34Audiovisuals Glitch ShredderGlitchShredder is an audio effects processor that breaks down the input signal into fragments— called segments — and reassembles them in different order, backwards, at the wrong speedor randomly. The result is glitch, stutter, reverse and looping effects ranging from subtle rhythmic artifacts to complete deconstruction of the original sound. Stereo zero-crossing chopper engine for click-free signal fragmentation. Circular buffer with 16 independent segments per channel (L/R). Probabilistic glitch engine with Chaos, Glitch, and Reverse controls. Stutter Sync with 9 rhythmic subdivisions synchronized to host BPM. Real-time visualization with dual-layer waveform oscilloscope. 15-day fully functional demo — no feature restrictions. Activate on up to 2 machines with a single license. Read More

Who had “New OS for the Z80” On Their 2026 Bingo Card?Some might say the venerable Z80 doesn’t need another operating system, but [Scott Baker] obviously disagrees. He has come up with a brand new, from scratch OS called NostOS for the Z80-based RC2014 homebrew retrocomputer. [Scott] describes it as CP/M-like, but it’s not CP/M– in fact, it’s totally incompatible with CP/M–and has a few tricks of its own up its sleeve.
As you might expect of an operating system for this vintage of hardware, it is “rommable” — that is, designed to run from read-only-memory, and fit inside 64kB. It of course supports banking memory to go higher than that 16 bit limit, and natively supports common serial devices, along with the good old WD37C65 floppy controller to get some spinning rust into the game. Of course if you don’t have floppies you can plug in a compact flash card– try that with CP/M– or, interestingly Intel Bubble Memory. [Scott] has a soft-spot for bubble memory, which at one point seemed poised to replace both hard drives and RAM at the same time. We also appreciate that he included drivers for vacuum fluorescent displays, another forgotten but very cool technology. Back in the day, this operating system would have enabled a very cool little computer, especially when you take his implementation of text-to-speech with the SP0256A-AL2 chip. Fancy a game of talking Zork? Yes, he ported Zork, and yes, it talks.
The whole thing is, of course, open-source, and available on [Scott]’s GitHub. Unlike too many open-source projects, the documentation is top-notch, to the point that we could picture getting it in a three-ring binder with a 5 1/4 floppy on the inside cover. If you like video, we’ve embedded [Scott]’s walkthrough but his blog and the docs on GitHub have everything there and more if you’re not into rapidly-flickering-pixels as an information exchange medium.
[Scott] isn’t wedded to Zilog, for the record; this OS should run on an Intel 8080, perhaps like the one in the Prompt 80 he restored last year. 
Thanks to [Scott Baker] for the tip!

Highlights of Coachella, Day 2Jack White photo courtesy of Coachella/Julian Bajsel 

Music Connection plays mailman

We handed out magazines and shirts to excited campers, making new friends and filling our unofficial role as festival mailman in the process. The gloriously-decorated tents and vehicles made the jaunt worthwhile.

Die Spitz

The Austin rockers shook the cobwebs away early on the Sonora stage with a set that was as sludgy as it was brutal.

Jack White

The late addition to the bill was predictably brilliant. The sound of the Coachella crowd singing the guitar refrain from "Seven Nation Army," full-voiced, won't leave us for a while.

Addison Rae

A visually dazzling set, jam-packed with great pop tunes. Another huge break-out from the fest.

Sombr

Sombr brought an anthemic, emotive rock vibe to the Outdoor Theatre. Queen-epic, but with a contemporary edge. The crowd lapped it up.

Coi Leray and Bia

Further proof that females are killing it in the hip-hop world. MC has long been a supporter of these two queens, and they ruled at Coachella.

Nine Inch Noize

Having moved from the Friday, the Nine Inch Nails/Boys Noize collar turned into a dark, crunching and ultimately epic performance on the Sahara stage. Stark and bleak in all of the right ways, it felt like a new day for industrial music.

PinkPantheress

Our February cover star put in a near-perfect performance last Mojave. "Stateside" kicked off what might be a career-defining night for the Brit.

David Byrne

We caught Byrne at Coachella 2018, and he was great again. 73 years old. and still able to rouse the rabble. Just look at set list (below).

Justin Bieber

This might be the year that, in the public's eyes, Bieber went from "former teen heart throb" to "genuine pop icon."

The post Highlights of Coachella, Day 2 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Areal unveil the SR1 The SR1 is the latest product from immersive specialists Areal, and delivers an all-in-one headphone monitoring system that employs an interesting new multi-driver design. 

US President Trump faces renewed backlash as Trump-linked tokens crashDemocratic lawmakers and crypto investors characterized crypto projects launched by or tied to Trump as scams and political corruption.

10 Things We Noticed at CoachellaPictured above: Holly Humberstone

Slayyyter

As we mentioned on Friday, Slayyyter's set was magnificent. By the end of the day, our early prediction was vindicated. Nobody--not headliner Sabrina Carpenter not anybody else--put in a better performance than Slayyyter. The buzz was palpable, and she will surely only go from strength to strength from here.

Bini

A day for the Girl Groups

Los Angeles-based Katseye is considered a "global girl group" with members from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. Getting anywhere near the Sahara stage proved an almighty task, such was the frenzy to catch their set. It was far easier to see Bini on the Mojave stage and, from what we saw, Filipino girl group Bini have the better songs. The buzz is Katseye's, but we can see Bini catching up soon.

Devo

Moby and Devo have still got it

With the Yuma stage full-to-bursting when Groove Armada played, halting our plans to see them, it was left to Moby to fill the "veteran electronic artist" spot in our day. Songs like the classic "Porcelain" and "When It's Cold I'd Like to Die" (the latter featuring vocalist Jacob Lusk) highlighted the man's longevity. Before that, Moby was spotted dancing to new wave icons Debo's set, and why wouldn't he. Devo were superb. "Whip It" and "Gates of Steel" would enhance any festival.

CMAT

Holly Humberstone and CMAT skillfully rep Britain and Ireland

Both were wonderful. CMAT gleefully toyed with the crowd, pulling all manner of poses while blasting out tunes like "The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station." Meanwhile, Humberstone's vibe is more subtle, slightly gothic, but equally effective. Expect bigger things from both.

The food is part of it

Gone are the days of nothing but greasy food at music festivals. At Coachella, the food is very much a part of the experience. That said, we star6ted with grease, getting a Breakfast Wrap from Smoothies & Wraps on the campsite. It was great, bursting with egg, tots and bacon. Later, we had a salmon poke bowl that looked delicious but was quite terrible. Oh well, you can't win 'em all.

Diamond Dave

We were planning on watching The Two Lips, but Teddy Swims changed our plans by bringing out David Lee Roth to fire through the Van Halen classic "Jump." That felt like a historic Coachella moment.

Other guests

Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers also joined Swims, while Lizzo joined Sexyy Red, HUNTR/X (from Kpop Demon Hunters) joined Katseye, and Sabrina Carpenter pulled up Will Ferrell. There were more, but these made us happy.

The Radiohead thing

Like Groove Armada, the Radiohead exhibit in the Bunker proved too difficult to get into. We'll have to catch it later with the rest of you. The art elsewhere, though, was breathtaking.

Lykke Li

Swedish artist Lykke Li stark yet warm alt-pop was the first act we caught on either of the two big outdoor stages, and she was glorious. Songs like the opening "Hard Rain" and "No Rest for the Wicked" highlighted the fact that she's an enormous talent. Like Slayyyter, Humberstone and CMAT, we think the next year will be huge for Li.

Sabrina Carpenter

There's no doubt that Carpenter was a valid and worthy Coachella. She's a great performer with a strong voice, and a few killer tunes. "Please Please Please" and "Go Go Juice" were particularly impressive at Coachella. This didn't feel like it'd be classified as one of the great Coachella headline sets (there was a weird bit where Carpenter griped at the crowd a bit), but it was strong.

The post 10 Things We Noticed at Coachella first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Kalshi wins temporary pause in Arizona criminal caseThe Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced Friday that it has won a temporary restraining order preventing Arizona from pursuing its criminal case against Kalshi.

Implementing PCIe over Fiber Using SFP ModulesAlthough we can already buy commercial transceiver solutions that allow us to use PCIe devices like GPUs outside of a PC, these use an encapsulating protocol like Thunderbolt rather than straight PCIe. The appeal of  [Sylvain Munaut]’s project is thus that it dodges all that and tries to use plain PCIe with off-the-shelf QSFP transceivers.
As explained in the intro, this doesn’t come without a host of compatibility issues, least of all PCIe device detection, side-channel clocking and for PCIe Gen 3 its equalization training feature that falls flat if you try to send it over an SFP link. Fortunately [Eli Billauer] had done much of the leg work already back in 2016, making Gen 2 PCIe work over SFP+.
The test setup involves a Raspberry Pi 5 on a PCIe breakout board and a PCIe card connected to the whole QSFP intermediate link with custom SFP module PCBs for muxing between PCIe edge connector or USB 3.0 connectors to use those cheap crypto miner adapter boards. The fiber is just simple single-mode fiber. Using this a Gen 2 x1 link can be created without too much fuss, demonstrating the basic principle.
Moving this up to Gen 3 will be challenging and will be featured in future videos, involving more custom PCBs. With Gen 5 now becoming standard on mainboards, it would be great to see this project work for Gen 3 – 5 at link sizes of x4 and even x16 so that it might be able to run external GPUs at full bandwidth unlike Thunderbolt.
Thanks to [zoobab] for the tip.

U&I Software ArtMatic DesignerThe ArtMatic Creative ToolboX (CTX) is a graphics and sound engine plus a unique set of two integrated applications for procedurally creating still images, motion graphics, video special effects, animation, sound design, and music. Designer can generate audio+video using hundreds of graphics and mathematical modules that link together in countless ways. Use them to generate audio samples, hear what you see (same math), and control images with live audio or recordings. Create images for MetaSynth presets, animations for Music Videos, and complex sounds for motion pictures. It can be seen as a Modular synthesizer capable of almost anything that is algorithmically and mathematically possible. Use it to create all kinds of graphics: decorative images, background textures, video effects, fractals, fine-art, motion graphics, sound effects, audio loops, and more. You can even use it to process photos and videos, or use audio as a math system, that controls 2D, or 3D (with Voyager). Use it with MetaSynth sounds to command pulsing 3D objects, create images in ArtMatic for use in its Image Synth or Image Filter tools, or create unique ArtMatic music to collage in the Montage room. Read More

Infrasonic launch Infrasonic Berlin Infrasonic have announced that Berlin-based mastering engineer and musicologist Freddy Knop will be joining the company roster. 

Revealed Recordings Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1 is a collection of 50 presets and MIDI for crafting breakdowns, main themes, and standout toplines. From euphoric trance and lush progressive tones to melodic hooks and techno driven grit, this pack gives you the tools to unlock new creative directions. Among every preset having modwheel assignments, each preset is assigned all eight macro controls, providing quick modulation options to customize your sound. With Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1, you get a suite of modern pluck sounds to spark creativity and bring your melodies to life in Progressive House, Trance, Big Room, and Techno. Reveal Yourself. Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1 - Details PLUCK (50). Revealed Serum 2 Plucks Vol. 1 (MIDI) - Details MIDI (50). 50 presets, 50 MIDI Core synthesizer patch mapping and programming All presets assigned intuitive modwheel parameters All presets assigned all eight macro controls for easy tweaking and multiple sound variations. Preset format(s): .SerumPack (Full Bank) Note: Presets Require Full Retail Version of Xfer Record's Serum 2 version v2.1.2 or later Approx. 9.7MB compressed .zip download. Read More

How to watch NASA’s Artemis II splash back down to EarthNASA's Artemis II mission has traveled farther from Earth than any mission before. Here's how to watch the crew's return landing in the Pacific Ocean.

Prediction market users await Artemis II mission splashdownThe 10-day lunar flyby mission is expected to end in a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean on Friday evening.

Assignments April 2026: Who Got Hired?

Chip Herter

SVP, Music Supervision & LicensingThe Syndicate

The Syndicate has announced the appointment of Chip Herter as the SVP, Music Supervision & Licensing. In this newly created role, Herter will build a division focused on creative music supervision, licensing, and end-to-end music support for The Syndicate's clients and partners. “The Syndicate has an incredible 28-year legacy in artist development, marketing, and culture-making,” said Herter. “I’m thrilled to join the team and launch a music supervision and licensing practice that prioritizes creative integrity, meaningful partnerships, and real impact for brands and artists alike." For more, contact chip@thesyn.com.

John Powenski

Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources OfficerBMI

BMI announced that John Powenski has joined the company as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer. Powenski will lead Human Resources across the organization, focused on supporting BMI’s continued growth and organizational performance, including the company’s HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Total Rewards, People Operations, and more. He will be based in BMI’s Nashville office. For more, contact lfischer@bmi.com.

Joe Rinaldi

PresidentThe National Independent Venue Association of California

The National Independent Venue Association of California has announced that Joe Rinaldi has assumed the role of President. "Independent venues are the heartbeat of California’s culture and economy," said Rinaldi. "After years of advocating for our community in Southern California, I am honored to lead the statewide effort to ensure our industry not only survives but thrives. Our mission is clear: we must unite our 630-plus qualifying venues, promoters, and festivals to become a self-sufficient force for change." For more, contact nivacalifornia@gmail.com.

Mikelle Schwartz

Co-Head, Label MarketingPosition Music

Position Music announced that Mikelle Schwartz has been named Co-Head of the company’s Label division. Schwartz will take on the role of Head of Label Marketing, where she will oversee Product Management, Digital Marketing, and DSP and distribution partnerships. "I’m excited to join Position Music and help shape the next chapter of its label business —building alongside Tyler, Mark and Garrett, who are all forward-thinking leaders redefining what growth and artist partnership look like today,” said Schwartz. For more, contact deborah@drpr.us.

Lindsay Hayes

Vice President of DevelopmentMusic Health Alliance

Music Health Alliance (MHA), the nonprofit dedicated to providing advocacy and access to healthcare and mental health for the music industry, has appointed Lindsay Hayes as Vice President of Development and announced several staff promotions across its advocacy and healthcare navigation team. In this role, Hayes will lead the growth of MHA’s fundraising and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term financial sustainability. “I’m thrilled to now make things official and join MHA at a time when their work has never been more vital,” said Hayes. For more, contact caitlin@musichealthalliance.com.

Bailey Aldrich

Senior Marketing and Event SpecialistKHS America

KHS America has announced the promotion of Bailey Aldrich to Senior Marketing and Event Specialist. In her new position, Aldrich will lead content and advertising deployment for all KHS America brands, implement digital marketing strategies alongside the Educational Brand Management team, and direct the administrative operations of major trade shows and industry events. "Since she started with KHS America, Bailey has consistently stood out for her exceptional initiative, organization, and team support," said Ryan Rehnborg, Creative & Marketing Communications Manager.  For more, contact kate@richlynngroup.com.

Björn Sandberg

Head of Commercial MarketingAudioSalad

AudioSalad, a music technology company, announced the appointment of Björn Sandberg to the newly created position of Head of Commercial Marketing. Based in London, Sandberg will lead the evolution of AudioSalad’s artist and label marketing and will report to CEO Iain Catling. "Björn’s experience and deep understanding of commercial marketing in today’s complex marketplace make him a tremendous addition to our team," said Catling. "His expertise further strengthens our distribution capabilities as we continue building best-in-class services for artists, creators, and labels." For more, contact jsmith@sesac.com.

Garrett Ream

Co-Head, Label CreativePosition Music

Position Music announced that Garrett Ream has been named Co-Head of the company’s Label division. Ream will take on the role of Head of Label Creative, where he will oversee Content & Digital Strategy and Radio Promotion, while continuing to play a key role in the label’s A&R and signing strategy. “Our focus has been building a digital-first infrastructure and in-house agency that allows us to move at the speed of the audience. I’m incredibly grateful to Mark and Tyler for their trust and support in building this vision and their commitment to being active partners to our artists,” said Ream. For more, contact deborah@drpr.us.The post Assignments April 2026: Who Got Hired? first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Battle Born Explains How Its Battery Thermal Safety WorksAutopsy of Battle Born LFP battery with the ‘thermal safety’ on the bus bar. (Credit: Will Prowse)
After users of Battle Born LFP batteries encountered issues such as a heavily discolored positive terminal and other signs of overheating, multiple autopsies showed that the cause appeared to be the insertion of a thermoplastic between the bus bar and the terminal. Over time thermal creep loosened the connections, causing poor contact and melting plastic enclosures. According to Battle Born, this is actually part of an ingenious thermal safety design, and in a recently published article they explain how it works.
The basic theory appears to be that if there’s a thermal event, the ABS thermoplastic will soften and reduce the pressure on the bolted-together copper bus bar and brass terminal. This then allows for an aluminium-oxide layer to form on the aluminium connecting bolt courtesy of the dissimilar copper/aluminium interface. Aluminium-oxide is non-conductive and thus interrupts the flow of current.
Of course, there are countless issues with that theory, least of all the many reports of in-field failures. We recently covered [Will Prowse] studying the death of one of these 100 Ah LFP batteries from brand-new to failure under controlled circumstances. This clearly shows the thermal creep loosening up the connection and causing poor contact between the bus bar, the bolt and the terminal, with poor contact and thermal issues resulting.

Naturally, [Will Prowse] had to address this most recent statement by Battle Born, with the latter taking care to indirectly attack and dismiss his findings. Here Battle Born’s argument seems to hinge on the removal of the lid damaging this aluminium-oxide layer and preventing the ‘thermal safety’ from working, yet not addressed are the many batteries that failed in the field and showed loose connections due to thermal creep from the ABS layer.
It’s also never addressed why these LFP batteries cannot simply be equipped with a traditional thermal fuse rather than this convoluted contraption, among many other questions that remain. Correspondingly [Will] is rather incredulous at this response, as should anyone be who has been following this saga.