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Music Production

Slipknot's Clown Calls His New Minecraft Server, "The Biggest Art Piece I've Made In My Entire Life", Speaks On Embracing AI
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

Slipknot’s Clown Calls His New Minecraft Server, “The Biggest Art Piece I’ve Made In My Entire Life”, Speaks On Embracing AI

M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, the percussionist and creative director of Slipknot, has launched a custom Minecraft server called Vernearth, driven by a passion for creativity rather than financial gain. He has a long history with video games, starting with systems like Atari and Intellivision, and has engaged with various games that have influenced his creativity. Crahan views Vernearth as a significant artistic endeavor that combines music, coding, and community interaction. He has a deep respect for Minecraft, having followed its development since its release, and it has served as a therapeutic outlet for him. Crahan embraces artificial intelligence as a tool for enhancing his creativity, comparing it to a personal assistant that helps him express his artistic ideas. He acknowledges concerns about AI but believes it is an integral part of modern life and emphasizes the inevitability of technological progress.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
September 25, 2025

This digital hand pan is as useful for meditation as it is for learning the Minecraft soundtrack

The Mood Pan is a novel musical instrument featuring nine responsive pads and a smaller control pad, capable of producing various sound profiles, including traditional hand pan tones and custom samples via the Mood Pan Plus app. It is made from durable plastic with a silicone-feel top cover, includes built-in speakers, and operates on USB-C or six AA batteries. The instrument has a headphone jack for private listening and offers a range of scale, timbre, and effect controls on its front panel. It is priced at 9.99 / £572.99 / AU9.
Here's all of the best top-tier Android apps and games now on sale for Memorial Day
AppWizard
May 26, 2025

Here’s all of the best top-tier Android apps and games now on sale for Memorial Day

Memorial Day sales feature a variety of discounted Android games and applications, including gaming deals, productivity apps, and creative tools. Users can find reduced prices on popular titles, efficiency-enhancing apps, and artistic applications. These offers present an opportunity to explore new digital experiences during the holiday weekend. Subscribing to relevant channels can help users stay informed about the latest deals.
Windows-on-Arm woes: Amazon warns customers about Surface laptop returns
Winsage
March 25, 2025

Windows-on-Arm woes: Amazon warns customers about Surface laptop returns

Qualcomm and Microsoft are enhancing the Windows-on-Arm ecosystem, highlighted during the Microsoft Build event in May 2024. The Surface brand laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors received positive feedback for performance and battery life. However, the Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition) has been flagged by Amazon as a "frequently returned item," prompting buyers to check reviews. Customer feedback indicates that app compatibility issues are a primary reason for the returns. Intel's interim Co-CEO suggested that devices with Snapdragon chips are returned at higher rates due to unmet functionality expectations. Despite this, the market for Windows-on-Arm systems remains strong, with major manufacturers adopting Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Other Snapdragon-powered devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, have not faced similar return warnings. The Surface Laptop may have higher return rates due to its popularity and specific shortcomings noted in reviews, such as display quality and keyboard comfort. Microsoft also offers Intel versions of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, which may confuse consumers. Qualcomm and Microsoft are working with developers to improve software support for Windows-on-Arm, with notable applications like DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop now available. Challenges remain, including Qualcomm's discontinuation of its Snapdragon Developer Kit for Windows and limited native support for some applications. Users with specialized needs may prefer traditional x86 Windows versions. Qualcomm plans to unveil its second generation of Snapdragon X processors in late 2025.
Latest Windows 11 build adds full MIDI 2.0 support and improved performance
Winsage
February 7, 2025

Latest Windows 11 build adds full MIDI 2.0 support and improved performance

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27788 in the Canary Channel, which includes significant enhancements to the MIDI standard. This update supports both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, designed exclusively for 64-bit operating systems, and extends full MIDI compatibility across all modern Windows architectures, including Arm64-based PCs. The MIDI 2.0 standard features high-speed data transmission, high-fidelity messages, and endpoint discovery and negotiation. The new MIDI stack improves performance with better timing and reduced jitter, and a faster MIDI driver supports both versions with automatic API translation for interoperability. The update also includes a USB MIDI 2.0 class driver developed in collaboration with the Association of Musical Electronics Industry of Japan and AmeNote, ensuring compatibility with both MIDI 2.0 and legacy MIDI 1.0 devices. Additionally, the preview introduces a 1-click resume function for OneDrive and selective installation options for games in the Microsoft Store.
Windows 11 and MIDI 2.0: The Biggest OS Update Since 1983 is Coming Soon!
Winsage
February 6, 2025

Windows 11 and MIDI 2.0: The Biggest OS Update Since 1983 is Coming Soon!

Microsoft is releasing Windows 11, which includes a significant update to the MIDI system, introducing native support for MIDI 2.0. This is the first major update to the MIDI standard since 1983. The new Windows MIDI Services enhance MIDI 1.0 functionality on ARM-based devices and improve communication between electronic instruments and computers. MIDI 2.0 offers increased speed, better transmission quality, more precise control, and advanced two-way communication capabilities. Microsoft collaborated with the Association of Musical Electronics Industry of Japan (AMEI) to develop a robust MIDI class driver and introduced a new networking protocol for MIDI 2.0. Extensive SDK support will facilitate integration of third-party software and hardware. The MIDI architecture is currently being tested and will be included in upcoming Windows updates. Additionally, the latest Canary build of Windows 11 features improvements such as new OneDrive functionality, optimized File Explorer, and options to disable backup reminders.
Microsoft makes massive MIDI improvements for musicians using Windows 11
Winsage
February 6, 2025

Microsoft makes massive MIDI improvements for musicians using Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced the Windows MIDI Services Public Preview with the rollout of Windows 11 build 27788, which includes full support for MIDI 2.0. This update features a new USB MIDI 2.0 Class Driver that is backward compatible with MIDI 1.0, and a Windows MIDI Services App SDK for managing MIDI settings. Key enhancements include: - Full support for the MIDI 2.0 Standard, enabling high-speed data transmission and improved message fidelity. - Faster transports for better timing and reduced jitter. - Multi-client endpoints allowing multiple applications to access each endpoint simultaneously. - Enhanced endpoint and port management for improved organization. - In-service scheduling for managing timestamped messages. - Built-in loopback and app-to-app MIDI for complex routing. - Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. - Expanded device metadata for enhanced functionality. - Improved notifications for device management. - Backward compatibility with the WinMM MIDI 1.0 API. - An open-source initiative for the MIDI Service and associated tools.
Snapdragon X finally brings MIDI 2.0 and native ASIO to Windows 11!
Winsage
October 24, 2024

Snapdragon X finally brings MIDI 2.0 and native ASIO to Windows 11!

The Snapdragon X platform supports ASIO and MIDI 2.0, enhancing audio performance and reducing latency for musicians using Windows 11 on ARM64 systems. It enables seamless integration of older plug-ins with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Cubase, Nuendo, and Reaper, which have ARM64 preview versions available. Snapdragon X-based Co-Pilot PCs, starting at approximately €899, are designed for professional musicians and will feature native drivers developed by Microsoft in collaboration with Qualcomm and Yamaha, expected to be fully integrated by late 2025. Industry leaders Focusrite and Steinberg/Yamaha will launch optimized ARM64 drivers for their audio hardware in 2025. The native ASIO support allows for easier use of audio hardware and software, improving the workflow for musicians and producers on Windows systems, with future support planned for x64 systems as well.
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