MTV’s Video Music Awards have had a rollercoaster couple of years in the ratings, from reaching all-time highs in 2011 thanks to Beyonce’s baby bump to a 50% plunge in 2012. Yet despite last year’s drop, this weekend’s show, broadcast from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, has already set MTV sponsorship records. “It’s the highest level of…

Kanye West wasn’t charged with a felony for his tussle with a paparazzi in July, but now the rapper has to deal with a lawsuit from the photographer. Daniel Ramos, who is being represented by high-profile lawyer Gloria Allred, is suing West for assault, battery and interference with his civil rights (presumably free speech), TMZ reports….

Young Guru is slated to teach an audio mixing class starting September 4 via Skillshare. Young Guru’s video lessons, filmed at SAE Institute New York, are titled ”Sound Check: The Essentials of DIY Audio Mixing.” The lessons will cover basics of mixing and recording, according to a press release. Students will also have an opportunity to be a…

YN flew out to Macklemore’s home city of Seattle for his new CRWN series. In the first part of their interview, Macklemore spoke on his rise to fame, free Jordans, and when “Thrift Shop” hit #1. As Elliott’s conversation with Macklemore continues on, the Seattle native discusses his bout with substance abuse and long road…

Crowdfunding seems to have taken the music industry by storm. Artists, Directors, and just about everyone else has been able to have their respective fan bases raise money to promote their upcoming projects. With todays way of starting promo and gaining a quality audience, crowdfunding seems to have been in a  big tug of war…

The man who bought John Lennon‘s molar two years ago – Canadian dentist Michael Zuk – is seeking headlines again, putting out a press release and launching a website indicating his intention to extract DNA from the tooth with the lofty goal of cloning the legendary musician. At the time of the tooth’s sale, RS reported Lennon’s molar was too fragile to be…

My pal and reader Gian Nicola asked about the pros and cons of M-S, or Mid-Side, stereo recording so I thought I’d respond with a passage from the upcoming 3rd edition of The Recording Engineer’s Handbook (due to be released in October). “M-S stands for Mid-Side and consists again of two microphones; a directional mic…

  Fyrd Instruments has introduced its second MIDI controller, the MTRX-8. Key Features: 8-step sequencer Hardware MIDI In/Out 14 buttons 1 high-resolution optical encoder USB port LCD display 5-part drum sequencer Premapped for the MeeBlip, the Shruthi, the Volca’s (Beat/Bass/Keys) and the DSI Mopho Up to 12 preset slots (4 x step-sequencer, 4 x drum sequencer,…

  Juicy J has a track on, “Stay Trippy,” called, “Scholarship,” featuring A$AP Rocky. To celebrate his release and give back, he will be giving away a $50,000 scholarship to the woman that submits the best, “twerking,” video. So instead of just twerking for likes, women can twerk to pay for their education. “Stay Trippy,”…

Mateo has been making waves online with his mixtapes and stellar covers (check his remake of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”), and he continues to push R&B forward. His evolution is apparent on his latest EP, We’ve Met Before, which serves as an appetizer to his upcoming debut. “You know my history, you’ve known me before,…