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justinkahnmusic

Editor

9to5Mac / 9to5Toys

Justin is the Editor-in-Chief at 9to5Toys and a senior editor covering all things music for 9to5Mac, daily deals, and more. A senior deal Jedi over at 9to5Toys where he heads up our Apple gear and game/app coverage, Justin is also an audio engineer/producer with well over 10 years experience in the music industry.

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HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

New HyperJuice 4-in-1 MagSafe Charging Stand carries all of your Apple gear + 50% off pre-orders

from 9to5Toys Jun 28 2021 - 8:03 am PT

HYPER, a tech accessory brand responsible for the “world’s first” 100W GaN USB-C charger, is introducing its new HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand today. This foldable USB-C charging solutions provides a home for all of your Apple gear including the latest MagSafe-equipped iPhone 12 models, your Apple wearable, AirPods, and other Qi-enabled devices. Looking to consolidate your nightstand (or wherever else you like to house your tech), HYPER hopes to provide a nice middle ground between bulky all-in-one charging gear and those flat Qi pads with its new HyperJuice 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand. Head below for more details, a closer look, and availability details.

Maneater review

NVIDIA GeForce Now

What we’re playing: Build the mega death shark of your dreams in Maneater on macOS

Justin Kahn Jun 24 2021 - 4:34 pm PT

9to5Mac’s Game of the Week is brought to you by GeForce NOW. GeForce NOW Instantly transforms nearly any laptop, desktop, Mac, SHIELD TV, Android device, iPhone, or iPad into the PC gaming rig you’ve always dreamed of. And, every GFN Thursday, new games are added to the GeForce NOW Library.

Welcome to our Maneater review. Have you ever wanted to be the shark? Mutating your way into some nuclear grotesque killing machine that preys on innocent beach goers and boating enthusiasts — all through the unfolding of a nearly forgettable story setup that didn’t matter in the first place because you’re a death shark now? Well, Maneater is about as good as it gets and exactly what you’re looking for — a not-quite AAA experience with a campy narrative, interesting mutant shark RPG mechanics, and the freedom to terrorize fisherman and sea life equally. The only thing that could have made it better would be an epically hilarious cover of the 1982 Hall & Oates hit Maneater to kick the whole thing off.

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Deals: All-time low on iPhone 12/Pro MagSafe Leather Case, M1 MacBook Pro, Beats Studio Buds, more

Justin Kahn Jun 15 2021 - 8:34 am PT

It’s time to look at all of today’s best price drops on Apple gear. Starting with a new all-time low on the official Apple iPhone 12/Pro MagSafe Leather Case, we are also tracking a series of solid offers on its iPhone 12 mini accessories from $20. From there, we have a new deal on the base model M1 MacBook Pro, a nice pre-order offer on the new Beats Studio Buds, and some unlocked iPhone 11 Pro models at up to $350 off. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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Apogee Duet 3 hero

Apogee intros gorgeous new Duet 3 audio interface ‘optimized for Apple Logic Pro’

from 9to5Toys Jun 15 2021 - 5:43 am PT

Apogee – one of the world leaders in analog-to-digital conversion and audio interfaces – is introducing its all-new Duet 3 today. Following in line with the previous generation version that “raised the expectations for what a home studio audio interface should offer,” the new Duet 3 interface is a sleek audio interface for Mac (and Windows) content creators and music producers with onboard hardware DSP to power built-in and low-latency recording with some serious plug-ins/FX. Head below for a closer look at the new high-end Apogee Duet 3 interface.

Volonic Valet 3 review

Volonic Valet 3 review: A high-end, designer iPhone and AirPods FreePower charging system with a price to match

from 9to5Toys Jun 14 2021 - 11:27 am PT

Today, we are taking a hands-on look at the Volonic Valet 3 charging system. This high-end wireless solution takes a cue from fashion design houses and Apple aesthetics to provide a luxurious and elegant charging pad with a price to match. Yes, there are more affordable options out there, but not very many that are quite as gorgeous — this is a true piece of functional art, in my opinion, with a sophisticated look and precision design approach. But is the steep price tag worth the price of entry? Read on for a closer look at the Volonic Valet 3 charging system.

M2 MacBook Pro

Monday’s best deals: M1 MacBook Pro $199 off, MagSafe wallets, Apple Watch Series 6, more

Justin Kahn Jun 14 2021 - 8:48 am PT

It’s time to kick off another work week with all of today’s best Apple deals. Alongside a fresh new price drop on Apple Watch Series 6, you’ll find up to $199 off the latest M1 MacBook Pro with a 13-inch form-factor as well as both OtterBox and Apple Leather MagSafe Wallets for iPhone 12. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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Live Loops performance, sound design, and composition

Apple bringing spatial audio and ‘immersive music-authoring tools’ to Logic Pro this year

Justin Kahn Jun 8 2021 - 9:48 am PT

Apple has now rolled out Lossless and Spatial Audio streaming to its subscribers. Eddy Cue sat down with Billboard regarding Apple’s new hi-fi music streaming just after Apple Music’s Zane Lowe dropped a quick hint pertaining to upcoming Logic Pro integration for music producers. We recently did some digging around to see if independent artists would be able to take advantage of Spatial Audio and Lossless streaming with major distributors all but confirming as much. But it now looks like Apple will be taking it a step further and has plans to directly integrate hi-fi music authoring tools into its flagship DAW. More details below.

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Apple has briefed indie music distributors on enabling Spatial Audio, here’s how to prepare your tracks

Justin Kahn May 30 2021 - 9:36 am PT

Spatial Audio for indie artists Dolby Atmos and how to prepare your music for Spatial Audio and Lossless

We have some new details today on Apple Lossless and Spatial Audio for indie artists. Apple’s recently announced Spatial Audio and Lossless audio formats for Apple Music are set to kick off next month. While we know it has partnered with big artists like Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, and Kacey Musgraves, among others, to bring the first 3D and hi-fi audio to its streaming service, what does this mean for the rest of us? After code hinting at the new service surfaced ahead of the official announcement from Apple, followed by, what was for some, confusion over what headphones/audio playback systems can actually support it, we immediately asked ourselves if these hi-fi audio deliverables would be available to indie artists as well. While there have been no direct announcements as of yet, we have done some poking around, digging through the crates, and sources suggest Apple’s new Spatial Audio and Lossless streaming will indeed be available to indies in the near future. More details below.

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Twelve South MagSafe charging stand review: A hefty metal base with a super-clean look

from 9to5Toys Apr 30 2021 - 2:18 pm PT

The new Twelve South MagSafe charging stand launched earlier this week with a minimalistic, clean look and a design that leaves your iPhone 12 floating in midair. We have been fans of the brand for a quite a while now, but with Apple reintroducing MagSafe tech this generation, it’s time to give Twelve South’s first crack at the technology a run for its money. Head below for our hands-on Twelve South Forté review.

Twelve South MagSafe charging stand - Forte

Twelve South’s first MagSafe charging stand leaves your iPhone 12 floating in midair

from 9to5Toys Apr 27 2021 - 6:01 am PT

Meet the new Forté – the very first Twelve South MagSafe charger to hit the market. Now joining the rest of the brand’s accessories, stands, and charging gear, the new Forté Twelve South MagSafe charger is available exclusively through Apple retail and the Apple Online Store starting today. Providing iPhone 12 users with another elegant solution for docking and charging, it sports a clean, minimalist approach and a slick magnetic pedestal that leaves your iPhone 12 floating in air. Head below for more details and a closer look at new Forté Twelve South MagSafe charger introductory video.

Logic Pro free FX plug-ins hero

Logic Pros Marketplace: New batch of FREE analog/modular gear, FX, more for your setup

Justin Kahn Apr 25 2021 - 11:32 am PT

Welcome to the April edition of Logic Pros Marketplace — a roundup of all of the most interesting free FX plug-ins and sound resources, discounted instruments, and more for Logic Pro users. This time around we are tracking even more offers on MPE gear for your multi-touch-gesture explorations as well as a host of new, completely free FX and vintage synth-based sampler instruments for your Kontakt library. Head below for everything.

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How to get your music video on Apple Music

Justin Kahn Apr 18 2021 - 11:18 am PT

Today we are taking a look at how to get your music video on Apple Music. More specifically, the various options and difficulties with regards to independent digital distribution of our music videos and music-related video content to Apple’s streaming platform. We have previously discussed services like TuneCore — one of the better options for getting your music on Apple Music, Spotify, and many others — however, things have evolved in the space since then with TuneCore competitor Distrokid now making waves, but to some degree, options are still somewhat limited when it comes distributing your companion video content. So let’s take a closer look at Apple’s official list of distributor partners, the best options available for independent music makers/content creators, and how to distribute your music video on Apple Music.

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Mapping Remix FX to Launchpad Logic Pro

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Mapping Remix FX to your controller, is it even worth it?

Justin Kahn Apr 11 2021 - 1:25 pm PT

After looking at how to quickly move timeline-based projects over to a Live Loops setup and some nice price drops previously, today we are talking about mapping Remix FX to Launchpad. Apple’s GarageBand multi-FX unit gone pro made its debut inside Logic Pro for the first time as part of the flagship app’s major overhaul last year. A particularly useful and creative tool, especially in concert with Live Loops, Remix FX houses a number of multi-touch ready FX units from filters and repeaters to down samplers and interesting tape stops to add some serious flavor to your compositions. But with direct and multi-touch control available via Logic Remote already, and some tricky X/Y pads to deal with, is it really worth the trouble mapping Remix FX to Launchpad?

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Copy to Live Loops Logic Pro regions

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Transforming entire projects to cells in one-click

Justin Kahn Apr 4 2021 - 1:03 pm PT

Today we are taking a look at the copy to Live Loops function and transforming your regions into cells. While we previously explored some of the more performance-based applications of Launchpads and Live Loops, arguably the most obvious use for Apple’s grid-based production environment is in arrangement. You can easily and quickly experiment with transitions from one part to any other without having to start dragging and dropping huge, unwieldy chunks of regions around. Sure, that’s nothing some Marquee tool or skip/cycle wizardry can’t handle on the regular timeline, but there’s really no comparing that to the musical immediacy and hands-on immersion of triggering these sections with a single Launchpad button, all-synced to the timeline and without having to commit to anything until you’ve experienced the change.

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Novation Launchpad Grid Controllers for Logic Pro now from $160 (Up to $40 off)

from 9to5Toys Apr 1 2021 - 12:52 pm PT

We have spotted some notable deals on Novation Launchpads today. Amazon is now offering the Novation Launchpad X Grid Controller for Logic Pro and Ableton Live at $159.99 shipped. That’s $40 or 20% off, matching the 2021 low, and the best price we can find. Recently updated to work hand-in-hand with Apple’s huge Logic Pro update (as well as Ableton’s Live recording software), these controllers offer up hands-on control over your tracks and sounds in Logic Pro like never before. You’re looking at 64 RBG pads for playing notes/drums or triggering loops, transport controls (play, stop, volumes, mutes, pans, and much more), and the ability to customize everything for triggering/controlling just about anything inside of Logic Pro. Rated 4+ stars from over 1,600 Amazon customers and you can get a much better idea of what to expect in our ongoing Live Loops Launchpad diary right here. Additional deals and details below.

FREE Plug-ins, deals for Logic Pro Marketplace

Logic Pros Marketplace: More FREE plug-ins, MPE instrument deals for your production rig

Justin Kahn Mar 28 2021 - 12:48 pm PT

Welcome to another edition of Logic Pros Marketplace — the place where we gather all of the most interesting free plug-ins, instruments, FX, and deals to bolster your Logic Pro rig. While things are starting to feel as though they are loosening up in some places, many folks are still stuck inside with plenty of time to kill and new, exciting projects to explore. If you’re anything like us, some new gear, a quirky boutique plug-in, or some vintage-style drum machine might be just what you need to get inspired for your next big production. You’ll find a curated selection of Logic resources, free plug-ins, and more, all conveniently listed for you down below to explore.

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Custom Launchpad modes Logic Pro Live Loops - hero

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Creating custom hardware control surfaces

Justin Kahn Mar 21 2021 - 1:18 pm PT

After exploring some techniques and functionality to bolster performance potential last time around, today we are taking a look at custom Launchpad modes and creating our own bespoke controls for Logic Pro. Continuing our journey towards complete creative hardware dominance over our instruments and tracks in Logic Pro, these custom made templates allow us to quickly and simply throw some widgets around to personalize hardware control over just about every parameter your trackpad can find. Used in combination with Logic Pro’s particularly powerful Learn assignment functionality, Novation’s Components Editor is a simple and effective way of expanding Launchpad hardware control well beyond the factory limitations.

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Live Loops performance, sound design, and composition

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Performance, sound design, and composition

Justin Kahn Mar 14 2021 - 1:46 pm PT

We are checking in today to talk about Live Loops performance, sound design, and composition. The obvious application of Novation’s Launchpad integration with Apple’s Live Loops has to be the ability to trigger various vertical slices of a song project in order to rearrange it or just simply perform and record new versions of the original idea. But it is the more creative side of things we are particularly interested in, taking collections of our musical parts not just to alter the arrangement of the verses and choruses but also to create layered sounds and rhythmic ideas that can result in entirely new song ideas/audio resources. Today’s Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary is here to explore some of the elements and functionality to best accomodate this kind of creative approach.

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Pad & Quill launches new smart leather Brief AirPods Max Case, now 15% off

from 9to5Toys Mar 11 2021 - 12:54 pm PT

After launching its leather AirPods cases early last month, Pad & quill is now adding to the lineup with a new AirPods Max model. The high-end Brief AirPods Max Case provides a luxurious home for your precious Apple headphones as well as a low power mode magnet array and a built-in stand. Best of all, we have a nice promotion code so you don’t have to pay full price. Head below for all of the details.

Logic Pro - free instruments, FX deals, and more - Logic Pros Marketplace

Logic Pros Marketplace: New, discounted, and FREE creative tools to fuel your recording rig

Justin Kahn Mar 7 2021 - 1:19 pm PT

Logic Pros Marketplace is the place we explore some of the best and most interesting free instruments, discounted content/sound sources, and audio manipulation tools to fuel our Logic Pro rigs. We are starting to see some notable spring-time promotions hit alongside a host of new free instruments/FX, and some major expansions to some of last year’s best. Setting our Launchpad Live Loops rig aside for the time being, you’ll find a curated selection of major price drops and completely free creative tools below to complement Logic’s new workflow possibilities, sampler tech, and sequencing.

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Logic Pro Live Loops Launchpad tips, getting started, more

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Introducing yourself to a new workflow + more

Justin Kahn Feb 28 2021 - 1:07 pm PT

In today’s Logic Pros Live Loops diary, we are taking a look at the process of introducing this new workflow into our day-to-day recording sessions along with some quick Novation Launchpad tips. The potential of these repurposed controllers has just been getting even more intriguing with every Logic Pro update and after discussing the the pros and cons of the current-generation lineup, we are diving into to some tips and quality of life reminders for making the transition a smooth one.

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What Launchpad should I get?

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Deciding which model is best for your needs

Justin Kahn Feb 21 2021 - 12:59 pm PT

What Launchpad should I get? With basically every Launchpad out there now compatible with Logic Pro it’s time to look at which model is best for Apple’s flagship DAW and your personal needs. After discussing the overall value proposition for Novation’s Launchpad Logic Pro integration last time around, we are now diving in to some of the major differences between them to determine which best suits your needs.

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best Black Friday iOS apps

Parallels Desktop 16 + 10 Mac apps from $50: 1Password, Fantastical, more ($780+ value)

from 9to5Toys Feb 18 2021 - 6:09 am PT

We are now tracking a huge Parallels deal for Mac users. One of our favorite virtual desktop apps out there, the folks over at Parallels are now offering its popular Parallels Desktop 16 app bundled with 10 FREE Mac apps, offering up to $712 in savings and one of the most notable promotions of the year. Head below for a closer look at the latest Parallels deal.

Live Loops Launchpad Diary hero

Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad Diary: Are these repurposed controllers really worth it?

Justin Kahn Feb 14 2021 - 12:51 pm PT

Welcome to the Logic Pros Live Loops Launchpad diary. Apple’s grid-based music production environment works wonders with its pricey tablets and handsets, but it’s the colorful Novation pad controllers that have caught our interest. Initially designed for something else entirely, it’s time to see what these almost reversed-engineered, repurposed controllers are worth to Logic Pro users.

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