New Music Critique: Heidi VincentContact: trulyheidivincentmusic@gmail.comWeb: heidivincent.comSeeking: Review, Film/TV, Label, PublishingStyle: Pop-Rock, CountryWhile Vincent lists pop-rock and country as her genres, don’t make the mistake of thinking that she’s an empty, chart-hungry country hopeful. There are no superficial lyrics about beer and trucks here. Rather, she has a sultry, mildly melancholy voice that proves beautifully expressive. “Vancouver singer-songwriter Heidi Vincent launched her music career in the early ‘90s when K97.5 FM picked up her first song, inspired by personal tragedy.” That fact that her music is so intimately inspired by her life absolutely comes across, resulting in sound that is wonderfully authentic.The post New Music Critique: Heidi Vincent first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

'Strategy is synthetically halving Bitcoin' — Author and analystMichael Saylor's Strategy is "synthetically halving Bitcoin" (BTC) by purchasing half or more of the newly minted supply from miners every single month, according to Adam Livingston, a BTC analyst and author of "The Bitcoin Age and The Great Harvest."Livingston said miners currently produce around 450 BTC per day or approximately 13,500 BTC per month, but Strategy acquired 379,800 BTC in the last six months. This translates to the firm purchasing roughly 2,087 BTC per day — far in excess of daily miner output. The author added:"When Bitcoin becomes this scarce, access to Bitcoin will require paying a premium. Lending against Bitcoin will cost more. Borrowing Bitcoin will become a luxury business reserved for nation-states and corporate whales, and Strategy will control the bottleneck.""BTC's global cost of capital will no longer be set by 'the market.' It will be set by the gravitational policies of the first Bitcoin superpower: Strategy," Livingston continued.The author's prediction of a Bitcoin supply crunch translates into much higher BTC prices if Strategy can continue its pace of BTC acquisitions while market demand for the supply-capped digital asset grows among institutional and retail investors.The Bitcoin miner reserve, a metric tracking the total amount of BTC held in miner wallets, continues to decline. Source: CryptoQuantRelated: Michael Saylor hints at Bitcoin purchase as whales stack aggressivelyInstitutions like Strategy are driving the world toward hyperbitcoinizationCypherpunk and Blockstream CEO Adam Back predicted that Strategy and other institutions that have adopted a Bitcoin corporate treasury plan will drive the market capitalization of BTC to $200 trillion."Strategy and other treasury companies are an arbitrage of the dislocation between the Bitcoin future and today's fiat world," Back wrote in an April 26 X post.Critics of the company warn that the debt-based approach to BTC acquisition could sink Strategy financially if a prolonged BTC bear market takes effect and also warn of greater systemic risks to BTC from such a high concentration of the digital currency held by a single entity.An overview of Strategy’s Bitcoin investment performance. Source: Michael SaylorHowever, Bitcoin advocate and author Saifedean Ammous recently said that Strategy's concentration of BTC doesn't threaten the protocol.Ammous argued that institutions like BlackRock and Strategy holding high concentrations of BTC could not engineer a hard fork increasing Bitcoin's maximum supply, as it would massively devalue their holdings, which, at the end of the day, belong to shareholders with the power to divest.Magazine: Bitcoin in Senegal: Why is this African country using BTC?

4chan is back online, says it’s been ‘starved of money’4chan is partly back online after a hack took the infamous image-sharing site down for nearly two weeks. The site first went down on April 14, with the person responsible for the hack apparently leaking data including a list of moderators and “janitors” (one janitor told TechCrunch they were “confident” that the leaked data was […]

How Methane Took Over the Booster WorldSpace X Starship firing its many Raptor engines. The raptor pioneered the new generation of methalox. (Image: Space X)
Go back a generation of development, and excepting the shuttle-derived systems, all liquid rockets used RP-1 (aka kerosene) for their first stage. Now it seems everybody and their dog wants to fuel their rockets with methane. What happened? [Eager Space] was eager to explain in recent video, which you’ll find embedded below.
At first glance, it’s a bit of a wash: the density and specific impulses of kerolox (kerosene-oxygen) and metholox (methane-oxygen) rockets are very similar. So there’s no immediate performance improvement or volumetric disadvantage, like you would see with hydrogen fuel. Instead it is a series of small factors that all add up to a meaningful design benefit when engineering the whole system.
Methane also has the advantage of being a gas when it warms up, and rocket engines tend to be warm. So the injectors don’t have to worry about atomizing a thick liquid, and mixing fuel and oxidizer inside the engine does tend to be easier. [Eager Space] calls RP-1 “a soup”, while methane’s simpler combustion chemistry makes the simulation of these engines quicker and easier as well.
There are other factors as well, like the fact that methane is much closer in temperature to LOX, and does cost quite a bit less than RP-1, but you’ll need to watch the whole video to see how they all stack up.
We about rocketry fairly often on Hackaday, seeing projects with both liquid-fueled and solid-fueled engines. We’ve even highlighted at least one methalox rocket, way back in 2019. Our thanks to space-loving reader [Stephen Walters] for the tip. Building a rocket of your own? Let us know about it with the tip line.

Sampleson release Predictor Sampleson have announced the launch of a new plug-in and application that’s capable of generating notes, triads and chord voicings from simple clicks.

ENGL EP635 Fireball IRThe EP635 Fireball IR Pedal brings the raw power and precision of the ENGL Fireball amplifier into a pedalboard-friendly enclosure, offering unmatched flexibility and tonal control for guitarists of all styles. This cutting-edge pedal is equipped with advanced features, making it a must-have for players seeking high-gain perfection with modern digital convenience. Key Features: Authentic Fireball Tone – Designed after the renowned ENGL Fireball amplifier, the EP635 delivers the unmistakable high-gain aggression and clarity that ENGL fans love. Two Independent Channels – Easily switch between two distinct channels, with each channel's knob settings saved independently, allowing for seamless transitions between tones. Built-in Midboost Function – Enhance your tone with the integrated Midboost switch, perfect for cutting through the mix with extra punch. Advanced Noise Gate – Eliminate unwanted noise and maintain articulate clarity, even with high-gain settings. IR (Impulse Response) Loading via USB-C – Customize your sound with user-loadable IRs using the included software, bringing studio-quality cab simulations to your pedalboard. Headphone Output – Silent practice has never been easier, with a dedicated headphone output for direct monitoring. Premium Build and Intuitive Controls – Featuring a rugged chassis and responsive controls for Volume, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, and Presence, ensuring precise tonal shaping. Specs: Input 1/4" (6,35mm) Jack. Output 1/4" (6,35mm) Jack. Headphone Output 1/8"(3,5mm) Jack. 9V DC / 300mA (center negativ) / power supply, sold separately. USB-C. Read More

Industry Profile: Noxgear's 39G Portable Speaker Brings the Joy of Music EverywhereListening to recorded music used to be a stationary experience. The audience was forced to remain wherever a record player or radio was located. That changed once portable players came to market, yet there were particular disadvantages with these devices. Boom boxes were heavy and cumbersome. The Sony Walkman and Discman Portable CD Player, while far lighter and easier to carry, required headphones or earbuds, which are often uncomfortable or impractical under certain circumstances.With Noxgear’s 39G personal speaker, these limitations disappear. The miniature device, which clips easily to clothing, offers hands-free music and phone calls on the go. The name reflects its weight; at just 39 grams, it’s lighter than a pack of gum. It pairs with any Bluetooth device, including TVs, laptops, tablets, and smart watches. Such portability makes it ideal for runners, bikers, hikers, or anyone constantly moving from room to room. Its waterproof IPX7 rating means it’ll survive inclement weather. Go ahead, take it in the shower and sing your heart out. It currently retails for $79.95 on the manufacturer’s website.Bringing to life this novel gadget is Noxgear’s cofounders, Simon Curran and Tom Walters. Both went to school for different fields of engineering, thus giving them the necessary knowledge to create such a product. The company started with the pair playing nighttime rounds of ultimate Frisbee. Recognizing they needed a way to see each other in the dark, they designed a wearable, light-up vest, the Tracer2 Visibility Vest, which they began selling. After that came the LightHound LED Harness for dogs, offering stylish outdoor safety for pups craving walks after sundown. The entrepreneurs realized their passion rested in building products for people with active outdoor lifestyles. They began in earnest searching for ways to continue their mission. “We looked at our market and current technology,” says Walters from the operation’s headquarters in Worthington, OH. “And it seemed like nobody enjoyed the experience of putting in earbuds. Also, it’s not safe to go running with them.” The duo set out to create the world’s lightest and best-sounding external speaker. Walters and Curran looked at then-current products similar to what they wanted to make. At the time, there wasn’t much available in the size range they felt was achievable. Some portable players weighed a pound or more and used built-in handles. The only clip-on speaker out there featured poor audio quality and usability. In the end, the pair looked beyond existing alternatives and simply focused on creating the best device they could muster. Building the 39G came with plenty of struggles, one of which was achieving decent bass. “That’s a challenge,” Walters insists, “because you need the air volume.” Another important factor was battery life. The current iteration offers up to 15 hours of playtime depending on usage factors, such as the type of audio. Interestingly, testing shows that podcasts are often the most draining. Even today, they’re constantly making improvements. Their newest is upgrading to the latest Bluetooth protocol. Although Noxgear’s focus centers on outdoor living, Walters professes himself a lover of music. He names Eric Church as one of his favorite artists. Also, he played guitar in a high school band and still noodles around on the instrument from time to time. Naturally, he hopes the 39G will find its way into the hearts of music makers. Others clearly see the potential, as it will be featured in the gift bag for the 2025 American Music Awards taking place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. At first, Walters thought the offer was a scam. “But I talked to the folks that operate the gift bags and they were amazing,” he notes. “I’m honored to have them include us.”One reason for which creators might want a 39G is testing. If the device becomes even more popular, they’ll need to know exactly how their final mixes come across on the tiny speaker. Plus, it’s hard to deny the convenience of taking a call while loading gear in and out of a club or listening to rehearsal tapes while handling chores that require situational awareness.Walters sees parallels between running a technology startup and selling oneself as an artist. “There’s a lot of overlap there,” he insists, stressing that both endeavors require savvy marketing. “What you’re trying to do is tell a story and bring someone into the world of the brand.” There’s also endless experimentation. Just as technology companies are constantly trying to figure out what products and advertising strategies resonate best, artists must tinker to figure out how to evoke the strongest responses from crowds, identify which tunes and set lists are most effective, and crack the riddle of seeming relatable while appearing larger than life. Noxgear’s CEO chalks the startup’s success to maintaining its core values of transparency and honesty. They’re principles anyone blazing a new path would do well to remember. “When you’re trying to do something difficult, there’s all kinds of uncertainty,” Walters points out, suggesting that feeling slighted and having negative reactions in the face of opposing thinking will stymie progress. “That’s my primary philosophy on business,” he finishes. “And that’s how we roll.”Visit noxgear.com.The post Industry Profile: Noxgear's 39G Portable Speaker Brings the Joy of Music Everywhere first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Google’s DeepMind UK team reportedly seeks to unionizeAround 300 London-based members of Google’s AI-focused DeepMind team are seeking to unionize with the Communication Workers Union, according to a Financial Times report that cites three people involved with the unionization effort. These DeepMind employees are reportedly unhappy about Google’s decision to remove a pledge not to use AI for weapons or surveillance from […]

Solana's Loopscale pauses lending after $5.8M hackUpdate (April 26 at 8:57 PM UTC): This article has been updated to include updates from Loopscale. Solana decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Loopscale temporarily halted its lending markets after suffering an approximately $5.8 million exploit. On April 26, a hacker siphoned approximately 5.7 million USDC (USDC) and 1200 Solana (SOL) from the lending protocol after taking out a “series of undercollateralized loans”, Loopscale co-founder Mary Gooneratne said in an X post. Loopscale has since “re-enabled loan repayments, top-ups, and loop closing”, but “[a]ll other app functions (including Vault withdrawals) are still temporarily restricted while we investigate and ensure mitigation of this exploit,” Loopscale said in an April 26 X post.The exploit only impacted Loopscale’s USDC and SOL vaults and the losses represent around 12% of Loopscale’s total value locked (TVL), Gooneratne added. “Our team is fully mobilized to investigate, recover funds, and ensure users are protected,” Gooneratne said.Loopscale’s ‘Genesis’ lending vaults. Source: LoopscaleIn the first quarter of 2025, hackers stole more than $1.6 billion worth of crypto from exchanges and on-chain smart contracts, blockchain security firm PeckShield said in an April report. More than 90% of those losses are attributable to a $1.5 billion attack on ByBit, a centralized cryptocurrency exchange, by North Korean hacking outfit Lazarus Group.Related: Crypto hacks top $1.6B in Q1 2025 — PeckShieldUnique DeFi lending modelLaunched on April 10 after a six-month closed beta, Loopscale is a DeFi lending protocol designed to enhance capital efficiency by directly matching lenders and borrowers.It also supports specialized lending markets, such as “structured credit, receivables financing, and undercollateralized lending,” Loopscale said in an April announcement shared with Cointelegraph. Loopscale’s order book model distinguishes it from DeFi lending peers such as Aave that aggregate cryptocurrency deposits into liquidity pools.Loopscale’s daily active users. Source: Mary GooneratneLoopscale’s main USDC and SOL vaults yield APRs exceeding 5% and 10%, respectively. It also supports lending markets for tokens such as JitoSOL and BONK (BONK) and looping strategies for upwards of 40 different token pairs. The DeFi protocol has approximately $40 million in TVL and has attracted upwards of 7,000 lenders, according to researcher OurNetwork.Magazine: Ripple says SEC lawsuit ‘over,’ Trump at DAS, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 16 – 22

Remembering HeathkitWhile most hams and hackers have at least heard of Heathkit, most people don’t know the strange origin story of the legendary company. [Ham Radio Gizmos] takes us all through the story.
In case you don’t remember, Heathkit produced everything from shortwave radios to color TVs to test equipment and even computers. But, for the most part, when you bought something from them, you didn’t get a finished product. You got a bag full of parts and truly amazing instructions about how to put them together. Why? Well, if you are reading Hackaday, you probably know why. But some people did it to learn more about electronics. Others were attracted by the lower prices you paid for some things if you built them yourself. Others just liked the challenge.
But Heathkit’s original kit wasn’t electronic at all. It was an airplane kit. Not a model airplane, it was an actual airplane. Edward Heath sold airplane kits at the affordable price around $1,000. In 1926, that was quite a bit of money, but apparently still less than a commercial airplane.

Sadly, Heath took off in a test plane in 1931, crashed, and died. The company struggled to survive until 1935, when Howard Anthony bought the company and moved it to the familiar Benton Harbor address. The company still made aircraft kits.
During World War II, the company mobilized to produce electronic parts for wartime aircraft. After the war, the government disposed of surplus, and Howard Anthony casually put in a low bid on some. He won the bid and was surprised to find out the lot took up five rail cars. Among the surplus were some five-inch CRTs used in radar equipment. This launched the first of Heathkit’s oscilloscopes — the O1. At $39.50, it was a scope people could afford, as long as they could build it. The O-series scopes would be staples in hobby workshops for many years.
There’s a lot more in the video. Well worth the twenty minutes. If you’ve never seen a Heathkit manual, definitely check out the one in the video. They were amazing. Or download a couple. No one creates instructions like this anymore.
If you watch the video, be warned, there will be a quiz, so pay attention. But here’s a hint: there’s no right answer for #3. We keep hearing that someone owns the Heathkit brand now, and there have been a few new products. But, at least so far, it hasn’t really been the same.

Music Business News Last Week: Tours, Superfans, Jobs & MoreThings were busy in music business news last week, with the industry asking big questions, fans stepping up to support artists, new superfan-focused tech, and more...
The post Music Business News Last Week: Tours, Superfans, Jobs & More appeared first on Hypebot.

AudioUi Modern Audio kit-Figma-02Modern Audio kit-Figma-02 Background PNG 700*420 px. ANIMATION. - Big Knob Animation 129 Frames 144*144 px. - Medium Knob Animation 129 Frames 90*90 px. - Small Knob Animation 129 Frames 50*50 px. - Slider Animation 99 Frames 24*122 px. - Big Button Animation 2 Frames 52*18 px. - Small Button Animation 2 Frames 18*36 px. - Square Button Animation 2 Frames 50*50 px. - VU Meter Animation 129 Frames 174*100 px. - Strip File for all. win/mac support with easy installation. ***You can buy each PNG file separately***. Read More

Independent Musician News: Fake Streams, Sync, Singles, MoreLast week, our tips, advice and independent musician news covered how to become a better live singer, the true costs of artificial streams, a guide to getting music synced, and more..
The post Independent Musician News: Fake Streams, Sync, Singles, More appeared first on Hypebot.

ADPTR AUDIO Utopia reverb from Plugin Alliance Created in collaboration with Geraint Luff of Signalsmith Audio, Utopia is said to reimagine reverb not just as an effect, but as a powerful compositional and harmonic tool.

DIY Spotlight: Juanita and JuanJuanita and Juan is the name of a thrilling new project featuring the talents of punk rock luminaries Alice Bag (The Bags) and Kid Congo (Pink Monkey Birds/Cramps/Gun Club). The two respected musicians have a combined resume that is remarkable, but how did this duo come to be?“We were invited to write a song for the Peacock series The Resort,” says Bag. “The idea was that we would write a song for them and then pretend to perform it poolside at a Mexican resort.” “It was really fun, and the characters we played seem to have further things to say beyond ‘Arenas De Amor,’” adds Congo. “Our lounge duo seemed more unruly than a traditional lounge act, although we were trying to play it straight! We could not disguise our rebellious nature, so we brought the fictional characters into our real lives.”Bag says that this project has allowed her to explore different configurations of sound, and experiment a little.“We even have a couple of songs that are cumbias,” she says. “Also, the fact that we don’t use a full band but perform with our own pre-recorded tracks has really allowed me to go crazy with instrumentation.”“I like to say it’s LOUD Lounge because I like it to be a party,” adds Congo. “A party at a Mexican beach. Electric guitars fuzzy and raucous, and keyboards melodic and demanding. With drum machine, Latin beats mostly, and Alice is a fantastic soulful and punk singer. I’m channeling a Barry White kind of talk-singing. We sing in Spanish and English language—I suppose Spanglish.”The new album, Jungle Cruise, was recorded at Waterworks Studios in Tucson, AZ with Jim Waters, on Larry Hardy’s In The Red Records. “Fortunately for us, he was willing to take a chance on this kookie endeavor,” says Bag.It’s all a fine example of the DIY ethic that the pair have long adhered to: “If you’re bold enough and creative enough, no one will guess that you don’t know what you’re doing,” says Bag.“No rules in music,” adds Congo. “Simple recording. Say what you mean. Defy expectations.”Look out for Juanita and Juan on tour, and get Jungle Cruise. Bag has a Spanish language translation of her book, Violence Girl, coming out in the summer, and Congo will be doing some shows with his Pink Monkey Birds.  Visit alicebag.com, officialkidcongopowers.com.The post DIY Spotlight: Juanita and Juan first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.