Bill Ackman, a major Universal Music shareholder, just got richer – and much more ambitious. What might this mean for UMG?How Pershing Square's new money-game connects to Universal Music Group – and the music business at large
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A comprehensive list of 2024 tech layoffsThe tech layoff wave is still going strong in 2024. Following significant workforce reductions in 2022 and 2023, this year has already seen 60,000 job cuts across 254 companies, according to independent layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi. Companies like Tesla, Amazon, Google, TikTok, Snap and Microsoft have conducted sizable layoffs in the first months of 2024. Smaller-sized […]
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SEC to close regional office after judge dismisses DEBT box caseA judge ordered the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to pay $1.8 million following “bad faith conduct” over a temporary restraining order to freeze DEBT Box’s assets.

Is DistroKid’s Mastering Service Worth It? An Honest ReviewA mixing engineer once told me that every step of the recording process becomes less important.  And I get his reasoning. The first step of the process, of course, is songwriting. If the song ain’t good, well then nothing else in the process matters. The next step is the recording and production. The greatest mixing […]

The Dyke Delta: A DIY Flying Wing Fits FourThe world of experimental self-built aircraft is full of oddities, but perhaps the most eye-catching of all is the JD-2 “Dyke Delta” designed and built by [John Dyke] in the 1960s. Built to copy some of the 1950’s era innovations in delta-style jet aircraft, the plane is essentially a flying wing that seats four.
And it’s not just all good looks: people who have flown them say they’re very gentle, they get exceptional gas mileage, and the light wing-loading means that they can land at a mellow 55 miles per hour (88 kph). And did we mention the wings fold up so you can store it in your garage?
Want to build your own? [John] still sells the plans. But don’t jump into this without testing the water first — the frame is entirely hand-welded and he estimates it takes between 4,000 and 5,000 hours to build. It’s a labor of love. Still, the design is time-tested, and over 50 of the planes have been built from the blueprints. Just be sure to adhere to the specs carefully!
It’s really fun to see how far people can push aerodynamics, and how innovative the experimental airplane scene really is. The JD-2 was (and probably still is!) certainly ahead of its time, and if we all end up in flying wings in the future, maybe this plane won’t look so oddball after all.

Tunneling TCP By File ServerYou want to pass TCP traffic from one computer to another, but there’s a doggone firewall in the way. Can they both see a shared file? Turns out, that’s all you need. Well, that and some software from [fiddyschmitt].
If you think about it, it makes sense. Unix treats most things as a file, so it is pretty easy to listen on a local TCP port and dump the data into a shared file. The other side reads the file and dumps the same data to the desired TCP port on its side. Another file handles data in the other direction. Of course, the details are a bit more than that, but that’s the basic idea.
Performance isn’t going to be wonderful, and the files keep growing until the program detects that they are bigger than 10 megabytes. When that happens, the program purges the file.
The code is written in C# and there are binaries for Windows and Linux on the release page. The examples show using shared files via Windows share and RDP, but we imagine any sort of filesystem that both computers can see would work. Having your traffic stuffed into a shared file is probably not great for security but, you know, you are already jumping a firewall, so…
Of course, no firewall can beat an air gap. Unless you can control the fans or an LED.

Spotify’s bundle battle with songwriters dampens Reservoir’s earnings forecast for FY 2024Three things we learned from Reservoir’s latest earnings call
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Allen & Heath update CQ firmware The latest firmware for Allen & Heath's CQ-series mixers introduces some powerful new features.

Machinedrum says an hourglass is crucial to his creative process: “The point was to just keep moving forward”As a producer, it’s easy to dedicate too much time to a project in pursuit of perfection, so it’s important to have some kind of strategy in place to ensure you don’t fall victim to diminishing returns.
In the case of North Carolina-born producer Machinedrum – whose real name is Travis Stewart – he says he employs a technique that enables him to view a project objectively, and bin it off if necessary.

READ MORE: Benn Jordan dives deep into the “bats**t” software Aphex Twin has used throughout his career

In a wide-ranging new interview with MusicTech, Stewart says that during the making of his latest LP 3FOR82, he used an hourglass to ensure he was taking regular scheduled breaks.
“I’d have an hourglass on my studio desk and turn it over when I started working on an idea,” he says. “When the hourglass ran out, I’d walk out of the studio for five or 10 minutes, come back and take a listen to the track, and if I felt like it was really worth continuing to flesh out whatever the idea was, then I would.
“And if I just really didn’t like it, that was another reason for me to move on and also not try to rescue the idea. The point was to just keep moving forward.”
As producers, we’re often susceptible to the sunk-cost fallacy, and fail to make truly objective decisions about a project if we’ve invested heavily into it in terms of time. So the idea of an hourglass dictating breaks and mitigating the feeling of heavy time investment in a project is definitely a smart one.
Elsewhere in the interview, Machinedrum dives deep on early software-based trackers, and his new album, which features vocal performances from the likes of Mick Jenkins, Duckwrth, Kučka, Jesse Boykins III and Tinashe, and fuses together hip-hop, d’n’b and IDM.
Listen to ZOOM, from 3FOR82, below:

The post Machinedrum says an hourglass is crucial to his creative process: “The point was to just keep moving forward” appeared first on MusicTech.

Behringer’s new 1273 mic preamp is “more than just a remake” developed with one of the original engineers from NeveBehringer is currently rolling out a bunch of new gear, and among its new releases is the 1273 two-channel microphone preamplifier. The unit has a built in EQ, and was developed with John Price, who previously worked alongside Rupert Neve.
The 1273 takes inspiration from Neve’s 1073 of the 1970s, which became a staple in studios such as Abbey Road, Sound City and Capital Studios. It also influenced iconic tracks like Led Zeppelin’s When the Levee Breaks as well as The Who’s Who’s Next.

READ MORE: Behringer and Roland dominate in new world map showing most popular synth brands by country

Built around a Class A discrete circuit, Behringer says the 1273 ensures the highest signal integrity with minimal coloration. Each input and output stage is equipped with a custom-built Midas transformer for maintaining signal clarity, and there are also gain controls for each channel for a variety of input types such as mic, line, and instrument.
Credit: Behringer
For those switching between different mics, a dynamic to a ribbon for example, a tone switch adjusts the transformer impedance for whatever you have in use. The 1273 also includes an electronically controlled, resistor-stepped rotary gain switch that offers up to 80 dB of gain adjustment.

“Every so often an iconic piece of hardware takes the music industry by storm and transforms into a beloved fixture in studios worldwide. The 1073 was one such piece of gear,” says Behringer.
“A mic preamp with a unique voice and rich sound, it became famous for shaping the sounds of many music generations, from the grit of ‘70s rock and roll, to the polished pop of the ‘80s.”
It adds, “Today, we pay homage to that iconic studio cornerstone… The 1273 is more than just a remake. Developed with one of the original engineers, their valuable knowledge and experience ensures that the 1273 not only remains faithful to the original but is able to meet the demands of modern production.”
The 1273 is priced at $699, and is available for immediate shipping. Find out more and view full specs over at Behringer.
The post Behringer’s new 1273 mic preamp is “more than just a remake” developed with one of the original engineers from Neve appeared first on MusicTech.

Best free sample packs for Oberheim-style synth soundsAd feature with BandLab Sounds
When Tom Oberheim launched his eponymous musical instrument company in 1969, no one anticipated the immense impact his synthesizers and drum machines would have on music in the decades to come.
Oberheim is the name behind legendary instruments like the OB-Xa, Matrix-12, and SEM. Known for their lush pads, punchy basses, and expressive leads, the iconic sounds of these synths are prized for their distinctive character and versatility. You’ll recognise them from countless classic tracks – the heroic synth riff of Van Halen’s ‘Jump’, the driving drums of New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’, and even the menacing soundtrack to the original Terminator.
READ MORE: TEO-5, as told by Tom Oberheim: “If we made this 30 years ago, we’d have ruled the world”
Flash forward to 2024 and the company has launched the Oberheim TEO-5, a modern take on the Oberheim instruments we know and love, that’s both more compact and more affordable than its predecessors.
Fancy bringing some of Oberheim’s timeless essence to your own productions without dipping into your wallet? We’ve partnered with BandLab to bring you a collection of free sample packs inspired by this much-lauded synth manufacturer – dive in below.
Ober Pads

Pads are definitely one of Oberheim’s strong suits. In this pack of 101 loops and chord progressions, you’ll find everything from dark, evolving atmospheres to bright brass timbres and plucky garage stabs.
Download MusicTech Ober Pads
Berlin Sounds
If there’s one thing Berlin is known for among synth heads, it’s techno. This pack draws from the city’s rich culture of electronic music, offering up a selection of arps, synths, drums, and FX with a darker tone.
Who knows? Maybe this sample pack is your ticket to the Berghain.
Download MusicTech Berlin Sounds
Synth Horror Film

Taking a more sinister turn, thee Synth Horror Film pack offers 100 samples comprising spooky leads, warbling keys, driving arps – and a whole range of metallic atmospheres to truly creep your listeners out.
From John Carpenter-style synthwave to the industrial leanings of Trent Reznor, this diverse composer toolkit is sure to inspire your next soundtrack.
Download Synth Horror Film here
Sweeping Cinematic Synths Vol 1
Modern film music frequently combines organic orchestral timbres with complex synthetic textures. This pack provides a taste of both, with 62 loops that deliver lush strings, atmospheric arps, and warm bass tones.
Download Sweeping Cinematic Synths Vol 1
Patch & Play Lab: Experimental Electro

Looking for a bit more grit? Patch & Play Lab have you covered with Experimental Electro, a collection of sounds that wouldn’t be out of place in the Blade Runner universe.
The crunchy drum hits, undulating drones, and retro bass sounds in this vintage-inspired pack will give you some serious inspiration and a strong starting point.
Download Patch & Play Lab: Experimental Electro
Patch & Play Lab: Amped Monosynth Part 2
Despite being best known for its polyphonic instruments, Oberheim has also released monophonic synths like the OB-1. You can capture a flavour of these sounds in Amped Monosynth Part 2 – albeit with a heavy dose of character, courtesy of the different guitar amps through which these samples have been recorded.
Download Patch & Play Lab: Amped Monosynth Part 2
Analogue Exploration with Tibasko

Think Oberheim synths sound a little too retro? Think again.
In this pack, British electronic duo Tibasko show just how effective these instruments can be in a modern context. Beefy basslines, verbed-out pads, and delicate keys – there’s plenty here to suit producers of house, techno, garage, or whatever else, along with some crispy one-shot drums.
Download Analogue Exploration with Tibasko
Nolan Gerwing: Experimental Synths

Self-professed analogue synth nerd Nolan Gerwing offers up a glowing collection of retro-inspired sounds and textures. Many of these are perfect for bringing an edge to poppier productions, but you’ll also find some weighty low-end loops in the mix.
Download Nolan Gerwing: Experimental Synths
Vintage Analogue Arps
The infectious pulse of an arpeggiator is one of the most versatile compositional tools, no matter what genre of music you’re producing. Its repetitive nature can bring new dimensions to a simple vintage synth patch, and this pack has 112 loops that do exactly that, letting you instantly add some movement and bounce to your track.
Download Vintage Analogue Arps
Marie’s Synth Sounds Sampler

Baltimore native Marie Ann Hedonia serves a collection of aggressive synths and drums. Modular percussion loops, dirty bass sounds, and glitchy sound effects – if you’re looking to get a bit weirder, this is the pack for you.
Download Marie’s Synth Sounds Sampler
The post Best free sample packs for Oberheim-style synth sounds appeared first on MusicTech.

Subscribe to this calendar & never miss an industry event againMusic publicity firm Shore Fire shares an annual Calendar of Key Entertainment and Sports Events. "The Best Calendar" gathers information on events from music, entertainment, sports, literature, and culture.....
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Monetizing your music: A guide for indie artistsDiscover the secret to financial success as an independent musician with these proven strategies. Unlock multiple revenue streams and boost your earnings by diving into our comprehensive guide for indie. Continue reading
The post Monetizing your music: A guide for indie artists appeared first on Hypebot.

99Sounds Release FREE Cinematic Textures Sound Library
99Sounds released Cinematic Textures, a free cinematic sound library crafted by Dronny Darko. Cinematic Textures contains 40 royalty-free cinematic sound effects, drones, and soundscapes. The sounds are provided in 24-bit WAV format and are compatible with all major digital audio workstations. The included sounds are ideal for ambient music, but they will also be useful [...]
View post: 99Sounds Release FREE Cinematic Textures Sound Library

Celebrating 25 Years of AMERICANAFEST: A Milestone in Americana MusicCelebrate 25 years of AMERICANAFEST, the premier event that unites Americana music’s finest artists and passionate fans. Explore the festival’s rich history and its influential role in shaping the genre.. Continue reading
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