Elysia to launch the xmax Aimed at mixing, mastering and live work, the xmax combines a flexible compressor with a simple shelf EQ and a soft clipping circuit derived from the company’s alpha compressor. 

NAMM President Condemns TariffsJohn Mlynczak, President and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has issued a statement condemning the universal tariffs that have been imposed by President Trump. It reads in full as follows:The reciprocal tariffs announced in President Trump’s April 2 Executive Order will have serious and devastating consequences for the music products industry, which is already facing challenges from the previous tariffs imposed on products imported from China, Canada, and Mexico, as well as the additional tariffs on imported materials.  We believe that the imposition of these tariffs on the music products industry will cause U.S. businesses that manufacture guitars, pianos, violins, mandolins, woodwind and percussion instruments, electronic components and accessories to lose their global competitive advantage in producing high-quality, iconic musical instruments at both the professional and entry levels.  The unique supply chains of the music products industry are also unfairly impacted by these tariffs. For example, while the share of all U.S. imports from China is 13.4%, the music products industry’s China imports are 43%. Vietnam is 4.2% overall, while the music products industry is 26%.  We continue to urge the administration to exempt musical instruments and accessories, along with materials used to manufacture musical products, from these measures. The negative effects threaten the economic and cultural impact of U.S.-made musical instruments and accessories.  Exemption from these tariffs for the music products industry will help safeguard the globally recognized American manufacturers of iconic musical products while sustaining competitiveness of our interdependent global industry without undermining the broader objectives of U.S. trade policy. NAMM also stands strongly with the following organizations and their statements: Statement: Consumer Technology Association   Statement: National Retail Federation  Statement: National Association of Manufacturers  NAMM website: www.namm.orgThe post NAMM President Condemns Tariffs first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Live Music Stocks vs Overall Markets This Week 4.1 – 4.4.25Live music stocks this week to be challenging for both the sector and the broader U.S. stock market.
The post Live Music Stocks vs Overall Markets This Week 4.1 – 4.4.25 appeared first on Hypebot.

SEC lays out guidelines for stablecoins, excludes algorithmic tokensThe United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a statement on April 4 establishing guidelines for stablecoins. In an April 4 statement, the agency minted a new term, "covered stablecoins," classifying them as non-securities and exempting such tokens’ transactions from reporting requirements.According to the SEC's definition, a "covered stablecoin" is fully backed by physical fiat reserves or short-term, low-risk, highly liquid instruments and is fully redeemable at a 1:1 ratio with US dollars.The definition precludes algorithmic stablecoins that maintain their US dollar peg using software or an automated trading strategy, leaving the regulatory status of algorithmic stablecoins, synthetic dollars, and yield-bearing fiat tokens uncertain.Current stablecoin market overview. Source: RWA.XYZIndustry leaders and executives are currently pushing for regulatory changes that would allow stablecoin issuers to share yield opportunities with stablecoin holders and offer onchain interest.According to the new guidelines, covered stablecoin issuers must never co-mingle asset reserves with operational capital or offer tokenholders interest, profit, or yield opportunities. Additionally, the covered stablecoin issuers must never use their reserves for investing or market speculation.Related: Stablecoin supply surges $30B in Q1 as investors hedge against volatilitySEC's definition of "covered stablecoin" consistent with broader US policy objectivesThe SEC's criteria for covered stablecoins are consistent with regulations stipulated in the GENIUS stablecoin bill, introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty, and the Stable Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. French Hill.The proposed legislation aims to protect the status of the US dollar as the global reserve currency through stablecoins that are backed by US dollars and government securities.The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) of 2025 Act. Source: US SenateCentralized stablecoin issuers back their tokens with US dollar deposits held in regulated financial institutions and short-term US Treasury Bills, driving demand for US dollars and US government debt.Tether, the world's largest stablecoin issuer, is now the seventh-largest holder of US Treasuries, beating out countries like Canada, Germany, and South Korea.Speaking at the first White House Digital Asset Summit on March 7, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would use stablecoins to extend US dollar dominance.Bessent said that regulating stablecoins was central to the administration's digital asset strategy and a top regulatory priority during the current legislative session.Magazine: Bitcoin payments are being undermined by centralized stablecoins

Vintage Computer Festival East This WeekendIf you’re on the US East Coast, you should head on over to Wall, NJ and check out the Vintage Computer Festival East. After all, [Brian Kernighan] is going to be there. Yes, that [Brian Kernighan].
Events are actually well underway, and you’ve already missed the first few TRS-80 Color Computer programming workshops, but rest assured that they’re going on all weekend. If you’re from the other side of the retrocomputing fence, namely the C64 side, you’ve also got a lot to look forward to, because the theme this year is “The Sounds of Retro” which means that your favorite chiptune chips will be getting a workout.
[Tom Nardi] went to VCF East last year, so if you’re on the fence, just have a look at his writeup and you’ll probably hop in your car, or like us, wish you could. If when you do end up going, let us know how it was in the comments!

TechCrunch Mobility: Tesla takes a hit, tariff chaos begins, and one EV startup hits a milestoneWelcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility! Over the 13 years reporting on Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, I have watched the rise, fall, near misses, and rise again of the company and […]

Trump has extended the TikTok deadline againPresident Trump has extended the deadline that would require China-based ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok operation or be shut down.
The post Trump has extended the TikTok deadline again appeared first on Hypebot.

Impact Soundworks releases the FREE Orchestral Hit System for Kontakt Player
Impact Soundworks released the freely downloadable Orchestral Hit System: High Intensity Transients sound library for Kontakt Player. Orchestral Hit System: High Intensity Transients can be downloaded for free, but the developer welcomes any donations to help with download bandwidth costs (suggested price $5). The library is compatible with the free Kontakt Player version 7.8 upwards. [...]
View post: Impact Soundworks releases the FREE Orchestral Hit System for Kontakt Player

MIDI Agent MIDI AgentMIDI Agent is an AI-powered MIDI generator plugin (VST/AU) that uses natural language commands to create and iterate on MIDI. It lets producers start fresh or build on existing ideas using advanced AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini. MIDI Agent streamlines creative workflow by turning text prompts into musical ideas. Read More

From Pophouse’s $1.3bn music rights fund to Morrissey’s legal action… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
Source

SSL launch the Alpha 8 Packing in eight channels of A-D and D-A conversion along with 18-in/18-out audio interface functionality, the Alpha 8 can be paired seamlessly with the recently released SSL 18, and offers a convenient way to expand any ADAT- or S/PDIF-equipped interface.

Roger Daltrey says improving technology is making musicians lose the “heartbeat” of musicWhile we’ve never had more options in terms of the tools we can call on when making music, not everyone thinks this abundance of choice is a good thing.
Take The Who singer Roger Daltrey, for example. He would go as far as to say boundless innovation in music technology is subtracting from the “heartbeat” of modern music making.

READ MORE: MusicTech returns to print after 5 years in a new premium magazine format

Speaking during a launch event for the hardback edition of Buddy Holly: Words of Love – which celebrates the life of the pioneering guitarist – Daltrey dives deeper into how making music has evolved over the years.
In the early days of rock and roll, Daltrey says [via Music-News] “we were throwing shit at the wall and some of it stuck.”
“There’s something about the technology I feel personally, we’re losing the essence of the heartbeat. Maybe it’s because I’m older, but there’s not much new music.”
While Daltrey appears to be talking about rock music more than any other genre – which has been accused of being stagnant and slow to evolve – his comments about music technology stifling the creative process will certainly get those in the electronic music production world talking.
“I think rock music has been so convoluted because we got to be forced and twisted for a mainstream audience to turn the guitar down,” he says. “Modern music’s been in a strange place, but it’s exciting because it’s really, I feel it’s very democratic again.”
Daltrey goes on to explain how the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has paved the way for artists to take greater control of their own music.
“For the past four years a lot of majors have been able to control what we’ve been placed in front of us, but we know apps like TikTok, Instagram and everything like that I really find that people can provide authenticity again directly.”
He goes on: “If you have a story to tell, you can tell it and tell it to the world. You don’t have to go through seven steps.”
“I think that’s what’s really cool about how rock music [is] at the minute, and modern rock and roll music, I really feel like it’s finding its bounce back,” Daltrey continues. “And it’s becoming hysterical again and it’s exciting. It’s becoming younger again. That’s really cool.”
The post Roger Daltrey says improving technology is making musicians lose the “heartbeat” of music appeared first on MusicTech.

StageBox application by Tracktion Available for both Mac and Windows systems, StageBox makes it simple to transfer instruments and effects setups from a studio session to a live show. 

Former Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flür was once tricked into working with a Thomas Bangalter impersonatorFormer Kraftwerk percussionist Wolfgang Flür was tricked into working with an impersonator pretending to be Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter.
Flür – who was a member of Kraftwerk from 1973-1987, but has been releasing solo music since 2015 – released his new album Times on 28 March. He had previously teased a collaboration with Bangalter in the years prior to its release, but since the album has landed, reports newly claim that the collaboration is not with the real Bangalter, and that Flür has seemingly been tricked.

READ MORE: “When I heard Antenna, I was finally convinced of synthesizer music,” says Former Kraftwerk drummer Wolfgang Flür

For some context, the saga dates back to February 2023, when – as documented in a timeline of events by Luke Perez, the Daft Punk Historian – producer and music partner of Flür, Peter Duggal, posted on social media that “cool things” were emerging from a collaboration with Thomas Bangalter, along with an image from Blitzed Magazine in which Flür and Duggal describe getting a Facebook message from him.
Fans did believe this to be odd, as Bangalter does not have a social media presence, and the post was later deleted. However, skip to January 2024 and in an interview with Blick, Flür mentioned that he had an album releasing in September of that year and that Bangalter (among other artists) would be featured on it. The album was eventually pushed back to March 2025, and Flür further discussed the collaboration on Ben Cardew’s Line Noise Podcast in February, though the episode has seemingly been taken down now.
Eventually, its track listing was revealed, and showed collaborations on two tracks from someone named Thomas Vangarde. ‘Vangarde’ was a fake surname Bangalter’s father previously used to preserve his anonymity, so it was brushed off as being nothing more than a pseudonym.
With the official release of the album, Bangalter’s real name was not credited anywhere, with platforms like Spotify crediting the Vangarde name instead. Shortly after, a representative of the Daft Punk team who runs their official Discord channel wrote online, “PSA: recently a ‘Thomas Vangarde’ was credited on Wolfgang Flür (of Kraftwerk)’s latest album, and it was assumed/reported that this was an alias of Thomas Bangalter. This is confirmed false! Unfortunately it is not Thomas of DP on the project and news otherwise is inaccurate.”
They later stated that legal teams have been made aware, and asked for people to extend Flür some kindness. “It’s not his fault that oversight failed here! Just because the media is being unkind about the mistake doesn’t mean fans have to be. Please do not harass him about the mistake or tell him to feel embarrassed. And please still listen to the rest of Times!” They said.
Wolfgang Flür’s Times is still available to stream or buy now.
The post Former Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flür was once tricked into working with a Thomas Bangalter impersonator appeared first on MusicTech.

MusicTech returns to print after 5 years in a new premium magazine formatFollowing a near-five-year hiatus, MusicTech is set to return to print with an all-new premium magazine format which, alongside our monthly digital covers, will spotlight emerging talent and the gear you need to hear about.
Guitar.com, MusicTech’s sister website, is also returning to print, with Guitar.com launching on 29 May and MusicTech on 31 July. Both magazines will be jam-packed with unmissable features, expert reviews and loads more.
The new MusicTech and Guitar.com print editions will alternate with every bi-monthly edition of NME Magazine – which was also relaunched as a premium version in 2023. This means both brands will get three print editions per calendar year, offering exceptional value for superfans, artists and readers worldwide.
The MusicTech monthly digital cover will continue to spotlight both artists and gear, supported by an in-depth feature, behind-the-scenes video and social-first content.
“Following the successful relaunch of NME Magazine in 2023, we’re thrilled to bring back both Guitar.com and MusicTech in high-quality print formats,” says Holly Bishop, Chief Operating & Commercial Officer at NME Networks.
“These new magazines will reward our global audiences with the thought provoking features and insightful reviews our brands are world-famous for. We can’t wait for you to dive in.”
MusicTech is the world’s leading media brand at the intersection of music and technology, covering how technology is shaping the future of sound for the new generation of music creators and consumers.
Guitar.com is the destination for all things guitar, led by a knowledgeable, curious and expressive editorial team dedicated to connecting audiences with their passions through fun, authentic and helpful content.
To be in with exclusive opportunities in tandem with each launch, make sure you sign up to the Guitar.com and MusicTech mailing lists.
The post MusicTech returns to print after 5 years in a new premium magazine format appeared first on MusicTech.