Minimal Audio unveil Current synthesis platform Current promises to be much more than another soft synth, offering a virtual instrument and effects suite that integrates with Minimal Audio's cloud-based content platform.

Plugin Boutique Offers FREE Exclusive Mixing Bundle For A Limited Time
Plugin Boutique’s Mixing & Mastering Bundle is a collection of three plugins that will make your mixing life easier at no cost. The bundle is available to download for free, but only for a very limited time. If you’re wondering how limited it is, Plugin Boutique put the words “extremely limited time” in a bold font, [...]
View post: Plugin Boutique Offers FREE Exclusive Mixing Bundle For A Limited Time

AudioDeluxe Celebrates Its 13th Anniversary With Epic Deals!
AudioDeluxe is celebrating its 13th anniversary with lots of great plugin deals running up until October 17th, so act soon to save! As bedroom music producers on a budget, we love freebies (who doesn’t, after all!) as much as grabbing some premium plugins for a fraction of their price. Some of the best deals on [...]
View post: AudioDeluxe Celebrates Its 13th Anniversary With Epic Deals!

“We need a radical intervention”: Ticketmaster adds Music Venue Trust donation optionTicketing platform Ticketmaster is set to add a new charity upsell feature to its site that will let users donate directly to Music Venue Trust (MVT), a charity set up in 2014 to preserve grassroots venues in the UK.

READ MORE: How the TicketSwap app aims to fix the music industry’s ticketing problem

The feature, which will appear on customer checkout pages before purchasing tickets to gigs, will start on Music Venues Day 2023 on 17 October, an event sponsored by Ticketmaster since 2016.
This initiative will be implemented for one month, with Ticketmaster planning to run it again year on year. All donations received will go to charity, and Ticketmaster will match all donations.
Speaking to IQ Mag, the CEO of MVT, Mark Davyd, says: “This upsell provides a practical method for fans to support grassroots music venues, and we are incredibly grateful to the Ticketmaster team for putting it in place.
“Ticketmaster matching all fan donations is a powerful message for the whole industry about the support our sector needs and the will of the music community to provide it.”

BREAKING NEWS: Under the month-long initiative, anyone buying a ticket on @TicketmasterUK will be given the option to donate directly to the Music Venue Trust.
You can read more here: https://t.co/2iwqYnNBIC – @IQ_Mag pic.twitter.com/7q9inISGsB
— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) October 10, 2023

The move follows Ticketmaster’s introduction of a booking fee rebate in 2021, which means venues receive a 50 percent rebate on all booking fees.
“Ticketmaster has been a long-term and committed partner of MVT,” says Davyd, “and their core support has been vital in developing us as the authentic voice of grassroots venues, artists, and fans.
“We believe that live music fans understand exactly how vital these venues are to the future of our whole music ecosystem and how much financial difficulty they are currently facing,” he adds.
“127 grassroots music venues have closed in the last 12 months – more than one is permanently closing every week. We need a radical intervention by everyone: the government, the music industry, artists and fans, to stop these closures and turn this around.”
This positive move by Ticketmaster in many ways echoes Bandcamp’s Bandcamp Fridays initiative, launched in March 2020. This scheme was started to help artists during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the first Friday of every month, the platform takes a zero per cent cut from music or merch sales, letting artists take 93 per cent of the revenue.
The annual Venues Day event hosted by MVT is set to take place at The Fireworks Factory in London on 17 October 2023. Grassroots venue owners from across the UK will be in attendance.
Find out more about the Venues Day 2023 event at musicvenuetrust.com.
The post “We need a radical intervention”: Ticketmaster adds Music Venue Trust donation option appeared first on MusicTech.

PSPaudioware upgrade PSP ConsoleQ plug-in PSP ConsoleQ has gained cosmetic and functional improvments, with a new spectrum analyser view accompanied by additional operation options and an overhauled preset system.

Caravel makes devastating techno using reFX’s “flawless” Nexus4 pluginFor Exhale Records mainstay, Parisian techno producer and DJ Caravel, no BPM is safe. Delivering a nimble sound full of crushing kick drums and eerie atmospheres, the aim of her music is to keep the darkest dancefloors moving.

READ MORE: Five modern, innovative EQ techniques and how to use them

Caravel has notable releases on labels like HEKATE, OBSCUUR Records, and contributions to Amelie Lens’ EXHALE compilations. She’s also a resident at Synoid, a nightclub in Berlin, as well as a regular face on HÖR. Her most recent venture, however, is a release on Scottish label, Terminal V. The track, called Phoenix, is a devastating, towering wave of hard, ferocious techno.
We speak to Caravel, who tells MusicTech about some of the plugins she swears by when making music.

Are you working on any new music at the moment, or are you focusing more on touring? How does one inspire the other?
I’m always working on new music. Every time I come home after a gig, my brain is full of inspiration. Every time I’m digging a new track for my next shows, I get inspiration. So, I’m permanently working on new tracks, but most of the time, I never finish them.
What’s your latest plugin purchase?
I bought the reFX Nexus 4 a couple of months ago. You can find thousands of different sounds, such as drums, effects, screeches, and many more. I mainly used it for my latest EP that I’ve just finished. Nexus 4 is not the cheapest plugin, but you can create any type of music with it. The sound quality is flawless, and it’s easy to manage.
Nicky Romero Kickstart 2 and reFX Nexus 4 plugins from Caravel
What’s the best free plugin you own?
Xfer Records’ OTT is really cool; it’s a multiband compressor. You can use it for upward (parallel compression) or downward (classic compression) with just two buttons. I use it to add more aggression to my synths or drums.
What’s the best value plugin you own?
I would say Kickstart 2 from Nicky Romero, an affordable plugin that I use on almost every channel. It’s a side-chain tool that makes me work much faster.
Nicky Romero Kickstart 2 and iZotope Trash 2 plugins from Caravel
What’s the most expensive plugin you’ve ever bought? Was it worth the money? Why?
It was Nexus 4. I paid €499, but that was definitely worth it.
What’s a DAW stock plugin you use all the time?
I started using FL Studio because I thought it was easier to handle, but I quickly changed to Ableton. Once you get used to the interface, Ableton is more intuitive, and the creative process is smoother.
What plugin would Queen of Darkness be incomplete without?
U-He Hive; I was using Hive a lot when I made this track.EXHALE VA003 by Caravel
The track slows down before the drop – such an interesting idea. What led you to making this decision?
If you know the TV show, you probably made the link. I was watching Stranger Things, and I was obsessed with the soundtrack. I just came up with the idea of building something with this famous arpeggio and adding a techno kick. I used automation on the BPM before and during the break to make the transition slower and more intense.
And on this breakdown and buildup to the second drop, the synth pairs so nicely with the rolling snares…
I tried to keep it as smooth as I can, using a filter and letting the bass get all the place it needed. I used the rolling snares to bring more intensity, and I decided to keep it for the second drop, so it would bring more rhythm to the track. I used Hive for the bassline and the arpeggio synth.
Do you have any secret sauce plugins?
I like to use iZotope Trash 2; it’s a really good plugin if you want to add distortion. It has different effects, and you can apply them separately. So if you like crunchy, noisy and want all kinds of possibilities to make your drums or your synth harder, this is perfect for that.
Little AlterBoy by Soundtoys plugin from Caravel
What about a guilty pleasure plugin?
I would say Little AlterBoy; you can easily pitch and put hard tune to any voices. I also use it for my drums to make them sound different.
What do you use without fully understanding?
To be honest, I don’t fully understand anything. I didn’t have any school to teach me, and I learned with tutorials and some help from friends.
Follow Caravel on Soundcloud.
The post Caravel makes devastating techno using reFX’s “flawless” Nexus4 plugin appeared first on MusicTech.

Using Haas-effect quite a lot.
#musicproduction #Mixing

Warner-backed generative AI startup from co-inventor of Siri starts record labelAn AI startup co-founded by the inventor of Siri and backed by Warner has started its own record label, per Music Business Worldwide.
LifeScore Music, co-founded by Tom Gruber, launched the record label Kaleidoscope which is set to feature music that’s composed and performed by artists but then “amplified with LifeScore’s generative AI technology”.

READ MORE: Spotify “Supremium” subscription pricing and further details unveiled

The team at Kaleidoscope work with sound designers and experts around the world to create what it describes as ambisonic recordings, which are interwoven with musical elements to create a “sense of time and place”.
Mary Lockwood, LifeScore’s Chief Audio Officer, asks, “What if you could take the tracks you love so much and experience them in a totally new, different way?
“Whether we’re working with an artists’ existing catalogue, or creating our own new music, the original compositions always remain at the centre of the creative process. The technology is simply there to bring in a surprise factor at the end – to create an experience that’s still uniquely that artist’s music, but coloured by something new and delightful.”
The new record label is set to release a number of albums later this year, beginning with five wellness-focused releases. Riverside Flow was made for yoga, while Skywalk is based around the rainforest, and Castles In the Sand is a beach soundscape.
Twilight Jungle is tailored for sleep, lasting eight hours, while Alpenglow evokes the image of walking through the mountains.
Kaleidoscope is also set to launch collaborations with artists, and will release new music each Friday throughout October. Last Friday (6 October), Riverside Flow was released.

According to LifeScore, the process of making music starts with raw materials sourced from some of the best studios around the world, as well as master recordings provided by artists.
The recordings are then transformed with AI, with remixes and alternate versions made, and many of the releases supporting activities such as sleep, energy, relaxation, and focus.
The post Warner-backed generative AI startup from co-inventor of Siri starts record label appeared first on MusicTech.

"How are you doing with this insane pace of the music industry?..
There is so much flux. A couple weeks ago MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan told us if you are following the rise of daily music releases from 60,000 per day to 120,000 per day, it’s time to get ready for the reality of 1 million tracks per day! What photographers faced with the release of the iPhone and the rise of Instagram, music is finally facing. The appetite for music has never been stronger and the tools for new music creators have never been cheaper and more plentiful, including a way to reach a massive audience. Mark says the post-streaming era is already here and it brings together the creator economy, super fandom, and AI." Well said Dmitri Vietze ( #MusicTectonics ).
#MusicIndustry #MusicBusiness #MusicTechnology

Galxe replacing 110% of funds users lost in recent front-end hack, over $400KThe platform was the victim of a phishing scam that routed users to a website that drained their wallets after they approved a transaction.

Federal judge throws out $32.5 million win for Sonos against GoogleA California judge has thrown out a $32.5 million verdict win for Sonos against Google after two of Sonos’ patents were deemed unenforceable and invalid. As a result, Google has started to re-introduce software features it had removed due to Sonos’ lawsuit. In a decision dated October 6, U.S. District Judge William Alsup said that […]

The Haas effect: What it is and how to use it
Learn about what the Haas effect (also known as the precedence effect) is, its unique history, and how to apply it in your music.

Raised fees are “shattering” Discogs’ community, sellers sayRising fees are “shattering” Discogs’ vinyl community, The Verge is reporting.
In recent years, Discogs has been huge among vinyl collectors and music fans, the platform giving them the chance to buy even the most obscure records and look up information about numerous artists and releases too.

READ MORE: Early Indian electronic music found on tapes in a university cupboard released in a compilation

“Some people just buy records for the album art hanging on the wall,” says Doug Martin, who’s been selling on Discogs since 2020, in comparison to Discogs users. “These were real fans listening to real music who cared about the format and the medium. That’s what attracted me in the beginning.”
But while Discogs has been a huge part of the internet for music aficionados, many sellers are unhappy with rising fees and restrictions, and the slightly outdated feel of the site.
One seller from Connecticut tells The Verge, “I’ve made my living with this company for the past decade. It’s just the frustration that you have no control over what they’re doing, and it doesn’t even make any sense.
“They’re under the impression that they’re the only game in town. The fees were relatively low, but now that they’re higher, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to use that anymore.”Indeed, one seller based in Europe says that he does 80% of his business on Discogs, and makes around €20,000 a month on the site. However, his sales have halved over the past year, and he’s in the process of ditching the site and building his own.
Issues first began when Discogs raised its fee from 8% to 9% in May, and began charging the same fee on shipping costs too – making international transactions, often popular on the site, more difficult.
Discogs suggested that sellers use a tool it had created to raise the prices of all of their products by the same percentage, or offer free shipping. Doug Martin, another Discogs seller, says of their communication with sellers, “It’s like, ‘I said what I said, and we’re done.’ Well, you’re really not, because we all have to live with this and so do you.”

The post Raised fees are “shattering” Discogs’ community, sellers say appeared first on MusicTech.

BFD release free BFD Player BFD Player is a new, free instrument that comes loaded with a selection of high-quality drum samples as well as grooves recorded by top drummers.

Akai Professional says new APC64 pad controller is “the future of Ableton Live music production control”Akai Professional has launched the APC64, a pad controller the brand heralds as “the future of Ableton Live music production control”.

READ MORE: Akai Pro Flex Beat lets you slice, dice and mangle your audio with a fun, real-time glitch tool

The controller is the latest in Akai Pro’s line of APC controllers (APC stands for Ableton Performance Controller), following the APC Key 25, APC Mini and APC40.
Its control surface offers a larger and more feature-rich control surface compared to previous APC models. There are 64 vibrant RGB pads, eight assignable touch strip faders, and an internal eight-track 32-step sequencer. This expanded control surface provides users with more tactile interaction and control over Ableton Live.

The RGB pads on the APC64 are equipped with polyphonic aftertouch, allowing for expressive, nuanced playing. This feature enhances the musicality of the controller, making it suitable for a wide range of performance styles and techniques.
There is also now an expanded I/O Interface. Unlike previous APC models, the APC64 includes eight TS CV/Gate outputs, opening up possibilities for interfacing with modular gear and other external devices. It also features three MIDI jacks for seamless connection with synths, keyboards, and more.
Akai Pro APC64
Another of the most significant features of the APC64 is the inclusion of an internal eight-track, 32-step sequencer. This sequencer allows users to create patterns and control devices directly from the controller itself, without the need for a computer.
This controller continues the previous models’ theme of providing deep integration with Ableton Live, ensuring seamless control over the DAW’s functions. It features an 8×8 clip launching and note performance matrix with velocity-sensitive RGB pads, making it easy to trigger clips and scenes. COuld this, therefore, be Akai Pro’s official rival to the Ableton Push 3?
“APC was a revolutionary product that empowered Ableton Live composers and performers who needed exceptionally tactile control with an almost organic ability to respond in the moment,” says senior Akai Professional product manager, Dan Gill. “APC64 is the culmination of years of development, user feedback, and innovative drive to present the modern music maker with a tool that embraces technological advances of today while maintaining the essence of uber responsive musical workflow. Get ready to control and experience Ableton Live like never before.”
The Akai Professional APC64 is available to order at thomann.de for a price of $461/£377/€436.
The post Akai Professional says new APC64 pad controller is “the future of Ableton Live music production control” appeared first on MusicTech.