The Crow Hill Company has released Shimmer Guitar, the fourth instrument in the FREE Vaults series
Shimmer Guitar is a new free sound library by The Crow Hill Company. The Crow Hill Company is Christian Henson’s brainchild. If you know Christian’s work with Spitfire Audio, the free Vaults series will feel familiar. Now, the company has released Shimmer Guitar, the fourth instrument in the FREE Vaults series. So far, there are [...]
View post: The Crow Hill Company has released Shimmer Guitar, the fourth instrument in the FREE Vaults series

NAMM 2024: Korg’s new portable record player takes inspiration from the iconic Vestax Handy TraxNAMM 2024: Korg has been on quite the roll the past week with its – frankly, impressive – string of releases set to make their debut at this year’s NAMM show. Joining the ranks of new products is the Handytraxx Play, the brand’s latest attempt at a portable record player that builds on the legacy of the iconic Vestax Handy Trax.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024: The hottest rumours and latest announcements from this year’s show

Described as the “definitive tool for portablism”, Korg’s latest turntable/DJ-deck was designed in collaboration with former Vestax president, Toshihide Nakama, who sadly passed away before the project could be completed.
As it stands, the new Handytraxx Play evokes the spirit of the original, with the addition of a bunch of unique functions that go beyond both DJ and normal record players to allow for “full-fledged DJ play”.
To start, the Handytraxx features creative filters as well as a built-in looper with variable playback function. Cue function and monitoring allows for DJ play using the looper while listening to your record with your headphones. There’s also a crossfader with reverse mode for you to switch between tracks.
True to its promise of ‘on-the-go play’, the rather compact Handytraxx can be powered by AAA batteries or USB-C, and comes with built-in speakers. The unit also has a detachable control panel, replaceable crossfader, and is MM cartridge mountable.
There’s no word on the release date or pricing for the Handytraxx as of yet, though a non-playable prototype will be displayed at the Korg USA booth (Hall C 7003) at NAMM 2024.
In other news, Korg recently unveiled the Opsix mkII, a step up from the original Opsix promising “more variety than any single synth has ever been able to achieve before”.
For more info on the Handytraxx Play, head to Korg.
The post NAMM 2024: Korg’s new portable record player takes inspiration from the iconic Vestax Handy Trax appeared first on MusicTech.

Apple Music to pay artists 10% higher royalties for tracks in Spatial AudioApple Music has announced that it will now pay artists a royalty rate of up to 10% higher for tracks that are available in Spatial Audio format.

READ MORE: TikTok testing generative AI songmaking tool – and so far, it absolutely sucks

In a letter sent out to its label partners on Monday (22 January) [as reported by Music Business News], the streaming service confirms that starting with January’s month-end payout, “pro-rata shares for Spatial Available plays will be calculated using a factor of 1.1 while Non-Spatial available plays will continue to use a factor of 1.”
“This change is not only meant to reward higher quality content, but also to ensure that artists are being compensated for the time and investment they put into mixing in Spatial.”
Apple also claims that it is seeing “wide adoption of Spatial from the biggest hitmakers worldwide,” and that more than 90 percent of Apple Music subscribers have listened to a song in the format. Plays for music available in Spatial Audio have also more than tripled in the last two years.
The move follows a recent Bloomberg report announcing Apple’s plans to “give added weighting” to streams of songs mixed in Dolby Atmos technology. Crucially, users don’t need to listen to the Atmos version of the song for artists to earn the bonus payout. What’s key is that the song is made available in that particular format. The Cupertino giant hopes that the new policy will motivate artists and labels to record and mix music in Dolby Atmos, even for previously released tracks.
Spatial audio made its debut on Apple Music back in 2021. Available at zero extra cost for subscribers, the format is supported by technology from Dolby Atmos, and strives to replicate the immersive, surround-sound quality of in-person music experiences.
The post Apple Music to pay artists 10% higher royalties for tracks in Spatial Audio appeared first on MusicTech.

NAMM 2024: Korg is reissuing its legendary PS-3300 synth – but you’ll need $13,000 to spareNAMM 2024: One of the rarest and most coveted synthesizers in music history, the Korg PS-3300, is making a glorious return this year.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024: The hottest rumours and latest announcements from this year’s show

With just 50 units ever produced by Korg between 1977 to 1981, the PS-3300 has long cemented its status as one of the most collectible units in synth history.
As the brand explains, the upcoming reissue will be a full-scale reissue of the original, led by same the Korg engineering team that successfully brought back iconic machines such as the MS-20, ARP ODYSSEY, miniKORG 700FS and ARP 2600 to critical acclaim.
The new semi-modular PS-3300 FS will consist of three synthesizer units (PSU-3301) paired with with mixer and utility sections (PSU-3302), as well as a 49-note keyboard and 49-voice analogue polyphony, up from the original’s 48. You’ll get three independent oscillators, plus multiple filters, envelopes and amplifiers for every note on its keyboard, for a whopping total of 147 analogue synth voices to work with.
Each PSU-3301 module is also equipped with 12 microtuning knobs, and while the three-band resonator found on the original design remains, the cadmium sulphide circuitry has been replaced with modern components in order to comply with modern safety regulations. There’s even a new panel memory function offering storage for 16 banks of 16 presets, allowing users to save a total of 256 sounds.
Other modern-day features include USB and MIDI jacks, and a dedicated librarian app for easy preset management.
Of the reissue, Yoshihito Yamada, Chief Engineer of Korg Analogue Synthesizers said: “Bringing back to life these legendary machines is not only a process of reproducing circuits and sounds, but also of learning and embracing the essence of the philosophy and development of synthesizers.”
“Through this project I was able to relive the history of Korg and a critical moment in the evolution of our synthesizers. This was an extremely valuable experience that provided an opportunity for Korg’s philosophy and technology to be carried on to future generations.”
The PS-3300 FS will be available in late 2024 and will be made to order, with an expected price of $13,000. In the meantime, a non-playable prototype version will be on display at the Korg USA Booth at this year’s NAMM show.
Learn more at Korg.
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Iron Mountain Entertainment Services (IMES) and Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., to serve as Premier Sponsors for Recording Academy P&E WingPremier Sponsors have been announced for the upcoming "A Celebration of Craft," held jointly by the Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® and the Recording Academy Songwriters & Composers Wing® at the GRAMMY Museum® in Downtown Los Angeles on Wed, Jan. 31, 2024. The celebration – a first joint GRAMMY® Week event for the Academy's craft Wings – will commence the Recording Academy's official events honoring the music community in the lead-up to the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards®.

Premier Sponsors include Iron Mountain Entertainment Services (IMES) and Qualcomm Technologies, International, Ltd. Additional sponsors will be announced shortly. A Celebration of Craft will honor Leslie Ann Jones, a seven-time GRAMMY winner and the first woman Chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees (1999-2001), who has spent over 40 years in the industry as a recording and mixing engineer and record producer. The event will also salute the year-round work of the Producers & Engineers and Songwriters & Composers Wings and shine a light on the people working behind the scenes to create the year's best musical works.

Lance Podell, senior vice president and general manager of Iron Mountain Entertainment Services, remarks, "Iron Mountain Entertainment Services is proud to serve as a Premier Sponsor at A Celebration of Craft, the first-ever collaborative event between the P&E and S&C Wings. Our close relationship with the Recording Academy helps raise awareness of the importance of archiving and preservation of music and intellectual property. GRAMMY Week is a prime time to come together with music's great creators to celebrate the industry's accomplishments and prepare for what is to come."

Dino Bekis, vice president and general manager, wearables and mixed signal solutions, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. says, "We couldn't be more excited to once again be part of GRAMMY Week as Premier Sponsors of A Celebration of Craft. The dedication and passion that artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers pour into their music is only realized when listeners can experience it exactly as imagined. According to our latest State of Sound Report, listeners overwhelmingly prioritize premium audio experiences, with over 73% of respondents expressing their commitment to continuously improving sound quality with each device purchase. We're delighted to be able to provide such an important piece of this creative experience thanks to the Snapdragon Sound technology suite."

"A Celebration of Craft could not happen without our Premier Sponsors," states Maureen Droney, Vice President of the Producers & Engineers Wing. "This is our first year holding our GRAMMY Week event jointly with the Songwriters & Composers Wing, and we couldn't be more enthusiastic to share this event with the S&C Wing. This evening celebrates the hard work of the talented individuals who labor behind the scenes to create the best of what our industry has to offer. With that in mind, we acknowledge our Premier Sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible. We are enormously appreciative of their partnership in helping us to host this special evening."

Susan Stewart, Senior Managing Director of the Songwriters & Composers Wing, adds, "On behalf of the Songwriters & Composers Wing, we are excited to join our Premier Sponsors and the Producers & Engineers Wing for A Celebration of Craft, the first GRAMMY Week event for the Songwriters & Composers Wing since our founding in 2021. IMES and Qualcomm Technologies are both industry leaders at what they do, and I look forward to our attendees sharing the room with them to exchange ideas and celebrate the industry's accomplishments."

A Celebration of Craft will take place just days before the Recording Academy will honor the Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical and Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical Categories in the General Field of the GRAMMY Awards® for the first time at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

The Recording Academy announced these additions in June 2023 after they were voted on and passed by the Recording Academy's Board of Trustees in May 2023; relocating these Categories allows all GRAMMY voters to participate in the voting process for these non-genre-specific Categories and recognize excellence in the important fields of producing and songwriting.

Media RSVP for A Celebration Of Craft is mandatory, and space is limited. Please email grammyawards@rcpmk.com to RSVP.

GRAMMY Week culminates with the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Sun, Feb. 4, 2024, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Learn more about how to watch the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Media assets for GRAMMY season and events can be found here.

Snapdragon Sound is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon and Snapdragon Sound are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.The post Iron Mountain Entertainment Services (IMES) and Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., to serve as Premier Sponsors for Recording Academy P&E Wing first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Successful failure: Sierra Space’s inflatable habitat blows up as plannedSierra Space has completed a key test of its inflatable space habitat, as the company progresses toward launching and operating a private space station with Blue Origin before the end of the decade. The “ultimate burst pressure” test of the inflatable module was conducted at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. As the name suggests, the […]
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Live music company DEAG plans to re-list on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and raise between €40m to €50m to spend on M&AThe company first went public in 1998 and delisted in January 2021
Source

TuneCore says that over 80,000 indie artists are enrolled in its ‘TuneCore Accelerator’ marketing programsTuneCore has published its first TuneCore Accelerator Report
Source

It’s Superfan Week on Hypebot!From major label executives to startup founders and the artists they’re both hoping to monetize, the term “superfan” is everywhere. But what is a superfan? How do you find them,. Continue reading
The post It’s Superfan Week on Hypebot! appeared first on Hypebot.

What is a Superfan & Why do UMG, WMG (and everyone else) care so much?Everyone is talking about the importance of music superfans to propel and monetize an artist’s career. But what is a superfan, and why do the CEOs of UMG and WMG,. Continue reading
The post What is a Superfan & Why do UMG, WMG (and everyone else) care so much? appeared first on Hypebot.

3 ways to find inspiration for your music
Here are three actionable ways you can find inspiration for your music, as well as resources that pair with each.

Korg to reissue PS-3300 synthesizer A reissue of Korg's iconic PS-3300 synthesizer, which saw a run of just 50 units between 1977 and 1981, is set to launch later in 2024.

Behringer is teasing a new synth that looks a lot like the Roland Jupiter-8Behringer has added yet another prototype to its ever-growing list, expanding the Jupiter collection, with the JT-16.

READ MORE: Behringer 2024: Every synth, drum machine and controller Behringer is working on

In a post to Facebook on Saturday (20 January), and later to Instagram, the synth manufacturer announced that a “new prototype is getting ready for assembly”. Upon closer inspection it appears to be a JT-16 analogue polyphonic synthesiser, offering 16 voices and plenty of oscillator choices, such as LFOs, VCOs and VFOs and more.

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The prototype shares a number of visual similarities with the coveted Roland Jupiter-8, with the same orange band spanning the length of its interface. Unlike the Jupiter-8, though, it looks like it doesn’t have keys at this time.
It’s been almost a year since Behringer teased the JT-2 Jupiter Voice in Eurorack format, promising that a “full key version” of the  Jupiter was in the works. While this doesn’t seem to be the Jupiter clone that has been promised, it looks to be a step up from the JT-2, offering 16 voices rather than just two.
Further details surrounding the prototype are few and far between right now, but given the fact it has plenty more voices and oscillator options than the JT-2, we predict its price to be significantly above the JT-2’s $299.
There is also little information about connectivity options, but it is hoped to be better than the JT-2, which only offers a single MIDI in/out and USB, as well as mono audio out.
Fans in the comments sections of Behringer social media posts seem very excited about the new prototype. “Oh wow, a Jupiter 16!” one writes, while another adds: “The Jupiter 8 is coming to life!”
We’ll endeavour to keep you in the loop with more info as we receive it.
To stay in the loop yourself, though, head to Behringer.
The post Behringer is teasing a new synth that looks a lot like the Roland Jupiter-8 appeared first on MusicTech.

How to sell more music merch using these 8 proven tacticsSelling merch is more than just a revenue stream for music artists – it’s a way to deepen your connection with Superfans. Want to know how? Here are eight super. Continue reading
The post How to sell more music merch using these 8 proven tactics appeared first on Hypebot.

Ferguson Hill’s new Jetstream speaker system looks like something out of a sci-fi movieBritish pro-audio maker Ferguson Hill has unveiled what might just be the coolest speaker system you’ve ever laid your eyes on.
Billed as the brand’s “finest-ever design”, the new Jetstream Loudspeaker System spent two decades in the making, building on the iconic transparent design of the original FH001.

READ MORE: NAMM 2024: The hottest rumours and latest announcements from this year’s show

With upgrades introduced to “practically every single component”, the new system comprises a pair of Jetstream Horn Loudspeakers, a pair of Jetstream Bass Speakers, and a Jetstream Bass Amplifier. The system has also been “entirely reworked from the ground up”, according to Ferguson Hill.
“I have incorporated all the changes I have wanted to do since the launch of the FH001 twenty years ago,” said founder and designer Tim Hill of their latest offering.
For one, the horn speakers now feature the company’s own manufactured semi-full range drive unit, created in conjunction with Cube Audio of Poland. Improvements were also made to the interface between the acrylic horn and the metal ring, resulting in a more even sound wave expansion from the circular drive unit diaphragm to the mouth of the horn.
Credit: Ferguson Hill
The Jetstream bass speakers, meanwhile, arrive as a pair of 600mm acrylic spheres, with neodymium-powered 300 mm drive units. They are driven by the Jetstream Bass Amplifier with an internal low pass filter of 140 Hz. The Class D amplifier is capable of a total power output of 400W (2 x 200W) and features a sleek-looking anodised aluminium block construction.
Stunning as they come, just know that it isn’t just the Jetstream’s visuals that are out of this world. The entire system will cost you a stratastrophic £105,200. Individually, the horn speakers are priced at £72,955 a pair, the bass speakers £22,295, and the amplifier an additional £9,950.
Learn more at Ferguson Hill.
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