Gotta be honest, I wasn't expecting InMusic to flip iZotope so quickly

I'm somewhat glad that plugin alliance has just reverted to the original guys. Though I'm very slightly sad we're going to have to deal with their crappy installer for the foreseeable future

In 2002, Maine became the first state to implement a statewide laptop program to some grade levels. Then-governor Angus King saw the program as a way to put the internet at the fingertips of more children, who would be able to immerse themselves in information.

By that fall, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative had distributed 17,000 Apple laptops to seventh graders across 243 middle schools. By 2016, those numbers had multiplied to 66,000 laptops and tablets distributed to Maine students.

King’s initial efforts have been mirrored across the country. In 2024, the U.S. spent more than $30 billion putting laptops and tablets in schools. But more than a quarter-century and numerous evolving models of technology later, psychologists and learning experts see a different outcome than the one King intended. Rather than empowering the generation with access to more knowledge, the technology had the opposite effect.

Polls close article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/18/makerfield-byelection-labour-andy-burnham-no-10

Jessie Buckley is dug up to marry Christian Bale, while Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel are the double act of the year in Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy. Here’s our round up of movie magic from the last six months in the UK

Big ol' list here, but a lot of interesting looking recommendations that completely passed me by

In a video posted to TikTok, where Katie Whitney has 2.5 million followers, she says to camera, bluntly: “This video is for Cynthia Erivo. If you’re not Cynthia Erivo … you can keep on scrolling.” Her demeanour then shifts, her voice becomes softer; more the way a person might talk to their puppy: “Hi Cynthia. Hi baby. Hey baby. How are you?” It’s toe-curling – or, in modern parlance, cringe – to watch. “I feel traumatised,” says one commenter. Others post photos of a stunned-looking Erivo and imagine: “What if the Wicked star were to actually watch this video?” Cringe!

Now 25, but having started making this kind of content – “weird skits” – at 20, Whitney is part of what is known online as CringeTok, a subsection of the internet that deals in content designed to make your toes curl. It’s in many ways a reaction to a fear of being “cringe”, which is seeping into all parts of life – from social media to classrooms to the workplace.

(Couldn't think of a better comm to post this in given there doesn't seem to be one for opinion pieces I could find)

You're allowed anything on the planet

No there is no clever way to use this meal to escape your fate

(via a mate)

Not upgraded yet, but probably will given the use I get out of v2

Anyone sprung for it yet? What're the initial impressions

To our friends, artists, partners, collaborators, and community:

After three months of hard work, and three months of extraordinary loyalty from you, I am pleased to share that a definitive agreement has now been signed for Native Instruments to be acquired by inMusic.

Two iconic music technology companies, with decades of shared respect for this industry and the people who make music in it, are coming together to build something greater than either could alone. Our NKS hardware and MPC Editions collaboration last year was the beginning of this story. Today, we look ahead to a common future.

inMusic has spent three decades building and growing the brands that creators rely on every day — Akai Professional, Moog Music, Denon DJ, Numark, Rane, M-Audio and more. They understand what it means to build tools that musicians love. And they understand what Native Instruments means to our customers and community.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/46467325

I hope other software and hardware manufacturers are quick to get on board with Link Audio, being able to avoid a physical mixer for some of my ad-hoc jams is going to be a game changer

I hope other software and hardware manufacturers are quick to get on board with Link Audio, being able to avoid a physical mixer for some of my ad-hoc jams is going to be a game changer

Electronic music artist and tech creator Look Mum No Computer has been chosen to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, the BBC has announced.

Look Mum No Computer is a solo artist, songwriter and YouTuber, who is also described as "an inventor of unique musical machines."

The singer first arrived on the music scene back in 2014 as Sam Battle, frontman of indie rock band Zibra. The group performed at Glastonbury in 2015 for BBC Introducing. Since then, he has been performing and recording under his solo name.

"I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey," he said.

"I have always been a massive Eurovision fan, and I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year, so getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously."

Yep, it's still a nazi bar.

Don't share links to substack

Make sure your friends do the same

This is some not great news. I've been using NI (as well as izotope & plugin alliance) stuff for a very long time, and have hardware from them too. I imagine there are a lot of small sound design studios selling kontakt instruments who are a bit scared for the future now.

I really hope they're able to find a good solution for creators with the administrators.

Edit:

MusicRadar article: https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/native-instruments-has-been-placed-in-preliminary-insolvency

Here's hoping for a fantastic 2026 ❤️

Keir Starmer has been warned by senior Labour figures to stop making mistakes, before a battle over the party’s deputy leadership and amid fears the government could row back on workers’ rights.

As candidates began to jostle to replace Angela Rayner, the prime minister faced public criticism from Emily Thornberry, a potential contender, who said further mistakes from Starmer could lead to having to “hand our country to [Nigel] Farage”.

Andy Burnham also called for a “reset” and more pluralistic style, telling the Guardian that the government needed to be “listening to the heartbeat of the party”.

Took this one last June outside the cafe at Meiji Jingu shrine by Harajuku, Tokyo