PRS Guitars Announces Kanami Limited Edition Custom 24-08PRS Guitars today announced the Kanami Limited Edition Custom 24-08. This is the first signature model for guitarist Kanami Tono of Japan’s hard-rock band: BAND-MAID. Kanami is BAND-MAID’s lead guitarist and has been playing PRS for more than a decade. This limited edition is based off her most recent PRS Custom 24-08 guitar but, most notably, boasts PRS’s 85/15 humbuckers and PRS Brushstroke birds."PRS has always been an essential part of BAND-MAID's sound ever since I started playing the Custom 24,” said Kanami Tono. “When thinking about the specs of my signature model, the control layout of the Custom 24-08 was the best choice as a base, because many BAND-MAID songs require the high E note on the 24th fret, and I often switch between humbucker and single-coil sounds. As for the color, I chose Trampas Green Burst. This is the color of my first PRS I bought when I decided to become a professional guitarist with BAND-MAID. One of my dreams to have my own signature model has come true here, and I would say this guitar is an extension of my first PRS. What an honor it is!"The PRS Kanami Limited Edition was soft launched at this weekend’s PRS Guitars & American Vintage Guitar Show in Shibuya, Tokyo. Only 200 of these instruments will be made. Each guitar is hand-signed by Kanami on the guitar’s backplate.For complete specifications, video, and more, please visit https://prsguitars.com/ and follow @prsguitars on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and X to stay in the conversation.The post PRS Guitars Announces Kanami Limited Edition Custom 24-08 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Court asked to review Ed Sheeran ‘Thinking Out Loud’ legal victoryThe owner of part of the rights to Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On is arguing in front of an appeals court to reinstate a case against Ed Sheeran
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Supercon 2024 SAO Petal KiCad Redrawing ProjectLast week I completed the SAO flower badge redrawing task, making a complete KiCad project. Most of the SAO petals are already released as KiCad projects, except for the Petal Matrix. The design features 56 LEDs arranged in eight spiral arms radiating from the center. What it does not feature are straight lines, right angles, nor parts placed on a regular grid.
Importing into KiCad
Circuit Notes for LEDs, Thanks to [spereinabox]I followed the same procedures as the main flower badge with no major hiccups. This design didn’t have any released schematics, but backing out the circuits was straightforward. It also helped that user [sphereinabox] over on the Hackaday Discord server had rung out the LED matrix connections and gave me his notes.
Grep Those Positons
I first wanted to only read the data from the LEDs for analysis, and I didn’t need the full Kicad + Python scripting for that. Using grep on the PCB file, you get a text file that can be easily parsed to get the numbers. I confirmed that the LED placements were truly as irregular as they looked.
My biggest worry was how obtain and re-apply the positions and angles of the LEDs, given the irregular layout of the spiral arms. Just like the random angles of six SAO connector on the badge board, [Voja] doesn’t disappoint on this board, either. I fired up Python and used Matplotlib to get a visual perspective of the randomness of the placements, as one does. Due to the overall shape of the arms, there is a general trend to the numbers. But no obvious equation is discernable.

It was obvious that I needed a script of some sort to locate 56 new KiCad LED footprints onto the board. (Spoiler: I was wrong.) Theoretically I could have processed the PCB text file with bash or Python, creating a modified file. Since I only needed to change a few numbers, this wasn’t completely out of the question. But that is inelegant. It was time to get familiar with the KiCad + Python scripting capabilities. I dug in with gusto, but came away baffled.
KiCad’s Python Console to the Rescue — NOT
This being a one-time task for one specific PCB, writing a KiCad plugin didn’t seem appropriate. Instead, hacking around in the KiCad Python console looked like the way to go. But I didn’t work well for quick experimenting. You open the KiCad PCB console within the PCB editor. But when the console boots up, it doesn’t know anything about the currently loaded PCB. You need to import the Kicad Python interface library, and then open the PCB file. Also, the current state of the Python REPL and the command history are not maintained between restarts of KiCad. I don’t see any advantages of using the built-in Python console over just running a script in your usual Python environment.
Clearly there is a use case for this console. By all appearances, a lot of effort has gone into building up this capability. It appears to be full of features that must be valuable to some users and/or developers. Perhaps I should have stuck with it longer and figured it out.
KiCad Python Script Outside KiCad
This seemed like the perfect solution. The buzz in the community is that modern KiCad versions interface very well with Python. I’ve also been impressed with the improved KiCad project documentation on recent years. “This is going to be easy”, I thought.
First thing to note, the KiCad v8 interface library works only with Python 3.9. I run pyenv on my computers and already have 3.9 installed — check. However, you cannot just do a pip install kicad-something-or-other... to get the KiCad python interface library. These libraries come bundled within the KiCad distribution. Furthermore, they only work with a custom built version of Python 3.9 that is also included in the bundle. While I haven’t encountered this situation before, I figured out you can make pyenv point to a Python that has been installed outside of pyenv. But before I got that working, I made another discovery.
The Python API is not “officially” supported. KiCad has announced that the current Simplified Wrapper and Interface Generator-based Python interface bindings are slated to be deprecated. They are to be replaced by Inter-Process Communication-based bindings in Feb 2026. This tidbit of news coincided with learning of a similar 3rd party library.
Introducing KiUtils
Many people were asking questions about including external pip-installed modules from within the KiCad Python console. This confounded my search results, until I hit upon someone using the KiUtils package to solve the same problem I was having. Armed with this tool, I was up and running in no time. To be fair, I susepct KiUtils may also break when KiCad switched from SWIG to IPC interface, but KiUtils was so much easier to get up and running, I stuck with it.
I wrote a Python script to extract all the information I needed for the LEDs. The next step was to apply those values to the 56 new KiCad LED footprints to place each one in the correct position and orientation. As I searched for an example of writing a PCB file from KiUtils, I saw issue #113, “Broken as of KiCAD 8?”, on the KiUtils GitHub repository. Looks like KiUtils is already broken for v8 files. While I was able to read data from my v8 PCB file, it is reported that KiCad v8 cannot read files written by KiUtils.
Scripting Not Needed — DOH
At a dead end, I was about to hand place all the LEDs manually when I realized I could do it from inside KiCad. My excursions into KiCad and Python scripting were all for naught. The LED footprints had been imported from Altium Circuit Maker as one single footprint per LED (as opposed to some parts which convert as one footprint per pad). This single realization made the problem trivial. I just needed to update footprints from the library. While this did require a few attempts to get the cathode and anodes sorted out, it was basically solved with a single mouse click.
Those Freehand Traces
The imported traces on this PCB were harder to cleanup than those on the badge board. There were a lot of disconinuities in track segments. These artifacts would work fine if you made a real PCB, but because some segment endpoints don’t precisely line up, KiCad doesn’t know they belong to the same net. Here is how these were fixed:

Curved segments endpoints can’t be dragged like a straight line segment can. Solutions:

If the next track is a straight line, drag the line to connect to the curved segment.
If the next track is also a curve, manually route a very short track between the two endpoints.

If you route a track broadside into a curved track, it will usually not connect as far as KiCad is concerned. The solution is to break the curved track at the desired intersection, and those endpoints will accept a connection.
Some end segments were not connected to a pad. These were fixed by either dragging or routing a short trace.

Applying these rules over and over again, I finaly cleared all the discontinuities. Frustratingly, the algorithm to do this task already exists in a KiCad function: Tools -> Cleanup Graphics... -> Fix Discontinuities in Board Outline, and an accompanying tolerance field specified as a length in millimeters. But this operation, as noted in the its name, is restricted to lines on the Edge.Cuts layer.
PCB vs Picture
Detail of Test Pad Differences
When I was all done, I noticed a detail in the photo of the Petal Matrix PCB assembly from the Hackaday reveal article. That board (sitting on a rock) has six debugging / expansion test points connected to the six pins of the SAO connector. But in the Altium Circuit Maker PCB design, there are only two pads, A and B. These connect to the two auxiliary input pins of the AS1115 chip. I don’t know which is correct. (Editor’s note: they were just there for debugging.) If you use this project to build one of these boards, edit it according to your needs.
Conclusion
The SAO Petal Matrix redrawn KiCad project can be found over at this GitHub repository. It isn’t easy to work backwards using KiCad from the PCB to the schematic. I certainly wouldn’t want to reverse engineer a 9U VME board this way. But for many smaller projects, it isn’t an unreasonable task, either. You can also use much simpler tools to get the job done. Earlier this year over on Hackaday.io, user [Skyhawkson] did a gread job backing out schematics from an Apollo-era PCB with Microsoft Paint 3D — a tool released in 2017 and just discontinued last week.

Lucy Huang appointed Chief Technology & Product Officer at TuneCoreExec will be responsible for the company’s development and strategic direction of new technology and products
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The best Black Friday music technology deals 2024: the biggest savings on synths, DJ controllers and plugins right nowYou don’t need to wait until the big day itself to make the most of some of the best Black Friday music technology deals. Black Friday and Cyber Weekend are turning into something of a month-long affair, and all the biggest musical instrument retailers have already begun slashing prices on hundreds of products. So if you’re in the market for a new synth, MIDI controller or plugin bundle, look no further than our guide right here.
So when exactly is Black Friday? It normally falls on the Friday following Thanksgiving in the US, so this year, Black Friday lands on 29 November. While we’re already seeing deals trickle in, the majority of savings occur on Black Friday and the weekend of, which is referred to as Cyber Weekend.
And where can you find savings already? All the biggest retailers are offering discounts, including Thomann, Amazon, Guitar Center and Reverb, and if you’re a plugin enthusiast, Plugin Boutique is hosting some of its best deals of the year.
The team here at MusicTech are already on the prowl searching for the very best Black Friday music deals to save you scouring the web yourself. We’ve included a list of the best deals below, but to save you some time, here are just some of the places we’ll be searching for savings:

UK/EU Deals
US Deals

Thomann
Guitar Center

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Reverb
Reverb

PMT
Zzounds

Editor’s picks – plugins
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FabFilter plugins are some of the best in the biz, with intuitive user interfaces and all the features you need to get your mixes sounding top notch. And you can get up to 25% off select plugins right now at Plugin Boutique.
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Total Studio 4 MAX is IK Multimedia’s all-in-one production suite, with 170 of IK’s most powerful music creation titles, 66 plugins covering the entire creative process, over 19,000 authentic-sounding instruments, over 1,400 creative and studio effects and so much more.
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If you’re eager to expand your mixing and mastering tool belt, look no further. Plugin Boutique has just announced a huge flash sale on Waves plugin bundles – and you could save thousands.
Editor’s picks – synths
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The Arturia PolyBrute Noir is a powerhouse synth which usually retails at $2,699 – but ahead of Black Friday, you can grab it with $1,200 off, meaning you pay just $1,499.
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At just $299, the Arturia Microfreak features both wavetable and digital oscillators, analogue filters, a poly-aftertouch flat “touch plate” keyboard and loads more.
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Legendary synthesis, radically re-imagined. Organic, inspirational, and mind-blowingly powerful. Only $349.
Editor’s picks – MIDI controllers
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Push is a hardware instrument that seamlessly integrates with Ableton Live to give you a hands-on and expressive music-making experience. And in this killer B-stock bargain, you can grab one for just $499 (they’re usually $1,248).
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The Arturia KeyStep is a dream come true for musicians looking to unite their hardware and software. Get yours for just $75.
Editor’s picks – pro audio
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The post The best Black Friday music technology deals 2024: the biggest savings on synths, DJ controllers and plugins right now appeared first on MusicTech.

How To (Officially) Report Shady Spotify PlaylistsWith an estimated 100,000 songs being uploaded to Spotify every day, it’s harder than ever to break through the (literal) noise. And now that AI companies are flooding the DSPs with their so-called “music,” it’s getting even harder to find an audience.

New York L 1926 Lite Piano by Boz Digital Labs is FREE for a limited time
Boz Digital Labs offers the New York L 1926 Lite, the magical sound of a 1926 Steinway Model L, for free (usually $19). I’m not sure when this limited-time offer will expire, so get it while you can. It’s not the first time we’ve had the chance to download the New York L 1926 Lite [...]
View post: New York L 1926 Lite Piano by Boz Digital Labs is FREE for a limited time

SoundCloud expands AI toolkit with new Partnerships and FeaturesSoundCloud expands AI toolkit with partnerships that will integrate new assistive AI tools directly into the platform.
The post SoundCloud expands AI toolkit with new Partnerships and Features appeared first on Hypebot.

Get your Spotify Artists page ready for Spotify Wrapped 2024: 2 DAYS LEFT!Musicians have just two days left to get their Spotify For Artists page ready for Spotify Wrapped 2024.
The post Get your Spotify Artists page ready for Spotify Wrapped 2024: 2 DAYS LEFT! appeared first on Hypebot.

Xaoc Devices introduce Lublin VCA Xaoc Devices say that you can never have too many VCAs, and as such, they’ve decided to add another to their growing collection of Eurorack modules.

Understanding the Boundaries of Fair Use in AIAI companies’ reliance on “fair use” to train their models is under fire, with lawsuits pushing for stricter copyright protection. If fair use fails, some models may even face complete shutdown, marking a major turning point for the industry.
The post Understanding the Boundaries of Fair Use in AI appeared first on Hypebot.

Ed Sheeran says Band Aid 40 didn’t ask his permission to use his vocals – and he wouldn’t have given itEd Sheeran claims he wasn’t asked for permission for his vocals to be used on the new 2024 Ultimate Mix of Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?
In celebration of the original Band Aid’s 40th anniversary, a new version of the song amalgamates all of the voices from the three best-known versions of the track, recorded in 1984, 2004 and 2014. Sheeran performed on the 2014 version, which was recorded to raise money for ebola relief in West Africa.

READ MORE: Dolby is teaming up with Ed Sheeran to show listeners how Dolby Atmos is “pushing music to new boundaries”

Sheeran reposted a comment on his Instagram story by Ghanaian-British musician Fuse ODG, who accused the campaign of “[dehumanising] Africans and [destroying] our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’”.
“My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals,” Sheeran wrote.
“A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by [Fuse ODG].
“This is just my personal stance. I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one. Love to all.”
In recent years, Do They Know It’s Christmas? has become steadily more contentious over its portrayal of Africa. It’s known that the line “And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time,” is geographically inaccurate and it has also been accused of promoting a ‘white saviour’ mentality as well as negative stereotypes about Africa. Notably, only two black musicians appeared on the original version of the song – Kool and The Gang and ex-Shalamar vocalist Jody Watley.

Band Aid founder Bob Geldof has refuted claims of having a “white saviour complex”, telling Times Radio in February the criticism was “the greatest load of bollocks ever”.
“If there was a famine in Italy and someone reacts and they’re white, are they a white saviour?” he asked. “Are the only people allowed to react to an African famine Black? This is a nonsensical, absolutely dismissive argument. It is. I think it’s rubbish.”
Fuse ODG is gearing up to release his own Christmas song, We Know It’s Christmas, having declined an invitation to participate in Band Aid 30 in 2014.
“Ten years ago, I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognised the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa,” read his original post.
“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity.
“By showcasing dehumanising imagery, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership discouraging meaningful engagement.”
Fuse said he aims to “reclaim the narrative, empowering Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity, and position Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism”.
“Today, the diaspora drives the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid proving that Africa’s solutions and progress lies in its own hands.”
The post Ed Sheeran says Band Aid 40 didn’t ask his permission to use his vocals – and he wouldn’t have given it appeared first on MusicTech.

Orchestral Tools Black Friday Sale Running until 5 December 2024, the offer extends to popular titles such as the flagship Berlin Series, Metropolis Ark collection, Pēteris Vasks Strings, Salu and many more. 

Best MIDI controllers to buy in 2024: 13 best Ableton Live controllers to buyIf you use Ableton Live but are looking for a more inspiring, tactile music-making process, an Ableton Live controller is the hands-on solution to your problems. A controller that’s compatible with Ableton Live will personify the DAW’s fundamental aspects, such as faders and knobs, so that you can have better control over your project, plug-ins, and parameters. Step away from the trackpad, give your weary index finger muscles a rest and take your project by the horns with an Ableton Live-optimised controller.

READ MORE: The best controllers to buy in 2022: 15 best MIDI keyboard controllers under $300

From MIDI keyboards to MPCs and touchpads, these 13 Ableton Live controllers will ensure you’re using every aspect of Ableton’s DAW to the best of its ability.
At a glance:

Ableton Push
Novation SL MkIII
Yaeltex TURN
Zerodebug TouchAble Pro
Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3
Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3
PreSonus Atom SQ
Akai Pro APC64
Arturia Keystep Pro
Ableton Move
Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4
OSC/Pilot

Ableton Push
Ableton Push. Image: Ableton
[products ids=”zGOBgr6oSrjeNDbUXcuYg”]
Push is the de facto controller for Live. Many pick up the Live/Push combo on day one of their musical mission. Push is available bundled with any of the three versions of Live – Lite, Standard and Pro. The truth is, Push does such a thorough job out of the box, you need a clear reason not to use it. There’s zero setup time and you’re instantly armed to play instruments, launch clips, and use the knobs to tweak instrument and effect parameters.
The new Push , which many are calling Push 3 but is indeed simply called Push, is being heralded by Ableton as their new “timeless” controller. It can be easily upgraded, modded and updated as Ableton Live updates. It features new standalone capability, meaning you can send Live Sets from Ableton to the device, unplug, take it anywhere and send your projects back again. With 250GB storage, it becomes a portable studio, equivalent to carrying a loaded laptop. Max For Live devices can be loaded, and Ableton Packs can be downloaded directly to Push via wi-fi. Additionally, Push features 64 expressive MPE pads with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch for expressive playing, and a built-in audio interface for recording external instruments. It also supports CV and gate signals for modular instruments. From our own experience handling the Push, the controller is well-designed, sturdy, and enjoyable to use, with a detailed display and a large jog wheel for easy navigation.
Features:

64 MPE pads with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch
8 touch-sensitive rotary knobs
Live Set Transfer
250GB Storage
Built-in Audio Interface
CV and Gate Support
Multi-colour display
Price:

Push: £879/$999
Standalone: £1,699/$1,999

Find out more about the Ableton Push at ableton.com
Novation SL MkIII

[products ids=”570GjSjy7M5t6l6MClcJnS”]
This might be the best Live keyboard controller around at the moment, with an onboard eight-track sequencer, semi-weighted keys, aftertouch, and additional visual feedback from on-key RGB LEDs. Throw in faders, pads, CV and an arpeggiator, and it has you covered for most of your Ableton Live needs. However, it’ll also function as a very capable hub for your hardware rig, which is a real bonus. It’s available in 49 and 61 varieties.
We said: “If you are frustrated by how little your stuff gets on, how little your software seems to gel with a large hardware rig, then this could be the one ring to rule it all. And don’t forget the sequencer angle too. SL MkIII is a game-changer for sequencing your hardware and software away from or, indeed with your computer.”
Features:

49- or 61-note velocity-sensitive, synth-style, semi-weighted keyboard
16 full-colour RGB backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads
2 page and 2 scene launch buttons
8 continuous rotary knobs
8 sliders
Price: £499/$599

Read the full review of the Novation SL MkIII here.
Check out deals for the Novation SL MkIII at Thomann.
Yaeltex TURN
Yaeltex TURN. Image: Yaeltex
[products ids=”21y02PeC2useMC63rod5YX”]
Yaeltex crafts the most beautiful looking custom MIDI controllers, and the Turn is no exception to their impressive catalogue. The brand says it was made to be a “perfect companion” for the Ableton Push 2, but this beauty is more than capable as a standalone product to be used in conjunction with your Ableton Live DAW. With a background boasting a high resolution image of – you guessed it – the surface of Mars, it has encoders, buttons, faders, potentiometers – the lot.
The Miniblock 2 is a smaller, slightly more affordable version. Or, if you’re looking for something even more high end and unique, head to the Yaeltex Factory site to design your own custom controller online, from the knob layout to the colour way.
Features:

32 RGB encoders
24 Small RGB buttons
16 Long RGB buttons
8 faders
32 potentiometers
Price: £1,000/$1,318

Find out more about the Yaeltex TURN at yaeltex.com.
Zerodebug TouchAble Pro

 
[products ids=”wGSL7E0Z263GV4oDY8D3e”]
Available on Android and iOS, TouchAble is an easy-to-use control app designed specifically for Live. You can make mixer adjustments, manipulate effects and parameters, launch clips and scenes, write MIDI notes into the piano roll and much more. TouchAble does a stellar job at putting the full functionality of Live right at your fingertips.
We said: “TouchAble Pro is easy to configure, fast to use, and engages with the software like nothing else. Also, it doesn’t exclude the use of hardware controllers alongside it, such as Push or APC40, or whatever else you have. The Device control is outstanding, and the ability to view two modules together is the icing on the cake. It’s not truly tactile, and using a glass surface for a controller isn’t for everybody, but other than that, I have no quibbles about this at all. This app is the reason I have an iPad Pro.”
Features:

Available on Android & iOS
Split-screen
Extensive MIDI mapping
Waveform view
Automation drawing
Full control of Live’s devices
Price: £28

Read the full review of the Zerodebug TouchAble Pro here.
Download the Zerodebug TouchAble Pro at zerodebug.com.
Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3

[products ids=”59EqFoaLL1fiWMBfZnPw5d”]
The latest incarnation of Novation’s Launchpad range, which debuted in 2009, the Pro Mk3 works brilliantly with clips and instruments in Live, but also as a standalone controller for other MIDI gear. However, it’s primarily a Live controller at heart – and a sturdy, mobile one at that. Its four-track sequencer happily lets you record and tap in MIDI notes into Live, with note-length adjustments for individual steps in a sequence of up to 32.
We said: “If you’re on a budget, this is a good option, especially as it includes a copy of Ableton Live 10 Intro. The real kicker comes in the form of its increased connectivity and sequencer. If you want to send MIDI notes and control messages to synths or drum machines, or VJ software, and you like the idea of a feature-loaded step sequencer, this is ideal for you.”
Features:

64 Touch- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads
4-Track sequencer with 32 steps
Chord mode
Dynamic note and scale modes
8 user-defined modes with Components Editor
Price: £290/$349

Read the full review of the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3 here.
Check out deals for the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3 at Thomann.
Novation Launchkey Mini MK3

[products ids=”1iTykWyhh73qWeLVL1tDIM”]
This compact, affordable, nifty controller from Novation can instantly make your track-tinkering more enjoyable. The Launchkey Mini takes up minimal real estate on your desk, being only 13 inches wide, and is built with 16 RGB, velocity-sensitive pads to take control of your session, drum racks, mixer and more.
It also includes a set of knobs, touch-sensitive mod wheels and some transport controls for tweaking your instruments and effects. The Arp and Fixed Chord modes are great fun, too, providing plenty of options to turn boring parts into intriguing textures.
We said: “Use Live a lot but limited in space? Use Live out and about? If the answer is ‘yes’ to either of these then ‘need’ could well be a word you could use because Launchkey Mini certainly delivers a great control experience for either scenario. We found that after a short time with the (online) manual, we were scooting around Live with aplomb, accessing functions and parameters without having to access our damn computer mouse.”
Features:

16 Velocity-sensitive RGB pads
8 rotary controllers
Touch-sensitive strips for pitch and modulation
Arpeggiator
Fixed Chord Mode – One Finger Chord Automatic
Buttons for recording, playback, stop / solo / mute and octave switching
Price: £99/$109.99

Read the full review of the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 here.
Check out deals for the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 at Thomann.
PreSonus Atom SQ
PreSonus Atom SQ. Image: PreSonus
[products ids=”6nYIYBROBFa8rBlcIcsrPV”]
Atom SQ offers deep integration with both Studio One and Ableton Live, which is ideal for those wielding a double-DAW setup. It offers a pleasing amount of MIDI features like an arpeggiator, scale mode, and different layouts for the 32 pads. You can set the velocity-sensitive pads to represent a keyboard spanning three octaves; a trigger for sampling devices like Drum Rack; as transport controls for Live and much more. When playing an instrument with the pads, you can also deploy aftertouch for further expressivity.
The controller lets you navigate your Live projects with ease using arrow controls, endless rotary encoders and a context-sensitive display for keeping track of your instruments and channels.
We said: “The Atom SQ’s integration with Studio One and Ableton Live is so tight that it makes us wish every company could model itself after PreSonus in this regard. While there are cheaper alternatives out there, you’d have difficulty finding any that match the deep functionality of the Atom.”
Features:

32 velocity-sensitive pads
Arrow controls
Context-sensitive screen displays
Hybrid MIDI keyboard/pad performance
8 rotary encoders
Price: £250/$249.95

Read the full review of the Presonus Atom SQ here.
Check out deals for the Presonus Atom SQ at Thomann.
Akai Pro APC64
Akai Pro APC64. Image: Press
Akai touts its APC64 as a ‘next-generation Ableton Live controller’, and it’s hard to disagree. With its vibrant 8×8 pad grid, the unit doesn’t look dissimilar to the Push — but it has a few tricks of its own up its sleeve.
The APC64 touts an impressive eight touch strips, all fully assignable to give you hands-on control of devices and parameters within Live. Using these, it’s easier than ever to add expression and depth to your music, whether you’re controlling effects in Live, adjusting macros, or writing automation.
Each button has been meticulously mapped so you can focus on creating music, with a handy encoder for navigating sessions without your mouse. And if you fancy going beyond the DAW, you can even use the APC64 as a standalone 32-step sequencer thanks to 3 MIDI ports and 8 CV/Gate outputs.
Features:

64 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with polyphonic aftertouch
8 assignable touch strips
Dedicated transport controls
Seamless Ableton Live integration
Smart screen and encoder for real-time feedback
3 x ⅛” MIDI ports for integrating external hardware
8 x CV/Gate outputs and standalone 32-step sequencer
Price: £250

Find out more about the Akai Pro APC64 at akaipro.com.
Arturia Keystep Pro

[products ids=”7eq2jtsxadk87Pf0O1Lqvt”]
Definitely one of the most attractive controllers in this guide with its white finish, colourfully labelled track sections and bright pastel backlit buttons, the Arturia Keystep Pro, released back in April 2020, injects inspiration into your Ableton Live setup. A compact and sturdy controller, the Keystep Pro offers a ton of creative sequencing tools and is perfect for fans of modular and hardware synths.
We said: “As a hub, it should integrate splendidly with your DAW, computer-based plug-ins, other CV-based equipment, and even good old MIDI modules. Arturia has all the bases covered. The standout feature for us, though, is simply the speed at which the KeyStep Pro allows you to get hooked up and get going.”

Features:

37 mini keys with touch response & aftertouch
4-track step sequencer, 16 step buttons
24-part polyrhythm drum sequencer
Melody sequencer with real-time recording, step recording and step editing (pitch, velocity, gate length and time shift)
Performance friendly sequencer
Price: £350/$460

Read the full review of the Arturia Keystep Pro here.
Check out deals for the Arturia Keystep Pro at Thomann.
Ableton Move
Ableton Move. Image: Ableton
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Designed to capture musical inspiration wherever it strikes, Ableton’s new Move device is primarily a groovebox but with seamless DAW integration.
Equipped with a 4-track system, Move lets you assign each track as one of three existing Live instruments (Drift, Wavetable, and Drum Sampler) and the Move-exclusive Melodic Sampler. Rhythms and melodies can be quickly programmed using the step sequencer, and over 1,500 onboard samples provide a diverse palette of sounds.
Designed for portability, Move features a built-in speaker and microphone, while the battery provides up to four hours of use on a single charge. And once you’re ready to expand your ideas, Wi-Fi connectivity enables easy transfer of sets to Ableton Live, providing a smooth transition from initial inspiration to finished production. Check out our review for the full lowdown.
Features:

4-track system with flexible track assignments
Built-in step sequencer
Over 1,500 samples and presets
Integrated speaker and microphone
Up to four hours of battery life
Wi-Fi connectivity for transferring sets to Ableton Live
Price: £399 / $449

Read our Cover story of the Ableton Move here.

Find out more about the Ableton Move at ableton.com.
Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4
Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4. Image: Press
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This compact, affordable, nifty controller from Novation can instantly make your track-tinkering more enjoyable. The Launchkey Mini takes up minimal real estate on your desk — the 25-key model is just 13 inches wide while the 37-key is around 19 inches.
Both are built with 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads (now with polyphonic aftertouch as of the MK4) to take control of your session, drum racks, mixer, and more. Also included are eight continuous encoders, touch strips for pitch bend and modulation, and handy transport controls to keep you in the zone. The Arp and Chord modes are great fun, too, providing plenty of options to turn boring parts into intriguing textures.
In our review, we said: “The Launchkey Mini is the perfect companion for anyone performing or producing on the move. At the same time, it has many of the features of its larger siblings and is attractively priced. It’s also well-suited to use in a studio, particularly a smaller one, being so unobtrusive it can sit next to or above a computer keyboard without needing extra stands yet providing keys, pads, encoders and DAW control.”
Features:

16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with polyphonic aftertouch
8 continuous encoders controllers
Touch-sensitive strips for pitch and modulation
Arpeggiator
Chord Mode – Chord Map / Fixed Chord / User Chord
Buttons for recording, playback, stop / solo / mute and octave switching
Price: £99 / $109.99

Read the full review of the Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 here.
Find out more about the Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 at novationmusic.com
OSC/Pilot

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Developed by Deadmau5, OSC/Pilot is a customisable control surface application that lets you create personalised interfaces for audio and visual software, including DAWs like Ableton Live.
With its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, you can combine various widgets, such as faders, dials, X/Y pads, and buttons, to design control surfaces tailored precisely to individual workflows. Your imagination is the limit here — so if you’ve ever wanted an entirely bespoke solution, this could be the way forward.
Optimised for touchscreen devices, OSC/Pilot works with touch-enabled Windows computers or via the companion app for iPadOS. And with multi-touch support, performers can interact with several controls simultaneously. Check out our full OSC/Pilot review for more details.
Features:

Drag-and-drop interface for controller creation
Multi-touch support
Customisable widgets including faders, dials, X/Y pads, and buttons
Compatibility with OSC and MIDI protocols
Runs on Windows, macOS, and iPad devices
Price: £41

Read the full review of the OSC/Pilot here.
The post Best MIDI controllers to buy in 2024: 13 best Ableton Live controllers to buy appeared first on MusicTech.

“Get the f**k out of my business right now”: The Musician’s Club CEO under fire after laying off 99 freelancers for not attending a meetingThe CEO of a musical instruments retailer has responded to online backlash after a viral Reddit post revealed his sudden dismissal of 99 contracted freelancers and employees. The post has since been deleted by Reddit moderators.
According to a screenshot of a Slack message posted by the Reddit user and intern, the CEO of The Musician’s Club (and its subsidiary, The Brass Club) was dissatisfied with the poor turnout of a meeting reportedly scheduled for the company’s 110 employees. “11 employees” showed up to the meeting, reads the message. The CEO, Baldvin Oddsson, appears to have then fired the 99 employees who didn’t show, telling them to “Get the fuck out of [his] business right now.”
READ MORE: “It’s a dangerous job to be a young artist”: Skrillex shares sentiments on the music industry and plans for new music in 2025
MusicTech has heard audio clips of one of the company’s subsequent internal meetings and seen further screenshots from Slack conversations. The provided material appears to represent a number of employees expressing frustration and confusion at the mass firing, with one employee — reportedly in a managerial role — claiming: “The main issue [with the company] is our CEO…That’s not gonna change.” A message from Oddsson at 8:24 AM also reads: “Anyone who is not [in the meeting] will be fired at 1 PM today”.
In an official statement to MusicTech, Oddsson says that he’s received “an overwhelming amount of attention – both positive and negative. While some attempted to ‘cancel’ me, it has completely backfired. Our traffic has surged to over 20,000 views, sales are at an all-time high, and we’re receiving hundreds of applications daily.”
The Musician’s Club CEO Baldvin Oddsson fires 99 employees over Slack. Images supplied anonymously to MusicTech
The Reddit user and intern, who asked to remain anonymous, has told MusicTech that they joined The Brass Club on 15 November, fulfilling an unpaid cybersecurity role.
The intern posted on the r/MildlyInfuriating Subreddit on 15 November, “an hour” after joining the company, stating that Oddsson had fired a majority of the 110 employees. The post says, “I joined an internship and an hour later the entire team got fired.” In another comment, they add: “The company is just a startup…[It] relies on remote interns.”
The CEO’s full Slack message, originally shared on Reddit as a screenshot by the purported intern, reads:
“Dear Team…This is Baldvin, the CEO.
“For those of you who did not show up to the meeting this morning, consider this your official notice: you’re all fired. You failed to do what you agreed to, you failed to complete your part of the contract, and you failed to show up to the meetings you were supposed to attend and work for.
“I will cancel all agreements between us. Please return anything you have, sign out of all accounts, and remove yourself from this Slack immediately.
“I gave you an opportunity to make your life better, to work hard, and to grow. Yet you have shown me that you don’t take this seriously. Out of 110 people, only 11 were present this morning. Those 11 get to stay. The rest of you are terminated.
“Get the fuck out of my business right now.”
An anonymous source at The Brass Club tells MusicTech that ​​“there was virtually no notice of a meeting…At around 8:23 AM CST, [Oddsson] threatened anyone who did not show up to be fired,” adding that it “sent the group leaders and long-time workers into a frenzy.”
On the Reddit post, the intern comments that after “attending a meeting and hearing about the terrible work conditions caused by the CEO, I deactivated my account and left. There’s no way I’m going to put work into this potential headache of a company.”
The Musicians Club, based in Wyoming, is an online marketplace specialising in musical instruments and accessories. According to Oddsson’s LinkedIn profile, he founded the company in 2022.
The full official statement Oddsson provided to MusicTech reads:
“Over the past weekend, I’ve received an overwhelming amount of attention — both positive and negative. While some attempted to ‘cancel’ me, it has completely backfired. Our traffic has surged to over 20,000 views, sales are at an all-time high, and we’re receiving hundreds of applications daily.
“I’ve had more than 300 messages, including inquiries from CEOs, industry leaders, and major newspapers requesting interviews. I will do my best to respond over the next few days. I stand by my decisions and the values we uphold. Firing those individuals was the right move for our organization, and we are stronger than ever.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out and supported us through this. The momentum is undeniable, and we are excited to keep moving forward.”
Read more music industry news. 
The post “Get the f**k out of my business right now”: The Musician’s Club CEO under fire after laying off 99 freelancers for not attending a meeting appeared first on MusicTech.