SWIFT enrolls 3 central banks in CBDC interoperability beta test, expands sandboxThe bank messaging network has seen a dramatic increase in processing speed and is developing technology to connect CBDCs.

Ask Sophie: Can I get an O-1A visa to bypass the H-1B process?Here's another edition of “Ask Sophie,” the advice column that answers immigration-related questions about working at technology companies.

Aarow Releases Dyst FREE Dynamic Saturation Plugin
Aarow releases Dyst, a free (pay what you want) dynamic saturation plugin for Windows and macOS. I’ve honestly lost track of how many distortion and saturation plugins I have residing on my hard drives. You can’t help it after a point. All those different flavors of harmonics might come in useful on a snare or [...]
View post: Aarow Releases Dyst FREE Dynamic Saturation Plugin

Universal Audio UAD Chandler Limited Curve Bender Based on the vintage EMI TG12345 desk from Abbey Road Studios, the same one used to record Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and The Beatles' Abbey Road, Chandler Limited's Curve Bender... Read More

Universal Audio UAD Chandler Limited Zener Limiter Inspired by the iconic EMI TG limiters from Abbey Road Studios, Chandler Limited's TG12413 Zener Limiter exudes the sonic majesty of the vintage hardware used to record Pink Floyd and The... Read More

iPhone 15’s USB-C lets you finally use music gear on iOS without an adapterApple has launched its new iPhone 15 models, from the iPhone 15 up to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The smartphone swaps out the Lightning port and introduces a USB-C port for the first time, catering for more powerful and easier music tech setups.

READ MORE: What could Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset mean for music production?

With a USB-C port, iPhone 15 users will now be able to connect external music gear such as MIDI controllers and audio interfaces without the need for an adapter. MusicTech can confirm that any accessory that requires up to 4.5W of power output will be supported – this includes most external hard drives and headphones, for example. Any accessory that requires more power will need its own power supply. External products won’t require an authenticator chip or an MFi program certification.
The new iPhone Pro and Pro Max will now also cater for USB-3 connection, but that’s only with a USB-3 cord, according to the brand. USB-3 is a type of data transfer technology that provides quicker and more efficient data exchange, making it suitable for high-speed file transfers or connecting to external hard drives or music equipment.
The switch to a USB-C port was, in fact, not entirely a move Apple chose to make. In 2022, it was revealed that the next edition of the smartphone would have to adopt a USB-C port to align with new EU regulations that require all smartphones sold after autumn 2024 to use USB-C.
The iPhone 15 will also feature, as with previous models, the A17 Pro chip. Designed internally by Apple, this will have a six-core central processing unit and a six-core graphics processing unit, allowing for enhanced graphics performance.
The second generation of AirPods Pro was also revealed at the event, along with a new USB-C compatible charging case. The wireless headphones offer 20-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio with minimal latency when paired with Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset set to debut in early 2024.
Vision Pro, Apple’s futuristic augmented reality headset, was announced in June at the brand’s annual Worldwide Developer’s Conference. At that event, we also got to see the new 15-inch MacBook Air, Mac Pro and Mac Studio, and learn new features such as Adaptive Audio in AirPods.
Find out more at apple.com.
The post iPhone 15’s USB-C lets you finally use music gear on iOS without an adapter appeared first on MusicTech.

Flock Audio Announces Upgrade to PATCH APP DX Bridge Flock Audio, innovative manufacturers of the PATCH series of digitally controlled, all-analog patchbays, has announced another game changing upgrade to their intuitive hardware management software – PATCH APP DX Bridge. DX Bridge enables PATCH APP DX to be run as a plugin with every available DAW, allowing for seamless recall and storage of any PATCH presets in a session. DX Bridge is available as a free update for all PATCH APP DX subscribers and perpetual license holders and is compatible with all major DAW plugin formats including .AAX, .VST, and .AU. For more information and to download the update, please click here. 

Streamlined workflows with your favorite analog outboard gearPATCH APP DX’s - DX Bridge is easy to integrate into any recording session. Once installed, DX Bridge can be inserted as a plugin into any track in a DAW project and will provide instant access to all stored PATCH routings. These routings will also be instantly recalled any time the session is loaded up, making for a seamless recording experience, every time. Alongside PATCH APP DX’s enhanced feature set which includes intuitive and efficient color customization options, lightning fast analog routing recalls, Total Hardware Management for storing & viewing recall notes of analog hardware settings and tracking setups, and Apple iOS & iOS iPad support, DX Bridge is an invaluable tool for the recording studio that makes recalls more efficient than ever before within the PATCH Series eco-system.

“At Flock Audio we are constantly working towards new ways of making hardware management more intuitive, and as such we’re incredibly pleased to announce PATCH APP DX’s latest addition DX Bridge,” said Flock Audio Founder and CEO Darren Nakonechny. “DX Bridge is a simple and straightforward tool for your DAW that allows for easy management of all PATCH presets in a session, making it the perfect addition to the PATCH series ecosystem and a valuable tool for streamlining and enhancing your analog workflow within your recording, mixing, and mastering sessions.”

PATCH APP DX Features: 

·    Color Customization Options across the entire application 

·    6 Quick Strip Recall Options 

·    iOS & iOS iPad Compatibility/Support 

·    Total Hardware Management (For Analog Hardware Recall Notes + Tracking Setups) 

·    DX Bridge Plugin – Compatibility for Inside DAW Session Recalls 

·    + More

For more information about PATCH APP DX Bridge and to download, please visit: http://www.flockaudio.com/downloads

Sony brings Dolby Atmos to the PS5 in new updateSony has updated its PlayStation 5 gaming console, introducing Dolby Atmos compatibility to the console for the first time.

READ MORE: Kid Cudi says Dolby Atmos isn’t enhancing music – “it’s f**kin’ it up”

The update, which is available to install on PS5 devices from today (13 September), sees immersive audio capabilities added, lets you silence the console’s boot-up sound (which some users bemoan), and also facilitates the pairing of a second controller so you can help out learning gamers who might be stuck.
You can hear games and films in Dolby Atmos via Sony’s Sony 3D Audio feature, known as Tempest 3D AudioTech. This allows you to connect to Dolby Atmos-compatible devices such as soundbars, smart speakers, home cinema systems and more.
Sony has stated that this update also lets streaming apps make use of Dolby Atmos audio but developers are required to update its apps to accommodate for this spatial audio feature.
The PlayStation team seems to be sharpening its focus on audio for the PS5. Last month, the company acquired Audeze, a pro audio and audiophile brand revered for its planar-magnetic headphones. We may well see PlayStation-branded Audeze headphones materialise soon.
Having rich, accurate immersive sound at home is becoming a more popular demand for casual audio consumers. Dolby knows this, and recently revealed FlexConnect, a flexible Dolby Atmos system that lets you customise the arrangement of Atmos-compatible wireless speakers.
FlexConnect lets you tailor your wireless speaker setup around you, letting you put the speakers wherever you want in your living space without the need to consider room size, electrical sockets, or furniture arrangement.
If you’re yet to experience Dolby Atmos audio and are based in London, Tileyard Studios has launched a new immersive listening space, The Gallery, for Dolby Atmos playback sessions.
If you’re a PS5 user, head to playstation.com to learn how to install the new update and implement Dolby Atmos audio.
The post Sony brings Dolby Atmos to the PS5 in new update appeared first on MusicTech.

Reverie Is A FREE Cello Kontakt Library By Orchestral Tools And Berklee College Of Music
Orchestral Tools (Berlin) and Berklee College of Music (Boston) joined forces to create a YouTube series called Virtual Orchestration. Their latest YouTube video also includes Reverie, a high-quality free cello library for Native Instruments Kontakt (full version). Virtual Orchestration is a series of videos discussing virtual instruments’ role in orchestral music. The series features expert [...]
View post: Reverie Is A FREE Cello Kontakt Library By Orchestral Tools And Berklee College Of Music

JKBX goes live, featuring listings to reserve shares in royalties from hits by Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and more superstarsSong royalties trading platform JKBX is officially live
Source

DistroKid acquires website hosting and e-commerce company BandzoogleBandzoogle offers various e-commerce tools allowing musicians to market and sell products directly to their fanbases
Source

Make way for the Maximus, Analogue Solutions’ follow-up to the ColossusAnalogue Solutions has launched the Maximus AS300, a semi-modular 8-voice polyphonic analogue synthesizer.

READ MORE: Analogue Solutions’s ‘Slim’ version of the epic Colossus synth is now available

The Britis company, which recently announced the Ample, has been busy of late. The Maximus lives up to its name, being a 100 per cent analogue synthesizer tower with a vintage feel.
It has eight individual voices of polyphony, but each one needs to be set manually and individually. Each of the eight voices is formed of two multi-wave VCOs with a sub-oscillator, a white noise generator, and various cross-mod controls. With the Maximus, you’ll also get two ASDR envelopes and a 16-step/modulation loop sequencer for each voice.
Meanwhile, the master section contains a classic LFO, an LFO with delay, and a VC LFO, an 8-channel stereo mixer, two real spring reverbs, a master control knob, a poly MIDI to CV converter, four key modes, two MIDI sync modes, and one multiple.
In terms of appearance, there are two front panels each with four voices, and they sit in a metal cabinet with birch ply real wood. You can also buy a keyboard, the AS 400, which features 61 weighted and velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch, and a 64-pad touch controller. However, the synth still works well without it.
The Maximus fittingly follows the Colossus synth, a huge £25,000 12-voice unit that was launched by Analogue Solutions in 2019.
The Maximus synth is being built in small batches, and the first batch is currently available to order. The introductory launch price is £19,900, which will rise to £22,500 from the second batch onwards. If you’d also like the optional AS400 keyboard, it will set you back £1,800, rising to £1,900 from the second batch onwards. The synthesizer will ship 2-6 weeks after ordering.
For more information on the Maximus, you can head to analoguesolutions.com. You can also watch the synth in action at Synthfest UK on 7 October.
The post Make way for the Maximus, Analogue Solutions’ follow-up to the Colossus appeared first on MusicTech.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2nd Gen boast lossless audio – but not for your iPhoneApple has unveiled the second generation of its wireless AirPods Pro earphones, introducing USB-C charging, improvements in sound quality and advanced audio capabilities including lossless audio for Vision Pro headsets.

READ MORE: What could Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset mean for music production?

The USB‑C connector ensures seamless charging compatibility with various devices. You can even charge your AirPods by plugging them into any iPhone 15 model.
Additionally, these earbuds and their case boast an improved IP54 rating, augmenting dust resistance and rendering them suitable for a range of outdoor activities.
The new AirPods Pro 2 will also deliver support for 20-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio with ultra-low latency when paired with the forthcoming Apple Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, which was unveiled at WWDC23 in June.

Both the AirPods Pro and Vision Pro headset feature the H2 chip, offering fast speeds and uncompressed sound for immersive experiences.
Thanks to the iOS 17 update which was also revealed in June, AirPods 2 will also support Adaptive Audio, a dynamic mode combining Transparency mode with Active Noise Cancellation, automatically adjusting levels based on your surroundings.
In this vein, the new AirPods also include Conversation Awareness, which enhances the main speaker in a FaceTime or call and blocks out background speakers when other irrelevant voices are detected.
The second generation of AirPods Pro will be available in Apple stores alongside the iPhone 15 series and new Apple Watches on 22 September. They retail at £229.
Find out more at apple.com.
The post Apple’s AirPods Pro 2nd Gen boast lossless audio – but not for your iPhone appeared first on MusicTech.

Tycho is selling almost 100 pieces of studio gear used on his iconic albums Dive, Epoch and AwakeAmerican electronica artist Tycho is clearing out his studio. Ever wanted any of his gear? Now’s your chance. Almost 100 of his studio items will be up for sale on Reverb.com in September.
READ MORE: Watch Tycho show off his complex “mothership stereo effects rig” process
Real name Scott Hansen, the Grammy-nominated producer will be listing his studio items on The Official Tycho Reverb Shop. Classic synths, mixers, outboard effects and more will all be available for you to snap up.
Hansen’s not auctioning his gear, but instead listing it all for a fixed price. In which case, you’ll need to be quick if you want to claim any of his trusty music-making companions.
“I’ve been collecting synthesizers and gear for about 25 years now,” says Hansen. “And I’ve found that throughout my career, I get inspired by new machines and new ways of working with machines, so I always try to keep things cycling in and out. And I think, at this point, it’s time to refresh.”
If you want a sneak peek of what’s in Tycho’s studio, check out the video below.

Tycho’s Reverb Store highlights
Alright – so what’s up for grabs?
Some of the highlights of the haul include an Oberheim FVS-1, or Four Voice, released in 1975. This particular synth was used to create Tycho’s pads in his seminal albums.
“I first got [the Four Voice] out, and it was like a magic synth,” Hansen says.
“It’s just so unpredictable that it has a mind of its own. It’ll lead you down these paths you never knew you wanted to go down. I’ve never heard anything like it. I used it a lot on Dive for pads and big atmospheres and for basses and leads on Awake. Then I went back to pad mode on Epoch. Every time you sit down at it, it makes a sound that you’ve never heard.”
A Neve 54 Series mixer, which is likely to be a pretty extravagant purchase, is going up, too. “It’s a broadcast console that I believe was mainly for South African radio,” says Tycho. “I always had my eye on them because they had one at The Hangar in Sacramento and later at Panoramic Studios, and honestly, I just loved the way it looked. Right before [I started recording] Epoch, I got it. Most of that album ran through this mixer.”
Tycho’s Korg Trident, which he bought because of Boards Of Canada’s purported usage of it, will be listed. Plus, an Eventide H3000 that he picked up because he saw “a picture of Eddie Van Halen next to one, and I loved [him] as a producer,” Hansen says.
Elsewhere, plenty of more outboard gear will be available. This includes, in Hansen’s words: “a lot of outboard gear that I’ve cycled in and out, lots of compressors, like the SSL G-Comp, the Chandler Limited LTD-1, which is one of my favourite preamps ever. [A lot of the outboard gear] started to define my sound with Dive and especially Awake, when I started gravitating toward all-analogue front ends.”
Fancy any of these pieces of gear? Check out the Official Tycho Reverb Shop from 20 September 2023, when the sale officially goes live.
Check it out at reverb.com.
The post Tycho is selling almost 100 pieces of studio gear used on his iconic albums Dive, Epoch and Awake appeared first on MusicTech.

Almost half of working musicians can’t afford equipment and transport, a study findsA new census of almost 6,000 working musicians in the United Kingdom has found that nearly half struggle with equipment and transport costs.

READ MORE: Touring in the US “not viable”, say The Chemical Brothers

These statistics come from the first Musicians’ Census, a project that was created by the Musicians’ Union and charity Help Musicians. This census is hoped to be repeated every three to five years to reflect the changes in the music industry.
The rather bleak findings show that many of those working in the music industry struggle to make ends meet. However, what these statistics do present, is that there is more support needed for musicians working in the industry.
“I recently started to work freelance as a producer,” explains one participant in the study. “This is much more flexible, but I’ve had to start with very low prices to build up a portfolio, meaning I need to fit it in around my ‘day job’ to be able to earn a sustainable income and access employment benefits.”
“I now need assistance with driving and carrying equipment,” explains another participant, “but as a solo performer in a niche genre, the fees are never enough to support a tour manager or roadie”
The study also revealed that 46 per cent of working musicians earn less than £14,000 a year.
Considering that the minimum wage in the UK equates to an average of £19,000 annual salary, and more in London, this means that around half of working musicians in the UK are earning far below what should be the minimum.
Regarding the next steps, Help Musicians seem eager to find new ways to support musicians, however, has not revealed any support schemes as of yet.
Elsewhere, even the most successful artists in electronic music are running into financial hurdles in their careers. Last week, The Chemical Brothers revealed that touring in the US is “not viable.”
Speaking to Billboard’s Katie Bain, bandmember Ed Simons said: “The costs have gone up so much. It’s just not really viable at the moment… I’m apologetic to the people who do want to see us that it is increasingly difficult for us to get to America, because we have had the times of our lives playing there.”
To read the full study, you can visit the Music Census website.
The post Almost half of working musicians can’t afford equipment and transport, a study finds appeared first on MusicTech.