Music

Logic Pro X update adds a new synthesizer, Apple Music support, and Force Touch compatibility

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple's professional recording software, Logic Pro X, just received a big update that brings several new features to the table. The update, which beings Logic Pro X to version 10.2, introduces a new sample manipulation synthesizer dubbed Alchemy.

Alchemy is labeled as a next-gen synth plug-in with multiple sound generators and over 2,000 presents for all types of music genres like EDM, dance, and rock. It brings the ability to combine up to four synthesizer modules to create multi-layered sounds, and includes a wide selection of analog and special effect filters for producing complex sounds.

I personally use Logic Pro X to mix our two podcasts, but I know that I'm just scratching the surface of what this incredibly powerful app can do. And now, it just got that much more powerful with the introduction of Alchemy, support for the Force Touch trackpad, Apple Music Connect sharing, and more.

MusicScroller adds a pop-up alphabet indicator to the Music app

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 24, 2015

Yesterday, we told you about Skippy, a new jailbreak tweak available on Ryan Petrich's beta repo. That tweak was the result of a Reddit request to bring a pop-up HUD overlay to the scroll index in the Phone app and Contacts app.

Sadly, at least in the current release, Skippy doesn't work for the stock Music app's list view. But a brand new tweak called MusicScroller steps up to fill in the gaps. MusicScroller brings a simple pop-up alphabet HUD indicator to show your current location while scrolling through lists in the stock Music app.

Study suggests that one in ten iOS users listens to Apple Music

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Roughly one in ten iOS users is listening to Apple Music, according to a new research study conducted by MusicWatch. The company, which provides consumer research for the music industry, collected data from the surveys of 5,000 U.S. consumers, aged 13 and older.

According to the research, a little over three quarters (77%) of iOS users in the United States are aware of Apple Music. Only 11%, however, of the group surveyed said they are actually using the service, and 48% of those who have tried it out said they are no longer using it.

Apple Music Festival running September 19-28 in London with Pharrell Williams and other headliners

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 18, 2015

The iTunes Music Festival, an annual 30-day event hosted and organized by Apple, is back this year in a bit changed form. Taking advantage of the buzz surrounding Apple Music, the event is now called Apple Music Festival and will run 10 consecutive nights at London’s Roundhouse, starting on September 19.

“Apple hosted the iTunes Festival in London for eight years, and now in honor of the launch of Apple Music, has renamed the event the Apple Music Festival,” explains the iPhone maker.

According to Apple, some of the headline acts include Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Florence + The Machine and Disclosure.

Apple releases iTunes 12.2 with Beats 1 and Apple Music fixes and enhancements

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 13, 2015

In addition to releasing the iOS 8.4.1 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad with Apple Music fixes and enhancements, and the OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 software update with a crucial patch for the dangerous DYLD exploit and more, Apple today also posted a new version of iTunes with a bunch of fixes and improvements.

Among other things, iTunes 12.2 for Mac and Windows contains improvements for Beats 1, Apple Music and Connect features while fixing a few issues with the software.

Apple’s seventh-generation iPod nano has just received a software update

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2015

As first noted by 9to5Mac, Apple’s seventh-generation iPod nano has just received a software update to version 1.0.4.

The free-of-charge software update can be applied by connecting your iPod nano with a Lightning cable to a Mac or Windows PC and firing up iTunes.

Rdio just brought 500 traditional AM/FM live radio stations to its iPhone and iPad app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Internet radio services like Pandora, Rdio, iHeartRadio, Deezer and many others have been feeling the heat following the launch of Apple Music with free 24/7 Internet radio, called Beats 1. Responding to competitive pressure, Rdio announced Wednesday that it is bringing live-broadcast radio stations to its iOS app, beginning with 500 stations owned and operated by its partner, Cumulus Media.

Why are iTunes Store music links now redirecting to Apple Music?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 7, 2015

It appears that Apple has changed the way iTunes Store music links work. Instead of opening the corresponding artist, song or album pages in the iTunes Store application on the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad (or the iTunes Store section within desktop iTunes), these links now redirect to the Apple Music section in the stock Music app or within desktop iTunes, as first reported by Kirk McElhearn.

Apple confirms 11 million Apple Music signups

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Ending weeks of speculation, Apple on Thursday at last gave us a number: Apple Music has signed up eleven million people for its three-month free trial, one month after the new music service debuted. The number was officially revealed by Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services in a statement to USA Today, who said "We're thrilled with the numbers so far."

Poll: will you continue using Apple Music past the trial period?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Apple Music has been available for a little more than a month now and the service already has dozens, if not hundreds of problems to complain about which have earned it mixed reviews from the press.

Apple Music's biggest advantage, its tight integration with the rest of the Apple ecosystem, is being erased for some amid a flurry of issues, ranging from disappearing music, issues with DRM, user interface inconsistencies and poor implementation in iTunes, to mention just a few.

You've heard the horror stories and have hopefully played long enough with Apple Music in order to make an informed decision as to whether or not you'll continue using it once the free three-month trial expires.

How to hide Apple Music on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 1, 2017

Now that you've tried Apple Music thanks to Apple's generous three-month free trial, you may have decided that the service just isn't cut for you.

Though impossible to get rid of it completely, you can temporarily hide most of Apple Music's aspects.

Our previous tutorial has taught you how to disconnect from Apple Music's Connect feature and today's how-to lays out the steps to hide Apple Music on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac and go back to the old way of enjoying music.

T-Mobile adds Apple Music to Music Freedom

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 28, 2015

T-Mobile has added Apple Music to the list of supported streaming services for Music Freedom, an initiative which allows subscribers to stream their favorite songs through services like Spotify, Pandora, Rdio and more, over T-Mobile's cellular network and without burning their 4G LTE data.

Hailed as T-Mobile's “last Un-Carrier Amped move of the summer,” Simple Choice customers can now enjoy Apple's streaming music service without worrying about Apple Music cellular data usage counting against their monthly 4G LTE allowance.