Making Steam-Powered LEGO MachinesOver the decades we have seen a lot of methods for powering LEGO-based contraptions, ranging from LEGO Technic pneumatics to electric motors, but what about steam power? We have all seen those cute little model steam engines that can definitely put out some power. Sure, you can just drop those in like a kind of confused internal combustion engine, or you can try to make a steam engine that actually tries to be directly compatible with LEGO.
While exploring this topic, [Jamie’s Brick Jams] on YouTube found that the primary concern here is simply the very hot steam produced by the boiler. While not a surprise to anyone who has ever run a model steam engine, this poses a major challenge to the thermoplastics used by LEGO.
Obviously a boiler cannot be made out of plastic, but the steam turbine can. That said, material selection here is key, as the hot, wet steam produced by the boiler demolishes PLA parts and ruined the original and very unsafe copper boiler in the process. Ultimately a LEGO Technic-compatible steam turbine was printed in high temperature resistant PAHT-CF and PC filament, which enables a steam-powered LEGO walker to come to life, albeit with a distinct lack of power.
Model steam engine enthusiasts are of course quick to point out that you should try to create dry steam through superheating, definitely add a safety valve and so on, all of which should make for an even more powerful and safe LEGO steam engine. For a rundown of how steam engines work, [Lawrie] did an excellent video on the basics a while back, as well as a video playlist full of demonstrations of both classical Mamod model engines and questionable modern takes.
Suffice it to say that although model steam engines look like toys, they involve fire, hot steam and other fascinating ways to melt things, light them on fire and cause painful injuries, so definitely follow a safety briefing before attempting any of it at home.

BeatStars has paid creators over $400m to date. CEO Abe Batshon wants 1 million musicians to earn a living from his platform1.5 million tracks are downloaded monthly from BeatStars' marketplace of 11 million-plus beats
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Synchro Arts release RePitch 2 Synchro Arts' pitch-correction plug-in has just been treated to a signficant update that introduces multitrack editing along with improved note editing, a redesigned GUI and more.

Fracture Sounds releases FREE Blueprint: Clavinet for Kontakt Player
Fracture Sounds released Blueprint: Clavinet, a FREE funky clav for Kontakt Player. As I say in every single Fracture Sounds post, the Blueprint series has provided some of my absolute favorite free sounds. Their latest addition is the Blueprint: Clavinet, a free funky clav for Kontakt Player. The instruments are so good that any developer could [...]
View post: Fracture Sounds releases FREE Blueprint: Clavinet for Kontakt Player

RipX is an AI-powered DAW with augmented reality – and it’s now available on iOSLast year we awarded Hit’n’Mix’s RipX a respectable 9/10, commending both its comprehensive DAW experience and AI-powered stem separation tools. Now, RipX is available on the go, as it arrives on iOS for iPhone and iPad users. There’s also a few new features optimised for its new portable environment.
Most significantly, the iOS version of RipX has an entirely new AR Mode, which scans your environment and places instruments throughout your space, allowing you to walk around and ‘play’ the instruments and hear them through immersive spatial audio.

READ MORE: How Jim-E Stack turns the studio into a sandbox: “I’m not trying to push anyone through a certain mould”

The idea is to give you a sense of how each instrument would sound in your space – meaning if you move closer or further away from a piano, you’ll hear the difference. The same goes with any other parts of a track you might place throughout your space; if you gravitate away from where you place your vocal track and towards your drums, the vocals will lower and the volume of drumming will increase.
AR Mode also allows you to tweak your track with physical movement, thanks to its REACT functionality. This allows you to essentially transform your ‘movement into sound design’, meaning you can tilt or turn your iPhone or iPad to reshape your effects and sounds in real time.
Whether you want to remix a section of add in a few new notes, you can also record your physical AR remixes and performances via the app. This is thanks to a new music video capturing feature, which also allows you to share your videos instantly.

Of course, beyond the AR perks, the IOS version of RipX still offers a a fully-fledged DAW experience. You can comfortably edit, tweak pitch, and add in effects with ease. There’s even Track Starters to kickstart the creative process, providing some loops and foundational ideas to get ideas flowing.
“RipX blurs the line between listening and creating,” Martin Dawe, founder and developer at Hit’n’Mix, explains. “It gives anyone the power to step inside sound – to feel and shape music as naturally as they move.”
RipX is available to download for free via the App Store. There’s an optional Backstage Pass available at an extra cost to unlock full creative features.
The post RipX is an AI-powered DAW with augmented reality – and it’s now available on iOS appeared first on MusicTech.

HoRNet HoRNet ZeroEQZeroEQ is an intelligent automatic equalizer featuring dual-engine processing. HarmoniQ engine detects and removes harmonic resonances (up to 30 harmonics) using FFT analysis. BalanceEQ engine analyzes and balances overall frequency spectrum. Includes manual controls for Brightness and V-Shape adjustment, real-time visual feedback, and automatic gain compensation. Designed for corrective EQ and tonal shaping in mixing and mastering workflows. Key Features. Analysis & Detection: • Automatic harmonic resonance detection (HarmoniQ engine). • Automatic spectral balance analysis (BalanceEQ engine). • Real-time FFT analysis (8192 points). • Visual feedback with dual display system. • Problem frequency highlighting. Processing: • Dual-engine EQ processing (corrective + tonal). • Automatic gain compensation option. • Transparent, musical sound quality. • Low CPU usage. • Zero-latency. Controls: • Brightness control. • V-Shape control. • Loudness compensation toggle. • Bypass switch. Interface: • Dual visual displays (HarmoniQ + BalanceEQ). • Real-time frequency spectrum analyzer. • Combined frequency response graph. • Gain reduction metering. • Resizable UI. Workflow: • Automatic analysis on playback. • Real-time processing. • Visual problem identification. • One-click correction capability. • Manual fine-tuning options. Read More

You know how everyone cares when you share your Spotify Wrapped? Well, now you can do it every dayJust can’t wait a couple months for your Spotify Wrapped? You’re in luck. The streaming platform has just launched Listening Stats, a new regular snapshot of your listening habits which you can share far more often than just once a year.
Available to both Free and Premium users, the Listening Stats can be access by clicking your profile picture in the top left corner.
While Wrapped serves as an annual overview of your listening history, Listening Stats provides an ever-evolving map of your music taste, updating every 24 hours to provide you with an accurate reflection of your listening patterns over the past week.

READ MORE: Why Universal Audio’s CEO wants you to talk to your DAW

While daylists and Discover Weekly playlists are geared towards your music taste, Listening Stats aims to provide an even more personal recommendation system. Listening Stats scratches your freshest musical itches, recommending tracks that appeal to your most recent listening habits.
While your stats update every day, you also get a broader summary every week. When it refreshes, you’ll be able to see your top artists from the past 4 weeks, as well as a weekly Listening Stats-inspired playlist full of artists you might enjoy.
Credit: Spotify
The weekly refresh also puts a spotlight on any new artists you’ve discovered recently that have left their mark, and focuses on any ‘milestone moments’ or significant traits in your listening history that feel truly ‘unique’.
We all know how all of our friends social media stories become all about Spotify Wrapped when it drops every year, but Listening Stats is also shareable, making it easier than ever to compare your stats with friends.
To find out more, head to the Spotify Newsroom.
The post You know how everyone cares when you share your Spotify Wrapped? Well, now you can do it every day appeared first on MusicTech.

Lounge Lizard Expressive Suite from Expressive E The latest arrival to Expressive E's range of expansion packs includes 100 MPE presets for Applied Acoustic Systems’ popular Lounge Lizard EP-5 physically modelled electric piano. 

How To Legally (and Ethically) Distribute Music Made With AI Without It Getting Taken DownThe use of AI in music production has grown massively in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. But this has also changed the game when it comes to music distribution and streaming.

How To Legally (and Ethically) Distribute Music Made With AI Without It Getting Taken DownThe use of AI in music production has grown massively in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. But this has also changed the game when it comes to music distribution and streaming.

DistroKid Launches “Direct,” the Next Step in Expanding Its Artist-Centered Ecosystem Beyond DistributionDistroKid announced the launch of Direct — a new direct-to-fan platform that expands the company’s offerings beyond audio and video distribution.

DistroKid Launches “Direct,” the Next Step in Expanding Its Artist-Centered Ecosystem Beyond DistributionDistroKid announced the launch of Direct — a new direct-to-fan platform that expands the company’s offerings beyond audio and video distribution.

Sonuscore releases The Pulse Elements, FREE Cinematic Ensemble for Kontakt Player
Sonuscore releases The Pulse Elements, a FREE cinematic ensemble instrument for Kontakt Player The Pulse Elements is a free, trimmed-down version of Sonuscore’s premium cinematic Kontakt instrument (The Pulse). Downloading The Pulse Elements is relatively quick and painless, but you’ll have to install Native Access if you don’t already have it and register your serial number [...]
View post: Sonuscore releases The Pulse Elements, FREE Cinematic Ensemble for Kontakt Player

Introducing Dune: a New Music Startup Letting Fans Own Stakes in ArtistsA new UK-based app, Dune, is raising seed funding to build a marketplace where artists and fans can connect with revenue-generating opportunities modelled after stocks.
The post Introducing Dune: a New Music Startup Letting Fans Own Stakes in Artists appeared first on Hypebot.

New Data Shows Japan Leading Growth in Premium Music StreamingPremium listeners on streaming services represent a growing consumer market in Japan, leading APAC, according to data.
The post New Data Shows Japan Leading Growth in Premium Music Streaming appeared first on Hypebot.