About Music Production

Ableton Live 12.3 public beta integrates stem separation directly into the DAW, bringing source‑isolation workflows inside the session without external apps. Producers can separate elements from mixed audio and move immediately to editing, arranging and creative resampling, which shortens remixing, sampling and practice routines in home studios and live‑prep contexts. Native implementation means the feature sits alongside familiar Live tools, so separation can happen within the same project and timeline. Making stem work a first‑class citizen in Live also benefits collaboration, as shared sessions can include separation steps instead of offline bounces, improving repeatability and saving setup time for music production.

Akai Professional’s MPK Mini IV arrives at $99 and targets portable music creation with an accessible price point for beginners and traveling producers. The compact controller is positioned to slip into backpacks and fit small desks, aligning with laptop‑centric workflows and quick idea capture in home studios. As a fourth‑generation update to a widely used line, it focuses on refining hands‑on control for DAWs and software instruments while keeping setup light and mobile. The value proposition emphasizes getting more creators into MIDI control and on‑the‑go production, turning a low‑cost device into an on‑ramp for sketching beats, playing parts and shaping sounds wherever inspiration strikes.

Producer Tim Exile introduces Finalist, an intuitive mixing tool plugin that aims to deliver a “release‑ready mix in minutes.” The concept centers on rapid decision‑making and simplified controls, offering a streamlined path from rough balance to polished output for creators who need speed without deep technical setup. By focusing on immediacy, Finalist positions itself for bedroom producers, content creators and artists working under tight deadlines, where fast, consistent results matter. The design intent is to reduce friction in balancing, tone‑shaping and overall loudness management so users can prioritize creative choices while accelerating delivery for singles, demos and production tasks.

PreSonus launches the AIR XD series of loudspeakers and subwoofers, adding a new family to its sound‑reinforcement lineup for performers, venues and mobile rigs. The range is presented as a flexible option for events that require clear coverage and portable deployment, with cabinets and low‑end support intended to scale from small rooms to larger gatherings. The introduction broadens PreSonus’s ecosystem beyond studio tools into live‑sound needs, giving bands, DJs and rental providers a coherent set of mains and subs from the same series. For project studios and rehearsal spaces, the line offers a practical path to upgrade monitoring for showcases, jams and small shows without piecing together mismatched systems.