ABBA Voyage had a $400m+ economic impact in London in its first yearConcert series' producers have published an analysis of the event's socio-economic impact in London
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VEVO DSCVR ARTISTS TO WATCH 2024: Fridayy, Libianca, StrandzIntroducing the final three artists in Vevo's global watchlist for 2024
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Arturia launch Efx REFRACT Arturia's new unison and multi-effects plug-in, Efx REFRACT, is being offered as a free download until 4 January 2024.

Best Holiday Deals 2023 For Music Producers
The holidays are almost here, and it’s the best time of the year to purchase a gift for your music producer friends or yourself (why not?). I handpicked some of my favorite holiday deals for music producers in the article below. Instead of an endless list with hundreds of links, I compiled a shorter selection [...]
View post: Best Holiday Deals 2023 For Music Producers

GForce launches AXXESS software synth inspired by a streamline ARP classicGForce Software has launched a modern recreation of ARP’s 1975 AXXE synthesiser with the new AXXESS plugin. The product is described as offering “the AXXE sound on steroids”, and it’s currently selling at half price.
AXXESS is inspired by ARP’s most affordable synth – which was developed as a streamlined, budget-friendly version of the Odyssey – and is said to “retain the warm analogue sound”.

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Despite the original AXXE launching at a price point for budding musicians, it was still used by artists such as Paul McCartney and Heart. This emulation of the famous synth is the “sibling” of GForce’s award-winning Oddity3, and the brand says it has inherited its character.
AXXESS features over 350 new presets, a new sub-oscillator, an arpeggiator and a 16-step sequencer. Distortion, analogue delay and Reverb effects are on board, and there’s also a Vintage control to add analogue imperfections, velocity to filter, VCA for expressivity, and fully scalable UI designs.
Watch the video below for more:

The new soft synth also utilises X-Modifier technology, which enables users to “reach new sonic heights” by making the most of an independent LFO and Envelope for nearly every parameter. GForce says that while the tone and character of the synth remain authentic to the original, the X-Modifiers “allow you to take this classic sound to unexplored realms of possibility.”
Earlier this year, GForce also launched the world’s first official OB-X plugin emulation. Unlike other emulations such as the Arturia OB-Xa V and UVI UVX80, this was the only official software emulation, which of course integrated the official Oberheim logo and the brand’s name.
The GForce AXXESS is currently retailing at a sale price of £33 (standard price £66). The sale ends on 9 January 2024. Find out more and buy directly over at GForce Software.
The post GForce launches AXXESS software synth inspired by a streamline ARP classic appeared first on MusicTech.

Baby Audio launches free Beat Slammer plugin for “smashing and squashing” beatsBaby Audio has today (21 December) introduced the latest plugin in its lineup of Freebies – the Beat Slammer compressor. Not designed to be subtle, this new tool is ideal for “squashing and smashing” drums, beats or entire mix busses.
According to the brand, Beat Slammer will give you that “pumping and bouncy compression sound that slaps you in the face” to give weaker tracks that added oomph.

READ MORE: “We saw a clear opportunity to work with all their amazing DSP and improve on everything that was lacking”: Baby Audio acquires Denise Audio

Every year, Baby Audio releases a free plugin to celebrate the holidays as a treat for its existing users. These are often streamlined, square-shaped tools inspired by its premium plugins.
The freebies have been downloaded more than half a million times to date, with Beat Slammer becoming the fifth addition to the range so far. It follows on from 2022’s Pitch Drift (which provides a mix with subtle pitch changes, all the way to knocking everything completely out of tune), as well as the Magic Dice, Magic Switch and others released in previous years.
The plugin is based on Baby Audio’s IHNY-2 (shown in the video below) and functions as a parallel compressor. It allows users to compress even harder than they normally would and blend in the compressed signal to their desired taste, while retaining the dynamics of the dry signal.

 
In September, we rated Baby Audio’s effects plugin, Transit, a 9/10 in our review. The product was designed with producer and YouTuber Andrew Huang, and we noted that it offered an intuitive design and fast workflow, with good quality effects. We also thought, however, that its volume balancing sweeps were a little fiddly and the pitch shifter quality could be better.
Find out more about Beat Slammer via the official Baby Audio website.
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TikTok’s first live music event was a record-breaker watched by over 33.5MSocial video platform TikTok hosted its first ever live music event, TikTok In The Mix, earlier this month and viewing figures have revealed that it was watched by over 33.5 million people.
Not only did the concert attract an audience of millions, but it also broke a TikTok record as the biggest ever live event streamed on the platform.

READ MORE: 7 of TikTok’s 10 Breakthrough Artists in 2023 were women

The concert took place at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on 10 December. Tickets to attend the event sold out, with an audience of 17,000 in attendance. It ran for a total of five hours, with performers including Cardi B, Niall Horan, Anitta, Charlie Puth, Offset, and Peso Pluma.
Reneé Rapp also gave a special performance, and artists from TikTok’s Elevate programme – which celebrates and amplifies emerging new artists – also showcased their talent. These included Isabel LaRosa, Kaliii, LU KALA, and Sam Barber.
The viewing figures have been shared by TikTok itself via its Newsroom, and show that over 33.5 million viewers watched the event across the original broadcast and its subsequent three rebroadcasts. Its record-breaking livestream also garnered 9.6 million viewers who watched in real time on the platform.

@tiktok
Missed #TikTokInTheMix? Relive all the highlights and unforgettable moments from our first ever live music experience NOW on @Disney+ and @hulu
♬ original sound – TikTok

Paul Hourican, Global Head of Music Partnerships and Programming at TikTok, says of the triumphant concert, “In The Mix was an awe inspiring event where fans and artists came together to celebrate what we love about TikTok, where the power of the platform’s music discovery played out on stage.
“An event of this magnitude truly takes a village, thank you to the amazing line up of incredible artists, our partners, the sold out crowd in Arizona, and the record breaking audience who watched around the world in their millions on TikTok,” Hourican concludes.
If you missed In The Mix and would like to catch up on some of its highlights, there is a one hour special streaming now on Hulu and Disney+, featuring all the best bits from the show.
Find out more over at the TikTok Newsroom.
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Arturia releases Efx REFRACT plugin – free for a limited time onlyArturia has today (21 December) launched a brand new stereo multi-effect plugin, Efx REFRACT, which is completely free until 4 January as a festive gift from the brand.
Efx REFRACT is described as having “versatility at its core”, utilising unison-based processing with a range of secondary effects and modulation options.

READ MORE: Arturia V Collection X boasts six new instruments – here’s what’s new

Its unison-based processing uses a method of multiplication, where the same sound or note is duplicated and played in parallel. An example of this provided by the brand is a string section in an orchestra, which earns its brilliant and moving sound due to many instruments playing at once. Unison replicates this for a chorus-like effect.
“Based on super unison architecture, Efx REFRACT delivers instantaneous size and character to your sound. Whether marking key moments or making sweeping transformations – bring any track to life with flare and multi-effect dispersion,” says Arturia in a press release.
The plugin’s Refract section can duplicate your input by up to eight stereo voices. The Refraction ‘Amount’ increasingly detunes and modulates each voice against one another to widen them for a thicker sound. There’s also five additional Mode FX (BandPass Filter, CombFilter, Bitcrusher, Distortion, and Harmonizer) which are added onto each Refracted voice and processed individually.
Users can also toy with the Sample & Hold LFO ‘Wave’ to create “choppy” modulations, or use the Sample & Glide tool to “keep the chaos but smooth it out”. You can also create shimmers and reverbs by utilising the Harmonizer and Comb Filter tools.
Back in October, Arturia released a “flagship” interface – AudioFuse 16Rig – to “challenge” the current interface market. The audio and MIDI interface was designed for hardware users wanting to connect and synchronise their whole setup. Arturia stated at its release that it features an “unmatched” variety of inputs, outputs, and creative features.
Find out more about Efx REFRACT at Arturia.
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Arturia Offers FREE Efx Refract Multi-Effect Plugin Until January 4th
French boffins Arturia are giving away their new Efx Refract stereo multi-effects plugin for free until January 4, 2024. The plugin was released today, and you can pick it up via the product page linked at the bottom of the article, or the Arturia Software Center app. After January 4, Efx Refract will be priced [...]
View post: Arturia Offers FREE Efx Refract Multi-Effect Plugin Until January 4th

The global success of Nigeria’s Tems without a full album releaseDespite not releasing a single full album, Nigerian musician Tems is a global superstar who continues to rise “Higher.” The Chartmetric team digs into how it happened. by Chiamaka Muoneke. Continue reading
The post The global success of Nigeria’s Tems without a full album release appeared first on Hypebot.

How to use Spotify’s Showcase feature to get new listeners [Brian Hazard]Spotify’s latest marketing campaign feature helps target only new users instead of wasting precious ad dollars on those already listening. Brian Hazard digs into how and how well it works.. Continue reading
The post How to use Spotify’s Showcase feature to get new listeners [Brian Hazard] appeared first on Hypebot.

Gamma Vocal Suite By Modern Metal Songwriter Is Currently 43% OFF
Modern Metal Songwriter’s comprehensive Gamma Vocal Suite is now available for just $79, which is 43% off the list price of $139. The plugin was released last month and is available for Windows, Mac and as a standalone app.   Gamma features an all-in-one vocal effects chain, and Modern Metal Songwriter states that it makes getting pro [...]
View post: Gamma Vocal Suite By Modern Metal Songwriter Is Currently 43% OFF

AI in Music Production: Advancements, Collaborations & Copyright Issues [Virginie Berger]AI has shifted how creative works are composed, expanded the potential possibilities of production, and more. Here are some of the multifaceted roles that AI has in today’s music industry…. Continue reading
The post AI in Music Production: Advancements, Collaborations & Copyright Issues [Virginie Berger] appeared first on Hypebot.

Everything you need to know about the IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro XAdvertorial feature with IK Multimedia
What happens when a company actually listens to the feedback of its users? Ask IK Multimedia.
IK Multimedia’s affordable and portable analogue synth, the UNO Synth, was first launched in 2018. Since then, the UNO range has rapidly evolved, seeing the addition of a drum machine and improved takes on the original as the UNO Synth Pro. The latest evolution, the UNO Synth Pro X, launched in August 2023, and was the result of the Italian brand acting on user feedback, offering a better interface and more room for experimentation.
Image: Simon Vinall
Believe it or not, when the first UNO Synth was launched in 2018, it was IK’s first-ever taste of hardware synthesis, despite the Italian brand’s longstanding reputation for building reliable music gear.
What is the UNO Synth Pro X?
The UNO Synth Pro X is a paraphonic dual-filter analogue synthesizer centred around creativity, performance, and exploration. It addresses the limitations of its predecessor, the UNO Synth Pro, by prioritising hands-on control and a better user experience.
One new standout feature of the UNO Synth Pro X is its revamped user interface with a neat black and red colourway.
Image: Simon Vinall
Sound-wise, the Pro X excels with three wave-morphing oscillators and dual filters featuring OTA-based multimode filters. It also has ten stereo effects to enrich the sonic range. There’s also a paraphonic 64-step sequencer and a 10-mode arpeggiator for diverse pattern creation.
Affordable and portable yet feature-rich, the Pro X caters to both intermediate and advanced users, offering a platform for sonic exploration. It’s designed for accessibility while providing depth, making it suitable for both newcomers and experienced musicians.
The redesigned interface focuses on providing faster and easier user control over its extensive programming capabilities.

Simply put, the Pro X is a powerhouse. It has ten built-in effects – two modulations, five delays, three reverbs available in three slots.
Featuring comprehensive CV/gate ins and outs, the Pro X seamlessly integrates with other studio gear and computers. Its companion plugin means you can manage your presets and control the synth remotely.
Connectivity-wise, there’s MIDI in/out, 6.3mm audio out with 3.5mm headphone; audio in (3.5mm) and 2 CV Gate ins and outs. It’s powered by USB and also has a PSU jack.
What have users said about UNO Synth Pro X?
The response from product reviewers and musicians has been pretty positive. After its release, YouTube creator and music producer BoBeats referred to the improvements on the synth’s interface, saying that the original “was a great synth but I sort of knew immediately that the physical UI and the colour scheme didn’t quite do it justice. I talked to IK about the expectations when you are a synth nerd and you have something that is this advanced – you don’t really see features like these on an analogue synth under $1,000. I tried to convey to them what I’m drawn to as a user.

“[IK] took a lot of the ideas from the original UNO Synth Pro and thought, ‘OK, we have to create something that has a look that’s equivalent to the power inside,” he said in his review. “I think the team figured out the balance between the complexity of the sound engine and an interface that is still accessible.
“On the original UNO Synth Pro, I found as a synth educator that you have all this power but only a few knobs to turn, and you’re going through lots of submenus, which can be difficult to demonstrate to users.”
MusicTech also checked out the synth just after its launch. In our review of the UNO Synth Pro X, we said, “For the price, the Pro X is an impressively powerful and cool-sounding synth that perfects the UNO Synth as a product, unlocking the potential of its versatile sound engine. If this is where IK and Soundmachines’ collaborations have led, we can’t wait to see where they go next.”
IK Multimedia’s UNO Synth Pro X costs $499. Find out more at IK Multimedia.
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Introducing Wavetick, a beatmaker marketplace where sellers retain up to 90 percent of royaltiesA new music marketplace startup has launched under the name of Wavetick, which allows for the buying and selling of music where makers retain up to 90 percent of royalties.
Users can buy and sell music for production (Tracks) and short form musical components (Sounds). Works are created in-house by the Wavetick team or uploaded by Beatmakers. The site is completely free for sellers to use.

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The platform also enables the sale of one-off, limited edition or unlimited licensable tracks and sound packs. Buyers pay one price for all usages of any track, so the price you see listed is the price you pay for any and every licence type.
Wavetick has already developed an in-house library of 11,000 sample packs and tracks, created by the team behind Sample Magic. Already onsite are works ranging from cinematic, ambient, deep house and many more genre types.
Watch the video below for a better idea on how it works:

Sellers can decide what rights they wish to grant to the buyer depending on whether they are selling Tracks or Sound Packs, and on what Beat Tiers Terms they decide to select. In other words, sellers decide whether they want to grant an unlimited or limited number of licences to buyers. Payments are typically made within 48 hours of a sale.
It’s no secret that earning royalties as an artist can be tricky business, and payouts are often low – hence why new marketplaces are launching to find new ways to pay music makers.
A new report found that independent musicians need to generate five million streams annually to make the US federal minimum wage. The data was uncovered in the annual 2023 Music Economics Report for Independent Artists from music financing platform, Duetti.
Find out more and view Wavetick’s range of purchase tiers via the official Wavetick website.
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