Naethan Apollo Is Building a Fantasy World of Real FansThis week, Ari is joined by Naethan Apollo to discuss building a genuine connection with his audience, independently.

Sonarworks update SoundID VoiceAI The latest expansion packs for SoundID VoiceAI introduce a total of 20 new voices: 10 designed for rock vocals and 10 that deliver authentic-sounding children's voices.

Showgirls and Swifties: The Announcement of Taylor Swift's New AlbumIn an elaborate and convoluted marketing rollout, Taylor Swift is slowly announcing her new album The Life of a Showgirl. Where will it stack up compared to the previous 11 albums in her discography?

Grayscale launches two trusts linked to Sui ecosystem protocolsDeepBook and Walrus’s “Winter Walrus” are ranked outside of the top 10 Sui ecosystem protocols, according to DefiLlama.

Serj Tankian of System of a Down Brings Multi-Sensory Art to New JerseySerj Tankian is best known as the commanding voice of System of a Down, but later this month, New Jersey audiences will see a different side of him. The GRAMMY-winning musician, composer, and visual artist will bring his immersive exhibition to Wentworth Gallery in Short Hills on August 24, showcasing a collection of original works that merge visual art with music.A statement from the gallery reveals Tankian’s approach as “a unique fusion of sound and canvas.” Each painting is paired with a musical composition created specifically for it, accessible through Arloopa, a free app that uses optical recognition to let viewers unlock the soundtrack as they view the work.“I see music and visual art as extensions of the same soul,” Tankian explains. “When I paint, I’m composing. When I compose, I’m painting. Each informs the other in ways words cannot express.” He adds that his goal is to create “a deeper connection—one that invites not just observation, but participation.”The exhibition comes just days before System of a Down’s return to the stage in New Jersey, with two consecutive shows at MetLife Stadium on August 27 and 28. The schedule offers fans the rare chance to experience Tankian’s art in an intimate gallery setting before seeing him perform live with the band.Tankian’s visual art career began in 2013 with his debut exhibition Disarming Time in Los Angeles, where he introduced his concept of “musical paintings”—original artworks embedded with unique compositions. A statement from the artist notes that each piece is “visceral, layered, and deeply emotional,” reflecting the same intensity found in his music.Born in Lebanon to Armenian parents and raised in Los Angeles, Tankian’s creative output—whether in music, painting, or activism—has been shaped by a global perspective and a deep sense of social consciousness. With over 40 million albums sold and a GRAMMY Award for “B.Y.O.B.” in 2006, he has long been recognized as an artist who transcends boundaries.The post Serj Tankian of System of a Down Brings Multi-Sensory Art to New Jersey first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Russian government hackers said to be behind US federal court filing system hack: ReportOfficials are reportedly blaming a recent breach of the U.S. federal court's filing system on Russia, whose hackers used the access to snoop on midlevel criminal cases in the New York City area and other jurisdictions.

3D-Printing A Full-Sized Kayak In Under A DayIf you want to get active out on the water, you could buy a new kayak, or hunt one down on Craigslist, Or, you could follow [Ivan Miranda]’s example, and print one out instead.
[Ivan] is uniquely well positioned to pursue a build like this. That’s because he has a massive 3D printer which uses a treadmill as a bed. It’s perfect for building long, thin things, and a kayak fits the bill perfectly. [Ivan] has actually printed a kayak before, but it took an excruciating 7 days to finish. This time, he wanted to go faster. He made some extruder tweaks that would allow his treadmill printer to go much faster, and improved the design to use as much of the belt width as possible. With the new setup capable of extruding over 800 grams of plastic per hour, [Ivan] then found a whole bunch of new issues thanks to the amount of heat involved. He steps through the issues one at a time until he has a setup capable of extruding an entire kayak in less than 24 hours.
This isn’t just a dive into 3D printer tech, though. It’s also about watercraft! [Ivan] finishes the print with a sander and a 3D pen to clean up some imperfections. The body is also filled with foam in key areas, and coated with epoxy to make it watertight. It’s not the easiest craft to handle, and probably isn’t what you’d choose for ocean use. It’s too narrow, and wounds [Ivan] when he tries to get in. It might be a floating and functional kayak, just barely, for a smaller individual, but [Ivan] suggests he’ll need to make changes if he were to actually use this thing properly.
Overall, it’s a project that shows you can 3D print big things quite quickly with the right printer, and that maritime engineering principles are key for producing viable watercraft. Video after the break.

Music publishers allege Anthropic used BitTorrent to pirate copyrighted lyricsAnthropic may face a new allegation from music companies: That it not only downloaded, but distributed lyrics without permission
Source

AlphaTheta Chordcat review: The easiest way to write chords without theory?€250, alphatheta.com
AlphaTheta — the 2024 rename of Pioneer DJ — has dabbled in music production tools before. Under its Toraiz brand, it released the SP-16 multitrack sampler in 2016 and the AS-1 in 2017, a monophonic synth designed in collaboration with Dave Smith. With just one other product to its name (the Squid sequencer), that’s a pretty short track record, so you’d be right to wonder if such a company, beloved for its DJ equipment, can continue competing in the studio instrument world.

READ MORE: Scaler 3 is packed with music theory power, but is it still too niche?

That question could soon be answered with the release of Chordcat, a compact groovebox designed to bridge the gap between beatmaking and songwriting. With built-in sounds, a 4×4 grid-based sequencer, and a unique tool for generating chord progressions, it’s geared towards helping musicians go from loops and beats to full arrangements, no music theory required.
Can this inconspicuous grey box keep AlphaTheta in the ring with names like Novation, Elektron, and Roland? And more importantly, does it offer a quick path to loop liberation?
Image: Press
How User-Friendly Is the Chordcat?
I’m impressed first by the Chordcat’s portability. Its dimensions are similar to an OP-1, albeit twice as thick, but it’s incredibly lightweight. AlphaTheta has chosen to skip the knobs, opting solely for low-profile buttons and touch pads — the usability takes a small hit, but that does mean the unit can be tossed in a bag with no fear of damage to any extruding parts.
As I’m holed up at home during the testing of the Chordcat, I opt to run off USB-C power. But six AA batteries deliver roughly five hours of life, so it certainly ticks the box as an out-and-about music-making companion too.
From the off, Chordcat is intuitive and easy to use. I barely need the manual, instead exploring my way around the device’s features while I build a loop from scratch. This one won’t be topping the charts, but I’m pleased with my first attempt.

What’s the Chordcat Sequencer Like?
Chordcat’s sequencer is arguably its focal point, and for the most part, it does a fine job. Creating patterns feels relatively seamless, although a few efficiency tweaks could be made, such as dedicated rest or duration buttons, for example.
You can play and record parts live, but editing incorrect notes is clunky, so I mostly opt to program my parts. That’s more a reflection of my playing than a flaw in the touch strip; I’m not usually a fan of ribbon controllers, but I’m surprised by how responsive the Chordcat feels.
Of course, I’m here looking for inspiration, and Chordcat does offer a few tricks for unearthing new ideas. The Running Direction feature is excellent, letting you change step order on the fly with options like top to bottom instead of left to right, or spiralling round the 4×4 grid. Reworking the drums from my first idea, this feature delivers some intriguing syncopated rhythms.

Chordcat’s sequencer operates in 16th notes, but there is a workaround. By doubling the tempo of your project, you effectively squeeze more resolution into each bar at the expense of halving the max length of each pattern. Check out this Dilla-style swing I dial in on the kit:

How does Chordcat help you create chord progressions?
Chord Cruiser is Chordcat’s signature feature, and one you won’t find on other grooveboxes. The idea is simple — choose a chordset, play a chord on the touch strip, and audition new chords with the XY pad. Find one you like? Assign it to the touch strip for easy jamming. Admittedly, I have to refer to the manual to figure this out, but constructing progressions is ultimately fun, fast, and playful with no need for any music theory knowledge.
I do encounter a few snags. While the built-in chordsets offer plenty of emotive juice, you can’t mix chords between them. And while I love the way Chordcat encourages exploration of non-diatonic chords, it’s sometimes challenging to find a way back from my meandering harmonic paths.
My next foray keeps things fairly simple and gives me an opportunity to explore the arpeggiator in more detail.

Enable the arp, and the Chord Cruiser really comes to life. It does a lot of heavy lifting, adding movement and interest to even the most bog-standard progressions.
Arpeggiating two instruments at different rates is pretty exciting, too, revealing surprisingly musical ideas that you’d rarely play manually.
There are only four arpeggiator modes currently — Up, Down, Up+Down, and Random — so I’d love to see more added in a future firmware update.
Image: Press
Are Chordcat’s built-in sounds good enough for final tracks?
Unless you’re planning to hook up Chordcat as an external controller for other gear, you’ll want to know about its onboard instruments and drumkits.
The sounds aren’t exactly modern, bringing to mind old-school romplers and General MIDI-style sounds. But that’s not to say they’re unusable, and AlphaTheta even included TR-808 and TR-909 kits — these drum machines remain production staples across many genres. After flicking through the patches, I find myself steering towards something akin to a racing game loading screen.

I actually like the limitations here. There’s no synth engine on board, but a few rudimentary effects encourage you to get creative with what’s available. Each sound can be sculpted with a low-pass filter and attack/release envelope, which opens up a broader palette of sounds than one might initially think. While not designed for pristine, cutting-edge sound design, these patches are perfect for sketching ideas or even full tracks in the right hands. Check out this impressive demo project from AlphaTheta as an example.

However, I do find it hard to accurately dial in parameters with the XY pad; it’s the only time I find myself wanting for physical pots. The lack of high-pass filtering becomes noticeable, too, and the sounds can quickly get muddy once you’re stacking channels.
The ducker delivers a faux sidechain effect, although I use it as a tremolo to add movement to some synth keys. Throw in reverb and chorus, and you’d be surprised what you can get out of this little machine.

There’s also a basic delay on board. This affects MIDI, not audio, so you might run into note choking if you’re hitting the max polyphony, but it gets the job done.

How does the Chordcat compare to other grooveboxes?
Given its €250 price point, the Chordcat is up against stiff competition. Roland’s AIRA Compact J-6 delivers timeless Juno sounds and a chord mode for £100 less. Teenage Engineering’s K.O. II, menawhile, touts deep sampling capabilities for £20 more.
Sonicware’s Liven grooveboxes are the most direct rivals, packing in significantly more features for a similar price, although they have a much steeper learning curve. And if it’s simply a music theory shortcut you’re after, Scaler 3 offers a much more advanced toolset for chord and melody creation, provided you’re happy working in the box.
Given these alternatives, where does the Chordcat sit? Somewhere in the middle. Does it reinvigorate my creativity? Yes and no. I get lost in making loops for hours, taking me back to my early days producing music. But it’s hard to imagine creating a full track with the workflow and limitations present. You can, however, export ideas to a DAW, turning Chordcat into a creative springboard for your next project.
Undoubtedly, the device’s strength lies in its accessibility, with minimal menu diving and an instantaneous workflow that doesn’t require advanced musical or technical know-how. For first-timers, there’s a simplicity to Chordcat that feels incredibly rewarding.
Stick with it as your setup’s centrepiece and you’ll likely outgrow it. But as a portable sketchpad that’s incredibly easy to grasp, with flexible sounds and a fast track to captivating chord progressions? Chordcat distils non-negotiable functionality into a compact package at an affordable price. It won’t replace your DAW or your higher-end hardware — but it might just replace your creative block.
Image: Press
Key Features

Chord Cruiser with 110,000 possible chord combinations
8 sequenceable tracks, 16 patterns per track, 128 steps (8 bars) per pattern
145 instruments and 16 drum kits
Responsive touch strip and XY pad
Key and scale settings
Low-pass filter and amp envelope for each instrument
Arpeggiator, reverb, chorus, delay, and ducker effects
MIDI in/out/thru for connecting external hardware
DAW integration and manager software for importing patterns
Powered by USB-C or six AA batteries (approximately five hours life)
Dimensions: 27.4cm x 11.1cm x 3.3cm
Weight: 0.4kg

The post AlphaTheta Chordcat review: The easiest way to write chords without theory? appeared first on MusicTech.

Lotus Sound Audio releases Silver Fox MK2, a FREE VCA-style compressor plugin
We’ve seen quite a few freebies from Lotus Sound Audio over the last couple of years, including the Teletronix-inspired LA2-FOX Compressor plugin. This time, the Swiss-based developer is back with an update to another compressor plugin, Silver Fox. Silver Fox MK2 is a VCA-style compressor plugin that you can download for free right now. Additionally, [...]
View post: Lotus Sound Audio releases Silver Fox MK2, a FREE VCA-style compressor plugin

ToneKnob Ultimate Bundle from Audified Audified's new ToneKnob Ultimate Bundle includes saturation, compression, modulation, ambient reverb, guitar-amp modelling and de‑essing tools, all of which can be controlled using a single knob.

SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting Is Open: Two Hypebot FavoritesSXSW 2026 PanelPicker voting is officially open through August 24 and everyone is eligible to vote. Included in the proposals are two Hypebot favorites.
The post SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting Is Open: Two Hypebot Favorites appeared first on Hypebot.

KIT Plugins Prime DelayPrime Delay is a versatile delay plugin with intuitive controls for delay time, mix, and feedback, as well as options for tap tempo and tempo sync. Its standout feature, the 8-bit mode, emulates the iconic, lo-fi sound of classic gaming consoles, adding a nostalgic edge to your tracks. With built-in High Pass and Low Pass Filters, you can shape your delay with precision, making it perfect for anything from subtle echoes to experimental soundscapes. Features: BPM: Users can define what custom BPM they want use, and the beat division. In BPM mode, the user can 'Tap to tempo' using the displayed tap button. Host: Sync's the delay time to the user's DAW. MS: Users can define the delay time in milliseconds. Feedback: Sets the feedback amount. (0-100%). 8 Bit (3 Modes): Adds a fun 8-bit distortion to the wet path. HPF and LPF: High and Low-Pass Filters. (20 Hz - 20 kHz, for the wet signal only). Bypass: Toggles the on/off state of the plugin. Read More

Live Music Society Toolbox Grants Available For Small VenuesApplications for 2025 Live Music Society Toolbox Grants are opened for small U.S. independent music venues and listening rooms. LMS has distributed $4.8 million in funding to small non-profit and for-profit venues since launching in 2020.
The post Live Music Society Toolbox Grants Available For Small Venues appeared first on Hypebot.

Dimethoxy Audio releases Disflux, a FREE transient shaper with a twist
Dimethoxy Audio has released Disflux, a free and open-source transient-shaping plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux. At its core, Disflux is a transient designer, but it’s not your typical “attack up, sustain down” affair. Instead, it uses a chain of all-pass filters to smear high-energy transients over time, creating a laser-like sweep effect that’s part [...]
View post: Dimethoxy Audio releases Disflux, a FREE transient shaper with a twist