💬 🔥 Weekly Deals & Freebies Thread
Welcome to the BPB Community Weekly Freebie Thread for March 24-30, 2025! 😊 Read the Thread Guidelines 💬 This section of our community is where BPB readers can share links to the latest freeware news and deals with fellow music producers in the comments. Thank you for contributing! To keep the discussion helpful and relevant, please [...]
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Cole Phillips Signs With WME For Global RepresentationRising country singer-songwriter Cole Phillips has signed with WME for global representation in all areas.Born and raised in Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, Phillips has quickly made a name for himself with his gritty storytelling, raw authenticity and powerhouse vocals. Influenced by country legends like Hank Williams Jr. and David Allan Coe, as well as red dirt and rock icons including Zach Bryan, Cody Jinks and Nirvana, Phillips blends traditional country roots with a modern edge.His breakout single “Drinking Alone” went viral, amassing millions of streams and establishing him as a compelling new voice in country music. His upcoming EP, Steel Toes and Texacos, is set for release on April 11 via RECORDS Nashville, featuring five tracks he co-wrote, including the recently released “West Tx,” listen HERE. “Cole’s unique voice as a young songwriter and performer immediately caught our attention. We are absolutely thrilled to partner with someone this incredibly talented,” shares Geoff Turner from WME.Cole adds, "I like working with real people that are going to do right by me. The people over at WME are real folks with real values and that meant a lot to me the first time we met. Can’t wait to see where this goes!" Phillips is also represented by WHY&HOW for management and continues to build momentum with a slate of upcoming headline tour dates.For a full list of tour dates, announcements and more please visit www.officialcolephillips.comBack Row (L-R): WME’s Jon Folk, Jeremy Upton and Caleb FennFront Row (L-R): WHY&HOW’s Reid Alexander and Matt Stubbs, Cole Phillips, WME’s Geoff Turner and WHY&HOW’S Harrison KleinPhoto Courtesy of WMEThe post Cole Phillips Signs With WME For Global Representation first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Trump Media looks to partner with crypto.com to launch ETFsTrump Media has signed a non-binding agreement with Crypto.com to launch a series of exchange-traded funds in the US.Trump Technology Group Corp (TMTG) — the operator of the social media platform Truth Social and fintech brand Truth.Fi — is also part of the agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval, according to a March 24 statement from Trump Media. The parties plan to launch the ETFs later this year through Crypto.com’s broker-dealer, Foris Capital US LLC. The ETFs will consist of digital assets and securities with a “Made in America” focus.Crypto.com will provide the infrastructure and custody services to supply the cryptocurrencies for the ETFs, which may include a basket of tokens, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP) and Cronos (CRO).The parties involved expect the ETFs to be widely available internationally, including in the US, Europe and Asia across existing brokerage platforms.”Once launched, these ETFs will be available on the Crypto.com App for our more than 140 million users around the world,” Crypto.com co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek said.The ETFs are anticipated to launch alongside a slate of Truth.Fi Separately Managed Accounts (SMA), which TMTG also plans to invest in with its cash reserves.Source: Kris MarszalekRelated: Who’s running in Trump’s race to make US a ‘Bitcoin superpower?'The potential ETF launch would mark yet another crypto-related endeavor involving US President Donald Trump.However, Democratic lawmakers say that conflicts of interest have already arisen between Trump’s presidential duties and the Trump Organization’s ownership of the crypto platform, World Liberty Financial, in addition to the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin that launched three days before he was inaugurated.House Representative Gerald Connolly recently referred to the TRUMP token as a “money grab” that has allowed Trump-linked entities to cash in on over $100 million worth of trading fees. Democrat Maxine Waters also criticized Trump’s memecoin on Jan. 20, referring to it as a rug pull that represented the “worst of crypto.”Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Vertical farming company Plenty files for bankruptcy after raising nearly $1BVertical farming company Plenty has filed for bankruptcy, the company said in a press release on Monday. In its statement, Plenty said it has received a commitment for $20.7 million in debtor-in-possession financing as part of a proposed restructuring plan. It plans to continue to operate a strawberry farm in Virginia and a plant science […]

Mural: The Plotter That Draws On WallsLet’s say you’ve got a big bare wall in your home, and you want some art  on it. You could hang a poster or a framed artwork, or you could learn to paint a mural yourself. Or, like [Nik Ivanov], you could build a plotter called Mural, and get it to draw something on the wall for you. 
The build is straightforward enough. It uses a moving carriage suspended from toothed belts attached to two points up high on the wall. Stepper motors built into the carriage reel the belts in and out to move it up and down the wall, and from side to side. In this case, [Nik] selected a pair of NEMA 17 steppers to do the job. They’re commanded by a NodeMCU ESP32, paired with TMC2209 stepper motor drivers. The carriage also includes a pen lifter, which relies on a MG90s servo to lift the drawing implement away from the wall.
The build is quite capable, able to recreate SVG vector graphics quite accurately, without obvious skew or distortion. [Nik] has been using the plotter with washable Crayola markers, so he can print on the wall time and again without leaving permanent marks. It’s a great way to decorate—over and over again—on a budget. Total estimated cost is under $100, according to [Nik].
We’ve featured some neat projects along these lines before, too. Video after the break.

The best argument why Spotify (and other music streaming platforms) need to increase their prices in 2025.Why the oft-ignored metric of ARPCH gives the music industry a fresh perspective – and fresh insights – on streaming's pricing model
Source

Niu plusplus WavetableSampler(Multi-language support、Unlimited trial available) WavetableSampler is a tool for capturing wavetables, designed to be efficient, fast, and professional. It provides waveform snapshots f... Read More

Focusrite update Scarlett 4th Gen firmware Focusrite have just released a firmware update that brings some powerful new functionality to the latest generation of their hugely popular audio interface range.

Apple is bringing lossless audio to its AirPods Max headphones in a free updateApple has announced a new software update which will add lossless audio and ultra-low latency to its AirPods Max headphones.
The update, which will be released in April, will see AirPods Max become the only headphones musicians can use to create and mix in personalised spatial audio, including head tracking.

READ MORE: “When you try to do everything, you’re weak in some places”: Blink-182’s Travis Barker on why it’s important to delegate in the studio

The software update unlocks 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio. This integration allows for the preservation of the integrity of original records, meaning users can listen to music in the same way it was created in the studio.
Personalised spatial audio will also have the lossless feature, meaning uncompressed sound and a more immersive listening experience.
By using AirPods Max with music creation software such as Logic Pro, artists can record and mix using the headphones without compromising fidelity. To use the software to its full potential, users will require an iPhone with TrueDepth camera to create their own personal profile. TrueDepth cameras were introduced with the iPhone X, and all models more recent than this come equipped with the feature.
Streamers and gamers can also benefit from the lossless and ultra-low latency audio update, as it significantly lowers lag time. Hearing your enemy as soon as they’re nearby in shooter games, or wanting the most immersive gameplay experience possible will be invaluable to gamers.
While there’s no exact release date just yet, the free firmware update will roll out with iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and MacOS Sequoia 15.4. If you’re yet to get your hands on the AirPods Max, they’re available for £499 in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange colourways
For more information, head to the Apple Store.
The post Apple is bringing lossless audio to its AirPods Max headphones in a free update appeared first on MusicTech.

StubHub files IPO, acknowledges risks aheadTicket resale marketplace StubHub on Friday filed its initial public stock offering. More than 40 million tickets were resold on StubHub last year, according to the company.
The post StubHub files IPO, acknowledges risks ahead appeared first on Hypebot.

Music Marketing 2025: Swifties, Vaporwave, Superfans & MoreUnderstanding today’s music audiences is key to music marketing success. Learn how algorithms, niche communities and more are helping artists connect with fans in the new playbook for music marketing 2025.
The post Music Marketing 2025: Swifties, Vaporwave, Superfans & More appeared first on Hypebot.

Rupert Neve Designs introduce the RNDI-M Rupert Neve Designs' DI box line-up has gained a new single-channel unit that comes houses in a compact, pedalboard-friendly enclosure.

Rhodes unveils the Stage 61: A compact, gig-ready tine piano built for the modern musician.Rhodes Music has launched the Stage 61, a fully passive 61-key tine piano that offers the signature touch, feel, and sound of a Rhodes in a compact, gig-ready design.
Built for both touring musicians and studio environments, the Stage 61 will be available for preorder starting tomorrow (25 March). To mark the occasion, Rhodes is also releasing a special Launch Edition, limited to just 61 units worldwide.

READ MORE: Native Instruments’ Electric Keys – Tines Duo are among the best Rhodes emulations out there

The Stage 61 is the latest addition to Rhodes’ legacy of handcrafted instruments, following on from the flagship MK8 piano in 2021. Designed with a focus on playability and portability, the new model distills the Rhodes experience into a streamlined, classic design inspired by the original pianos of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and early ‘80s.
At the heart of the Stage 61 is a precision-crafted 61-key Kluge Klaviaturen keybed, the same high-quality keyboard found in the MK8. The instrument operates entirely on passive circuitry, requiring no external power while maintaining an authentic analogue signal path.
Players have access to volume and tone controls, as well as a single jack output; the unit is also designed to be used with an amplifier, DI box, or preamp. Weighing just 59 pounds, the Stage 61 is said to be the most compact and portable Rhodes model to date.
Despite its lightweight design, it maintains the durability expected of a professional-grade instrument, featuring a Tolexed wooden case and a protective ABS lid. Every component, from the tines and pickups to the hammer tips and cable-driven sustain pedal, is drawn directly from the MK8, ensuring an authentic Rhodes playing experience.
For those seeking something extra special, the limited Launch Edition of the Stage 61 offers a distinct aesthetic crafted by renowned designer Axel Hartmann. This edition features a khaki green ABS hood with a premium wear-resistant vinyl finish, a sleek black front panel with orange accents, and exclusive design details.
Image: Rhodes
“The new Rhodes Stage-61 perfectly embodies the classic Rhodes Stage tone, now housed in a compact and portable retro-future shell designed by Axel Hartmann,” says Dan Goldman, Rhodes Music’s Chief Product Officer.
“Utilising the exact same (Kluge) keyboard, precision components, and technology found in our flagship MK8 tine piano, it’s the ideal choice for both stage and studio performers alike.”
​Preorders for the Stage 61 will open on 25 March, exclusively through the Rhodes website. Customers may place a 20 percent deposit or pay in full; the latter will receive a complimentary stand. The product page will remain password-protected until preorders begin. Orders are expected to ship approximately six months after purchase.
The Stage 61 is priced at $6,495/£4,995/€5,995, while the Stage 61 Launch Edition will set you back $6,995/£5,495/€6,495.
For more information or to register your interest, visit Rhodes Music.
The post Rhodes unveils the Stage 61: A compact, gig-ready tine piano built for the modern musician. appeared first on MusicTech.

Producer Djrum on why having “too much of a goal” in the studio can be “restrictive”: “I’m always starting up sessions and not finishing them, but I don’t see that as unproductive”For UK producer Djrum, creativity thrives in the space between unfinished ideas. Instead of viewing incomplete tracks as failures, he sees them as building blocks – fragments that can merge, evolve and spark new directions in his music.
Speaking to MusicRadar, the producer – real name Felix Manuel – explains how his best ideas in the studio often emerge from unexpected detours.
“You have to allow yourself to not have too much of a goal in mind. It can be really restrictive,” says Djrum. “This happened to me just yesterday. I was working on a track and I wanted to add a bass sound to it. I loaded up Serum, which is a bit of a go-to when it comes to bass, and I started making a kind of Reese sort of thing.”

READ MORE: “When you try to do everything, you’re weak in some places”: Blink-182’s Travis Barker on why it’s important to delegate in the studio

“As it developed, I made this really cool sci-fi kind of sound that was absolutely not a bassline. That’s the sort of thing that happens when you’re tweaking parameters and you just find something that sounds good. It was a tangent. I ended up making this sound that wasn’t the bass that I needed for the track.”
As one can probably tell by now, Djrum’s process is anything but linear. The producer often juggles multiple unfinished tracks, allowing them to develop organically over time.
“I’m probably working on four or five different tracks at any time, or even more,” he says. “I’m always starting up sessions and not finishing them, but I don’t see that as unproductive.”
“Those aren’t necessarily dead ends. It might seem like that, but maybe I’ll pick them up later. It’s a case of having a lot of ideas that are free to connect with each other in the pool of ideas. It’s about allowing them to cross pollinate.”
Often, some elements in his tracks become highly polished early on, even when the rest remain skeletal: “I can have a very polished intro, and have no idea what’s going to happen next,” the musician says. “But that intro is finished, because I really went in on it, because I needed it to be finished in order to know that it was right.”
According to Djrum, it’s important to follow ideas as they appear without overthinking so as not to disrupt the “flow” of things.
“I know some people like to do all the polishing at the end,” he says. “I think it’s fine as long as it doesn’t upset the creative flow. That’s the most important thing in all of this. Any detail you can get bogged down by at a too early stage can kill the vibe. It kills the creativity, it kills the flow and the enjoyment. Enjoyment is one of the most important things.”

Djrum’s upcoming album Under Tangled Silence arrives 25 April. Check out his new single Three Foxes Chasing Each Other below.

The post Producer Djrum on why having “too much of a goal” in the studio can be “restrictive”: “I’m always starting up sessions and not finishing them, but I don’t see that as unproductive” appeared first on MusicTech.

“When you try to do everything, you’re weak in some places”: Blink-182’s Travis Barker on why it’s important to delegate in the studioTravis Barker has built a reputation not just as Blink-182’s powerhouse drummer but as a go-to producer for artists like Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne, and Fever 333.
Now, in a new studio tour video, Barker pulls back the curtain on his creative process, sharing insights on music production, gear selection, and the art of collaboration.

READ MORE: “There are so many synths I lust over, but this is the ultimate!”: Clive From Accounts on his dream piece of gear

Reflecting on how Blink-182’s recording process has evolved over time, Barker explains [via MusicRadar]: “The way Blink albums were written, was a different style of production to what happens now. The songs would be written and we would just go in and record them.”
“Trav, you’re gonna come in and you’re gonna record all your drums in one day… For the entire album… I’d be like, ‘OK you guys. See you in three months… And Mark and Tom would stay there for three months and record guitars and vocals.”
“But when I was there for some guitar stuff [Producer Jerry Finn] would be like, ‘You can play better than that. Play it right. You can think of a better part than that – you can beat it. Seeing him do that kind of stuff was really helpful,” Barker adds. “He was very good about making sure that everyone’s ideas were heard and challenging everyone to play as good as they could.”
The studio tour also sees Barker showcasing his enviable collection of gear, from the Ludwig Black Beauties to Sonor’s HLD-590 Signature Cast Bronze snare drum. But despite his extensive collection, the drummer stresses that expensive equipment isn’t what makes a great musician.
“If I was just playing in Blink, or if I was just practicing, I’ll play on your drum kit,” he says. “I never want kids to think like you have to have the best drum kit. I could play Blink shows all around the world on rental kits if I needed to.”
“It’s really about practicing and you’ll make any kit sound good. You take like the best drummer and put him on the trashiest kit, and he’s gonna be great.”
Elsewhere, Barker also reveals his weapon of choice in the control room – the Neve 5088 Mixing Console.
After struggling with an older 1970s Neve that constantly needed repairs (“we recorded a lot of stuff with it,” says Barker), he upgraded to the modern version, trading in his vintage board for a more reliable unit.
“Some days we’d all show up to work and it’d be like, ‘I’m not working today’, and I’d have to get some wizard to come through and spend days with it to get it working again,” he recalls. “There was one guy that could fix it. I couldn’t rely on it any more.”
And while Barker has developed a sharp ear for production over the years, he, too, acknowledges the importance of trusting other experts in the studio.
“I’ve recorded. I’ve written. I’ve done all of the pre-production where I listen to everything solo-ed. I listen to every bass track soloed. Whatever I’m looking for, I do all that stuff. Then I really feel comfortable sending it off to get mixed and trusting the process,” he says.
“I really respect them as mixers and I’m going to them for a reason. I find that when you try to do everything, you’re weak in some places, you know?”
Watch the full video below.

The post “When you try to do everything, you’re weak in some places”: Blink-182’s Travis Barker on why it’s important to delegate in the studio appeared first on MusicTech.