Two new Eurorack innovations from Endorphin.es The anticipated Ground Control v3 firmware update transforms their flagship sequencer with powerful new features, while the all-new Cockpit X 1U delivers a compact, crystal-clear analogue mixer.

Spotify UMG deal is good news for all Artists: Read Full TextA new multi-year deal between Spotify and UMG that includes recorded music and music publishing appears to establish a new precedent in how royalties - particularly those involving income from bundled subscriptions to songwriters - will be calculated.
The post Spotify UMG deal is good news for all Artists: Read Full Text appeared first on Hypebot.

4 Essential Strategies for Touring ArtistsTouring is no longer just about ticket sales—it’s a goldmine of revenue opportunities waiting to be tapped. Discover four proven strategies for touring artists to grow your fan base, boost merch sales, and connect with fans worldwide.
The post 4 Essential Strategies for Touring Artists appeared first on Hypebot.

Apple Music Stats 2025 You Need to KnowApple Music isn't always first on music marketers minds, even though it has 93 million subscribers and higher payouts than most competitors. Dive into Apple Music stats 2025 plus learn the features that set it apart.
The post Apple Music Stats 2025 You Need to Know appeared first on Hypebot.

“It has its uses, but it shouldn’t rip creative people off”: Paul McCartney and Elton John speak out against potential AI threats amid proposed changes to UK copyright lawBoth Paul McCartney and Elton John have spoken out against proposed changes to UK copyright law, which could allow AI developers to mine from creators’ content on the internet.
The suggested change would mean creative works could be used to develop AI models unless the rights holders actively opt out. Many have argued that an artist would face a lot of difficulty in trying to contact thousands of different AI companies to do so, and that keeping track of where their creations have been used across the web would be incredibly challenging.

READ MORE: Deezer’s new AI detection tool has already found 10% of all tracks submitted to the platform are AI-generated

The government says it aims to deliver legal certainty through a copyright regime that provides creators with “real control” and transparency, as per the BBC. In an interview for Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, McCartney argues that the changes could cause a loss in incentive for artists to want to create music, stating, “When we were kids in Liverpool, we found a job that we loved, but it also paid the bills.”
McCartney also shares concerns over the lack of rights over an artists’ own music: “You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it. They don’t have anything to do with it, and anyone who wants can just rip it off. The truth is, the money’s going somewhere. Somebody’s getting paid, so why shouldn’t it be the guy who sat down and wrote Yesterday?”
He adds, “We’re the people, you’re the government! You’re supposed to protect us… If you’re putting through a bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists, or you’re not going to have them.”
Reflecting on the use of AI to clean up John Lennon’s vocals in the “final” Beatles song, Now And Then, he says, “It has its uses, but it shouldn’t rip creative people off. There’s no sense in that.”

Echoing McCartney’s beliefs, Elton John tells The Sunday Times that “The wheels are in motion to allow AI companies to ride roughshod over the traditional copyright laws that protect artists’ livelihoods.”
He further states, “This will dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings even further. The musician community rejects it wholeheartedly… Without thorough and robust copyright protection that allows artists to earn hard-fought earnings from their music, the UK’s future place on the world stage as a leader in arts and popular culture is under serious jeopardy.”
The post “It has its uses, but it shouldn’t rip creative people off”: Paul McCartney and Elton John speak out against potential AI threats amid proposed changes to UK copyright law appeared first on MusicTech.

Andi Vax 222 Professional Presets for Valhalla Vintage VerbElevate your Valhalla Vintage Verb experience with 222 professionally crafted presets! Well-arranged into categories, this collection is perfect for mixing, creating cinematic soundscapes,... Read More

Universal Music Group and Spotify ink new multi-year deal that will “advance music monetisation” and “accelerate product innovation”Universal Music Group and Spotify have inked a new multi-year deal to “advance the next era of streaming innovation”.
The new agreements, centered around recorded music and music publishing, will focus “on growth, innovation and the advancement of artists’ and songwriters’ success,” said the companies in a joint statement.

READ MORE: Deezer’s new AI detection tool has already found 10% of all tracks submitted to the platform are AI-generated

The deal will also see artists, songwriters and consumers “benefit from new and evolving offers, new paid subscription tiers, bundling of music and non-music content, and a richer audio and visual content catalogue.”
“By deepening audience experiences, driving further engagement and amplifying the connection between artists, songwriters and their fans, the collaboration between these two companies will position the industry for continued subscriber growth and retention.”
Notably, the new publishing agreement establishes a “direct license between Spotify and Universal Music Publishing Group across Spotify’s current product portfolio in the US and several other countries, which reinforces a mutually beneficial relationship for songwriters on the platform.”
With the new partnership, UMG and Spotify are also renewing their “commitment to artist-centric principles, ensuring that artists continue to be properly rewarded for the share of audience engagement that they drive and that their streaming royalties remain protected through the platform’s application of its fraud detection and enforcement systems.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, said in a statement, “When we first presented our vision for the next stage in the evolution of music subscription several months ago—Streaming 2.0—this is precisely the kind of partnership development we envisioned. This agreement furthers and broadens the collaboration with Spotify for both our labels and music publisher, advancing artist-centric principles to drive greater monetisation for artists and songwriters, as well as enhancing product offerings for consumers.”
Spotify Founder and CEO Daniel Ek also commented: “For nearly two decades, Spotify has made good on its commitment to return the music industry to growth, ensuring that we deliver record payouts to the benefit of artists and songwriters each new year. This partnership ensures we can continue to deliver on this promise by embracing the certainty that constant innovation is key to making paid music subscriptions even more attractive to a broader audience of fans around the world.”
Last year, Ek drew flak from both musicians and fans after claiming that the “cost of creating content” is “close to zero,” with many slamming the tech executive for being “out of touch” with his remarks.
The post Universal Music Group and Spotify ink new multi-year deal that will “advance music monetisation” and “accelerate product innovation” appeared first on MusicTech.

API release ASM164 analogue summing mixer API have unveiled the ASM164, a 16-channel analog summing mixer that brings the analogue API sound into a compact and cost-effective 19-inch rackmount format.

Deadmau5 slams 3LAU for bragging about DJing a Trump inauguration ball: “What very little respect I had for you is gone”Deadmau5 has slammed fellow DJ 3LAU for performing at one of President Donald Trump’s inauguration balls, stating that “what very little respect” he had for the musician has evaporated.
Deadmau5’s scathing critique came after 3LAU, real name Justin David Blau, shared an Instagram post about his performance at Trump’s Starlight Ball in Washington, DC, last week. Calling the experience “an honour” and an “achievement unlocked,” the 34-year-old’s words quickly drew the ire of fellow electronic musicians and fans in the comments section.
“5 days ago the POTUS team reached out cause they needed a DJ for inauguration afters,” Blau wrote in his post. “Playing Starlight Ball was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I mean wow, what an honour. I was so nervous, and only got to play for 30 minutes but holy ****.”

READ MORE: Snowsky Retro Nano: FiiO’s new Walkman-inspired device is a music player, DAC and headphone amp rolled into one

In a pointed Instagram comment, deadmau5 blasted Blau for aligning with “Nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalise the very people who gave you a platform.”
He added, “Not a single person in that entire dumbfuck administration has ever known who the fuck you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest shit about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of ‘em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind [them].”
“What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal. Enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.”
In a follow-up comment, deadmau5 mocked, “What’s next 3LAU? A Jeffrey Epstein tribute show with Bassnectar and Datsik?”
Other DJs who have piled on the criticism include Finnish electronic producer Darude, Los Angeles based-artist J. Worra, and Ravenscoon, who described 3LAU’s decision as “wack and tone deaf”.
“This administration is against everything the dance music community stands for,” Ravenscoon wrote. “Electronic music is supposed to be a place that welcomes everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BLAU (@3lau)

In response, 3LAU wrote on X that since playing the ball, “I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.”
“A matter of fact: I am a proud American,” he continues. “The freedoms we have in this country make it possible for me to pursue my passions—whether as a founder, a CEO, or a musician. My pride should not be used as a vessel for other people’s anger. This is exactly the behavior that has divided us. I am unwavering in my decision to focus my music and my work on things that continue to push our country forward. This might not always align with a single party, but progress comes from working together, not against each other.”
“This administration favours many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice. And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy,” 3LAU concludes.

As many of you know, I had the honor of performing at the @POTUS Inauguration Ball.
Since then, I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.
A… https://t.co/TsOa7xikSU
— BLAU (@3LAU) January 25, 2025

The post Deadmau5 slams 3LAU for bragging about DJing a Trump inauguration ball: “What very little respect I had for you is gone” appeared first on MusicTech.

Roland introduce JC-120 Jazz Chorus plug-in Roland have released the JC-120 Jazz Chorus Software Effect, a software version of their iconic JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier.

Album Review of "Hiding in Plain Sight" by Herin (9/10)The Laser’s EdgeProducers: Terry Brown and Christopher HerinChristopher Herin is well known in international progressive circles as a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist in bands like Tiles and Discipline. Stepping out as a first-time leader can be a daunting task. Add the weight of composing 11 tracks centered on Alzheimer’s disease and his 10 year journey caring for his ailing father, and the result is a brave and soul-stirring experience. Primary album sales go to benefit Alzheimer’s charities and research. And luminaries such as Peter Frampton, Alex Lifeson and Martin Barre brilliantly contribute to the cause.The post Album Review of "Hiding in Plain Sight" by Herin (9/10) first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Perplexity submits a new bid for TikTokPerplexity AI has submitted a revised proposal to merge with TikTok, in an arrangement that would give the U.S. government up to 50 percent ownership of the new entity. The Associated Press first reported on the new proposal. A source with knowledge of the bid confirmed to TechCrunch that the AP’s reporting is accurate. The […]
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The ESP32-C5, Finally Espressif Goes Dual-BandThe ESP32 series of microcontrollers have been with us for quite a few years now, providing a powerful processor and wireless connectivity for not a huge outlay. We’ve seen a bunch of versions over the years with both Tensilica and RISC-V cores, but so far the ones with radios have all only serviced 2.4 GHz WiFi. That’s about to change to include 5GHz with the new C5 variant though, and [Andreas Speiss] has been lucky enough to get his hands on a prototype dev kit
It’s very similar to the C6, which we’re already used to beyond the dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio from a software point of view. The C5 is so new that the company has yet to incorporate the new chip into the Arduino IDE. He shows it working and detecting both networks though, and speculates a little about its eventual marketing.
Interesting to us is the dual-band antenna, with branches for both frequencies on the same PCB. We’d be interested to see the real-world performance of this, and also whether they produce a version with separate outputs for each band. The full video is below the break. In the meantime, watch out for this chip appearing on the market.
It’s not the only Espresif chip we’re anticipating at the moment.

Confirmed: Spotify and Universal have a new deal – including a direct agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group in the USIt’s official: as MBW reported earlier, Spotify and Universal Music Group have inked a new multi-year licensing agreement. Both sides of the deal have now confirmed their fresh alliance. And, as MBW’s sources nodded to earlier… it includes a surprise direct licensing agreement between Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and Spotify in the United States … Continued
Source

A Waist Level Viewfinder For Not A LotPhotographic accessories are often plagued by high prices, as photography is considered a rich man’s game. It doesn’t have to be that way though, and [Snappiness] is here to get you started on the route to cheaper kit with a waist-level viewfinder project.
If you’ve used a twin-lens reflex camera then you should be familiar with a waist level viewfinder, it’s a lens and mirror arrangement allowing the photographer to frame the shot looking down from above. Modern cameras often have no viewfinder, so this is aimed at digital compacts without flip-up screens.
It has three components, all available for relatively low prices, and mounted in a 3D printed case. There’s a prime lens, a mirror, and a Fresnel lens forming the part the photographer looks through. It’s a simple device, but still one which would cost a lot more off the shelf. The video is below the break.
It might interest you to know that this is not the first viewfinder project we’ve brought you for digital cameras.