news and current affairs.
Harley Benton ST-80FR offers high-performance specs at an affordable price
Harley Benton released two electric guitars that target rock and metal musicians seeking affordable performance instruments. The ST-80FR Series features models with one pickup and two pickups that draw inspiration from classic 1980s designs. Both versions use six-tuner headstocks rather than the pointed styles common during that era. Musicians will find roasted Canadian flame maple necks attached to basswood bodies. The guitars offer serious specifications despite their budget-friendly pricing. Builders shaped the necks with asymmetric C profiles and added sculpted heel joints for easier high-fret playing. Fingerboards use flame maple construction with compound radius measurements from 12 to 16 inches. Stainless steel frets provide...
Uli Jon Roth reflects on his quest for the perfect tone and his Mega-Wing pickups
Former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth creates massive problems for guitar amplifiers with his custom Sky Guitar. The instrument features active pickups that produce 80 decibels of gain through a system called Mega-Wing. Roth has destroyed numerous amplifiers during his career because of the extreme output levels. The powerful electronics turn his guitar into what he calls a spaceship or Formula One car. Most standard amplifiers cannot handle the intense signal from his pickup system. Andreas Demetriou built the first Sky Guitar in England during 1983 for the German musician. Boris Dommenget makes current versions in Germany since 2017 when Roth began selling the instruments commercially. The guitars feature 30 frets and unique design...
Digitakt II gets major upgrade with new manual slicing and enhanced sequencer features
Elektron released new software for its Digitakt II sampler that adds advanced sample cutting features. The update called OS 1.5 brings manual slicing tools that users have requested since the device launched last year. Musicians can split audio samples into 64 separate pieces for creative sequencing. The company designed these tools to compete with similar features found on Roland and Ableton devices. Audio producers complained that earlier versions lacked proper sample editing capabilities. The new Slice machine offers two ways to divide audio files automatically. Users can create equal sections across a loop or let the software detect audio peaks for natural cuts. A built-in editor allows musicians to adjust where each slice starts...
Behringer's BM-15M Murf Box brings Moog-style filters with modern features
Behringer released the BM-15M Murf Box pedal for electric guitars and synthesizers. The device features eight adjustable filters that create complex sound effects. Musicians can choose from twelve different patterns to add rhythm and movement. The company designed the pedal to inspire creative experimentation during performances. Users can create everything from slow motion sounds to fast percussive effects. The new pedal draws inspiration from Moog's original MuRF filter device from 2004. Moog stopped making the original unit and second-hand versions sell for more than one thousand dollars. Behringer kept the wooden side panels and black metal housing from the original design. The company rearranged the controls and placed eight...
Deadmau5 launches 24-7 YouTube stream for progressive house and techno vibes
Electronic music producer Joel Zimmermann launched a continuous YouTube broadcast under his Deadmau5 brand. The Canadian artist created the stream through his mau5trap record label. The broadcast operates around the clock without interruption. Listeners can access progressive house and melodic techno music for background purposes. The stream targets people who work or need relaxation music. Mau5trap executives named the broadcast Airplane Mode. The team selected all tracks that appear on the stream. They describe the content as music for deep focus and concentration. A matching Spotify playlist contains the same songs. The stream serves as background audio rather than dance floor material. The broadcast represents Deadmau5's first...
Soundtheory launches Kraftur Focus with phase compensation and new features
Soundtheory launched a new audio plugin version called Kraftur Focus alongside updates to their original Kraftur software. The company created the Focus edition after customers requested phase compensation features. Musicians and audio engineers wanted better control over signal processing during production work. The original Kraftur deliberately used minimum phase filters to boost available headroom. These filters also helped maintain signal energy throughout the processing chain. Kraftur Focus uses a different method that combines multiple approaches for better results. The software realigns signal phase after the saturation stage completes its work. This design allows users to process audio through parallel channels effectively...
KSHMR's Bloom plugin brings Indian, South Asian, and Bollywood sounds to your mixes
Excite Audio released Bloom KSHMR, a music plugin featuring 250 presets with Indian and South Asian sounds. The software contains drum circles, tablas, sitars, bansuri flutes and vocal performances from the region. Producer KSHMR worked with musicians across India to record each sound. The team used professional analog equipment and modern recording methods to capture authentic instruments. Every sound sample maintains organic detail and expressive energy for music production. KSHMR personally selected each instrument sound for the plugin collection. Musicians traveled throughout India and South Asia to record traditional instruments. The recording process combined vintage analog gear with current production techniques. This approach...
ControlHub 3.0 redesigns mixing plugin with new features and faster performance
STL Tones launched the third version of ControlHub mixing software. The company built the audio plugin from scratch to make mixing faster and easier. Musicians and producers can access more powerful tools through the updated interface. The software combines multiple mixing functions into one program. Audio engineers will find the redesigned system more user-friendly than previous versions. The new release features major improvements across all areas. Developers created a fresh preset browser and rearranged module layouts. They redesigned the graphic equalizer and added global search capabilities. The limiter received a new window view and enhanced functionality. Users can download expansion packs directly from within the software...
Mnangagwa urges councils to prioritize service delivery and avoid nepotism
President Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke to more than 2000 council representatives at a major meeting Thursday. The gathering brought together officials from all 92 councils across Zimbabwe for the fourth All Councils Indaba held in Bulawayo. Mnangagwa told the delegates that local governments must always put their voters first. He stressed that councillors should remember the people who elected them and keep their campaign promises. The president said council work should focus on helping communities through better services. Mnangagwa urged council leaders to watch their performance closely and fix problems before they become serious. He said constant monitoring helps government step in when local systems start failing. The president wants...
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