The global success of Nigeria’s Tems without a full album releaseDespite not releasing a single full album, Nigerian musician Tems is a global superstar who continues to rise “Higher.” The Chartmetric team digs into how it happened. by Chiamaka Muoneke. Continue reading
The post The global success of Nigeria’s Tems without a full album release appeared first on Hypebot.

How to use Spotify’s Showcase feature to get new listeners [Brian Hazard]Spotify’s latest marketing campaign feature helps target only new users instead of wasting precious ad dollars on those already listening. Brian Hazard digs into how and how well it works.. Continue reading
The post How to use Spotify’s Showcase feature to get new listeners [Brian Hazard] appeared first on Hypebot.

Gamma Vocal Suite By Modern Metal Songwriter Is Currently 43% OFF
Modern Metal Songwriter’s comprehensive Gamma Vocal Suite is now available for just $79, which is 43% off the list price of $139. The plugin was released last month and is available for Windows, Mac and as a standalone app.   Gamma features an all-in-one vocal effects chain, and Modern Metal Songwriter states that it makes getting pro [...]
View post: Gamma Vocal Suite By Modern Metal Songwriter Is Currently 43% OFF

AI in Music Production: Advancements, Collaborations & Copyright Issues [Virginie Berger]AI has shifted how creative works are composed, expanded the potential possibilities of production, and more. Here are some of the multifaceted roles that AI has in today’s music industry…. Continue reading
The post AI in Music Production: Advancements, Collaborations & Copyright Issues [Virginie Berger] appeared first on Hypebot.

Everything you need to know about the IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro XAdvertorial feature with IK Multimedia
What happens when a company actually listens to the feedback of its users? Ask IK Multimedia.
IK Multimedia’s affordable and portable analogue synth, the UNO Synth, was first launched in 2018. Since then, the UNO range has rapidly evolved, seeing the addition of a drum machine and improved takes on the original as the UNO Synth Pro. The latest evolution, the UNO Synth Pro X, launched in August 2023, and was the result of the Italian brand acting on user feedback, offering a better interface and more room for experimentation.
Image: Simon Vinall
Believe it or not, when the first UNO Synth was launched in 2018, it was IK’s first-ever taste of hardware synthesis, despite the Italian brand’s longstanding reputation for building reliable music gear.
What is the UNO Synth Pro X?
The UNO Synth Pro X is a paraphonic dual-filter analogue synthesizer centred around creativity, performance, and exploration. It addresses the limitations of its predecessor, the UNO Synth Pro, by prioritising hands-on control and a better user experience.
One new standout feature of the UNO Synth Pro X is its revamped user interface with a neat black and red colourway.
Image: Simon Vinall
Sound-wise, the Pro X excels with three wave-morphing oscillators and dual filters featuring OTA-based multimode filters. It also has ten stereo effects to enrich the sonic range. There’s also a paraphonic 64-step sequencer and a 10-mode arpeggiator for diverse pattern creation.
Affordable and portable yet feature-rich, the Pro X caters to both intermediate and advanced users, offering a platform for sonic exploration. It’s designed for accessibility while providing depth, making it suitable for both newcomers and experienced musicians.
The redesigned interface focuses on providing faster and easier user control over its extensive programming capabilities.

Simply put, the Pro X is a powerhouse. It has ten built-in effects – two modulations, five delays, three reverbs available in three slots.
Featuring comprehensive CV/gate ins and outs, the Pro X seamlessly integrates with other studio gear and computers. Its companion plugin means you can manage your presets and control the synth remotely.
Connectivity-wise, there’s MIDI in/out, 6.3mm audio out with 3.5mm headphone; audio in (3.5mm) and 2 CV Gate ins and outs. It’s powered by USB and also has a PSU jack.
What have users said about UNO Synth Pro X?
The response from product reviewers and musicians has been pretty positive. After its release, YouTube creator and music producer BoBeats referred to the improvements on the synth’s interface, saying that the original “was a great synth but I sort of knew immediately that the physical UI and the colour scheme didn’t quite do it justice. I talked to IK about the expectations when you are a synth nerd and you have something that is this advanced – you don’t really see features like these on an analogue synth under $1,000. I tried to convey to them what I’m drawn to as a user.

“[IK] took a lot of the ideas from the original UNO Synth Pro and thought, ‘OK, we have to create something that has a look that’s equivalent to the power inside,” he said in his review. “I think the team figured out the balance between the complexity of the sound engine and an interface that is still accessible.
“On the original UNO Synth Pro, I found as a synth educator that you have all this power but only a few knobs to turn, and you’re going through lots of submenus, which can be difficult to demonstrate to users.”
MusicTech also checked out the synth just after its launch. In our review of the UNO Synth Pro X, we said, “For the price, the Pro X is an impressively powerful and cool-sounding synth that perfects the UNO Synth as a product, unlocking the potential of its versatile sound engine. If this is where IK and Soundmachines’ collaborations have led, we can’t wait to see where they go next.”
IK Multimedia’s UNO Synth Pro X costs $499. Find out more at IK Multimedia.
The post Everything you need to know about the IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro X appeared first on MusicTech.

Introducing Wavetick, a beatmaker marketplace where sellers retain up to 90 percent of royaltiesA new music marketplace startup has launched under the name of Wavetick, which allows for the buying and selling of music where makers retain up to 90 percent of royalties.
Users can buy and sell music for production (Tracks) and short form musical components (Sounds). Works are created in-house by the Wavetick team or uploaded by Beatmakers. The site is completely free for sellers to use.

READ MORE: AI and casual music creation to lead “unprecedented expansion” of music creator economy, per new report

The platform also enables the sale of one-off, limited edition or unlimited licensable tracks and sound packs. Buyers pay one price for all usages of any track, so the price you see listed is the price you pay for any and every licence type.
Wavetick has already developed an in-house library of 11,000 sample packs and tracks, created by the team behind Sample Magic. Already onsite are works ranging from cinematic, ambient, deep house and many more genre types.
Watch the video below for a better idea on how it works:

Sellers can decide what rights they wish to grant to the buyer depending on whether they are selling Tracks or Sound Packs, and on what Beat Tiers Terms they decide to select. In other words, sellers decide whether they want to grant an unlimited or limited number of licences to buyers. Payments are typically made within 48 hours of a sale.
It’s no secret that earning royalties as an artist can be tricky business, and payouts are often low – hence why new marketplaces are launching to find new ways to pay music makers.
A new report found that independent musicians need to generate five million streams annually to make the US federal minimum wage. The data was uncovered in the annual 2023 Music Economics Report for Independent Artists from music financing platform, Duetti.
Find out more and view Wavetick’s range of purchase tiers via the official Wavetick website.
The post Introducing Wavetick, a beatmaker marketplace where sellers retain up to 90 percent of royalties appeared first on MusicTech.

Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot can now create songs thanks to Suno integrationMicrosoft‘s Copilot chatbot has introduced a new feature allowing users to create new songs via text prompts. The tool is a result of a partnership with Suno AI, a generative AI music app made by “musicians and artificial intelligence experts”.

READ MORE: ChatGPT shows us how to make music with ChatGPT

“You don’t have to know how to sing, play an instrument, or read music to bring your musical ideas to life,” Microsoft states in a blog post announcing the news. All you have to do is leave the heavy lifting to Copilot and Suno, who will turn your musical dreams into reality based on the cues in your prompt.
To begin, simply visit copilot.microsoft.com, sign in with your Microsoft Account, and enable the Suno plugin or click on the Suno logo that says, “Make music with Suno”.
Here are a couple of prompts to help you get started:

Create a pop song about adventures with your family
Make a song that captures the spirit of growing up
Create an upbeat, motivational song designed for gym workouts
Make a soulful song about daily life from the perspective of a pet

“We believe that this partnership will open new horizons for creativity and fun, making music creation accessible to everyone,” Microsoft adds. “This experience will begin rolling out to users starting today, ramping up in the coming weeks. We can’t wait to see (and hear!) what you create.”

Music creation now made easier with @Suno_ai_ integration in Copilot. Learn more: https://t.co/QYH1w76y94 pic.twitter.com/hZuwkCY96b
— Bing (@bing) December 19, 2023

GenAI-driven music creation technology has been all the rage of late, with a recent study revealing ChatGPT to be the most-used tool among musicians currently.
But despite a growing openness to AI technology within the music community, the study also found that artists are hesitant about broadcasting their use of the controversial technology: Over 50 percent of musicians surveyed said that they would conceal their use of AI to others.
The post Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot can now create songs thanks to Suno integration appeared first on MusicTech.

Richie Hawtin and Erica Synths’ Bullfrog can easily help you teach and learn synthesis€500, ericasynths.lv
Is Girts Ozolins preparing to retire? On more than one recent occasion, the Erica Synths founder has alluded to the question of his legacy. “When you are in your 50s, you start to think about what you will leave behind,” he was recorded saying at this year’s Machina Bristronica show. Similarly, in a demonstration video of the Bullfrog, he cites the desire to “have something lasting – something that will outlive us and pass our knowledge to the next generation” as a primary impetus behind its development.

READ MORE: Native Instruments Kontrol S-Series MK3 controller lets you focus on your music, not your computer

The next generation is indeed the focus of the Bullfrog, so if you’re thinking it has less of the sleek, black finish of most Erica Synths instruments and more the look of a synth for children, that’s because, in many ways, that’s what it is.
The fruits of a collaboration with venerated British-Canadian synthesist and DJ Richie Hawtin, also known to many as Plastikman, the Bullfrog is more the locus of a wider vision to make education in synthesis more accessible than it’s ever been before.
In Hawtin’s words, the vision for the Bullfrog is “to inspire and welcome a younger audience into the world of electronic music.” The manual, for instance, is less a conventional instruction document and more a fully-fledged workbook, complete with an extensive (yet accessible) introduction to the behaviour of sound itself and the architecture of synthesizers, blank patch sheets and even a series of short tests at the end of each chapter. That’s right; if you’re a teacher or a parent looking for a way to educate younger players in electronic music, or if you’re an adult who is looking for a route into the craft of synthesis, this may well be the instrument for you. After all, be it for a child or adult, make no mistake, the Bullfrog is a fully-fledged, all-analogue synthesizer, and a powerful one at that.
Erica Synths Bullfrog with sequencer
It’s not the first foray into education for the Latvian synth powerhouse. Last year, the company ambitiously collaborated with German electronics whizz Moritz Klein to produce a line of DIY Eurorack modules: VCOs, VCAs, sequencers, filters and more shipped as kits, complete with extensive instructions not just covering how to build the things but detailing how and why their discrete components work together.
Now, though, Erica is going from the workbench to the classroom – literally and figuratively. The heart of the Bullfrog constitutes a single VCO, offering variable sine-shark fin or pulse wave over eight oscillators, a resonant low pass filter, a VCA section and a simple modulation matrix consisting of two cycling envelopes and a sample and hold. Atop these is an onboard delay, a noise generator and a clock divider.
Hawtin’s use of the word ‘welcome’ feels pertinent here; arguably one of the primary deterrents for newcomers and young people to the world of synthesis is how daunting and esoteric it can look. The 38-or-so centimetre-wide synth does everything it can to work against that. It’s big, spacious, colourful and, above all, it’s simple.
The Bullfrog also demonstratively chooses not to muddy the water with any normalised connections under the hood like a semi-modular, instead requiring patching to make even a basic sound. This is a wise move; after all, the goal isn’t to make sounds as quickly as possible here, it’s to enable the understanding of signal paths from the very first connection to the end result. The inclusion of delay then offsets this perfectly, adding just the right amount of drama to the Bullfrog’s output and, in many ways, demonstrating what it might end up sounding like as part of a wider arrangement.
Erica Synths Bullfrog
Ostensibly, the Bullfrog uses colour-coding to differentiate between its different circuits – something we daresay many experienced synthesists would also appreciate on their instruments.
Blue is for anything related to the VCO (such as tuning and FM), green is for the filter and red is for the VCA, including the delay circuit. That last inclusion could be confusing, since additive effects aren’t part of a conventional VCA section, but makes sense insofar as the notion of a VCA more or less just pertains to the levels of things. The main knobs for each – VCO tuning, VCF frequency cutoff and VCA level – are huge; just right for hands large or small to joyously grab and turn.
A built-in speaker means the synth can output sound without needing to be plugged in, perfect for classroom use and surprisingly powerful, yet capped at a reasonable volume, you’ll be pleased to hear.
There’s also a slot for various Voice Cards, not dissimilar to the Program Cards used by the coveted Buchla Easel. These can create instant patches (including a Hawtin-designed acid bass voice), and endow the Bullfrog with a sequencer or even a sampler with an onboard microphone. It means that the learning experience can start from either end – work at performing with a fully-fledged voice, tweaking on the fly, or learn how to incorporate other elements into your own original patch.
Erica Synths Bullfrog with accessories and manual
The educational potential doesn’t stop here: there’s also a humongous ‘XL’ version, unreleased at the time of writing and at least double the size of the regular Bullfrog, for educators to demonstrate patches on. Most certainly visible from the very back of any classroom, this boasts two larger speakers, modestly extended functionality and a generously sized onboard oscilloscope for illustrative purposes.
These are surely the building blocks of a dream scenario for anyone hoping to bring synthesis into the educational realm, or for those of any age who want to learn about it but have never known where to start. Many will understandably raise the issue of cost, particularly in these dark days of under-funded schools. Fair to say that, at €500 a unit, it’s unlikely many schools will be ordering Bullfrogs in batches of 20 with an XL version on top. But even without the educational discount promised by Erica Synths, in a vacuum, it’s important to point out that for what it is this synth is phenomenally good value. It’s well built, it sounds brilliant and it’s almost completely future-proof in its usability, which will only increase with the knowledge of its user.
Who knows, maybe in a decade’s time, many will be touting the Bullfrog as their ride-or-die instrument – the synth that started it all for them and one that they still use. Say it ain’t so, but if the Bullfrog is Girts’ swan song then it’s a fine one to be sure. However, with this project, he may have inadvertently created more demand for his and Erica Synths’ services than ever.
Erica Synths Bullfrog key features

A classic subtractive synth with built-in speaker
Wave-variable VCO
Resonant low pass filter
Two cycling envelopes plus sample and hold
Onboard delay
Voice card slots for ready-made patches or extra features

The post Richie Hawtin and Erica Synths’ Bullfrog can easily help you teach and learn synthesis appeared first on MusicTech.

Cableguys ShaperBox 3.5 update The latest ShaperBox update introduces some interesting new distortion and filter-based enhancements to the DriveShaper and FilterShaper Core modules. 

Art Rock LA is Center Stage at CenterStagingOn the evening of Saturday, Dec. 9, music and art collided in Burbank, CA as ART Rock LA took center stage at CenterStaging. The event was sponsored by Freckled Zelda, a recording artist and influencer, who captivated the audience in a Princess Zelda costume complete with antlers and elf ears.

Freckled Zelda not only sponsored the event but also delivered a mesmerizing performance blending original compositions with covers. The highlight was her new rendition of “Butterflies,” where the Ocarina, a sweet potato-shaped flute, added a magical touch to the evening.

Powerhouse vocalist EMM also performed. Sets by Trinity Bliss (Avatar) and Tim Johnson Jr. (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon) added to the musical diversity on show. Ryan Story closed the event with a set of classic rock favorites.

The primary focus of the evening, however, was to support The Guitar Center Music Foundation’s fundraiser, led by Myka Miller Jimenez. A silent auction that included signed guitars and memorabilia contributed to the noble cause of fostering music education.

The CenterStaging Artist Relations building, typically home to offices for brands like Roland, PRS, and Ernie Ball, was transformed into an art haven. The walls were decorated with framed art and canvases, showcasing the work of musicians who also paint. For example, JD Shultz, the singer-songwriter of Human Brother, contributed iconic classic rock star art on acrylic glass.

Rising art world star Jessica Downs displayed large canvases featuring abstract likenesses of deceased music legends, including Chester Bennington, John Lennon, and Jimi Hendrix. Separately, from Star Trek fame, 20-time Emmy-nominated Dan Curry showcased original art, including some of his Klingon designs. Music composer Joel Doeuk presented his own metal and resin sculptures in explosive imagery.

Marvel artist Christian Cordella showcased his Pennywise, the clown from the IT movies, while Madrid-based artist Kala Carela added a touch of gothy darkness to the artistic spectrum. From Matt Carmody, attendees saw drip-style pieces paying homage to Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Joe Cocker. 

FATHOM Art, curated by Francis Coiro, took over the space previously occupied by Fender, treating attendees to rare classic rock photos from the gallery’s Rock Iconix Collection. Also on view were dozens of paintings and fine art prints from FATHOM’s roster of international contemporary artists, plus a selection of work from seminal Los Angeles graffiti and mural artists. Notable images included a one-of-a-kind 3D rendering of Madonna before she became the pop icon we know today.

The ambiance and lighting of the event were provided by Modern Illumination, ensuring each painting in the entire Artist Relations building was individually highlighted. PRS Guitars Artist Relations executive Winn Krozack entertained with a mesmerizing performance on the 7-foot Yamaha Grand Midi Disklavier. Performing artists were supported by Renkus-Heinz Audio on stage.

The event’s production was a collaborative effort led by Sammy Oriti, CenterStaging’s General Manager Will Kerlick, and Freckled Zelda’s manager Rick Wilson. 

Though the holiday season has come and gone, we at Music Connection encourage readers to consider the gift of art. For those interested in exploring the collection further, private showings are available by appointment on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Contact info@artrockla.com or call 310-985-5511 to schedule your visit and bring the magic of music-infused art into your life.

artrockla.com

The first annual VTuber Awards was a win for VROn stream, Filian took the stage at the center of a colossal arena, lit with violet spotlights and surrounded by crowds of fans holding lightsticks. The streamer opened the show dressed in a vivd purple skirt, magenta bow tie, and high white boots that matched her jacket — a ritzy version of her avatar’s usual […]
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Everything you need to know about Splice in 2024
We've compiled a checklist of the best ways to get started with Splice, so you can get up to speed quickly and make the most of your subscription.

14 Best Gifts For Music Producers In 2023
We tested the best gifts for music producers in 2023. Refer to our guide below if you want music production Christmas gifts below $200. ‘Tis the season to be merry, and nothing makes it merrier than some shiny new gear! Throw those socks and undies out of the cart and get that music producer in [...]
View post: 14 Best Gifts For Music Producers In 2023

Inventor creates the world’s smallest MIDI synth and it sounds rather adorableA crafty inventor has created the “smallest and silliest synth yet” – a USB-C MIDI Synth consisting of a USB-C connector, a miniature circuit board and a piezo buzzer.
The creation doesn’t appear to be much larger than a thumbnail, and yet although not practical it works just fine, and actually sounds quite cute.

READ MORE: A2D2 streams audio directly from analogue devices to your smart speakers

The miniscule creation was crafted by inventor and engineer Tim Alex Jacobs, as reported by Music Radar. The creator of mini synths runs a YouTube channel and website under the name of Mitxela, where he has documented his other tiny inventions.
The mini synth journey began in 2015 with Jacobs’ original mini MIDI synthesiser, which then progressed to a USB synthesiser. Of course now, his latest invention brings his mini creation to an even more modern stage.
“You might be thinking that this is utterly pointless, and you’d be right,” Jacobs says candidly in his video. “There is no device we could plug this into that doesn’t already have a speaker. There are no USB-C hosts that couldn’t already run a software synthesiser […] The only thing it can do is a monophonic square wave.”
You may be thinking that such a tiny creation would only be possible of creating incredibly scratchy and uncomfortably piercing sounds, but as Jacobs plugs four of the synths into a USB hub, and performs a Mario 64 video game theme tune it sounds sort of adorable.
“I was prepared for a horrible shrill chorus of four synthesisers screaming at once, and instead I get this adorable Mario song. I love it,” sums up one YouTuber user in the comments.
Watch the full video below:

Last year, scientists in Denmark created the world’s smallest vinyl record. It could barely be seen by the naked human eye and held just 25 seconds worth of the song Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.
You can find out more about Tim Alex Jacobs and his other creations via his website, Mitxela.
The post Inventor creates the world’s smallest MIDI synth and it sounds rather adorable appeared first on MusicTech.

Highlights from MIDiA’s State of the Music Creator Economy ReportMIDiA has released its annual “Current State of the Music Creator Economy” report, the definitive assessment of the music creator tools industry, and here they share the highlights. via MIDiA. Continue reading
The post Highlights from MIDiA’s State of the Music Creator Economy Report appeared first on Hypebot.