Apple bytes Beats Music & Beats Electronics

The rumors were true. After much speculation, Apple confirmed the acquisition of Beats Music & Beats Electronics for $3 billion. We know Apple’s headphones weren’t the best thing in the world and iTunes Radio was basically just starting. But… is this a good thing?

Spotify announced that it has reached 10 million paying subscribers. The market is suspended on the rumors of a speculated Apple $3.2 billion offer to buy Beats Electronics because of its music streaming service Beats Music. Digital music downloads (mainly iTunes) are not growing. Record labels are starting to bet everything on streaming. Meanwhile, it seems the whole music industry is still learning how to deal with the subscription business.

Looking to start a DIY tube amp project without shelling out big bucks? You can do it if you follow a few tips from Bruce Brown, who built a high-quality tube amp for less than $150. His biggest purchase was the “iron.” Here’s how he kept the cost down.

audioXpress is deeply rooted in the R&D and DIY audio communities. So is Elektor, our sister publication that originated in Europe. Elektor International Media (EIM) group publishes Elektor, audioXpress, Voice Coil, the Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook, and Circuit Cellar.

With the year’s first audio shows behind us, we have seen several technical breakthroughs and innovations that give us reason to be excited. Thus far, we have attended the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) 2014, and the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE)!

Time moves quickly. We are already feeling the aftermath of 2014’s first two major industry shows. This is also a year when audioXpress is completing its transition to an expanded publication that addresses the needs of the audio engineering community—not …

“One more take.” Remember that joke? The producer in the recording studio says to the band: “Not bad, fellas. Let’s do one more take, this time with more emphasis on tone, harmony, melody, rhythm, composition, lyrics, musicianship, tempo, and originality.” …

The simple one-story building, home to the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut, provides few clues to the immense, historical collection contained within its brick and mortar walls. The virtual time capsule is filled floor to ceiling with more …

In the last three months, the audioXpress team attended several audio shows, including the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; the Expomusic show in São Paulo, Brazil; the CEDIA EXPO 2013 in Denver, CO; the PLASA London show …

For readers seeing this “second” issue of audioXpress since we introduced our new format and layout last month, I feel I should explain the concept a little more. Our target deadline for this relaunch was decided some time ago and …