Thomas Coesfeld’s plan to refocus BMG on music rights continues, as Bertelsmann-owned firm divests live concert companiesUndercover and Karo transferred back to their minority shareholders
Source

🎄 New Year GIVEAWAY! 20 Winners, $2,000 Worth Of Prizes!
Bedroom Producers Blog launches the New Year Giveaway with over $2,000 in music production prizes for 20 winners. A huge THANK YOU to the sponsors who made this giveaway possible: Image-Line, UJAM, Cableguys, Techivation, Polyverse, Karanyi Sound, A Sound Effect, AudioThing, and Flame Sound. And another big THANK YOU goes to you, dear BPB readers, [...]
View post: 🎄 New Year GIVEAWAY! 20 Winners, $2,000 Worth Of Prizes!

France plans to tax music streaming & other countries are taking noteMusic streaming platforms, especially Spotify and Deezer, are in an uproar over France’s proposal for a new music streaming tax. This could be a precursor for other countries to do the same, but it. Continue reading
The post France plans to tax music streaming & other countries are taking note appeared first on Hypebot.

HoRNet Releases FREE TreBande Classic Equalizer Plugin
HoRNet Plugins released TreBande, a freeware three-band equalizer plugin for Windows and macOS. HoRNet TreBande is a free three-band semi-parametric equalizer VST plugin. It was designed to replicate the sonic characteristics of a traditional mixing console equalizer. The underlying DSP code was originally part of the Cassette644 plugin. According to the developer HoRNet Plugins, TreBande [...]
View post: HoRNet Releases FREE TreBande Classic Equalizer Plugin

Solid State Logic offering up to 90 percent off its X-Series plugins just in time for ChristmasBlack Friday and Cyber Monday may have passed, but Oxford-based audio brand Solid State Logic is offering up to 90 percent off its X-Series plugin range as part of a special Christmas sale.
If you’re looking for a little Christmas gift for yourself or a fellow music maker in your life, then you have nine plugins to choose from across the sale, with some prices chopped by over £100.

READ MORE: Solid State Logic’s PlateVerb is a pro-sounding reverb in a pedal-style plugin package

Featured in the sale is the X-Comp, X-Delay, X-Echo, X-EQ 2, X-Gate, X-Limit, X-Phase, X-Saturator, and the X-ValveComp. SSL fans can also make the most out of a 3-for-2 custom bundle deal across its full range.
Let’s take a closer look at each X-Series plugin deal:
X-Comp
This stereo compressor offers “mastering grade” audio fidelity with an analogue feel, and can be used for everything from subtle dynamic control for mastering, to dramatic effects. Reduced from £159.99 to £15.99.

X-Delay
The X-Delay is inspired by legendary hardware processors from the 80’s era. Deliver classic rock-style big delays, or something more modern. Down from £179.99 to £23.99.

X-Echo
This tool is inspired by early tape delay hardware from the ‘60s and ‘70s, but also introduces “SSL’s signature sound” and is brought up-to-date with improved workflow. Down from £159.99 to £21.99.

X-EQ 2
Built upon SSL’s proprietary anti-cramping algorithms, this plugin brings 17 different classic and modern EQ type/curve options, and is now available for £25.99 rather than £239.99.

X-Gate
Inspired by the workflow from SSL’s digital broadcast consoles, this “highly visual” gating plugin features a rolling waveform graph, mid/side processing options and adjustable hysteresis using independent open and closed thresholds. Was £119.99 now £23.99.

X-Limit
A limiting tool which increases the loudness of tracks and busses without clipping or changing tonal balance, according to SSL. Reduced from £89.99 to £19.99.

X-Phase
Ideal for “correcting awkward phase issues”, this all-pass filter plugin offers manual control and enables the user to apply a phase shift at a specified frequency within a signal. Was £127.99 and is now only £7.99.

X-Saturator
An emulation of an analogue circuit that offers either 2nd order valve style, 3rd order transistor style distortion, or a blend of the two. Use low drive settings for mild distortion, or crank it up for heavy distortion. Was £95.99 and is now £12.99.

X-ValveComp
A mono or stereo channel compressor with a full set of classic channel compressor controls and an added valve emulation stage. Reduced from £95.99 to £19.99.

Find out more over at Solid State Logic.
The post Solid State Logic offering up to 90 percent off its X-Series plugins just in time for Christmas appeared first on MusicTech.

Spitfire Audio Winter Sale now live Spitfire Audio are continuing their 15th anniversary celebrations with the launch of their Winter Sale, which is now live until 1 January 2024.

You can now get the entire Cinesamples catalogue in one plugin with MusioCinesamples, which creates sample libraries for the world of movie, TV, and video games, has now curated all of its catalogue in one plugin – Musio.
Musio is available now via subscription or perpetual licence, with the aim of dropping “the clutter and friction of traditional, complex sampler plugins” for composers and producers.

READ MORE: Introducing Wavetick, a beatmaker marketplace where sellers retain up to 90 percent of royalties

The Cinesamples library hosts instruments for cinematic, contemporary, electronic and world music creation. It is well known for its orchestral libraries such as the CineSymphony series, which can now be found within Musio.
Users also get an array of new synthesisers, drum machines, acoustic instruments, choirs, and much more within Musio, alongside the original Cinesamples library. Cinesamples says it offers a “clean, learning-curve-free” interface with a range of tone-shaping controls and effects.

The latest Musio release includes the first title in the World Adventure Series, Iceland – a collection of 42 historic pitched and percussion instruments which are said to capture Icelandic heritage and character, all recorded at Studio Sýrland in Reykjavik.
Users will also get access to the complete CineSymphony Series (CineStrings, CineBrass, CineWinds, CinePerc), The Cinesamples Artist Series (Tina Guo, Taylor Davis, Apocalyptica, and more), Musio-exclusive orchestral collections, plus monthly catalogue updates and continually added new instruments.
“We’re starting with this vast catalogue of instruments that we’ve recorded over the years, and we’ll continue to add to it until we hit that impossible goal of sampling every instrument on earth,” says CEO, Mike Patti.
At MusicTech, we round up the best new mixing plugins, effects and VST instruments released each week. You can check out our latest guide to view new offerings from Solid State Logic, UVI, SampleScience and more.
Musio is available for $9.99 per month. For users who prefer a perpetual licence, Musio 1 offers lifetime access for $399. Find out more at Musio.
The post You can now get the entire Cinesamples catalogue in one plugin with Musio appeared first on MusicTech.

Original programmer who worked on Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean reveals how he created its iconic four-chord stackBill Wolfer, who originally programmed and performed on the iconic Yamaha CS80 heard in Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, has revealed exactly how he created the famous four-chord stack that repeats throughout the song.
Anthony Marinelli, a composer and performer, broke down how the chord stack was put together and how to recreate it in a YouTube video posted last week (15 December). Marinelli also worked on the Thriller album himself as a performer and arranger. Since then, Wolfer has left a comment underneath the video further adding some clarity to exactly how he achieved that unforgettable tone.

READ MORE: Michael Jackson’s first-ever studio recording released digitally

In his video, Marinelli says that the stack “consists of four completely different sounds that all play at the same time”, adding: “Back in the early 1980’s it was unheard of to use this many tracks of tape to record just one musical part. Sound one is stringy, sound two is brassy, sound three is voice-like, and sound four is actually Michael singing ‘oohs’ in two-part harmony.”
Watch Marinelli’s video below for his break down of the chords:

In Wolfer’s comment, he notes that Marinelli’s take on the synth sound “is very close” to the original. “It started when Michael heard me fooling around with trying a string/brass combination patch on a CS80 during the ‘81 Jacksons tour,” he adds.
“Afterwards, he asked me to work on the demo, and then do the part on the record at Westlake. For the record, I didn’t use the chorus circuit, because that thing was noisy as hell. I used pulse width modulation and a bit of detuning to animate the string sound. I also didn’t use any noise in the patch. The key to it, especially on the string side, is the release envelopes.
“My secret sauce was to have a shorter release on the filter than the VCA. If the cutoff frequency of the filter is set right, along with the right amount of envelope control, it simulates the resonance you get from a hollow body string instrument,” he explains.
“I recorded it in Studio B with Matt Forger, as Michael and Quincy were under a deadline for that E.T. children’s record they did. I knew the tune, so I got Michael to come approve the sound, and then recorded it just with Matt there. Then Michael and Quincy came down to listen.”
Recorded in 1982, Billie Jean was released as the second single from Jackson’s famous Thriller album. In 1984, it was certified as being the best selling album of all time.
The post Original programmer who worked on Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean reveals how he created its iconic four-chord stack appeared first on MusicTech.

Sonos’ Move 2 might just be 2023’s best portable speaker£449, sonos.com
Sonos has found serious success with its Roam and Move portable speakers since branching out from its more traditional home cinema line-up. Now, the company has released the Move 2, a significant upgrade to the original but with a higher price.

READ MORE: Surround mixing on headphones just got serious with OLLO Audio’s S5X

Typically, speakers tend to fall either into the category of portable but lower tech, or shelf-mounted but more advanced. The Move 2 manages to be portable yet very advanced – could it be the ultimate go-anywhere speaker?
Sonos 2 battery, connectivity and durability
The unit is extremely solid, weighing 3kg and fitted with internal shock-mounting to make it resistant to drops – though, obviously, that’s something you’d try to avoid. It’s also IP56 water and dust resistant so splashes and rain aren’t going to cause it any problems.
It ships with a power adapter with USB-C and also a dock into which it can be placed to charge, with a full three-hour charge giving you up to 24 hours of playback, which is a significant improvement over the original Move’s 11 hours. The internal battery can also charge smaller devices like smartphones over USB-C which is a nice bonus, and is replaceable should you ever need it.
Sonos Move 2 in White, in use on a kitchen counter
You’ll need to download the excellent Sonos app for iOS or Android and initiate setup from your phone or tablet, registering the unit and performing any available updates. This gets it onto your wi-fi network and makes it available as an Airplay 2 device. It can be paired with other Sonos units for multi-room playback or with another Move 2 for true stereo, though sadly it’s incompatible with a Move 1.
The app gives you access to multiple streaming services including Sonos Radio, which is controlled from inside the Sonos app, and you’re also able to set up other services including Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, Bandcamp and a host of others. The app can also connect to shared media folders on your local network, which is a welcome addition for anyone who has a bunch of music stored locally, perhaps in uncompressed formats.
Sonos Move 2’s microphones
The speaker has multiple microphones that serve several purposes, the first being voice recognition using the “hey Sonos” command, which works effectively even when music is playing. You can use this to play and control music on one or more units. There’s support for the Amazon Alexa voice assistant, though no longer for Google Assistant, which is a shame for those using Google Home. The mics can be disabled using a hardware switch on the rear if you are concerned about privacy, though this does also turn off voice control and related functions.
The second thing the mics can do, if you switch it on, is power the unit’s TruePlay technology that monitors reflections from nearby surfaces and tweaks playback accordingly, which is helpful since it’s designed to be used in all kinds of environments. In use, this seems to attenuate bass slightly when placed near a wall and, for example. There’s a simple bass and treble EQ in the software too, as well as a Loudness button. In our tests, we find leaving these flat works well, though the Loudness control does nicely boost the low end when engaged, without ever seeming too boomy.
Sonos Move 2 in Olive, in use outdoors
There are a couple of other hardware changes from the first model, starting with touch-enabled controls on the top that let you affect volume and playback without having to go to the app or another device. The second is a line input on the rear, which requires you to add a £19 Sonos adapter to convert 3.5mm to USB-C to connect other audio devices with a compatible cable. While it might be nice to throw this in with your purchase, it’s probably niche enough that many users wouldn’t need it, and £19 isn’t a huge stretch but does put the unit over the £450 mark.
The third change is that while the original Move allowed you to use Bluetooth or wi-fi, the Move 2 lets you use both at once, sharing streamed Bluetooth audio from a smartphone, for example, to other Sonos units over wi-fi. Again, perhaps a little niche but nice to have.
What codecs does the Sonos Move 2 support?
Only SBC and AAC codecs are supported which is a bit of a shame for owners of devices capable of higher-quality aptX or LDAC streaming (so this excludes Apple users). If you are using the speaker away from a broadband network it’s unfortunately not able to create an ad hoc wi-fi hotspot, so any cellular streaming from your phone will be over Bluetooth and by definition, data-compressed. This is a shame in such an explicitly portable speaker, and perhaps something that Sonos could enable in future software updates.
Where the Move had a single woofer and tweeter the Move 2 has a woofer and two angled tweeters, giving a sort-of-stereo field. It’s not really stereo as that would require a second larger driver, but it does make an appreciable difference to widening the sound field especially at closer quarters. There’s no Dolby Atmos – for that, you’d want to look at the Sonos Era 300.
Music services available on the Sonos app
How does the Sonos Move 2 sound?
The Move 2 sounds excellent. Its three amplifiers provide tons of headroom and plenty of volume, with digital signal processing kicking in to prevent distortion at high playback levels. The soundstage is rich but balanced, and the low end is remarkably powerful and accurate, especially given the lack of any porting.
Chase and Status’ 2 Ruff crackles with energy and deep bass, while a selection of very different music from jazz to rock is also beautifully rendered. While there’s EQ available, we find it unnecessary to use it indoors, adding just a notch or two of bass and treble while outdoors for more punch.
If you already own a Move 1 – still on sale for £399 – the doubled battery life, dual tweeters and smartphone charging of the 2 could be a reason to upgrade. For potential new owners, the Move 2 is an incredible portable smart speaker with an immense sound, a powerful and comprehensive app, weather resistance and effective voice control. That price is going to be a sticking point for some – you have to really value the portability here when the mains-powered Era 300 with Atmos is available online for £50 less – but for impressive sound and performance inside the house and out, the Move 2 is a superb performer.
Sonos Move 2 key features

3 class-D digital amplifiers, woofer and dual tweeters
24-hour battery with USB-C charging and dock
Touch controls and Sonos app
Sonos Radio and many streaming stations
IP56 waterproof, shock protection
Trueplay environmental audio adjustment
AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and multiroom
Voice control, Amazon Alexa
Adjustable EQ
USB-C phone charging

The post Sonos’ Move 2 might just be 2023’s best portable speaker appeared first on MusicTech.

Bandcamp launches ‘Discover’ feature to explore music + merch, appeal to artists to grow fan base
Bandcamp is making moves again with an appeal to music producers and artists as well as fans who use the platform to buy music and merch. After the company was acquired by Songtradr – a music licensing startup – and laid off half of its staff back in September, the future of the platform seemed questionable, […]
The post Bandcamp launches ‘Discover’ feature to explore music + merch, appeal to artists to grow fan base appeared first on DJ TechTools.

The Human Beat Pack by elysia elysia's first loop pack offers a collection of high-quality drum grooves captured at Limusic Studio in France by Moses Schneider, a producer renowned for his extraordinary style.

Neural DSP Launches Morgan Amps Suite Guitar PluginNeural DSP announced the launch of the Morgan Amps Suite guitar plugin, which combines the tonal sophistication and feature-laden functionality of Morgan Amplification with the virtual mastery of Neural DSP’s plugin technology. Morgan amps can be heard beneath the fingers of guitar legends, including the searing riffs of Josh Smith (Joe Bonamassa, Raphael Saadiq), the soulful melodies of Michael Landau (James Taylor and many more), and the genre-defying riffs of Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders).

In the world of guitar amplification, few brands shine as brightly as Morgan Amplification. Founded by the visionary amplifier builder and guitarist Joe Morgan in 2009, Morgan Amplification emerged as a beacon of craftsmanship and innovation for a new generation of guitarists. Drawing inspiration from era-defining vintage tones, Joe set out to create amplifiers that not only paid homage to the classics but also pushed the modern boundaries of sonic possibilities.

“What we share with guitarists is a deep and abiding respect for legacy sound,” observes Neural CPO Francisco Cresp. “Our modeling technology has been able to precisely capture the nuances and features of the Morgan amps, and bring them to life in a plugin version for anyone to access to their fullest extent.”

The Amplifiers

Inspired by classic designs, modernized and made more reliable, these amps were born out of a desire to provide the most touch-sensitive and responsive sound possible while also providing an unparalleled pedal platform.

AC20 — The Morgan AC20 is a single-channel, 20-watt amplifier based on a vintage Vox AC30. It provides very rich, thick tones at high gain settings. 

PR12 — The Morgan PR12 is a single-channel, 12-watt amplifier based on a classic Fender Princeton Reverb. It offers bright, super-clean tones to robust overdrives. The PR12 also features a distinctive spring reverb that has become a hallmark of this compact but powerful amp type.

SW50R — The Morgan SW50R is a single-channel, 50-watt amplifier based on a Dumble clean channel with the addition of a tube-driven reverb tank. Entirely hand wired and built to order, this amp encapsulates everything Morgan Amplifiers does best. At full volume, the amp breaks up dramatically, producing killer tones for grunge and stoner rock.

To learn more and purchase the Morgan Amps Suite, click here.

For more information on Neural DSP, click here.

AllMusic Loves 2023 ReissuesSeeking a connective thread among the AllMusic editors' favorite reissues and archival releases from 2023 is a bit of a fool's errand. There is variety within these editors' lists, not only in terms of genres but also in the reissues themselves. Dig through the individual lists to discover the myriad reasons why we loved the archival releases of 2023.

Apple has halted Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 online salesAs promised, Apple has officially removed the Watch Series 9 from its online shop. Word on the surprise move arrived earlier this week, when the company confirmed that an on-going patent dispute has forced it to pause sales of the flagship smartwatch. Click through to the site, and you’ll find the words “Currently Unavailable” in […]
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Earl Scruggs’ 100th Birthday CelebrationOn Saturday, January 6, 2024, a stellar lineup of bluegrass and country artists will come together at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium to celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary Earl Scruggs, whose revolutionary style of banjo playing forever changed the landscape of bluegrass music. The special tribute concert will air LIVE, one time only, exclusively on Veeps. All Access subscribers can access the show for free, otherwise individual tickets are on sale for $14.99. 

This extraordinary show will feature musical direction by the renowned Jerry Douglas, with performances by The Earls of Leicester, The Del McCoury Band, Gena Britt, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan , Jimmie Fadden, Bela Fleck, Jeff Hanna, Sierra Hull, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Jim Mill, Justin Moses, Jerry Pentecost, Todd Phillips, Harry Stinson, Bryan Sutton, Tony Trischka, and more. Proceeds will benefit The Earl Scruggs Center, which is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Scruggs' remarkable life and contributions to music.

Scruggs is the most influential and imitated banjo player in the world. The duo he co-founded, Flatt & Scruggs, provided the banjo-driven music for the theme song of the hit TV series, The Beverly Hillbillies. The 1967 blockbuster film Bonnie and Clyde featured their 1949 recording of Scruggs’ composition, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” — one of the most recognizable songs in the bluegrass canon. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985, the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1991, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007, and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009. The Recording Academy presented Earl with four GRAMMY performance awards and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Among numerous other honors, Scruggs was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

Earl Scruggs’ 100th Birthday Celebration will be available for free for Veeps All Access subscribers, or fans can buy an individual show ticket for $14.99 on veeps.com. The show will air LIVE on Veeps on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 8 p.m. CST. 

###

About Veeps: Veeps is the world’s leading streaming platform for live music and entertainment where fans can connect with their favorite artists through live and on-demand concerts, comedy shows, and more. Launched in 2018 by Joel and Benji Madden, Veeps has streamed performances to millions of viewers worldwide for thousands of artists including Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters, and Kings of Leon. Veeps has been named a Fast Company World’s Most Innovative Company, nominated for an Emmy, and holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest ticketed livestream performance by a solo male artist. Veeps content is available via veeps.com and apps on Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Samsung, and Android. Veeps is a part of Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV).

About All Access: Veeps All Access is the first music subscription service to offer premium quality concerts and live music entertainment, connecting artists with fans when they can’t be in the crowd. Subscribers will have unlimited access to hundreds of upcoming live and on-demand performances each year, exclusive Veeps-only artist content, merch drops, and more for $11.99 a month, or an annual fee of $120. It’s your all-access pass to a show, every night, wherever you are.