Brian Eno: “‘Why do we like music?’ is as interesting as ‘How did the universe start?’”AVA London Conference: Brian Eno has suggested that discovering why humans like music is as “profound” and “huge” a question as discovering how the universe started.

READ MORE: Three unreleased Brian Eno tracks will feature in upcoming Eno documentary

The statement was made during the opening keynote of AVA London Conference in the British Library in London last Thursday, in which the ambient pioneer aimed to answer the question “Does music help?” alongside former Prince guitarist Donna Grantis.
This keynote initially saw Eno and Grantis attempt to decipher whether music could be a positive force in the fight against climate change, but soon veered into an eye-opening discussion about the psychology behind how artists make music, and why humans like it.
“I think this question of why do we like music is a really profound question. It’s as interesting and as deep as ‘How did the universe start?’ It’s a huge question,” he said.
Brian Eno also talked about the unique relationship humans have with music, contrasting it with the responses of other animals to sound. He noted, “We can look at other animals and see what they do in response to sound.
So some birds know how to keep a beat. Cockatoos are quite good at it. They’ll dance.” However, Eno highlighted a limitation in their musical understanding, stating, “Other creatures can learn melodies, like some of the higher primates can learn melodies. But if you transpose them into a different key, they don’t see the relationship.”

Eno emphasised that humans integrate various sensitivities to music, making it a uniquely fascinating aspect of human experience. He added, “I mean, if I sang a song correctly in one key, and then in another, we’d know it was the same song. We’re the only creatures it seems who integrate all of these different sensitivities.”
The Music For Airports creator also highlighted research conducted at Edinburgh University and an unnamed German university on human reactions to music.
Discussing the findings, Eno noted that humans react most to music with unexpected, dissonant notes or sounds, citing Lou Reed as one example: “The only thing that was common is the most extraordinary, weird little thing, perhaps in music, which is called a [pochatorey – spelling unknown]” He explained, “It’s when you start a melody on the wrong note, and then you correct to the right note.” Continuing this theory, he went on to say that listeners like to be “taken on an adventure” in their music, and that “We like these surprises”.
Keep an eye on AVA Festival for details about AVA’s upcoming festival in Belfast, and head to MusicTech for more news about Brian Eno.
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TuneCore adds Release Tracker with real-time updates, marketing assetsMost of the 100,000 or so tracks uploaded to Spotify and other streamers daily come via a handful of DIY distributors, including TuneCore, CD Baby, and DistroKid, which provide the same access to global digital music distribution.....
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New Liam Gallagher and John Squire LP is world’s first vinyl EcoRecordThe new Liam Gallagher and John Squire joint album has been released by WMG as its first sustainable EcoRecord.....
The post New Liam Gallagher and John Squire LP is world’s first vinyl EcoRecord appeared first on Hypebot.

Behringer and Roland dominate in new world map showing most popular synth brands by countryWhat are the synth-buying habits of those in Guyana? Or in Madagascar? Frankly, these aren’t questions we’ve found ourselves searching for the answers to, but new research is now available, if you’re so inclined.
The team at Wood & Fire Studio have analysed the Google search volume of the top 6 synthesizer brands in 118 countries, across every continent bar Antarctica. A missed opportunity, we say: What else would those guys on research expeditions be doing during down time?

READ MORE: Avenged Sevenfold launch Fortnite-style Season Pass – allowing devoted fans to rack up points and earn rewards

We digress. The research – unsurprisingly – found Roland and Behringer to be the most searched-for synth brands in the world, accounting for 52.13% of total searches. It also discovered that in the origin location of each brand, that brand is the most popular of the six.
For example, in its homeland of France, Arturia is the most searched-for synth brand, while Behringer is the most popular brand in Germany, Roland is top dog in Japan, and Moog’s king in the US.
Credit: Wood & Fire Studio
In terms of search volume, Behringer dominates the majority of South America, taking the top spot in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay and Peru. It’s also top in Mexico and Spain. With the exception of Brazil which speaks Portuguese, Wood & Fire says this reflects Behringer’s marketing efforts in the Spanish-speaking market.
Roland, however, appears to dominate Canada, most of Africa, Australia and much of Asia including India and Mongolia.
It should be noted again that the research uses Google search volume as its methodology, which may not be consequently reflective of actual buying habits of populations. That said, it could be a good indicator.
You can visit Wood & Fire Studio to check out an interactive map, allowing you to hover over countries to see their synth search volume.
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GUY MEREDITH joins SOS as UK Media Sales Manager Joining the SOS Sales Team is Guy Meredith, former Account Director Music Division at Future PLC...

Music videos don’t drive Marketing and Engagement like they used toSome evidence suggests that music videos are not as impactful to an artist's success as they used to be. Should musicians even bother.....
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Tierra Audio launch Gravity Mix & Master compressor Tierra Audio's latest compressor sticks to their all-analogue approach in terms of signal path, but introduces some interesting digital control options. 

Justice release Incognito, the “​​synth-laden” third single from their forthcoming album HyperdramaElectronic duo Justice have launched the third single, Incognito, from their forthcoming album Hyperdrama.
The new release follows on from comeback singles One Night/All Night featuring Tame Impala and Generator which landed back in January. Further details on the track listing for the new record are yet to be revealed, but it is set for a 26 April release.

READ MORE: How to create Justice-style distorted synths

The new single begins with a spacey intro and then picks up into a faster pace, packing in loads of chunky synth sounds. It goes through varying pace changes throughout, with each one bringing a new melodic pattern.
Justice say of the track, “Like many songs on this record, it switches from all electronic to all human music abruptly, multiple times within its four minute run. The structure is dictated by what feels good at the moment it happens, without necessarily following any other rule.
“We had to unlearn everything we thought we knew about song structures, and music in general, when we started working on Hyperdrama, which was very refreshing,” they conclude.
Listen below:

Justice’s new album will mark their first studio record since 2016’s Woman. As the track listing is still under wraps, it could well be possible for a collaboration with The Weeknd to feature on the album.
Back in January, The Weeknd had been posting a range of cryptic images on Instagram containing Justice’s signature cross logo, with one also featuring a French flag – the duo, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay, are of French nationality.
Justice are also billed as a headliner of Field Day Festival, and a topline performer for this year’s Coachella Festival – this will act as the debut performance of their as-yet-unseen new live show. They will be playing a range of shows shortly before and following the release of the new album.
View all live dates via the official Justice website.
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Actuate By Ardura Is A FREE Open-Source Subtractive Synthesizer
Ardura, an independent developer and trance producer, has just released a free, open-source synth called Actuate. Actuate is a subtractive synthesizer, a sampler, and a granulizer all at once made in Rust. While it can be scary to look at because of its cluttered UI, it does deliver a very nice sound and has a [...]
View post: Actuate By Ardura Is A FREE Open-Source Subtractive Synthesizer

Talk Box pioneer and sound system innovator Bob Heil has passed away at 83Bob Heil, the man behind the Talk Box effect unit, has sadly passed away aged 83. Heil founded Heil Sound in 1966, where he also began to create improved live sound systems compared to what was on the market at the time. He later released the Talk Box in 1973.
According to a post shared by Heil Sound, he passed away peacefully and surrounded by family following a battle with cancer. Many industry figures have paid tribute to the innovator, who also worked with the likes of the Grateful Dead, The Who, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Jeff Beck and more.

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A post shared by Heil Sound – Modern microphone company rooted in tradition. (@heilsound)

Heil was drafted in to provide a PA for the Grateful Dead’s show at the Fox Theater in St Louis in 1970 when their regular sound operator was unavailable, according to Music Radar. His powerful and uniquely crafted sound system was a huge success, and saw him invited to tour with the band thereafter. Heil also worked for Pete Townshend, and created the quadraphonic sound system used while the band toured their Quadrophenia album.
Walsh, who Heil’s Talk Box was developed for, describes the innovator as an “amazing musician” and “a tireless problem solver” in a statement shared online. He adds, “Bob was our wizard in the Midwest. He was also my friend for more than 50 years… RIP, man. I love you and miss you already. Sending love to Sarah [his wife] and to the world of audioheads you leave behind.”

"So waddya got that doesn't work?" I can hear Bob Heil's voice in the back of my mind. An amazing musician (especially…
Posted by Joe Walsh on Saturday, March 2, 2024

Rock artist Peter Frampton, who famously used Heil’s Talk Box on his successful 1976 record Frampton Comes Alive!, writes on X/Twitter: “I am so sorry to hear of the loss of my friend for so many years, Bob Heil. A musician, inventor, ham radio expert, Heil Sound and microphones. He gave me a very important present [in the] mid seventies. The Heil Talkbox! Can never thank Bob enough. Rest in power my friend.”

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of my friend for so many years, Bob Heil. A musician, inventor, ham radio expert,  @Heilsound and microphones. He gave me a very important present mid seventies. The Heil Talkbox!! Can never thank Bob enough. Rest in power my friend.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) March 3, 2024

You can read more tributes below:

Bob Heil of Heil Sound just passed away. A sound pioneer, he helped refine the Heil Talk Box and his Heil Microphones are true workhorses. Tape Op sends condolences to family, co-workers, and friends of Bob’s. He’ll be missed. https://t.co/dnpXcBnfwM pic.twitter.com/NBsX9Hjm8K
— Tape Op (@tapeopmag) March 1, 2024

Renowned music industry innovator Bob Heil, celebrated for his creation of the Talk Box effect unit, has passed away at 83. His legacy is marked by groundbreaking contributions to live concert sound systems, pipe organ tuning, ham radio, and running a music store, too. pic.twitter.com/A6aXCzf3Xd
— Eric Alper (@ThatEricAlper) March 5, 2024

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A post shared by Sunn Amps (@sunn_amps)

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Apple fined €1.84 billion for breaching antitrust rules, a vastly higher amount than first reportedApple has been fined €1.84 billion for breaching antitrust rules due to its restriction of users’ access to competing streaming services via its App Store, also known as “anti-steering provisions”.
The fine is significantly higher than first expected. The Financial Times had originally reported last month that the brand was facing a €500 million antitrust penalty.

READ MORE: “Football is played by millions of people – but there’s a very small number that can live off playing full time”: Daniel Ek addresses Spotify’s low royalty payments

The European Commission’s investigation found that Apple bans music streaming app developers from fully informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app, and from providing any instructions about how to subscribe to these offers.
Its report explains that the hefty fine is “proportionate to Apple’s global revenues and is necessary to achieve deterrence” and reveals that it has ordered Apple to “remove the anti-steering provisions and to refrain from repeating the infringement or from adopting practices with an equivalent object or effect in the future”.
The Commission also shares that Apple’s conduct went on for 10 years. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy states, “For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store.
“They did so by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem. This is illegal under EU antitrust rules, so today we have fined Apple over €1.8 billion.”
As previously reported, Apple responded to The Verge in a request for comment on the matter when original reports began to circulate. A representative said the company would not be “commenting on speculation” surrounding the fine, and referred it to previous comments made by another Apple spokesperson, who said the case had “no merit”.
Find out more via the European Commission.
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All the best free loops, music samples, breaks, one-shots and synth soundsPowered by BandLab
There are millions of sample packs available online right now — from archives of old sample CDs from the 90s, right through to daily-updated sample pack platforms and artists releasing sounds on a Patreon page. This is awesome for creators wanting to manipulate royalty-free audio into a new track or just find inspiration for a new sound. But that’s a daunting number of samples to trawl through, right?

READ MORE: Best free plugins and freeware of the month

We’re gonna try and help you out.
Our list gives you a ton of sample pack recommendations, all of which are free to download and free to use. The only thing you’ll need is a bit of imagination and an internet connection. We reckon you have both of those. We’re obviously going to include the ones that we, MusicTech, have created for you, but we’re also throwing some more in so you have a strong variety.
Image: Jose Carlos Cerdeno Martinez via Getty Images
This month’s best samples from MusicTech and BandLab
Handclap Toolkit
Drum machine clap samples are a staple in myriad genres of music, but a unique, more human-sounding handclap can inject a sense of liveliness into your music.
This white-label sample brand produces an eclectic mix of sounds for all types of music-maker. The Handclap Toolkit pack contains loops and one-shot recordings of crisp human claps and finger snaps.
Check out Handclap Toolkit on BandLab Sounds.
Patch & Play Lab: Binaural Stress
Patch & Play Lab brings sounds inspired by the experimental side of music using innovative recording techniques. For this free sample pack, Binaural Stress, the brand used a binaural microphone to record immersive sounds that encompass the listener.
You’ll find unnerving, tension-inducing foley sounds that evoke dark atmospheres. Expect huge explosions, fireworks, smashing glass, and unnerving machinery sounds that swirl around your ears – perfect for creating immersive atmospheres.
Check out Patch & Play Lab: Binaural Stress on BandLab Sounds.
Shadow Child Presents Loops, Bleeps & Bass
A Shadow Child-created sample pack is a one-way ticket to bumping bassy house music. The UK producer has pulled out all the stops for this free sample pack, giving you 64 loops and 36 one-shots of snappy drums, huge synth arps, cool sound effects and weighty bass.
Check out Shadow Child Presents Loops, Bleeps & Bass on BandLab Sounds.
Image: cokada via Getty Images
Sample This: Big Bad Bassline House
Loop label Sample This knows every corner of the underground dance music scene. They reflect on these edgy sub-genres by creating packs that deliver two sides of the sample story.
This free collection of samples does what it says on the tin, really – it’s big, it’s bad and it’s bassline. Coming in hot from bassline’s Sheffield roots, Sample This: Big Bad Bassline House, a sample pack capturing the essence of the UK’s bassline scene, features wobbling basslines, detuned screeches, glitching effects and warbling melodies across 90 loops and 10 one-shots.
Check out Sample This: Big Bad Bassline House on BandLab Sounds.
MusicTech’s Free samples

MusicTech: Analogue Drones & Textures
MusicTech: Vintage Drum Machines
MusicTech: Vintage Polyphonic Ensemble
MusicTech: Dreamy Analogue Pads
MusicTech: Mellow Acid
MusicTech: Berlin Sounds

Best free loops and sample packs online

Blu Mar Ten Jungle Jungle
Cymatics: Percussion Toolkit Vol. 1
Cymatics: Vibes II Drum Loop Collection
Splice: Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 3
The Cookbook Vol. 2: Soul Food
Free Vinyl Drums From Mars
Grooves From Mars
101 Drums From Mars
Free 808 From Mars
Free MPC60 From Mars
All The Breaks Vol.1, 2 & 3
BBC Sound Effects
LANDR: 50 Best Free Vocal Samples
LANDR: 50 Best Free Kick Samples
LANDR: 50 Best Free Synth Samples
Black Octopus Stay Inspired Beats Vol. 2

Check out more buyer’s guides on MusicTech.
[Editor’s note: MusicTech and BandLab are both part of the Caldecott Music Group.]
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Judas Priest's Ian Hill Discusses New Album, Metal Classics, Hall of Fame InductionJudas Priest bassist Ian Hill spoke with AllMusic shortly before the release of the band's upcoming album Invincible Shield, discussing the record, his picks for favorite and most underrated Priest recordings, and if a 20th studio album is a possibility.

TikTok says its revamped creator fund has increased total creator revenue by over 250%TikTok announced today that its revamped creator fund has increased total creator revenue by over 250% within the last six months. The company says the fund, which launched a year ago and eventually replaced TikTok’s original $1 billion Creator Fund, is exiting beta in the coming weeks. TikTok also announced that its LIVE Subscription monetization […]
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Introducing the new Splice mobile app: Discover sounds and create ideas on the go
Learn how to use Splice Mobile to organize your favorite sounds on the go and start new ideas with Create mode.