“Yes, it’s scary. Your job might get taken away, but work with it”: Charlie Deakin Davies explains why artists need to adapt to AI technologyLike it or not, AI is here in music, and it’s changing things fast. And while many musicians and industry figures are strongly opposed to the greater presence of artificial intelligence in all stages of music creation and distribution, others are more accepting, and say artists should simply adapt to the changing times.
In a new conversation on MusicTech’s My Forever Studio podcast – which sees producers and musicians choose items to go in their fantasy forever studio – production prodigy Charlie Deakin Davies says the music industry is ever-changing, so artists should expect it to continue doing so.

READ MORE: My Forever Studio: Charlie Deakin Davies’ perfect vocal chain is attainable

“This is one of my special interests,” they say. “Even just the music industry as a whole, like even one of the biggest changes that happened with Universal and the massive mergers last year, the knock on effect has been absolutely massive, actually in the production and the artist world. [And] because I’m a signed artist to Sony, I am seeing it from that side.”
They go on: “But I’m also an active producer [and] writer as well, and an MD. So I feel like I’ve got a bird’s eye view on what’s happening in the major label industry at the moment. I don’t think it’s scary. I think some people are scared. But because I like music industry history, I’m like, don’t worry!
“This is just, just the analog to digital transition. This is just the record to tape transition. Like, don’t worry. Like, we’re just having one of those.”
Davies says, however, that it’s “scary for some people, because they don’t know whether they’re going to be on the chopping block of these changes”.
Specifically with respect to whether producers and artists should see AI as a threat, Davies goes on: “I’m not saying it’s an unfounded fear. Change is about to happen and change is happening. Change always happens.
“And when you choose to work in an industry that is on the front line of innovation, of technology and media consumption and social culture… I think it’s the highest changing technology and cultural thing that there is. So I think people need to go in eyes wide open if they’ve chosen that career.
“Yeah, it’s scary. Your job might get taken away, but like, work with it. Like, can you use AI? Can you do this stuff? I don’t know. You’ll have me on the podcast in like 10 years and I’ll be like, ‘I’m homeless!’”
Watch the full episode below:

The My Forever Studio podcast – created in partnership with Audient – sees artists, producers, and engineers create their dream fantasy Forever Studio. However, hosts Chris Barker and Will Betts impose some strict rules. Our guests are permitted a limited number of items in their creative space, so they must choose carefully. There will be nostalgia. There will be anecdotes. There may be gags. But there will be no bundles!
You can subscribe to My Forever Studio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and check out all episodes so far via MusicTech.
The post “Yes, it’s scary. Your job might get taken away, but work with it”: Charlie Deakin Davies explains why artists need to adapt to AI technology appeared first on MusicTech.

Has music hit peak fandom? [MIDiA’s Mark Mulligan]"(You) cannot harvest fandom if you are not also nurturing it," writes MIDiA's Mark Mulligan. Superfans are seen as music's financial lifeline, but 2024 showed signs they’re being stretched to the limit. Have we hit peak fandom?
The post Has music hit peak fandom? [MIDiA’s Mark Mulligan] appeared first on Hypebot.

These new plugins from MQA Labs give you in-depth control over “critical details” in your recordingsMQA Labs has launched two new plugins to give producers “unprecedented control” over the “critical details” in their recordings.
The new plugins – named Inspira and Endura – both offer a different set of tools which each address different challenges in digital audio. They were previously teased during NAMM back in January under different names (simply called Input and Output plugins).

READ MORE: The Magnolia might be the most alluring synth launched at this year’s Superbooth

Inpsira is designed for mixing and recording, while Endura is built for mastering. According to MQA Labs, Inspira and Endura both employ “previously unavailable methods” not used in other plugins, and tackle a sense of “flatness” that can come across in digital recordings.
By using Inspira, you can mitigate unwanted time-domain distortions that often occur during analogue-to-digital conversion. It offers two core functions: a clarity control and a section for noise shaping and dithering.
For noise shaping, the UI shows a real-time rendering of the noise floor of the recording. You can then select from several predetermined shapes, while the Depth knob will shift the shaped noise up and down to achieve the maximum resolution.
As for Endura, this plugin is intended for use on the Output Bus to enhance an entire mix. It gives engineers full control over temporal smearing, and hosts “advanced analysis capabilities” to generate unique noise shapers suited to each track.
It offers Align and Depth functions that work together, and a ‘Learn’ mode where the noise floor is analysed to create a noise shaper customised to the recording. Following the analysis, it will return with its optimised suggestions for both Align and Depth, and will allow users to compare its custom suggestions to the standard shapers.
Endura also exports in WAV and FLAC formats, ensuring that “the best-sounding masters reach any streaming service with absolute fidelity”.
Spencer Chrislu, Director of Content Services at MQA Labs, states: “These tools offer engineers a new level of creative freedom, enabling them to dial into the detail of their sound. Whether they want to refine subtle nuances or make significant enhancements, creators can now deliver their music exactly as they envisioned, unlocking possibilities previously out of reach.”
Inspira ($249) and Endura ($349) are available now. You can head over to MQA Labs to find out more. 
The post These new plugins from MQA Labs give you in-depth control over “critical details” in your recordings appeared first on MusicTech.

Ableton Live 12 is now 25% off — but not for longFor a limited time, you can save up to 25 per cent off Ableton Live 12 Standard and Suite purchases, including upgrades, at Sweetwater and Thomann. That equals a saving of up to $225, so now is probably the best time to download the DAW if you’ve been holding out.
Deals on Ableton Live don’t come around often, with the last one happening over Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024. This flash deal isn’t hanging about long, either — you’ve only got until 19 May 2025 to get your hands on it.
In cash terms, the deal means that new users to Live 12 can pick up Live 12 Suite for $525 (saving you $225) and Live 12 Standard for $373 (saving you $66). Meanwhile, owners of Ableton Live Lite, Intro, Standard and Suite versions 7 through to 11 can make some killer savings on upgrade prices, too.
[deals ids=”tYq1v1oPx2sDx1GQTk9DK”]
Ableton Live 12 is currently one of the most popular DAWs on the planet, used by myriad producers in electronic, hip-hop, pop and alternative music.
We scored Ableton Live 12 a 9/10 in our review in 2024, praising its new MIDI editing and MIDI generation tools, powerful browsing features and calling it “the best clip-based DAW around.”
But which version should you get?
Credit: Ableton
Well, Ableton Live 12 Standard edition has 13 instruments, 16 sound packs and 42 effects, and the full-fat Suite version provides 20 instruments, 33 sound packs and 58 audio effects. If you’re looking for a vast sound palette, Suite will be tremendous value for you; if you’ve already got a ton of third-party plugins and a big sound library, you can probably save a few bucks and go for Standard.
In our review, we added: “Ableton has pulled off the trick of keeping Live fun and accessible on the surface while providing a great depth of tweakability (much more so now than in the earlier years) and including heavyweight extras like the Max For Live design environment with the Suite edition,” we said in the review.
“Many users will find that the Standard edition suits their needs perfectly well, since the main thing you gain with the pricier Suite is more instruments and effects – otherwise the functionality is essentially the same.”
Check out the deal at Thomann and Sweetwater.
 
The post Ableton Live 12 is now 25% off — but not for long appeared first on MusicTech.

Learn How To Book Live Shows: Free Touring 101 Online CourseIncome from live shows accounts for 80% and more of most musicians' income. Learn how to book live shows with this free self-guided online course for musicians and all of us who work with them.
The post Learn How To Book Live Shows: Free Touring 101 Online Course appeared first on Hypebot.

Dorico SE6: Steinberg updates FREE music notation software for macOS and Windows
Dorico SE is Steinberg’s free music notation software for macOS and Windows, and it was recently updated to version 6. Music notation software has come a long way since the likes of SCORE in the late 1960s and even the early days of Sibelius. These days, there’s no shortage of useful options, including a few [...]
View post: Dorico SE6: Steinberg updates FREE music notation software for macOS and Windows

Anukari’s 3D Physics Synthesizer now available Anukari have announced that a beta version of their innovative physical modelling software instrument is now available for purchase, along with a free demo version for those who are keen to check it out.

Deadmau5 turns CDJ-3000 into Elden Ring controller – and fights the hardest boss in the gameThe deadmau5 and James Hype feud is far from over it seems, as deadmau5 is now truly flexing his muscles when it comes to showing his CDJ skills. How? By using it as a controller to play Elden Ring.
The disagreement began as Hype shared a promotional video to his Instagram earlier this week to promote his new live show, SYNC. In it, he references old comments made by deadmau5 (which he has since claimed were taken out of context) during a livestream in 2021, when he suggested that most DJs play pre-recorded sets at large events.

READ MORE: “A lot of artists need to understand that it’s part of music production”: Myd on overcoming the fear of a blank DAW

In the video from Hype, he says his new live show really is live, and triggers the deadmau5 logo and a large image of him to flash up around his set up in response to the music he plays. Of course, the ever outspoken deadmau5 didn’t simply ignore this clip, and responded across multiple comments and in two response videos of his own.
In one video, he was seen using a CDJ to control his movements in the Elden Ring video game, and he hasn’t quite stopped there. In another video, he’s now shown himself using his CDJ-3000 to fight what is the game’s toughest boss, demigod Malenia.
Though he does die in the conflict, viewers are still rather impressed. However, one Instagram user comments, “I don’t think it’s about James Hype anymore lol”. The video shows the first bit of in-game conflict tackled using the CDJ, but deadmau5 has also shared some other clips giving a little insight into how he set it up which you can view below.
Hype has not yet replied directly to these comments or videos from deadmau5, but has since shared a story promoting his appearance at EDC festival in Las Vegas on Sunday which also shows a sign reading “heat warning” and some eye emojis. Deadmau5’s next live appearance will be on 31 May at Forbidden Kingdom for a DnB set.
You can view the video below:

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View the full lists of scheduled live dates for both James Hype and deadmau5.
The post Deadmau5 turns CDJ-3000 into Elden Ring controller – and fights the hardest boss in the game appeared first on MusicTech.

Spotify’s AI DJ now takes requestsSpotify’s AI DJ feature has been given an update, and you can now personalise the music it plays using voice control.
Up until now, DJ X – who commentates between plays – has not been interactive, with only the ability to change the music it plays by skipping tracks using regular controls. Now, by simply using your voice, you can ask the DJ for requests to match whatever mood you’re in.

READ MORE: Best Spotify alternatives in 2025 for music listening and discovery

Spotify’s DJ feature is available to its premium subscribers only, across more than 60 markets. The new request feature is only available in the English language for now. Spotify also notes that the feature is still in its beta testing phase, and won’t produce results for non-music-related requests, like audiobooks or podcasts.
However, DJ can handle a combination of genre, mood, artist, or activity-related voice requests. To use it, open up the DJ feature on Spotify (you can do this through the search tool) and simply press play. When you’re ready to switch up the music, press and hold the DJ button in the right-hand corner, and it will beep when ready to listen.
“We know that listeners have asked for more ways to interact with DJ and enjoy more control over their listening sessions. That’s why we’re excited to share that DJ is now taking music requests, giving Premium users in more than 60 markets an entirely new way to curate the vibe of their listening sessions in real time,” comments Spotify.
“Serving up suggestions using AI and insights from our global editorial experts, DJ helps you uncover new tracks, rediscover old favourites, and connect deeply with the music you love.”

In other Spotify news, the streaming platform recently celebrated even more user growth, as across the first quarter of the year, it recorded its highest subscriber net adds since 2020.
In its new Q1 report, Spotify also revealed a record high operating income (its profit after deducting operating expenses), which rose to €509 million across the quarter, and a premium subscriber count of 268 million – an increase of 12 per cent year over year, marking the the second-highest Q1 in Spotify’s history.
You can find out more about Spotify and its AI DJ feature via the Spotify Newsroom.
The post Spotify’s AI DJ now takes requests appeared first on MusicTech.

How Bandcamp is Thinking About SuperfansThis week on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari is joined by Dan Melnick, General Manager of Bandcamp, to discuss how Bandcamp helps artists monetize fan relationships.

"My 16 Years" is a ballad by a young Belarusian singer and streamer Pchёlsh.
Musically, it is a mix of all possible styles, but all of this can be described as pop-rock. It is quite obvious that Pchelsh sings about his life, and this is always interesting to listen to...

https://explore.publme.com/post/48/pchelshs-sixteen-years

#Upcoming #Artist @Pchelsh

Position Music Signs Songwriter, Producer & Musician Dave Cohen To A Global Publishing Deal(L-R): Mark Chipello (Partner and Head of A&R, Position Music), Hannah Babitt (President and Founder, BABZ), Dave Cohen, Chandler Thurston (A&R, Position Music), Tyler Bacon (Founder and CEO, Position Music)Tyler Bacon, President and CEO of Position Music, released a statement on Tursday to announce that "Dave Cohen has signed a global publishing deal with the company. The writer, producer,and musician has credits with high-profile artists such as Elle King, Shaboozey (feat. BigXThaPlug), Chris Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen, and Alli Walker.""Dave Cohen is a Nashville-based producer, songwriter, and four-time Academy of Country Music winner for Keyboard Player of the Year," they said. "Originally from Canada, Dave has built an impressive career working with some of the biggest names in music. As a highly sought-after session musician, he has played on records for Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Old Dominion, HARDY, and Ella Langley, among many others."“I’m grateful to be surrounded by a team of people who believe in the work I pursue. Chandler Thurston (Position) in partnership with Hannah Babitt (BABZ Management), is the obvious fit—the right creative family to work alongside in this new season and next chapter, within Nashville, Los Angeles, and beyond,” says Cohen."Cohen joins a Position Music publishing roster that includes Tinashe, Cannons, Audien, Polyphia, Steve Solomon, Khal Yassein, Sam Tinnez, John “Feldy” Feldmann, Jack LaFrantz, Zach Skelton, Maya K, Joe Kearns, Peter Thomas, Austin Powerz, Brandyn Burnette, Layto, Dru “Falconry” DeCaro, Judah & the Lion, KANNER, No Love For The Middle Child, Erik Ron, NoMBe, RJ Pasin, and more," they added."You'd be hard pressed to find a person in Nashville who doesn't already love and respect Dave Cohen,” says Chandler Thurston, A&R at Position Music. “I am excited to have him as our first signing out of our Nashville office. Dave is a diverse writer and producer whose talent allows him to work across many genres. I can't wait for the future as we've already hit the ground running."Cohen is managed by Hannah Babitt of BABZ Management."We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Position Music as Dave Cohen enters this next chapter of his career. As BABZ Management continues to grow our presence in the global market, we remain focused on aligning top-tier talent with the industry’s most respected publishing partners. Dave’s exceptional artistry, combined with Chandler Thurston’s impeccable reputation in Nashville and Position Music’s existing global presence, sets the stage for a powerful, multi-genre, multi-market trajectory; one that we are proud to support and help shape," says Babitt.Visit positionmusic.com for more.The post Position Music Signs Songwriter, Producer & Musician Dave Cohen To A Global Publishing Deal first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

CoinShares Q1 net profit falls to $24MCoinShares, a digital asset investment firm with offices in the United States and Europe, said its net profit fell to $24 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 42.2% decrease from the same period a year ago.Although CoinShares’s profits and EBITDA remained positive in Q1 2025, the margins declined compared to the same period in 2024. Last year, CoinShares posted a net profit of $41.5 million and an EBITDA of $35.5 million in the first three months. Year-over-year, CoinShares’s net profit dropped 42.2% and its EBITDA fell 15.5%.The firm’s ETPs contributed to the quarter's performance. For Q1 2025, CoinShares’s ETPs saw net inflows of $268 million, with $202 million coming from its Physical Bitcoin (BITC) ETP. Revenue related to assets under management increased from $24.5 million to $29.6 million, a rise of 20.8%.Year-to-date, CoinShares’s stock is down 9.4%, according to Google Finance. CoinShares disclosed a $30 million EBITDA in Q125, despite market turbulence. Source. CoinSharesIn a letter to shareholders, the company's CEO, Jean-Marie Mognetti, said macroeconomic headwinds during the quarter exceeded market movements. “What we are witnessing is not mere market volatility — it is a wholesale transformation of the global economic order.”According to Mognetti, Ether's underperformance over the quarter led to $23 million in outflows from its CoinShares Physical Staked Ethereum ETP (ETHE). "Due to broader market corrections — including a 12.1% decline in Bitcoin prices — assets under management (AuM) fell 10.7%, closing Q1 at $1.52 billion.”Related: Robinhood beats Q1 estimates despite revenue, crypto trading dipCrypto companies show mixed results during market upheavalThe first wave of Q1 2025 earnings from crypto firms suggests a broadly negative quarter, with revenue declines across sectors.Coinbase revenue, for instance, fell 10% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2025, as transaction revenue plummeted 19% to $1.3 billion. Kraken, another US-based cryptocurrency exchange, saw its revenue decline 7% from Q4 2024. Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin treasury company, Strategy, also missed Wall Street's estimates, alongside Bitcoin miner Core Scientific.The quarter was marked by high volatility across financial markets after US President Donald Trump unleashed global tariffs on trade partners, dragging the BTC price to lows of $78,000 over the period. Ether (ETH) also experienced a significant pullback. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

New York-focused VC Work-Bench has raised a fresh $160MWork-Bench, whose portfolio includes unicorns Spring Health and Socure, just raised a $160 million Fund IV to quadruple down on backing companies in New York City. The firm announced the raise in a blog post on Monday, saying the latest fund will support seed-stage founders building enterprise software. Checks will range from $2 million to […]

5 mix automation tips: Reverb, delay, and more
Expert producer and audio engineer Subphotic shares five mix automation tips that can bring movement, interest, and focus to your track.