Polyend launches the Play+ groovebox, featuring new synth engines and more upgradesPolyend has announced a plus version of their sample and synth-based groovebox, Play, which made its debut at the 2022 Superboth.

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

The new groovebox boasts an upgraded internal architecture and a host of new features and enhancements while retaining the same sleek Play form factor of the original. Users can now enjoy stereo playback (versus the Play’s mono) and experience seamless audio streaming over USB.
According to Polyend, the Play+ comes with four new built-in synth engines for you to experiment with. The first is ACD, which harkens back to the “golden age of electronic music with its recreation of iconic single-oscillator monophonic analogue synths”.
Next, we have FAT, a powerhouse synth engine that “epitomises the lush, vintage warmth of classic analogue synthesizers”. It features a classic subtractive design with oscillators, filters, etc.
There’s also VAP, a virtual analogue polysynth that boasts a dual-oscillator architecture and a modulation matrix. Complete with multiple filter flavours and pulse width modulation, VAP allows you to sculpt intricate patterns.
The last synth engine is the cheekily named WTFM, a 2-operator FM synth engine utilising WaveTable-based oscillators driven by a 3x feedback system. The operators are based on sweeping wavetables, ranging from fundamental sine waves to harmonically rich timbres, offering a diverse tonal palette.
Every engine comes shipped with an extensive library of professionally crafted presets for you to dive into things straight out of the box.
In addition, the newly added USB audio support for multiple tracks means that up to 14 stereo audio tracks can be sent individually to your DAW. This allows users to process or mix their tracks very flexibly.
Polyend also says that more updates will be arriving on the Play+ including a built-in patch editor, new synth engines, perform mode for Synth and MIDI, and other new features.
The Play+ will cost you $799/€799. Users with the original Play can also upgrade their unit for a price of $399/€399.

Learn more at Polyend.
The post Polyend launches the Play+ groovebox, featuring new synth engines and more upgrades appeared first on MusicTech.

Argosy introduce new IsoBox Pro range Argosy's new IsoBox cabinets have been designed to house studio equipment such as computers, hard drives and outboard gear with loud cooling fans.

The Splice for Students discount is expanding to new horizons
Now, more students than ever can save over 30% off Splice when signing up with a valid .edu or .ac email address.

SEC sues Kraken alleging it violated securities lawsThe SEC alleged Kraken operated as an unregistered exchange, broker, dealer and clearing agency.

Investors are souring on OpenAI’s nonprofit governance modelOpenAI was never quite like other generative AI startups — or other startups period, for that matter. Its governance structure is unique and what ultimately led to the abrupt ousting of CEO Sam Altman on Friday. Even after it transitioned from a nonprofit to a “capped-profit” company in 2019, OpenAI retained an unusual structure that […]
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

How to make sample chops like Daft Punk and Justice
Veteran music producer and DJ Devon Johnson walks through how to arrange chopped samples in the distinctive style of Daft Punk and Justice.

The modern record industry is moving into its ‘cut to grow’ phase.On layoffs at Warner Music Group and BMG, and an upcoming cost savings program at Universal Music Group
Source

5 of Thomann’s best pre-Black Friday deals on synths, studio gear and DJ gearWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more information on how this works click here.
Are you ready for Black Friday? It arrives this year on 24 November and sees music tech brands in both software and hardware give away or slash the prices of their products. These discounts can leave a lasting impact, too – remember those exclusive deals that became staples in our setups? Yep, a Black Friday offer on the right piece of kit can significantly enhance your music production setup and – without being too dramatic – change your life. What are you waiting for?

READ MORE: Black Friday deals 2023: Best early deals for music producers, DJs, beatmakers and musicians

One retailer that’s not afraid to make hefty price cuts at this time of the year is Thomann, a German music tech retailer that sells pretty much everything from saxophones to pedals to DJ controllers. Of course, we’re not so much interested in deals on acoustic instruments here at Music Tech and want to know all about thre electronic side of things. So, below are five deals on electronic gear that have caught our eye on Thomann this Black Friday.
5 of Thomann’s best pre-Black Friday deals on synths, studio gear and DJ gear, at a glance:

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 – 15% off
AKG Lyra – 26% off
Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 200 MK2 – Now $96
Focusrite iTrack Solo + IK Multimedia T-RackS 5 SE (worth $150) for just $85
Roland Bridge Cast – 36% off

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 – 15% off

The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is an advanced MIDI keyboard controller that boasts an 88-key fully weighted hammer-action keyboard. It integrates seamlessly with Native Instruments’ Komplete software suite, offering deep control over virtual instruments, effects, and sound parameters, enhancing workflow and creativity for producers.

Price: $833
Check deal at Thomann

AKG Lyra – 26% off

The AKG Lyra is a versatile USB microphone renowned for its exceptional audio quality and adaptability. Offering multiple capture modes, including front, front and back, tight stereo, and wide stereo, it provides flexibility for various recording scenarios. With plug-and-play USB connectivity, it suits content creators, podcasters, and musicians seeking studio-grade sound without complex setup. Its innovative design and quality components ensure crystal-clear audio reproduction ideal for professional recordings and streaming.

Price: $63
Check deal at Thomann

Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 200 MK2 – Now $96

The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 200 MK2 is a nifty, user-friendly DJ controller built mainly for beginners. So, if you’re looking for a wildly cheap DJ controller to gert your foot in the door of DJing, this could be your best bet. Featuring touch-sensitive jog wheels, performance pads for cues and loops, it includes built-in tutorials so you can learn as you go, and it comes bundled with DJ software.

Price: $96
Check deal at Thomann

Focusrite iTrack Solo + IK Multimedia T-RackS 5 SE (worth $150) for just $85

The Focusrite iTrack Solo is a compact audio interface tailored for solo producers, compatible with iPads, Macs, aswell as PCs. With a Focusrite preamp, DI input, and direct monitoring, it makes for high-quality recordings, and is ideal for musicians, vocalists, and podcasters, too, looking for a portable recording solution.
As part of a Black Friday sale extravaganza, Thomann is throwing in IK Multimedia T-RackS 5 SE, a software bundle of vintage-style effects and processors. It’s essentially a high-end mixing & mastering collection, and, combined with the Focusrite iTrack Solo, could easily amp up your setup.

Price: $85
Check deal at Thomann

Roland Bridge Cast – 36% off

Content creator? Thomann is offering a Roland Bridge Cast for just $165. Released this year, Roland Bridge Cast is an mixer designed for both gamers, content creators and musicians alike. It features a 32-bit DSP, dual audio busses, USB-C connectivity for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, and compatibility with the PS5, too. It boasts an XLR microphone preamp, headphone jack, intuitive controls, customisable design, voice modulating effects, EQ options, personalised Game EQ presets, delay function for synchronisation, app-based customisation, and access to BGM CAST for stream editing.

Price: $165
Check deal at Thomann

Keep up to date with all things Black Friday via MusicTech.
The post 5 of Thomann’s best pre-Black Friday deals on synths, studio gear and DJ gear appeared first on MusicTech.

ModeAudio Fluid: Ambient Techno Loops Fluid - Ambient Techno Loops from ModeAudio plumbs the depths of the sonically atmospheric and introspective, taking you on an immersive journey through shimmering soundscapes and subtle,... Read More

Move over Ableton – you might write your next song in… Google Lyria?
I’ve been telling you this for months – AI-generated music is going to come very fast and be really good. We have just seen a giant leap forward that brings us much closer to completely changing the way the music world works. Google has teased a new generation of AI music generation tools that appear […]
The post Move over Ableton – you might write your next song in… Google Lyria? appeared first on DJ TechTools.

QSC TOUCHMIX SESSIONS - CELLO AND FRIENDSCello and friends performing his song "Fire Ants" at Sweetspot Studios in Los Angeles. The song was multitrack recorded live using the TouchMix-30 Pro digital mixer direct to a USB hard drive. The recorded tracks were imported into Pro Tools and mixed at a later time. The TouchMix also provided multiple monitor mixes for the band.

Learn how to perform and record with the TouchMix Training Series videos:    • QSC TouchMix Training 01: Mixer Navig...  

Learn about TouchMix Series Digital Mixers: https://www.qsc.com/touchmix

Tracy Maddux steps down as Chief Commercial Officer of Downtown Music HoldingsMaddux has served as CCO for Downtown since October 2020
Source

Subs Is A FREE 808 Bass Plugin By Notonik
You can pick up 30 phat bass sounds for free with the new Subs by Notonik V2 plugin.  The plugin is available on the Notonik website, with a name and email required to get the download link. Notonik states that Subs elevates your tracks with sounds ranging from “thumping 808s to the smoothest of bass [...]
View post: Subs Is A FREE 808 Bass Plugin By Notonik

‘Music – It’s About Purpose, Stupid! ‘ (How ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ put Socially Driven Music back on the map)[EXCLUSIVE] The music industry needs to focus on the meaning behind music, tying the art back to purpose. That’s the central thesis behind this thought-provoking piece by Stephen Love, former. Continue reading
The post ‘Music – It’s About Purpose, Stupid! ‘ (How ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ put Socially Driven Music back on the map) appeared first on Hypebot.

Former CD Baby CEO Tracy Maddux exits exec role at Downtown HoldingsTracy Maddux is stepping down from his role as Chief Commercial Officer at Downtown Holdings, effective immediately. Downtown acquired CD Baby where Maddux served as CEO in May of 2019.. Continue reading
The post Former CD Baby CEO Tracy Maddux exits exec role at Downtown Holdings appeared first on Hypebot.