The global memory shortage hits the MacBook AirThe global memory chip shortage appears to be affecting the availability of Apple’s most popular Mac.

An Automated Water Tank Controller[Jumpor] lives in a part of India where the water infrastructure is a little frustrating to use. Water gets delivered to underground tanks outside of homes, and must then be regularly pumped into rooftop tanks prior to use inside the building. Typically, this pumping is handled manually—by switching on a pump and running it until water comes out of an overflow pipe to indicate the rooftop tank is full. [Jumpor] decided to improve this wasteful and time consuming process with a little automation project.
The build is based around an ESP32 microcontroller. It’s hooked up to an ultrasonic sensor which can measure the water level inside the rooftop water tank. When the sensor detects the level descending below a set point, the microcontroller fires a relay to trigger the lift pump to fill up the tank. Once the sensor detects the tank is full, the pump is shut off, saving liters of water compared to waiting for water to pour out of the overflow as an indicator of the same.
It’s a simple enough project, but [Jumpor] was sure to include the important practical considerations. Since the rig was being installed in a rental, it was desirable to not make any permanent modifications to the water system. Thus, a fresh cap for the water tank was modified to host the electronics and level sensor, such that the original could be replaced at a later date. Due consideration was also paid to things like avoiding crossing the minimum detection threshold of the sensor, which could lead to accidental overflows if not managed correctly.
The aim of this project was to ease the day to day burden of maintaining a basic utility. That’s the sort of project we love to see around these parts.

Lo-bit record Plate core 12AU7 VCA core 26xModeled Gated Reverb Plugin Combining Analog Plate Reverb & VCA Dynamics. 『Plate core 12AU7 VCA core 26x』 Released. Product Overview. 『Plate core 12AU7 VCA core 26x』 is a gated reverb processor that combines a high-density plate core modeled after the reverberation structure of the legendary EMT 140 analog plate reverb with 12AU7 tube saturation and VCA Core dynamics (Gate / Compressor). From classic snare gated reverb processing to tight reverb decay control, its intuitive interface allows you to effortlessly craft rich, high-quality audio textures. Key Features. 1. 【High-Density Plate Core Based on EMT 140 Modeling】. Faithfully recreates the dense, smooth plate reverberation characteristic of the industry-standard EMT 140 plate reverb. 2. 【VCA Core Dynamic Gate & Compressor】. Equipped with a VCA-spec dynamics circuit acting directly on the wet reverb tail. ・Features a fast-responding gate with switchable Hard/Soft modes, providing a versatile decay range from tight cutoffs to natural fade-outs. ・Combining it with the VCA compressor evens out the reverb sustain right up to the gate closure, delivering a distinct, punchy gated effect. 3. 【12AU7 Pure 2nd Harmonic Drive (200% Scale)】. Modeled after 12AU7 tube circuitry, it adds pure 2nd-order (even) harmonics without any harsh odd-order harmonics. By targeting key frequency zones (120 Hz / 250 Hz / 2 kHz), it adds warmth and body without causing drastic volume spikes. 4. 【Multi-Impulse Equal-Power M/S Width Engine】. Utilizes a multi-impulse diffuser matrix alongside an M/S synthesis circuit. Even when expanding the Width up to 200%, it maintains the solid phantom center core (Mid component) while adding natural stereo width to the sides. 5. 【Post-Reverb 16kHz Air EQ】. Features a 16,000 Hz (16 kHz) ultra-high shelf EQ placed at the output stage of the wet signal path. It adds silky high-end air exclusively to the reverb tail while keeping the original dry signal untouched. Controls. 【Tube Saturation & EQ】. ・Valve Drive [0.0 ~ 36.0 dB] : Adjusts the amount of 2nd-order even harmonics generated by the 12AU7 tube modeling, adding warmth and body. ・Valve On/Off : Enables or bypasses the tube saturation circuit. ・HPF [20 ~ 500 Hz] : Adjusts the low-cut frequency for the reverb send signal, preventing low-end muddiness. ・Air EQ [Off / 3dB / 6dB] : Boosts frequencies above 16 kHz on the wet reverb tail to add natural airy brilliance. 【Reverb】. ・Decay Time [0.5 ~ 10.0 s] : Sets the decay time (RT60) of the plate reverb. ・Damp [1,000 ~ 20,000 Hz] : Adjusts the high-frequency damping cutoff of the reverb tail. ・Width [0 ~ 200 %] : Adjusts stereo width. Retains the center core image even at maximum 200% width. 【VCA Dynamics (Gate & Compressor)】. ・Gate On/Off : Enables or bypasses the gate circuit. Turning it OFF allows the plugin to function as a standalone plate reverb. ・Comp On/Off : Enables or bypasses the VCA compressor dedicated to the wet reverb tail. ・Gate Hard/Soft : Switches between "Hard" mode for sharp, instant cutoffs and "Soft" mode for smooth, natural decay. ・Sidechain Source [Int / Ext] : Toggles the gate/comp detection signal source between internal wet reverb (Int) and external sidechain input track (Ext). ・Gate Threshold [-60.0 ~ 0.0 dB] : Sets the threshold level for gate opening and closing. ・Gate Hold/Release [10 ~ 500 ms] : Adjusts the gate release speed. Shorter values create a tight, punchy gated reverb. ・Comp Threshold [-40.0 ~ 0.0 dB] / Comp Ratio [1.0:1 ~ 20.0:1] : Sets the operating threshold and compression ratio for the VCA compressor. 【Master Output】. ・Gain [-24.0 ~ +12.0 dB] : Adjusts the master output level. ・Dry/Wet [0 ~ 100 %] : Controls the balance between the dry original signal and the wet processed signal (reverb + gate/comp). Read More

Shadaloo Audio DSP releases APD Compressor vocal compressor for FREE
Shadaloo Audio DSP has released APD Compressor, a free/pay-what-you-want vocal compressor plugin for macOS and Windows. We recently covered several plugins from Fabio “Shadaloo” Caterino, including the free H tone and loudness enhancer, the Wide spatial enhancement plugin, and the excellent Vinland Drive tape emulator. APD Compressor continues the developer’s pay-what-you-want approach. You can enter [...]
View post: Shadaloo Audio DSP releases APD Compressor vocal compressor for FREE

ZL Audio releases ZL Spectrum Equalizer, a FREE dynamic spectrum EQ
ZL Audio has released ZL Spectrum Equalizer, a free and open-source dynamic spectrum equalizer plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux. I already expected something like this coming from ZL Audio at some point. The developer is behind the excellent ZL Equalizer 2 and ZL Compressor, both of which received some fantastic feedback from the BPB [...]
View post: ZL Audio releases ZL Spectrum Equalizer, a FREE dynamic spectrum EQ

Acustica introduce Dangerous Music BAX EQ Plugin Following on from the launch of the 500-series version of their BAX EQ unit, Dangerous Music have now teamed up with modelling experts Acustica Audio to create an officially licensed plug-in.

Inside the London hacker house taking a stand against founder burnoutHow one founder house is betting work-life balance can beat burnout .

Onchain, in court: What happened in crypto legal news this weekA case tied to defunct crypto exchange FTX moves forward, a soldier seeks to dismiss over a Polymarket bet and a former congressman was ordered to pay $35,000 for manipulative trading.

Get Native Instruments Reaktor Synthesizer Bundle for $99 at Plugin Boutique
Plugin Boutique is offering the Native Instruments Reaktor Synthesizer Bundle for $99 until August 16th. Reaktor Synthesizer Bundle normally lists for $1,109, so this is a pretty heavy discount if you want a lot of Reaktor-based instruments in one purchase. Native Instruments has had a complicated year, as James recently covered in our articles, including [...]
View post: Get Native Instruments Reaktor Synthesizer Bundle for $99 at Plugin Boutique

Open Source Stream Deck Targets FlexibilityStream decks are very useful when you’re live on camera and you need to hit some complicated macro at a glance. However, there is sometimes a perception that commercial options are a touch expensive for what they are, an attitude which has spawned many DIY builds. [Fady Faheem] has developed just such a device of his own.
Named Stream32, the build is intended to be simple to understand and adapt to one’s own individual workflow. Putting one together is as easy as buying a display, hooking it up to an ESP32, flashing the firmware, and then adding pages of shortcuts as desired. [Fady] has designed the firmware to be flexible with regards to screen choice — currently, it can be set up for a 4″ Waveshare LCD or a nice roomy 10.1″ display from Elecrow. Since it’s open source, adapting to a wider range of displays is a potential exercise for the builder.
The great thing about custom stream decks is you have all the freedom in the world to customize them to your own specific setup. Play with the code, the functionality, the visual layout—all to suit your own needs. If you’re working on your own custom hardware, be sure to tell us on the tipsline.

Remi Blaze Tunix RawTunix Raw is a one-knob pitch corrector for macOS. A single TUNE knob takes a vocal from natural, transparent correction to a hard robotic snap, addressing quick pitch fixing and the hard-tuned vocal effect without setup. Key features: A single knob spanning natural correction through to a hard robotic snap. No key or scale to set: it snaps to the nearest note automatically, so it works on any vocal in any key. Level-matched output, so turning the knob never changes your gain staging. Formant-locked, so the voice never chipmunks, and consonants stay crisp. Low-latency corrector you can monitor through, reported to your DAW for clean bypass. Formats: AU, VST3, and Standalone. Universal Binary (Apple Silicon and Intel), code-signed and notarized by Apple. Read More

Auburn Sounds releases Psypan 2 Free, a stereo multi-effect plugin
Auburn Sounds has released Psypan 2 Free Edition, a free stereo multi-effect plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux. We have covered several Auburn Sounds plugins on BPB over the years, including Panagement, Lens, and Inner Pitch. Psypan 2 follows the same Free/Full model, with a very usable free version and a paid upgrade for the [...]
View post: Auburn Sounds releases Psypan 2 Free, a stereo multi-effect plugin

Nakst’s Altitude hybrid synthesis workstation is now freeware
Nakst has made Altitude, an advanced hybrid synthesis workstation for Windows, macOS, and Linux, available as freeware. We have covered several nakst instruments on BPB over the years, including Apricot, Regency, ExtraBold, and the now-free Integrate. Altitude was previously one of the developer’s paid instruments, so this is a nice, and somewhat unexpected, addition to [...]
View post: Nakst’s Altitude hybrid synthesis workstation is now freeware

Harmonic Piano from The Crow Hill Company Harmonic Piano captures the sound of a pair of two grand pianos played without lids, and with a finger lightly placed around a quarter of the way down each string!

The Magic Flute, LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CAWeb: laopera.orgContact: customerservice@laopera.orgPlayers: James Conlon, conductor; Barrie Kosky, director; Suzanne Andrade, director; Craig Colclough (bass-baritone) as Sir John Falstaff; Sydney Mancasola (soprano) as Pamina; Kyle Miller (baritone) as Papageno; Miles Mykkanen (tenor) as Tamino; Aigul Khismatullina (soprano) as Queen of the Night); Kwangchul Youn (bass) as Sarastro; Zhengyi Bai (tenor) as Monostatos; Diana Newman (soprano) as First Lady; Katie Trigg (mezzo-soprano) as Second Lady; Meridian Prall (mezzo-soprano) as Third Lady; Emily Damasco (soprano) as Papagena

Mozart’s The Magic Flute is the most frequently performed German-language opera, thanks in part to the fact that it was a smash hit from its first performance in September 1791. That’s 235 years of this wonderful, fantastical piece of work wowing audiences around the world. 

The plot is relatively simple and fairy tale-esque. Prince Tamino is saved from a monster, after which he falls in love with Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, after seeing her portrait. Hey, it was a different time. Said Queen has Tamino rescue Pamina from Sarastro, who we’re told is evil (but he isn’t really). Adventures happen and capers occur. 

Importantly, what we got at the LA Opera, the final show of the 2025/26 season, was not the traditional Magic Flute. Rather, the cast is dressed in ‘20s silent movie costume, and the set is largely animated. In other words, the performers are interacting, live and on stage, with cartoon cats, dogs, robots, etc. Notably, the Queen of the Night is a giant spider lady. It’s all visually dazzling.

The integral structure of the opera, including the plot, character development, and music, remains entirely intact. After over two centuries of traditional performances (and there will be more in the future), Mozart’s legacy and The Magic Flute in general can survive a madcap rendition. It looks incredible. Those costumes, including white mime face, are visually dazzling. The arachnid Queen of the Night is mind-blowing, while the Nosferatu-like Monostatos is the pantomime villain that we all need.

Two decades into his career with the LA Opera, James Conlon conducts the orchestra impeccably. We were lucky enough to be close enough to the orchestra pit to see him, and we conclude that he must be a joy to play for. Every movement, every facial expression, betrays his adoration for the music and the craft.

The most recognizable aria in this show is the Queen of the Night’s “Der Hölle Rache Kocht in Meinem Herzen” (Hell’s Vengeance Boils in My Heart), known to be one of the most difficult for a soprano due to the repetition. Aigul Khismatullina nailed it here, and brought a tear to many an eye while earning rapturous applause. But then, everyone involved did a stellar job.

Photos by Cory Weaver

The post The Magic Flute, LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.