This standalone DJ mixer with spatial audio control could change the game – here’s howBrussels-based music technology company Ambrio has unveiled the Spatial Performance Mixer (SPM), a standalone DJ mixer that puts real-time spatial sound control next to everything you would typically expect from a mixer.
The SPM is a five-channel mixer, each equipped with trim, 4-band EQ, HP/LP filter and cue capabilities. On top of that, each channel has independent 360° audio positioning, which enables performers to place sounds around a room and set them moving in different shapes and speeds. Ambrio says the mixer needs no external hardware or software and connects to speakers from any brand.
The SPM will go on loan to venues, collectives and academic institutions through an Incubator Programme starting this month, with commercial sale planned for 2027.

READ MORE: Audient smashes its way into the high-end interface market with Horizon

Designed to work without a sound engineer
Credit: Ambrio
Spatial audio at clubs and festivals has typically relied on pre-programmed systems, dedicated software and an engineer to run it all, often tied to one speaker manufacturer’s ecosystem. Ambrio says the SPM removes that barrier. A custom algorithm adapts stereo material to whatever speaker layout is in the room and the company says perceived loudness stays consistent wherever a sound is placed.
“Most spatial systems ask the performer to plan spatial effects and placement in advance and hand them to someone else to run,” said Ulrik Van Hecke, Co-Founder and Technical Lead at Ambrio. “We wanted to put that control in the hands of the artist.”
The SPM needs a minimum of four speakers. Ambrio says many clubs and festivals could use the four to six speakers that they already own, rather than buying a dedicated spatial system that it says can cost ten times as much. Ambrio has not announced pricing for the SPM.
Other features and connectivity
Credit: Ambrio
The SPM features an on-board reverb and spatial delay are available for each channel, travelling through the space rather than sitting on top of the mix. A four-point spatial booth monitoring system with adjustable delay enables DJs to hear exactly what the floor hears. A one-touch reset on the orange button switches effects, filters and movement on or off at once. A display with an Artist view for performing and a Setup view.
On the connectivity side, the SPM has a built-in sound card for streaming from DAW, stereo RCA line inputs, phono inputs with custom preamps, XLR/TRS combo mic and instrument inputs and send/return for external effects. Outputs include up to 8.1 analogue main outputs on balanced XLR, four balanced booth outputs, headphone cue and stereo record output. Audio over Ethernet is available for both input and output. Control is via MIDI and OSC, with CV sync and expression-pedal inputs.
Incubator Program and field testing
Credit: Ambrio
The SPM has been developed over several years and has appeared at events including CTM Festival in Berlin, Intonal in Malmö, Wonderfruit in Thailand and Wintercircus in Ghent. The Incubator Program will now place units with clubs, festivals, collectives and academic institutions in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Paris, Brussels and other locations in Europe, North America and Australia. Ambrio says feedback from artists will feed into the final firmware and hardware before release.
“The technology is here, and now it’s up to artists to discover how they want to use it,” Van Hecke said.
Where to hear it
The first public showcase is at Amsterdam Dance Event. On Friday October 23, Nadia Struiwigh, Wata Igarashi, State OFFF, Zohar and OK EG will perform on the SPM at Currents – Futures of Listening, FIBER’s spatial sound programme at ADE, run in collaboration with CTM Festival. Two masterclasses follow on Saturday October 24 at Loods6, where attendees can try the mixer for themselves.
A priority list is open at ambriosound.com, where artists and venues can also apply to host a unit.
The post This standalone DJ mixer with spatial audio control could change the game – here’s how appeared first on MusicTech.

Groove Synthesis release 3rd Wave Terminal Groove Synthesis have just released a software application that provides remote patch editing, wavetable creation, sample import and preset management for the 3rd Wave synth family. 

Roland celebrates 45 years of the JUPITER-08 with a new uber-compact addition to the Boutique series – plus a brand-new wavetable synthIntroduced in 2015, Roland’s Boutique series comprises uber-compact and portable desktop synthesizers using Analogue Circuit Behaviour (ACB) and digital modelling to faithfully recreate vintage Roland hardware.
So far, the line has featured digital recreations of classic Roland synths like the JD-08, JX-08 and the JU-06A, described as “everything you love about vintage JUNOS – in one synth”.
Now, Roland has just expanded the Boutique line further, with a new digital, downsized version of the iconic JUPITER-8, and the all-new n/vision, which offers a wavetable synthesis platform for rich textures and sound shaping.

READ MORE: Audient smashes its way into the high-end interface market with Horizon

It’s been 45 years since Roland first launched the JUPITER-8, a landmark polysynth that was instrumental in shaping the sound of electronic music in the early ‘80s and beyond. It remains a legend, and continues to be heard in newly released pop hits, video game soundtracks and more.
The JUPITER-08 looks to pay tribute to that enduring legacy, with a compact version inspired by the original hardware, with “classic sound, hands-on control and modern performance tools in a go-everywhere design”.

Calibrated for a “retro experience”, the JUPITER-08 features the same eight-part/two-voice architecture of the original JUPITER-8, however players can internally expand the polyphony to 32 voices if they wish. There’s also “refined voice allocation and pitch behaviour”, offering a “rich, animated playing experience with enhanced polyphonic performance and genuine vintage-inspired character”.
Elsewhere, the JUPITER-08 comes loaded with a two-part 64-step polyphonic sequencer plus an arpeggiator, as well as 17 unique onboard effects including chorus and MFX, and dedicated delay and reverbs.
Credit: Roland
While previous units in the Roland Boutique series have employed ACB technology, the JUPITER-08 features ABM (Analogue Behaviour Modelling), a new type of modelling technology developed by Roland which is said to improve processing capabilities and thus increase polyphony.
Meanwhile, the n/vision is newly developed for the Boutique series, and the first wavetable synth in the lineup. It features 63 factory wavetables that can be blended together using dual-layer architecture, as well as an analogue-modelled filter with numerous vintage-inspired filter models.

Like the JUPITER-08, the n/vision comes with a built-in speaker, as well as a two-part 64-step polyphonic sequencer and arpeggiator, plus a suite of onboard effects. The unit also facilitates Step LFO, envelope modulation, oscillator modulation, motion recording and “extensive parameter control”.
“Powered by Roland’s latest sound advancements, n/vision allows players to build evocative textures through a tactile synthesizer workflow,” says Roland. “Users can easily blend and shape two wavetable layers to create animated movement, moving pads, aggressive leads, complex timbres, and more.”
Credit: Roland
Both the JUPITER-08 and n/vision feature a 25-key detachable keyboard, plus a 3.5mm headphone output, main output and aux input, 5-pin MIDI in and Out and USB-C input.
 
Both the JUPITER-08 and n/vision are available now, priced at $549.99 each.
Learn more at Roland.
Credit: Roland
The post Roland celebrates 45 years of the JUPITER-08 with a new uber-compact addition to the Boutique series – plus a brand-new wavetable synth appeared first on MusicTech.

My Forever Studio: Robert Henke’s forever DAW isn’t a DAWIn this episode of My Forever Studio, brought to you in partnership with Audient, we’re joined by Ableton co-founder and legendary electronic music creator Robert Henke. You may also know him for Monolake, where he’s been producing minimal electronica for almost 30 years.
Henke takes us on a journey through his intriguing creative process, from making his own sample packs to selecting a Forever DAW that isn’t technically a DAW — and, no, it’s not Ableton Live. He also goes deep on his love for expressive hardware and his fascination with sound technology both old and new.

From growing up in a family of engineers to his influential career in Berlin’s pioneering club scene, Henke shares how engineering and art intermingle in his work. He reveals the studio setup that shaped Monolake’s early productions, why he still adores hands-on hardware, and what he’d build from scratch if given the tools and the time.
Strap in for tales of an iconic sampler rebuilt, expressive keyboards and custom 8-bit computers all set against the relaxing backdrop of a fantasy studio in the Scottish hills.
The My Forever Studio podcast – created in partnership with Audient – sees artists, producers, and engineers create their dream fantasy Forever Studio, wherever they want in the universe. However, hosts Chris Barker and Will Betts impose some strict rules in the Forever Studio. Our guests are permitted a limited number of items in their creative space, so they must choose carefully. There will be nostalgia. There will be anecdotes. There may be gags. But there will be no bundles!
Subscribe to My Forever Studio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and check out all episodes so far via MusicTech.
The post My Forever Studio: Robert Henke’s forever DAW isn’t a DAW appeared first on MusicTech.

UJAM release Beatmaker & Usynth Bounce UJAM have just introduced two new virtual instruments that bring together a versatile selection of MPC-inspired drum grooves, classic bass and lead sounds and a selection of digital textures.

Tupac Shakur's 5 Favorite Albums of the '90sDiscover five surprising albums Tupac Shakur reportedly loved, from Prince and Jamiroquai to Sarah McLachlan and Counting Crows.

soundbyarsen Authentic Armenian Qanunhttps://youtu.be/JYREb_93KPoAuthentic Armenian Qanun Kontakt Library — a professionally sampled traditional Armenian Qanun for Native Instruments Kontakt. Capturing the mesmerizing, intricate acoustic resonance and expressive charm of this classical oriental instrument, this library brings authentic dynamic depth and organic warmth directly into your DAW. Recorded in a professional studio environment, this library is built for film scoring, media composers, world music, ethnic fusion, and modern pop productions seeking genuine acoustic authority. Key Features: • Pristine Studio Capture: High-definition 24-bit / 48 kHz uncompressed WAV samples for maximum acoustic detail and clarity. • Deep Dynamic Response: 3 Velocity Layers per note paired with 3 Round Robin (RR) variations to eliminate any mechanical "machine-gun" effect and ensure natural expressiveness. • Dual Mic / Layer Architecture (Mono & Stereo): Features 6 individual sample groups (3 Mono + 3 Stereo layers) with an intuitive blend control on the GUI to mix between direct focus and ambient spatial width. • Custom Built-In FX & EQ: Integrated 4-band EQ (LF, LMF, HMF, HF) alongside custom Reverb, Delay, and Chorus units to fine-tune your sound in the mix without external plugins. • Instant Playability: Ready to load and play directly out of the box with zero complex setup. Library Specs: • Disk Footprint: 989 MB (Uncompressed 24-bit / 48 kHz WAVs) • Structure: 6 Sample folders (3 Mono groups: MN1, MN2, MN3 + 3 Stereo groups: ST1, ST2, ST3) • Format: Native Instruments Kontakt Engine (.nki, .nkr, .nkc files and Samples folder included). System Requirements: • Requires the full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 6.7.1 or higher (Compatible with Kontakt 7 & 8). Does not work with the free Kontakt Player in full edit mode. Read More

Solana treasury firm SkyAI sells all SOL holdings, launches $201M buybackThe former medical device maker has liquidated its Solana treasury and is offering to repurchase shares and warrants using its $223.8 million cash holdings.

Amazon is taking its biggest shot at Nvidia yet with new TorchNeuron dev toolAmazon wants to break Nvidia’s hold on PyTorch, the free toolkit used to build most AI apps, so that more developers run their apps on alternative chips like its own.

Meshtastic Sniffer for DragonOSMeshtastic has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years thanks to its low barrier of entry. No licenses are needed and the hardware is dirt cheap, at least when compared to a lot of ham radio gear. But while that physical barrier is low, there is a bit of a learning curve. Part of that comes from the fact that there are a lot of channels and modes that people could be communicating on, and unless the user knows that information up front it can be hard to find where the conversations are happening. [cemaxecuter] noticed this problem and built a Meshtastic sniffer into his radio-forward Linux distribution, DragonOS.
The sniffing software is built in C and comes as a complete standalone binary and does not rely on GNU Radio. With DragonOS up and running and the software loaded, it can look at the entire bandwidth that Meshtastic operates on and detect any traffic and decode it (as long as the key is known). [cemaxecuter] is using a HackRF as a software-defined radio for this project, which he notes doesn’t quite have enough bandwidth to cover every Meshtastic operating frequency, but it can get most of them. After firing up his own node, the software quickly detects it and shows its details in the terminal.
Software like this opens up a lot of opportunities for things that would be tedious, difficult, or impossible to do with with a standard Meshtastic node. Besides finding places where conversations are happening more easily, [cemaxecuter] also suggests that it could be used for wardriving and for locating or finding other networks much more easily. For those who still haven’t tried it out, take a look at this 2023 treatise on the protocol and hardware and then dive right in.

‘I HAVE A NEW OUTLOOK NOW: IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN; IT’S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SCARY’Music school dropout Sasha Alex Sloan has already co-written hits with three of the biggest (and most influential) pop stars of the last few years – Camila Cabello, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo. And she’s only just getting started…
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Miley Aces Bass Persuades in HollywoodThere was a moment that occurred approximately two-thirds of the way into Miley Cyrus (now simply going by Miley)'s first of two nights at the Hollywood Bowl, where all of the pop polish fell away and we saw the very real personality beneath it. This came, by the way, after Miley had already performed a beautifully touching tribute to her godmother—the late, great Dolly Parton—with a rendition of "Jolene" that prompted tears from the artist, and some in the crowd.

The moment we're referring to came just after Miley had made her way back to the stage, through a well-meaning and adoring crowd that was reaching out, en masse, for some sort of contact. She had popped up in the middle of said crowd to perform a couple of songs with Flaming Lips man Wayne Coyne, and she sang "We Can't Stop" while returning to the big stage. When the song was over, Miley needed a minute to take a breath and get her bearings. With no front, no swag, Miley told the crowd that the experience was an overwhelming one for her. This was Miley's big comeback, and when emotions started to build up in an intense way, the artist felt comfortable enough to be utterly vulnerable. With her mom at the side of the stage ready to help if needed, Miley confided in a sea of people, most of whom she doesn't know personally. In return, her trust was rewarded with a wave of love. It was life-affirming, and just one special moment at a show that had many.

Miley's latest album, Bass Persuades, has been out for a month, and it's a decidedly mature piece of work. Dark and pulsating, there are elements on this album that would delight Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails fans (if they allowed themselves to like it). It's a record that gets under your skin, and she performed six of those tracks at the Hollywood Bowl. Notably, opening band Model/Actriz returned to the stage to perform a sensual "Different Religion," a song that uses religious themes to explore relationships.

Miley's fiancé Maxx Morando (Liily, formerly The Regrettes) played drums on a very sweet "Let's Get Married," as he did on the album. Nothing felt forced and false about their public displays of affection; cynicism lost and love won.

Miley with Wayne Coyne

Miley with Model/Actriz

The Wayne Coyne songs, from the b-stage in the center of the crowd, were stunning. The Flaming Lips classic "Do You Realize?" felt like a truly spiritual experience, while "Karen Don't Be Sad," from the underrated Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Pets album, showcased her not-so-hidden love for rock 'n' roll. Incidentally, the last time this writer saw Miley live, she was performing at the Chris Cornell tribute concert and converting thousands of naysayers. By now, her cred from those quarters should be a given.

And hey, if you wanted pop hits, you got those too. The rejigged version of power ballad "Wrecking Ball" performed at the Bowl was different to the one generally heard on the radio, but it was equally powerful, and utterly immersive. Miley went back to her 2009 The Time of Our Lives EP to enjoy a bit of her bubblegum pop past with "Party in the U.S.A.," and in this environment it felt like an utterly joyful moment of mutual love between the artist and a crowd that has stuck with her for years.

There wasn't much in the way of a show, a production, at the Bowl but that wasn't the point. This was an honest, open and authentic Miley allowing herself to be her true self and trusting her people. They didn't let her down.

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images.

The post Miley Aces Bass Persuades in Hollywood first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

SnowTec releases Probe, a FREE plugin analyzer for macOS and Windows
SnowTec has released Probe, a free plugin analyzer available as a standalone app and a plugin for macOS and Windows. This one is very useful for testing other plugins and seeing what they really do to the signal. You can inspect an EQ’s frequency response, see the harmonics a saturator adds, or check how a [...]
View post: SnowTec releases Probe, a FREE plugin analyzer for macOS and Windows

Erica Synths reveal the Konstrukt-8 Assembled Erica Synths have just introduced a new bundle that brings their praised Eurorack drum modules together into a complete all-in-one system. 

Is Mogul Music Royalty Accounting and Auditing Platform Worth It? (My Full Review)Let me start this off by saying, I take pride in knowing how to properly register music everywhere.  I literally have a chapter in my book on just this. And have taught multiple courses on registration and royalties. I work closely with orgs like the MLC, SoundExchange, ASCAP, BMI, all the major DIY distribution companies […]