320 v2 is well worth a look and listen.
The LA320 has a fixed cardioid polar pattern and a switchable high-pass filter, but more unusually, a low-pass filter too, giving the option at source for either a bright, modern sound or a more rounded vintage sound. Check out the mic in action with Carl Moore Music’s soulful singing and read our review of the original LA320 here.
Price: £611
Type: Large diaphragm tube condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: No, but uses the included power supply
Additional features: High-pass and low-pass filters; shock mount included
Check the latest deals. 
Sony C-80

The almost-pocket-sized Sony C-80 offers the same high frequency detail as the flagship C-800G (and even shares components with the larger sibling) at a relatively modest price point.
Vocal lines come across clear and with great tonal balance, meaning tracking is a pleasurable experience for talent as they can monitor their live signal with decent clarity on headphones. Down the line, you won’t need to do lots of EQ shaping to fit the tracks into the mix either.
Switches for a high-pass filter and sensitivity pad help shape the sound at source and handily, a shock mount is included in the box.
Price: £425
Type: Medium diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Additional features: High-pass filter; sensitivity pad; shock mount included
Read our review of the Sony C-80 here
Check the latest deals. 
[products ids=”4qpKYFZycQO2eaCFuN8Sk9″]
Shure SM58
Image: Shure
The SM58 (and the very-similar SM57) earns its status as the most ubiquitous microphone in the world because of the sheer reliability it provides at a really reasonable price. Whether you’re at a world-class theatre or even the dingiest of dives, you’re likely going to find at least a couple of these around.
It’s hard to argue against the SM58, its pokey high-mid range offering just the right emphasis to vocal lines, while its internal shock absorber works to minimise handling noise when placed in your hand. Oh, and it’s practically indestructible.
Price: £105
Type: Dynamic
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: No
Check out the latest deals.
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Neumann U 87 Ai

Lauded for its versatility in the studio, the Neumann U87 could be said to represent an industry gold standard for recording all types of vocals including rap. It has a perfect balance of mid-forward tonality and subtle saturation from the onboard transformer, both of which help voice parts command the mix.
This large diaphragm condenser offers three polar patterns (cardioid, omni and figure-8), a sensitivity pad for recording loud sources and a high-pass to avoid boomy proximity when working close to the mic with either of the directional pickup patterns.
Price: £2,449
Type: Large diaphragm condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid; omnidirectional; figure-8
Requires phantom power: Yes
Additional features: High-pass filter; sensitivity pad; shock mount included
Check out the latest deals.
[products ids=”205GDfbqzud6yDBM3tTbUh”]
SE Electronics V7
SE’s V7 is a handheld dynamic mic that gives the SM58 a serious run for its money for a lesser chunk of change. It has a fixed supercardioid pattern to bring an incredibly focused capture of sounds in front of the mic.
It’s smoother in the mid range than the ’58, getting you into the ballpark of the highly desirable SM7B sound for a budget price.
Price: £75
Type: Dynamic
Polar pattern: Super-cardioid
Requires phantom power: No
Read our review of the SE Electronics V7 here
Check out the latest deals.
 
Universal Audio SC-1
Universal Audio SC-1 in use
Why spend ages choosing between the high-end, dashing duo of the C-800G and the U 87 when you can have both of them (and more) inside a single mic? What’s this witchcraft, I hear you ask..?
Universal Audio’s SC-1 is a large diaphragm cardioid condenser mic with a difference. Its bundled Hemisphere plugin is used to emulate eight iconic microphones including those mentioned above plus the U 47, U 67 and TLM103 from Neumann, and two AKG greats (C414 and C-12). It’s a more affordable way into mic emulation from UA, coming off the back of its Sphere L22 microphone release in 2022.
Price: £475
Type: Large diaphragm condenser with mic modelling plugin
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Requires phantom power: Yes
Additional features: Hemisphere plugin to emulate 8 famous studio condensers including the holy-grail Sony C-800G
Read our review of the Universal Audio SC-1 here 
Check out the latest deals.
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Explore more buyer’s guides on MusicTech
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Cherry Audio CR-78 masterfully updates a classic beatbox for the 21st century$49, cherryaudio.com
It’s surprising that a plugin developer as prolific as Cherry Audio hasn’t made a drum machine until now. The purveyor of affordable virtual classic synths has turned its attention to the Roland CompuRhythm CR-78 from 1978, widely regarded as the first drum machine, made in a form we would still recognise today. Loved by artists as diverse as Blondie, Genesis, Underworld and Fatboy Slim, its classic sounds never really fell out of favour and you’re as likely to hear them on something released last month as on something from decades ago. At the time, its analogue drum sounds and ability to store up to four custom beats were revolutionary.

READ MORE: D16 Group’s Nepheton 2 breathes exciting new life into a drum machine legend

As you might expect, Cherry’s version recreates and expands on the original. Rather than samples, Cherry modelled an original unit and CR-78 generates sound digitally, giving you far more control than you would have had on the hardware. It uses the developer’s familiar wrapper; a plugin or standalone system that incorporates MIDI and preset management, oversampling control and the Focus interface zoom, though that’s less essential here than on some of the much more complex synths.
The instrument feels snappy and CPU-kind and has a tiny footprint of just 60 MB. Users of other Cherry instruments will be glad to know it has also released a free product manager app where you can manage updates to all your synths.

How to use the CR-78
The designers have stuck largely to the layout of Roland’s original, with some changes to incorporate new features but compared to the fiendish complexity of some synths it’s all pretty straightforward.
The main panel lets you use two main modes, Preset and User.
In Preset mode, the sequencer displays a selection of preset rhythms like rock, bossa nova, disco and so on, and on the left, Variation and Measure controls let you switch between different patterns, breaks and fills within that preset. These can be switched manually or using MIDI automation and sequencing like this is very much in line with the behaviour of a real, old drum machine.
Cherry Audio CR-78 presets
In User mode, you get more control and the sequencer switches to a conventional 16- or 24-step row of buttons, with each element selected either from the large dial or from a dropdown menu. Just go through each one and punch in the patterns, building as you go and using the Accent control to add bits of flam and other interest, along with the six Swing presets to inject a more syncopated feel to your beats.
It’s easy to copy and paste patterns between slots and, in Song mode, you can chain patterns together. There’s even a panel to drag and drop patterns directly out as MIDI files which is perfect for quickly assigning other instruments to beats. A multi-output version of the plugin is also supplied so if you like you can process each channel separately in your DAW.
In Voice Edit mode, you’ll find independent control over each of the 14 sounds. It’s simple but effective, with most having Pitch and Decay sliders for quick editing, and some a couple of extras. This isn’t any kind of extreme sound shaping, just basic tweaks and the pitch functions mean you can create melodic patterns as well as rhythmic; something reflected in some of the presets.
Copying a preset pattern on the Cherry Audio CR-78
What effects does the Cherry Audio CR-78 have?
The effects and mixer section is a big upgrade over the original CR-78.
Each element has level, mute, solo and pan as well as access to four insert effects (reverb, delay, flanger and overdrive). Each effect has a bunch of controls to change the way it sounds and behaves and, by selectively adding some overdrive, delay and reverb to a few instruments, it’s easy to punch your beats up, bringing depth, warmth and a sense of dynamism to these otherwise dry sounds.
There’s also a master compressor and six-band EQ that is helpful in lifting and shaping the master output of the drum machine.
How good are the presets in Cherry Audio CR-78?
In the main Preset mode, you’ll see all 34 of the original instrument’s rhythms and variations but obviously there’s a large library of custom presets too; over 250, plus an add-on pack available to buy. These are made of kits and also melodic presets which as mentioned earlier use differently-pitched sounds to create basslines or melodies.
Each preset loads a kit and a pattern so you are free to use a pattern as is, modify it, or clear the sequence and re-program your own. Programming is simple and can be done by clicking a button, using the Trigger pad, or input from your own MIDI device.
Cherry Audio CR-78 FX
Should you buy the Cherry Audio CR-78?
Cherry Audio has struck a nice balance between going far beyond the very limited capabilities of the original hardware but also maintaining its feel and ease of use. If you’re using a drum machine like this, you’re after its specific character and sound. For those who want more toys there are plenty of flashier products out there.
This old-style method of sequencing has had something of a resurgence in popularity thanks to the renaissance of modular synths, though in software format here it does feel more fun and easier to grasp, with the odd right-click or drag-and-drop standing in for the multiple button-shift-presses which can slow you down on the hardware. Arguably, there’s the feel of analogue sequencing but without the hassle.
Sonically speaking, what you hear is pretty much what you get, which is a good thing. These classic analogue drum sounds are still very much in demand across many genres and while there are numerous drum machines out there – maybe even built into your DAW – the CR-78 brings the sound of a bona fide classic to your projects, with expanded new features making it more flexible than before.
It also happens to be inspiring and fun to play, with almost every control right there in front of you like it would be on a real drum machine. Cherry’s usual appealing pricing – a 30-day free trial and then just $49 to buy – makes this an easy sell.
Cherry Audio CR-78 voice edit
Key features

Plugin and standalone operation
34 original presets plus 250 more
Digital modelling of original instrument
16- or 24-step programming
Song mode with 99 patterns and steps
Effects and mixer section
Drag and drop of MIDI
Individual sound editing
External MIDI sound triggering
Multiple swing settings

The post Cherry Audio CR-78 masterfully updates a classic beatbox for the 21st century appeared first on MusicTech.

Varda Space, Rocket Lab nail first-of-its-kind spacecraft landing in UtahA spacecraft containing pharmaceutical drugs that were grown on orbit has finally returned to Earth today after more than eight months in space. Varda Space Industries’ in-space manufacturing capsule, called Winnebago-1, landed in the Utah desert at around 4:40 p.m. EST. Inside the capsule are crystals of the drug ritonavir, which is used to treat […]
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Good Neighbours might be the hottest new independent band in the world right now – and the major labels know it.MBW's sources suggest this one is moving fast, with many sides keen to make a swift and potentially substantial deal
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Universal Music Group is acquiring a stake in Complex – via a takeover focused on ‘superfans’ and e-commerceEarlier this month, Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, confirmed that WMG is in active discussions to sell two of Complex's long-time rivals
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ASCAP 2024 Membership Meeting: Jermaine Dupri, DOMi & JD BECK, Maggie Lindemann, Sam Hollander and More Industry-Leading Talent Take the StageASCAP, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the only US PRO that operates on a not-for-profit basis, has announced the talent lineup for its 2024 Membership Meeting, scheduled for February 28 in New York City. 

Featuring performances, panels and presentations aimed at bringing the ASCAP community together for inspiration, education and a report on ASCAP’s historic 2023 financial results, the day will kick off with a performance from Grammy-nominated progressive jazz duo DOMi & JD BECK. Confirmed to participate in the meeting are Songwriters Hall of Famer and forefather of the Atlanta music scene Jermaine Dupri (who will participate in a keynote conversation), #1 songwriter and producer Sam Hollander (“High Hopes”), pop-punk singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann, ASCAP President & Chairman Paul Williams, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and many more. Full schedule and lineup below.

After the opening DOMi & JD BECK performance, Williams and Matthews will deliver ASCAP’s “state of the union” as the PRO celebrates 110 years of serving music creators. The two will offer an essential recap on ASCAP members’ remarkable 2023, including the organization’s record-breaking financial success. They will discuss what it means to be the only US PRO operating as a not-for-profit, how ASCAP is putting creators first to serve the greater good, and the latest on its advocacy on behalf of creators’ livelihoods in the age of AI. Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stacey Ryan will perform to close out the session. 

More than 30 years after his first smash, producer, entrepreneur and record executive Jermaine Dupri is still crafting incredible songs for R&B stars like Muni Long (“Made for Me”) and Ari Lennox (“Pressure”). In a keynote conversation, Dupri — fresh off his appearance as Usher’s hypeman during the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Performance — will reveal the decisions that have helped get him to where he is today, and what it takes to sustain a productive, inspired and successful career. He’ll also share anecdotes from his decades-long career, including co-writing and co-producing three singles for Usher’s diamond-certified album Confessions; co-writing, co-producing and winning a Grammy for Carey’s “We Belong Together;” releasing two solo albums, and amassing eleven #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.

The second half of the day will turn to networking and educational sessions. “We Create Music,” a superpanel of ASCAP songwriters and composers at the top of the pop, film music and musical theater spheres, will feature Hollander, his fellow #1 songwriter-producer Gregg Wattenberg (Five for Fighting, OAR), Madison Love (Kings & Queens,” Ava Max; “Turbulence,” P!nk), Oscar-nominated film composer Carter Burwell (Carol, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Banshees of Inisherin), and playwright/lyricist and composer Michael R. Jackson (Tony and Pulitzer-winning A Strange Loop). In this discussion moderated by Variety Executive Editor, Music Jem Aswad, the panelists will talk about their approaches to storytelling and offer practical advice for navigating the ups and downs of the industry – from paying dues and setting goals, to overcoming obstacles and the politics of collaboration.

The program will close out with the “Writers Jam,” featuring some of today’s top writers across the genre spectrum performing their biggest hits live and telling the stories behind the songs. Participants include Liana Banks (Bebe Rexha, Saweetie, Queen Naija), Grammy-winning songwriter Claudia Brant (Camila Cabello, Carlos Santana), pop-rock juggernaut Maggie Lindemann (“Pretty Girl,” “hostage”), and Dove Award-winning gospel singer-songwriter and composer Blessing Offor (“Believe,” “Brighter Days”).

Read on for the full lineup and run of show.

ASCAP Membership Meeting Schedule

3:00 pm - ASCAP Membership Meeting

Opening performance from DOMi & JD BECK

Updates from Paul Williams, Elizabeth Matthews and ASCAP SVP Membership & ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Nicole George-Middleton

Closing performance from Stacey Ryan

4:00 pm – 4:15 pm – Break

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm – “We Create Music” featuring Carter Burwell, Sam Hollander, Michael R. Jackson, Madison Love and Gregg Wattenberg

5:00 pm – 5:45 pm – KEYNOTE: The Confessions of Jermaine Dupri

5:45 pm – Break

6:00 pm – Writers Jam with Liana Banks, Claudia Brant, Maggie Lindemann and Blessing Offor

7:00 pm– 8:00 pm – Networking reception

The 2024 ASCAP Membership Meeting is currently at capacity. For more information, visit: www.ascap.com/meeting2024.