How Merch Companies Help Artists ThriveThis week, Ari is joined by Tersha Willis, CEO of terrible* group, to discuss the role of merch in an artist’s income model.

Axart Labs releases AutoBeat 2, an AI-powered MIDI beat generator for macOS and Windows
Axart Labs has released AutoBeat 2 (€29.95), an AI-powered MIDI beat generator plugin for macOS (AU/VST3) and Windows (VST3). AutoBeat 2 is a creative tool built around a 12-track step sequencer and an on-device AI engine. The plugin’s key strength is its ability to instantly generate beats in a wide range of styles, from hip-hop [...]
View post: Axart Labs releases AutoBeat 2, an AI-powered MIDI beat generator for macOS and Windows

Calling all DJs! Spotify has added a track mixing tool to playlistsDJs can now flex their talent for the ones and twos with Spotify’s new Mix feature. This recent update, which is currently only available to “eligible Premium users,” allows subscribers to add custom transitions between tracks in playlists they create.
READ MORE: Spotify says it will delete the accounts of users who fail age verification checks
The function has an auto mode to let the app decide what kind of transition best suits the two tracks involved. But users can also adjust elements such as volume, EQ, and effect curves. Spotify will even display waveforms, the key, and tempo to inform these decisions. Plus, users can collaborate on transitions by sharing their playlists with other premium users.
For a middle ground between auto and complete customisation, Spotify has provided preset transitions like fade and rise. And if a user would prefer to revert the playlist back to the pre-Mix days, all they have to do is hit the “Mix” button to toggle the transitions on and off.
“Spotify users around the world have soundtracked their everyday moments by creating nearly 9 billion playlists. Now, Premium users can take their creativity to the next level with the ability to add and customise transitions between tracks,” Spotify says in a statement. “The feature, now in beta, gives users even more control—allowing music lovers and playlist experts alike to easily create unique playlists. Seamlessly transition between tracks, customise how they flow together, and enhance your mix with features like volume, EQ, and effect curves.”
In the same statement, Spotify provided some basic tips for users on how to get started mixing. Some examples are:
“Match tempos and keys: For the most natural-sounding transitions, choose songs with similar tempos and Camelot keys. When you tap “Mix,” we’ll automatically show the key and BPM (beats per minute) for each track, so you can easily scan and reorder to help your playlist flow more smoothly.
Start with transition-friendly genres: Mixing works best with music produced for seamless transitions. Dance genres like house and techno tend to blend more smoothly.
Consider the energy: Think about the mood and energy you want your playlist to have. Plan your song order to gradually build up or wind down the energy, guiding listeners through an emotional journey.”
Check out more music technology news. 
The post Calling all DJs! Spotify has added a track mixing tool to playlists appeared first on MusicTech.

Cherry Audio revives the Bob Moog-designed Crumar Spirit as a $59 soft synthCherry Audio has just added a new vintage synth emulation to its ever-growing library of synth plugins, this time based on the esoteric Crumar Spirit.
READ MORE: Behringer’s BM-11M is a clone of the Moog MF-101 analogue filter pedal
The original was originally designed in 1983 by Italian brand Crumar, plus Bob Moog of Moog Synthesizers, Tom Rhea, a pioneer of analogue synth design, and Jim Scott, a former engineer at Moog.
Cherry Audio collaborated with the Crumar brand to design the software version as the closest possible replica they could make while also expanding the features of the original. The release also arrives amidst the Cherry Audio Bob Moog Appreciation Month.
The Crumar Spirit plugin has increased the hardware’s polyphony to 16 voices, further enhanced by cyclical voice modes that can adjust each note individually.
There is a new modulation option: the Matrix Z. Adding to the pre-existing Mod X and Shaper Y, this third function is a four-slot modulation matrix that has 25 sources and 45 destinations.

The options on the hardware synth’s three-mode arpeggiator have also been expanded to include swing, chance, and feel, allowing for a more unique sound in arpeggio patterns.
“Spirit is a gateway to sonic experimentation, whether you are after wild, unpredictable timbres or warm, analogue tones. It is not a polite instrument. Nor is it clean, safe, or obvious. However, twist a few knobs and it will reward you with some of the most colourful sounds you have ever heard from a virtual analogue software synthesizer,” writes Cherry Audio.
Alongside the launch, Cherry Audio is offering numerous deals and add-ons to make the $59 list price of Spirit even more enticing. The Spectres Preset Pack is available for an extra $9.99. It includes over 100 more presets that explore the widest range of possibilities from the virtual instrument.
Furthermore, until September 1, Spirit can be included in Cherry Audio’s Build Your Own Bundle deal. The Pick 3 bundle is $99 (regularly $129), and the Pick 6 bundle is $149 (regularly $169).
Head to Cherry Audio to learn more.
The post Cherry Audio revives the Bob Moog-designed Crumar Spirit as a $59 soft synth appeared first on MusicTech.

Aphex Twin’s expanded edition of ‘Surfing On Sine Waves’ is for the serious Richard D James fansWarp Records has announced the expanded edition of Aphex Twin’s Surfing On Sine Waves
The updated version of the 1993 album — the only album that Aphex Twin released under his alias Polygon Window — will be available September 26. This reissue will feature the 11 songs on the original LP, combined with three songs from its companion EP, Quoth, totalling 14 tracks.
Surfing On Sine Waves was a part of Warp’s infamous Artificial Intelligence series, which spawned the oft-mocked term ‘Intelligent Dance Music’ or IDM. Surfing On Sine Waves was the second album in the series. It went #2 on the UK dance charts, and it was the sole album Aphex Twin, real name Richard D. James, released as Polygon Window. The name Polygon Window came from another track James produced under a third pseudonym, The Dice Man.
The expanded edition will come in several packages. There are two 3LP sets, one classic Black vinyl. The other is clear vinyl. The CD comes with a gatefold-style 4-panel outer wallet, and there is a cassette version with a printed inlay in the clear cassette box. Warp will also sell new merch with the expanded edition.
This is the second reissue of Surfing On Sine Waves, with the first coming out in 2002 as Warp made a larger appeal to the United States audience. Alongside that version, Pitchfork wrote of the record in a laudatory 8.1/10 review:
“Though not quite an essential James release, Surfing On Sine Waves remains an excellent album from a fascinating and important period in electronic music.”
Surfing On Sine Waves (Expanded Edition) Tracklist:
01. Polygon Window
02. Audax Powder
03. Quoth
04. If It Really Is Me
05. Supremacy II
06. UT1 – dot
07. Untitled
08. Quixote
09. Quino – phec
10. Portreath Harbour
11. Redruth School
12. Iketa
13. Quoth (Wooden Thump Mix)
14. Bike Pump Meets Bucket
For more information, head to Warp
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Behringer’s BM-11M is a clone of the Moog MF-101 analogue filter pedalBehringer has launched the BM-11M, a low-pass filter pedal based on the Moog MF-101 Moogerfooger Lowpass Filter pedal from 1998. This new product is analogue, like the original, and also features a similarly simple design built around its main function: the lowpass filter. It’s
The BM-11M uses a ladder filter with a dedicated resonance knob, and a switch allows users to easily shift between 2-pole (12dB) and 4-pole (24dB). The top of the interface is a drive circuit, and the bottom third is set aside for the envelope. Use this to control the dynamics of the filter, switching between smooth and fast, and adjust the amount and mix knobs to give precise colouring.

There are several input and output options in the BM-11M for both analogue and digital signals. A direct mono audio in and out are available, along with specific expression/CV ports for the cutoff, mix, and resonance. A 5-pin MIDI input and USB-C allow for digital control of the filter in all compatible DAWs.
“With its vintage-inspired preamp section and classic analogue circuitry, the BM-11M delivers the warm, powerful tones heard on countless records,” Behringer writes of the new product. “Designed for synth users, guitarists, producers, and sonic explorers alike, the BM-11M also features expansive I/O, CV control, MIDI, and USB-C – unlocking endless creative possibilities.”
The MF-101 was designed as a direct descendant of Moog analogue synthesisers. This version had the same two main functions: an all-analogue 2-pole or 4-pole lowpass filter and an envelope follower. Today, finding a real one will run a price of up to $1,500. For a cheaper option, Moog has the MF-101S, its digital version of the MF-101. But the BM-11M provides the tactile user experience and analogue sound quality.
The BM-11M is available for preorder for £119/$129, although the shipping date is currently unconfirmed.
For more information, head to Behringer.com.
The post Behringer’s BM-11M is a clone of the Moog MF-101 analogue filter pedal appeared first on MusicTech.

New crypto advocacy group debuts at Wyoming summitThe American Innovation Project’s board includes executives from the Solana Policy Institute, Blockchain Association, Paradigm, Digital Currency Group and Coinbase. 

Enhypen Ends U.S. leg of Third World Tour with Thrilling L.A. ShowThe energy was palpable as South Korean boy band Enhypen closed out the U.S. leg of their third world tour, ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘WALK THE LINE’ IN U.S. (hereinafter ‘WALK THE LINE’), on Aug. 16th with a sold-out show in Los Angeles. Piercing screams rattled the BMO Stadium as members Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki walked on stage for an electrifying performance. The show serves as a lens into Enhypen’s growth, walking with their fans (nicknamed Engene) through every step of their journey—from their early days of stepping into the spotlight, to the present and future. The group was formed through the 2020 survival competition show I-Land, which was a joint venture between CJ ENM and Hybe Corporation (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) under Belift Lab. The show featured 23 male trainees competing for a spot in the final group. They debuted on November 30, 2020, with their first mini album, BORDER: DAY ONE. The group name Enhypen is a play on the words “en dash” and “hyphen," symbolizing the members' journey of connection, discovery, and growth.Since their debut in 2020, Enhypen have worked hard to become household names and have rapidly expanded their global influence. In five years, they’ve placed five albums in the Billboard 200 Top 10. Their second studio album, Romance: Untold, marked the group’s career-high, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and ranking highest among K-pop acts on the 2024 IFPI Global Album Chart. Enhyphen’s music is a terrific mix of catchy hooks and layered arrangements. None of the seven members have designated roles; they are all well-rounded in dance and vocal skills. They’re the perfect introduction for those who want to get into K-pop, as their music has the right blend of English and Korean. K-pop shows are known for being super timely, and this was no exception as the group hit the stage precisely at 7:30 p.m. with the fiery opener “Brought the Heat Back,” followed by the soulful R&B hit “Fever.” The WALK THE LINE tour showcases their dynamic musical range and evolution from early youthful hits to their most recent EP from this past June, Desire: Unleash. After the opening songs, the members took a few moments to introduce themselves one by one and gave heartwarming speeches about the tour and its meaning. Group members Jake and Jay are fluent in English—Jay was raised in the U.S. and Jake in Australia. The rest of the members were assisted by a translator who helped throughout the night. After their intros, Enhypen kept the energy pulsating with the electrifying songs “ParadoXXX Invasion” and “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC).” Photo Credit: BELIFT LAB

Keeping fans on their toes, the group separated into subunits for two performances from their 2024 release DARK MOON SPECIAL ALBUM . Dressed in all-black priest-inspired attire to match the dark aesthetic of “Lucifer,” Jay, Sunghoon, and Jake’s piercing whispery vocals stole the show. While Heeseung, Jungwon, Ni-ki, and Sunoo had everyone singing and dancing along to the fun lyrics of “Teeth.” Throughout their set, we got a couple of segments highlighting their individual talents as well. There was a guitar solo from Jay before “Blessed-Cursed,” while Heeseung played the opening melody of “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” on the piano. Once the group joined in on “XO,” everyone was singing along as the song has a fun repetitive melody and chorus. Plus, the performance features a cheery dance number that involves fun hand gestures. Fans went crazy every time Sunoo appeared on screens during this number.In total, Enhypen performed a big setlist of 24 songs in just over two hours. Delivering a fun-paced show filled with showstopping dance performances and impressive live vocals. Once the end was near, the group made sure to give their heartfelt goodbyes to their fans—promising to be back and teasing some new music. The group also mentioned that their first VR concert, ENHYPEN VR Concert: Emergence, is coming to theaters in the U.S. in September. Enhypen sent their fans into a frenzy as they finished with an explosive EDM version of “Drunk-Dazed” and a fitting reprise of their bombastic hit “Go Big or Go Home.” Photo Credit: BELIFT LABThe post Enhypen Ends U.S. leg of Third World Tour with Thrilling L.A. Show first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

OCTO8R Abyssi 455 (+43) presets to widen and fulfill your arsenal of ARP 2600's duophonic replication CA2600 by Cherry Audio. Presets include: Bass - 11 (+10 Bonused). Lead - 12 (+10 Bonused). Pads - 12 (+3 Bonused). Pluck - 10 (+11 Bonused). Seq - 10 (+9 Bonused). All presets are NOT morphable. https://youtu.be/gGdl3opKwvU Read More

Roll Your Own SSB Receiver[Paul Maine] was experimenting with GNU Radio and an RTL-SDR dongle. He created an SSB receiver and, lucky for us, he documented it all in a video you can see below. He walks through how to generate SSB, too. If videos aren’t your thing, you can go back to the blog post from [Gary Schafer] that inspired him to make the video, which is also a wealth of information.
There is a little math — you almost can’t avoid it when talking about this topic. But [Paul] does a good job of explaining it all as painlessly as possible. The intuitive part is simple: An AM signal has most of its power in the carrier and half of what’s left in a redundant sideband. So if you can strip all those parts out and amplify just one sideband, you get better performance.

We love to play with GNU Radio. Sure, the GNU Radio Companion is just a fancy shell over some Python code, but we like how it maps software to blocks like you might use to design a traditional receiver.
If you want to try any of this out and don’t have a sufficient HF antenna or even an HF-capable SDR, no worries. [Paul] thoughtfully recorded some IQ samples off the air into a file. You can play back through your design to test how it works.
If you have never used GNU Radio, starting with audio isn’t a bad way to get your feet wet. That’s how we started our tutorial a decade ago. Still worth working through it if you are trying to get started.

ASCAP secures ‘higher rates’ in settlement with US radio broadcastersThe deal covers the public performance of more than 20 million musical works in ASCAP's repertory across AM/FM radio stations nationwide
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Made by Google 2025: How to watch Google debut the Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4, and moreGoogle is hosting its Pixel 10 event next week. Learn how to watch the tech giant reveal its new mobile devices and what else you can expect.

How to Collect Global Publishing Royalties From SpotifyLet’s get this out of the way: if you have music on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other digital streaming platform, you are probably missing out on publishing royalties. 

Audiokids unveil Synchronicity Available exclusively for Pro Tools users on macOS, Synchronicity promises to turn hours of work replacing foley and sound design clips into just minutes or seconds. 

BeatConnect releases PlaygroundFX, a creative multi-effects plugin for macOS and Windows
BeatConnect has released PlaygroundFX, a multi-effects plugin that lets you build and explore complex effect chains in a fun, hands-on way. PlaygroundFX probably isn’t the kind of plugin you’ll load for a simple reverb or delay. But if you want to twist and reshape your audio into something completely new, this could become your new [...]
View post: BeatConnect releases PlaygroundFX, a creative multi-effects plugin for macOS and Windows