California lawmaker behind SB 1047 reignites push for mandated AI safety reportsCalifornia State Senator Scott Wiener on Wednesday introduced new amendments to his latest bill, SB 53, that would require the world's largest AI companies to publish safety and security protocols and issue reports when safety incidents occur.

Andi Vax TAL-DRUM - All Kits Bundle IVAndi Vax presents "TAL-DRUM - All Kits Bundle IV" The bundle contains 9 Mix-Ready Kits for TAL Software TAL-DRUM, One Shot samples (250+ samples), as well as MIDI and audio previews for each kit. All kits are also available as LOOPS. VIDEO DEMO : Chaka Kit (Inspired by Chaka Khan «Ain't Nobody»). Linn Kit (Classical Kit on Steroids for Modern Production). NIN Kit (Inspired by Nine Inch Nails «Down In It»). NIN 808 Kit (Distorted 808 kit Inspired by Nine Inch Nails). Prince Kit (Inspired by Prince «Kiss» and «Queen I've got to break free»). Roxette Kit (Inspired by Roxette «The Look»). Starship Kit (Inspired by Starship «Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now»). Thriller Kit (Inspired by Michael Jackson «Thriller»). TopGun Kit (Inspired by Berlin «Take My Breath Away»). BONUS: 40+ Rare Percussion samples. 28 Rare Snare samples. 11 Rare Kick samples. Presets for Bass, Arp and Synths (TAL U-No, OP-X Pro 3, The Legend HZ). Presets for Relab LX480 v4 for Super Wide effect and Non Linear effect. 51 LOOPS. IN THE MIX DEMO NAKED DRUMS DEMO Requirements: TAL-Drum 2.8.2 or higher. Read More

No Tension for Tensors?We always enjoy [FloatHeadPhysics] explaining any math or physics topic. We don’t know if he’s acting or not, but he seems genuinely excited about every topic he covers, and it is infectious. He also has entertaining imaginary conversations with people like Feynman and Einstein. His recent video on tensors begins by showing the vector form of Ohm’s law, making it even more interesting. Check out the video below.
If you ever thought you could use fewer numbers for many tensor calculations, [FloatHeadPhysics] had the same idea. Luckily, imaginary Feynman explains why this isn’t right, and the answer shows the basic nature of why people use tensors.

The spoiler: vectors and even scalars are just a special case of tensors, so you use tensors all the time, you just don’t realize it. He works through other examples, including an orbital satellite and a hydroelectric dam.
We love videos that help us have aha moments about complex math or physics. It is easy to spew formulas, but there’s no substitute for having a “feeling” about how things work.
The last time we checked in with [FloatHeadPhysics], he convinced us we were already travelling at the speed of light. We’ve looked at a simple tensor explainer before, if you want a second approach.

Stam Audio reveal 600 Series plans Stam Audio have just announced that they are in the process of designing a new modular format that aims to overcome some of the limitations of the 500 Series. 

Jett Galindo Opens Mastering Studio with NUGEN Audio SupportRenowned GRAMMY® Award-winning mastering engineer Jett Galindo has officially opened the doors to Jett Galindo Mastering—a studio that balances deep-rooted tradition with carefully chosen modern tools. Carrying forward the legacy of her late mentor, mastering icon Doug Sax of The Mastering Lab, Galindo’s new space reflects over a decade of dedication to high-fidelity sound.A statement from Galindo shares, “I’ve had the privilege of having access to a high-quality, award-winning mastering signal chain throughout the entire decade that I worked at The Mastering Lab and The Bakery. When building my studio, I knew I wanted to maintain that authentic, uncompromised fidelity in my sound.”Built from the ground up with precision and intent, the studio features custom analog hardware designed by JCF Audio’s Josh Florian, including The Mastering Lab’s signature line amps and EQs, as well as Florian’s highly regarded Latte A/D-D/A converters. Every detail of the space was crafted with one goal in mind: maintaining the sonic excellence Galindo has long been known for.But her setup doesn’t stop at analog. A statement from the company discloses that Galindo has integrated a number of NUGEN Audio’s digital tools into her workflow, including Monofilter, MasterCheck, Stereoizer, and SEQ-S. These plug-ins provide a modern complement to her signal chain, helping her deliver masters that meet today’s technical standards while preserving the musicality she’s built her reputation on.“My studio is where my analog and digital worlds truly come together,” she says. “Both elements need to complement each other to meet that impeccable standard for mastering.”With this new chapter, Galindo continues to honor the philosophies she learned from her mentors while confidently shaping her own path—where quality is never compromised, and the music always comes first.The post Jett Galindo Opens Mastering Studio with NUGEN Audio Support first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Suzy Shinn (Weezer, Fall Out Boy) makes an indie pop song in Pro Tools
Suzy Shinn sat down with us at Sound Factory, where she reacted to the new Splice x Pro Tools integration and made an indie pop track with it.

Bill Burr slams AI band The Velvet Sundown: “These f**king nerds are taking over”Comedian Bill Burr has made clear his thoughts on AI-generated music, particularly that of the Velvet Sundown, the “band” which was recently revealed as an AI project created using Suno.
The fake group went viral last month, with nearly half a million monthly listeners on Spotify. Many people had their suspicions that the band was fake, though, after listening to the music and viewing its very AI-familiar cover art and press photos.

READ MORE: “When you have phones in front of you, it looks like it’s robots”: Producer Raphael Saadiq on the benefits of phone-free shows

The revelation provoked ire among some listeners, and also called into question the legitimacy of those 470,000 monthly listeners, and whether a certain chunk of that figure was the work of bots.
“These fucking nerds have taken over the music [industry],” says Bill Burr. “People who can’t even play instruments, with computers, are inventing bands that don’t exist, writing songs.
“And then they have bots listen to them, so they get, like, 500,000 views and then people think, ‘This is a real band.’ And it isn’t.”
Burr asks: “What fucking world are we living in here? It’s unbelievable.
“These fucking people, they cannot make enough money. It wasn’t enough to be screwing musicians the way that they have, unapologetically, just fucking them over. The entire existence of the music business – they’ve done nothing but absolutely bend over and fuck musicians. And that still isn’t enough. Now they’re the band, they’re writing music.
“This is like Fleetwood Mac meets Funkadelic with just a dash of Bryan Adams. And then they just put it in the thing and it spits it out.”

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Revealing the AI-powered nature of the Velvet Sundown in a phone call with Rolling Stone was one Andrew Frelon, who said “I think it’s important that we allow artists to experiment with new technologies and new tools, try things out, and not freak out at people just because they’re using a programme or not using a programme.”
Only thing is, Andrew Frelon isn’t a real person at all, and in a recent post on Medium, explained why he opted to tap into the online conversation surrounding the Velvet Sundown despite having no affiliation with the project.
“I also noticed in media coverage that since the band had not had much of any social media presence, none of the journalists covering the band had been able to reach out to them for comments or quotes to include in their articles,” the person explained. “This left a gaping void in the narrative around the band, a situation that is dangerous for the reputation of any brand.”
The post Bill Burr slams AI band The Velvet Sundown: “These f**king nerds are taking over” appeared first on MusicTech.

“When you have phones in front of you, it looks like it’s robots”: Producer Raphael Saadiq on the benefits of phone-free showsBy now, the debate surrounding smartphones at music shows and whether or not they should be banned is picking up steam.
High-profile artists including Swedish rockers Ghost have already enacted phone bans at their shows to try and foster a more present atmosphere, with huge names like Sabrina Carpenter also mulling over the idea.
Now, Beyoncé producer Raphael has offered his opinion on the matter, citing his experience after mandating phones be locked away at some of his recent No Bandwidth: One Man, One Night, Three Decades Of Hits shows.

READ MORE: I tested 9 of the best stem separation tools — here’s how they compare

“Taking the phones away just made it so I can give people the same opportunity that I had as a young [person] going to the Oakland Coliseum and watching The O’Jays,” he tells Tonya Mosley of NPR.
“I mean, I could see them walking up the stairs. I could see the lights on their shoes. I could see the lights on the amps. I paid attention to so much detail. Now, when you have phones in front of you, you see people stiff, and nobody’s moving in the crowd.
“It looks like it’s robots. It’s not really real people. So when there’s no phones… I just – I like it.
“The testimonies I heard, people said, well, they got a chance to hug, kiss, dance with each other…
In general, arguments in favour of phone bans tend to center around Saadiq’s point, that not having access to their phones makes a crowd feel more connected both to the artist on stage and to one another in the moment.
While we asked if it was really feasible considering the legions of teenagers in her fanbase, Sabrina Carpenter recently revealed she was considering the idea, after attending a phone-free Silk Sonic show and saying she’d “never had a better experience at a concert”.
“I genuinely felt like I was back in the ’70s,” she went on. “I genuinely felt like I was there. Everyone’s singing, dancing, looking at each other, and laughing. It really, really just felt so beautiful.”
She continues: “I’ve grown up in the age of people having iPhones at shows. It unfortunately feels super normal to me. I can’t blame people for wanting to have memories. But depending on how long I want to be touring, and what age I am, girl, take those phones away. You cannot zoom in on my face. Right now, my skin is soft and supple. It’s fine. Do not zoom in on me when I’m 80 years old up there.”
Asking fans to temporarily swear off their phones is, of course, a tall order in 2025, and artists will undoubtedly be concerned about dents in ticket sales as a result of such bans. But as it stands, the conversation is picking up momentum.
Indeed, a recent study by phone company Compare and Recycle estimated that fans seeing Oasis’s reunion tour will each watch 12 minutes of the show they attend through their phone while filming. The company says this amounts to 17.3 million minutes of the tour missed collectively.
The post “When you have phones in front of you, it looks like it’s robots”: Producer Raphael Saadiq on the benefits of phone-free shows appeared first on MusicTech.

Live Nation endorses 20% ticket resale cap, full artist controlLive Nation endorses a 20% ticket resale cap along with more giving artists "full control" of how their tickets are resold.
The post Live Nation endorses 20% ticket resale cap, full artist control appeared first on Hypebot.

Sony to launch ECM-778 shotgun mic Aimed at those working in TV and film, the latest addition to the company’s line-up promises to deliver high-quality audio recordings as well as benefitting from boom- and camera-mounting options. 

AI meets Live Performance in Sinvocea’ by DJ DeLaurentisOffering a hint of what's possible when AI meets live performance, Sinvocea’ by DeLaurentis has been named the first winner of the Reply AI Music Contest.
The post AI meets Live Performance in Sinvocea’ by DJ DeLaurentis appeared first on Hypebot.

“Extraterrestrial analogue energy”: Arturia’s MicroBrute UFO Edition is a serious piece of eye candyArturia has unveiled a limited-edition version of its MicroBrute monophonic synthesizer, sporting an alien-themed green-and-black enclosure alongside the features which made the original so popular following its launch in 2013.
While the MicroBrute was discontinued several years for reasons unconfirmed, the mini but powerful synth has landed back to Earth. Here’s everything you need to know about the Arturia MicroBrute UFO Edition.

READ MORE: Thomann Music Days 2025: Save BIG (up to 65%) on synths, controllers and plugins

For musicians and producers seeking a compact, affordable analog synthesizer with real hands-on control, MicroBrute is a pure analog powerhouse that punches above its size,” Arturia explains.
Obviously, straight away we’re going to talk about the new aesthetic design. While the original 25-key MicroBrute featured a black and grey enclosure – with traditional black and white keys – the UFO Edition is outfitted in Space Black and Martian Green, with tidy visual touches including an alien head in place of the “O” in “MicroBrute”, and Martian Green UFOs scattered across its front face.
Arguably, though, its most alluring aesthetic overhaul is the addition of all-black keys. Very sleek, indeed.
Credit: Arturia
Under the hood, the MicroBrute features a 100 percent analogue signal path, delivering “raw, warm tones without digital oscillators or DSP”.
At its core sits a single VCO with Ultasaw, Metalizer and Overtone controls, while a Steiner-Parker multimode filter offers low-, high- and band-pass shaping.

There’s also a built-in 64-step sequencer and a patchable CV/Gate matrix, offering semi-modular flexibility and seamless modular integration.
Whether you’re a beginner exploring synthesis or a seasoned artist building a modular rig, MicroBrute UFO offers a true analog experience with a small footprint and pro-grade features,” says Arturia.
“Every function is directly accessible from the panel – no menus, no presets, just pure sonic creativity.
“MicroBrute was built to answer a clear need in the synth world: a simple, powerful, and compact analog instrument that doesn’t compromise on character.
“With a full modulation matrix, sequencer, and classic analog signal path, it stands out in a sea of over-complicated or digital-first synthesizers.”
The Arturia MicroBrute UFO Edition is priced at €349. For more information, head to Arturia.
The post “Extraterrestrial analogue energy”: Arturia’s MicroBrute UFO Edition is a serious piece of eye candy appeared first on MusicTech.

“This isn’t just a simple ‘investment’… it is about control”: Over 200 music industry leaders call for an investigation into Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music HoldingsBack in December, Virgin Music Group, a part of UMG, sought to acquire Downtown Music Holdings for $775 million. However, music industry leaders are now calling for an investigation into the deal.
According to Music Week, over 200 music industry leaders and CEOs have signed an open letter addressed to Teresa Ribera, the Executive Vice-President at the European Commission (EC), seeking an investigation into UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings.

READ MORE: How to record vocals on your phone and mix them to perfection

The letter focuses on how the deal could “stifle experimentation” as UMG already owns a large fraction of the music market – almost 40%, in fact.
Downtown Music Holdings is a large, multi-faceted rights management and music services company headquartered in New York City comprising 10 divisions across “Artist & Label Services, Distribution, Royalties & Financial Services, and Music Publishing”.
The company has over 20 offices across six continents, and its portfolio of businesses includes Songtrust, CD Baby, FUGA and Curve Royalties.
Omdia’s 2024 Music Market Shares report noted that UMG already controlled over “40% of the recorded music market”. As the open letter notes, this is already “near double the second biggest player”, which could lead to an imbalance of “control” of distribution and royalty infrastructure.
“The deal would place a significant chunk of essential infrastructure under the control of the market leader,” the letter reads. “Many independent music businesses are already tied to Downtown’s services, meaning that we would have to rely on our biggest competitor to connect our artists and their music to their fans.”
“That’s why it’s critical that the deal is reviewed through the lens of its “control share” over the digital markets economy, as well as the physical market, not just share by revenue. This isn’t just a simple “investment” in one of the world’s most prominent independent companies; it is about control.”
The letter also notes how the acquisition could “reduce choice for consumers”, as UMG has recently recently absorbed 8Ball Music, Hyperion, Oriental Star Agencies, and more. This could “narrow the range of voices, styles, and cultures” that are supported by the music industry.
“Everyone has a role to play – from the biggest music company in the world to the independent disruptive start-up uncovering new genres and sounds,” the letter continues. “But when acquisitions like this one occur and start to tip the scales too far, we must act.”
“We therefore urge the European Commission to open a detailed phase two investigation to examine the deeper structural consequences of this transaction. The proposed acquisition poses a clear threat to effective competition, innovation, and the growth of the music industry across the EU and globally… We must keep music open.”
So far, the open letter has been supported by the Association for Independent Music (AIM), Beggars Group, Domino Recordings, and more.
Read the full open letter.
The post “This isn’t just a simple ‘investment’… it is about control”: Over 200 music industry leaders call for an investigation into Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings appeared first on MusicTech.

Jack Harlow and Shaboozey’s Management Company has RangeThis week, Ari is joined by Matt Graham to discuss the evolution of artist management and the inner workings of Range Media Partners.

Fictional K-pop groups from Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ dominate streaming chartsThe film's two virtual bands collectively attracted over 25 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
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