Inside DistroKid’s Acquisition of Bandzoogle and What’s NextDistroKid’s recent acquisition of Bandzoogle surprised many in the industry and concerned the 60,000 musicians who use the website builder and e-commerce platform. Stacey Bedford, formerly the CEO of Bandzoogle. Continue reading
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Introducing the Blue Marble Synthesizer: A Space-Bound Musical EndeavorThe music industry is set to witness a novel venture with the announcement of the Blue Marble Synthesizer, a project that marries music and space technology. This unique initiative aims. Continue reading
The post Introducing the Blue Marble Synthesizer: A Space-Bound Musical Endeavor appeared first on Hypebot.

Five modern, innovative EQ techniques and how to use themEqualization is one of the pillars of mixing along with volume and dynamics. While there have been some advancements in EQ technology over the years, for the most part, it hasn’t changed all that much. Boost here, cut there – what more is there to do?

READ MORE: How to recreate Fred again..’s “Jungle” bass sound

But EQ plugins have benefitted just as much in recent years from technological advancements as the likes of AI-driven limiter plugins. Modern EQ plugins can react dynamically, split the band into transient and tonal information, automatically suppress resonance, and much more. Traditional EQs aren’t going anywhere anytime soon but sometimes you need an EQ that’s a little more focused to get a specific job done.
Here are five modern EQ techniques to try in your next production.
Dynamic EQ
When balancing a kick drum and bassline, most producers reach for sidechain compression. There’s nothing wrong with that but the effect can sometimes be heavy-handed. For more natural results, try dynamic EQ, which uses the sidechain signal to remove clashing frequencies only when necessary.
Dynamic EQ is available in a number of plugins, including Tokyo Dawn Records’ excellent free TDR Nova.
Add an instance of TDR Nova to the track you want to affect, in this case, the bassline. Next, set the sidechain to the kick track. Using the frequency response of the kick track as a reference (load up an EQ on the kick if you haven’t already), set a node to a corresponding frequency area in TDR Nova.
Now comes the dynamic part: start turning the Threshold knob down until you see the EQ cut begin to bounce in time with the kick. Use the Q knob to fine-tune the width of the cut and decrease the release time for a faster reset. Now the kick has more power and punch.

Transient-specific EQ
Another fantastic modern EQ plugin is Split EQ by Eventide. This is ingenious: it separates the signal into transient and tonal portions, removing the need for additional dynamics processors like transient shapers. There are all sorts of applications for this, including highlighting percussive elements.
After dropping Split EQ onto a track, set the node where you want to boost or cut. You should then see two colors, green (transient information) and blue (the tonal portion). By pulling up on the transient signal, you can increase snap and impact without affecting the body of the sound. Try lowering the tonal section for a more pronounced effect. Lastly, raise the transient output slider to adjust the global transient volume.

Spectral processing EQ
EQ that suppresses resonances and artefacts is another emerging technology. Oeksound’s Soothe2 does it, as does Baby Audio’s Smooth Operator. Known technically as spectral processing, Smooth Operator uses a combination of equalization, compression and resonance suppression to actively eliminate wayward frequencies.
The vocal sample in this clip has lots of energy but it’s also pretty raw and resonant. Spectral processing can come to the rescue.
By adding nodes and reducing where appropriate, you can attenuate harsh ringing resonances. Use the Focus slider to set the intensity of the spectral algorithm – somewhere between 70 and 90 per cent usually gives the smoothest results. As this only affects the quality of the signal, not the actual frequencies, you may want to use this in tandem with a standard EQ.

Smart EQ
AI has been barging its way into a variety of audio plugins and EQ is no exception. There are a number of equalizers with AI mixing assistants, one such being smart:EQ 3 from Sonible. Like Smooth Operator, smart:EQ 3 also corrects spectral imbalances but does it entirely automatically. You’re then free to make adjustments as you see fit.
After loading an instance of smart:EQ 3 onto a channel, prime the AI by telling it what kind of material it’s listening to. For example, this audio track contains synthesizer chords so the appropriate choice would be ‘synth’.
Next, click the Listen button to start the AI process. The plugin will generate its result. By pulling up or down on the thumb button, you can adjust the amount of the effect. The results are now brighter and livelier than before without being harsh or unpleasant.

Match EQ
Match EQ – where you apply the EQ curve of one piece of audio to another – isn’t actually that novel. However, the way that EQuivoate by Newfangled Audio achieves this is certainly unique.
EQuivocate is based on how the human ear hears, with fixed frequency bands. Because it’s based on the Mel Scale, one with 26 pitches at equal distances from one another, the EQ graph is represented by this number of unique bands. By using the Mel scale, Newfangle claims that EQuivocate sounds more natural than other EQ plugins. When you engage the Match function, you’re transferring not just the EQ curve but also the Mel scale of the original audio onto the new one.
Place a copy of EQuivoate onto the stereo bus of your song, load up a reference track (and mute it), and then point it to EQuivoate using the sidechain function. Click the Match EQ button and let EQuivoate listen to the reference, and then apply the resulting EQ curve. You’re free to then adjust the overall degree of matching as well as individual bands.

 
The post Five modern, innovative EQ techniques and how to use them appeared first on MusicTech.

Breaking writer’s block: A producer’s guide to sparking inspiration
Ask any artist what their least favorite part of their creative process is, and you may very well find an overarching pattern: the challenge of dealing with writer’s block. Many music producers dread those two words – or rather, what they entail.  As a producer myself, I can speak from experience and empathize. I have gone […]
The post Breaking writer’s block: A producer’s guide to sparking inspiration appeared first on DJ TechTools.

15 Rock Covers That Surpassed (or Met the Challenge of) the OriginalWho doesn't enjoy a good old-fashioned, well-constructed list? Especially, when it pertains to rock n' roll music. Greg Prato's latest book, 50 Rocks Lists + Surprise Lists, manages to focus equally on the expected and the unexpected.

Why is Ethereum (ETH) price down today?Ethereum price is down today as heavy selling from notable wallets and general disinterest in the recent ETH futures ETF weigh on investor sentiment.

As SBF’s trial heads into its second week, here’s what we know so farHere are the juicy details we gleaned from the first week of testimonies.

Mensla FMD FMD is a distortion plugin that adds rich FM harmonics with a single knob. Combined with a soft clipper, you can quickly transform any signal. Sound demo - https://youtu.be/V06n4smBGJ8?si=EJmaDhjUElstNgNg... Read More

Moog CEO “reached out to Uli Behringer” to try and sell company, Behringer claimsBehringer has claimed that the CEO of Moog reached out to Uli Behringer and sell the company to him.

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

In a video by Benn Jordan, the producer explores Moog’s acquisition by InMusic earlier this year and also looks at recent claims made by Behringer that a number of publications and influencers no longer support the company for reasons including not paying for ads and not providing free products for reviews.
“One of the reasons I haven’t featured any Behringer products on this channel,” Jordan says, “Is because the company has sued people for criticising the company.”
In a Facebook post today (9 October) Behringer said, “Usually we ignore such inflammatory videos. However, we have decided to respond this time,” before going on to give their side of the story.

Usually we just ignore such inflammatory videos. However, we have decided to respond this time, as it provides a perfect…
Posted by Behringer on Monday, October 9, 2023

The post explains that, while Moog CEO Mike Adams offered to sell Moog to Behringer, the company declined due to differences in business models.

It continues, “Blaming us for Moog’s struggles is as reasonable as blaming Yamaha for the bankruptcy of Sequential, Oberheim, ARP and Moog in the 1980s when the DX7 and other digital synths were introduced to the market,” before wishing Moog “all the best” and saying that the brand has a “great future”.

Jordan then responded on Twitter, accusing Behringer of lying  “multiple times” on its Facebook page.
I spoke to a LOT of people and heard absolutely nothing of this.
Given that @Behringer has outright lied on their Facebook page multiple times (as recently as a few weeks ago with Loopop , influencers, “not for profit”, etc).
Can you DM me or possibly corroborate this @MoogMike? pic.twitter.com/fKbLhfPudc
— Benn Jordan (@bennjordan) October 9, 2023
Behringer has since shared “proof of correspondence” on its Facebook group, revealing an image of an email exchange between Uli Behringer and Mike Adams.
Image: Facebook
Meanwhile, Behringer reportedly has over 50 synths in development as of 2023, with seemingly no plans to slow down.
The post Moog CEO “reached out to Uli Behringer” to try and sell company, Behringer claims appeared first on MusicTech.

Don McLean Issues Statement About The Attack on IsraelSinger-songwriter Don McLean ("American Pie," "Vincent"), formerly a resident of Israel, has spoken out today about the recent attack by Hammas on the country.

"It is hard for me to control the emotions I feel for Israel at this time." "Having lived in Israel, I remember the neighborhoods I now see being bombed. I knew the people who faced this kind of hatred every day and went to a party every night because life is something to celebrate and it is so precious. Being there changed me forever. I have lived in a different way ever since. I was proud to write the song "Jerusalem," for the Mayor of Jerusalem and I sing this song every night during shows. On this earth, Jerusalem is at the center of the atom of life and salvation no matter what might be going on anywhere else on the planet."

– Don McLean

“The competition is actually Netflix or Steam”: CEO Niklas Agevik sees Reason as more than just a DAWMusicTech’s searching Stockholm for the Reason Studios headquarters. The brand, since the year 2000, has offered producers a software-based solution that mimics a studio rack, letting you drop in its own collection of new synths and classic emulations, such as the Objekt Modeling Synth, Algoritm and the Combinator. Ultimately, with this all-in-one visually appealing software hub, production becomes fun and at times educational.
After a short meander through a cobbled courtyard in the Swedish capital’s Hornstull area, we’re buzzed up to the office. It’s around 6pm on a Friday, so it’s virtually empty, apart from brand ambassador and producer Tobtok and collaborators farfech’d, who are shifting crates of beer, preparing for a launch party to celebrate the release of their new EP, My Friends.

READ MORE: Murlo’s desert island music tool? “A field recorder and a bunch of batteries”

We and Reason’s CEO – as the kitchen space is transformed into a dancefloor – head to the quieter space of his desk.
“Our mission is to turn music dreamers into music makers,” Niklas Agevik starts, echoing the company’s longstanding mission.
“It should be inviting to make music. The competition isn’t other DAWs or plugins; the competition is actually Netflix or Steam – nothing to do with making music at all. When we say ‘turn music dreamers into music makers,’ it’s actually about making it so that you want to come home and start up Reason. It’s about making music-making as fun as it can be.”
There’s certainly a sense of fun in the – albeit empty – office. Behind Niklas is a life-size Daft Punk helmet. A sticker on a pillar reads ‘The anti expert expert club’.
Right now, Niklas says as he sips a can of Swedish IPA, Reason Studios is an office focussed entirely listening to Reason users to make their products better, as opposed to any side quests, if you will, such as apps and hardware.
There have been times where we’ve been too focussed on pioneering… we’ve come back and said, you know, we want to focus on Reason.
“There have been times where we’ve been too focussed on pioneering, you know? We built a social network for musicians, where they could share music with each other. We went into hardware, and I think all of those products were great products – the ReGroove is very well executed.
“But now, we’ve come back and said, you know, we want to focus on Reason. And I think that’s been a big part of the company’s journey over the last five, six years. All of the company is now focused on actually building Reason and making Reason better.”
Part of that is by breaking the fourth wall, opening up the floor to feedback from fans and interacting with Reason users. The Tobtok and farfetch’d EP launch party is one example of that.
“We try to participate in the community. There’s a community forum they run themselves called Reason Talk. We answer questions and try to be active on social media. We invite people to our office, we host parties here and invite users to come here and party with us.”
There’s even an open invite to book a lunch with Niklas himself with a queue forming. “That’s a lot of lunch!” We laugh.
Not only has the company opened up the floor to its fans, but it’s also given third party plugin developers the means to include its VST plugins within the Reason DAW. In 2020, Reason Rack then meant you could use Reason within your DAW.
“If you go back 20 years, “ he says, “Reason was more locked in and it couldn’t handle VSTs, for example. We’ve been on a journey to open up Reason and ensure that it plays a part in the ecosystem. We don’t expect our customers to come in and use only Reason’s devices or content when making music, but we want to make sure that Reason works well in whatever setup you have. If you want to use Reason for everything, that’s amazing. Go ahead. But if you have an existing setup and don’t want to switch DAWs, you can use Reason alongside your DAW or use Reason standalone.”
Reason Studios CEO Niklas Agevik in studio. Image: Oliver Payne
Reason 13?
We’ve seen the software develop a lot since it was first launched in 2000. The user interface has transformed from a basic single-window design to a modern, polished interface that’s resizable and more user-friendly. The number of available devices and instruments has grown, accommodating third-party extensions.
Perhaps the most substantial improvement is in audio recording capabilities. While Reason 1 offered limited audio recording functionality, Reason 12.6 now functions as a full-fledged DAW, providing advanced audio recording and editing capabilities.
So,when can we expect to see Reason 13? Not just yet, it seems.
We’ve changed our approach lately. We used to be a very secretive company, keeping our plans close to our chest… as part of our effort to be more open, we now publish our plans on our blog.
“We’ve changed our approach lately. We used to be a very secretive company, keeping our plans close to our chest,” Niklas explains. “However, as part of our effort to be more open, we now publish our plans on our blog. Currently, we’re very focused on Reason 12.
“We recently released version 12.6 just before the summer, which was optimised for the new Apple M1 Macs. We have another version, 12.7, in the pipeline, which will enhance how you handle content in Reason. You can find our future plans for Reason on our blog. We’re dedicated to making Reason better and more exciting, with a particular focus on developing innovative devices that are unique to Reason.”
Any reason to integrate AI?
AI technology is playing a more and more prominent role in music production, we point out to Niklas. However, it’s not going to play a predominant role in the future of Reason, Niklas says, as, for a software that is so dedicated to making producers realise the joy in making music. Hitting a button to eliminate that defeats the point of Reason, essentially.
“I think in a world of AI and generated music, the ability to make your own music is crucial. Reason is about sounding unique. It’s packed with devices that don’t exist elsewhere, featuring a distinct workflow. We believe this uniqueness is what truly helps you find your own voice.
“I’m sure we’re probably going to incorporate AI features into Reason, where you can say ‘write me a bassline’ or transition from a verse to a chorus. However, the essence of music-making, education, and inspiration remains central to Reason. Our focus is on refining your craft and simplifying music production. We’ll continue creating exciting devices, improving Reason’s user-friendliness, and providing more tools. While AI may evolve, our vision for Reason remains unchanged, emphasizing musical inspiration and craftsmanship.”
To quote Ode, a poem by Arthur O’shaughnessy: “We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams” – it’s a line that reflects Reason’s creative community, that have found its easy, fun-to-use workflow an essential part of their setups. This community are now informing the company’s decisions more than ever.
While Niklas Agevik keeps Reason 13 under wraps, we can look forward to 12.7 and be sure that the future looks bright. Move over Netflix and Steam, there’s a new entertainment powerhouse in play – it’s called Reason.
The post “The competition is actually Netflix or Steam”: CEO Niklas Agevik sees Reason as more than just a DAW appeared first on MusicTech.

The ‘Online Music Guide’ conference to be held in London on Thursday, October 12Program includes panel discussions consisting of tips for emerging artists
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Melanie Johnson appointed Chief Commercial Officer at music tech company AudooCompany raised £7.2 million in its pre-series B funding round in 2021
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Andi Vax Andi Vax “Synplant 2 Melodic Techno” Fresh collection of premium presets for SonicCharge Synplant 2 synthesizer. It's perfect for Melodic Techno, House and EDM styles. (Use coupon "StandWithUkraine" for 50% discount till 16.10.2023).... Read More

Upcoming Scanner Concert British electronic music artist Scanner (Robin Rimbaud) will be performing live at the University of York’s Rymer Auditorium on Friday 13 October 2023.