MusicTech

Want vintage guitar tones without the fuss? Universal Audio has transformed yet another of its classic amp modelling pedals into a plugin. The UAD Woodrow ’55 allows you to tap into the vintage tones of Fender’s 1955 5E3 Tweed Deluxe, all from the comfort of your DAW. The UAD Woodrow ’55 plugin joins Universal Audio’s digital collection of studio-grade amp modelling plugins. It joins Dream ’65, another Fender emulation, as well as Marshall and Vox amp emulators Lion ’68 and Ruby ’63... The post Universal Audio transforms another of its amp modelling pedals into a plugin – this time the Woodrow ’55 appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Vaughn Oliver – one half of the iconic production duo Oliver – is giving fans a peek inside the studio where the magic happens, showing off his synth collection and the gear he swears by. Known for crafting genre-blending sounds that often fuse disco, funk, and electronic music, the Canadian producer, DJ and mix engineer has worked with the likes of Chromeo, Kaytranada, and Nicki Minaj, and has produced official remixes for artists like Foster the People and Beck... The post “Your favourite producer’s sounds are made here”: Vaughn Oliver shows off his synths and studio appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Audio-Technica is reimagining the vinyl experience with Hotaru, a $9,999 floating turntable that fuses light, levitation, and high-fidelity sound into a single analogue machine. Unveiled recently at Milan Design Week as the second installment of Audio-Technica’s “analog ~ naturally” program, the Hotaru turntable (Japanese for “firefly”) is designed to deliver more than sound. With its unique floating structure and lighting display, the deck adds a striking visual element to analogue audio, creating a unique ambience where sound and light intertwine... The post Audio Technica’s $10k Hotaru turntable spins your records on a floating, light-reactive platform appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

What would your dream music studio look like? Where would it be? And, if we only gave you 6 items to make music with forever, what would you choose? We pose these questions and more to producers, engineers, DJs and beatmakers in the My Forever Studio podcast, created in partnership with Audient... The post My Forever Studio: Will Clarke won’t spend 7 years making a track appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Startup brand Keybird is crowdfunding to support the launch of its new uber-portable, acoustic L1 piano. This new model follows on from its predecessor, the Keybird X1, and is even more compact, making it one of the smallest acoustic pianos on the market. The brand is “dedicated to bringing the acoustic piano to broad audiences and to people who love the piano, but never imagined they could have one in their living space”... The post One of the world’s smallest acoustic pianos raises $45k on Kickstarter appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Daft Punk could be making a comeback, but not as you might expect – the electronic duo are currently rumoured to join Fortnite Festival for its Season 9 event. The post Is a Daft Punk comeback happening… in Fortnite? appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Audeze has unveiled the most affordable instalment in its LCD series of headphones to date. The LCD-S20 Closed-Back headphones channel the company’s high-end audio quality and SLAM spatial imaging into a much more affordable package, costing just $499... The post Audeze’s LCD-S20 headphones are the most affordable in its LCD series – and pack in its ground-breaking SLAM technology appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Danish audio company AIAIAI has finally launched its new TMA-2 DJ Wireless headphones, designed, as you might guess, with DJs in mind. Available for purchase from today (10 April), AIAIAI calls the TMA-2 Wireless cans the first “truly wireless headphones designed for DJs”, using ultra-low latency wireless technology to ensure precise beatmatching and seamless mixing. The post “This is a game-changer for DJs looking to break free from cables”: AIAIAI’s TMA-2 DJ Wireless headphones boast 20 hours of battery life – and they’re now available for purchase appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

At 30,000 daily downloads, Image-Line‘s FL Studio is among the most popular Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) on the planet. We’re now on FL Studio 2024, which is named so for the year it was released, with FL Studio 2025 seemingly coming soon… The post FL Studio 2025: Rumours, release date, and everything we know so far appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Teenage Engineering has officially rolled out OS 2.0, the first major software update for its compact yet powerful EP-133 K.O.II sampler. Launched in late 2023, the $299 EP-133 K.O.II quickly became a smash hit among beatmakers thanks to its compact, intuitive design, and nods to classic samplers like the Akai MPC 3000. Now, nearly a year and a half later, OS 2.0 is here to push the K.O.II to new heights with a list of “knockout features” that broaden its capabilities and improve performance across the board… The post Teenage Engineering’s EP-133 K.O.II just got its first major OS update – here’s what’s new appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Pop culture has programmed humanity to fear an impending uprising of robots that will wipe out civilisation. But Charlotte Kemp-Muhl, one of the directors of Finis Musicae, sees robots as another means to push music forward alongside humanity. “New genres are born on the back of new technology. Rock and roll from electric guitars. Hip-hop from samplers. Laptops were the last [enabler of] new genres of music, but there hasn’t really been anything new since then,” Kemp-Muhl says. The post “Instead of robotics replacing musicians, there’s a big opportunity for extension and augmentation”: Finis Musicae on programming robots to play live instruments appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Serum’s diverse sonic palette and exceptionally bold sound character have made it the go-to software synth for artists and producers in a huge scope of musical styles, including EDM, Pop, and Hip-Hop for over a decade. A star-studded lineup of users includes the likes of Skrillex and Deadmau5, and Serum’s sound has dominated the electronic music landscape... The post Is Xfer Records’ Serum 2 still the most powerful software synth you can buy? appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Over the past few months, Billy McFarland has been making grand promises for Fyre Fest 2. The festival founder has been making bold claim of villas, yachts and a packed 40-artist line-up – but it turns out the festival only has a permit for 250 attendees and a noise ordinance of 100 decibels max. The post Fyre Fest 2 permit only allows for 12-hour listening party with 250 people – as Billy McFarland’s psychologist deems him “mentally ill” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

First appearing in 2009, Studio One is a relative newcomer to the DAW scene compared to older names — Cubase, FL Studio, and Reason, for example. But its heritage is solid, its creators having worked on developing flagship products for Steinberg, including Cubase and Nuendo. While PreSonus’ line-up includes many studio hardware products, this software is far from an afterthought. Rather, it’s a highly capable music production suite which deserves a wider audience, despite shortcomings. But in a crowded field, does it do enough to capture your attention? ... The post PreSonus Studio One Pro 7 wants to be your go-to DAW, but can it mix it with the big-hitters? appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Imaginando has launched GRFX – Granular Effects, a new plugin designed to “radically transform sound” through granulation. GRFX lets users break down ordinary audio into micro-particles and rebuild it into evolving pads and drones, glitchy rhythms, or even otherworldly tones and textures. The post Imaginando’s new GRFX granulation plugin invites “happy accidents” and experimental sounds appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Denon is launching two new wireless earbuds – the AH-C500W and AH-C840NCW – which are designed for comfortable wear, all day long. Officially due for release on 15 April, both models are suitable for commuting, exercising, taking work calls, or relaxing. Both are also water-resistant, have a long battery life, and offer a quick charge feature, with an hour of extra listening time. READ MORE: Sweetwater partners with Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to tackle hearing loss among music industry professionals: “Once the damage is done, there’s no going back to ‘normal’” Most specs are the same, but the models do vary when it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC) and playback time. The AH-C500W buds have a lightweight, sweatproof, open-earbud design. They offer Premium 12mm FreeEdge drivers for immersive audio quality, multipoint connectivity, and up to 24 hours of on-the-go listening time. There’s also two microphones per earbud, wireless charging and 10-minute quick charge, plus Bluetooth LE Audio for enhanced audio quality, and Bluetooth Auracast for “seamless” audio sharing and enhanced connectivity. The AH-C500W buds are also IPX4-rated water resistant. As for the AH-C840NCW, these are for a premium sound that can block out distractions, and have adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation onboard, with a transparency mode. They offer all the same features, but up the ante with up to 35 hours of on-the-go listening time and a shorter five-minute quick charge for an extra hour of playtime. These are slightly more expensive, coming in at over £150. At the end of 2024, MusicTech included Denon’s PerL Pro Earbuds in our round up of the best new headphones and earbuds of the year. Our review also awarded them a mighty 10/10 for their sound performance, effective ANC, and ample battery life. The Denon AH-C500W and AH-C840NCW true wireless earbuds will cost £99 and £159, respectively. View more products from Denon. The post Denon’s new wireless earbuds are water resistant and designed for “all-day wear” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

A reporter has broken down how tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump could impact the music industry, revealing how sectors such as the musical instrument business or the vinyl industry will be impacted. Most popular instrument brands sell gear that has been manufactured (or houses parts) made in places such as Mexico, China, or Canada. Now that Trump has imposed hefty tariffs on goods entering the United States from across these markets, music industry figures are growing concerned for the future of their businesses... The post How will Trump’s tariffs affect the music gear and vinyl pressing industries? A Billboard journalist breaks it down appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Cre8audio has introduced the Boom Chick, a new analogue drum machine that mixes classic drum machine inspiration with a design from Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers. Offering the “hands-on playability of legendary drum machines”, Boom Chick has a knob-per-function interface for tactile beat-making, and features five analogue drum voices. It functions as both a standalone device or Eurorack module... The post Cre8audio’s Boom Chick is “inspired by the hands-on playability of legendary drum machines” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Cre8audio has announced Assembler, a synth-focused analogue audio mixer that delivers vintage console sound with intuitive hands-on control. Developed in collaboration with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers, Assembler blends the warmth of classic analogue mixers with a modern workflow designed for electronic musicians of today... The post Cre8audio’s new Assembler is a “vintage analogue mixer for the modern synth enthusiast” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Baby Audio has unveiled Smooth Operator Pro, a new and upgraded version of its acclaimed spectral balancing plugin. Building on the success of the original Smooth Operator from 2021 – which scored a 9/10 in our review – the Pro version arrives with an improved core algorithm and more detailed control across the board while maintaining the fast workflow that made the original so popular… The post Baby Audio’s Smooth Operator spectral balancing plugin scored 9/10 in our review – now the brand has released an upgraded version appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

A new artist-to-artist learning platform called WHATCLASS has launched, offering short-form classes led by influential names in music. The platform has been developed by a team “with a track record developing music education and gaming”, who launched music learning on Spotify in 2024 and its music-learning partner platform, PLAYvirtuoso... The post Former Spotify music-learning founders launch new artist-to-artist learning platform, WHATCLASS appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

“It all started with Inspector Morse,” begins Fish56Octagon, talking to MusicTech backstage ahead of his debut Cambridge gig. “It was an episode called ‘Cherubim & Seraphim’ and featured the 90s illegal rave scene,” enthuses the car influencer turned viral DJ and producer who is in his mid-40s but prefers to keep his identity hidden. Just 12 years old when he watched it while on a family holiday, and he was mesmerised. His parents? “Horrified.” … The post Fish56Octagon: “Music production is the hardest, then social media — DJing is the easy part” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Waves has launched Curves AQ, an AI-powered audio plugin billed as the “world’s first autonomous EQ”. The post Waves’ Curves AQ is the “world’s first autonomous EQ plugin” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

I started my recording career with a Tascam PortaStudio 424. Because of this, I’ve always had a soft spot for Tascam gear and the sound of its preamps. In fact, I was still using my original PortaStudio as a mixer (the tape transport stopped working a few years ago) up until this past summer. Of course, like most people, I’ve embraced digital recording and the conveniences of a DAW at this point. But, I’ve been curious about Tascam’s modern Model series of recording mixers; they combine the hands-on comfort of a traditional mixing desk, with the conveniences of digital recording, plus, they just look stunning... The post Tascam Model 2400 review: A satisfying throwback with modern flair appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

With less than 100 ever produced, the three-tiered Yamaha GX-1 is something of synth legend. First released in 1973, the extremely rare model marks Yamaha’s historical entry into the synth market. And one is currently up for auction for £99,950. But this isn’t an ordinary GX-1. The synth was once owned by none other than electronic visionary Aphex Twin. While in his possession, he also asked Colin Fraser of Sequentix to restore the synth to its former glory, as well as requesting the addition of MIDI functionality... The post Aphex Twin’s MIDI-modified Yamaha GX-1 is up for sale – for just £100,000 appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article