GEAR + TECH
Here’s a Free Pack of 80’s-Inspired Synthwave Drum Samples
It’s no secret that synthwave has erupted in popularity in recent years. The genre has escaped the handcuffs of its confines in sci-fi soundtracks and video games, breaking into the mainstream with a synth-laden vengeance. To lend a hand to the growing number of electronic music producers taking on synthwave, BVKER has released an expansive sound pack of retro-inspired drum machine samples. The bundle is a goldmine for beatmakers looking for drums to level up their vaporwave jams and create that nostalgic 80s feel. It contains over 100 samples, including punchy kicks, reverbed snares, and toms to craft those classic fills. All of the samples in BVKER’s new “Aesthetic” pack are 24-bit, 44.1kHz and—most importantly—royalty-free so produce...
Stranger Things Composer Michael Stein Launches Music Production Tool Service
Music producers and fans of the dreamy, atmospheric synth work of the popular series Stranger Things will be delighted to learn that the mind behind its award-winning music, Michael Stein, has compiled his sounds into a new production service for the Ableton and Logic Pro digital workstations. The Protovault is a collaborative effort between Stein and producer Protovolt that was custom-designed from the musicians’ stunning vintage synths for use in music production. Three different series of The Protovault will be rotated on a monthly basis, with each collection only available for 30 days. Instead of genres of music, the series is centered around cinematic themes, the first of which focuses on classic action films of the 1980s. 25 multi-sampled instrume...
Here is a Sassy AI Bot That Roasts Your Taste in Music
You may think you know the best new tracks and artists, but you don’t, according to a new artificial intelligence bot that roasts your taste in music. The program, developed by digital publication The Pudding, is essentially the de facto nemesis of Spotify’s “Wrapped” programming. Once you log in, the sassy AI bot crawls your Spotify listening habits and goes on to trash them in an absolutely hysterical manner. Apparently I listen to plenty of EDM—and Louis The Child—something that the bot found cringey. The bot then invited me to play a classic game of “fuck, marry, kill,” coaxing me into a siren song that eventually led to my picks being shredded. It eventually went in for the kill with this jab, which called my taste in music “nice-guys-fi...
EDM Gift Ideas for the Last Minute Holiday Shopper
Christmas is right around the corner, and if you’re still in need of a gift idea for the raver in your friend circle or family, you’re in luck. Whether they’re a shuffler, an aspiring artist, or just casual dance music listeners, here are our last minute picks if you need a great gift in record time. Animal Spirit Hood – $23 Avicii Invector Game – $15 Customizable LED Glasses – $69 Numark DJ Controller – $119 LED Flashing Gloves – $12 LED Face Mask – $29 JBL Portable, Waterproof Speaker – $99 Folding Rave Hand Fan – $22 Electro Threads Graphic Hoodie – $75 LED High Top Shoes – $35 What gifts are you buying the dance music fan in your life? Let us know on social media.
Spotify “Spoken Words Analyzer” Patent Approved, Will Use AI to Analyze Song Lyrics
Spotify has successfully patented a “Spoken Word Analyzer” feature, which will allow the platform to make determinations about a song’s lyrical content through the power of AI. The streaming giant filed the patent, which was ultimately approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office this week, in late August 2020. The patent describes a feature that would automatically assign a set of tags to songs based on their lyrics. The utility of such a feature will allow Spotify to categorize songs based on their explicitness, mood, and even qualities such as danceability and energy levels, among other criteria. Tracks have historically had their tags assigned based on user input, but the system Spotify proposes would seek to standardize and auto...
Visual Artist for Skrillex, Zedd Sells Digital Art Collection for $777,777
Beeple, one of the most prolific visual graphics artists in dance music, has sold a collection of digital artworks for an astounding $777,777 via auction. If you don’t know Beeple by name, there’s still a good chance you’ve seen his work at a dance music show. The designer has worked with the upper echelon of music producers including Skrillex, Zedd, deadmau5, and many more to develop mind-bending visuals and artwork. Over the weekend, numerous artwork auctions from the designer were hosted via Nifty Gateway, a budding marketplace for digital assets. With the advent of blockchain technology, true ownership of digital assets (referred to as “nifties” on the platform) is now a possibility. Participants bid on a variety of singular prints from Beeple, many ...
Here’s How to Upload Custom Spotify Playlist Covers from Your Phone
Those who pride themselves on their playlist-making abilities now have one more tool in their arsenal. You can now accompany the hand-picked Spotify selections chosen by your masterful ear with a custom playlist cover to help tie the experience together. While this feature has been available on desktop for quite some time, it hadn’t been included in the mobile version of the app, for some head-scratching reason. Luckily, the process to upload a custom playlist cover from your mobile device is incredibly simple and as easy as changing the wallpaper on your phone. Kapwing Check out the step-by-step instructions below to add some visual flair to your playlists on Spotify. How to Upload Custom Spotify playlist covers on your phone Open the playlist you would like to add a custom cover to...
Watch How to Make a Song Fit for Cyberpunk 2077
Chances are if you’ve been on the internet in the past week, you’ve been bombarded with talk about Cyberpunk 2077. Not only was it one of the most anticipated video game releases of all-time, but to the delight of EDM.com readers, it also leans heavily on electronic music culture. Considering the game’s futuristic setting, it just makes sense to include the sounds of Grimes, Nina Kraviz, Boys Noize, and more. For the music producers out there, the popular sample marketplace Splice has released a cheeky how-to video inspired by the game. The tutorial is styled like the setting of the action RPG and was developed so the viewer feels as if they are being taught by one of its characters. Using the samples provided in the description of the video by Splice, those wit...
Proposed Law Could Make Streaming Copyrighted Material on Twitch Without Permission a Felony
In the latest omnibus spending bill making its way through Congress, a provision has been added that would effectively render the streaming of copyrighted music without permission a felony offense. The provision has been added to the bill by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. If passed, the provision would likely land streaming platforms—including Twitch—in more hot water, as the video giant has continued to butt heads with major labels and copyright representatives for much of 2020. This fall, Twitch introduced what they claimed was a fully licensed product called “Soundtrack by Twitch,” which purportedly allowed streamers to play music without fear of being issued a DMCA takedown. However, the Recording Academy and the RIAA, among other organizations, rebut...
Sensorium Galaxy and Mubert Team Up to Launch First Performing AI DJ
Sensorium Galaxy, a virtual platform built for concert experiences, has teamed up with tech company Mubert in order to manufacture an algorithmically-driven AI performing DJ named JAI:N. If it sounds far-fetched, make no mistake—we’re likely to see just what JAI:N can do in the coming months, and she is likely the first in a new line of virtual artists. As a company, Mubert’s focus is on the real-time generation of music. Their technology will allow the virtual artist to craft a well-diversified set of music that has the ability to span over 100 unique genres. The artist will even be able to tailor the music on the fly to the appropriate tone and mood based on the reaction from the crowd. JAI:N was created alongside Sensorium Galaxy, a pioneering organization i...
Algoriddim Has Updated djay Pro AI With a New Hands-Free Mixing Feature
Renowned software company Algoriddim has been making some major waves in the world of DJing. Earlier this year, the company released its djay Pro AI software, which can isolate elements of tracks in real time for potentially limitless mixing capability. Now, Algoriddim has set its sights even higher with a new update to the djay Pro AI software, introducing a hands-free DJing element that’s straight out of a sci-fi film. Utilizing the iOS 14 Vision Framework and extensive power of Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, djay Pro AI will now allow for mixing, scratching, and adding effects to a DJ set completely hands-free. Simple hand gestures can be used to move faders, twist knobs, and cue up tracks—all without touching the iPad or iPhone. “The ability to mix mus...
These Fully Functional, Environmentally Friendly MIDI Pedals are Made from Cardboard
NILSON brand beat bars has been manufacturing some truly impressive MIDI software and hardware since 2015. Experts in 3D modeling, electronics, and computer engineering are the minds behind some of the brand’s work, including MIDI pedals and footswitches that are perfect for musicians who wish they had four hands instead of two. Pedals and footswitches are nothing new, but beat bars’ quality products have consistently garnered positive reviews and have been an effective tool for music makers across the globe for years now. beat bars recently took things a step further, crafting something that is new. The Cardboard Expression Pedal and Cardboard Footswitch are 100% environmentally friendly, using only cardboard and other biodegradable material. That̵...
