A free reverb plugin just got a serious engine overhaul, blending old-school early-reflection design with modern algorithmic processing.
epicVerb mkII core upgrades
epicVerb mkII from Variety Of Sound merges classic delay-based reverb with modern modeling.
Early reflections got refined for tighter spatial definition.
Reverb algorithms were reworked for better clarity and depth.
Updated filters and new shelving options expand tonal control.
Workflow and interface improvements
A brand-new preset browser speeds up navigation considerably.
Factory presets were completely rebuilt from scratch.
The interface is resizable, and a new online manual ships alongside it.
Compatibility and pricing
epicVerb mkII is Windows-only and totally free.
Novation's compact controller lineup just leveled up with the same upgrade treatment its bigger sibling got recently.
Launch Control 3 hardware rundown
Launch Control 3 packs 16 endless rotary encoders and eight assignable buttons.
An OLED display delivers real-time visual feedback per parameter.
USB-C handles the main connection to any computer.
Five-pin DIN sockets cover MIDI In, Out, and Out2/Thru.
DAW integration out of the box
Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, and Bitwig get deep support.
Mackie HUI compatibility extends reach to Pro Tools.
Novation Components lets users build and store seven custom modes.
Bundled software goodies
Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE come in the box.
Klevgrand Fosfat, Baby Audio Parallel...
Chromatically mapped gong samples pretending to be a piano is exactly the kind of weird instrument nobody asked for, but everyone needs.
What Gong Piano actually is
Gong Piano from The Crow Hill Company runs on their new in-house engine.
Christian Henson designed hits, scrapes, harmonics, and drones from four Roman gongs.
Their Shepherd Mapping technique spreads samples chromatically across the keyboard.
Playback responds like a traditional piano would.
Sonic range on tap
Soft metallic tones sit in marimba territory.
Percussive patches mimic hang drum and steel pan vibes.
Aggressive settings deliver that classic gong wallop.
Compatibility and pricing
Windows 10 or above and macOS 11 or higher are required.
VST, VST3, and AU...
A scalable interface and a unified settings hub just landed across both of reFuse Software's updated plug-ins.
reFuse drops Lowender and Bucketverb refresh
Lowender and Bucketverb both sport resizable GUIs with crisp graphics.
Their Utility Bar got a modernized facelift with simpler preset controls.
A centralized Settings Panel bundles licensing, docs, and updates together.
AAX builds picked up page table support for better control-surface integration.
Compatibility and pricing
Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or above are supported.
VST3, AU, and AAX formats are all available.
Existing users grab the updates free of charge.
New licenses run $69 for Lowender and $49 for Bucketverb.
Bitwig's automation system just got its biggest rework ever, and the whole interface got a fresh coat of paint to match.
Bitwig Studio 6 automation revamp
Bitwig Studio 6 drops a dedicated Automation Mode toggled by the A key.
Every track gets overlaid with the last-touched parameter's lane.
A Detail Editor Panel bundles all track automation neatly.
Drawing behavior got retooled for quicker line adjustments.
Fresh creative automation tricks
Operator-inspired spread functionality injects variation into existing curves.
A Spray Can tool paints held points at the grid interval.
Automation clips inherit drag-and-drop, looping, and stretching features.
Visual and GUI shakeup
Editing tools sit in a palette docked on the right side...
Netflix just stacked another massive live-music exclusive on top of its BTS coup by locking down Harry Styles' first-ever concert stream.
Harry Styles hits Manchester for a one-off show
Harry Styles performs at Co-op Live this Friday.
Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally drops the same day.
Netflix releases the full concert globally on March 8.
Styles is actually an investor in the 23,500-cap venue.
Concert comes with some unusual restrictions
The sold-out show will be completely phone-free.
Cameras, smart glasses, and smart watches are all banned.
Phones get locked in recyclable bags at the entry.
Each ticket pair gets a disposable camera instead.
Massive global tour follows right behind
Together, Together tour launches May 16...
Universal Music Netherlands just handed its top job to the guy whose indie label they bought barely a year ago.
Tony van de Berkt takes the Dutch CEO seat
Tony van de Berkt stepped in as CEO immediately.
Kees van der Hoeven retired from the role in December 2025.
Van de Berkt reports to Frank Briegmann in Central Europe.
Briegmann praised his blend of instinct and strategic vision.
8Ball Music built his credentials over decades
Van de Berkt founded 8Ball Music back in 2006.
UMG snapped up the indie label in March 2025.
Two imprints covered pop and Dutch-language releases.
Davina Michelle and Maan were among his signings.
His background spans way beyond just recorded music
Live concepts like Beste Zangers Live came from his team...
Two firms behind the Eras Tour's visual spectacle just merged their creative and technical operations into a single live-production powerhouse.
TAIT scoops up Silent House Group
TAIT acquired the Emmy-winning creative studio outright.
Silent House founder Baz Halpin called TAIT a longtime partner.
Financial details on the deal stayed under wraps.
The combined goal is faster, cheaper, and smarter show builds.
Joint resume reads like a touring hall of fame
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour topped their shared project list.
Kendrick Lamar's Grand National Tour was a collaboration.
Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia Tour made the roster.
MDLBEAST's Soundstorm Festival rounded out the highlights.
Silent House brings the creative blueprint side...
A $200 million indie financing platform just swallowed a valuation firm to bolt serious data infrastructure onto its two-month-old operation.
Pipeline snaps up Clarty Partners' core assets
Pipeline acquired Clarty's proprietary valuation tech and IP.
Clarty was founded in 2023 by former BMG executives.
Stéphane Hubert and Pierre Suignard built the systems.
Financial terms stayed undisclosed on this deal.
Both founders land key Pipeline roles
Hubert and Suignard join Pipeline's investment underwriting division.
Hubert also grabbed an Investment Committee seat.
Matt Spetzler welcomed them as founding team members.
Hubert called it a chance to scale their analytics platform.
Pipeline barely launched before making moves
Platform...
