Apple’s latest MacBook releases bring two very different options for music producers. The budget-friendly MacBook Neo introduces Apple’s A18 chip at a lower price point, while the new MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro push performance further for larger Logic Pro sessions and AI-assisted workflows.

Rareform Audio tracks including Midnight Writer and 4 Corners were featured in the campaign for The Secret Agent, bringing suspense and momentum to the classic spy driven spot.

Sound designer Gary Rydstrom recently reflected on the analog era of film sound, when editors had to imagine how layers would work together long before the final mix. His perspective highlights how early sound editors relied on instinct and experience, and why that mindset still matters in today’s digital workflows.

Composer Ryan Lott shares how the music of Marathon was built around the world of Tau Ceti. From prepared piano textures to transformed human vocals and expressive digital instruments, the score blends organic and futuristic sounds to reflect the game’s mysterious environment.

Apple Music is introducing new AI transparency tags that allow labels and distributors to disclose when artificial intelligence is used in music, lyrics, artwork, or videos. The move reflects a growing push across the streaming industry to provide listeners with clearer insight into how modern music is created.

Hyped to share that our track “Bomb Squad” by Darby Phillips and Nathan Fields was featured in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Warzone campaign, part of the latest season packed with new maps, weapons, and operators.

AI music platforms Suno and Udio are working to formalize relationships with major record labels after facing copyright lawsuits in 2024. As licensing talks progress and legal cases continue, the broader music industry is watching closely to see how generative AI will fit into the future of recorded music.

What if the next great instrument is already sitting in a storage room? From barcode scanners to CRT televisions, obsolete electronics are being transformed into live sound systems, revealing how raw signal and human movement can reshape the way we think about music creation.

Sony Group Corporation is reportedly developing new AI detection technology capable of identifying copyrighted recordings embedded within AI-generated music. The system aims to trace training data influence and estimate how much original works contributed to synthetic tracks, potentially reshaping how the industry handles AI attribution and compensation.

New research from MIT’s McGovern Institute shows that musical training sharpens the brain’s ability to focus. Using advanced brain imaging, researchers found that musicians are better at filtering out distractions and locking in on specific sounds, highlighting how experience shapes attention at a neural level.

We set a 2025 goal for RPM: 100 albums. We hit it, and the catalog is already past 110. Here’s what that means, what’s next, and how creators can potentially get in line for a select licensing plans.

ASCAP reported its strongest financial year to date in 2025, with record revenue and increased royalty distributions driven by streaming growth and rising international performance activity.

Creative flow is not just a lucky spark. It is a mix of neuroscience, environment, practice, and curiosity. Here is how musicians and sound designers can create the right conditions to tap into inspiration more consistently.

Bad Bunny’s rise from independent releases to Grammy wins and the Super Bowl halftime stage highlights a broader shift in global music. His success shows how Puerto Rican sound, Spanish language, and regional identity now sit firmly at the center of mainstream music culture.

New research shows that moths can hear ultrasonic sounds emitted by stressed plants and use that information to guide their behavior. While humans cannot hear these frequencies, the discovery expands how we think about sound, listening, and the role audio plays beyond music and human perception.

Sony Music Group and Singapore’s GIC have partnered in a $2–3 billion music catalogue investment, focusing on acquiring and managing high-quality rights across genres. The deal highlights growing institutional interest in music as a long-term asset.

Scientists are translating fungal bioelectrical signals into real-time music, turning living mycelial networks into responsive sound sources and revealing new ways biology and music intersect.

As we step into 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on 2025, a year shaped by steady creative work and thoughtful collaborations across film, television, and advertising at Rareform Audio and Black Sheep Music.

Listening to music while driving is second nature for most people, but research shows it can subtly shape speed, focus, and reaction time. Studies suggest music affects drivers differently based on volume, familiarity, and experience level, creating a more complex picture than simply turning the radio on or off.

Universal Music Group has partnered with NVIDIA to develop AI tools built specifically for the music industry, focusing on discovery, creative workflows, and responsible use as AI-generated music continues to scale.