Con Raso of Tuned Global Shares His 2026 Music PredictionsHypebot's Future Predictions series is back. Join us as we ask the music industry's expert analysts what they think might unfold in the world of music in 2026.
The post Con Raso of Tuned Global Shares His 2026 Music Predictions appeared first on Hypebot.

Justin Ehrlichman releases JDrummer, a FREE and open-source percussion instrument for Windows and Linux
Justin Ehrlichman’s JDrummer is an open-source VST-3 drum plugin built with the JUICE framework and featuring a range of kits, grooves, and some intelligent composition features. As you’ll see from the title, JDrummer isn’t macOS compatible, so before we get into it, let’s look at some alternatives for Mac users. If you’re after a retro [...]
View post: Justin Ehrlichman releases JDrummer, a FREE and open-source percussion instrument for Windows and Linux

Black Box’s Livia Tortella on Her Top Artist Brands of the DecadeBlack Box shared their widely-anticipated annual "Top Artist Brands" analysis, expectedly featuring some bombshell picks. We talked to CEO Livia Tortella about their list.
The post Black Box’s Livia Tortella on Her Top Artist Brands of the Decade appeared first on Hypebot.

From YouTube pulling its data from Billboard’s charts to HYBE’s new partnership with Tyla’s managers… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest headlines from the past few days...
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Two FREE one-knob audio enhancers from Turnt Plugins and Epica Audio
Turnt Plugins and Epica Audio have both released free one-knob audio effects, and while they come from different developers, the idea behind them is surprisingly similar. If you’re into ultra-simple plugins that aim to enhance your sound with a single control, this article is for you. If not, feel free to skip it and save [...]
View post: Two FREE one-knob audio enhancers from Turnt Plugins and Epica Audio

From clubs to culture: electronic music added to France’s Intangible Cultural Heritage listFrance has officially given electronic music its cultural seal of approval, adding the genre to the country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list.
The decision follows renewed calls from President Emmanuel Macron to recognise French electronic music – also referred to as French touch – as a protected cultural form. Earlier this year, Macron pointed to the genre’s global influence while drawing comparisons with Germany’s recent success.
“I love Germany – you know how pro-European I am,” he said. “But we don’t have to take lessons from anyone. We are the inventors of electro. We have that French touch.”

READ MORE: Study shows clubgoers feel phones are “ruining” the dancefloor

According to Euro News, the listing is viewed as a crucial first step toward securing UNESCO heritage status, putting pioneering artists such as Daft Punk, Justice and Cassius in the same cultural conversation as traditional crafts, regional cuisines and folk music.
The move mirrors Germany’s recent recognition of Berlin techno, which was added to the country’s Intangible Heritage List in 2023 and subsequently received UNESCO status in 2024.
France’s own ICH list forms part of UNESCO’s wider convention, which allows signatory states to register “practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural heritage”. The scope is intentionally broad, covering everything from music and craftsmanship to culinary traditions, games and sports – and now, electronic music.
Speaking on the landmark decision on Wednesday (17 December), French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said: “Electronic music has a rightful place in our national intangible heritage.” She also highlighted recent efforts by the ministry to label nightclubs as “places of artistic expression and celebration”.
Tommy Vaudecrane, president of Technopol – the association for the defence and promotion of electronic music, also described the listing as “an achievement and a historic milestone”.
“The first tears I shed for electronic music were under tear gas when it was demonised,” Vaudecrane told AFP. “The little tear I shed today is the joy of seeing our music finally listed as cultural heritage.”
The post From clubs to culture: electronic music added to France’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list appeared first on MusicTech.

“We’re almost there”: After a viral teaser, Nopia synth inches closer to release with final specs revealedAfter more than two years of viral teasers, prototypes and slow-burning anticipation, Nopia – the ambitious harmony-focused instrument from Argentinian designers Martin Grieco and Rocio Gal – appears to be entering its final stretch.
Described as “currently in an exhaustive testing stage”, the semi-modular MIDI chord generator and synth looks closer than ever to becoming a finished, shippable instrument.

READ MORE: Behringer’s compact and affordable UB-1 MICRO could be the perfect stocking filler

First unveiled as a prototype in 2023, Nopia quickly garnered millions of views on YouTube and garnered worldwide attention. The instrument is Designed to “tap into the mysterious phenomena of how our ears intuitively experience the language of harmony”. It revolves around the concept of tonal harmony, focusing on the relationship between chords, particularly the connection between the tonal centre (the home tone of the key) and the dominant (the fifth note in the key).
At its core, Nopia combines a one-octave “chord builder” keyboard with a 12-button “tonal selector”, allowing players to define a key centre and generate chords that follow the rules of tonal harmony. Each key produces a chord rather than a single note, while a dedicated control lets users alter chord types and add extensions on the fly.
The unit features an onboard multitimbral sound engine, a hybrid of sampled instruments and onboard virtual analogue synths. It also comes with a 5 step effects chain and a multitouch strum plate for expressive gestures such as strumming, chromatic movement and microtonal pitch-bend.
Credit: Nopia
Recent updates also suggest the hardware has matured significantly. Nopia now features an OLED display that shows chord information and parameter values, and each sound module has its own dedicated TRS MIDI output.
While there’s certainly a learning curve, Nopia isn’t aimed solely at theory nerds. “You don’t need to know theory; Nopia takes care of that,” the team explains on their website. “We encourage you to compose, improvise, and have more tools to weave harmony, and train your perception! Of course, if you’re familiar with functional harmony, we think you’ll get a lot out of it too.”
With testing reportedly nearing completion and specs now firmly locked in, Nopia’s long road to release finally feels close to its destination.
Those keen to follow its progress (or get in line for when it drops) can join the waitlist via the official Nopia website.

The post “We’re almost there”: After a viral teaser, Nopia synth inches closer to release with final specs revealed appeared first on MusicTech.

Expressive E release Kontrast Expressive Suite Kontrast Expressive Suite brings over a decade of MPE expertise to Tracktion's unique instrument, delivering a collection of carefully designed presets that fully respond to per-note gestures such as pressure, bends, vibrato and aftertouch. 

Signing Stories: Luke PrestonDate Signed: September 2025Label: Big Loud PublishingType of Music: CountryPublicity: Corey Brewer and Rachel Heatherly / Big Loud, corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.comWeb: bigloud.com

When Luke Preston moved from Clearwater, FL to Nashville, TN in 2011, his mission was to earn a living in the music industry however possible. While working at a grocery store, a friend who was on a major label invited Preston to play bass for him. He said yes, even though he hadn’t touched the instrument since middle school. 

Preston then secured his first songwriting deal in September 2019 and began writing alongside a number of artists affiliated with Big Loud Records, the country music juggernaut founded by GRAMMY-winning songwriter Craig Wiseman. “I started working with Kashus Culpepper, who I’m a big fan of,” reports the tunesmith, whose other musical affiliations include The Lone Bellow, Corey Kent, and Kip Moore, plus Owen Riegling, another Big Loud musician. “The label has a bus they send out when their artists go on tour, so they can write while they’re on the road,” he goes on. “And I got asked to write with Kashus a few times.”

Adam Romaine, Big Loud Publishing’s Sr. Creative Director, loosely manages the bus, and Preston hit things off with the man colloquially known as Romie. Over the course of their time together, Romaine learned that Preston’s publishing deal was coming to an end. Notes Preston, “It was fortuitous timing.”

The rising songwriter had been meeting with other people around town, yet Preston felt a connection with the staff of Big Loud. On top of his friendships with Romaine and Culpepper, there was Sarah Knabe, who played a significant role in boosting the career of another musical buddy, Elvie Shane. Preston stresses how much he values her creative input. 

Preston also puts stock in the quality and nature of the artists on Big Loud. “They’re always pushing into new territory instead of chasing after what’s already successful,” he tells. “It feels like a good fit for me to get in the room and work with some of those people.” The post Signing Stories: Luke Preston first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Crypto CLARITY Act set for Senate markup in January, says SacksWhite House AI and crypto czar David Sacks said the CLARITY Act will reach the Senate next month for debate and amendment before a full vote.

Get a free glitchy sub bass for Splice INSTRUMENT
Download our free sub bass preset for our new Splice INSTRUMENT plugin—grab these presets during the drop window and they’re yours to keep forever.

Instacart to pay $60M to settle FTC claims it deceived consumersThe federal agency alleged Instacart misled consumers with unlawful tactics, causing them to pay higher fees while also denying refunds.

Nostalgic Camera Is A Mashup Of Analog Video GearThese days, you get a fantastic camera with the purchase of just about any modern smartphone. [Abe] missed some of the charm of earlier, lower-quality digital cameras, though, and wanted to recreate that experience. The way forward was obvious. He built a nostalgic digital video camera from scratch!
[Abe] figured he could build the entire project around analog gear, and then simply find a way to store the video digitally, thus creating the effect he was looking for. To that end, the build is based around a small analog video camera that’s intended for use with FPV drones. It runs on 5 to 20 volts and outputs a simple composite video signal. This makes it easy to display its output on a small LCD screen, originally intended to be used with an automotive reversing camera. These were both paired with a mini video recorder module from RunCam, which can capture composite video and store it on a microSD card in 640 x 480 resolution.
These parts were quickly lashed together, with the camera sending its output to the RunCam video recorder module, which then passed it on to the screen. Everything worked as expected, so [Abe] moved on to implementing an on-screen display using the MAX7456 chip, which is built specifically for this purpose. It overlays text on the video feed to the screen as commanded by an RP2040 microcontroller. Once that was all working, [Abe] just had to provide a battery power supply and wrap everything up in a nice retro-styled case. Then, at the last minute, the separate camera and recorder modules were replaced by a TurboWing module that combined both into one.
The result is a nifty-looking camera that produces grainy, slurry, old-school digital video. If you love 640 x 480 as a resolution, you’ll dig this. It’s got strong 90s camcorder vibes, and that’s a very good thing.
We love a good custom camera around these parts, especially those that offer deliciously high resolution. If you’re building your own, be sure to let us know. Video after the break.

AGL VST Customs DRUID XG8 ClassicDRUID XG8 Classic Guitar Amplifier VST3 by AGL VST CUSTOMS. The old fashion tube tone with the AGL VST CUSTOMS signature. Installation: Download the zip file. Unzip it in your VST3 64-bit folder. Donations: https://aglangman.wixsite.com/aglvstcustoms2/copy-of-druid-x2-3 Read More

Sinevibes Skew v2 non-linear reverse delay plugin is now FREE
Skew is an experimental reverse delay plugin that has been around for a few years and was recently updated to Skew v2. With this new update, Sinevibes has implemented various improvements, tweaked the interface, and decided to give us Skew for free. It’s always nice to get a new plugin without digging into your pockets, [...]
View post: Sinevibes Skew v2 non-linear reverse delay plugin is now FREE