This Blue Marble Synthesiser only works in space – here’s how you can help get it thereEver wondered how musical instruments might work in zero gravity? Here’s your chance to find out with the Blue Marble Synthesiser Kickstarter Project, featuring the first-ever music synth that can only work in space and that is playable from here on earth.

READ MORE: Make music on the fly with MEDO, Donner’s new pocket-sized beat-making powerhouse

At its core, the system involves using data generated by observing the movement of a marble in zero gravity to control synthesiser architecture.
This data will be collected during the marble’s journey in the Blue Marble Synthesiser Capsule – a miniature spaceship pretty much – consisting of a pressurised CubeSat module, computer, camera, sensor array, fan, LED array, microphone, and speaker.
Image: Physical Synthesis
Interactions between the floating marble and various sensors occur inside the capsule. Those interactions, along with audio and video, are then sent back to earth in real-time, where they can be accessed via a web-based interface.
As Physical Synthesis, the team behind the project, explains, the web-based interface is an interactive and self-contained web audio synthesiser that anyone with a link can interact with. The application is inspired by Patatap, and is said to be highly visual which should make it easy to pick up even if you’re new to synths. A VST plug-in is also in development, so you can hook up data directly into your DAW or other third-party synths.
In addition to the Web-Based Interface and VST, there’s also a pretty cool ‘Live mode’ feature which can be accessed by one user at a time. In this mode, users can send data/interactions directly to the capsule such as sending audio files to play from the USound speaker, pulse the fan, or change the lighting conditions. Access to this feature will be determined by project reward level and then by the order a particular commitment was received.
The Kickstarter campaign for the Blue Marble Synthesiser Project is now live. If the goal is met, the system will be launched 1 November 2023, aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket.
Andrew Huang, Benn Jordan, Trovarsi, and Maysun have also been invited to compose original music using the Blue Marble Synthesiser and the resulting tracks will be released for backers on an exclusive album post-mission.

Learn more at Kickstarter.
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“I like to discover what you can do with gear that it wasn’t designed for”, says Brian EnoBritish electronic producer and ambient legend Brian Eno has revealed the ways in which he uses music tech in new ways to inspire him.

READ MORE: Peter Gabriel says he was in the studio with Skrillex: “I think it is good for me to be taken outside my normal comfort zone sometimes”

The revelation was made as part of a new op-ed feature for the Financial Times. In it, Eno writes about how new technology has inspired him throughout his career, how he finds new ways to use gear and how technology such as 3D audio is opening up new production possibilities for him today.
“Most equipment is invented to do an existing job faster, or cheaper, more cleanly, or more easily,” he says. “What I like to do is to discover what you can do with it that isn’t historical – something that it wasn’t designed for, something new (I’m sure the inventors of early microphones didn’t anticipate that their tools would lead to totally new ways of singing, just as the inventors of multitrack recording probably didn’t imagine Bohemian Rhapsody).”
Eno goes on to emphasise the excitement of music creation, writing that it lies not in meeting expectations but in the unexpected synergy of familiar elements, leading to something bigger and more surprising.
“The feeling at that moment – “now I’m somewhere new” – is the sense of freshness you get in creative art,” he says. “For me alertness, being attentive, is the key state for creative behaviour. And the key to a long life. Or one that feels long . . . ”
Also in the piece, he talks about how 3D audio is opening up newfound possibilities in audio recording, providing “another step away from traditional listening”.
“It turns out that our ears are much more directional than we usually allow for. Working in 3D as opposed to stereo (which is how we have been listening to recorded music until recently) it’s possible to have much more, and more subtle, information. You can hide things in corners for people to find. You can make the listener’s movements a way of “mixing” the piece. Sitting in one corner of such a space gives a different impression from being in the opposite corner. This is another extension of listener engagement, another step away from traditional listening.”
Brian Eno is to perform four rare shows with the Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra in October. Find out more at brian-eno.net.
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Erica Synths launches feature-packed Black Stereo Delay2 and Black Stereo Reverb modulesErica Synths has added two new effects modules to its Black Series, the Black Stereo Delay2 and the Black Stereo Reverb.

READ MORE: Erica Synths’ new Steampipe synth mimics wind instruments

These hi-fi stereo effects modules are packed with a range of unique features, all based on the custom DSP engine developed by the Latvian synth and effects manufacturer.
The Black Stereo Delay offers a widely applicable range of delay options, including Tape, BBD, and digital delay emulations, each with three distinct modes. You have full control over delay time, feedback, feedback tone, and stereo spread, allowing you to craft intricate and delicate effects. Plus, its CV control over various parameters and the capacity to store up to 10 presets, makes it ideal for performance setups.
The Black Stereo Reverb takes your sound has selectable reverb sources, including, again, Tape and BBD, alongside “dirty BBD” digital emulations. With three modes (Room, Hall, and Cathedral), you can shape your reverberation effects precisely. Like its counterpart, this module offers CV control, preset storage, and a range of adjustable parameters, including room size, feedback, tone, dry/wet mix, and stereo spin.

This isn’t the only effect to be released by Erica Synths this year. In March, it released the digital version of its Zen Delay, Zen Delay Virtual.
In our review of the plugin, MusicTech said: “Despite a couple of small misgivings, Zen Delay Virtual is a fantastic emulation of a beautiful and unique hardware delay. It’s not especially cheap, but it sounds superb and expands on the hardware in meaningful and useful ways that maximise its sound design credentials. With the valve overdrive, analogue filter, noise and bit-crusher elements, it’s also a surprisingly versatile multi-effects unit that’s a lot of fun for creating experimental dub effects and spicing-up any sound.”
Both the Black Stereo Delay2 and the Black Stereo Reverb are set to ship around 10 October. Both modules each cost £240/€280/$294.
Find out more at Erica Synths.
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Make music on the fly with MEDO, Donner’s new pocket-sized beat-making powerhouseLooking for a device that allows you to make music anytime and anywhere? Donner has got you covered with the new MEDO, a portable sampler, synthesizer, looper, MIDI controller, and speaker that fits right in the palm of your hands.

READ MORE: Behringer says it’s “getting close” to finishing a new Groove Box

Despite its many features, MEDO is designed for both beginners and seasoned musicians, and is controlled mainly via 16 touchpads.
Equipped with a built-in microphone and a robust sound engine, MEDO can record up to 5 seconds of audio, allowing for real-time sound sampling without the need for third-party devices. Users can easily switch between various modes, including SCALE, DRUM, BASS, CHORD, and LEAD, to start making music immediately.
The device also lets you record up to 128-bar loops, offering quite the spectrum of musical possibilities. Meanwhile, the quantize feature ensures that your performance is automatically synchronised to the beat, taking care of all the timing intricacies.
When paired with the MEDO Synth app, users can toggle between various preset sounds, including 15 sets of drum kit sounds by Loopmasters, and benefit from a powerful sound engine that combines subtractive synthesis and authentic samples. The device also features bluetooth connectivity, RGB lights and a 2000mA lithium battery that can be charged via USB-C.
More importantly, at just 177 grams, MEDO is highly portable, making it your ideal companion for both indoor and outdoor creative sessions. The device can be seamlessly connected to common DAW software and hardware, providing advanced music production tools and gameplay options. It is also compatible with most MIDI applications and all major digital audio workstation software that supports MIDI.
Donner has launched their latest invention via Kickstarter, featuring an early bird pricing of $149 (only on 5 October). Though if you’ve missed it, the device is still available at a discounted price of $169 until 10 November.

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FMD Is A FREE FM Distortion VST Plugin For Windows
Mensla releases FMD, a FREE FM distortion plugin for Windows Angelo Fazari is a developer and musician working out of Toronto, Canada. Using the brand name Mensla in his role as a developer, Angelo has released two plugins so far: MS-2 and FMD. MS-2 is a free FM synth plugin that we covered back in [...]
View post: FMD Is A FREE FM Distortion VST Plugin For Windows

Black Stereo Delay2 & Reverb from Erica Synths The latest modules in Erica Synths' Black series feature effects that have been developed in collaboration with Dutch software company 112dB.

Croshal Entertainment Group Celebrates 20th AnniversaryCroshal Entertainment Group (CEG), a leading music consulting, marketing, artist management and label services firm, continues to thrive thanks to a leadership vision that incorporates flexibility and an insightful understanding of the markets it services, as well as solid business fundamentals emphasizing client service and support with the ability to embrace change.

This philosophy has been the cornerstone of the Croshal Entertainment Group for the past 20 years, and the company continues to experience exponential growth despite constant technological and business upheavals in the music industry. Led by President/CEO Fred Croshal (former executive at Sony Music and General Manager at the Maverick Recording Company), CEG has a proven track record in serving its clients, consistently earning them numerous GRAMMY® wins and nominations and setting Billboard chart records, all the while providing unparalleled label services for a wide range of clientele in various genres of the music industry. 

The formation of Croshal Entertainment Group in 2003 was both timely and prescient, as all manner of artists, from independent up-and-comers to major-label stars, have explored alternative distribution models in the new millennium. CEG was formed to provide an infrastructure and alternative way for artists to release their music competitively. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary beginning in October of 2023, CEG continues to be at the forefront of this trend and is proud to have provided services that include establishing independent record labels and coordinating the marketing of releases from major artists like Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Herb Alpert, Collective Soul, The Immediate Family, Gnarls Barkley, Jason Mraz, CSN (Crosby, Stills and Nash), TLC, Smokey Robinson, Tommy Lee, AJ McLean, Sinead O’Connor, Seth MacFarlane, New Found Glory, The Doobie Brothers, and more. CEG is currently working on the development of Bella Rios and Trinity Bliss, who will both have new music out in 2024.

For more information, visit www.croshalgroup.com.

Latest update — Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried trial [Day 3]The former FTX CEO faces seven counts of conspiracy and fraud. A New York court will decide his fate.

Alameda had a $65B line of credit and ‘unlimited withdrawals’Alameda's "unlimited funds" came from FTX customers, the crytpo exchange's co-founder says on the stand.

Songtradr says it will ‘work towards a fair and equitable outcome’ for Bandcamp workforce, following layoffs at Bandcamp made by former owner Epic GamesOne of the biggest music industry stories of the year arrived last week with the news that Songtradr is to acquire Bandcamp from Epic Games. The announcement arrived a year and a half after Epic (the maker of the hit video game Fortnite, and Unreal Engine) itself acquired Bandcamp – an online music store and direct-to-fan … Continued
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DistroKid’s Bandzoogle buyout, Songtradr’s Bandcamp acquisition point to the power of D2C commerce (and a potential future battle for ‘superfans’)Why two deals announced in the last month are connected
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Universal Audio UAD Dangerous Music BAX EQ The Dangerous BAX EQ is one of the smoothest sounding EQs you will use. Featuring a world-class design of Peter Baxandall's legendary 1950's tone control that has graced hundreds of millions... Read More

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Behringer says it’s “getting close” to finishing a new Groove BoxBehringer has been teasing a new Groove Box, the BX700, on social media.
The company has shared a first-look image of the “really cool” new piece of kit, which it says it’s “getting close” to completing.
Behringer has promised that the new BX700 is “a DX7 on steroids” and boasts “an authentic CS-80 analog filter, a built-in drum machine, a B-Ray and many other cool features.”
Currently, its release date still remains unconfirmed, but the German manufacturer encouraged fans to subscribe to their YouTube channel for immediate, first-hand news on what’s coming next.

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A post shared by Behringer (@behringer)

It’s far from the only new piece of equipment Behringer has launched lately. Earlier this week, they began shipping the Chaos Eurorack module, a random sampler that’s a replica of Mutable Instruments’ Marbles.
In August, they made the Kobol Expander synthesiser, based on the RSF Kobol Expander of 1979, officially available for shipping, having first  teased the product in April last year and announced that it was in its testing phase.
That same month, they also launched its JT-4000 Micro synth, with a design inspired by the Roland JP-8000 which launched back in 1996.
In other news, the brand has found itself in a heated dispute with online personality and product reviewer Loopop, which recently escalated after the brand seemingly took aim once again at the product reviewer recently, claiming “‘influencers’ have decided not to support us anymore because we don’t provide free products for reviews”.
In a recent post to X, Loopop questioned Behringer’s ethical stance following claims made by the company in August that they’re a “not-for-profit” organisation. The post features a screenshot of Behringer’s Arturia Keystep clone, the Swing, alongside the original and set at the same price on the online gear store, Sweetwater.
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Want to DJ in Fabric? Pioneer DJ’s free workshop gives you the chanceAlphaPheta’s Pioneer DJ and Fabric nightclub are launching a DJ workshop in partnership with KISS FM DJ, Esi.

READ MORE: This dazzling bright pink DJ controller has star-shaped jog wheels

The free Start from Scratch workshop, taking place on 18 October at Fabric nightclub in London, “encourages budding black DJs and persons from all communities of colour to take part”, says Pioneer DJ. It will also “celebrate Black History Month and the contributions and achievements of black DJs around the world and throughout history”.
Start from Scratch welcomes both newcomers to the DJing scene and those looking to refine their skills. Participants can look forward to a comprehensive introduction to DJing, offering valuable insights into the electronic music industry.
Led by acclaimed artists, DJ schools, and Pioneer DJ product experts, the workshop is set to provide you with hands-on experience with Pioneer DJ’s latest gear. Attendees will have the chance to explore the fundamentals of DJing during this two-hour session and even try their hand at it.
In addition to the invaluable knowledge gained, all workshop participants will receive a complimentary 3-month license for Virtuoso, an online educational platform.
The workshop will be hosted by DJ Esi, whose career includes features on prominent broadcasters like No Signal, BBC 1Xtra, and Capital Xtra. Her residency at KISS Fresh Breakfast showcases her passion for championing black artists. Beyond radio, Esi has graced iconic stages at events like Wireless Festival and Kokom and has performed for global stars like Megan Thee Stallion.
DJ Esi on KISS FM
On the event, she said, “I’m really excited to be a part of this for Pioneer DJ and Black History Month. Pioneer DJ is such an integral brand for DJs, and I loved being able to take part in the last session, meeting everyone who wanted to take their passion with music and DJ’ing seriously.”
The Start from Scratch workshop will take place at Fabric nightclub in Farringdon on 18 October. Sign up at partiful.com.
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