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Ultra Music Festival is back for its 24th edition and better than ever with its #ULTRALIVE livestream. From March 22nd to 24th, the energy and dazzling performances of Bayfront Park Miami will be beamed worldwide. Experience 3 days of ULTRALIVE all from the comfort of your home. This year’s redefined livestream boasts a genre-bending lineup across the Main Stage, RESISTANCE, Live Stage, and Worldwide Stage. Catch the biggest headlining acts, rising stars, crowd reactions, and stellar moments, all streamed in stunning high-definition. It’s a front-row seat to the magic of Ultra Miami, no matter your location. #ULTRALIVE kicks off at 3:30 PM EST on Friday, March 22nd, with broadcasts continuing throughout the weekend (see schedule below). Tune in and join the global Ultra family for an unforgettable musical journey. Find the Ultra livestream schedule below and tune in here during the broadcast. Friday, March 22: Starts at 3:30 PM EST Saturday, March 23: Starts at 4:00 PM EST Sunday, March 24: Starts at 2:00 PM ET For more information, visit the Ultra Music Festival website and follow #ULTRALIVE on social media. The post Ultra Miami Announces Livestream Schedule appeared first on EDMTunes.

AlphaTheta and Rupert Neve Designs both seem certain that the Euphonia rotary mixer is the nicest-sounding DJ mixer on the market right now. It does sound incredible — you’d hope as much for $3,800 — thanks to a combination of analogue and digital circuitry, custom-made transformers from Rupert Neve Designs and high-end components by AlphaTheta. The Euphonia’s striking design is immediately inviting, flaunts some seriously intriguing features and is the brand’s move into a “new generation” of rotary DJ mixing. It’s already got the DJ industry talking — some DJs are gushing over it, others are less convinced, and the rest are just still perplexed by Pioneer DJ becoming AlphaTheta. But as it moves on from its Pioneer DJ legacy, AlphaTheta is making a bold debut. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech Sadly, my time with the Euphonia was too short to conduct an in-depth review. But it was just long enough to become desperately reluctant to hand the mixer back over to AlphaTheta. It’s deeply fun to use and really does have a unique character of being vintage yet modern. That feeling, of course, was intentional. “It’s our first hybrid digital-analogue DJ mixer and we wanted the design to reflect that,” says AlphaTheta product manager Rob Anderson, calling in from Ibiza several days ahead of the Euphonia’s launch. “So sure, it looks kind of old-school, it’s got old-school elements to it but, at the same time, it’s futuristic. It’s like nostalgia meets futurism.” READ MORE: AlphaTheta Euphonia rotary DJ mixer is a digital/analogue hybrid with Rupert Neve Designs components Compared to its competitors, such as the MasterSounds Valve Mk2 and Union Audio’s Orbit.6, the Euphonia has a distinctly different approach to the retro-future appeal of rotary mixers. For one, the display in the top right has AlphaTheta’s novel take on traditional VU meters. The Mix Level Meter shows a needle per channel, offering a glance at all levels simultaneously, while a Spectrum Analyzer provides information on the spectral output of the music. The other obvious difference is the digital signal processing, with 32-bit AD/DA converters and 96kHz sampling rate, plus the built-in effects unit that boasts reverb, delay, tape echo, tape reverb, shimmer, and a high-pass filter. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech Paying homage to classic kit while innovating resonates profoundly with Rupert Neve Designs. Its trophy piece is The 5088, a stunning mixing console that deadmau5 assures “will never go out of style”. Chris Dauray, the director of brand and creative at Rupert Neve Designs tells me: “It’s the culmination of Rupert [Neve]’s entire design career as far as consoles go; it’s what he was always working to achieve for his entire life.” When speaking with Dauray and Luke Smith, product manager at RND, I’m warmed by the sheer passion with which they talk about continuing the late Rupert Neve’s legacy. But lending a hand in building DJ gear is fairly unfamiliar territory for the high-end audio brand — was this partnership right for Neve? “With AlphaTheta’s reputation, there was never a concern there,” says Smith on the collaboration. “We knew that it was right in line with our ethos and it was a nice marriage of what we’re good at and what AlphaTheta’s good at.” Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech For AlphaTheta, getting RND on board for the Euphonia was a no-brainer. “It makes more sense for us to include a Rupert Neve circuit instead of developing our own analogue transformer — which we could have done but it just wouldn’t be as good,” says Anderson. “We wanted the Rupert Neve circuit. It just made so much sense so we went the extra mile to make sure that could happen.” So, practically, what’s the impact of custom-made Rupert Neve transformers in the Euphonia? “I was just blown away,” Anderson recalls of when he first heard the Euphonia with the RND transformers. “I’m not just saying this — we took the prototype to loads of venues across Europe. We spent a week in Berlin and then a week in Ibiza; we went to Sisyphos, Berghain, Kater Blau, Amnesia, DC10, Akasha, Club Chinois, HAAi… All the venues that have got unbelievable sound systems and highly skilled, super knowledgeable engineers and we compared it with other rotaries and against our own models — the V10, the DJM-A9 — and it was just really reassuring. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech “As soon as we switched to the Euphonia, you see the engineer’s reaction and how impressed they are. Sound is subjective, right? But this is definitely the best-sounding mixer we’ve ever produced. It’s a bold statement but I think it’s the best-sounding mixer ever made. It sounds crazy good. But of course, that’s subjective.” It’s no surprise that Anderson thinks so highly of the Euphonia, given his involvement in its creation. However, his 13-year tenure at Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta and previous work as a music production educator means he’s seen a few audio products in his time, so perhaps the team really has created something remarkable. Smith and Dauray go deeper into the theory of why the Euphonia’s sound is so pleasing: “We’re very careful about the type of harmonics that are being enhanced by [RND] transformers. It’s second-order and third-order harmonics. From a musical perspective, that means an octave and an octave and a fifth. Now, when you add that to a chord or an audio source, this makes it sound bigger, deeper more layered and more textured. And, in some ways, this is like the difference between a sine wave and a complex wave — it’s that harmonic content. This is where the emotion lives, in those harmonics. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech “And when you’re enhancing octaves, and octaves-and-a-fifths on top of the signal, you could theoretically draw a line between the emotional response of the listener and the enhancement of these harmonics. There’s a visceral reaction to it. They respond to that harmonic saturation. So this is why we do it…The end goal is that enhancement that makes people feel something.” But where will be the main places that music lovers can go to hear the sound of the Euphonia and feel the difference? It’s not affordable enough for most DJs to keep in their home studios, its workflow isn’t suited to enough DJs to be a staple in clubs and venues, and it’s far too heavyweight for commercial DJs to be taking around to shows with them. The market for the Euphonia is immensely niche. Anderson disagrees, however. After working with over 100 artists while making the Euphonia, he found that DJs of various styles enjoyed performing with the mixer. “The target user in mind was largely the house heads but it can work for more than just that. And while showing it to artists, we found that some will come in with the mindset that they don’t like a rotary mixer. When they start performing on it, they notice how expressive it is and they really like it. So I think it’s going to have a wider demographic appeal than who we just intended to when we were originally working on it.” Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech Your best bet at hearing the Euphonia, for now at least, is likely at your local hi-fi bars, which have seen a boom in recent years. Think of London’s Spiritland, Los Angeles’ Gold Line, Miami’s Dante’s Hi-fi and Tokyo’s Forestlimit. Here, old funk and disco records are rife, with precise mixing required for smooth transitions between tracks. For this style of mixing, AlphaTheta designed the Euphonia with weighted knobs. A higher load is applied when you turn a knob slowly for delicate fine-tuning and a lower load is applied when you turn a knob quickly to drastically change volume. In addition, the 3Band Master Isolator and channel isolators — more precise than a standard EQ — sport a cutoff frequency and slope that’s designed specifically to highlight the kick, melody, and rhythm bands in a natural but sharp manner. Hold on, though. DJs of this style and in the hi-fi bar niche are already well-catered for — MasterSounds, Union Audio and Ecler are established manufacturers of rotary mixers and are beloved by their cult following. Why is a major brand like AlphaTheta shouldering its way into a smaller market? “Because the current options are limited,” says Anderson. “And they’re hard to source, there’s a long lead time on a lot of the boutique models and the aftermarket support can be questionable. So, aside from in lockdown, where every manufacturer under the sun had problems with providing stock, we don’t have that problem. We can develop these at mass. They’re not hand-built so we can develop these for the industry as and when they need them, meaning they’ll end up in loads of venues and they’ll get used more.” Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech The Euphonia might give some the impression that AlphaTheta is trying to quell the independent mixer manufacturers. But it’s more about exposing DJs and music listeners to more top-standard audio quality and mixing. Hopefully, the reverse is true — that the Euphonia will actually boost sales of the independent brands. “It’s never a bad thing to expose more people to proper hi-fi,” Dauray says. “It’s something that we are exposed to in the studio world a bit more than most. But once you’ve heard it, you have a new benchmark for what things can sound like and I would love to see more of that. Most people don’t have an opportunity to hear that and it’s a very illuminating experience, you know. When you hear proper hi-fi systems for the first time, you’re then always questing for that forever.” “Subconsciously, the audience responds positively or differently to [hi-fi audio],” adds Smith. “I mean, the Euphonia does go hand-in-hand with these hi-fi bars — called jazz kissas in Japan — and I’m fascinated with the idea. And the volume is, for my older ears, now, at a reasonable level to have conversations. And it’s analogue from the record to the turntable to the stylus to the mixer, and the amplifier to the speakers. There’s a reason they’re being designed that way. There’s no doubt that people respond to it, viscerally and emotionally. So it’s hopeful for the future of what we do. You know, there’s a reason vinyl record sales are up. There’s a reason this jazz kissa thing, which originated in Japan, is spreading out over the world. And there’s a reason we’re still in business.” Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech Despite some talk online about the Euphonia being a step backwards in the past, its appeal could be more forward-thinking than first assumed. Regardless of how it’s perceived, AlphaTheta is continuing to look to the future. “We’re not going to be lazy. We’re going to strive for innovation. That’s kind of our fundamental purpose — to keep innovating and provide solutions to problems DJs don’t even know they have and to incentivise and stimulate the DJ industry and DJ culture.” Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTechWhy the Euphonia is a smart move by AlphaTheta and Rupert Neve Designs The Euphonia is a beautifully built DJ mixer with outstanding technology and innovative features that you can’t help but admire when you get your hands on it. But it’s not for everyone. It won’t be an industry-standard mixer in venues. It’s not accessible to most DJs. It is, however, a smart move by AlphaTheta and, in part, Rupert Neve Designs. There’s a movement happening where people desire highest-quality sound in venues and bars; boutique manufacturers are gaining popularity; and we’re seeing more hi-fi venues open up, bringing more work opportunities for DJs. The Euphonia is now a part of the wave. And, perhaps most notably, because of the Euphonia launch, everyone’s talking about AlphaTheta…and Pioneer DJ. The post Why the Euphonia is AlphaTheta and Rupert Neve Designs’ dream collaboration appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Just a few weeks after releasing the official Spiritual Milk remix collection, CAMELPHAT are back with four new remixes. Arriving just in time for Miami Music Week, the supplemental reworks continue to expand CAMELPHAT’s repertoire of club-focused and festival-ready tracks. The latest additions feature an impressive lineup of seasoned producers, including Fideles, Øostil, Tigerblind, and Dorian Craft. Released via When Stars Align, under exclusive license to The Nations, CAMELPHAT’s remix album continues to captivate and thrill listeners by expanding on its derivative works. In a reciprocation of remixes pursuant of the Afterlife hit, “Night After Night,” Fideles delivers a strikingly intense version of “In Your Eyes,” which CAMELPHAT first premiered at Afterlife Tulum. In addition to the aforementioned standout remix, Øostil presents “In Your Eyes'” third iteration, infusing it with melodic techno overtones. Marking their first release since 2022, Tigerblind returns triumphantly with an energized and fast-paced rendition of “Compute.” Having received public support from CAMELPHAT, Swedish House Mafia, and Solomun, among others, Tigerblind is undoubtedly an artist to watch in the coming months. Rounding out the second group of remixes is Dorian Craft, who adds his afro-house influence upon “Embers”, CAMELPHAT’s collaboration with Shimza and Julia Church. Featured image: @arfa/Instagram The post CAMELPHAT add four new names to ‘Spiritual Milk’ remix album appeared first on Dancing Astronaut.

Sister Bliss, renowned for her pioneering role in dance music and as a driving force behind Faithless, makes a triumphant return with her latest single, ‘Dancing With U’. Having been released via Junkdog, this track marks yet another milestone in her illustrious career, promising exciting developments. Having dominated the British dance scene for over two … Continued Sister Bliss shares mesmerizing new single and video ‘Dancing With U’: Listen

Twilight Avenue, a band that embodies the spirit of unity and the thrill of discovery, has unleashed a potent force in their eponymous debut EP. At its heart lies ‘Road Rage‘, a track that bridges the gaps between proto-punk and power-pop and serves as a timeless anthem for the disenchanted. This Southport-based quartet, comprising Myles Thompson, Alex Ormand, Kyle Chadwick, and George Fitton, has crafted a riotous production that echoes the punk ethos, breathing life into the rolling rhythms that are as fierce as the title suggests. For those yearning for a new punk-rock earworm, ‘Road Rage’ is a revelation. With an endlessly energetic edge, Twilight Avenue pays homage to the 70s punk scene while infusing it with fresh fervour. The hard riffs, groovy beats, and alternating vox create a dynamic that is as infectious as it is efficacious. Hit play and get your fill of exhilaration. Stream the debut EP from Twilight Avenue in full via Spotify. Review by Amelia Vandergast The post 70s Punk was Hooked by Power Pop in Twilight Avenue’s Seminal Release, Road Rage appeared first on A&R Factory.

As Miami Music Week draws near, acclaimed ultraclub E11EVEN is ready to set the stage with a slew of can't-miss events. Renowned for its extravagant parties and lavish club experience, E11EVEN is poised to deliver an unforgettable Miami Music Week after announcing arguably its strongest lineup to-date. This year's E11EVEN schedule is nothing short of spectacular. It all starts on Wednesday, March 20th with a night headlined by chart-topping "Waves" producer Robin Schulz. Then comes Steve Aoki and his Dim Mak imprint, who will stomp in on Friday, March 22nd with a larger-than-life takeover. On top of a set from Steve Aoki himself, the label's showcase will include performances by Deorro, Cash Cash, Ookay, 4B, Cheyenne Giles, Wolfgang Gartner and NIIKO X SWAE. Saturday, March 23rd will mark the long-awaited return of electronic music superstar ILLENIUM, who is primed for one of his signature performances alongside Nicky Romero. Last but certainly not least, deadmau5 will tie a bow on the week by taking the decks on Sunday, March 24th, joined by French dance music icon Cedric Gervais, among others. View the original article to see embedded media. While E11EVEN's main room and audiovisual production are breathtaking, the venue's rooftop dining experience, Giselle, offers a luxurious prelude to the festivities. With a signature menu influenced from Asian, Mediterranean and French cuisine along with an array of expertly crafted cocktails, Giselle invites guests to dine under the stars while enjoying music from a lineup of all-female talent. From XIE on Thursday, March 21st to Sam Blacky on Friday, March 22nd and more DJs to be announced, Giselle offers a unique and intimate experience. Visit E11EVEN’s website for tickets and reservations. FOLLOW E11EVEN MIAMI:Facebook: facebook.com/11Miami Instagram: instagram.com/11miami X: x.com/11Miami Website: 11miami.com

Balancing Act: Even With Another Big Year on the Horizon, REZZ Insists That Less Is More in ’24. From her early days as a high-school-dance DJ to headlining major tours and playing festival mainstages, REZZ has come a long way and can now be counted among the electronic-music elite. Born Isabelle Rezazadeh, the 28-year-old DJ/producer [...] The post REZZ: CAN YOU SEE ME? [Interview] appeared first on DJ Life Magazine.

There’s a new phenomenon sweeping the music industry, and this time it’s not actually music. The environmental impact of large events like music festivals has become a growing global concern in recent years, and Ultra Music Festival (UMF) has decided to do something about it. Introducing “Mission: Home”. Since 2019, this has been UMF’s innovative sustainability program that strives to prioritize and implement eco-conscious initiatives in order to protect the local community. Mission: Home has five core objectives: Waste Reduction, Pollution Prevention, Nature Preservation, Community Engagement, and Climate Action. Through this program, Ultra Music Festival has become not only a haven for thousands of electronic music fans, but has also become a leader in sustainability in the industry and has begun to pave the way for greener music events across the globe. ‘Mission: Home’ received regional and national recognition for their commitment to the environment and their dedication to creating a safe and eco-friendly festival atmosphere. At the annual Florida Festivals and Events Association convention (FFEA), Ultra’s ‘Mission: Home’ program received 1st place Volunteer Program, 2nd place Sustainability Program, and 2nd place Education Program. Additionally, the Miami-based non-profit, Debris Free Oceans, deemed ‘Mission: Home’ as the “most extensive sustainability program across leading U.S. electronic music festivals”. “Debris Free Oceans truly recognizes the standard set by Ultra to place itself as the leader in sustainability among various electronic festivals,” Co-Founder and Board President Caiti Wiks added. Beyond the state level, UMF is also the first music festival of its scale in the country to be verified by the international NGO Oceanic Global’s Blue Standard program. Their ‘Blue Standard; program includes an intensive audit and assessment of operational sustainability, which requires elimination of 6 single-use plastic types and implementation of 3 ‘Blue Actions’, regarded as best practices for comprehensive sustainable operations. Most recently, Ultra was selected as the recipient of the Sustainability Team Award at the 2023 World Sustainability Awards. Handpicked from an international pool of 220 applicants, the award seeks to recognize a team with a clear vision that works collaboratively towards a shared sustainability purpose. Ultimately, Ultra Music Festival‘s ‘Mission: Home’ exemplifies the festival’s dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability. By implementing waste reduction strategies, promoting recycling, and encouraging eco-friendly transportation options, Ultra Music Festival is leading the way in greening the music industry. Through these efforts, the festival not only enhances the attendee experience but also demonstrates the power of collective action in mitigating climate change and preserving the planet for future generations.

There’s a new phenomenon sweeping the music industry, and this time it’s not actually music. The environmental impact of large events like music festivals has become a growing global concern in recent years, and Ultra Music Festival (UMF) has decided to do something about it. Introducing “Mission: Home”. Since 2019, this has been UMF’s innovative sustainability program that strives to prioritize and implement eco-conscious initiatives in order to protect the local community. Mission: Home has five core objectives: Waste Reduction, Pollution Prevention, Nature Preservation, Community Engagement, and Climate Action. Through this program, Ultra Music Festival has become not only a haven for thousands of electronic music fans, but has also become a leader in sustainability in the industry and has begun to pave the way for greener music events across the globe. ‘Mission: Home’ received regional and national recognition for their commitment to the environment and their dedication to creating a safe and eco-friendly festival atmosphere. At the annual Florida Festivals and Events Association convention (FFEA), Ultra’s ‘Mission: Home’ program received 1st place Volunteer Program, 2nd place Sustainability Program, and 2nd place Education Program. Additionally, the Miami-based non-profit, Debris Free Oceans, deemed ‘Mission: Home’ as the “most extensive sustainability program across leading U.S. electronic music festivals”. “Debris Free Oceans truly recognizes the standard set by Ultra to place itself as the leader in sustainability among various electronic festivals,” Co-Founder and Board President Caiti Wiks added. Beyond the state level, UMF is also the first music festival of its scale in the country to be verified by the international NGO Oceanic Global’s Blue Standard program. Their ‘Blue Standard; program includes an intensive audit and assessment of operational sustainability, which requires elimination of 6 single-use plastic types and implementation of 3 ‘Blue Actions’, regarded as best practices for comprehensive sustainable operations. Most recently, Ultra was selected as the recipient of the Sustainability Team Award at the 2023 World Sustainability Awards. Handpicked from an international pool of 220 applicants, the award seeks to recognize a team with a clear vision that works collaboratively towards a shared sustainability purpose. Ultimately, Ultra Music Festival‘s ‘Mission: Home’ exemplifies the festival’s dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability. By implementing waste reduction strategies, promoting recycling, and encouraging eco-friendly transportation options, Ultra Music Festival is leading the way in greening the music industry. Through these efforts, the festival not only enhances the attendee experience but also demonstrates the power of collective action in mitigating climate change and preserving the planet for future generations.

Renowned DJ and producer Argy makes his highly anticipated return with the album “New World,” released via the esteemed label Afterlife, curated by Tale of Us. In “New World,” Argy embarks on a journey into uncharted territory, blending human emotion with AI innovation to craft a groundbreaking musical experience. Departing from conventional production methods, he … Continued Argy shares fresh groundbreaking album ‘New World’ via Afterlife Records: Listen

Deskew Technologies has announced the release of Decent Sampler XML Generator, a free application designed to import a collection of audio files directly into Decent Sampler (DS), the free... Read More

As luscious dub chords enter spring, we present our quarterly dub and ambient techno chart on Magnetic, featuring the latest releases of chosen labels, tracks, and artists around the world, ranging from nature soundscapes to more groovy dubs for the dance floor. Ishtadi orchestrates the sounds of ...Continue reading

Engine DJ 3.4 delivers Bluetooth audio input and Bluetooth keyboard support for several Numark and Denon DJ hardware devices. Ft. Lauderdale FL, USA (March 13th, 2023) – Engine DJ, the leading developer of cross-platform DJ software solutions, today announced the availability of Engine DJ 3.4. Available for both embedded Engine DJ OS and the Engine [...] The post Engine DJ 3.4 Adds Bluetooth Support For Audio Input & Keyboards appeared first on DJ Life Magazine.

With a stellar lineup in tow, superstar techno duo ARTBAT are set to headline a can't-miss show at the famous Brooklyn Navy Yard. Scheduled for tonight, March 15th, the event is organized by New York City-based promoter Teksupport, EDM.com's best event organizer of 2023. With a slew of major performances ahead, the duo is primed to offer a special set. ARTBAT's upcoming schedule is slammed with events from New York to France to Turkey, then back stateside for Miami Music Week, where they'll headline Ultra's RESISTANCE residency at M2. ARTBAT.Raul Aragão Tonight's event in Brooklyn is set to provide fans with a mesmerizing rotation of techno and house music. ARTBAT are bringing along a stellar roster of artists for the ride, including Adam Ten, Konstantin Sibold and Miluhska. Ten is a particular highlight after being revealed on this year's Coachella lineup, which also includes Justice, Gesaffelstein and many more influential electronic music producers. Meanwhile, Sibold will bring his distinctive sound alongside a formidable pedigree, with performances at Ibiza's renowned DC-10, among many others. Last but certainly not least is Miluhska, a resident at Miami's iconic Club Space, whose résumé speaks for itself. You can purchase last-minute tickets to the show here. Follow ARTBAT:Facebook: facebook.com/artbatmusic X: x.com/artbatmusic Instagram: instagram.com/artbatmusic Spotify: spoti.fi/3jSQb5S Follow Teksupport:Instagram: instagram.com/teksupport X: x.com/TEKSupportNYC Facebook: facebook.com/teksupportnyc

Ultra Miami has unveiled its #ULTRALIVE livestream schedule featuring several performances set to take place from Bayfront Park. Ultra Miami, the world-renowned electronic music festival, has set the stage for a groundbreaking digital experience with the unveiling of its highly anticipated #ULTRALIVE livestream schedule. Set against the iconic backdrop of Bayfront Park from March 22-24, … Continued Ultra Miami Livestream Details

Cloonee has finally released his highly-requested second single of the year ‘Sippin’ Yak (We Like),’ out now via Astralwerks. Amidst a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation, tech house enthusiasts worldwide are celebrating as Cloonee, the renowned UK producer/DJ, unveils his much-anticipated track ‘Sippin’ Yak (We Like).’ Cloonee’s fans have eagerly awaited the release of this … Continued Cloonee drops highly-anticipated tech house banger ‘Sippin’ Yak (We Like)’: Listen

Nine years ago, on March 17, 2015, Martin Garrix, after dominating the EDM scene with hits like ‘Animals’, ‘Tremor’, and ‘Turn Up The Speakers’, ventured into the pop realm with the release of ‘Don’t Look Down’ featuring Usher. This collaboration marked a departure from Garrix‘s signature mainstage sound, showcasing a vibrant and catchy pop-dance style. ‘Don’t Look Down’ proved to be a massive success, resonating with fans across both pop and electronic music spectrums, and has since amassed over 400 million streams. Martin Garrix, known for his meteoric rise in both the electronic and pop music worlds, continued to demonstrate his versatility and knack for creating hit songs with this release. His collaboration with Usher, a renowned artist in his own right, added a new dimension to Garrix‘s music, appealing to a broader audience while maintaining the energetic essence of his style. ‘Don’t Look Down’ stands as a testament to Garrix‘s evolution as an artist, illustrating his ability to seamlessly blend genres and collaborate with a wide range of musicians. His continued success, marked by headlining major festivals worldwide, founding his label STMPD RCRDS, mentoring emerging artists, and achieving the #1 spot in DJ Mag’s Top 100 three times consecutively, underscores his unmatched passion, ambition, and influence in the music industry. This track remains a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his talent for crafting music that transcends boundaries and resonates with listeners around the globe.

Nine years ago, on March 17, 2015, Martin Garrix, after dominating the EDM scene with hits like ‘Animals’, ‘Tremor’, and ‘Turn Up The Speakers’, ventured into the pop realm with the release of ‘Don’t Look Down’ featuring Usher. This collaboration marked a departure from Garrix‘s signature mainstage sound, showcasing a vibrant and catchy pop-dance style. ‘Don’t Look Down’ proved to be a massive success, resonating with fans across both pop and electronic music spectrums, and has since amassed over 400 million streams. Martin Garrix, known for his meteoric rise in both the electronic and pop music worlds, continued to demonstrate his versatility and knack for creating hit songs with this release. His collaboration with Usher, a renowned artist in his own right, added a new dimension to Garrix‘s music, appealing to a broader audience while maintaining the energetic essence of his style. ‘Don’t Look Down’ stands as a testament to Garrix‘s evolution as an artist, illustrating his ability to seamlessly blend genres and collaborate with a wide range of musicians. His continued success, marked by headlining major festivals worldwide, founding his label STMPD RCRDS, mentoring emerging artists, and achieving the #1 spot in DJ Mag’s Top 100 three times consecutively, underscores his unmatched passion, ambition, and influence in the music industry. This track remains a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his talent for crafting music that transcends boundaries and resonates with listeners around the globe.

The new collective, called Support The Sound, sees DVS1’s Aslice platform partner with Dekmantel, Wire Festival, Bassiani, Womb Tokyo and more

An unlikely duo convinced Hans Zimmer to go on tour: Johnny Marr and Pharrell Williams. Per Associated Press, he describes the pair as “absolutely forcing” him to head out on tour in North America. He quotes them as saying, “‘You have to look your audience in the eye, you can’t hide behind the screen forever. You owe it to your audience.’” READ MORE: Justice: “We heard Sicko Mode by Travis Scott and said, ‘Wow, we’re still thinking about music in an ancient way’” He calls the US “incredibly welcoming and kind and exciting for us,” adding, “Of course, the advantage America has now is that we’ve taken [the tour] across Europe a couple of times so, actually, we’re pretty good at it at the moment.” The German composer announced a North American orchestral tour yesterday (14 March), his first for seven years and his first since he composed the scores for Dune 1 and 2. It’s set to feature Zimmer and his band with a full orchestra, with suites for movies including not only Dune but The Lion King, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, and The Last Samurai. Zimmer says of the tour: “I’m thrilled to return to perform in North America with my wonderful band and excited to share this phenomenal show. I love this feeling of uniting my family of extraordinary musicians with you, the audience. Just an unbelievable group of talents, who in my opinion, are some of the best musicians in the world. “But nothing would have meaning without the good grace and support of you, the other part of the family – the audience. Ultimately, the music connects us all, and I promise you this: we will always play our best, straight from the heart.” It’ll begin on 6 September in Duluth, Georgia, and finish in Vancouver exactly a month later. He’s playing New York City’s Madison Square Garden on 12 September – his 67th birthday. Tickets for the tour go on sale on 22 March at 10 am local time on Zimmer’s website. The post “You can’t hide behind the screen forever!”: How Pharrell Williams and Johnny Marr inspired film legend Hans Zimmer to go on tour appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Taking place at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles on Aug. 3 & 4, HARD Summer brings Under Construction, Disclosure, REZZMAU5 & many more. HARD Summer Music Festival makes its return to Los Angeles on August 3 & 4 with its 2024 edition. The two-day fest will take place at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park (adjacent to SoFi [...] The post HARD Summer Music Festival Announces 2024 Lineup appeared first on DJ Life Magazine.

In a new video, beatmaking legend Trevor Lawrence Jr. dives into his relationship with longtime collaborator Dr. Dre as well as the latter’s “drum machine mentality” towards acoustic kits. READ MORE: Justice: “We heard Sicko Mode by Travis Scott and said, ‘Wow, we’re still thinking about music in an ancient way’” Speaking with Lauten Audio about his creative history with Dre, Lawrence says: [via MusicRadar]: “I met Dre in ‘93, right when he was gonna leave Death Row. He was gonna do an all-black heavy metal band, and I auditioned for it and got it. But then everything happened and it kind of just went away.” “A couple of years later, he was doing Saturday Night Live and he remembered me, so he called me to go and do SNL. That was like, ‘96. In ‘98 we did it again because he’d released Chronic 2000.” “Then there was a 10-year gap of just random sessions,” Lawrence recalls. “And in 2008 I’d just done my boy Everlast’s album and I was gonna MD him and go on the road. Then Dre called me for some sessions and was like, ‘Yo, what’s your availability?’” “I was like, ‘I’m here for a few weeks before I start travelling.’, then it was sort of like the movies, I tell this story a lot. I went in the office and they literally put the cheque down, like ‘No. What’s your schedule?’. “So from 2008 I was there as a producer, started making records with him and was in the control room. And then I never left.” As for their approach to sound design, Lawrence explains: “There’s a drum machine mentality [towards acoustic drums]. A lot of times, Dre especially would love if there was a way to have total isolation with live drums. There’s a lot of gating and things, because he really likes everything to be isolated.” Watch the full interview below. The post “Dr. Dre especially would love if there was a way to have total isolation with live drums”: Trevor Lawrence Jr. on blurring the lines between acoustic kits and drum machines appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

In music production, plugins are software add-ons that expand the capabilities of your DAW; these could be virtual instruments and creative effects, EQ and compressors, or tools that make editing a lot more manageable. READ MORE: NAMM 2024 recap: All the biggest synth, studio, DJ and software releases Below is a rolling list of the new plugin releases that catch our eye, so you can keep on top of any software goodies you may have missed that could be essential to your production process. We update this list every week, so be sure to check back regularly for the latest virtual instruments, effects, mixing plugins and more. Happy producing! Latest virtual instruments, effects and mixing plugins (Last update: 15 March 2024) Trash by iZotope [products ids=”1whqi3hoxqNulx5G2IQndl”] Trash is back, baby. This iconic distortion plugin by iZotope was originally launched in 2003 but has returned with a reimagined new look and modern features. This is a powerful distortion plugin with over 60 distortion types and 600 impulse responses. It features intuitive XY pad controls, an Envelope Follower, and a cool Dice Roll random function for finding new inspiration. There’s a new free version, Trash Lite, and it’s now available for desktop and iPad, giving you professional sound shaping for musicians and producers alike. Buy it for $79 on Plugin Boutique Studio Drums by Crow Hill Vault The Crow Hill Company, the brand of ex-Sptifire co-founder Christian Henson, introduced Studio Drums this week, the latest of its Crow Hill Vaults series. This is a free alt-rock drum kit plugin that aims to be unlike typical drum samples by letting you play multi-sampled drums. Functioning, coincidentally, a bit like LABS by Spitfire Audio, Studio Drums provides a unique ecosystem of drum sounds for you to explore, thanks to a robust alt-rock kit reminiscent of the 90s. Find out more on The Crow Hill Company. Bïrb by Blööps This one’s a bit strange. Bïrb is a multi-effect plugin, “as created from a chirp heard outside of the window”, built for Ableton Live. It aims to… make your sounds sound like a bird, we thnk? Anyway, it has a petrifying promo video. We’re not exactly sure what’s going on here, to be honest, but by the looks of it, Bïrb ​​is inspired by birds, letting you add effects, including stereo delay, fine-tune spread and feedback. It comes in three parts: Flock, a repeater, Sing, a resonating engine with 10 bird types, and Nature, an enveloping space with wind motion. Bïrb costs $14. Find out more on Blööps. Time Oddity Chorus by Modalics Time Oddity Chorus, a new chorus plugin by Modalics, enriches your tracks with immersive depth and movement. Its centrepiece, the Color knob, offers a spectrum of tones, while the Voices control adds dimension. Warp Mode is there for wild modulation effects while the Filters section includes a unique Damp knob for warmth. Buy Time Oddity Chorus for $29 on Modalics. TUNDRA by Soundghost TUNDRA is a new synth that offers “frozen ambient soundscapes”. Crafted from acoustic and modular synthesis, Tundra offers two layers of 100 frozen-in-time samples with reverb and granular effects. Randomize for infinite soundscapes, or use built-in tools like bit crushing and filters to craft your own. With 50 presets and 100 samples, it’s ideal for instant sound design. Buy TUNDRA for £29 on Soundghost. Super Lynn Drums by SampleScience Super Lynn Drums is a new plugin that emulates the classic 1980s drum machine, the LinnDrum, using FM synthesis and physical modelling. It features four drum kits, customisable tuning, effects, and is available in VST/VST3/AU formats for $20. Find out more about Super Lynn Drums at SampleScience. AMPKNOB S_ZERO 100 by Bogren Ampknob MLC S_Zero 100 gives you boutique tube amp sounds in a simple format, thanks to its one-knob nature and three channels for versatile, high-quality guitar tones. It includes a pedal switch and a standalone version with a tuner, metronome, and riff recorder. AMPKNOB S_ZERO 100 is €39 as an intro price, jumping back up to €49 soon. Buy it on Bogren Digital. Factoid 2 by Anemond Factoid 2 is a plugin and standalone app that lets you extract stems from a sample and loop them in interesting ways to come up with new grooves. Say, for example, a snare and a kick occur on the same beat in a sample, they could be separated, allowing for interesting remixing opportunities. Factoid 2 costs €29 and you can find out more from Anemond. Jacob Collier Audience Choir plugin by Native Instruments Six-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier, who featured on our My Forever Studio podcast in 2022, has worked with Native Instruments to build his own free virtual choir through the Audience Choir plugin. It offers 22 unique show recordings, percussion tracks, a Vowel Morph Pad, preset options, effects, stereo width adjustment, and a chord generator for enhanced user control. It’s free to download from Native Instruments. Lace by Acustica Audio Lace by Acustica Audio is essentially a new plugin suite that offers emulations of carefully selected high-quality hardware limiters, including rare models. It’s an advanced true peak brick wall limiter, preserving transparency, transients, and low frequencies. With two GUI options, Lace solves challenges in mixing and mastering, ensuring balanced sound in your project. It’s $89 until 25 March, jumping back up to its original price of $189 thereafter. Check it out at Acustica Audio. Bloom Drum Breaks by Excite Audio Looking for drum breaks? Excite Audio has you covered. Its new plugin, Bloom Drum Breaks, provides 250 royalty-free drum break loops, giving you a fun-to-use interface on which to chop them up in a colourful, visual way. Bloom Drum Breaks currently costs $49. Find it on Plugin Boutique. Lumina Delay by Mountainroad DSP Lumina Delay transforms traditional delays with its unique features, enabling instant and precise pattern drawing without limits. Offering dynamic effects, intuitive controls, and a grid-based interface, it redefines delay possibilities for that can create spacey atmospheres in your music. The plugin costs $150. Find it on Mountain Road DSP. Mellow Harmonics by SampleScience Mellow Harmonics is is a virtual instrument reminiscent of the golden era of music. It’s inspired by the Mellotron and iconic string synthesizers of the 1970s, and offers a unique blend of FM synthesis and tape processing, providing a rich palette of vintage sounds, letting you create nostalgic vibes. It costs $30 and you can find out more on SampleScience. Spitfire Symphony Orchestra by Spitfire Audio [products ids=”74yEjWWY4Y90s3BegjChK”] Spitfire Audio’s new plugin features a complete orchestra with 118 players, including strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion. It offers over 800 articulations, new performance legato, Ostinatum mode, and a user-friendly interface. Symphony Orchestra costs £499/$629/€569. Find out more at Spitfire Audio. GForce Oberheim OB-EZ [products ids=”6RIE49O5uqwPxdMS4N7uxL”] GForce and Oberheim have teamed up for another stunning authentic classic synth emulation, this time of the 1974-launched Oberheim OB-E. This plugin offers authentic Oberheim 8-Voice emulation with essential controls and a vintage knob for analogue warmth. With over 260 presets and a powerful preset browser, it’s a fine choice if you’re looking for quick inspiration. GForce Oberheim OB-EZ is set to cost $50, but is $25 right now as an intro offer. Find out more at Thomann. Rando by MonkeyC Rando is a randomiser sampler that offers a unique approach to editing your sample library. By pointing Rando to your sample folders and hitting a button, you can generate a random selection of sounds on your keyboard or piano roll. It’s designed to be a lightweight creative tool for producers looking to rediscover their sounds and explore new possibilities. With features like text and category search, automatic tuning and tempo stretching, and a full sequencer section, Rando provides a versatile and fun experience for producers of all levels. Read more at Monkey C Audio. Widener & Clipper by Softube Softube has launched two new plugins, Widener and Clipper. Clipper is a versatile tool for music producers, offering dual-stage clipping with features like RMS and Peak stages, analogue colour options, and a soft knee function. It’s designed to balance loudness while allowing for creative sound shaping. Widener enhances mono and stereo tracks with five algorithms, creating a wider soundstage while maintaining mono compatibility. It suits various mixing needs, offering algorithms like Classic, Frequency Spread, Rotation, Ambience, and Reflections for optimal stereo imaging. You can purchase both of these new Softube plugins as one bundle for $87 from Plugin Boutique. Sleek by HoRNet [products ids=”1x2P5UxLPeoxQ8tJXLAmED”] HoRNet Sleek, a powerful plugin designed for audio clarity. Featuring automatic resonance suppression, a four-band equaliser, graphical spectrum visualization, and more, Sleek ensures precise control over your sound. With light and dark mode support, cross-platform compatibility, and factory presets, it’s ideal for professionals and beginners alike. You can buy it from HoRNet Plugins for $29.99. Kalide Collage 2.0 Kalide’s Collage 2.0, an audio plugin multiverse, offers a diverse range of creative effects with 43 processors and customisable interfaces. This second version introduces macro and LFO assignments, eight new effects, a simplified workflow, and more. With over a thousand presets and ongoing updates, it’s an evolving, adaptable tool for musicians and producers. Find out more at Kalide. Aurora by UVI Audio UVI‘s Aurora is a modern concert grand piano plugin offering rich emotive textures and atmospheres. Recorded at Guillaume Tell sound stage in Paris, it features deep internal modulation and a semi-modular effects engine for versatile sound shaping. With a special introductory price until February 25th, 2024, Aurora is available for $79/79€ with crossgrade pricing at $39/39€. Aurora can be downloaded from UVI Audio. Motto Akemie by ALM Busy Circuits ALM Busy Circuits introduces Motto Akemie, a 6 Voice FM drum synth and step sequencer plugin inspired by the Akemie’s Taiko Eurorack module. Featuring controls and FM sounds akin to the hardware counterpart, it includes a multitrack step sequencer, MIDI support, and MTS-ESP microtuning. Available for macOS and Windows, with a fully functional 7-day trial period. Key features include: 6 Akemie’s Taiko-based FM drum voices, dual operator voices with wavetables, mute/solo/level controls per voice, per-voice step sequencers, track randomization, 16 pattern banks, automation/MIDI control per voice, and intuitive presets. Motto Akemie costs $40 and you download it via ALM Busy Circuits. CR-78 by Cherry Audio [products ids=”1aRckSb2NMHgZp8xLJ3NvI”] Cherry Audio has gifted us with its first ever drum machine plugin, the CR-78, which faithfully recreates Roland’s iconic programmable analogue unit from 1978. With a step sequencing interface inspired by later Roland units, it enhances the original programming method. Features include editable voices, an effects section, a mixer, a global EQ/compressor, MIDI compatibility, and an extensive preset library. Cherry Audio CR-78 costs $52/£42 and is available to download from Plugin Boutique. Vox by BLEASS BLEASS Vox offers easy vocal manipulation, shaping every detail of your projects with its powerful yet efficient engine. Craft unique effects by manipulating formant characteristics and exploring new melodies with pitch transposition. The UNISON processor adds depth, while the flexible vibrato processor amps up expression without complex configurations. Ideal for both studio and live settings, BLEASS Vox streamlines vocal processing for creative freedom and exceptional sound. Vox costs $31/£24 and yo can download it from Plugin Boutique. Grey Pro by Acustica Audio Credit: Acustica Audio Grey Pro, Acustica’s latest plugin suite, faithfully emulates three renowned American VCA-based compressors known for enhancing low-end cohesion with minimal distortion. Available in standard and full versions, it introduces modern features like dynamic metering displays. It has three compressor models to choose from, so you can capture iconic vintage sounds effortlessly. Acustica’s Grey Pro costs $69 and is available to download via Acustica Audio. Crystal Bowls by Spitfire Audio Spitfire Audio recently partnered with composer Aska Matsumiya to launch Crystal Bowls, a unique sample library capturing the ethereal tones of crystal bowls and tuning forks. Recorded in London’s Round Chapel, it offers diverse sounds suitable for all skill levels, presented in an elegant interface with intuitive controls. Crystal Bowls costs $99/£79 and is available from Spitfire Audio. TRIAZ by Wave Alchemy TRIAZ is a new “game-changing drum machine” plugin by Wave Alchemy that lets you create beefy, complex drum patterns with polyrhythmic sequencing, mixing, and layering. There are 700+ presets on offer, 15,000 curated samples, and per-step modulation so you can make unique beats that fit into your projects. TRIAZ is compatible as a plugin for macOS and Windows, enabling seamless export of creations via MIDI or audio. TRIAZ costs $125/£99 and is available on Plugin Boutique. How to install VST and AU plugins on Windows, Mac and iOS If your plugin came as a .zip file, and not an installer, you may have to manually install it. Here’s how… VST3 plugins: Unzip the plugin folder Copy the .VST file to your default plugin folder (Windows default: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3, Mac default: /Library/Audio/Plugins/VST) Start your DAW Rescan your plugin directory AUv3 plugins: Download and install plugin from the App Store Insert plugin in your DAW Select the AUv3 plugin from the Audio Unit Extensions tab Where to download freeware plugins and VSTs Our freeware section is an excellent place to start; each month, we also compile round-ups of the best free plugins and samples to download. The production community is full of passionate developers who’ve given away instruments, effects and other plugins as freeware. Some of our favourites include Valhalla’s Supermassive reverb, Apogee’s Soft Limit and Matt Tytel’s Helm polysynth. Remember, most developers also offer free trials for their plugins. Are DAW stock plugins good enough? Most major DAWs these days will come with a more-than-serviceable collection of ‘stock’ plugins for music-making: Logic Pro’s software instrument library is rich and varied; Ableton Live’s synth engines cover additive, subtractive and granular methods, and the Pro Tools suite of mixing plugins is still widely used by pro engineers. A good producer isn’t their plugin folder, but their ability to make good decisions. Increase your knowledge: instead of buying a synth samples, learn about the fundamentals of synthesis; kick drum sounding too skinny? learn to compress properly. The post Best new mixing plugins, effects and VST instruments out this week appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Sensing cynicism in the universal waters, Backwoods Creek prescribed a potent dose of optimism with their latest single, ‘Alright’. The refreshing take on bluesy soul-swathed Southern rock played fast and loose with the genre constraints while keeping the instrumental arrangement tight enough to unravel as every rock-inclined muso’s wet dream. Part lyrical mantra, part musical Tour De Force, the UK-based quintet exhibited ‘Alright’ as a masterclass in balancing raw, overdriven guitars and whiskey-soaked vocals with an undercurrent of hope and redemption. It’s a track that carries the dynamic energy of power pop while remaining true to its bluesy rock and roll roots. The virtuosic cohesion of the instrumentals showcases their skill and chemistry, honed through years of friendship and collaboration, and you don’t have to buy tickets to their live shows (even though you really should) to witness their infectious energy performance energy; the band’s electrifying aura is perfectly captured in this track. No one can deny that while life is on a downward trajectory hearing everything will be alright prises ennui out of your perception. This life-affirming hit goes beyond reassurance – it’s transformative. Alright will hit the airwaves on March 15; check out the release via the official […] The post Backwoods Creek delivered the ultimate Southern soul-rock anthem ‘Alright’ appeared first on A&R Factory.

If there’s someone who knows his stuff, it’s Rick Beato. The YouTuber often has interesting things to say, and this time he’s talking about AI. READ MORE: “It’s like we’ve invented fire and the first thing we’ve thought to do with it is to burn down our house”: Lex Dromgoole thinks we shouldn’t jump to the worst conclusions with AI In November 2023, Beato testified at a Senate hearing about the technology, and almost four months later is speaking on it again, this time in an interview with News 8 WROC – and he’s got mixed views on the matter. He says, “There will be things that people like, that are created by AI, and there will be people 20 years from now, [saying], ‘Oh, I much prefer AI Rolling Stones than [the original] Rolling Stones. That’s just gonna be a thing.” He continues, “People, companies – whether it’s Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Warner Music, UMG, Sony – are gonna have all their own AI-generated music. Those are the downsides. Who’s gonna hold the copyright on it? What are the songs that the models are gonna be trained on? I believe, in the future, you’ll go to Apple Music or Spotify, you’ll see The Beatles, and The Beatles AI; Led Zeppelin, and Led Zeppelin AI.” That said, he does have some good things to say about AI. “One of [the benefits] is on the display in the new Beatles song they did [Now and Then], where you can use AI to separate things like [the track where] John Lennon sang and played the piano,” he says. “You can separate the voice from the piano without any artefacts, which you could never do before. You can’t hear any of the piano in his voice, and you can’t hear any of his voice in the piano. That’s a really great thing.” In the interview, Beato also looks at the current trends in music that he’s noticed. “Country and rock have taken a turn up, and hip-hop has gone down in popularity over the last four years or so, which I thought was interesting,” he says. ”I noticed on some of the Spotify countdowns that I do, that there’s a lot more country songs [among the top 10], more rock songs, more songs with organic instruments like guitar, less autotune, less programmed beats. There’s definitely a change happening in popular music, and I don’t know if it’s a trend; we’ll see what happens. Usually, it takes a couple of years to see things through. But there are some trends that are happening, [and] that I think are really positive.” You can watch the entire interview here: To hear more from Rick Beato, head to his official YouTube channel. The post “In the future you’ll go to Spotify, you’ll see The Beatles, and The Beatles AI”: Rick Beato shares his worries about AI appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article