
Music Technology News
The latest music technology stories, summarized by AI
Featured Music Technology Stories


"Arturia AstroLab: The Ultimate Standalone Stage Keyboard Synth"
Arturia AstroLab is a new stage keyboard synthesizer that integrates hardware and software, turning the Analog Lab software into a standalone instrument. With 61 semi-weighted keys, it offers bi-timbral capabilities and over 10,000 sounds from V Collection and Pigments. The hardware features a modern user interface with a multi-tool display, color-coded knobs, and versatile connectivity options, including USB-C, WiFi, and an Android/iOS app. Priced at $1599/1599€, it targets live musicians seeking ready-to-use sounds and offers potential for future growth.

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"Musicians Unite Against Predatory Use of AI in Music"
Over 200 artists, including Jon Bon Jovi and Billie Eilish, have signed an open letter protesting the "predatory use of AI" that could harm artists by stealing their voices and likenesses. The letter, organized by the Artist Rights Alliance, calls on AI developers and technology companies to cease using AI to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists. This comes as Tennessee enacts the "ELVIS Act" to protect musicians and artists from AI, with Gov. Bill Lee emphasizing the uniqueness and intellectual property of artists.

"Top Artists Unite Against AI Threat to Creativity"
Over 200 artists, including Pearl Jam, Billie Eilish, and Stevie Wonder, have signed an open letter urging tech companies to stop devaluing music and using AI to infringe on artists' rights. The letter demands that AI developers and digital music services pledge not to undermine human artistry and deny fair compensation to artists. Concerns have grown over AI-generated music potentially replacing human artists and diverting royalty payments to tech companies, prompting calls for responsible AI use in music creation.

"Musicians Unite Against AI Threats to Creativity and Artists' Rights"
Over 200 musicians, including Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and Stevie Wonder, have signed an open letter demanding protections against the predatory use of artificial intelligence (AI) that mimics human artists. The letter, issued by the Artist Rights Alliance, calls for technology companies to pledge not to develop AI tools that undermine or replace human songwriters and artists. This comes amid industry-wide pushback against the use of generative AI in music, with concerns over ethical and legal issues surrounding copyright infringement and labor rights. Legislation has been introduced to protect musicians from having their vocal likeness generated by AI for commercial purposes, but the debate over the permissible use of AI in music continues.

"TikTok's Music Feud: Artists Undercut and Songs Removed"
The feud between Universal Music Group and TikTok over song royalties has intensified, leading to the removal of popular music from the platform. The dispute revolves around licensing agreements and concerns about fair compensation for songwriters. TikTok has begun removing music from artists connected to Universal's publishing catalog, affecting even those not signed under the UMG recording umbrella. The conflict has raised industry-wide concerns about the impact on artists and the use of AI in determining fair compensation.

TikTok Continues to Lose UMG Music in Ongoing Royalty Dispute
Universal Music Group and TikTok are in a standoff over royalties, resulting in UMG's songs being removed from the platform, including those published by the company. The battle, which began earlier this month, affects a vast number of recordings and artists, with videos featuring UMPG songs either being removed or muted. The situation has led to a war of words between the two parties, with UMG claiming TikTok proposed paying artists and songwriters a fraction of the rate that other major social platforms pay, while TikTok accuses UMG of putting their own greed above the interests of artists and songwriters. The impact on artists and songwriters has been significant, and a quick resolution to the standoff is not expected.

"TikTok Continues to Lose Music Amid Universal Music Dispute"
TikTok is removing more music from its platform due to a dispute over royalties with Universal Music Group, affecting not only artists signed to the label but also those who have collaborated with Universal-signed songwriters. The dispute has raised concerns about the impact on artists who gained popularity through TikTok, with some supporting Universal's position while others express frustration over the situation. The row highlights the complex relationship between music and social media platforms, as well as the ongoing challenges in the music industry regarding fair compensation for artists.

"Unveiling Akai's Portable 37-Key Synth and Sampler Workstation"
Akai has unveiled the MPC Key 37, a 37-key standalone workstation and groovebox designed for music production. It features 16 velocity-sensitive pads, 32GB onboard storage with SD card expansion, a 7-inch multi-touch display, and four assignable Q-Link knobs. While slightly less powerful than its predecessor, the Key 37 ships with Akai’s MPC2 desktop software and offers Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. Priced at $900, it's available for order through parent company inMusic and authorized retailers.

"Yamaha Unveils SEQTRAK: The Ultimate Portable MIDI Sequencer"
Yamaha introduces the SEQTRAK, a compact and affordable MIDI sequencer that emulates the casual brilliance of the Teenage Engineering OP-1 synth, offering versatile sound engines, intuitive design, and streamlined connectivity options. Priced at $599, the SEQTRAK is designed for both beginners and seasoned music producers, providing a portable and user-friendly solution for on-the-go music creation and performance.

"Apple Music Boosts Artist Royalties for Spatial Audio Tracks"
Apple Music will pay artists up to 10% higher royalties for music available in Spatial Audio, starting this month. The change is intended to reward higher quality content and compensate artists for the time and investment they put into mixing in Spatial. The metric for the bonus payout is calculated based on the proportion of Spatial Available to Non-Spatial Available plays, and artists will receive the bonus even if no one actually listens to the spatial version. Apple Music has seen wide adoption of Spatial from hitmakers worldwide, with over 90% of its listeners experiencing music in Spatial Audio. The move is also seen as a way to encourage users to purchase Apple hardware, as Apple devices come with support for Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio.
"Korg Nu:Tekt DIY Line Introduces Mini Synth and Kaoss Pad"
Korg introduces the NTS-1 mk2 and NTS-3 Kaoss Pad as additions to its Nu:Tekt line of DIY kits, offering updated features and effects. The NTS-1 mk2 features a more powerful processor, new oscillator types, effects, and an 18-key multitouch capacitive keyboard, while the NTS-3 Kaoss Pad provides a solderless DIY kit with 35 built-in effects, an X/Y pad, and the ability to load custom effects. Both devices are built on the LogueSDK and are set to be released in April and June, respectively, with pricing and additional details yet to be announced.