inMusic to acquire Native Instruments: industry powerhouses reach a definitive agreement.
inMusic to acquire Native Instruments: industry powerhouses reach a definitive agreement. For some, Native Instruments’ journey from industry frontrunners to preliminary insolvency felt as inexplicable as an M. Night Shyamalan plot twist. For others, in hindsight, the apparent downfall of Native Instruments came as no real surprise, much like an M. Night Shyamalan plot twist. [...]
View post: inMusic to acquire Native Instruments: industry powerhouses reach a definitive agreement.

1010music release blackbox 2 1010music have announced blackbox 2, a new version of their compact standalone sampler designed for DAWless production, live performance and portable music creation.

Bastl Instruments showcase Kalimba Bastl Instruments have announced Kalimba, a new desktop instrument that combines physical modelling, FM synthesis, touch control and motion sensing in a compact standalone design inspired by the traditional kalimba.

InMusic just bought Native Instruments. So what now for Traktor?Native Instruments has been sold. InMusic Brands, the U.S. parent of Akai Professional, Denon DJ, Numark, Rane, M-Audio, Moog, and Engine DJ, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire NI in full. That includes Traktor, Maschine, Komplete, Kontakt, Reaktor, and the broader iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx stack that NI absorbed over the last few […]
The post InMusic just bought Native Instruments. So what now for Traktor? appeared first on DJ TechTools.

Prime Video follows Netflix and Disney by adding a TikTok-like ‘Clips’ feed in its appThe Clips feed aims to enable discovery by offering users a scrollable feed with short snippets of shows and movies.

Kraken parent company applies for OCC charter in move toward bankingThe US banking regulator has already approved similar charter applications for Coinbase, Ripple Labs, BitGo, Circle, Fidelity Digital Assets and Paxos.

hzitools HziLooperTrack Multi-Layer Looper Plugin (VST3/WIN): Dynamic Track Allocation: A scalable architecture supporting up to 8 independent stereo loop tracks for complex, layered compositions. Advanced Track Routing: Route any track to the master output or assign it to Bus A or B for Morphing. Mute/Solo Tracks and Route them to your DAWs Channels separately. Retro-Grab (Time Machine): A constant 60-second global history buffer that allows you to "capture the past". Instantly transform live input into a loop by grabbing 4 bars, 2 bars, 1 bar, or even 1/4 bar segments. Sync: BPM synchronization with multiple modes, including Free, Auto-Quantize, and Bar-relative sync, ensuring loops stay perfectly locked to your host DAW. Harmonizer: One-click musical harmonization engine that automatically pitches your active tracks to form cohesive chords, triads, 7ths, and granular clusters. Master Controls: Global parameters for Master Pitch with semi-tone quantization and a Global Stop featuring adjustable tape-style glide times. Performance MIDI Modes: Play your loops chromatically across a keyboard for melodic re-pitching, or use 'Trigger Mode' to fire off specific slices and tracks like a classic sampler. Spectral Morphing and Snapshot System: Frequency-Domain Morpher: Spectral processing engine that crossfades and intertwines the frequency content of Morph Bus A and Morph Bus B. Spectral Blur & Contrast: Smear the FFT frames for ghostly, frozen textures using the Blur control, or push the dynamic range of the spectrum using the Adaptive Contrast knob. A/B Snapshot Gliding: Seamlessly interpolate not just audio, but your entire UI, modulation matrix, and parameter states between two snapshots using the Snapshot Morph slider. Slicing & Sequencing: Slice Editor: Waveform overlay for precision slicing, manual transient addition and pattern manipulation. Grid & Auto-Transient Modes: Divide loops into rhythmic grids from 1/2 down to 1/64, or utilize marker-based slicing for organic, transient-driven deconstruction. Per-Step Automation (Sequencer): Every track features a dedicated sequencer to automate sonic characteristics per slice. Drill & Reverse Sequencing: Create rhythmic stutter repetitions within a single step, or independently reverse specific slices. Spatial Pan & Width Sequencing: Orchestrate dynamic stereo movement and width per slice. Slice Shifting & Decay: Dial in real-time phase-shifting of individual slices for "drunken" rhythms and sculpt the envelope of each slice with the Decay control. Per-Channel Signal Chain & FX: Ambient Strip (Flux & Aura): Add movement and pitch-drifting width using Flux and create ghostly, expanding reverb tails with the Aura shimmer engine. Multi-Mode Channel Distortion: Inject grit with three distinct flavors: warm Crunch, aggressive Wavefolding, and aliasing 8-Bitcrush. Dual-State Filter: Resonant filters per track that morph from surgical Low-Pass to High-Pass sweeps. Granular Stutter Engine: A 32-grain engine per track with deep control over rate, size, positional offset, and stereo spread. Global FX & Textures: Integrated Texture Engine: Layer your sound with 9 lo-fi models (including Vinyl Dust, Tape Hiss, Broken Motor, Abyss Drone, Rain, and Mechanical Grinding) with adjustable pitch and amount. Master Tube Saturation: Heat up the mix with tube modeling. Shimmer Reverb: A pitch-shifting feedback reverb specifically tuned for ethereal, glassy pads alongside standard Room, Hall, and Cathedral modes. Complex Master Delay: Four distinct delay models: Digital, Tape with pitch-slew, Ping-Pong, and Ghost. Workflow, Modulation & Performance. 8-Slot LFO Matrix: Modulation system with 8 LFOs featuring Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, Random, and a Custom Draw Mode. Map them to nearly any parameter via a simple right-click overlay. Deep Randomization System: A highly configurable "RND ALL" engine. Choose exactly what gets randomized (Pitch, Filter, Pan, Stutter, Slices, Ambient, or Distortion) for controlled chaos. Snapshot Storage: Store up to 8 global snapshots containing sequencer data, parameter states, and modulation routings for instant recall. Sidechain Ducking: Built-in sidechain compressor with a yellow threshold visualizer to let your kick drum breathe through the loop. Preset & Asset Management: Preset saving that automatically creates sidecar folders for your exported audio assets. Drag & Drop Export: Instantly render your current mix and drag the rendered WAV file directly from the plugin into your DAW. Read More

FanLabel Launches FanLabel SongPicks AppAccording to news out of FanLabel this week, the company, "a music gamification and prediction market entertainment company that turns real-world music performance data into interactive fan experiences, today announced the official launch of FanLabel SongPicks, its paid-entry, skill-based, music-contest app that lets fans use their music knowledge to compete for cash prizes. The company has been a leader in promoting a responsible, fair approach to the development of prediction markets, and was one of the few music-related companies to submit comment to the most recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) solicitation."

A company statement continues, "FanLabel SongPicks, builds on the company’s FanLabel Classic app, which lets music fans compete in free fantasy-sports-style music challenges. With FanLabel SongPicks, players can put their music knowledge to the test by ranking songs, predicting streaming trends, and competing on leaderboards. The app currently features two main contest modes: Ranker, where fans rank a selection of songs from most to least streamed, and Best of Five, where players pick the top-performing song from a group."

“We’re thrilled to build off of our free 'FanLabel Classic' experience with 'SongPicks' and bring a pay-to-play, skill-based, gamified music experience to music fans, giving them the chance to win cash prizes,” Jeff Sloan, Founder & CEO of FanLabel, told MC. “The introduction of 'SongPicks' in combination with our soon to be launched prediction market application 'MusicMarkets' expands the FanLabel suite of gamified music-centric experiential offerings and further positions FanLabel as a leader in the space.”

“Our team is very proud to have FanLabel SongPicks officially out in the world,” Sloan said. “We believe that the SongPicks experience will provide music enthusiasts with a new way to engage in their love of music while at the same time benefiting the industry by driving music discovery, consumption, and an entirely new way to generate monetization.”

“As the music industry continues its evolution from passive consumption to interactive, data-driven engagement, platforms like FanLabel are unlocking a new layer of participation for fans and new monetization pathways for rightsholders,” said Bill Campbell, Music Industry Advisor to FanLabel. “What’s particularly compelling here is the combination of fully licensed content, objective data inputs, and a skill-based framework — that’s the foundation for building something scalable, defensible, and regulatorily sound. FanLabel SongPicks is an early example of how music, gaming mechanics, and predictive analytics can converge into a legitimate new category for artists and their fans.” 

For more information, visit fanlabel.com.The post FanLabel Launches FanLabel SongPicks App first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Easy-ish Glitch Camera? There’s a Pi 4 ThatUsually, when you want to make glitchy images with lots of colors and things, you have to poke around inside a camera and successfully circuit-bend the thing without bricking it. But [sharkbiscuit101] proves that this isn’t necessary, provided you have a Raspberry Pi 4 and a few other components.
Now we don’t have a lot of detail here, but [sharkbiscuit101] is being heavily encouraged to share the relevant files and a component list. What we do know is that the there’s a screen for previewing images, a portable battery, a shutter button, a rotary encoder to dial in the weirdness, and a game pad for controls. Using the script and a slider, you can tweak different aspects of the image to basically break it down in real time. If you find a nifty combination, you can use the rotary encoder to save and then recall presets.

If you’re wondering about the grip, that’s a Sharge battery from the Bezos Barn. Per [sharkbiscuit101], it is a good size, and since Pi 4 doesn’t have a power button, it can be turned on and off at the battery.
Of course, you can always mess with JPGs on a raw, textual level instead, or produce standard photographs with a pinhole camera.

From Tencent Music’s 250K song takedowns to Sony and WMG’s calendar Q1 results… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest headlines from the past few days...
Source

Goodhertz releases LA-210, a FREE compressor/clipper/saturation plugin
Goodhertz has released LA-210, a free saturation plugin that combines an opto compressor, soft clipper, and cassette tape model in a single interface designed to look like a Southern California freeway map. I have to point this out right away. I’m a huge fan of Goodhertz plugins, both for the way they sound and for [...]
View post: Goodhertz releases LA-210, a FREE compressor/clipper/saturation plugin

London’s KOKO venue unveils new recording studio featuring equipment from Solid State LogicLondon’s KOKO music venue has unveiled its own recording studio in honour of its 125th anniversary, featuring new equipment from Solid State Logic.
The studio, situated in the Penthouse of the members-only House of KOKO, includes the same mixing desk that was used for Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Super Bowl Show and connects to all rooms within KOKO and The House Of KOKO.

READ MORE: “If this development goes ahead, we will lose far more than a studio”: Petition launched to save London’s Battery Studios from demolition

KOKO’s underwent a three year restoration and redevelopment between 2019 and 2022, helping it to overcome challenges “of a biblical nature”, including a fire, a flood, and the COVID-19 global pandemic, as documented on its very own history timeline.
The venue was transformed into a 50,000 sq ft cultural space, including three live music venues and 16 rooms backstage in its House Of KOKO members club. These rooms host curated live music events, DJs, and cultural programming, and include the new Penthouse recording studio.
But it doesn’t stop there, members also have access to a hidden jazz club, vinyl rooms, a roof terrace restaurant, gallery, secret bars, and much more. Artists and creators can use the creative spaces for recording, songwriting and podcasting. Additionally, a new Miraval Members’ Balcony within KOKO Theatre has also been unveiled, and allows members of The House Of KOKO access to over 150 live shows each year with access to their own swanky private bar.
KOKO has also marked its anniversary with a new video, If These Walls Could Talk. Directed by Ned Botwood with creative direction from KOKO founder, Olly Bengough, and produced by Somesuch, it features a depiction of Ellen Terry, the actor who first opened the venue in 1901, as per Music Week.
Take a look below:

To find out more about KOKO or apply for a membership to the House Of KOKO, head over to its official website.
The post London’s KOKO venue unveils new recording studio featuring equipment from Solid State Logic appeared first on MusicTech.

SUPERBOOTH 2026: Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums The Bullfrog Drums is the latest collaboration between Erica Synths and Richie Hawtin, and delivers an educational instrument that's easy to use, but still packs in enough pro features to satisfy serious users.

Native Instruments to be acquired by inMusic Native Instruments CEO Nick Williams has announced that a definitive agreement has been signed for the company to be acquired by inMusic.

Meet SmartLab: a kooky-looking six-voice string synth from This Is Not Rocket Science and Error InstrumentsSuperbooth 2026: This Is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments have teamed up to tease SmartLab, a very cool and quirky six-voice string synth instrument.
A standalone instrument rather than a module, SmartLab combines concepts from the two companies’ previous works, such as its collaborative White Rabbit module. It is currently in its prototype phase, with a planned release for July/August this year.

READ MORE: Superbooth 2026: The coolest new synths and music tech gear – and everything else you need to know

SmartLab features advanced granular synthesis alongside more than 36 physical modelling engines, distributed across two sound engines. It has an expressive touch interface including motion recording, allowing users to capture gestures and replay them as evolving modulation, similar to a looper, but for movement and sound shaping.
SmartLab also functions as a sound processor, offering over 15 experimental effects including delays and textures inspired by organic, fluid soundscapes, which Error Instruments describes as “somewhere between an ambient machine and the playful unpredictability of a bubble-based synthesiser in the spirit of Rob Hordijk”.
Further key features include external LFO input and audio input support and a built-in microphone. The two companies are planning to start shipping SmartLab in June with a price of around €600, according to Gear News.
Hear it in-play below:

A number of other unusual synths have landed at this year’s Superbooth event, including the Cyma Forma RND, which has just a single large button on its front face and not much else in terms of controls, but packs in eight different synthesis engines.
Bastl Instruments has also unveiled the Kalimba, a Kalimba-inspired synth combining a familiar interface with digital synthesis, and producer Richie Hawtin and Erica Synths’ long-awaited Bullfrog Drums is finally here. The drum machine was teased back in 2024, and is not just for making beats, but for teaching people how to program and sample them too.
Head over to the Error Instruments website to learn more about SmartLab. 
The post Meet SmartLab: a kooky-looking six-voice string synth from This Is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments appeared first on MusicTech.