As Techstars retools, some former staffers say it lost focus on what made it successfulWell-known accelerator group Techstars announced a slew of changes to its operations this week, including the shuttering of some of its city-based programs. 
Criticism from former members of its decisions lit social media channels who argued that the famed startup accelerator has lost focus on the very thing that historically made it so successful.
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The MLC Announces Six Advisory Committee AppointmentsThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) announced six appointments to the organization’s advisory committees, including three appointments to the Dispute Resolution Committee, one appointment to the Operations Advisory Committee and two appointments to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee.

Dispute Resolution Committee

Songwriter, David “DQ” Quiñones, has been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee, to fill a songwriter seat. Quiñones attended Shenandoah Conservatory for music education and opera studies before attending Berklee College of Music where he studied music production and engineering. He has an extensive studio resume in vocal production and arrangements and has written most notably for Beyoncé, BTS, Brandy, The Pussycat Dolls, Enrique Iglesias and Nicki Minaj.

Consuelo Sayago (Industry Relations Advisor at Spirit Music Group) has been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee. Sayago is a seasoned music industry professional who has dedicated her career to championing the rights of creators. With a background in contract administration at BMI and EMI and most recently serving as Vice President, Global Administration at Spirit Music, she has played a pivotal role in working with CMOs worldwide to form equitable standards and alliances.

Matthew Skiba (Vice President, Rights and Content at Vydia) has been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee. Skiba brings a wealth of knowledge to the committee from his role at Vydia, where he’s held positions in digital rights management. Previously, Skiba worked in publishing administration and infringement claims at The Royalty Network, Inc., managing settlement agreements for mechanical and sync infringements.

The Dispute Resolution Committee makes recommendations to the Board on policies and procedures for the processing of royalties related to works that are subject to disputes over ownership and is comprised of five songwriters and five representatives of music publishers.

Operations Advisory Committee

Lidia Kim (Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs at Concord Music Publishing) has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. Leveraging a rich background in the legal industry, Lidia oversees the digital business and legal affairs for Concord Music Publishing, advising company executives and internal departments on global digital and catalog matters, and managing the global digital licensing network, DSP relations and mass copyright litigation and other new media rights enforcement matters. Her expertise extends to managing business affairs as well as drafting and negotiating agreements with both emerging and established talents, including artists, songwriters and contemporary classical composers.

As described in the Music Modernization Act of 2018, The MLC’s Operations Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Board on policies and procedures related to the operations of the Collective, including the efficient investment in and deployment of information technology and data resources. It is comprised of six representatives of music publishers and six representatives of digital music providers.

Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee

Songwriter, “Bruce” Waynne Nugent, has been appointed to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee,filling one of the five songwriter seats. With over two decades of experience in the music industry, working at the intersection of entertainment and technology, Nugent brings a vast array of knowledge in music production and A&R, co-producing for artists like Frank Ocean, Justin Bieber and Nelly.

Dale Esworthy (Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration at Sony Music Publishing), who previously held a position on the Operations Advisory Committee has also been appointed to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee. In his position, Esworthy manages all administration operations for the company across its network of 38 offices in 24 countries, including copyright, royalty administration, tracking and other client services.

The Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee recommends policies and procedures to The MLC’s Board related to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties and is comprised of five songwriters and five representatives of music publishers.

Committee appointments are for three-year terms. Alisa Coleman, Board Chair states: “The MLC Board and its nominating committee appreciate all the submissions by writers and publishers who want to do their part by working with The MLC on these important committees. In reviewing and interviewing the many applicants, the Board has chosen those who we believe will best contribute to the diversity and knowledge of the existing committees.”

More information on The MLC’s Board of Directors and three advisory committees can be found here.

Initial Audio’s New Dynamic EQ Plugin Is FREE Until March 31st
Initial Audio’s Dynamic EQ plugin is currently available for FREE from the company’s website, which represents a saving of $49.  The deal is part of the developer’s 10th-anniversary sale and terminates at the “end of March.”  Dynamic EQ is a parametric equalizer with multi-band compression.  Initial Audio states that “each band has a built-in compressor [...]
View post: Initial Audio’s New Dynamic EQ Plugin Is FREE Until March 31st

GForce unveils the streamlined OB-EZ plugin for just £24.99 (for now)GForce has unveiled the OB-EZ , a new plugin featuring the rich Oberheim 8-Voice sound of OB-E in a streamlined interface, ideal for fat-tone-loving producers looking to simplify their workflow.

READ MORE: Arturia launches KeyLab Essential 88 mk3, putting a “full piano range at the fingertips” of producers

According to GForce, the OB-EZ is far from a lite version of the acclaimed OB-E (check out our review of the soft synth) when it comes to sound.
On the contrary, the OB-EZ features the same OB-E engine under its hood. The 260 plus patches included in OB-EZ are designed to deliver the same fatness and punch as those found in the OB-E, with enhanced tweakability.
Users can easily fine-tune all the essentials such as cutoff, resonance, envelopes, tuning, portamento, delay, reverb and more. Additional features include a Vintage knob for adding variation, Panning Modes for wide soundscapes, Vibrato, a fully resizable UI, as well as CC MIDI Mapping.
There’s also a powerful new Preset Browser for you to get down and dirty with your next production. And for those who prefer to go full-Oberheim, GForce has included the ability to import OB-EZ user presets in OB-E (the feature will arrive in spring). The presets cover everything from polyphonic keys and mega octaphonic pads to powerful unison basses and recreations you’ve probably heard on countless hits.
“OB-EZ is the fastest path to Oberheim fatness!” says Oberheim veteran Marcus Ryle.
The OB-EZ is priced at £49.99 (excluding VAT) with an intro price of £24.99. The software will be free for all current and new OB-E owners. It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS and Windows.

Learn more at GForce Software.
The post GForce unveils the streamlined OB-EZ plugin for just £24.99 (for now) appeared first on MusicTech.

Spitfire Audio relaunches its Spitfire Symphony Orchestra plugin for an “even richer orchestral experience”Spitfire Audio has relaunched its Spitfire Symphony Orchestra plugin – originally released a decade ago – with multiple new enhancements for a “richer orchestral experience”.
The enhanced edition of SSO now incorporates percussion, woods, winds, strings, harp, and piano. It hosts a new Kontakt 7 UI, and comprehensive bug fixes have been implemented for a stable workflow. MusicTech reviewed the original SSO seven years ago, and scored it a mighty 10/10.

READ MORE: Spice up your use of samples with MonkeyC’s Rando sample randomiser plugin

The original SSO was captured at Lyndhurst Hall in AIR Studios (founded by Sir George Martin, known for his production work with The Beatles). Performed by London’s first-call orchestral players, the SSO sample library utilises a legato programming transformation that has been created by Andrew Blaney for improved realism.
The plugin features a complete Orchestra (118 Piece), with a selection of over 800 articulations across the whole orchestra including alternative techniques and legatos, with up to eight round robins per articulation and multiple dynamic layers.
It offers a wide range of mic signal options including Close, Tree, Ambients, Outriggers and Leader. There’s also Ostinatum mode for strings, brass and woodwind, and percussion mapping to allow for two-handed playing.

Paul Thomson, Spitfire Audio’s Co-Founder, states, “Our aim is to not just meet but exceed the expectations of composers. With this comprehensive relaunch, we are confident that SSO will continue to be a top choice amongst the world’s most successful composers, offering a rich and immersive orchestral experience.”
He adds, “There’s something truly unique about the sound in AIR Studios. The players recorded on the sessions performed at the peak of their abilities and as a result, the samples are absolutely stunning.
“It’s a timeless experience that we are continually nurturing – we’ve reimagined the legato programming, introduced a new, better user interface, and removed bugs, all while maintaining exceptional quality, ease of use and affordability. The result is a cohesive orchestral toolkit that is even more exciting now than it was when it was created a decade ago.”
Spitfire Symphony Orchestra is available now for £499 ($629 / €569), and there’s a 20 per cent discount currently running until 7 March 2024.
Find out more at Spitfire Audio.
The post Spitfire Audio relaunches its Spitfire Symphony Orchestra plugin for an “even richer orchestral experience” appeared first on MusicTech.

DAACI wants you to join its open beta to test its AI-powered Natural Drums pluginMusician-led AI tool developer DAACI is currently welcoming users to its open beta community to test its first creator plugin, Natural Drums.
Described as an “assistive AI co-pilot plugin”, Natural Drums creates drum grooves in real time, as if a session drummer is right there in your studio with you. It integrates into your existing DAW workflow, and will “assist creativity” and not replace it.

READ MORE: “Our AI isn’t trained on other people’s catalogues”: AI-powered “meta-composition” software DAACI places the human at the centre of music-making

Users can start with an idea and let the plugin enhance their initial input. Like working with a real drummer, you can play along and make changes in real time. It has been created by expert drummers and “draws on their many years of experience playing music in live settings”.
In line with DAACI’s musician and composer-led approach to generative AI, it doesn’t pull from a list of precomposed patterns, but rather “thinks like a musician” to create beats that feel human-like and unique.
The Natural Drums open beta gives users early access to a beta licence key ahead of full product release, plus discounts on future betas and full product licences, full technical support, insider access to the DAACI team, sneak peeks at upcoming products, and more.

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DAACI CEO Rachel Lyske states, “This is an incredibly exciting time for DAACI as we start to put our tools into the hands of the people who we value the most – musicians, artists and composers.” She adds, “Our solutions are built by musicians for musicians and now we are inviting people to get involved and help shape the future.
“Natural Drums is a perfect start to the pulse of this beta community. Over 30 years ago, at the start of my creative journey, the first thing I wrote was a simple drum beat. The challenge then was to express the complexity I was hearing in my head… I had to write it all out by hand and I didn’t have the tools to bring my ideas to life. Now, Natural Drums is in the hands of our users and they can benefit from DAACI’s unique approach and system.”
Join the open beta now for £18 over at DAACI.
The post DAACI wants you to join its open beta to test its AI-powered Natural Drums plugin appeared first on MusicTech.

Someone just created a MIDI keyboard the size of your credit cardIs your MIDI keyboard small enough to fit into the palm of your hand and the pocket of your pants? Well, this one is.
Meet MIDICard, the ingenious credit card-sized creation of creative technologist and software engineer Alana Balagot, designed for on-the-go music creation whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

READ MORE: Arturia launches KeyLab Essential 88 mk3, putting a “full piano range at the fingertips” of producers

Measuring at just 3.5 by 2 inches and less than ¼ inches thick, MIDIcard is said to be the “world’s smallest MIDI controller”. Such extreme thinness is achieved by manufacturing directly on a case-less PCB board, which lends the controller its sleek, futuristic look.
Image: MakerProducts
MIDIcard is a bus-powered, class compliant MIDI keyboard with an 18 key keyboard (octave and a half range), sustain, velocity selection for dynamics, and octave selection buttons. Full polyphonic capability allows you to get wild with chords — that is, if your fingers can fit. The controller also comes with class compliant USB-C connectivity for you to plug into pretty much everything from your laptop to your iPhone and Android devices.
Each MIDICard also comes bundled with a short USB-C cable, and per instruction from its creator, moderate caution should be taken to avoid static electricity and water.
The first batch of MIDICards has completely sold out, though a new batch is scheduled to arrive next week (26 February). Secure your pre-order now for £50 (£60 for the Lightning cable version) through the MakerProducts Etsy page.
Check out the MIDICard in action below.

The post Someone just created a MIDI keyboard the size of your credit card appeared first on MusicTech.

“This is the best synth in the world”: “Synth god” Mike Dean’s setup is nutsWidely respected record producer, audio engineer, and “synth god” Mike Dean has revealed his studio setup in a new interview.
The interview, conducted by Reverb, sees the Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Madonna and Jay-Z producer show off a wealth of drool-worthy analogue gear. He also offers viewers a brief glimpse into how he builds a track by layering synths with guitar.

READ MORE: Andrew Huang teases new Moog synth used during Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

One of the most exciting sections of the interview is when Dean plays his Oberheim OB-X Four Voice, producing rich, gritty sonics. This 1979-launched synth, he says proudly, is “the best synth in the world”. “It’s all prog rock there, y’know?” Dean smiles as he jams away on the 1979-launched synth, which sits above a Rhodes Chroma, and below another Oberheim OB-X.
In this outtake below, you can see him smacking the OB-X to make it work:

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In the video, he also talks us through how he uses two semi-modular analogue Moog synths, the 49-key Matriarch and the 32-key Grandmother. This combination is the bedrock for his live setup, he says, with him having repurposed two of the knobs on the Matriarch for “delay throws”.
The Moog action doesn’t stop there. Dean turns to his iconic re-issued Moog Minimoog Model D, saying “if you don’t want to spend fourteen, fifteen grand on an old one, this is great.” We also get to see his Moog Subsequent 37, Moog Voyager and the Memorymoog, which he regards as one of his “top five – the synth I always wanted when I was a kid”.
He goes on to show us his Yamaha CS-80, “probably one of the top two most sought-after polysynths in the world”, he reminds us. This is mainly used for arpeggios, we’re informed. His other CS-80, he tells Reverb, was “supposed to to be the one they played on Thriller”.
Watch the full video below:

For more synth news, head to MusicTech.
The post “This is the best synth in the world”: “Synth god” Mike Dean’s setup is nuts appeared first on MusicTech.

Live Nation reports soaring concert attendance as small shows struggleLive Nation reported record growth last year and predicted continued growth in live music for the next decade. But Live Nation and Ticketmaster's soaring numbers come even as many small to mid-level music venues struggle...
The post Live Nation reports soaring concert attendance as small shows struggle appeared first on Hypebot.

Spitfire Symphony Orchestra enhanced and re-released The relaunched SSO combines all of the original content with new percussion, harp and piano sections, offering an all-in-one orchestral scoring bundle.

From Universal’s stake in Chord Music to Live Nation’s biggest year ever… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days…
Source

Does Album Art still matter?Once upon a time, creative album art could help sell a release. But does it still matter when most music is streamed, and artwork has been reduced to a square inch or two? ..
The post Does Album Art still matter? appeared first on Hypebot.

What’s it like to be a Music Director?Are you ready for the long hours and maximal effort of being a Music Director?...
The post What’s it like to be a Music Director? appeared first on Hypebot.

Over 145m fans attended 50,000+ Live Nation events in 2023, with company’s FY revenues up 36% YoY to $22.7bn in its ‘biggest year ever’Concert giant publishes its Q4 and FY 2023 financial results
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You can now get Apple Music’s Replay feature monthly instead of annuallyApple Music is offering its users the ability to upgrade its Replay feature to a monthly version rather than its current annual year-in-review summary.
To access the monthly version of Replay, users must stream enough music to “qualify” for both versions. Though it seems no details on exactly how much streaming is required for this.

READ MORE: The world’s first spatial and 3D AI DAW is coming to Apple Vision Pro

Replay’s annual review launched three years after Spotify’s Wrapped feature, and it of course offers an overview of your listening habits including your top songs, artists, and albums just the same. Apple has confirmed to Music Business Worldwide that the monthly version provides listeners with a “more detailed and personalised look” into their habits.
“The Replay mix that users already know and love also becomes available today for the 2024 calendar year. Users must listen to enough music to qualify for both the monthly insights and the yearly playlist,” says the brand.
Apple Music isn’t the only streaming platform to make its end of year summary more regularly available. YouTube Music also launched seasonal recaps back in 2022.
Earlier this year, Apple Music also announced that it would pay artists a royalty rate of up to 10 percent higher for tracks that are available in Spatial Audio format. It said, “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.”
Spatial audio became available on Apple Music back in 2021 at no extra cost for subscribers. The format is supported by technology from Dolby Atmos, and intends to replicate the immersive in-person music experiences.
To access the monthly version of Replay, users can head to Apple Music Replay and sign in with their Apple ID.
Find out more via Apple Support.
In other news, Apple is facing a €500m fine from the European Commission over App Store practices limiting competition in the streaming marketplace. The fine – if issued – will be the first Apple has received from the EU.
The post You can now get Apple Music’s Replay feature monthly instead of annually appeared first on MusicTech.