The DJ world, digested weekly. Gear, software, trends. One email.
The Big Story
Akai MPC Sample: a proper MPC for $399, battery included
Standalone sampler, onboard sequencing, effects, MPC3 project compatibility — all in a compact, battery-powered unit at £349/~$399. Akai's most interesting form factor play in years, and it's shipping now.
via Attack Magazine
Gear
Novation Launch Control 3 reviewed: compact MIDI bridge for studio and stage
If you're running a hybrid setup with DAW and hardware, this could slot in as the smallest useful controller in your chain. Worth a look for DJs dabbling in live production.
via MusicTech · Mar 26
Personalised Dolby Atmos headphone monitoring comes to mobile
SoundID tools now let you scan your ears and head to generate a custom spatial profile on your phone. Niche today, but the direction of travel for headphone mixing and monitoring is clear.
via MusicTech · Mar 26
Software
Spotify now blocks AI tracks and misattributions from your artist profile
New feature lets artists flag and prevent incorrect releases — including AI-generated slop — from landing on their pages. If you release music alongside DJing, worth checking your profile.
via MusicTech · Mar 25
Streaming fraud defendant pleads guilty after earning millions from AI-generated songs
Fake songs, fake listeners, real royalty payouts diverted from actual artists. The case puts numbers on how broken the system is — and why platforms are scrambling to add guardrails.
via MusicTech · Mar 24
The Feed
Bristol nightlife venues push back as council quietly defunds safeguarding programme
Around 100 businesses signed an open letter against closing Bristol Nights, the city's club safety partnership. If you play Bristol, this is the local infrastructure that keeps venues open.
via DJ Mag · Mar 24
Wax Poetics pivots to high-end memorabilia auctions
The magazine turned marketplace is running Sotheby's-style sales of items like an 808 from Nightmares on Wax and Mariah Carey's demo tape. A new revenue model for music history — and potentially for artists sitting on their own archives.
via Attack Magazine · Mar 25