Cong Burn Strokes - Audio Workstation Welcome to Strokes. An all-in-one, cross-platform workstation for sequencing, sampling and synthesis. The idea of this device is to encourage free-flow experimentation and exploration... Read More

Warm Audio reveal WA-14 Stereo Pair Warm Audio are now providing their C414 EB-inspired mics as matched pairs complete with a hardcase, clips, shockmounts and a stereo bar. 

Native Instruments’ Traktor X1 MK3 will light up your DJ boothNative Instruments today launches the third edition of its Traktor X1 DJ controller, introducing a re-jigged layout for better usability, enhanced effects control, playback manipulation, looping, adjusted mixer mapping, and more.

READ MORE: Best DJ gear: Six of the best USB sticks for DJs in 2023

The changes have been made in response to feedback on previous models by the Traktor community, the brand says.
DJs can now find five useful OLED displays – one above each channel, one in the centre above the mixer and two displaying crucial track and effect details, such as progress, name, loop size, and selected effects.
To add to your DJ light show, the X1 MK3 also has lights underneath, which not only look cool, but signify when a track is playing, when it’s about to end or if it’s in a loop. There’s a spectrum of customisable colours to choose from, so you don’t look out of place in relation to the venue’s lighting.
Traktor X1 MK3
The X1 MK3 now features bigger buttons next to each of its eight knobs that are easier to quickly hit when mid-performance.
The new Mixer Mode allows a seamless shift from controlling effects to using the X1 as a DJ mixer mode, giving you control over EQs and channel levels while monitoring all four channel levels on the displays.
You can adjust which features are mapped to where via Native Instruments’ latest Traktor Pro 3 software, which arrives bundled with the X1 MK3 upon purchase. In Pro 3, there are new features to add to its sonic sculpting capabilities such as time-stretching, an improved limiter, a huge array of effects, and a vast range of options for customising your mixing workflow.
In other news, a major investor of both Native Instruments and iZotope, the US firm Francisco Partners, was reported to have expressed interest in AVID, the owner of the producer DAW, Pro Tools.
Interested? Traktor X1 MK3 is available for pre-order at $299 and will launch officially on 20 September 2023. Find out more at native-instruments.com.
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Loopcloud launches plugin with four million royalty-free samples to use directly in your DAWLoopcloud’s sample library can now be accessed straight from your DAW via the brand’s new plugin, Loopcloud Sounds.
Four million royalty-free sounds are on offer through the plugin, which is available to Loopcloud subscribers without any extra charge.

READ MORE: Andrew Huang teams up with Baby Audio on new FX plugin, Transit

The new plugin operates in many of the same ways as the desktop app, but there are some new and more streamlined features on offer too.
Loopcloud’s advanced search and “Find Similar” features are available to use in the new Sounds library without leaving your DAW. A range of samples such as vocals, guitar hooks or drum breaks can be browsed in sync and in key with your project to find the best sample for your track. From here, users can simply drag and drop into their workspace.
A tagging system is also available, allowing you to search for sounds by Instrument, Genre, Tempo and Content Type, and you can play samples back in time with your DAW project so you can immediately hear how they sound with your work before selecting.
The plugin’s Key Lock feature also means that any tonal samples will be automatically repitched to the key you set. Sample favouriting also enables you to catalogue samples for later use. Check out more in the video below:

Loopcloud Sounds runs as a VST, VST3, AU or AAX plugin. You’ll need to drop it into an empty MIDI channel for it to work.
It’s available to those with a Loopcloud subscription and those who don’t already have access to the platform can utilise a 14-day free trial. Users can spend points included in their subscription to buy samples, the same way they would in the desktop app.
Find out more and check out a handy how-to-use guide at Loopcloud.
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Waves StudioVerse is a promising AI- and community-powered vision for plugin presetsWhere would we be without the humble preset? Whether you’re pressed for time, looking for inspiration, or just trying to understand how your music software works, those bundles of saved settings and sonic tweaks are usually the first port of call when we purchase a new plugin.

READ MORE: Mixing elements of a project is like “playing Tetris”, says Breauski

Since 2014, StudioRack, Waves’ free-to-use VST3 wrapper, has taken our classical understanding of plugin presets and put a decidedly meta spin on it. Rather than make presets for a single plugin, users can chain multiple effects together, create macros to simultaneously control them all, and have that chain be available in any DAW.
It’s a truly excellent piece of software but, with StudioVerse, Waves has moved beyond locally saved user presets to offer an ever-growing library of crowdsourced expertise.

The concept is simple at its heart: users can save their StudioRack plugin chains to the cloud, and have the option to make their chains public and shareable. Think you’ve got the best parallel compression setup for drums? Feeling generous? Share it with the StudioVerse community!
Each user gets a unique username and public profile, which can link out to their social media pages. There’s a tacit implication that by sharing plugin chains, budding producers can raise their professional profile, connect with fellow users, and potentially even pick up freelance work.
Producer Profile.
On the other hand, Waves really isn’t relying on bedroom producers here; open up the StudioVerse webpage and you’ll be greeted by a who’s who of the mixing world offering bespoke mixing chains for just about every production scenario. In truth, you have to scroll far, far down the list before you find any chains made by ‘average’ users who lack the blue-tick mark of Waves authentication.
However, it’s hard to get too upset about this because, frankly, the plugin chains on offer are a goldmine.
Waves has clearly made sure to curate its initial library selection with producers who know how to get the very best out of the company’s plugins, and how to make full use of StudioRack’s capabilities – including its insanely useful parallel and multiband splitting features.
Chain Web interface.
But there’s a catch. While the StudioRack plugin itself is entirely free, the chains available on StudioVerse generally use an expansive selection of Waves plugins. So, to use the service effectively, you’ll either need to own a sizable collection of Waves software or subscribe to one of the company’s two subscription offers.
When it comes to navigating this growing library of chains, Waves has gone all out in its search functionality with many hits, and a few notable misses.
You can search via tags like ‘instrument’, ‘genre’, and ‘character’, but can also search by the type of audio processing used in the chain; you can filter by CPU usage and mono/stereo compatibility, limit results to include only the plugins currently owned or extend your query to include chains containing third-party plugins.
Should you wish to go straight for Andrew Scheps’ drum compression or a Yong Guru vocal sound, you can also search for individual producers.
Search by Audio.
The main user interface is too cramped for such an extensive set of search parameters, which is why Waves has included a pop-out window to display an expanded list of results, plus more detailed information about each chain. For the full experience, you can search chains via web browser, and can even drag and drop chains directly from your browser into the StudioRack plugin.
Navigating by text and keyword tags is just the beginning, since Waves has also included a buzz-worthy new AI-powered search function. Click the ‘Search by Audio’ button at the top of StudioRack’s plugin window, and the track’s audio is analysed and used to suggest the most sonically appropriate chain. The feature generally works as advertised, offering up a suitable selection of chains and a list of relevant tags based on a few seconds of audio playback.
As cool as it seems, in practice the AI currently feels superfluous. After using StudioVerse’s AI to suggest chains for several different tracks, we soon find ourselves wanting to search using good old-fashioned tags – rather than waiting four or five seconds for the AI to make its suggestion.
UI interface.
Another issue quickly becomes apparent if you use these AI suggestions across multiple instruments in a project. The AI will analyse the audio of a single track but has no way of contextualising its suggestions in terms of the wider mix. It’s all too easy to end up with a guitar or bass chain that sounds awesome in isolation but doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the song.
The AI might be a little lacklustre at present but, as the number of available chains grows, it’s sure to become an increasingly useful way to search the StudioVerse. We’d suggest Waves to implement an analysis ‘sidechain’ function to contextualise its suggestions alongside other instruments in the mix – it could become a formidable feature.
Of course, all the search functionality in the world isn’t worth much without content that makes you want to keep digging. In this regard, Waves – and the producers who contributed chains – have nailed it.
Chain Web interface drag & drop.
StudioVerse’s chains are not only an amazing resource from a production standpoint, but also hold significant potential as a learning tool. If you take the time to really dig into the plugin chains and parameter tweaks of big-name producers like Manny Marroquin, there’s plenty of knowledge to glean, including innovative tricks that you could adapt into your own mixing process.
While there are some kinks to be worked out and improvements to be made, the concept of an expanded, community-driven preset library is an attractive one. StudioRack was already a stellar piece of software, but StudioVerse makes it an essential tool for Waves users.
Key features

Core plugin available for free, but best used with Waves Creative Access subscription ($12.50 per month for Essential; $20.83 per month for Ultimate)
Growing library of chains from both professional producers and community members
Chains can be saved locally, in the cloud, and used across any DAW
Extensive search parameters including AI-powered audio analysis
Contact: Waves.com

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PreSonus to Host ShopTalk for Eris Studio Monitors, Studio One 6.5Get a deep dive on the latest innovations and products from the PreSonus team and special guests

Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 9amPT-10amPT/12pmET-1pmET/5pmBST-6pmBST

Since 1995, PreSonus has built solutions for musicians, content creators, producers, and audio engineers. Join for a very special virtual roundtable and product walkthrough with special guests Adrian Haselhuber, Vice President Product, PreSonus Hardware, Arnd Kaiser, General Manager, Software and commentary by ARTIST to discuss:

Capabilities of the new Eris Studio Monitors, which will offer three distinct committed producing

Recommendations and important specifics to look for when it comes to to audio and home recording technology

Integral role of Eris Monitors within artists' creation process

A close look at the Studio One 6.5 software update with native Dolby Atmos workflow, which elevates the flagship software and unlocks new mixing capabilities and enhancements

To RSVP, reach out to fender@praytellagency.com

BitBoy Crypto brand will no longer include YouTuber Ben ArmstrongThe crypto influencer brand had a reach of more than 3.3 million followers at the time the company announced Ben Armstrong would no longer be affiliated with “BitBoy Crypto."

Astra’s Apollo Fusion acquisition followed by delays and desertionTwo years ago, Astra hailed its acquisition of satellite propulsion startup Apollo Fusion as a strategic move that would round out its launch business and bring expert engineers into the fold. But under Astra leadership, Apollo Fusion quickly disintegrated, with the majority of the original team resigning, leaving few people to staff the one part […]

If BMI is sold, could a cull of its huge songwriter membership be on the cards?Will BMI's new private equity owners be able to challenge the restrictive Consent Decrees that goven how the org operates?
Source

Plugin Alliance LTL Silver Bullet mk2 Cascading MOJOApply a unique combination of in-the-box effects to shape your tracks, busses, and stereo mixdowns. Open up your mixes to a new level of character, normally only found in... Read More

Waves OneKnob Wetter Reverb Plugin Is FREE For A Limited Time
Waves Audio and ModeAudio offer the Waves OneKnob Wetter reverb plugin as a free download until Wednesday, August 30th. OneKnob Wetter is a plugin that lets you apply more reverb to a channel by using a single knob. As you rotate the knob, the reverb gets louder, with more decay and depth. BPB readers already [...]
View post: Waves OneKnob Wetter Reverb Plugin Is FREE For A Limited Time

Live Nation’s Rapino enjoys widest CEO-to-Worker Fortune 500 pay gap, says studyLive Nation Entertainment President and CEO Michael Rapino got the largest compensation package of any Fortune 500 executive last year at $139 million. The package included his $3 million base. Continue reading
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Why we MUST protect the Creative Class [SoundExchange’s Michael Huppe]President and CEO of SoundExchange, Michael Huppe, discusses why musicians and other creatives matter so much in our modern society and what we need to do to support them. Op-ed. Continue reading
The post Why we MUST protect the Creative Class [SoundExchange’s Michael Huppe] appeared first on Hypebot.

3 proven strategies to guide every Musician’s Publicity CampaignConsistent and positive publicity is a major cornerstone of every career in music. This guide will give you three winning strategies for your next PR campaign. by Wayne Martin from. Continue reading
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Watch Aphex Twin’s full Field Day 2023 set in 360 video — for freeAphex Twin’s recent performance at 2023’s Field Day festival is now available in its full glory online.

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Earlier this month, the DJ put on his first UK show since 2019 at Victoria Park, setting the festival ablaze with an hour and a half of groovy techno beats and intoxicating visuals. The performance saw Aphex Twin sampling tracks from his extensive discography, including hits from his new EP ‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760’.
And now, NTS Radio has released a full stream of the entire set in 360 video (and spatial audio) for you to relive the show. Watch it below. You can also check out our review of his set here.

The festival also saw Aphex Twin marking his headlining performance with the release of a limited edition run of 12’’ vinyls. Limited to just 100 copies, the Field Day-exclusive 5-track vinyls were said to be snapped up by 2:30pm on the day of its release.
Many of those records, which cost just £5 to purchase, are now going for more than 100x their original price online. A quick scan through eBay shows one seller listing the vinyl for a whopping £599 while another recently sold it for £520.
The record’s tracklist, according to Discogs, is as follows:
A1 Korg Funk5
A2 Korg 1B RU,EC,E
B1 Soog E
B2 Body Pads
B3 Dgitne Tst1e
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