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13 Aug 2024

ChartCipher Launches Artist/Manager Tier for Song Analytics

ChartCipher will roll out a new tier of service that allows artists and managers to closely analyze the characteristics of hit songs, the company announced on Tuesday (Aug. 13).

“This knowledge empowers artists, songwriters, and managers to understand what resonates with audiences and pinpoint what makes their own music unique,” David Penn, ChartCipher co-founder and CCO, said in a statement. “By leveraging these insights, you become better equipped to release music that not only stays true to your artistic vision, but also connects with listeners and remains relevant in today’s fast-changing music landscape.”

ChartCipher was launched by MyPart and Hit Songs Deconstructed in 2022 to analyze the compositional, lyrical and sonic qualities of tracks on 11 Billboard charts: the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Pop Airplay, Country Airplay, Streaming Songs, Radio Songs and Digital Song Sales.

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Penn said at the time that the goal was to provide “music creators and executives will have access to deep analytics reflecting the songwriting and production decisions behind today’s most successful songs at scale.”

Those who pay for ChartCipher’s new artist and manager tier can pick which charts they would like analytics for, rather than getting all of them at once; they also get discounted access to the platform’s trend reports. The plan starts at $9.99 a month.

“By offering this new tier, we hope to further level the playing field and empower more artists to realize their musical aspirations,” added Yael Penn, CEO and co-founder of ChartCipher.

12 Aug 2024

QVC’s Back-to-School Deals Include 55% Off an HP Laptop & Printer Bundle to Affordably Complete Your Study Setup

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A new school year is approaching — or here, for some early birds — and now you can score deals on supplies and dorm essentials that’ll ensure your first semester setup is complete. Regardless of if you’re in school or not, the discounts and steals on everything from tech to desk necessities are available for everyone. One of the most notable deals ShopBillboard discovered is QVC’s bundle on an HP laptop and printer that’ll let you write and print out your assignments for under $1,000.

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Most laptop deals will get you just the piece of tech, but QVC is basically giving the HP laptop away and with the added bonus of a printer included. Without the deal, both office essentials cost around $1,117 when purchased separately. QVC’s bundle slashes the price by 55% off, which knocks the price down to a more affordable $500.

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Keep reading to shop the deal below.

QVC

HP Laptop & Printer Bundle

$499.98

$1,116.49

55% off

The HP laptop and printer bundle is going on for a limited time and already it’s running out of stock. In addition to receiving the laptop and printer, you’ll also get a wireless mouse, adapter and one-year subscription to Microsoft 365.

HP’s Intel Laptop features an HD screen for crisp clarity as well as Bluetooth capabilities to connect to the wireless printer, earbuds and other smart devices. The built-in dual microphones will allow you to be heard clearly during virtual meetings. For added security, the device includes fingerprint reading.

For printing jobs, HP’s printer includes a flatbed scanner and the ability to quickly print in color and black and white.

You’ll have the option to choose from four different laptop colors depending on your preference, including blue, white, purple and “sunkissed plum.”

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best tablet deals, webcam covers and wifi extenders.

09 Aug 2024

Amazon’s Bestselling Audio Transmitter Let’s You Use Your Bluetooth Headphones to Watch Movies On Airplanes & More

Whether you’re traveling to one of the biggest festivals of the year or just want to explore new destinations, there are a few travel necessities that should be at the top of your list. Your Bluetooth earbuds are an absolute essential, but if you’re traveling by airplane, you typically can’t watch inflight movies and TV shows unless you have a pair of wired headphones.

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Rather than succumb to silence or drain your smartphone’s battery, Amazon has a compact audio transmitter that’ll let you instantly watch or listen to content on an airplane or at the gym — no wired headphones required.

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The device doesn’t just possess a small and compact size, but has a battery life of 25+ hours, meaning you can get through an eight hour flight with battery leftover. More than 10,000 Amazon shoppers have purchased the audio transmitter this month and it’s even earned a No. 1 bestseller title for wireless audio receivers and adapters.

Keep reading to learn more and shop the device below.

Amazon

Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

The audio transmitter not only works on airplanes, but can used on gym equipment, gaming devices, TVs and any 3.5-width audio jacks. When turned on, the device can reach up to 33 feet allowing you to kickback and listen to content in peace.

To use it, you just have to plug the device into the headphone jack, then sync it up with your device through your Bluetooth settings. Once it’s connected, you’ll be able to seamlessly watch or listen to content whenever you want.

More than 10,000 verified Amazon reviewers have rated the audio receiver five stars saying it’s “easy to setup” and its ability to let you use your Bluetooth headphones with “pretty much anything.”

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best luggage deals, travel adapters and spring break travel gear.

07 Aug 2024

HHW Tech Review: DJ Ominaya Tests New Serato DJ Pro 3.2.0

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Source: DJ OMINAYA / DJ OMINAYA

DJs are in for some good news. The community’s most trusted software Serato DJ Pro has received some updates geared to optimize performance and increase creativity.

Source: SERATO / Serato

Originally launched in 1999 as Pitch ‘n Time, the revolutionary platform has gone on to allow users to mix two tracks together with just their laptop, have a limitless music library, and a crisp, high-resolution interface. Throughout the years, Serato has become synonymous with a DJ’s must-haves when it comes to their set up. This month, the brand has announced some updates to the platform in Serato DJ Pro 3.2.0 and Serato DJ Lite 3.2.0. These new versions introduce a never-before-seen series of custom-built FX and includes many firsts for the platform including native Apple silicon support for Mac users.

Source: SERATO / Serato

The good folks at Serato were kind enough to provide us early access to their beta, and we couldn’t think of anyone better than DJ OMINAYA to demo the new features. As the DJ for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Lola Brooke, DJ OMINAYA is no stranger to the technology. For the last 10 years he has used Serato DJ Pro to rock crowds all over the world including venues like Madison Square Garden, O2 Arena, The Kia Forum, Spark Arena, TD Arena, Manchester Arena, AFAS Live and more. Below you will find his breakdown on the new DJ Pro 3.2.0.

Full Suite of New FX

DJ OMINAYA: I like the fact that there are now channel FX scroll them out to a single channel; one through four. Or even put it on the master. Also, you’re able to save your favorite FX in your bank, and if you want to reset it you can reset it. But if you save it in your bank, anywhere you DJ your favorites will always be available when you click down. You can also organize them where when you pull up your drop-down menu only your favorite FX shows instead of all 100. This is a game changer because it makes them a lot more accessible.

Create Your Signature Sounds With Custom FX

DJ OMINAYA: The option to create your own signature sounds is amazing because this is another way you can separate yourself from your peers. Individuality is key as a DJ, and you never want to sound like the next person. Another feature that is key is that you can also import your FX easily as well, which will help new DJs out who are still trying to find their sound and style.

But you got to be careful with sharing your custom FX [laughs]. Serato has a regular bomb FX, but what I did was I put five other bombs on that one bomb just so it can sound more powerful because I do concerts, big venues and arenas. So, when I hit that bomb, it sounds way louder because it has more bass to it. I shared that FX with one DJ and now every DJ in New York City uses it [laughing].

Source: DJ OMINAYA / DJ OMINAYA

Favorite FX Banks

DJ OMINAYA: In my opinion this is the most important update to Serato DJ 3.2.0.The bank lets you load songs or FX to scratch in advance. If you’re a DJ that transforms or uses scratch FX, you can load the sounds in there. What I suggest is to prepare your tracks. So, if you’re doing a party and you know the next five records you want to play you can load them into the scratch bank and have them ready there opposed to searching for them while you’re DJing.

This new Serato DJ 3.2.0 definitely makes it a lot more easier to access your files and songs. As a DJ sometimes you lose your train of thought, and you forget what record you want to play next. And you can put them in the sequence you want ahead of time. This is something that comes in handy regardless of where you are playing. Let’s say I am doing a concert with [A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie] I can use that same bank of songs to do the club performance after the concert. My favorite FX is the reverb. This is a clean way to get out of a song without the transition sounding messy.

New Enhanced Look and View Modes

DJ OMINAYA: I love the new look and view mode! I feel it’s more straightforward and to the point; it’s a much cleaner interface. Even if you are new to the Serato platform, it’s really self-explanatory. You don’t need years of DJ experience to pick up the flow and functionality with Serato 3.2.0; they really took the guess work out of it. Serato 3.2.0 has shortcuts for everything you really have to explore it to see what works best for you as a DJ and your set up. Once you do, you’ll be able to get to things a lot faster and easier.

You can read more about Serato DJ 3.2.0 here.

07 Aug 2024

How Kamala Harris TikTok Remixes Reveal the Future of Music Consumption

Even before President Joe Biden announced that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on July 21, extremely online millennials and Gen Zers had started posting memes on social media in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, who many hoped (and assumed) would take over for Biden after his disastrous debate performance in late June. And after Harris replaced him as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, it seemed the entire internet became completely coconut-pilled.

Along with traditional text- and image-based memes — which are nothing new — musical memes have also proliferated on short-form video sites like TikTok, Reels and Shorts, with users mashing up Harris quotes with popular songs using AI or more traditional methods of remixing. But these playful — or, in some cases, just plain strange — songs are more than just digital fun and games. The overwhelmingly pro-Harris memes are reaching millions of potential voters, and might help Harris mobilize the previously discouraged young voters she needs in order to win in November.

One audio, which has over 1.1 million likes on TikTok, pairs Harris’ memeable quote “do you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” with the instrumental for “360” by Charli XCX. Another pitch-alters the same Harris quote over “The Star-Spangled Banner.” One anti-J.D. Vance audio pastes the Republican VP candidate saying “I’m a Never Trump Guy” over “Freek-a-Leek” by Petey Pablo. (After that clip went viral, the @KamalaHQ account also made its own video using the sound.)

There are also pro-Harris AI tracks, like one that replaces the lyrics to a Beyoncé song to make Queen Bey seemingly sing “you exist in the context of all in which you live,” another heavily memed Harris quote. A different AI track splices a Harris soundbite over DJ Johnrey’s viral track “Emergency Budots,” with an AI deepfake video of Harris and Pete Buttigieg dancing under a palm tree.

Beyond its political ramifications, this content also offers a glimpse into the future of music — one where we don’t just play our music, but where we play with it. In a sense, it’s the culmination of a trend that’s been brewing for decades. As music lovers have embraced sampling, remixing, the digital audio workstation, the Splice royalty-free sample library, Kanye West’s stem player and sped-up/slowed-down song edits, they’ve demonstrated a desire to have more control over static recordings than the traditional music consumption provides. And AI innovations can help to further facilitate this customizable listening experience.

Some music AI experts, including Suno’s CEO Mikey Shulman, are betting on a future where “anyone can make music” at the click of a button — and that everyone will want to. Often, I’ve heard folks who espouse this view of AI music compare it to photography, given photography is an art form which went from being something conducted by trained professionals in proper studio settings to being a ubiquitous activity aided by smartphones.

These entrepreneurs aren’t totally misguided — it’s clear based on user interest in Suno and Udio that there is a place for songs that are completely new and individual. But right now, it seems predictions about this technology’s role in the future of music consumption are too bullish. Music fans still crave familiarity, community and repetition when listening to music. It’s also scientifically proven that it takes multiple listens to form bonds with new songs — which is way more likely to happen with hit songs by artists you know and love, rather than individualized AI-generated tracks.

Instead, I think the average music listener will be way more interested in using AI to tweak their favorite hits. Listeners could use AI stem separation tools to create more bass-heavy mixes, for example, or some form of AI “timbre transfer” to make a song’s guitars sound more like a Les Paul than a Stratocaster (you could also go even further and change a guitar to be an entirely different instrument), or AI voice filters to change the lyrics of a song to include their best friend’s name.

Of course, there are still serious legal hurdles to customizing copyrighted sound recordings and songs if users share them publicly. Right now, any of the artists whose songs were used in these pro-Harris remixes could get them taken down upon request, citing copyright infringement. The NMPA has also expressed that it is willing to fight back against Spotify if it ever rolled out customizable song features on its platform. In a cease and desist letter, the NMPA warned the streaming service, saying, “We understand that Spotify wishes to offer a ‘remix’ feature…to ‘speed up, mash up, and otherwise edit’ their favorite songs to create derivative works. Spotify is on notice that release of any such feature without the proper licenses in place from our members may constitute additional direct infringement.”

So for now, edited songs will remain on social media platforms only, at least until they receive takedown requests. Still, consumer interest in music customization is only growing, and the popularity of pro-Harris campaign remixes serve as proof.

This analysis was published as part of Billboard’s new music technology newsletter ‘Machine Learnings.’ Sign up for ‘Machine Learnings,’ and Billboard’s other newsletters, here.

05 Aug 2024

Soundcore’s New A20 Earbuds Promise to Help You Sleep Better With Noise-Canceling Features & Built-In White Noise

Getting a good night’s sleep is the difference between having an alert or sluggish day, but more than a third of adults in America are getting less than the recommended amount of sleep each night, according to the National Council on Aging. Your sleeping environment plays a major role in how well you sleep — from your mattress, bedding and pillows to even the sounds around you. Anker is promising to help you sleep better, though, with a unique pair of sleep earbuds that’ll block out noise or provide white noise, depending on your needs.

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Whether you’re a light sleeper or city dweller, Anker’s Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds have reviewers blown away by how it’s “revolutionized” their sleep routines. Rather than squish and twist foam earplugs into your ears, the Soundcore version brings a modernized twist featuring noise-canceling technology and Bluetooth capabilities. More than 9,000 have been purchased on Amazon this month (so far) with reviewers praising its battery life, which they claim lasts “the entire night.”

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Keep reading to learn more.

Amazon

Soundcore Sleep A20

Some of the most notable features of these luxurious sleep earbuds include a four-point noise masking system with twin-seal ear tips to help block out distracting sounds. While they don’t include active noise cancelling technology, they do come with stronger passive noise blocking, sound masking and smart volume control.

If you require some noise before falling asleep, you can connect the device to Bluetooth and create your own playlist of sleep sounds or music. The earbuds also come with their own white noise through the accompanying app. Side sleepers can also rest easy, as the design was made with a flat back and soft material for all-night comfort. One Amazon reviewer even raved how “they’re so comfortable that I often forget I’m wearing them.”

The battery can last up to 14 hours on a full charge, giving you enough juice to last you a full night of sleep and then some. When you wake up, you can check out the app to give you personalized sleep metrics, including whether or not you changed positions throughout the night.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best comforters for hot sleepers, wearable blankets and dorm essentials.

05 Aug 2024

How AI is Creating a Wave of Innovation and Entrepreneurship That’s Reshaping the Music Industry (Guest Column)

We are in a transformative era of music technology.

The music industry will continue to experience growth throughout the decade, with total music revenue reaching approximately $131 billion by 2030, according to Goldman Sachs. This lucrative business is built on streaming but also witnessing an unprecedented surge in innovation and entrepreneurship in artificial intelligence. With over 300,000 tech and media professionals laid off since the beginning of 2023, according to TechCrunch, a new wave of talent has been funneled into music tech startups. This influx, coupled with the dramatic decrease in cloud storage costs and the global rise of developer talent, has catalyzed the emergence of many startups (over 400 that we have tracked) dedicated to redefining the music business through AI.

These music tech startups are not just changing the way music is made and released; they are reshaping the very fabric of the industry. They’re well-funded, too. After raising over $4.8 billion in 2022, music tech startups and companies raised almost $10 billion in funding in 2023, according to Digital Music News, indicating that venture capitalists and investors are highly optimistic about the future growth of music technology.

As Matt Cartmell, CEO of Music Technology UK, said, “Our members want us to present the music tech sector as a highly investible proposition, educating investors about the opportunities that lie within. Music tech firms are also looking for innovative models of engagement with labels, DSPs and artists, as well as looking for our help to bring diverse talent into the industry, removing the barriers that continue to restrict individuals with passion and enthusiasm from a career in music technology.”

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Riding this wave of investment, several startups have already made a splash in the music AI space. Below is an overview of a few of those companies and how they’re contributing to the industry’s rapid evolution.

Generative AI: The New Frontier

At the heart of this revolution is generative AI, a technology rapidly becoming indispensable for creators across the spectrum. From novices to professional artists and producers, AI-powered platforms offer unprecedented musical expression and innovation opportunities. It’s now possible for users without any formal musical training to craft songs in many genres, effectively democratizing music production. Music fans or content creators can utilize products that score their social content, while seasoned musicians can use these tools to enhance their creative workflows.

“I like to think of generative AI as a new wave of musical instruments,” says Dr. Maya Ackerman, founder of Wave AI, a company that has introduced tools to aid human songwriters. “The most useful AI tools for artists are those that the musicians can ‘play,’ meaning that the musician is in full control, using the AI to aid in their self-expression rather than be hindered.” These tools focus on generating vocal melodies, chords and lyrics, emphasizing collaboration with musicians rather than replacing them.

For non-professionals, one ambitious company, Beatoven.ai, is building a product to generate music in a host of different ways for many different use cases. “(Users) can get a piece of music generated and customize it as per their content without much knowledge of music,” says Siddharth Bhardwaj, co-founder/CTO of Beatoven. “Going forward, we are working on capturing their intent in the form of multimodal input (text, video, images and audio) and getting them as close to their requirements as possible.”

The concept of “artist as an avatar” has become increasingly popular, which draws inspiration from the gaming community. Companies like CreateSafe, the startup powering Grimes’ elf.tech, have built generative audio models that enable anyone to either license the voice of a well-known artist or replicate their own voice. This innovative approach also reflects the adaptive and forward-thinking nature of artists. Established artists like deadmau5, Richie Hawtin and Ólafur Arnalds have also delved into AI initiatives and investments. Furthermore, a few innovators are crafting AI music tools tailored for the gaming community, potentially paving the way for the fusion of music and gaming through real-time personalization and adaptive soundtracks during gameplay.

The Community and Collaboration Ecosystem

The journey of music creation is often fraught with challenges, including tedious workflows and a sense of isolation. Recognizing this, several startups are focusing on building communities around music creation and feedback. The Singapore-based music tech giant BandLab recently announced that it has acquired a user base of 100 million, making it one of the biggest success stories in this arena. “Our strength lies in our comprehensive approach to our audience’s needs. From the moment of inspiration to distribution, our platform is designed to be a complete toolkit for music creators and their journey,” says founder Meng Ro Kuok. There are several startups pioneering spaces where creators can collaborate, share insights and support each other, heralding a new era of collective creativity.

A Toolkit for Every Aspect of Music Production

This landscape of music tech startups offers a comprehensive toolkit that caters to every facet of the music creation process:

Track and Stem Organization. Platforms like Audioshake simplify the management of tracks and stems, streamlining the production process.

Vocal & Instrument Addition. These technologies allow for the addition of any human voice or instrument sound to a recording environment, expanding the possibilities for frictionless creativity.

Sound Libraries. Services provide or generate extensive libraries of samples, beats and sounds, offering artists a rich palette.

Mix and Master. The process of mixing and mastering audio has historically relied heavily on human involvement. However, several startups are utilizing AI technology to automate these services for a more comprehensive audio production experience. Others also offer the ability to convert stereo songs to spatial audio.

Remixing and Freelance Musicianship. Many platforms now offer creative and innovative solutions for remixing music. Additionally, some platforms allow users to easily source and connect with talented artists, session musicians and other music professionals. Need an orchestra? There are tech platforms that can arrange and source one for you remotely.

The Future of Music Tech: A Vision of Inclusivity and Innovation

The barriers that once kept people from participating in music creation are falling away. Now, anyone with a passion for sound can create content, engage with fans, find a community and even monetize their work. This more accessible and collaborative music ecosystem offers an exciting glimpse into a future where anyone can participate in the art of creation. The explosion of creators, facilitated by these technologies, also suggests a new economic opportunity for the industry to service this growing creator class.

Drew Thurlow is the founder of Opening Ceremony Media where he advises music and music tech companies. Previously he was senior vp of A&R at Sony Music, and director of artists partnerships & industry relations at Pandora. His first book, about music & AI, will be released by Routledge in early 2026.

Rufy Anam Ghazi is a seasoned music business professional with over eight years of experience in product development, data analysis, research, business strategy, and partnerships. Known for her data-driven decision-making and innovative approach, she has successfully led product development, market analysis, and strategic growth initiatives, fostering strong industry relationships.

02 Aug 2024

‘Revolution’ or ‘Delusion’? Despite AI Hype, Adoption Remains Slow

In March of 2023, as artificial intelligence barnstormed through the headlines, Goldman Sachs published a report on “the enormous economic potential of generative AI.” The writers explored the possibility of a “productivity boom,” comparable to those that followed seismic technological shifts like the mass adoption of personal computers.

Roughly 15 months later, Goldman Sachs published another paper on AI, this time with a sharply different tone. This one sported a blunt title — “Gen AI: Too Much Spend, Too Little Benefit?” — and it included harsh assessments from executives like Jim Covello, Goldman’s head of global equity research. “AI bulls seem to just trust that use cases will proliferate as the technology evolves,” Covello said. “But 18 months after the introduction of generative AI to the world, not one truly transformative — let alone cost-effective — application has been found.”

This skepticism has been echoed elsewhere. Daron Acemoglu, a prominent M.I.T. scholar, published a paper in May arguing that AI would lead to “much more modest productivity effects than most commentators and economists have claimed.” David Cahn, a partner at Sequoia Capital, warned in June that “we need to make sure not to believe in the delusion that has now spread from Silicon Valley to the rest of the country, and indeed the world. That delusion says that we’re all going to get rich quick.”

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“I’m worried that we’re getting this hype cycle going by measuring aspiration and calling it adoption,” says Kristina McElheran, an assistant professor of strategic management at the University of Toronto who recently published a paper examining businesses’ attempts to implement AI technology. “Use is harder than aspiration.”

The music industry is no exception. A recent survey of music producers conducted by Tracklib, a company that supplies artists with pre-cleared samples, found that 75% of producers said they’re not using AI to make music. Among the 25% who were playing around with the technology, the most common use cases were to help with highly technical and definitely unsexy processes: stem separation (73.9%) and mastering (45.5%). (“Currently, AI has shown the most promise in making existing processes — like coding — more efficient,” Covello noted in Goldman’s report.) Another multi-country survey published in May by the Reuters Institute found that just 3% of people have used AI for making audio.

At the moment, people use AI products “to do their homework or write their emails,” says Hanna Kahlert, a cultural trends analyst at MIDiA Research, which recently conducted its own survey about AI technology adoption. “But they aren’t interested in it as a creative solution.”

When it comes to assessing AI’s impact — and the speed with which it would remake every facet of society — some recalibration was probably inevitable. “Around the launch of ChatGPT, there was so much excitement and promise, especially because this is a technology that we talk about in pop culture and see in our movies and our TV shows,” says Manav Raj, an assistant professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, who studies firms’ responses to technological change. “It was really easy to start thinking about how it could be really transformative.”

“Some of that excitement might have been a little frothy,” he continues. “Even if this is a really important and big technology, it takes time for us to see the effects of these kinds of technological changes in markets.” This was famously true with the development of computers — in 1987, the economist Robert Solow joked, “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics,” a phenomenon later dubbed “the productivity paradox.”

It also takes time to settle the legal and regulatory framework governing AI technologies, which will presumably influence the magnitude of their effects as well. Earlier this year, the major labels sued two genAI music platforms, Suno and Udio, accusing them of copyright infringement on a mass scale; in recently filed court documents, the companies said their activities were lawful under the doctrine of fair use, and that the major labels were just trying to eliminate “a threat to their market share.” Similar suits against AI companies have also been filed in other creative industries.

When McElheran surveyed manufacturing firms, however, few cited regulatory uncertainty as a barrier to AI use. She points out that “they may have had bigger fish to fry, like no use case.” A U.S. Census Bureau survey of businesses published in March found that 84.2% of respondents hadn’t used AI in the previous two weeks, and 80.9% of the firms that weren’t planning to implement AI in the next six months believe it “is not applicable to this business.”

Tracklib’s survey found something similar to McElheran’s. Only around 10% of respondents said concern about copyright was a reason they wouldn’t use AI tools. Instead, Tracklib’s results indicated that producers’ most common objections to using AI were moral, not legal — explanations like, “I want my art to be my own.”

“Generative AI comes up against this wall where it’s so easy, it’s just a push of a button,” Kahlert says. “It’s a fun gimmick, but there’s no real investment on the part of the user, so there’s not much value that they actually place in the outcome.”

In contrast, MIDiA’s survey found that respondents were interested in AI tech that can help them modify tracks by adjusting tempo — a popular TikTok alteration that can be done without AI — and customizing song lyrics. This interest was especially pronounced among younger music fans: Over a third of 20-to-24-year-olds were intrigued by AI tools that could help them play with tempo, and around 20% of that age group liked the idea of being able to personalize song lyrics.

Antony Demekhin, co-founder of the AI music company Tuney, sees a market for “creative tools” that enable “making, editing, or remixing beats and songs without using a complicated DAW, while still giving users a feeling of ownership over the output.”

“Up until recently,” he adds, “the addressable market for those kinds of tools has been small because the number of producers that use professional production software has been limited, so early-stage tech investors don’t frequently back stuff like that.”

Demekhin launched Tuney in 2020, well before the general public was thinking about products like ChatGPT. In the wake of that platform’s explosion, “Investors started throwing money around,” he recalls. At the same time, “nobody knew what questions to ask. What is this trained on? Are you exposed to legal risk? How easy would it be for Meta to replicate this and then make it available on Instagram?”

Today, investors are far better informed, and conversations with them sound very different, Demekhin says. “Cooler heads are prevailing,” he continues. “Now there’s going to be a whole wave of companies that make more sense because people have figured out where these technologies can be useful — and where they can’t.”

02 Aug 2024

New ‘NBA 2K25’ Trailer Teases Big Changes Coming To The Gameplay Engine

HipHopWired Featured Video

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K25

It’s a new season, and 2K Sports promises that NBA 2K25 will deliver the “biggest changes” to the game’s engine in years.

Visual Concepts, the studio behind the NBA 2K basketball video game franchise, is all-in on its ProPlay technology, which it introduced in NBA 2K24 and will use to introduce tons of new animations into the game.

The studio is promising “the biggest change to our gameplay engine in many years,” plus an all-new dribbling system that will give players even more control than before and the ability to take ankles.

Using ProPlay, 2K says that “stops are higher, launches are more explosive,” bringing more lifelike movement to every inch of the court.

Offense On The Court Levels Up

What you can do offense in NBA 2K25 is taken to another level, thanks to many new mechanics. New tools like shot canceling, signature go-to shots, shot-timing profiles, Pro Stick rhythm shooting, and more make putting the ball in the basket even more fun and exciting.

ProPlay gives players a new weapon: signature go-to shots. Per 2K, this new feature allows players to pull off new dribble-into-shot combos directly copied from actual NBA footage. The moves can be executed by simply holding up on the Pro Stick.

Shot canceling will allow players to quickly transition from one shooting animation to the next, giving players another tool to elevate their offensive game.

Last year’s shooting mechanics were not a hit with players, but 2K is hoping to rectify that with shot-timing profiles. The new profiles allow players to customize their shot-timing windows.

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K25

New options allow players to customize their ideal jump shot by using shot-taking visual cues in an expansion of the Shot Creator suite.

It will allow players to customize where they release the ball in their custom animation, allowing them to get comfortable and in tune with the timing window and hit more shots in the green.

Utilizing the Pro Stick allows players to take advantage of rhythm shooting by pointing the Pro Stick down to start the shot and then up when the animation reaches its set point.

According to Visual Concepts, many people on the team found the new mechanic to be difficult before later appreciating it after using it for some time. They now have a hard time going back to the previous Pro Stick shooting mechanic.

Defense Is Also Improving

You can’t improve the offense in the game without ensuring the defense can keep up. NBA 2K25 introduces a new movement system that will give defenders movements similar to offensive players using the right stick.

Players can now make faster, tighter defensive cutoffs, allowing them to stay in front of Pro Stick all-star players.

To improve shot contention, a dynamic weighing system replaces the fixed one. Shot contests are now determined by defense coverage at the beginning of the shot.

Also, perimeter and interior defense and height play pivotal roles and determine the outcomes of the shots.

Visual Concepts is also trying to reduce your screaming at your AI teammates thanks to improvements that will provide better in-game mimicking of real-word spacing.

What that means is that your AI teammates should be where they are supposed to be while on the court based on what the offense is running.

New Tutorial System & Playbook Sharing

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K25

NBA 2K25 will also feature playbook sharing, which will allow players to create and share their custom playbooks with the community.

Learn 2K, a new tutorial mode, will help players acclimate to all the new features and older gameplay mechanics.

Ahead of NBA 2K25’s launch, 2K has laid out a roadmap that details the game’s features and modes.

Week of August 5: MyPlayer and MyCareer
Week of August 12: MyNBA and The W
Week of August 19: MyTeam
Week of August 26: The City
Week of September 2: Season 1 preview and 2KBeats soundtrack reveal
September 4: Early access period begins
September 6: Global launch of NBA 2K25

NBA 2K25 sounds like a refreshed experience, and we look forward to picking up the sticks when this game drops.

You can watch the official gameplay trailer below.

01 Aug 2024

Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce Breaks Record With Third Selection To ‘Madden NFL’ 99 Overall Rating Club

HipHopWired Featured Video

Source: EA Sports / Tiburon / Madden NFL 25/ Travis Kelce

No surprise, but Travis Kelce is back in the Madden NFL 99 Club.

Travis Kelce continues to keep winning. The Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end is coming off his third Super Bowl championship and is in one of the most high-profile relationships in the world thanks to hooking up with Taylor Swift.

Now, Kelce can add being the only NFL tight end to earn a spot in the Madden NFL 99 Club three times. Kelce joins former teammate Tyreek Hill, Madden NFL 25 cover athlete Christian McCaffrey, and offensive line Trent Williams.

Along with the announcement that Williams was making the club, EA also dropped the ratings for edge rushers and other offensive linemen.

Edge Rushers Offensive Linemen

Myles Garrett (98 OVR) 1. Trent Williams (99 OVR)
Micah Parsons (98 OVR) 2. Zack Martin (97 OVR)
T.J. Watt (97 OVR) 3. Penei Sewell (96 OVR)
Maxx Crosby (97 OVR) 4. Lane Johnson (95 OVR)
Nick Bosa (96 OVR) 5. Tyron Smith (95 OVR)
Josh Hines-Allen (91 OVR) 6. Tristan Wirfs (94 OVR)
DeMarcus Lawrence (91 OVR) 7. Chris Lindstrom (94 OVR)
Khalil Mack (90 OVR) 8. Laremy Tunsil (94 OVR)
Alex Highsmith (89 OVR) 9. Frank Ragnow (93 OVR)
Trey Hendrickson (89 OVR) 10. Creed Humphrey (92 OVR

Travis Kelce’s Briefcase Had Some Different Swag In It

Like his fellow NFL brethren before him, Kelce was gifted with a briefcase, a golden Xbox controller, and a custom greeting from retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

The only thing that made his 99 Club care package different was that he was given a custom podcast microphone instead of the gold chains the other players received.

Here is the complete list of highly-rated tight ends and cornerbacks.

Tight Ends Cornerbacks

Travis Kelce (99 OVR) 1. Sauce Gardner (97 OVR)
George Kittle (97 OVR) 2. Jalen Ramsey (96 OVR)
Mark Andrews (94 OVR) 3. Patrick Surtain II (95 OVR)
T.J. Hockenson (91 OVR) 4. Jaire Alexander (93 OVR)
David Njoku (90 OVR) 5. L’Jarius Sneed (92 OVR)
Evan Engram (88 OVR) 6. Charvarius Ward (91 OVR)
Sam LaPorta (86 OVR) 7. Marlon Humphrey (91 OVR)
Dallas Goedert (85 OVR) 8. Denzel Ward (90 OVR)
Dalton Schultz (84 OVR) 9. Trent McDuffie (90 OVR)
Cole Kmet (83 OVR) 10. Marhson Lattimore (90 OVR)

Trent Williams and McCaffrey are the first two 49ers to have joined the club at the same time. But we are optimistic they won’t be the only teammates because Kelce’s favorite quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, will also make the list.

Along with today’s latest 99 Club announcements, EA Sports released another deep dive video for Madden NFL 25 and revealed the new kickoff rules will be in the game.

Below are the reactions from the latest Madden NFL 99 Club members. Click here for the complete list of ratings.

1 … 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 … 104

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