I Wrote This Because People Are Still Dying.Attune's Matt Thomas calls for the industry to wake up over the threat to artists from mental health and addiction
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Universal Audio UA 1176 plug-in currently free Universal Audio are running a limited-time offer that gives users the chance to claim a free license for UA 1176 Compressor, a special native version of their hugely popular emulation plug-in.

Signing Stories: Deep Sea DiverDate Signed: September 2024Label: Sub Pop RecordsType of Music: Indie RockBand Members: Jessica Dobson, Peter Mansen, Elliot JacksonManagement: Red Light ManagementPublicity: Frank Nieto - frankn@subpop.comWeb: thisisdeepseadiver.comSeattle-based rock band Deep Sea Diver, led by guitarist and vocalist Jessica Dobson, is celebrating their stronger support from their new home at the legendary Sub Pop Records. With the backing of the label, Dobson most looks forward to the extra care and assistance that she will have access to, something foreign coming from her hustling DIY nature."In the beginning, I have been close to the process and it can be painful at times," Dobson shares. "Hearing crickets from the time you send your record in. 'Is it in the void?' 'Do people not like it?' This time around, it was pretty quick that we got responses and Sub Pop was one of the first that said, 'We believe this. Let's keep talking.'""With self-released albums on an independent label, we know what goes into promoting an album, keeping it on the radar... there are moving parts," says Dobson. Dobson has logged time as a touring member for Beck and The Shins and has performed with numerous other acts, including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Spoon, Dinosaur Jr. and more. In addition to headline touring, they've supported Death Cab for Cutie, Wilco, and most recently, playing to the largest audiences of their career, supporting Pearl Jam."It's quite a gift for us to have landed on a label that we have respected for years," says Dobson. "We went with SubPop because they were on board and loved what we were doing already. That's what we'd hope for when signing to a label is that they love you already. You're not having to work backwards." As for connecting with fans and labels alike, Dobson advises, "You cannot force an audience to love what you do. You can just make the best [album] you can, and the people will decide." Deep Sea Diver recently shared a video for “Let Me Go,” a collaboration with Madison Cunningham. Their fourth album Billboard Heart is out now. Check the group on their tour, which kicks off and finishes up with hometown shows in Washington.  – Joseph MalteseThe post Signing Stories: Deep Sea Diver first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Brian Armstrong says Coinbase spent $50M fighting SEC lawsuit – and beat itCoinbase on Friday said the SEC has agreed to drop the lawsuit against the company with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.  The move, which is still subject to the approval of the SEC’s Commissioners, is yet another signal that the Trump administration plans to be more friendly to crypto than the SEC was […]
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Reviewing a Very Dodgy BSK-602 Adjustable Power SupplyThere’s no shortage of cheap & cheerful power supplies which you can obtain from a range of online retailers, but with no listed certification worth anything on them calling them ‘dodgy’ is more of a compliment. On the [DiodeGoneWild] YouTube channel an adjustable power supply by the model name BSK-602 is tested and torn down to see exactly what less than $5 off sites like Alibaba will get you.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, voltage regulation is very unstable with massive drifting when left to heat up for a few hours, even though it does hit the 3 V to 24 V DC and 3 A output that it’s optimistically rated for. After popping open the adapter, a very basic switching mode power supply is revealed with an abysmal component selection and zero regard for safety or primary and secondary side isolation. With the case open, the thermal camera reveals that the secondary side heats up to well over 150 °C, explaining why the case was deforming and the sticker peeling off after a few hours of testing.
The circuit itself is based around a (possibly legit) UC3843RN 500 kHz current mode PWM controller, with the full schematic explained in the video. Highlights include the lack of inrush protection, no EMI filtering, a terrible & temperature-dependent voltage reference, not to mention poor component selection and implementation. Basically it’s an excellent SMPS if you want to blast EMI, fry connected electronics and conceivably burn down your home.

UC3843-based BSK-602 circuit schematic in all its dodgy glory. (Credit: Diode Gone Wild, YouTube)

From Ole Obermann leaving TikTok to Daniel Ek’s $666m… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
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Somerville Sounds Rubber Bridge PlucksOn a whim, spurred by a YouTube binge, Jon Meyer decided to transform a parlor acoustic guitar. He replaced the bridge with rubber, strung it with flat wound strings, and added the cheapest electronics... Read More

Skeuomorphism: What it is and why it matters in music
Learn about what skeuomorphism is, how skeuomorphic design is applied in audio plugins, and why it still matters in 2025 and beyond.

“Without small venues, you wouldn’t have Depeche Mode, which is a world like not really worth living in!”: Kellie Lee Owens on state of electronic musicElectronic music’s been caught in a strange position – although interest in the UK scene is booming, the infrastructure is facing grave threats.
According to findings from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) late last year, 37 per cent of all clubs across the country permanently shut since March 2020. They shut at an average rate of three clubs a week and 150 per year. Should that continue, clubs will be extinct by the end of 2029.

READ MORE: Over 100 UK nightclubs closed in past year, new study claims

Kelly Lee Owens has addressed the state of the industry in an appearance as both guest and co-host on the latest episode of BBC Sounds show Sidetracked with Annie and Nick in which they discuss the report.
“What’s worrying is that you’re getting these great stats that [the industry is] growing… but then you’re also hearing of clubs closing,” Grimshaw points out. “So, it’s interesting that it is growing, but then the venues aren’t there or the smaller venues aren’t there.”

Owens agrees, noting that the threat faced by large venues like Fabric in London was a “a wake-up call”. However, she also says that there should be similar outrage for when the “smaller places” which disappear which “people don’t kick up a fuss” about.
“I always think of Depeche Mode, they were on the tube with their synths coming to these small venues,” replies Owens. “I always think like without small venues, you wouldn’t have Depeche Mode, which is a world like not really worth living in!”
She continues: “So I think there’s a responsibility when it comes to everyone – from the booking agents to ticketing companies – they need to be investing back into these venues so that the up-and-coming people have a place to be.
“It’s ultimately like a symbiotic relationship and we need to start viewing and acting in that way towards it.”
The post “Without small venues, you wouldn’t have Depeche Mode, which is a world like not really worth living in!”: Kellie Lee Owens on state of electronic music appeared first on MusicTech.

ML Sound Labs released Mikko Reflex free version for Mac and Windows
ML Sound Labs released Mikko Reflex Free, a free-to-use edition of their flagship guitar cabinet simulator. According to ML Sound Labs, Mikko Reflex is the “most sophisticated guitar cab sim in the world.” If you feel intrigued, they now offer a demo version of the plugin for free – either as a stand-alone application, VST3, [...]
View post: ML Sound Labs released Mikko Reflex free version for Mac and Windows

Independent, College and Non-Commercial Radio Charts launchIndependent artists and labels often get their start at independent college, community and non-commercial radio. New independent radio charts launched by A2IM and Muzooka should bring much needed attention to these important outlets.
The post Independent, College and Non-Commercial Radio Charts launch appeared first on Hypebot.

UJAM expand UFX Series with Delay & Filter UJAM have announced an expansion of their UFX Series that sees new delay and filter effects join their popular reverb plug-in.

How to Monetize Music on YouTube and TikTokIt's wonderful when a song goes viral, but it's even better to get paid for it. Learn how to monetize music on YouTube and TikTok and get every dime you deserve.
The post How to Monetize Music on YouTube and TikTok appeared first on Hypebot.

Is Musitronics calling out Behringer for “copying” Mu-Tron products?Revered effects pedal brand Musitronics has called out an unnamed German company for “[deciding] to copy a 3rd Mu-Tron product”. The statement, posted on Facebook, sees Musitronics alleging the competing manufacturer of “assimilating the history” of Musitronics and “[dissuading] retailers from carrying out products and musicians to not use them [sic].”
The competing company in question? Musitronics has evidently left it unnamed for a reason, but one potential brand is Behringer, known for creating new music products inspired by vintage gear. The details spelled out by Musitronics seem to align with Behringer – plus, commenters on the post have also suggested it could be Behringer, too.

READ MORE: Behringer takes inspiration from the Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble with its new Chorus Symphony pedal

Behringer released its B-Tron III pedal earlier this month (5 February). In its launch post on Facebook, the brand said it was “bringing back a pedal that shaped ’70s music”. Musitronics’ statement then arrived on 11 February.
“So a $2 Billion German company has decided to copy a 3rd Mu-Tron product,” Musitronics alleges in its post. “It is being distributed, sight unseen, six month pre-order through a $31 billion investment firm which owns the largest online music store in the world. The pedal is most likely entirely made in China and will sell for less than the cost of what it takes us to produce here in the USA. And even admits ‘tariff 1.0’, ‘chip shortages’, Covid, and rising labor costs [sic].”
The other two products emulated by Behringer that Musitronics is seemingly hinting at are the Dual Phase and Octave Divider. On its website, Behringer openly says these are recreations of popular effects from the 1970s – which is when the original Mu-Tron Bi-Phase and Octave Divider products were first launched.
The reactions to the Musitronics Facebook post are mixed, with some arguing that emulations are a natural part of the gear industry as it moves forward and adapts the classics to the modern age, and that not every musician can afford to pay for an original. Others, however, have argued that recreations are unethical.
“We have not raised the price of our products in eight years. Instead, we have continued to innovate new products and do our best to deliver awesome products to last a lifetime,” adds Musitronics. “This company has not only copied the trade-dress (colour schemes, fonts, labels and verbiage), they have even assimilated the history of Musitronics into their videos as if [it] was their own.”

So a $2 Billion German company has decided to copy a 3rd Mu-Tron product. It is being distributed, sight unseen, 6…
Posted by Musitronics on Monday, February 10, 2025

Previously, in response to similar resistance from manufacturers, Behringer has argued that it has made its practice is legal. “IP refers to legally protected rights over creations, such as trademarks or patents,” the company has said. “Unless these protections are registered, the content is typically in the public domain and free to use. This system is intentional. Society thrives on progress, and limiting rights to a few individuals or companies would stifle creativity. Imagine if only one company could produce cars or guitars – innovation would stall, and access would be restricted.”
It further added, “If companies want to protect their IP, they must file for trademarks, patents, or other legal measures. At Music Tribe, we’ve done this with around 100 patents to safeguard our innovations.”
MusicTech has contacted both Mutronics and Behringer for further comment.
The post Is Musitronics calling out Behringer for “copying” Mu-Tron products? appeared first on MusicTech.

Spotify Singles celebrates 10 billion streams worldwide by opening up its Stockholm Studio to artists across EuropeSpotify‘s Stockholm studio has been opened to artists across Europe as a celebration of its Spotify Singles programme crossing the 10 billion stream mark.
The programme is Spotify’s longest-running original recorded music franchise and has hosted more than 750 artists across all genres. It’s responsible for the creation of over 1,000 recordings from 45 countries.

READ MORE: It looks like Spotify lossless audio is coming later this year

To commemorate this, Spotify has officially opened up its studio in Stockholm, Sweden, to artists from all over Europe. First opened back in 2018, the Stockholm Studio has previously only hosted Nordic artists but is now open for artists across the continent.
The first artist to record in the studio was Damiano David, who created a cover of Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks Like A Heart. It was released on the platform earlier this month.

“We are thrilled to have reached the 10 billion stream milestone for Spotify Singles,” says Bryan Johnson, International Head of Artist and Industry Partnerships at Spotify. Since 2016, the program has been an outlet for hundreds of artists to express themselves, engage their fans with new music, and connect with new listeners around the world.”
“By opening up our award-winning Stockholm studio to artists, including emerging artists from all over Europe, we plan to enable even more beneficiaries of the program, while encouraging new opportunities for creative collaboration.”
Federica Tremolada, General Manager Europe at Spotify, adds: “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the reopening of our Stockholm Studio, where it all began for us. This isn’t just about having another recording space; it’s a symbol of our dedication to the rich tapestry of creative diversity and the spirit of collaboration that thrives across Europe.
“We believe that these values are the engines of economic growth, social unity, and cultural exchange. By opening up our Stockholm studio to artists all over Europe – commemorating our 10 billion stream milestone – we’re reaffirming Spotify’s enduring commitment to nurturing talent from Europe and beyond, giving artists the power to make a living from their art and share it with the world.”
The Stockholm Studio will also host a range of artists and projects in 2025, including a Singles collection celebrating the Eurovision catalogue.
The post Spotify Singles celebrates 10 billion streams worldwide by opening up its Stockholm Studio to artists across Europe appeared first on MusicTech.