Pro-Bitcoin presidents unite — Trump, Milei, and Bukele spark crypto optimismThe expanding ranks of pro-Bitcoin presidents are boosting global optimism for crypto mass adoption.

OpenAI’s agent tool may be nearing releaseOpenAI may be close to releasing an AI tool that can take control of your PC and perform actions on your behalf. Tibor Blaho, a software engineer with a reputation for accurately leaking upcoming AI products, claims to have uncovered evidence of OpenAI’s long-rumored Operator tool. Publications including Bloomberg have previously reported on Operator, which […]
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Smallest USB Device… So FarFor better or worse it seems to be human nature to compete with one another, as individuals or teams, rather than experience contentedness while moving to the woods and admiring nature Thoreau-style. On the plus side, competition often results in benefits for all of us, driving down costs for everything from agriculture to medical care to technology. Although perhaps a niche area of competition, the realm of “smallest USB device” seems to have a new champion: this PCB built by [Emma] that’s barely larger than the USB connector pads themselves.
With one side hosting the pads to make contact with a standard USB type-A connector, the other side’s real estate is taken up by a tiny STM32 microcontroller, four phototransistors that can arm or disarm the microcontroller, and a tiny voltage regulator that drops the 5V provided by the USB port to the 3.3V the STM32 needs to operate. This is an impressive amount of computing power for less than three millimeters of vertical space, and can operate as a HID device with a wide variety of possible use cases.
Perhaps the most obvious thing to do with a device like this would be to build a more stealthy version of this handy tool to manage micromanagers, but there are certainly other tasks that a tiny HID can be put to use towards. And, as far as the smallest USB device competition goes, we’d also note that USB-A is not the smallest connector available and, therefore, the competition still has some potential if someone can figure out how to do something similar with an even smaller USB connector.
Thanks to [JohnU] for the tip!

Two New Models & Spec Updates as PRS Guitars Continues 40th AnniversaryPRS Guitars today announced the continuation of its 40th anniversary celebration with two new models and several specification updates across their Maryland, USA-made electric instruments. New models include the Standard 24 Satin and Swamp Ash Special, while the new specs in multiple lines include PRS DMO and McCarty III pickups, EQ mini-toggles, Phase III tuners and expanded color options.2025 marks the 40th Anniversary of PRS Guitars. After announcing SE Series updates in October and officially kicking off their 40th Anniversary celebration this past November with the introduction of the 40th Anniversary Private Stock Dragon and Custom 24 limited-edition instruments, this month's launches are the next in a schedule of many product announcements to be made throughout the year.“Our mission hasn’t changed since day one in my first Garrett workshop - we want to build the best tools for musicians to do their jobs,” said Paul Reed Smith, founder & managing general partner of PRS Guitars. “But, as the saying goes, ‘windshields are larger than rearview mirrors for a reason.’ We do not want to spend our anniversary only looking back. We want to keep advancing our craft and adding value to our instruments by focusing on details we believe matter to musicians.”NEW MODELS: STANDARD 24 SATIN AND SWAMP ASH SPECIALWhen a young Paul Reed Smith was raising money to start his business, he traveled the East Coast with two guitars: a PRS and a PRS Custom. The PRS was an all-mahogany guitar that would later come to be called the PRS Standard. For 2025, the company is introducing a version of that pre-factory instrument in its Core line. Featuring a “sinky” satin nitro finish and the new PRS DMO pickups, the PRS Standard 24 Satin is a powerful, roadworthy workhorse. Its full, warm, organic tone is maximized not only by the finish, but thanks to the Phase III locking tuners with brass shafts, proprietary bone nut, and design of the PRS patented tremolo.The Swamp Ash Special bolt-on model is also making a comeback for 2025 but with an updated electronics layout. Its swamp ash body is equipped with a versatile hum/“single”/hum pickup configuration. Two 58/15 LT pickups flank a PRS Narrowfield in the middle position, which adds a single-coil bite – without the hum. Paired with a volume, tone, 5-way blade switch, and dual mini-toggle coil-tap switches (for the first time on this model), the Swamp Ash Special has a total of twelve sound combinations. Overall, the PRS Swamp Ash Special features tight low-end, bright but mellow high-end, and a welcome twangy tone that can reach “hot country,” blues and jazz territory.NEW PICKUPSMost notably, PRS is introducing two new pickup models in its Core lineup: PRS DMO and McCarty III treble and bass pickups. Through hands-on research into beloved vintage pickup models to advancements in signal analyzation and “tuning” technology, these pickups incorporate every detail of pickup knowledge PRS has gained in recent years of R&D.PRS DMO (Dynamic, Musical, Open) pickups are more modern-sounding and have a “wide open” sound with vocal character, meaning they deliver clear, pleasant-sounding tones across a wide range of frequencies (bass to treble) in each pickup. While McCarty III pickups are vintage-inspired humbuckers that bring a vocal clarity to their full, warm tone. PRS DMO’s will be found on the Custom 24, while McCarty III’s will be found on McCarty, Hollowbody, Special and Studio models.EQ SWITCH FEATUREOn select models, PRS has also updated the spec on their dual mini-toggle switches from coil-taps to EQ switches. EQ mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters when engaged (in the up position), removing shelved low-end and allowing the high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs. This spec will be found on the Custom 24-08, Modern Eagle V and S2 Custom 24-08.“These EQ switches were developed with and first featured on the Private Stock John McLaughlin model in 2023. Both John and I felt that they offered a different, but just as versatile, sound that played a significant role in the musicality of that guitar. I am happy that we are now extending this feature into more models,” said Paul Reed Smith.PHASE III TUNER EXPANDED OFFERINGThe entire S2 Series and select Bolt-On models are also being updated with Phase III tuners. Designed from scratch in 2012 to be wholly different from Phase II’s, Phase III tuners were originally introduced on PRS’s Core line. Notable features of these tried-and-true tuning machines include a handsome open-back design, highly usable gear ratio, unplated brass shafts, overall lightweight construction, and PRS’s proprietary wing button.PRS has also introduced new colors across their lineup, including Aurora Borealis and Black Gold on select Core models, Egyptian Gold and Platinum Metallic on the Myles Kennedy signature Bolt-On, five new colors on the NF 53, including Matcha Green and Jasper Smokeburst, and three new satin colors on the Fiore, including Lilac Satin, Hibiscus Satin and Amaryllis Satin.All of these specification details are aimed to make better guitars for musicians. Beyond these foundational updates, PRS Guitars is planning a year full of new product and limited-edition introductions. Stay tuned for those updates over the coming months. All things gear can be found on www.prsguitars.com and by following @prsguitars on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.The post Two New Models & Spec Updates as PRS Guitars Continues 40th Anniversary first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Modulathe Is CNC Ready And Will Machine What You WantOnce upon a time, lathes were big heavy machines driven by massive AC motors, hewn out of cast iron and sheer will. Today, we have machine tools of all shapes and sizes, many of which are compact and tidy DIY creations. [Maxim Kachurovskiy]’s Modulathe fits the latter description nicely.
The concept behind the project was simple—this was to be a modular, digital lathe that was open-source and readily buildable on a DIY level, without sacrificing usability. To that end, Modulathe is kitted out to process metal, wooden, and plastic parts, so you can fabricate in whatever material is most appropriate for your needs.
It features a 125 mm chuck and an MT5 spindle, and relies on 15 mm linear rails, 12 mm ball screws, and NEMA23 stepper motors. Because its modular, much of the rest of the design is up to you. You can set it up with pretty much any practical bed length—just choose the right ball screw and rail to achieve it. It’s also set up to work however you like—you can manually operate it, or use it for CNC machining tasks instead.
If you want a small lathe that’s customizable and CNC-ready, this might be the project you’re looking for. We’ve featured some other similar projects in this space, too. Do your research, and explore! If you come up with new grand machine tools of your own design, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Thanks to [mip] for the tip!

G-Sonique Vøn Brezekhiel's TreasuriesThe Vøn Brezekhiel Treasuries instrument is inspired by the lower layers of simulated reality / simulacra and is suitable not only for film and video game music, but also for dark techno, darkpsy,... Read More

Sonical’s CosmOS platform CosmOS is a platform developed by Sonical that has been designed to provide users with in-depth control over, and customisation of their headphones and earphones.

“I fully expect Al to write great songs”: Gary Numan “fascinated and horrified” by potential future of AI in musicEletctro-pop pioneer Gary Numan has always been drawn to the world of technology. 1979 saw him releasing two tracks pondering a tech-infused future, with Tubeway Army’s Are ‘Friends’ Electric? topping UK charts and solo track Metal pondering humanoid robots.
However, the advancing capabilities of AI in music have changed his previous fascination with technology to something closer to horror. “The new album I’m working on now is devoted entirely to Al and how it might impact humanity,” he admits in the latest issue of Blitzed. “I’m fascinated and horrified in equal measure.”

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

While he explains he feels “more sad than scared”, Numan is concerned for what AI will mean for future artists. “There will be Al pop stars and actors who will become as popular, if not more so, than any human,” he theorises. “We will go to shows where the stars are Al but appear on stage just the same… Everything is about to change.”
One needs only consider the success of ABBA Voyage. The avatar-driven shows earned over £100 million in their first year. KISS are hoping to bag just as much success with their own avatar-led shows.
“I fully expect Al to write great songs,” Numan notes. “It will paint extraordinary paintings, write amazing books, stunning poetry. I think for quite some time the world will be amazed and entertained by all the wonders Al will create in the arts.”

However, Numan believes that the human touch will never be fully captured by AI. “Ultimately, if we survive long enough, I hope and suspect that people will slowly return to human created art,” he says. “[People] will once again be looking for the human element, the human experience that created that art. They will look for something real that resonates with their own lives, not a learned Al version of it.”
“That may just be childishly hopeful of course,” he adds. “We will see.”
While Numan hasn’t revealed a release date for his upcoming AI-inspired record, 2021’s Intruder proved that the synth star still has some tricks up his sleeve, peaking at No. 2 on the UK charts.

The post “I fully expect Al to write great songs”: Gary Numan “fascinated and horrified” by potential future of AI in music appeared first on MusicTech.

Neve reveal 88C desktop dynamics unit The latest addition to Neve’s line-up makes the dynamics section from their flagship 88R console available in a significantly smaller, and much more affordable package.

Yamaha to launch $50 million music tech investment fundYamaha has announced plans to invest $50 million in startups in the music tech and audio space. The investment will be the first initiative from the Yamaha Music Innovations fund, which was established in December.
According to Yamaha, the corporate venture capital (CVC) fund comes as part of the company’s mission to “explore innovation opportunities with startups and other companies.” The main aim is to “contribute to the well-being of people around the world through sound and music”.

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

While operation as a corporation is scheduled to fully start in April 2025, Yamaha will be looking to invest in ‘upstream’, ‘midstream’ and ‘downstream’ areas of music. This means all phases of music creation will be eligible for Yamaha’s support, from the recording and production phase, to streaming, all the way to fan engagement.
The company will be hunting for startups with “unique strengths in their respective fields of expertise”. This could include AI tech for video and music production, educational initiatives or well-being projects.
The fund is also interested in supporting labels, artist rights, and streaming and monetisation support.
Due to the focus on “unique strengths”, the fund could also benefit certain pre-existing businesses. For example, if you own an instrument and audio equipment businesses with a particularly niche output, Yamaha may be interested in funding your business.
Overall, the fund aims to “strengthen business development and enhance sustainable growth” within the music industry.
Find out more at Yamaha.
The post Yamaha to launch $50 million music tech investment fund appeared first on MusicTech.

LA Fire Relief For Musicians, Concerts & More: UPDATED 1.20.25Our continuously updated a list of LA fire relief for musicians and music industry professionals along with cancellations, concerts, donations and other resources. UPDATED AS OF 1.20.25.
The post LA Fire Relief For Musicians, Concerts & More: UPDATED 1.20.25 appeared first on Hypebot.

Your Morning Coffee Podcast: 50% of tracks played under 10X • 2025 trends • Album variants • AI music ID • MoreEpisode 232 of Jay Gilbert and Mike Etchart’s podcast Your Morning Coffee: Weekly News for the New Music Business is available now. LISTEN HERE. Episode 232 Listen on your favorite. Continue reading
The post Your Morning Coffee Podcast: 50% of tracks played under 10X • 2025 trends • Album variants • AI music ID • More appeared first on Hypebot.

PSPaudioware PSP WobblerPSP Wobbler is a modulation effect plug-in inspired by and developed in collaboration with the legendary recording engineer, producer, and musician Alan Parsons. PSP Wobbler faithfully recreates... Read More

Heritage Audio launch the OHM Amp The OHM Amp features a built-in Bluetooth receiver, and offers a choice of six different impedances to ensure the best possible performance with a wide range of headphone models.

FireAid benefit concert expands lineup with Oliva Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak and moreThe benefit concert aims to raise funds for communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires
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