FalconX joins Crypto.com as partner for Lynq institutional settlement networkRising institutional interest in crypto may include the settlement sector, especially stablecoins, which have seen a 55.5% growth in market cap in one year.

Grace Jones Shows Her Jazz Hands in HollywoodPhoto credit Timothy Norris, courtesy of the LA PhilharmonicOver two days in June, the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl saw some of the shining stars from the jazz and jazz-adjacent worlds showcase their wares. The likes of The Soul Rebels, Derrick Hodge, The Hands of Time and many more wowed a crowd of jazz heads in the gorgeous Bowl setting. On the first day, The Isley Brothers headlined but we were there for day 2 only.On the Sunday, we arrived in time for former Return to Forever bass man Stanley Clarke and his new band N 4EVER. His previous outfit were known for a progressive jazz-fusion sound that brought new fans into the jazz fold. He's continued with that theme, and his set at the Blue Note Fest was eye-opening.Photo Credit Farah Sosa, Courtesy of the LA PhilharmonicWILLOW has clearly been on a mission to stretch her legs, spread her wings and make a real go of this music lark in recent years. Her transformation from indie-alt darling to serious singer and songwriter with the ability to genuinely blend genres has been quite staggering.Her set at Blue Note was a career-spanner, though focussed on jazzier recent effort Empathogen. She got big cheers for older songs, and rose to the occasion in front of a serious music-loving audience.Photo credit Timothy Norris, courtesy of the LA PhilharmonicNobody was stealing Grace Jones' thunder though. How would that even be possible? The icon has seen so many trends come and go, and she's literally stood tall above them all.Opening with Iggy Pop's "Nightclubbing," which she covered for her album of the same name back in the day, Jones played the art-pop diva throughout. Multiple costume changes that featured multiple pieces of extravagant headwear only added to the idea that Jones is a unique individual--a genuine artist who doesn't really believe in walls and has broken through many ceilings.There were other covers that she has made her own over the years: The Police's "Demolition Man" and The Pretenders' "Private Life," plus, later, Roxy Music's "Love is the Drug." All proved that her ability to blend classic soul with art-rock has benefitted her massively.Of course, "Pull Up to the Bumper" (with guest Janelle Monáe) and the closing "Slave to the Rhythm" were the highlights. But the entire set was a joy.
Edit this setlist | More Grace Jones setlists
The post Grace Jones Shows Her Jazz Hands in Hollywood first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

India’s GoKwik raised a small $13M round for a hefty leap in valuationGoKwik, an Indian startup that offers a suite of integrated e-commerce products, has raised a small round of $13 million, which it calls a “growth” round, that has boosted its valuation to $450 million pre-money. While the new funding round, led by RTP Global, is 63% smaller than its Series B of $35 million, announced […]

Universal Audio Dream '65 Reverb Amplifier The Universal Audio Dream '65 Reverb Amplifier pedal is an exquisitely engineered amp emulator designed to encapsulate the timeless tones of the iconic mid-'60s American tube combo amplifiers, famously utilized by a diverse range of artists from Muddy Waters to The Beatles. Leveraging Universal Audio's powerful dual-engine processing and world-class UAD modeling technology, the Dream '65 delivers the quintessential bold cleans, rich tube breakup, and a truly divine spring reverb and vibrato, bringing the sound of a vintage "golden unit" amplifier directly to your pedalboard or DAW. This pedal goes beyond simple emulation by offering three distinct amp voicings: Stock, Lead, and D-Tex. The "Stock" mode provides the pristine, shimmering cleans and sweet, early breakup that define the original amplifier, perfect for country, pop, and blues. The "Lead" mode introduces a more aggressive midrange punch and increased gain, ideal for searing lead lines and classic rock tones. For those seeking the legendary "Texas blues" sound, the "D-Tex" mode delivers a hot-rodded version with significantly boosted gain and midrange, reminiscent of the tones popularized by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Each of these modes benefits from an adjustable Boost control, offering up to 10dB of clean gain to further push the amplifier into overdrive, allowing for nuanced control over saturation and dynamics. A core component of the Dream '65's authenticity is its meticulously modeled spring reverb and vibrato effects. These are not merely digital approximations but faithful recreations of the tube-driven, immersive spatial qualities and lush warbling found in prized vintage units. Furthermore, the pedal incorporates Universal Audio's renowned Dynamic Speaker Modeling technology, derived from their acclaimed OX Amp Top Box. This provides a selection of classic mic and speaker combinations, allowing users to achieve album-ready direct tones for recording or live performances. With three onboard speaker/cab/mic options and additional downloadable cabs upon registration, the Dream '65 offers immense flexibility in crafting the perfect guitar tone. For extended control and customization, the UAFX Control mobile app connects via Bluetooth, providing access to an onboard noise gate, custom tones, artist presets, and the ability to fine-tune various parameters like tone stack settings, output tube bias, and power supply stiffness, mirroring the subtle characteristics of original hardware. Features: Three Authentic Amp Voicings: Stock: Replicates the classic '60s American tube combo with sparkling cleans and sweet breakup. Lead: Offers an aggressive midrange punch and increased gain for powerful lead tones. D-Tex: Provides a hot-rodded, Texas-inspired sound with significant gain and midrange boost, reminiscent of SRV's tone. Authentic Spring Reverb & Vibrato: Faithfully modeled tube-driven spring reverb and vibrato effects from a "golden unit" amplifier. Dynamic Speaker Modeling: Features meticulously captured speaker cabinet, microphone, and room tones derived from the OX Amp Top Box. Includes three onboard speaker/cab/mic options (e.g., Celestion Greenback 25W, original Oxford 12K5, Electro-Voice EVM12L). Bonus downloadable cabs available upon product registration (e.g., 4x12 UK V30, 2x12 JBF120, 1x12 Black EV12). Boost Control: Provides up to 10dB of clean gain to push the amp voicings into further overdrive. UAFX Control App Integration (Bluetooth): Access to an onboard noise gate. Custom tones and artist presets. Preset recall and archiving. Enhanced editing options for hidden parameters, including tone stack variations, output tube bias, and power supply stiffness. Versatile Tone Shaping Controls: Independent Volume, Overdrive, Output, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls, with secondary functions accessible for deeper customization. Dual-Engine Processing: Powerful UAFX dual-engine ensures realistic and responsive amp and effects modeling. Buffered Bypass: Maintains signal integrity even with long cable runs. Analog Dry-Through: Preserves the integrity of your guitar's dry signal. USB-C Connectivity: For firmware updates via computer. Rugged Construction: Built with Universal Audio's renowned craftsmanship for durability. Mono/Stereo Operation: Supports both mono and stereo setups for versatile integration. 4-Cable Mode: Allows bypassing your amplifier's preamp when the pedal is engaged, effectively adding more channels to your existing amp. Save and Access Presets: Easily save and recall your favorite tones using the right footswitch. https://youtu.be/6-GOoHbBMFU Read More

Hola, Superfans! Universal Music Group opens its own retail store inside UMusic Hotel in MadridUniversal Music Group has opened its second physical retail location globally, launching the UMusic Shop inside its UMusic Hotel in Madrid. The Madrid shop joins Universal Music’s existing retail presence in Tokyo’s Harajuku district, where the company operates a flagship store. The two-floor Madrid store will open on July 8 to coincide with the city’s … Continued
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Pong in Discrete ComponentsThe choice between hardware and software for electronics projects is generally a straighforward one. For simple tasks we might build dedicated hardware circuits out of discrete components for reliability and low cost, but for more complex tasks it could be easier and cheaper to program a general purpose microcontroller than to build the equivalent circuit in hardware. Every now and then we’ll see a project that blurs the lines between these two choices like this Pong game built entirely out of discrete components.
The project begins with a somewhat low-quality image of the original Pong circuit found online, which [atkelar] used to model the circuit in KiCad. Because the image wasn’t the highest resolution some guesses needed to be made, but it was enough to eventually produce a PCB and bill of material. From there [atkelar] could start piecing the circuit together, starting with the clock and eventually working through all the other components of the game, troubleshooting as he went. There were of course a few bugs to work out, as with any hardware project of this complexity, but in the end the bugs in the first PCB were found and used to create a second PCB with the issues solved.
With a wood, and metal case rounding out the build to showcase the circuit, nothing is left but to plug this in to a monitor and start playing this recreation of the first mass-produced video game ever made. Pong is a fairly popular build since, at least compared to modern games, it’s simple enough to build completely in hardware. This version from a few years ago goes even beyond [atkelar]’s integrated circuit design and instead built a recreation out of transistors and diodes directly.

Thanks to [irdc] for the tip!

Emergence Audio’s Infinite Summer Sale Emergence Audio have announced that their Infinite Summer Sale promotion is now live, with savings of up to 50% applied across their entire line-up of cinematic Kontakt instruments. 

GForce’s first original instrument, Halogen FM, offers a shortcut to FM synthesis proficiencySince the days of the iconic Yamaha DX7, frequency modulation synthesis – or FM synthesis – has been a major part of electronic music production. But while FM synthesis is not the easiest discipline to master, GForce has designed its first original instrument, Halogen FM, to be a shortcut to FM proficiency.
“We built [Halogen FM] to remove the barriers that have kept so many from exploring the raw, expressive power of FM,” GForce writes in the product description. “Instead of diving into confusing algorithms or endless parameters, Halogen invites you to discover sound through play. It’s a generative instrument that responds to instinct, not instruction – giving you evolving textures, organic tones, and sonic surprises without requiring deep synth knowledge.”

READ MORE: Meet the Solid State Logic Oracle – a revolutionary new analogue console with instant recall and reset capabilities

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The central function of Halogen FM is the Halogen Spark core, which generates new patches at the touch of a button. Instead of using a complex modular rig, plugging dozens of cables into different inputs and outputs then turning all the knobs and hoping for the best, the generative tool creates the sonic foundation. Then the user can adjust the different elements from there with controls for timbre, envelope generators for OPR 1 and 2, modulation, and FX macro.
Once a user is happy with the overall patch, they can specifically randomise each of the macro controls and operators as well to continue exploring without altering the entire soundscape. Halogen FM also comes preloaded with 320 patches made by professional sound designers, a.k.a. people who already understand FM synthesis, so users can start from a less random place to see how different controls affect the sounds.
Halogen FM is available to purchase now for £33, 50% off the list price of £66.
Learn more at GForce.
The post GForce’s first original instrument, Halogen FM, offers a shortcut to FM synthesis proficiency appeared first on MusicTech.

Meet the Solid State Logic Oracle – a revolutionary new analogue console with instant recall and reset capabilitiesSolid State Logic has unveiled the Oracle, a new console which offers SSL’s signature analogue sound, but with groundbreaking and revolutionary instant recall and reset capabilities.
While SSL’s SL 4000E console – launched in 1979 – introduced total recall, allowing engineers to save the settings of the console on a floppy disk, they still had to manually adjust all the parameters to match the saved settings of a previous session.

READ MORE: MusicTech’s favourite studio gear of 2025 — so far

But the Oracle – dubbed a “future analogue console” – is able to instantly recall settings from previous sessions with no manual input required, no doubt bringing huge time-saving benefits to engineers.
Credit: Solid State Logic
“Oracle fulfils the dreams of producers, engineers, and studio owners around the world: a true professional solution, delivered with SSL quality, reliability, and support,” SSL says.
The new recall capabilities come courtesy of SSL’s new ActiveAnalogue technology, which combines the classic sound of SSL’s analogue processing and summing with ultra-precise adjustment and an active recallable control system.
As the brand explains, the ability to instantly switch between mixing or tracking setups – “in less time than it takes the artist to switch tracks” – will “significantly increase the potential throughput of any studio facility, while delivering the authentic analogue tone that artists and producers crave”. And the Oracle offers all of this in a compact AWS-size footprint, too.
Credit: Solid State Logic
Elsewhere, engineers can choose between 24 or 48 mono line-in channel setups, and other features include four stereo mix busses, 16 track busses, 10 aux busses and 16 stereo ‘Flex’ groups.
The Oracle also features next-gen PureDrive mic pres with ‘Drive’ control, SSL’s “legendary” four-band parametric EQ with switchable E/G Series curves, integrated THE BUS+ and dynamic EQ compressors, flexible channel architecture, small and large fader paths with assignable EQ and insert points and flexible monitoring options.
There’s also VU or plasma-style metering with dynamic ‘Detail View’, as well as advanced DAW control with SSL 360 integration.
“The Oracle is capable of producing the beautifully precise sounds of SuperAnalogue audio, to a palette of driven analogue tones, and everything in between,” SSL explains. “From an SSL legacy perspective, Oracle embodies the DNA of the classic E, G, and J/K consoles, while taking SSL’s sonic signature into the future.”
MusicTech has been on location at Bath’s Real World Studio to see the Oracle in the flesh. We’ll be bringing you our thoughts very shortly…
Learn more about the Oracle at Solid State Logic.
The post Meet the Solid State Logic Oracle – a revolutionary new analogue console with instant recall and reset capabilities appeared first on MusicTech.

Now even Chromebooks come with Dolby Atmos…Google’s Chromebook series is getting a major upgrade. The new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is fitted with Dolby Atmos technology – far outshining the audio capabilities of previous models.
The injection of Dolby Atmos audio has been a long time coming. It’s the very first time Dolby has been involved in the creation of a Chromebook, with the Chromebook Plus 14 offering Google’s most “immersive” sound experience to date, boasting “unparalleled clarity and depth”.

READ MORE: This car company is fitting its entire 2026 range with Dolby Atmos – here’s why

“Chromebooks are powerful devices celebrated for their simplicity, affordability, and ability to inspire creativity,” Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories, Mahesh Balakrishnan, explains.
“With Dolby Atmos now available on the Lenovo Chromebook Plus, we are bringing cutting-edge, immersive audio to an even broader and more diverse audience.”
Lenovo has worked with the audio company multiple times in the past. The YOGA line, ThinkPad and Horizon lines are all fitted with Dolby audio technology – it was only a matter of time before a Chromebook got the Dolby Atmos treatment.

“It’s an important milestone in our long-standing collaboration with Dolby,” Executive Director and General Manager of Chromebooks in Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, Benny Zhang, explains.
“We are committed to bringing innovative firsts to consumers everywhere and, through working with Dolby, our Chromebook users will now enjoy best-in-class premium audio.”
The new lease of sonic life is only the beginning of the new Chromebook’s improvements. The 14” laptop will offer an abundance of new AI-powered productivity features, all powered by a new MediaTek Kompanio Ultra processor.
The laptop also offers up to 17 hours of uninterrupted battery life, which is also the longest-lasting battery a Chromebook Plus has ever had. Premium models boast a touchscreen capabilities, as well as a fingerprint scanner.
The Chromebook Plus is available now. A premium touchscreen model costs $749.99, while a non-touchscreen model drops the price to $649.99.
The post Now even Chromebooks come with Dolby Atmos… appeared first on MusicTech.

SSL unveil the Oracle analogue in-line mixing console Available in 24- and 48-input configurations and boasting up to 112 inputs at mixdown, the Oracle promises to "revolutionise analogue console technology once again" thanks to complete recall of all processing, routing, gain and pan settings.

NIVA names new President and BoardThe National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) named a new President, officers and board members at his annual convention in Milwaukee this week
The post NIVA names new President and Board appeared first on Hypebot.

How to Turn Casual Listeners into Loyal FansWhat actually turns casual listeners into loyal fans? Ian Campbell breaks down the emotional and strategic steps every artist should know to build a real and monetizable fanbase.
The post How to Turn Casual Listeners into Loyal Fans appeared first on Hypebot.

UVI Dual Delay X is $19 at Plugin Boutique until June 30
UVI Dual Delay X, a creative stereo delay plugin for macOS and Windows, is available for just $19 at Plugin Boutique until June 30. Dual Delay X is a highly musical delay that takes the classic effect in some unexpected directions that I find super inspiring when working on my cinematic SFX. Rather than relying [...]
View post: UVI Dual Delay X is $19 at Plugin Boutique until June 30

“I don’t know my way around a patchbay, but I can press Record”: Mix engineer recalls the “stressful” task of remixing Ghost’s new album SkeletáGhost’s latest record, Skeletá, made waves across the globe. Not only did it place Tobias Forge and co right at the top of the US Billboard 200 albums chart, but Skeletá also peaked at #1 in their home country of Sweden, as well as Germany and Australia. The record has been a rousing success – though it went through two rounds of mixing before Forge was satisfied.
The original mix was a collaborative effort between Dan Malsch and Andy Wallace in August 2024. A few months later in November, Malsch would be asked to return to the mix with fresh eyes – and at a fresh sound desk. Originally mixed at Malsch’s own Soundmine Recording Studio in Pennsylvania on an SSL 4000 desk, the re-mixing took place in an entirely new studio in Stockholm.

READ MORE: “It’s quite unique for a hard rock band”: Producer reveals the secret trick Ghost use to fill out their low end

“I received a call asking whether I could come to Stockholm and touch up all the mixes,” Malsch tells Sound on Sound. “This turned out to be a huge learning curve, because I ended up in a studio that I had never worked in before.”
Plunged into a totally foreign studio with monitoring equipment and a console he had “never used before”, Malsch worried he might be out of his depth. With an inability to do recalls, he admits: “It was a tall order for a mix engineer. Over two and a half weeks I was at the studio, IMRSV, with 16‑hour daily marathon sessions and no breaks.”

There was the added pressure of retouching the work without his collaborative mixer Wallace. “It was a lot of pressure, and very stressful,” he says. “I mean, I didn’t want to be the one messing up a bunch of Ghost mixes! The entire Ghost team wanted the record to be great, and there was no shortchanging anything. They could have gone with the Pennsylvania mixes.”
Of course, that’s not to say the original Skeletá mixes were poor. “They were great mixes,” Malsch insists. “But they still wanted to go that extra mile, trying to get the mixes to another level.”
The theatrical metallers also took a unique approach with songwriting, opting for a more introspective perspective that adopted the pop-tinged songwriting abilities of Max Grahn.
While his roots are firmly in hardcore acts, his career of playing in “30-something bands” has left him with an incredibly diverse palette – perfect for expanding Ghost’s sonic world. “I started going my own path in production, writing pop music, which I’ve always loved,” he explains. “Turns out writing actually good pop is harder than I thought!”

“During writing we didn’t have engineers in the room,” he recalls. “I have kindergarten level knowledge of how stuff works in a live studio. I don’t know my way around a patchbay, but I can press Record. Once in the box, in Pro Tools, I’m at home.”
“We were [writing] mostly in the big live room, where we had drum kits and guitars and stuff hooked up. For us, playing instruments is the cornerstone of every song we write. We both play drums, guitar, bass and synths. It’s very important that things feel fun.”
Together, Grahn and Forge worked out the sweet between “intuitive and unintuitive” sounds. Once that was found, the songwriter explains that the pair would record with a Shure SM7 cardioid dynamic microphone going into a Fairman. A 1176 compressor was used for vocals.
“We’d play electric and acoustic guitars, the former through a Rockman, made by Tom Scholz from Boston,” he adds. “They’re like a portable cassette player that you can clip to your belt and plug into your computer. With headphones you sound like you’re a rock star on a rock stage.”

The post “I don’t know my way around a patchbay, but I can press Record”: Mix engineer recalls the “stressful” task of remixing Ghost’s new album Skeletá appeared first on MusicTech.