From Sony’s $2.5bn spent in the past year to UMG’s Patrick Whitesell JV… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days
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ZenSound Serum2 ConnexiaSERUM2 CONNEXIA [AXIOM] Formed by 210 brand new patches designed for electronic, action, filmscore soundtracks and trailer music. Connexia offers a powerful, dynamic, industrial, gritty and damaged sound, a well balanced blend of analogue and digital. Influenced by the soundtracks of Mac Quayle (Mr Robot, Contagion), Ben Salisbury & Geoff Barrow (Ex Machina, Archive 81), Clint Mansell & Lorne Balfe (Ghost in the Shell) and the music of David Wright, Solar Fields and ARC. Tension building fast paced arps, dynamic and future shaped sequences, dramatic and complex percussion patterns, corroded and aggressive bass loops, slow evolving soundscapes, suspenseful dystopian keys and synths, lush menacing leads and edgy ethereal pads. Connexia recreates a hopeless collapsed world where synthetic human hybrids live in oppression and persecution, a megacorporation rogue AI taking unauthorized access to classified information, a quantum experiment went wrong causing time fractures across different eras. Full range of sounds; wavetable, spectral, multisample, granular oscillators and the effects rack adding detail and character to each patch. All eight macros are assigned for all the patches, ideal to perfectly fit the patch in your track or totally transform it with the twist of a few macro knobs; easy and quick. As extra there is CONNEXIA [AXIOM] adding 50 carefully selected expansion patches, with more degradation and more punch. Price: € 29. Read More

Bandcamp offers musicians community and tools to growBandcamp offers musicians community and tools to grow, Its low commission, direct-to-fan model funds albums, tours, and careers. Take a deep dive with Bandcamp's J. Edward Keyes and music marketers Michael Brandvold and Jay Gilbert.
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Spotify mental health programs expand Heart & Soul initiativesSpotify has expanded its Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative. First launched in 2018, the Spotify mental health programs now include financial support for non-profits and musicians seeking care as well as expanded access.
The post Spotify mental health programs expand Heart & Soul initiatives appeared first on Hypebot.

Ibiza finally has an audiophile bar – here’s what it entailsBeach restaurant El Silencio Ibiza has opened the Urusai Sunset Bar, the island’s “first true vinyl-listening audiophile experience” dedicated to vinyl-only DJ sets and deep listening.
The bar is inspired by the Japanese jazz kissa tradition (cafes that specialise in playing recorded jazz music through high-quality audio systems), and is described as “a soulful fusion of vinyl culture, Japanese ritual, and Balearic legacy”.

READ MORE: Gadhouse’s vintage-inspired HENRY turntable offers “the perfect combination of nostalgia and progress”

The bar is located on the western coast of Cala Molí, and is open daily from 6pm (or golden hour, some might say) and into the night, during which you can hear genres including a mix of Western and Eastern Jazz, Soul, Funk, Disco, Afro-Boogie, and Balearic Disco.
The programming is curated by Jaime Fiorito, son of Balearic pioneer DJ Alfredo, and blends rare and reissued vinyl from the 1970s through to the 2000s, featuring records by Alice Coltrane, Patrick Cowley, Susana Estrada, Degrees of Freedom, Nu Guinea, and more.
The space has been designed by Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture, and in true kissa style, Urusai has a custom-built sound system that delivers “studio-grade clarity”. At its core is a hybrid analogue-digital mixer, completed by handcrafted coaxial speakers made from Baltic birch plywood, with each unit individually amplified for balance and tonal depth.

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“Urusai isn’t a club or a lounge, it’s a community in the making,” reads a press release. “It recalls the spirit of Ibiza in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when aristocrats danced beside farmers, and music discovery took precedence over genre.
“Providing a place for vinyl heads, creatives, collectors, and those who crave something more intimate and intentional. Urusai is a place where people from all walks of life can come together, united by a deep love for sound, sunsets, and soulful connection.”
To book a table, head over to the Urusai Sunset Bar website. 
The post Ibiza finally has an audiophile bar – here’s what it entails appeared first on MusicTech.

Spotify partners with Backline to launch first-of-its-kind mental health hub for music industry professionalsSpotify has teamed up with Backline, a nonprofit organisation connecting music industry professionals and their family members with mental health resources, to launch a global mental health initiative.
As part of the initiative, which is called Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators, Spotify and Backline are introducing the “first-ever” Global Mental Health Resource Hub – a “comprehensive support platform”.

READ MORE: Will Spotify be correct with its annual Songs of Summer predictions?

This is the first time that Backline has expanded its services beyond the United States, with the hub launched to support not just artists, but also touring crew and other music industry workers at all levels amid an ongoing mental health crisis.
As part of the Heart & Soul initiative, you can now get international support from Backline across a multilingual database featuring trusted music industry and mental health support resources and crisis lines from around the world. Backline has also launched global@backline.care, a dedicated email service that provides one-on-one support to help individuals navigate local care options in their countries.
A free digital guide titled Mind The Music: A Mental Health Guide for the Music Industry is also available, designed for every role in the industry and featuring tools to stay grounded on the road.
Furthermore, there’s also free support for Spotify’s EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the US via Music’s Mental Health Fund, a joint programme from Backline and Sweet Relief Musicians’ Fund that provides grants to cover the cost of therapy.

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“Backline is honoured to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community,” says Backline Executive Director & Co-Founder, Hilary Gleason. “Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders. Music knows no bounds, and now people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community.”
Spotify Head of Artist & Label Partnerships, Monica Herrera Damashek, adds: “It’s clear that the mental health challenges artists face are real, and that the current support systems often fall short. It’s on all of us in the industry to respond with action… We know this is only one step but we look forward to building on this for a more supported, sustainable environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”
“Heart & Soul is our commitment to the creators behind the music. Artists and songwriters face immense pressure, and their mental health can’t be an afterthought,” states Lauren Siegal Wurgaft, Head of Social Impact at Spotify. “Supporting creators’ well-being is essential to sustaining a vibrant music ecosystem.”
To find out more or get support, head over to Backline.
The post Spotify partners with Backline to launch first-of-its-kind mental health hub for music industry professionals appeared first on MusicTech.

Soulyft Audio release Chime The latest addition to the Soulyft Audio line-up is a gesture-based soft synth that turns noise into soundscapes using a combination of touch control, filters, delay and reverb.

MusicTech’s favourite plugins of 2025 — so farWe’re halfway through 2025, but plugin developers have already dropped enough software this year to keep you busy for about a decade. MusicTech’s reviewers have checking out as many of them as possible — thankfully, we’ve found some absolute gems and separated the hype from the genuinely helpful.
Whether you’re hunting for the best VST plugins of 2025 or just looking to upgrade your go-to tools, our team of producers and reviewers have some useful options. From sleek EQs to leftfield synths, these are the plugins that have actually made it into our day-to-day projects — and might just earn a spot in yours too. Here are MusicTech’s favourite plugins of 2025…so far.
Wavea’s Flite is one beautiful maiden voyage
Play interface. Image: MusicTech
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Beautifully wrapped in a minimalist UI, Wavea’s debut Flite plugin is a colourful playground of sound design that I’ve come back to time and time again. The starting point is an expertly curated preset library, but there’s so much versatility and scope for crafting unique and experimental sounds. With four samplers, a three-oscillator synth engine and a rounded selection of built-in effects, Flite’s strength lies in how easy it is to stack, combine, and route these modules swiftly and intuitively.
Flite proves there’s still plenty of room for indie developers to knock it out of the plugin park and stand shoulder to shoulder with the giant developers.
As mentioned in my review of Wavea Flite, it’s great value for money at $99. “This endearing plugin could easily become a firm favourite in your kit,” I added. “Considering that this plugin is the maiden flight from Wavea, you might expect it to be a little rough around the edges. Instead, Flite is warm, inviting and packed full of fun.”
— Garling Wu
Waves Curves Equator is an amazing value plugin
Editing on Curves Equator. Image: MusicTech
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The plugin I’ve probably used the most this year is Waves Curves Equator. I’m still a big fan of Oeksound’s Soothe 2, but I’ve found this to be a killer alternative for quickly and easily tucking in resonant frequencies on tracks and mixes. It’s relatively light on resources and just seems to get the job done with fairly minimal tweaking. However, if you want to delve in and target certain sections of the spectrum, then you have several methods for only affecting the problem frequencies. It’s a powerful tool for beginners and pros alike that can be used alongside traditional EQ techniques to create smoother-sounding mixes. You can also pick it up on sale for the ridiculous price of $35 — bargain!
In my review of Waves Curves Equator, I noted how I can “quickly dial in improvements that benefit individual tracks, or a whole mix when used more sparingly. When it comes to very fine-tuned resonance suppression, I would probably still reach for Soothe2 as it can be more precise– as mentioned, there are better plugins for reducing mix clashes. But for general mix duties, Curves Equator is a superb choice.”
— Alex Holmes
It might as well be FabFilter Pro-Q 4
FabFilter Pro-Q 4
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No matter what you’re doing with your DAW, the chances are that you have an EQ plugin on every channel. Even if you don’t perform surgery with the dynamic and spectral functionality with every instance of the plugin, FabFilter’s Pro-Q 4 is still an invaluable workhorse — and a gift that keeps on giving.
Simply by using the different character modes (Clean, Subtle, and Warm) with Gain-Q Interaction active, you start to get more musical results on busses or individual tracks, and improve your EQ skills while you do it. Then, when you want to go deeper, the spectral mode is perfect for taming the highs on overheads while keeping everything intact.
In my review of FabFilter Pro-Q 4, I said, “While other tools like Soothe2 and Gullfoss each apply their brand of magic to correcting unwanted resonances, Pro-Q 4 is not easily replaceable, given its versatility and depth of features. Pro-Q 4 will be loved equally by pro mixing and mastering engineers as it is by today’s generation of beat-makers and independent music producers.”
— Stefan Wyeth
The formidable T-RackS 6 Mastering Console
Credit: IK Multimedia
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It’s not often you review a plugin that immediately becomes a cornerstone of your creative process, but IK Multimedia’s T-RackS Mastering Console is easily my most-used tool this year. It’s got a slick UI, presents for a variety of mixing styles, and high-end features for finalising and releasing music. Whether you’re actually mastering a track or just want to make sure a demo sounds as convincing as possible, the T-RackS Mastering console can add some ready-made magic to any mix.
Mastering Console pulls off what seemingly every plugin developer is trying to do right now — it takes parts of production that were mysterious and expensive, and opens them up for everyone.
Like I said in my review of IK Multimedia’s plugin bundle Total Studio 5, the tremendous power of T-RackS 6 almost makes up for the cost of the entire Total Studio bundle on its own.
— Clovis McEvoy
Arturia Pigments 6 — maybe the only synth you’ll ever need
Envelope Follower. Image: Press
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I have an endless and deep fascination with sound synthesis in all its forms, and so have always been a big fan of Pigments’ semi-modular approach and hugely varied voice.
Here’s an instrument that can mimic a Minimoog, an MS-20, a Jupiter 8, and myriad other classic synths. It can be a mash-up of the best features of such classic synths, or it can be something entirely new and original. As the icing on the cake, Arturia’s sublime UI and UX design makes Pigments pretty much the best-looking plugin synth on the market, and also one of the easiest to use. What’s not to love?
I said in my Pigmnets 6 review that “it is an analogue monster, a digital dream, a sampling powerhouse, and now a physical modelling marvel.” Plus, its chameleon-like ability to be so many different types of synth means it could be the only synth you will ever need.
— Adam Crute
Output Co-Producer — an AI-powered plugin that actually promises to assist you
Output Co-Producer. Image: Output
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Output’s Co-Producer feels like it takes the best of developments in cutting-edge tech while avoiding the rest. Working as a plug-in, it listens to your track and provides instant access to a vast and ever-expanding library of project-appropriate loops made by real humans – no AI-generated music here. Preview and drag and drop them into your DAW directly inside a project. Easy.
I haven’t reviewed Co-Producer for MusicTech yet but, having used it a lot already, it solves my problem of choice overload — who wants to navigate through thousands of loops over and over? And since all the content is royalty-free free you are completely covered. The library adds new content regularly, so you can stay inspired.
In short, using a form of AI that encourages your creativity rather than replacing it, Co-Producer shows how technology can support music-makers in a positive way.
— Hollin Jones
Want more gear buying assistance? Check out our buyer’s guides.
 
 
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Solana futures open interest hits $7.4B amid ETF speculation: Is $200 SOL next?SOL’s futures open interest hits a 2-year high above $7.4 billion, but neutral funding and declining DEX activity cast doubt on a breakout to $200.

Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament (RIGT) Partners with Altadena MusiciansParticipants from last year’s 2024 Recording Industry Golf Tournament.Like golf? Like poker? Read on."Excitement has been building for the upcoming 2025 Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament (RIGT), which will be held Monday, June 23, 2025, at Sand Canyon Country Club in Santa Clarita, CA, and event organizer Karen Dunn of KMD Productions, LLC, has announced a special new partner for this year’s Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament (RIGT): Altadena Musicians and its Instrumental Giving initiative," a statement released on Thursday reads. "Founded by acclaimed composer and musician Brandon Jay in partnership with the Creative Visions Foundation [a 501(c)(3) nonprofit], Altadena Musicians is an artist-led recovery effort that brings music back to life for those impacted by natural disasters, especially young and emerging artists, by putting instruments, gear, and vital resources back into their hands. Launched in response to the devastating California wildfires, including the Eaton fire that destroyed Jay’s home, studio, and nearly all of his family’s instruments, the initiative connects fire-impacted musicians with donors, retailers, and manufacturers through a streamlined gear replacement system modeled after a wedding registry. From guitars and keyboards to turntables and record collections, Altadena Musicians is committed to helping musicians of all ages and genres rebuild their creative lives.""This year’s RIGT will also serve as an official instrument drive drop-off to support the Instrumental Giving campaign," they continue. "Attendees are encouraged to bring instruments, gear, or records to donate and join the growing community of industry supporters helping to reignite creativity, one instrument at a time. Visit altadenamusicians.org for more information, to donate, or to apply for the registry."“Many members of the southern California music community were devasted by the wildfires earlier this year, and they lost precious gear and instruments. Partnering with Altadena Musicians is a small way for us to help the community heal and get back into the swing of making the music we love,” stated Dunn.More about the RIGT:"Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the event will see its shotgun start at 12:00 noon PDT and the Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament beginning at 2:00 p.m. Slots are available for players (golf, poker or both), sponsors and volunteers.""Since 2015, the RIGT has served as a fun retreat for L.A. recording industry veterans, but the past few years have also been attracting plenty of audio students and younger, emerging members of the community. In store, expect a chance at $1 million, a $10k hole-in-one prize, a $5000 putting contest, fun photo/social media content opportunities, and the 'Infamous Traveling Tequila Carts.' And returning is the Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament – always a popular highlight of the day’s festivities!""Sponsors include Audio Engineering Society, AKG, Apogee, ASG (Advanced Systems Group), Clyne Media, JBL, Lonely Feather Studios, Lurssen Mastering, PDI (Progressive Designs Inc.), the Recording Studio Insurance Program, SSL (Solid Stage Logic), studioespresso and Ultimate Ears Pro. There is still time left to sign up as a sponsor."Visit here to lock in your involvement, or contact Dunn directly at 925-708-0307 for more information. Golfers can sign up as complete foursomes, as pairs, or singles (who will be matched up into foursomes). A special reduced rate is also available for students.Visit https://birdease.com/2025RIGT for more information, or call Karen Dunn at 925-708-0307.The post Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament (RIGT) Partners with Altadena Musicians first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

After a string of successes, early-stage fund Felicis raises fresh $900MLately, Felicis, like most VCs, has been all over AI. Its portfolio now includes, for example, Browser Use, Poolside, Runway, and Supabase.

Spitfire Audio Jupiter by Trevor HornJupiter by Trevor Horn Jupiter by Trevor Horn is a unique virtual instrument from Spitfire Audio, offering a comprehensive collection of sounds meticulously crafted and curated by the legendary pop producer Trevor Horn himself. This plugin is designed to encapsulate the iconic production style and otherworldly sonic elements that defined Horn's groundbreaking work with artists like Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Yes, Seal, and Grace Jones. It's more than just a sample library; it's a deep dive into the sonic DNA of pop innovation, blending vintage warmth with futuristic digital textures. Powered by Spitfire Audio's eDNA engine and housed within their dedicated "Solar" plugin, Jupiter goes beyond static samples. It provides a rich palette of drums, basses, synthesizers, a pristine Bösendorfer grand piano, and a unique FX library, all imbued with Horn's signature touch. The eDNA interface within Solar allows for extensive sound manipulation, offering "warps" that range from period-specific gated reverbs and tape saturation to bit-crushing and vintage modulation effects. This empowers producers not only to recreate the classic sounds of the 80s and 90s but also to reinvent them, pushing creative boundaries for modern synth-wave and electro-pop productions. Whether you're looking for the punchy drums that defined an era, the lush synths from his personal archives, or the bright, pop-infused piano sound recorded in his own studio, Jupiter provides an authentic and inspiring sonic toolkit. Features: Curated Sound Library: A comprehensive collection of drums, basses, synths, piano, and FX, all crafted and curated by Trevor Horn. Trevor Horn's Private Sample Archive: Exclusive access to Horn's personal drum machine samples, featuring vintage tones and tape-saturated percussion. Curated Synth Presets: A diverse range of synth textures from Horn's archives and Spitfire Audio's sound design team, including warm analog pads, futuristic digital leads, string clusters, harmonic stabs, and galactic plucks. Bösendorfer Grand Piano: A meticulously recorded Bösendorfer grand piano from Trevor Horn's studio, offering a bright, pristine, and unmistakably pop sound. FX Library for Iconic Transitions: A selection of stingers and transitions like shimmering sparkles, cassette hits, dub blips, and harmonic chimes for cinematic flair and seamless song section transitions. Powered by Solar Plugin (eDNA Engine): Housed in Spitfire Audio's dedicated Solar plugin, utilizing the advanced eDNA technology for deep sound manipulation and layering. Five Instrument Categories: Dedicated sections for Drums, FX, Bass, Synths, and Piano. Five "Warp" Modes: CORE: The original recorded sound. REFLECT: Period reverbs with genre-defining gates. ALIAS: Alters the bit depth and clock-rate of sounds. CALIBRATE: Applies saturated and uncalibrated tape effects. DIMENSION: Processes sounds through vintage modulation equipment. 300 Presets: A wide array of expertly designed presets to jumpstart your productions. 208 Individual Sounds: Provides raw source material for custom sound design. Dual-Layered Interface: The Solar plugin allows for blending and molding two sounds together, offering extensive possibilities for unique sound creation. Designed for Pop Innovation: Tailored for producers inspired by Trevor Horn's groundbreaking techniques in synth-wave, electro-pop, and general pop music production. https://youtu.be/Dq4iDj_s_0k Read More

The Billionth Repository On GitHub is Really ShittyWhat’s the GitHub repository you have created that you think is of most note? Which one do you think of as your magnum opus, the one that you will be remembered by? Was it the CAD files and schematics of a device for ending world hunger, or perhaps it was software designed to end poverty? Spare a thought for [AasishPokhrel] then, for his latest repository is one that he’ll be remembered by for all the wrong reasons. The poor guy created a repository with a scatalogical name, no doubt to store random things, but had the misfortune to inadvertently create the billionth repository on GitHub.
At the time of writing, the repository sadly contains no commits. But he seems to have won an unexpectedly valuable piece of Internet real estate judging by the attention it’s received, and if we were him we’d be scrambling to fill it with whatever wisdom we wanted the world to see. A peek at his other repos suggests he’s busy learning JavaScript, and we wish him luck in that endeavor.
We think everyone will at some time or another have let loose some code into the wild perhaps with a comment they later regret, or a silly name that later comes back to haunt them. We know we have. So enjoy a giggle at his expense, but don’t give him a hard time. After all, this much entertainment should be rewarded.

Jonathan Dickins talks Adele’s record breaking Munich stadium residency and more in SXSW London interviewSeptember Management founder Jonathan Dickins participated in a rare on-stage interview at SXSW London on Friday (June 6).
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Grammys announce new Award Categories, sets Key DatesThe Grammys announce new Award categories, dates and deadlines for the 68th GRAMMY Awards. 2026 winners will be announced live at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb.. Continue reading
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