Moog has released Animoog Z, a new version of their iconic Animoog app that first launched on iOS in 2011. The new version is designed for use with iPad and iPhone but also works on macOS as an AU plugin. There’s also a VST wrapper for all DAWs that support VST3.

SoundSwitch, one of the leading lighting software developers and hardware manufacturers, has developed a DJ friendly controller to control lights directly from the unit, or via the Denon DJ PRIME range. 

The new hardware – called Control One – features four banks of 64 RGB backlit pads for triggering lighting sequences, dedicated DMX outputs, two USB B ports for connecting to other DJ hardware and an OLED screen for info and feedback on parameters. 

Producer and DJ Ross from Friends has released a free new tool for music makers, and 50GB of samples from his studio. The tool – called Threso – was designed to record every sound once the volume goes over a certain threshold, and to stop the recording once it drops below a certain threshold. The audio file is timestamped and automatically moved to a folder to access later. 

Spotify may soon let users control the levels of a vocal in any of the tracks in their catalogue. A leaked screengrab shows the Mac version of Spotify’s desktop app with an option for having ‘less’ or ‘more vocal’ in the music, alongside the lyrics, hinting at a karaoke mode. 

Hercules has launched a new portable controller designed to use with smartphones. The new DJControl Mix is purpose-built for use with Algoriddim’s popular djay app on iOS and Android, with miniature size and portability at its heart. Powered over USB or built-in batteries, the DJCOntrol Mix features two small jogs, a crossfader, two volume knobs for each channel, four performance pads for Hot Cues and triggering samples, transport controls for play, pause and cue and pitch fader to control the speed of your tracks. 

TIDAL has added a new free subscription tier to their streaming platform. The new tier will allow users to listen at ‘good’ sound quality (160kbps MP3) and access the curated playlists that are a big part of TIDAL’s offerings. There’ll be ‘limited ad interruptions’ as part of the free tier, as with other streaming services, but there won't be traditional ads. Instead TIDAL will use the ads to educate listeners about the music industry. You can access all 80m+ songs on TIDAL, but you won’t be able to access their 350k+ videos. 

Twitch has launched a new incubator program for musicians who stream on their platform. The new Collective is designed to help musicians who want to grow their audience and fanbase on Twitch and beyond. Twitch will offer a ‘Playbook’ on how to use Twitch for streaming music content, be it DJing, music-making insights, tutorials and more. They’ll also be curating collectives based on “complementary backgrounds” and once you’ve made progress in the Collective, you’ll be eligible for further promo and discovery within the platform itself.