Drake’s deal is up for renegotiation in 2025, and other revelations from his lawsuit against Universal MusicDrake alleges UMG knowingly damaged his reputation and endangered his life through Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'
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Hydroelectric Generator Gets Power From SiphoningSiphons are one of those physics phenomena that, like gyroscopes, non-Newtonian fluids, and electricity, seem almost magical. Thanks to atmospheric pressure, simply filling a tube with liquid and placing the end of the tube below the liquid level of a container allows it to flow against gravity, over a barrier, and down into another container without any extra energy inputs once the siphon is started. They’re not just tricks, though; siphons have practical applications as well, such as in siphon-powered hydroelectric turbine.
This is an iteration of [Beyond the Print]’s efforts to draw useful energy from a local dam with an uneconomic amount of water pressure and/or volume for a typical hydroelectric power station. One of his earlier attempts involved a water wheel but this siphon-based device uses a more efficient impeller design instead, and it also keeps the generator dry as well. Using 3″ PVC piping to channel the siphon, as well as a short length of thinner pipe to attach a shop vac for priming the siphon, water is drawn from the reservoir, up the pipe, and then down through the impeller which spins a small DC generator.
This design is generating about 9 V open-circuit, and we’d assume there’s enough power available to charge a phone or power a small microcontroller device. However, there’s a ton of room for improvement here. The major problem [Beyond the Print] is currently experiencing is getting air into the system and having the siphon broken, which he’s solved temporarily by adding a bucket at the outflow. This slows down the water though, so perhaps with any air leaks mitigated the power generation capabilities will be greatly increased.

Giulioz RdPiano (FREE) emulates vintage 80s Roland and Rhodes MKS digital pianos
The free Giulioz RdPiano emulates vintage 80s Roland and Rhodes MKS digital pianos. Vintage SA-Synthesis (structured adaptive synthesis) e-pianos are all over 80s hit records, yet aren’t emulated as often as instruments like Yamaha’s DX7 or Roland’s TR-808 drum machine. Italian developer Giulioz is changing that with the free RdPiano plugin for macOS and Windows. [...]
View post: Giulioz RdPiano (FREE) emulates vintage 80s Roland and Rhodes MKS digital pianos

Polyend’s Step is “the first fully programmable drum machine in guitar pedal form”NAMM 2025: Polyend has unveiled the Step, a fully programmable drum machine in guitar pedal form, said to be the first of its kind.
Step hosts over 350 preset rhythms, 200 drum kits, and the ability to design beats from scratch. Users can loop 16-step patterns for jamming, or combine patterns into 16-pattern songs for structured compositions.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Step “excels” in live performances, according to Polyend, with simple stomp-switches providing quick access to effects, song changes, and patterns. Users can also utilise Step’s MIDI input/output to sync with delay pedals, loopers, or Polyend’s own grooveboxes.
It blends Polyend’s sequencer controls with an accessible, compact design, and features a four-track drum machine, customisable parameters – including control swing, speed, step probability, and more for each track – over 50 punch-in effects, and “abundant” storage, so you can save and lock up to 1000 songs. You can also add natural dynamics to performances with features like velocity control, step probability, micro-move, and instant humanisation or, on the other hand, you can lock in precision for tight, machine-like rhythms.

As for its choice of guitar pedal format, Polyend explains, “Step is purposefully designed for musicians seeking smooth and uncomplicated playback control over their rhythms while keeping their focus on playing their instrument. Designed as an accompaniment for live sets or practice sessions, this drum machine offers a fresh approach to rhythm creation. Its compact pedal format ensures it fits seamlessly into any setup.”
It further adds, “Step is more than a drum machine. It’s an instrument, a co-writer, and a dependable bandmate. From experimental artists pushing boundaries to acoustic performers seeking to add some rhythm and beginners exploring new sounds, Step adapts to your creative vision.”
Step is available now for $499. To find out more, head over to Polyend.
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FSK Audio ModPlayModPlay is a revolutionary MIDI plug-in designed to inspire creativity and streamline music production workflows. The ModPlay plug-in introduces advanced MIDI modulation capabilities... Read More

Heritage Audio HA 1200 TapeSatHA 1200 is a tape saturator plugin based on a truly unique tape recorder. HA 1200 TapeSat is modeled after the original unit (Serial # 0232) owned by Heritage Audio's CEO, Peter Rodriguez. The... Read More

Roland’s new VMH-S100 studio headphones promise “unparalleled sound fidelity and exceptional comfort”NAMM 2025: Roland has unveiled its new pair of VMH-S100 studio monitoring headphones, promising “unparalleled sound fidelity, exceptional comfort and modern engineering”.
The VMH-S100 headphones offer a flat and accurate sound profile and an ultra-wide frequency response of 5-40,000 Hz via custom-engineered 50mm drivers. They also feature a closed-back design for the cancellation of ambient noise,

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Additionally, they are designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of music gear, with 30 ohms of impedance ensuring compatibility with synthesizers and keyboards to audio interfaces and more.
Credit: Roland

They are designed with ergonomics in mind, too, with replaceable ear pads and durable frame for maximum comfort during long production sessions, and a jack on each ear cup so you can plug the cable into whichever side is more comfortable.
Accessories include a carrying pouch, two cables – 1.5m and 3m – and a stereo 1/4-inch phone plug adaptor. Each purchase also comes with a three-month trial of Roland Cloud Ultimate, the top tier of Roland’s cloud-based suite of software instruments and sound tools.
The VMH-S100 headphones are available from January in the US, priced at $299.99.
For more information, head to Roland.
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Lynx introduce Mesa audio interface Lynx Studio Technology have unveiled Mesa, a desktop Thunderbolt 3 audio interface that doubles as a professional-grade standalone analogue-digital-analogue converter.

Evolution of Spotify from music to multi-content platformThere has been an evolution of Spotify from a music platform to multi-content platform with podcasts, audiobooks, AI-created tracks, and more. Learn how the shift is reshaping how we discover and experience music and entertainment.
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How Legacy Recordings help Bands keep rockingLearn how legacy recordings help rock bands keep rocking. Legendary bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and now bands from the 1980's and 1990's have shared thousands of vault recordings over the last 50 years, and the fans still want more.
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Musical Instrument Industry joins to help LA Fire Victims20 gear and musical instrument manufacturers, Gibson and Guitar Center will support LA fire victims in the music community with a new joint initiative. Gibson and Guitar Center will support. Continue reading
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Roland launches new V-STAGE Performance Keyboards with four independent sound enginesNAMM 2025: Roland has launched two new performance keyboards, with each featuring four sound engines and an ergonomic interface for smooth control when playing live.
The V-STAGE Performance Keyboard is available in two models – the V-STAGE 88, for an “authentic acoustic piano experience” with an 88-note weighted keyboard, and the V-STAGE 76, featuring a newly developed 76-note semi-weighted waterfall keyboard for a traditional organ feel.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Given their red aesthetic and stage-ready tools, it looks like these new offerings are set to compete against NORD’s range of performance keyboards. Both versions of the V-STAGE host a colour LCD, Total Effects section, and a Master section with EQ and compression to fine-tune your output for varying venues.
With 512 scene memories and the Scene Chain function, players can also save complete setups and access them with speed while on stage. There’s also an XLR microphone input and a stereo line input for mixing in an external instrument, and computers and mobile devices can easily be integrated too.

The four sound engines in each are as follows:

Acoustic Piano – Offers “deeply expressive” pianos powered by V-Piano technology, including two concert grands, an upright piano, and a new felt-treated model.
Electric Piano – Includes tine, reed, digital piano, and clavinet instruments crafted with the latest SuperNATURAL advancements. Tremolo, amp simulator, and curated MFX processing are also onboard, plus a Sound Lift knob for cutting through dense band mixes.
Organ – Features a three-layer console organ powered by the latest generation of Roland’s Virtual Tone Wheel tech, plus two classic transistor models and a pipe organ. Harmonic bars and percussion controls are also on board, accompanied by overdrive, vibrato/chorus, and a rotary speaker effect with variable speed, brake control, and mic positioning.
Synthesiser – Driven by Roland’s ZEN-Core engine, this section provides over 400 onboard tones. Two simultaneous parts are available for fast sound shaping via attack, release, filter, and other controls. V-STAGE also supports ZEN-Core patch and sound options on Roland Cloud.

The Roland V-STAGE Performance Keyboard is available in the US from January for $3499.99 (V-STAGE 76) and $3,999.99 (V-STAGE 88). Find out more over at Roland, or visit the team at NAMM in Room 202, Level 2.
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MQA Labs’ new mixing and mastering tools employ “previously unavailable methods” for noise shapingNAMM 2025: MQA Labs is launching new studio tools enabling engineers to employ previously unavailable methods for improved impulse response and noise shaping.
In a technical whitepaper shared with MusicTech, the brand has teased information about two new plugins – the Input Plugin and the Output Plugin – with the former designed to tackle unnatural time domain effects of the analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) to preserve resolution, and the latter for use on the Output Bus to enhance an entire mix.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

With these new plugins, MQA Labs is hoping to tackle the sense of “flatness” that can come across in digital recordings. In its own words, the brand explains, “The methods to digitally record, store or distribute the analogue signal cause it to deteriorate through the addition of noise, distortion, and other unnatural artefacts. People noticed that listening to music through a digital system was a much different experience to that of an analogue system. While digital no longer had the problems of wow, flutter, warping, skipping, scratches and inherent noise, it was also noted that it lacked the same sense of space and subtlety and conveyed a distinct flatness.”
It later goes on to explain, “Digital conversion processes use filters conventionally designed in the frequency domain with the intention of preserving all the audible frequencies of human hearing. Due to choices made decades ago and based on technology of the time, conversion filters most often targeted the very edge of our audible hearing range. The filters are designed to let in all the frequencies up to a point, but then sharply filter out those beyond that point… At MQA Labs, we design systems so that sound behaves as it does in the natural, analogue world, as we hear music traveling through air.”
Head to MQA Labs to find out more or catch them at The NAMM Show, Booth 15924, Acc North Level 1.
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The official Bass Station plugin is here thanks to a collaboration between Novation and GForceNAMM 2025: Since hitting the market way back in 1993, the Bass Station has been a staple of the low end of many synth nuts’ setups. Now, that classic piece of hardware is now available as an official software version, thanks to a collaboration between Novation and soft synth purveyor GForce.
Though an “exact emulation of the original Bass Station”, the new software version also crams in a series of features not possible with the original, including wider 16-voice polyphony – where the original was monophonic –  and unison modes.

READ MORE: NAMM 2025 Live: Latest rumours, news and products from the biggest music technology show in the world

Elsewhere, the Bass Station software version is loaded with GForce’s unique X-modifier technology, which enables producers to work faster and “create extensive modulations of almost every parameter, without having to set up modulation paths”.
The GForce Bass Station also features a high-pass filter, and a powerful new sequencer and arpeggiator, which enables users to programme patterns and loops with controls for step length, velocity, swing, scales, probability and more. There’s even a randomisation feature if you’re looking for a little creative spark.
The plugin also comes with effects including distortion, chorus, delay and reverb. In terms of user experience, there’s also a fully scalable user interface and advanced patch browser streamline workflow.

The feature set is rich, to say the least, but while you’re getting your head around the Bass Station soft synth’s vast capabilities, there are also 300 onboard presets to play with.
The GForce Bass Station is available now directly from GForce for an introductory price of £49.99 (later rising to £99.99). All Novation Launchkey 4, FLkey and SL Mk3 users will also gain access upon registration.
For more information, head to GForce.
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Here’s why FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is almost the only EQ you’ll ever need£144 / $179 / €169 (upgrade pricing available), fabfilter.com
Pro-Q 4 is the latest version of the gold standard plugin for dynamic EQ. Because of the competition and the scores of copycats in the market, FabFilter has been forced to innovate to stay ahead of the pack — which is good news for producers.

READ MORE: Five new plugins, effects and VST instruments you need to know about this week

With Pro-Q 3, the renowned plugin developer added dynamic EQ features, allowing users to hone in and shape parts of the frequency spectrum. Now, in Pro-Q 4, these features have been expanded, and FabFilter has added spectral dynamic processing capabilities.
Another interesting new addition is the continuous slope feature, allowing you to set the slope anywhere between 12 to 96 decibels-per-octave for each band. When combined with the Q-Gain Interaction function, you have an amazing degree of control over the band shaping.
If you’re new to this, I know what you’re thinking — ‘This is all overly technical’. However, there is also a range of workflow features like the new Instance List and EQ Sketch, which we’ll get to later, that make it easier than ever to start creating your own EQ curves without the help of the extensive preset library.
Pro-Q 4 Dynamic Sidechain. Image: Press
How do I use the basic features of FabFilter Pro-Q 4?
Pro-Q 4 is designed as a be-all and end-all solution for creative and corrective equalisation in your DAW. That means you’ll use it on every single channel, from individual instruments to aux channels and even your master bus. Although you may have a different approach to each aspect of your mix, Pro-Q 4 has become your centralised EQ console for dealing with all the tone shaping in a project at once.
From the get-go, adding bands to the frequency spectrum is as easy as ever. However, the EQ Sketch function offers a new way to draw curves, and it intuitively switches from shelves to bell filters according to your position. While this might not be the most precise way to apply EQ, it quickly provides a foundation that you can then fine-tune for greater accuracy.
With each band added, you have a choice of 10 filter shapes, plus dynamic or spectral processing modes. What’s more, besides the default stereo mode, you can assign it exclusively to the left, right, mid, or side channels.
When it comes to equalisation for mixing and music production, Pro-Q 4 has three features in particular that alter the overall processing behaviour to provide a more analogue feel. Firstly, by using the Natural Phase option in the Processing mode selector, you can get Pro-Q 4 to behave like outboard hardware. Next, with the Character button, you can activate the colourful Warm mode for a saturated, tube-modelled sound.
Finally, when using bell filters, activating Gain-Q Interaction offers a classic console-like EQ experience. With this setting on, the Q-factor will increase, narrowing proportionally as you apply more gain.
Pro-Q 4 Spectral Controls. Image: Press
How do you use Pro-Q 4’s dynamic and spectral processing?
If you’ve never used a dynamic EQ before, you’re in for a real treat. With a straightforward workflow, it’s easy to turn any of the 24 available EQ bands into dynamic bands in a few easy steps. This means you can use the features according to your level of understanding, and gradually upscale your processing to a more elaborate level as you become more feature-savvy.
To activate dynamics on any band, simply click the drop-down button and select ‘Make Dynamic’ from the menu and you’ll immediately see the Dynamic Range ring around the Gain control illuminate.
Now, set the dynamic range and hit the disclosure button above the Gain control to reveal the expansion panel. Here, you can adjust the threshold, which is set on auto by default, as well as the attack and release controls, and the sidechain filter and external sidechain features.
You’ll notice that when you switch from spectral to dynamic mode, the internal sidechain filter functions are replaced by a Spectral Density slider. With this control, you can adjust the width of the peaks to which the processor is reacting. For targeting wide frequency bands like low-end elements, you’ll use a lower setting. Meanwhile, as you increase the value, you’ll be able to isolate and reduce spikes in the upper mids and high-frequency range.
Pro-Q 4 Instance List. Image: Press
What makes Pro-Q 4 special?
The beauty of the design of Pro-Q 4 is how it makes these advanced features and processing techniques so readily available. Even if you’ve never used a dynamic EQ, you suddenly have access to professional signal processing with a straightforward visual interface.
In a matter of seconds, you can draw in the basic frequency curve you’re working with, and then fine-tune each band and activate spectral or dynamic modes to carve and control instruments in any range, from vocals to guitars, synths, and drums. The secret of any successful audio design, from a Neve 1073 to a Summit TLA-100A, lies in how it allows you to achieve great results immediately, whether you’re an experienced mixing engineer or a bedroom producer. The Pro-Q 4 does exactly that.
As a plugin, Pro-Q 4 has come a long way from simply being an EQ that beats the stock EQ in your DAW. While there are other tools like Soothe2 and Gullfoss that each apply their brand of magic to correcting unwanted resonances, Pro-Q 4 is still not easily replaceable given its versatility and depth of features. For this reason, Pro-Q 4 will be loved equally by pro mixing and mastering engineers as it is by today’s generation of beat-makers and independent music producers.
Pro-Q 4 Continuous Slope. Image: Press
Despite its impressive spectral dynamics features, Pro-Q 4 still has a way to go before it becomes your main tool for resonance suppression. Its precise and flexible interface does allow you to tackle pretty much all you’d expect from an EQ, and then some – however, you’ll still have to reach for Soothe2 regularly for frequency-conscious sidechain processing to target resonances.
With a $179 price tag, Pro-Q 4 remains out of both reach and necessity for many bedroom producers. Also, one could argue that Sonible’s smart:EQ is doing a similar job for the majority of users for less money, while pros will likely want to use Soothe and/or Gullfoss alongside Pro-Q 4.
Current Pro-Q 3 users will likely want to upgrade. They’ll be thrilled with the new Sketch EQ and Instance List features that allow efficient management of tonal processing while having an overview of an entire project. Pro-Q 4 will become even more indispensable in your DAW workflow.

Key features

AU / VST / AAX / CLAP plugin for MacOS and Windows (including MacOS 10.15)
Improved sonics, EQ matching and analyser
Per-band spectral dynamics mode
Attack and Release controls for dynamic and spectral bands
EQ sketch feature
Instance list for viewing multiple tracks simultaneously
Gentle and Warm virtual-analogue character modes

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