Black Friday at 343 Labs, Kevin Parker announces hardware, Kendrick Lamar surprise drops GNX
Studio Tool You Need 🎹
UVI Drum Designer is a virtual instrument focused on drum creation and customization. It includes four primary sound modules: kick, snare, clap, and cymbal, each with its own set of controls for shaping sound characteristics like pitch, decay, tone, and effects. The instrument integrates a sequencer with up to eight tracks, enabling detailed rhythm programming. Sequences can also be exported as MIDI files for further editing in a DAW.
Unlike many drum plugins that focus solely on either sample playback or synthesis, Drum Designer offers both, allowing users to fully shape their sounds with precise control over elements like pitch, tone, and effects. Its sequencer, which supports up to eight tracks with detailed timing options, also makes it easy to craft intricate rhythms. With a vast library of over 5,700 samples and 2,600 presets, it provides a comprehensive solution for creating dynamic and customizable drum parts. Check it out here!
Production Sauce 🎵
Trenton Kipps runs through some great bass and lead riffs, piano chords, and drum tips to make a fire RnB beat. Check it out here!
News You Should Hear About ⚠️
Tame Impala's Kevin Parker announced the release of a new MIDI-compatible instrument, The Orchid, this week.
Telephathic Instruments, co-founded by the producer, has created the company's inaugural "advanced gear hardware polysynthesizer". Similar to other MIDI keyboards synths, The Orchid claims to be an "idea machine", allowing artists to explore musical compositions and elements.
Functions of the new instrument include a four-octave chord range, looping, re-pitching, and performance modes (Strum, Slop, Arpeggiator, Pattern and Harp). Additionally, the synth has capabilities to upload loops and record to your DAW via MIDI cable.
The Orchid will be available in limited quantity next month for the price of $549. You can go to TelepathicInstruments.com to be alerted when they drop.
An Industry Secret They Don't Want You To Know 🤫
Tracking whether someone is using your music without permission can be done through various methods and tools. Among these, ArtistConnect stands out as a platform for music collaboration and rights management. While its primary function is connecting creators and sharing beats, it also offers a "Placement Tracking" feature. This feature helps you track where your beats or loops are being used. When you upload your music files, the platform scans popular streaming services like Spotify to find tracks incorporating your content. This allows you to see which songs and artists have used your work, helping you claim appropriate royalties and gain visibility for your contributions. Check it out here!
Artists We Love 🎤
We all know who he is. However, a surprise drop is a surprise drop. Kendrick Lamar surprised us last week with GNX, his sixth album! A victory lap with some notable features, including SZA and Roddy Rich, the album while does not contain, Not Like Us, which many would say was the nail in the coffin to Lamar's feud with Drake earlier this year. The album is made up of 12 tracks, one of our favorites being Luther featuring SZA! Check out the album on Spotify and Apple Music. If you haven't already!
What's Happening at 343?
We've got a Black Friday deal on all our courses for a limited time only! If you've been debating learning production in 2025 or just honing your skills and meeting other artists now is the time! We've got an array of production courses, from beginner Ableton and Logic programs to Sound Design, Vocal Production and Mixing & Mastering classes.
Located in NYC and Berlin- check out our courses here!
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