Music Business News Last Week: NIVA ’25, Fatigue, Fraud, MoreTune in for top music business news last week ranging from a NIVA preview, entertainment's Mad Max era, to young men caring less about music, and more...
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Independent Musician News: House shows, Managers, Fans, MoreThis week, our tips and advice and D.I.Y. and independent musician news last week covered playing house concerts, how to make it in uncertain times, becoming an artist manager, building a smart release strategy, and more...
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Expressive E launch Soliste Boasting full MPE compatibility and drawing on the power of physical modelling, the latest additions to Expressive E's software line-up promise to deliver a new take on bowed string instruments. 

New Manson Meta Series MBM-2H ModelsAccording to a report on Friday, Muse guitarist Matthew Bellamy, Manson Guitar Works, and global manufacturer Cort, have announced the launch of "two new exciting color finishes on the Manson Meta Series MBM-2 Matthew Bellamy Signature, award winning guitar, plus further model choices with black hardware and left hand variants to expand the range and offer additional options.""Following many public requests, the MBM-2H now includes a retrospective return of the original MBC-1 Red Sparkle finish, a striking high gloss glitter lacquer that pays tribute to the artist’s 'Santa' instruments used widely in the studio and on stage," a statement read. "It is available as either a twin humbucker pickup version or a Sustainiac equipped variant. The former incorporates Manson Guitar Works design humbuckers, first seen on the previous MBM-1 model to deliver a powerful but versatile combination whether soloed or in combination.""The Sustainiac version replaces the neck humbucker with the same pickup system used by Bellamy in his stage and studio instruments," they said. "The pickup can be switched to work as an active and detailed regular neck pickup or switched into Sustain mode where three alternative sustainiac modes are available, each giving endless sustain operation.""Also new for the 2025/26 model year is a new color - Satin Olive Green - which will also be available in dual humbucker and Sustainiac equipped models plus a left-hand option. Equipped for the first time with black hardware, the instrument brings the current range up to three color choices (the popular Satin Black remains in the line-up), two model variations and left hand variants for the model year.""The features that have garnered a Total Guitar 5/5 Platinum award, Electric Guitar Of The Year Award (MIA/Guitarist) and Guitarist Signature Guitar of the Year awards remain in place including a sleek, compound radius neck, kill button for stutter effects, whilst introducing Manson's renowned quality and design offering the shape, features and details that feature on the company’s headline products."For more information, please visit www.mansonguitarworks.comPrices start at $764 USDThe post New Manson Meta Series MBM-2H Models first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab closes on $2B at $10B valuationThinking Machines Lab, the secretive AI startup founded by OpenAI’s former chief technology officer Mira Murati, has closed a $2 billion seed round at a $10 billion valuation.

Memphis rap: Its key artists, history, and enduring influence on hip hop
Learn about the history, key artists, and enduring impact of Memphis rap music, and learn how to start making your own beats in the genre.

Book Store: "Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay and the Art of Rock Promotion" By Paul RappaportDuring his 33-year career at Columbia Records, Paul Rappaport played an instrumental role in developing the careers of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Judas Priest, Alice in Chains, and many more. Gliders Over Hollywood, a book that Rappaport described to MC as “for passionate music lovers,” gives us an up-close look at his many successes, allowing the reader to feel like we were right there with him. If you’re looking for industry tips, you’ll get those. If you’re after rock ‘n’ roll shenanigans, you’ll be satisfied in that regard too. Dig in!(Paperback) $24.95The post Book Store: "Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay and the Art of Rock Promotion" By Paul Rappaport first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Bitcoin’s $96B open interest shows role leverage plays in rallies, but there is a riskBitcoin’s $96 billion in derivatives open interest fuels BTC price momentum near all-time highs, but rising leverage use raises the risk of liquidations and market volatility.

Building Diode and Diode-Transistor Logic GatesAND gate implemented as diode-resistor logic. (Credit: Anthony Francis-Jones)
The fun part about logic gates is that there are so many ways to make them, with each approach having its own advantages and disadvantages. Although these days transistor-transistor logic (TTL) is the most common, diode-transistor logic (DTL) once was a regular sight, as well as diode-resistor logic (DRL). These logic gates are the topic of a recent video by [Anthony Francis-Jones], covering a range of logic gates implemented using mostly diodes and resistors.
Of note is that there’s another class of logic gates: this uses resistors and transistors (RTL) and preceded DTL. While DRL can be used to implement AND and OR logic gates, some types of logic gates (e.g. NOT) require an active (transistor) element, which is where DTL comes into play.
In addition to the construction of a rather demonstration system and explanation of individual logic gates, [Anthony] also shows off a range of DTL cards used in the Bendix G-15 and various DEC systems. Over time TTL would come to dominate as this didn’t have the diode voltage drop and other issues that prevented significant scaling. Although the rise of VLSI has rendered DRL and DTL firmly obsolete, they still make for a fascinating teaching moment and remind us of the effort over the decades to make the computing device on which you’re reading this possible.

Joey Sturgis Tones JST Kaoss Volume III - Post Production Sample Pack352 Samples. Two Worlds. One Collection. Introducing Kaoss Volume III, the most comprehensive post-production sample pack in the series. We drew inspiration from Japanese Pop, Nu-metal complexity, modern metalcore, and East-meets-West fusion to create a collection of samples that actually work together. Melodies and grooves are sorted by key and BPM so you don't get tired of hunting through folders for sounds that fit. These samples push your productions into future territory while keeping that professional edge intact. Built for producers who want to enhance their tracks without getting lost in complexity. Watch JST Kaoss Volume III Experience the sonic evolution of Kaoss Volume III through these audio examples. Atmospheric textures build cinematic tension. Rhythmic elements drive modern productions forward. These samples capture the sound of where music is heading. Audio Demos - Hear It In Action Features – Beyond Traditional Sample Packs 352 Professional Samples – Systematic Organization That Actually Works Kaoss Volume III features our largest collection yet, with 352 samples, but size isn't everything... Every melodic sample and groove is organized by key and BPM because hunting through endless folders kills creativity. This systematic approach means you can go straight to samples that work harmonically with your existing tracks, keeping you in the flow instead of stuck in file management. 100+ Rhythmic Elements – From Atmosphere to Foundation Unlike previous volumes that focus on atmospheric enhancement, Volume III includes 100+ dedicated rhythmic samples split between percussive and synth elements. This expansion lets you use Kaoss for finishing touches and actual beat construction. You can layer complexity onto existing drums or build grooves from scratch. These elements bridge that gap between atmosphere and rhythm. Introducing Downlifters – The Missing Piece Everyone Overlooked We added 25 downlifter samples because everyone talks about risers, but what happens after you've built all that energy? These create perfect tension release after intense sections without just cutting to silence. It's one of those things that seems obvious once you have it, but somehow most libraries just ignore this crucial transition element. Breakbeat Loops Built for Resampling – Raw Material for Creativity The included breakbeat loops aren't meant to be used as-is. They're specifically designed for chopping and resampling into new patterns. Great for Breakcore, Drum & Bass, or pushing boundaries in other genres. Think of them as raw material rather than finished elements, giving you the foundation to create something entirely unique. Future-Focused Aesthetic – Influences That Shape Tomorrow The sonic direction draws from Japanese Pop's pristine production, Linkin Park's Nu-metal complexity, Bring Me The Horizon's modern metalcore edge, and Babymetal's East-meets-West fusion. This combination creates a forward-looking palette that works across multiple genres while maintaining a cohesive identity. It's contemporary without being trendy for the sake of it. Dual-Purpose Design – Ready Now or Raw Material Later Some samples work immediately in your tracks. Others are designed for creative manipulation. This approach serves producers who need quick results and those who want to create something unique. The bonus samples with specific harmonic progressions might not fit every project, but when they work, they offer distinctive character you can't get elsewhere. What You'll Get 352 Professional Post-Production Samples 30 Ambient Textures. 25 Boom Samples. 25 Downlifters. 49 Drum One-Shots. 25 Impact Samples. 50 Rhythmic Percussive. 50 Rhythmic Synth. 27 Risers. 50 Synth One-Shots. 21 Bonus Samples. 44.1 kHz, 24-bit WAV Files. Key and BPM Organization. Requirements Compatible with any DAW that supports WAV files. Mac or Windows computer. Legal Joey Sturgis Tones. All rights reserved. 100% royalty-free for commercial and non-commercial use. Redistribution and repackaging strictly prohibited. Read More

Must See at NIVA ’25 Next WeekNext week Hypebot will be reporting from Milwaukee at NIVA '25. the National Independent Venue Association's important annual gathering of the independent live music community.
The post Must See at NIVA ’25 Next Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Deezer rolls out AI tagging system to fight streaming fraud; says up to 70% of streams from fully AI-generated tracks are fraudulentPlatform has introduced what it claims to be the world’s first AI tagging system for music streaming
Source

Sennheiser generated €492.3 million in sales in 2024, despite “volatile market conditions”The Sennheiser Group generated sales of €492.3 million across the 2024 financial year, the company has revealed, despite facing “turbulent times” across the economic landscape. The figure represents an increase in yearly sales of almost €200 million since 2020.
The Sennheiser Group not only looks after the Sennheiser brand but also Neumann, AMBEO, and Merging. Despite recording a slight decline in sales across all regions in 2024, totalling 6.6 percent compared to the previous year, Sennheiser affirms it was able to “consolidate its position in the professional audio market and drive forward key future projects”.

READ MORE: Best wired headphones under $500 in 2025: Our picks for mixing, DJing and music production

Its report states that the development of individual sales markets varied greatly in the past year: The EMEA region was its strongest market in terms of sales, generating €232.1 million (a slight decline of 3.5 percent compared to the previous year).
The Americas region also recorded a decline (16.1 percent, to €150.5 million) due to political and economic uncertainties in the US and a “subdued consumer climate”, however, there was an increase in sales across both Germany (3.5 percent) and the APAC region (2.3 percent to €109.7 million), the latter of which was “driven by a strong market in China and new sales channels in India”).
As for investments and future progression, in 2024, The Sennheiser Group invested a total of 48.9 million euros (around 10 percent of total sales) in research and development, and in the expansion of sustainable business processes.

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“2024 was a challenging year for us, as it was for many companies in our industry,” comments Co-CEO, Andreas Sennheiser. “But especially in a dynamic environment, it is crucial to remain a reliable partner.”
Co-CEO Daniel Sennheiser adds: “That’s exactly what sets us apart: with reliable audio solutions, intuitive innovations, and a stable supply chain, we enable our customers to focus on what matters most.”
Andreas further adds, “Even though the future is unpredictable, we have the opportunity to actively build it. With our 80 years of experience and our determination to use it responsibly, we are confident that we will continue to expand our position in the market for professional audio solutions.”
You view the full report via its newsroom, or shop Sennheiser products via its website. 
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My Journey to Becoming an Artist Manager at 20At 20 years old, Ale Gil started managing artists while still in college at Berklee - learning everything from booking shows to building an artist’s brand. Ali shares the journey to becoming an artist manager and what it really takes to break into the music industry.
The post My Journey to Becoming an Artist Manager at 20 appeared first on Hypebot.

Expressive E’s Soliste MPE string instruments are “physically modelled for real bowing under your fingers”Expressive E has launched a new collection of physically modelled MPE string instruments, which let musicians control aspects like bowing, vibrato, and more.
The Soliste collection offers four string instruments – the VLN. 356 (Violin), the VLA. 419 (Viola), the CLO. 756 (Cello), and the DBS. 1130 (Double Bass) – with each made to unlock “every nuance” of their real life counterparts. They are available individually or as a complete Soliste bundle.

READ MORE: “Analogue in all the right ways: fast, expressive, and alive”: Universal Audio introduces Anthem Analog Synthesizer

The Soliste collection works with all MPE controllers (and regular MIDI controllers), but was made with Expressive E’s widely-praised Osmose in mind: the MPE polyphonic synth looks just like a traditional digital keyboard, but allows musicians to shape pitch, volume, intensity, and vibrato much more expressively.
The interface for each Soliste instrument features a visualisation of a real-life violin, viola, cello, or double bass, and you can even select your favourite model by switching through different resonant bodies. On either side of the instrument sits two panels – one for pitch, and one for bow – which can open up to full pages with further controls.
On the bow page you can find controls for attack, expression, and linking notes, plus a set of advanced bow parameters. The pitch page lets you adjust assisted vibrato and portamento (pitch sliding).
There are a range of built-in, simple effects, and three core playing modes (Classic, Virtuoso and Expressive), which allow for different levels of gesture and the further advancement of controls if desired. Classic mode is designed to be the easiest to use.
Find out more in the walk-through below:

Expressive E’s Osmose has been praised by the likes of Jordan Rudess and Hans Zimmer. Last year, speaking of his work on Dune 2, Zimmer said: “When you play a note on a piano, basically it goes ‘plonk’, and it dies out. What [Expressive E has] done is when you touch the keyboard, it knows you’re already touching the keyboard. Within that travel of that key, the sound can change completely.”
The Soliste collection is available now for an introductory price of €179.40 (€299 at full price). You can find out more, or shop each instrument individually, via Expressive E.
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