Music

The latest news and reviews of music.

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Apple introduces real-time lyrics to Music
With the release of iOS13, Apple's added a fun new feature to Music: time-synced lyrics. The updated lyrics experience presents real-time synced song words that animate along with the music as they're being sung, rapped or spoken, no matter how mumbly or shouty. The feature also lets you navigate music in a new way -- skip to a part of a song simply by tapping on the lyric. So no more pretending you know the words. It's available now for all Apple Music users on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. An Android version is on its way, as is one for Apple TV, which will be handy for impromptu karaoke parties.
Roland releases Zenbeats, a cross-platform music-making app
Roland has been making electronic musical instruments for nearly 50 years and has delivered products like the JU-06A tiny portable synth, keyboards with built-in Alexa controls and mini smartphone mixers. Now, it's entering the world of mobile music-making apps. Today, the company released Zenbeats.
Moog brings back its legendary Model 10 'compact' modular synth
Moog regularly releases new and exciting instruments like the Matriarch and Sirin. But it also has a rich history of iconic instruments that it's not afraid to tap into. For example, the Minimoog Model D. But its latest adventure into its archives is a bit of a different beast. Rather than bring back an iconic keyboard found on countless pop records, it's reviving the Model 10 -- a "compact" modular synth built around the 900-Series Oscillator that was the foundation of Wendy Carlos' immortal Switched-On Bach. (Editor's Note: Why is this not on any streaming services!?)
Amazon Music HD offers lossless streaming starting at $12.99 per month
Amazon is launching a new tier for its Music subscription service that will offer high quality, lossless audio streams and downloads, the company has announced. With Amazon Music HD, as the plan is called, Amazon says people are going to have access to over 50 million high-resolution tracks at CD quality and better, thanks to support for 16-bit files and sample rates of 44.1kHz and above. The service will also come with "millions of tracks in UHD," which includes hi-res audio streaming at up to 24-bit/48kHz (or 96 to 192kHz) -- in case you're a hardcore audiophile and need the absolute highest quality possible.
YouTube stops counting ad views in its top music charts
YouTube is boosting the integrity of its music charts. The video giant will no longer count ad views toward rankings on the YouTube Music Charts, instead relying solely on "organic" views like direct links, embeds, searches and the Trending section. This won't affect the achievements for previous videos, but any artist or label hoping to set a 24-hour record will have to do it by attracting viewers, not by spending a mountain of money on ads.
Pandora's new desktop app is now available on Windows
Just as Apple Music is making its way to web browsers, Pandora is moving in the opposite direction by unleashing a desktop app. The Mac version debuted in May, and now the Windows 10 app has arrived.
Spotify's latest acquisition helps artists and labels hire studio talent
Spotify has been making an honest attempt at helping artists get their music to the masses. The streaming service has already acquired and partnered with various distributors and even an online recording studio. Today, it's joining the music production game by acquiring SoundBetter, a platform that allows music professionals to network and hire each other for various recording gigs.
IKEA's remote for its Sonos-powered speakers ships October 1st
When IKEA launched a line of Sonos-powered SYMFONISK speakers last month, the Swedish furniture giant promised an accompanying remote. Spotted by Tweakers, the product page for the puck-shaped controller is now live. The SYMFONISK remote will launch at €14.99 in black and white color options. It will hit the UK and Europe on October 1st, with a North American release likely to follow shortly after.
Deezer's new royalty system could be a big deal for smaller artists
Deezer wants to launch a payment structure that more fairly rewards creators for their music. If the company can get the necessary rights holders on board, it intends to launch a user-centric payment system (UCPS) as a pilot in France early next year, with a global rollout to follow if all goes to plan.
Moog's semi-modular Matriarch synth is shipping now
It's been a few months since Moog announced the four-voice analog Matriarch at Moogfest. But it's finally actually shipping to customers. The $1,999 synth is the flagship entry in the company's semi-modular lineup, that also includes the similarly-styled Grandmother, as well as the Mother-32 and DFAM (Drummer from Another Mother). What sets the Matriarch apart from the rest of the lineup though, is it's four-note paraphony. Which just means that, while you can split the four oscillators up to play separate notes, they all share a single filter and envelope. Being "semi-modular" means the Matriarch makes some delicious synth sounds right out of the box. But, the real fun happens when you start rerouting things with cables and the 90 different patch points on the front. Check out the video below to hear literal synth sorceress Lisa Bella Donna coax gorgeous sounds out of the Matriarch (as well as a few other pieces of Moog gear).
Snapchat is Spotify's latest music-sharing option
Spotify addicts can soon share what tunes or podcasts they're listening to with their Snapchat friends. Through the share menu on songs, albums, playlists, artist profiles and podcasts, you'll be able to post whatever's grabbing your attention to Snapchat and Snapchat Stories if you have the latter app installed.
Streaming dominates the music industry's revenue
The music industry is on the upswing, and the RIAA has services like Spotify and Apple Music to thank. Adoption has steadily increased, and they accounted for 80 percent of the revenue from the first half of 2019. Despite these record-breaking numbers, the artists who actually create and perform the music aren't reaping much benefit.
Roland's pioneering MC groovebox line is back
While, what we've come to call "grooveboxes" have been around for some time, it was Roland that first used the term and really pioneered these sort of all-in-one music production boxes. But, the company quietly let its MC line of loop-based musical instruments die in 2008. 11 years later though, it is attempting to steal back its crown with the all new MC-707 and the MC-101.
Roland’s JU-06A stuffs iconic '80s sounds in a tiny portable synth
There are a few instruments that really defined the sound of the 80s: The Yamaha DX7 and the gated snare chief among them. But just as important was Roland's Juno line of analog synths. They were (at the time) reasonably priced polyphonic synths that found their way into studios with the Cure, Madonna, A-ha, Duran Duran. It's no surprise then that one of the first entries in Roland's portable Boutique series attempted to emulate the classic Juno-106. It's also no surprise that it's the first entry in the Boutique line to get a sequel.
Spotify’s Android widget will return in a future update
After stepping into a hornet's nest of angry users, Spotify says it's bringing back its Android home screen widget. The move comes just one month after the company retired the feature.
Bjork's VR album is finally ready
It only took four-plus years, but Bjork's VR 'album' is finally ready. The Icelandic artist is releasing the complete version of Vulnicura VR through Steam on September 6th, giving PC owners a single place to experience 360-degree visuals available in the digital museum collection and beyond. This includes seven of the tracks from the album (including "Stonemilker," "Lionsong" and "Black Lake") with a 360-degree score composed by Stephen Malinowski.
Spotify’s Premium Duo plan expands to 14 countries
Spotify is expanding the availability of Premium Duo, the company's two-person subscription plan aimed at couples and flatmates, to include 14 additional Latin American countries. Starting today, both new and existing Spotify subscribers in Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay can take advantage of the discounted subscription plan.
What we're listening to: Surfbort and 'Kermode and Mayo's Film Review'
In the September installment of our audio IRL, contributing writer Christine Fisher praises "one of New York's last (only?) great punk bands," and contributing writer Kris Holt tells us why a BBC film podcast deserves a listen.
Netflix's music talent show 'Rhythm + Flow' premieres October 9th
It took a couple of years, but Netflix's talent series Rhythm + Flow is nearly ready. The service's first music competition will premiere October 9th with Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I. judging undiscovered hip-hop artists as they strive for glory. You'll have to be patient if you want to see the whole saga play out. Unlike most Netflix productions, you'll have to watch over multiple weeks to see everything.
UVI’s Toy Suite virtualizes the musical instruments of your childhood
Software instrument developer UVI are swapping their virtual cellos and pianos for Speak & Spells and music boxes. The company's latest library contains over 70,000 samples of nostalgic musical toys, giving musicians the freedom to create anything from the cutest compositions to discordant nightmare fuel that Trent Reznor would be proud of.

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