Theo Nakamura

AI Music & Technology

Theo writes about where music software is heading — generative tools, stem separation, the messy middle where AI meets the DAW. Equal parts producer and skeptic, he covers the AI-music beat without the hype.

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Latest from Theo

Suno vs Udio 2026 — comparing the two leading AI music generators
Software

Suno vs Udio in 2026: Which AI Music Generator Is Better?

Suno vs Udio in 2026: we compare vocals, song length, features, pricing, and the major-label licensing deals that changed which one is safe to build on.

Dubspot TeamJun 12, 20266 min read
Suno v5.5 Custom Models interface for training a personalized AI music model on your own catalog
Software

Suno Custom Models Review: Tuning AI to Your Own Sound — and the Questions It Leaves Open

Suno's v5.5 Custom Models let Pro and Premier users train the AI on their own catalog. We test what works, what doesn't, and the copyright questions Suno hasn't answered yet.

Dubspot TeamMay 26, 20269 min read
Bitwig Studio 6 interface running on a producer's laptop
Software

Bitwig Studio in 2026: A Producer's Honest Look at Where It Stands

Bitwig Studio 6 review — modulation system, hybrid Linear/Session view, live performance strengths, and how it compares to Ableton Live and FL Studio for producers in 2026.

Dubspot TeamMay 10, 20268 min read
Ableton Live and Traktor synced for live performance
Software

How to Sync Ableton Live with Traktor (2026 Guide)

Step-by-step guide to syncing Ableton Live with Traktor Pro 4 in 2026 — Ableton Link, MIDI clock, audio routing options, and the workflow producers use to combine DAW and DJ software live.

Dubspot TeamMay 10, 20269 min read
Traktor audio routed into Ableton Live for live processing
Software

How to Route Audio from Traktor to Ableton Live (2026)

Route Traktor's audio into Ableton Live as a live input — using virtual audio drivers (Loopback, BlackHole, VoiceMeeter), multi-channel interfaces, or hardware loopback. Step by step for current versions.

Dubspot TeamMay 10, 20267 min read
Native Instruments and inMusic Brands logos representing the May 2026 acquisition agreement
Software

Native Instruments Acquired by inMusic: What the Deal Means for Producers and DJs

inMusic Brands has agreed to acquire Native Instruments, ending months of insolvency uncertainty and uniting Kontakt, Traktor, iZotope, and Akai under one roof.

Dubspot TeamMay 8, 20266 min read
Ableton Live 12.4 interface showing the rebuilt Erosion device and a multi-track Arrangement View
Software

Ableton Live 12.4 Lands With Link Audio, a Rebuilt Erosion, and Smarter Stem Separation

Live 12.4 ships with Link Audio for LAN audio sharing, a rebuilt Erosion device, a new Delay LFO section, and per-time-selection Stem Separation for Suite users.

Dubspot TeamMay 5, 20265 min read
AudioKit Pro Retro Keys — iOS app modeling four vintage electric pianos
Software

Retro Keys: AudioKit Pro Packs Four Vintage Electric Pianos Into One iOS App

AudioKit Pro's Retro Keys delivers Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Yamaha CP, and upright piano sounds in a 150MB iOS app with AUv3 support. Intro $4.99.

Dubspot TeamApr 28, 20265 min read
Siberian Cat Audio Distortion Bass — free instrument library for Audiomodern Soundbox sampler
Software

Distortion Bass: Siberian Cat Audio's Free Soundbox Library Adds Grit to Your Productions

Siberian Cat Audio's free Distortion Bass library for Audiomodern Soundbox delivers gritty bass guitar samples processed through a Taurus distortion pedal.

Dubspot TeamApr 28, 20263 min read
GrainHeads 3.0 — sequenceable granular sampler/synthesizer for iOS and macOS
Software

GrainHeads 3.0: Andrei Nevar's iOS Granular Sampler Levels Up With Eight Playheads and a New UI

GrainHeads 3.0 brings a completely redesigned UI, eight playheads, Lo-Fi effects, and deeper sequencing to Andrei Nevar's free granular sampler for iOS and macOS.

Dubspot TeamApr 28, 20264 min read
Logic Pro 12 interface showing the new AI Session Players and mixing tools
Software

Apple Releases Logic Pro 12 for Mac and iPad with AI-Powered Session Players

Logic Pro 12 brings AI Session Players with Synth Player, Chord ID detection, expanded Sound Library, MIDI 2.0 support, new Step Sequencer modes, and hundreds of improvements.

Dubspot TeamJan 28, 202614 min read
Cozy home music production studio decorated for Christmas with DAW on screen, MIDI keyboard, studio monitors, acoustic guitar, and Christmas tree with lights
Software

Christmas 2025: Best Music Production Deals for Producers (Updated Daily)

Comprehensive guide to Christmas 2025 deals on DAWs, VST plugins, sample libraries, and music production software. Updated daily with the best holiday discounts from Plugin Boutique, Thomann, and more.

Dubspot TeamDec 23, 202513 min read
Neural DSP Archetype John Mayer X plugin interface showing amp and effects modules
Software

Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X - The Definitive Guitar Plugin

Deep dive into Neural DSP's Archetype: John Mayer X plugin featuring three signature amps, premium effects, and studio-quality cabinet simulation from his personal studio.

Dubspot TeamDec 17, 20257 min read
Kiive Audio VX-Q plugin interface showing four-band EQ and saturation controls
Software

Kiive Audio VX-Q Review: British EQ Meets Creative Saturation

Kiive Audio's VX-Q combines rare British EQ character with five saturation modes for creative tone-shaping. Here's our hands-on review.

Dubspot TeamDec 12, 20257 min read
Cyber Monday 2025 Music Production Deals - Best VST Plugins, Hardware Synths, and Studio Gear Discounts
Software

Cyber Monday 2025: Best Music Production Deals for Producers

Comprehensive guide to Cyber Monday 2025 deals on DAWs, VST plugins, sample libraries, hardware synths, and studio gear. The best post-Black Friday discounts.

Dubspot TeamDec 3, 202515 min read
Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio interface showing the Enigmatic '82 amp model with cabinet and effects rack
Software

Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio: The End of the Hardware Requirement

UA's Paradise Guitar Studio brings Golden Unit amp modeling to native plugins. We analyze the Dumble, Showman, and Plexi emulations that make this a studio essential.

Dubspot TeamDec 1, 20258 min read
AIR Music Tech Tape Double Track plugin interface showing dual tape reels and varispeed control
Software

Black Friday 2025: Free Plugin Deals from AIR Music Tech, Waves, and Universal Audio

Grab free plugins worth over $275 this Black Friday. AIR Music Tech Tape Double Track, Waves Magma StressBox, and your choice of 10 Universal Audio plugins are all free for a limited time.

Dubspot TeamNov 28, 20255 min read
Ableton Live 12.3 interface showing the new Splice integration browser panel
Software

Ableton Live 12.3: Stem Separation, Splice Integration, and Major Push 3 Updates

Ableton Live 12.3 brings AI-powered stem separation, built-in Splice integration, bounce groups, and game-changing Push 3 expressive features. Here's everything new.

Dubspot TeamNov 25, 20257 min read
Softube Tape and Harmonics Max for Live devices in Ableton Live device chain
Software

Softube Tape and Saturation Pack: Studio-Grade Analog Warmth Now Native in Ableton Live

Softube's Tape and Saturation Pack brings four premium analog-modeled effects to Ableton Live as native Max for Live devices, with full Push 3 standalone support.

Dubspot TeamNov 25, 20257 min read
Black Friday Week 3 Deals - UAD, Soundtoys, Ableton Push 3
Software

Black Friday 2025 Week 3: UAD $59, Soundtoys $239, Push 3 Deals & More

Black Friday Week 3: UAD Studio Classics for $59 (90% off), Soundtoys 5 Suite $239, Ableton Push 3 deals, and 50+ more plugins and hardware on sale.

Dubspot TeamNov 24, 20258 min read
Black Friday 2025 Deals Part 3 - Soundtoys, Steinberg, XLN Audio
Software

Black Friday Deals Part 3: Soundtoys, Steinberg, XLN Audio & More

Week 3 of Black Friday 2025 brings massive deals from Soundtoys (75% off), Steinberg (50% off), XLN Audio, Moog, and Bitwig Studio.

Dubspot TeamNov 20, 20253 min read
Black Friday Week 2 Deals - PSP, Spire, and Acustica Audio
Software

Black Friday 2025 Week 2: 90% Off PSP, Spire Historic Low, & More Deals

Black Friday Week 2 is here with historic low prices on Spire, u-he Diva, and 90% off PSP Audioware. Check out the latest music production deals updated daily.

Dubspot TeamNov 19, 20253 min read
Steinberg Cubase 15 interface showcasing new AI stem separation and pattern sequencer features
Software

Steinberg Cubase 15 Released: AI Stems, Pattern Sequencer, and the Features We're Still Waiting For

Cubase 15 is here with AI-powered stem separation, melodic pattern sequencer, redesigned expression maps, and major UI improvements. But is it the 'inspired' update Steinberg promises?

Dubspot TeamNov 5, 202511 min read
Black Friday 2025 Music Production Deals - Best VST Plugins and DAW Discounts
Software

Black Friday 2025: Best Music Production Deals for Producers (Updated Daily)

Comprehensive guide to Black Friday 2025 deals on DAWs, VST plugins, sample libraries, and music production software. Updated daily with the best discounts from Plugin Boutique, Native Instruments, Waves, and more.

Dubspot TeamOct 29, 202522 min read