Month: November 2013

Output Launches New Company, New REV Collection For Kontakt

Output, a Los Angeles-based music software company is opening its doors Nov 12, 2013 and launching REV — calling it the world’s first collection of instruments, loops, rises, pads, pulses, swells and more — all in REVERSE. Released in partnership with Native Instruments, REV is built within the Kontakt engine and is installable through the…


Michael Jackson Estate’s Valuation ($2,105) Vs. IRS’ MJ Valuation ($434 Mil.)

With all of the media focus on the recent decision in the Jackson family’s wrongful death suit against AEG, in which a jury found AEG not liable over Michael Jackson’s death, there is another court battle generating less press but which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. This case pits the estate of Michael…


RapGenius and other lyrics sites hit with takedown notices

In August, lecturer and Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery issued a report (later expanded in October) on illegitimate websites hosting free-to-access song lyrics. The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) have submitted takedown notices to 50 unlicensed lyric websites. It’s a fascinating piece, outlining why unofficial lyric websites shouldn’t be allowed to operate scot free…


“Sometimes I just want to f*cking kill everybody”: Justin Timberlake unloads on critics

  “So I find it ironic that I’m doing an interview with you about Man of the Year when I feel—literally—like a bunch of people just took a shit on my face.” Justin Timberlake has had better Mondays. We’re sitting in the FedExForum in Memphis, his hometown, five rows back from where his NBA team,…


Bieber’s Manager Starts Music Investment Fund

For the managers of pop stars, is there strength in numbers? That is the idea behind a new $120 million venture by Scooter Braun, the manager of hit acts like Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen and Psy. In a deal that has kept the music industry guessing for months, Mr. Braun is assembling a coalition…


Lady Gaga-Troy Carter Split: What Happened, The Future and Why It’s Business As Usual For Now

Lady Gaga and Troy Carter, her manager since 2007 at his firm Atom Factory, may have parted ways this week, citing creative differences. But executives involved with “Artpop” say it’s largely been business as usual in the days since Gaga’s split with Atom Factory on Nov. 4. Carter and other members of Gaga’s management team…


Google Glass Expanding Into Music

The futuristic online glasses known as Google Glass will add music functions over the next two weeks for the few thousand “Explorers” beta-testing the devices around the world. These include hands-free access to Google Play, the company’s streaming-and-downloading music service, a Shazam-like app that identifies unknown songs and stereo earbuds. “I may be in a…


Audio Engineering Society Welcomes New President, Dr. Sean Olive

The AES welcomes Dr. Sean Olive (pictured) as its new President, taking over from outgoing President Frank Wells. Currently serving as Director, Acoustic Research, for Harman International, and based in Northridge, Calif., Dr. Olive is in an ideal position to guide the AES into the 137th Convention, which will take place in Los Angeles in…


New Music Gear Monday: littleBits Synth Kit

There was a time when many of us learned all about electronics by building our own gear from a kit. Doing this helped you learn about electronic components, the art of soldering, signal flow and troubleshooting, all of which became invaluable later on when you hit the stage or studio….


Lupe Fiasco Details Contemplating Suicide & “Ratchetness” Of “Tetsuo & Youth”

Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco continued to dish out details on his upcoming album, Tetsuo & Youth, during an interview with Houston’s 97.9 The Box. Lupe denied that his upcoming album is a party album and spoke further on releasing a project that isn’t as politics-heavy as previous releases….