PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Meeting the demand for reliable network audio transport, Lectrosonics has developed the SPNDNT network processor to expand the ASPEN digital matrix processor family. The new network processor is much more than a simple network interface. Instead, it is a [...]

AUSTIN, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — Music Computing, the maker of advanced computer-based musical instruments announced today its new ControlBLADE Gen2 line of all-in-one music keyboard production stations; powered by either Windows or Mac OS systems. Priced from $1,899, the line represents a new standard [...]

PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Trayvon Martin murder amid racial profiling and stand-your-ground, taunting black males daily has inspired one word-soul artist to speak out. This travesty amid today’s hate-based politics inspired the release of LadyBoss Amanishakhete’s new single: “Murder 2012,” produced with [...]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Arturia U.S. today announced a special promotion from May through June, 2012, for quite large product upgrades when purchasing either a Spark drum machine package, or any Analog Experience keyboard/software combo. According to Arturia, the package upgrades include: [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — This year marks the tenth anniversary of the best-selling microKorg Synthesizer/Vocoder, which became the premier member of Korg’s “micro” family of products. As part of the year-long celebration, Korg USA is giving away a different micro-series product every month [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Korg has released Version 2.1 of its best-selling iKaossilator app for the iPhone and iPad. To celebrate the new release, current iKaossilator users can update at no cost. New users can purchase iKaossilator V2.1 from the App Store (inside [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — In November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed April 30 as International Jazz Day. In celebration of the inaugural Jazz Day, a series of star-studded concerts headlined by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock will be held in Paris, New [...]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Singer-songwriter, Gregory Alan Isakov, will share his lyrical hit, “3am,” featured on the hit series “Brothers and Sisters,” at a special fundraiser and awards event, for the environmental education nonprofit Grades of Green. The annual awards and green [...]

BERLIN, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments today introduced SKANNER XT, a unique and highly distinctive KOMPLETE instrument, designed by the expert team behind REAKTOR. With a strong focus on unconventional tone and genuine musical expression, SKANNER XT is both an exceptional library addition [...]

PARIS, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — Ohm Force this week announced the release of new 64-bit versions of classic plugins such as Ohmicide (multi-band distortion), OhmBoyz (multi-tap delay), Quad Frohmage (filter bank), Predatohm (multi-band distortion), Symptohm (synth), Mobilohm (phaser), Hematohm (frequency shifter), Ohmygod! (comb filter), [...]

Meylan, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — Based on physical modeling, the new Arturia Wurlitzer V reproduces the acoustic properties of reeds, mechanics and amplification, thus bringing high sonic realism and maximum flexibility over your tone. To get a true classic vibe, it also comes with [...]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Haken Audio has announced a new firmware and software update for the Continuum Fingerboard. The new version 5.01 includes additions to the innovative programmable synthesizer in the Continuum Fingerboard, the EaganMatrix. The EaganMatrix design was inspired by classical modular [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments has just launched a major recruiting initiative that comprises both a comprehensive advertising campaign and a highly functional new online careers section. “It’s the unique people at NI that shape our products and define what this [...]

Ramonville Saint Agne, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — MODARTT S.A.S announced this week the release of PIANOTEQ 4, the company’s virtual piano instrument; slated for May 2012. Pianoteq 4 introduces the grand piano D4 which is the result of three years of research of refining [...]

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. /Music Industry Newswire/ — iZotope, Inc., a leading innovator in digital audio signal processing, has released iZotope Iris, a new concept in sound design and sample manipulation in the form of a “visual instrument.” Powered by iZotope’s award-winning visual feedback technology, Iris lets [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Korg is pleased to announce the availability of many diverse expansion libraries and sample sound libraries for the Korg Kronos Music Workstation, including the EXs13 Jazz Drums Expansion Kit, the EXs11 Legendary Strings Expansion Library, and two series by [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Korg USA and the USC Thornton School of Music opened their 2012 Artist Series with a clinic featuring popular Musical Director and multi-instrumentalist, Adam Blackstone (Eminem, Janet Jackson, Drake, Maroon 5). Supporting the next generation of music makers, these artist events give USC music students ‘front row’ access to today’s influential music makers.

PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — At the 2012 NAB, Stagetec, a German manufacturer of professional audio technology, will introduce a new interface board for the NEXUS network system which can be used in new and existing networks. The new XDIP board connects NEXUS to [...]

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Universal Audio (UA), this week announced release of the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection for the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform and new Apollo High-Resolution Audio Interface. Picking up where UA’s original 1176LN Limiting Amplifier plug-in left off, this new [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Korg is celebrating the 10th birthday of its best-selling microKORG analog modeling synth this year. In honor of the occasion, Korg is inviting consumers to participate in a very special contest by sharing what the microKORG or microKORG XL [...]

Berlin /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR REMIXED – a comprehensive revision of the TRAKTOR range to coincide with the imminent arrival of TRAKTOR PRO 2.5. Due for release on May 30th – the same day as the TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 add-on [...]

Jozefoslaw, Poland /Music Industry Newswire/ — PSP has announced an updated version of their multi-tap plugin. According to the company: PSP 608 MD is perhaps the most fully featured delay plug-in available on the market (VST, AudioUnit, RTAS and AAX format for Mac OSX Universal [...]

SYDNEY, Australia /Music Industry Newswire/ — RØDE Microphones was proud to host the successful opening of its new RØDEWORKS design studio on Tuesday March 20th, 2012. The Australian-based professional audio company was very grateful to have Mr Ian Murray AM as guest of honour to [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — ASCAP today announced additions to the 2012 ASCAP EXPO 12 line-up, headed to the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, April 19-21, 2012. As the 7th Annual ASCAP I Create Music EXPO draws near, the confirmed panelist list has grown to [...]

GRENOBLE, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — XILS’ Chor’X combines three types of Vintage Chorus effect, based on Bucket-Brigade Delay (BBD) emulations with a sophisticated True Stereo Dynamic Spatializer. With this duo, it becomes very easy to add space, depth, and other dimensions to your instruments, [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — VOX Amplification is now shipping the newest addition to the all-tube line, the AC4C1-BL, which recreates a rare vintage look from VOX’s long amp history. Dating back to 1963, VOX offered optional custom colors. One of the more unique [...]

MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Korg MP-10 Pro Professional Media Player is an ideal musical companion for mobile entertainers, solo keyboardists and singers. This all-in-one product brings together a reliable and easy-to-navigate performance interface with hands-on control over the most essential forms of [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — In what appears to be yet another clear indication that both the economy and the analog music instrument culture is not losing ground to plugins and emulations in software, Studio Electronics (ne Analogia) have announced a new line [...]

BOSTON, Mass. /Music Industry Newswire/ — This week Cakewalk Inc. announced their latest “pro” level audio mastering and recording plug-in designed for the SONAR DAW platform. According to the company, it is, “faithfully modeled after one of the most sought after studio compressors in history.” [...]

MORAGA, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Tom Oberheim has announced the Two Voice Pro Synthesizer, expanding upon the recreated SEM analog synth modules he rolled out last year. One of the most coveted classic analog synthesizers, the new “Two Voice” looks to be shipping very [...]

IRVINE, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Western Digital (WD) is now shipping their Thunderbolt-compatible My Book storage product, perfect for Apple Mac users that own systems sporting the new high-speed interface. Available through resellers and WD’s online store, the devices come in 4TB and 6TB [...]

Pfinztal, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — VirSyn Software Synthesizer has announced the release of Addictive Synth Version 2. Available now in the Apple App Store, v2 features the new spectral noise generator adding a new dimension to the already huge sound universe of Addictive Synth. [...]

BERLIN, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments has announced a free update to GUITAR RIG 5 PRO which provides various new features, fixes and improvements (as you might expect from an update!); now known as version 5.1. This update provides the following new features, [...]

FRANKFURT, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — JoeCo Limited introduces the latest product in its BlackBox range of multi-channel live audio recorders and players in the form of the new BLACKBOX BBR64-DANTE RECORDER that can record or replay 64 channels. The BBR64-DANTE is the result of [...]

NEW YORK, NY /Music Industry Newswire/ — KORG has announced new products in their MIDI controller “microKEY” line-up, with a new 25-key and 61-key model. The 61-key version includes virtual instruments plug-ins based on their existing legacy and digital collections. microKEY are a compact family [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — With its unprecedented fusion of synthesis and acoustic instruments, the new-generation Roland JUPITER has changed the way we play, react to, and feel a keyboard. By combining the supreme expression of the JUPITER-80 with the travel friendliness of [...]

FRANKFURT, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — The BG250 1×15-inch ultra-light bass combo is the first amp in history with the power to choose and replace on-board effects time and time again. The revolutionary TonePrint concept offers signature tones created by an ever-expanding list of the [...]

FRANKFURT, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Spark Booster features 26 dB of boost, making it the perfect tool for enhancing existing sounds and highlighting solo or rhythm parts. For guitarists who are looking for tonal options, an active EQ consisting of a Bass and Treble [...]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Coming to Santa Monica, California on Sunday March 25, 2012, The Art of Music presents “Sounds like Music.” Art of Music is a groundbreaking series presenting “criminally overlooked specialty music for film, TV, video game and other media.” [...]

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Kurzweil Music and American Music and Sound today announced version 2.10 of the operating system (OS) for the PC3 and PC3K line of music keyboards. The upgrade is free to all PC3/K owners through the Kurzweil website. Kurzweil [...]

Frankfurt, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Dynaudio Professional introduces DBM50 – the perfect active desktop monitor featuring a 7.1 inch woofer and a 1.1 inch soft dome tweeter. All aspects of its design point towards desktop use – from the perfectly angled front over the [...]

PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Audinate, inventor of the award winning Dante networking technology and TEQSAS, a leading German professional audio solutions company with core competencies in delivering high quality audio products, are pleased to announce a new Dante AES breakout module for their [...]

Frankfurt, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Dynaudio Acoustics has been catering to audio and broadcast professionals with state-of-the-art monitoring solutions for 20 years. Now, it is time for a change of name: Dynaudio Acoustics has now become Dynaudio Professional. However, rest assured that the focus [...]

Meylan, France and Portland, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — AuviTran, the Audio networking specialist, and Audinate, the inventors of the award winning Dante media networking solution, announces today it is adding Dante technology to its Audio Toolbox product range. Audinate was chosen to accelerate AuviTran’s [...]

Berkshire, UK /Music Industry Newswire/ — GForce Software has announced a new sound pack for existing users of M-Tron Pro, “The Streetly Tapes.” According to GForce, The Streetly Tapes – Vol 1 Expansion Pack for M-Tron Pro contains 24 tape banks curated from the original [...]

PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Audinate, the inventors of the award winning Dante digital media networking technology and Four Audio, the German manufacturer of audio and loudspeaker management systems, are pleased to announce the launch of Four Audio’s new DBO1. The DBO1 is a [...]

AUSTIN, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — Hollywood often writes checks the real world just can’t cash, but not this time. You’ve seen them in movies like Avatar and Iron Man…those wonderful semi-transparent touchscreens, and have wondered if they are ever going to be available for [...]

BERLIN, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR KONTROL F1, a pad-based, USB-powered hardware controller built to control the advanced Remix Decks in the included TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 software. TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 provides 16 multi-colored, touch-sensitive LED pads, an advanced global control [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the non-profit organization American Voices, is pleased to announce the ensembles selected for the 2012-2013 season of American Music Abroad. Twelve American musical groups chosen [...]

MONTREAL, Quebec /Music Industry Newswire/ — AAS announces KitNetix, their first sound bank title for Chromaphone, and renewing their collaboration with renowned sound designer Martin Walker! KitNetix is a “macrophonic sound bank that zooms into an intricate new world.” The 128-preset collection features drum kits [...]

Pfinztal, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — VirSyn has announced version 2 of iVoxel for Mac; with both OSX and iPad versions of the app avaialble in the App Store. iVoxel is not only an amazingly sounding vocoder – the unique concept of iVoxel turns this [...]

Haifa, Israel /Music Industry Newswire/ — V-Plugs updates Mr. Soundman ear training game to v1.1. Mr. Soundman is a powerful tool for assessing and improving frequency detection, a critical skill for mixing, recording and producing music. It also enables users to win excellence awards and [...]

AUSTIN, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — Tired of reaching up to your computer screen to move things around with your hand and then realizing it’s not your smart phone? Well, you can finally give your computer the finger. MotionCOMMAND (Gen2) is the latest update to [...]

LONDON, U.K. /Music Industry Newswire/ — NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals) president Tess Taylor leads a delegation of creative music executives from New York to London this week for meetings to create new opportunities for music whose uses contribute to the national economies [...]

BERLIN, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments this week released EVOLVE, a KONTAKT-based instrument created by premier sound design house Heavyocity, the team behind DAMAGE and the EVOLVE MUTATIONS series. EVOLVE offers a full-scale resource for cinematic sound design that brings together a vast [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, announced today the musical artists who will review and help nominate candidates for the 2012-2013 Fulbright-mtvU Fellowships. This year’s artists include Foster the People, J. [...]

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — While Michelle Moog-Koussa is touched by her father’s enduring legacy as the godfather of modern electronic music, she is driven to see that legacy expand by inspiring children to learn the science of sound through the magic of his [...]

Berlin, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Native Instruments today released DARK PRESSURE, a new MASCHINE Expansion, created in association with the acclaimed DJ and producer Steve Lawler and sound design house Loopmasters. The pack brings the sound of tough underground dance music to MASCHINE and [...]

PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Official Ceremony for the UAE 40th National Day saw Zayed Sports Stadium full to capacity as thousands turned out to celebrate the achievements of the nation, and Audinate’s Dante was there to make sure all the networked audio [...]

SWEDEN /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Sweden based music rights organization STIM presents WOI, a new portal for multi-territorial composition rights licensing of independent publishers rights. The WOI portal is a smart solution to collectively provide better negotiating leverage, higher influence over deal terms and [...]

Risskov, Denmark /Music Industry Newswire/ — Long-time TC guitar effects user John Petrucci has joined forces with TC, taking their collaboration to a whole new level. John Petrucci was one of the first artists to join TC’s revolutionary TonePrint concept. In total, John created 5 [...]

Music Industry Newswire REVIEW: Yes, OK, it took him a long time to get them done, and some people still haven’t gotten theirs from the initial production run. I am pleased to advise, though, that it is well worth the wait. Ours arrived from Europe [...]

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Jonas Music Services today announced its first “Worst Press Kit Contest” with one selected winner receiving a custom designed press kit package worth $700. Jonas Music Services’ Executive Director, Dr. Ann Lathan Kerzner, explains, ‘Press Kits are so essential in the marketing success of musicians and bands, but they are often poorly understood by the groups creating them.’

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Bob Moog Foundation (BMF) proudly announces the launch of a pilot program of its hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool (formerly known as MoogLab), at Asheville City Schools’ (ACS) 2nd grade classrooms.

Music Industry Newswire NEWS: Italy-based Studiologic has announced a new virtual analog keyboard, combining their popular keyboard action (Fatar) with a virtual analog synth engine from Waldorf. While the engine spec sounds familiar to those who have used the Waldorf 3-oscillator type virtual analog structure [...]

BERLIN, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — Waldorf has announced a new digital-analog MIDI synth module, the PULSE 2. Available Summer 2012, the Pulse 2 features three analog oscillators in combination with a true analog cascading filter. The promo from Waldorf reads like so: “Sometimes they [...]

BERLIN, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — To conincide with the Winter NAMM in Anaheim, German synth wizard Jürgen Michaelis, of JoMoX GmbH, has previewed his latest creation, the Moonwind Analog Filter Tracker. According to Michaelis, “Moonwind is a true analog stereo filter with built-in step [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland is proud to introduce the CM-220 and CM-110 CUBE Monitors, two portable 2.1 speaker systems for playing, practicing, and recording musicians. Outfitted with two satellite speakers, a subwoofer, and multiple stereo inputs for electronic musical instruments and [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland is proud to announce the release of its very first backing keyboard, the BK-5, the latest in a series of Roland musical instruments with intelligent backing-track technology. Hundreds of great music, rhythms, and tones from around the [...]

Meylan, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — At the Winter NAMM 2012 show in Anaheim, Calif., Arturia will announce their first analog keyboard, the MINIBRUTE. Arturia announces the upcoming release of MINIBRUTE. The pure analog, multi-wave oscillator combined with a huge sounding classic multi-mode filter, and [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland is proud to introduce the LX-15 Digital Piano, an elegant upright-style instrument with grand piano sound and attitude. The LX-15 boasts Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine, plus a newly developed Acoustic Projection sound system that delivers [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland is pleased to announce the new PK-6 Dynamic Pedalboard, an impressive MIDI controller that puts the excitement and versatility of live bass performance with full MIDI control within reach of any musician. The new PK-6 MIDI Pedal [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland is pleased to introduce the RP301R Digital Piano, an attractive, fun, and affordable instrument that will please players of all levels. Featuring the SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine, Ivory Feel-G keyboard, and built-in rhythm accompaniments, the RP301R is [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland is pleased to announce the TD-30KV and TD-30K V-Pro Series V-Drums, the new flagship kits in its industry-leading lineup of V-Drums electronic percussion. Featuring SuperNATURAL sounds with Behavior Modeling technology, improved V-Hi-Hat® and V-Pads™, and many more [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — BOSS is pleased to announce the TU-10 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner for guitars and basses, the first of its type available from the industry leader in electronic tuners. A number of unique and useful features, along with legendary BOSS [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Industry giants Roland and Fender are proud to introduce the VG Stratocaster G-5, an amazingly versatile electronic guitar that fuses traditional design with the latest in digital music technology. Combining Roland’s revolutionary COSM modeling with Fender’s classic Stratocaster [...]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Roland, the premier manufacturer of quality organs for home, church, and stage, is pleased to announce the most recent addition to their MUSIC ATELIER family. The AT-900 ‘Platinum Edition’ boasts a newly-designed cabinet, expanded voice palette and features [...]

ANAHEIM, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Voices.com steps up to the microphone as a Premier sponsor of VOICE 2012, a conference for voice actors to be held June 13-16 at The Happiest Place on Earth(R) – The Disneyland(R) Hotel and Resort in Anaheim, California. Stephanie Ciccarelli, Co-founder of Voices, served as a panelist at VOICE 2010, on a panel devoted to business and service providers.

PORTLAND, Ore. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Following the success of similar events in recent years, key manufacturers including Lab.gruppen, Peavey Commercial Audio, Bosch Communications Systems, Yamaha Commercial Audio, Audinate and ASL, will be hosting an all day event on Tuesday 31 January at the Holiday Inn Amsterdam.

Risskov, Denmark /Music Industry Newswire/ — Now available for Android OS devices, the new app compiles all TonePrints for TC Electronic’s TonePrint enabled guitar pedals in one place and allows users to ‘beam’ new TonePrints to their pedals in a matter of seconds. The idea behind the technology is as simple as it is ingenious: Each TonePrint has been converted to a unique-sounding magnetic impulse that can be beamed via the phone’s internal speaker, through the pickup of a guitar and directly to a TonePrint pedal.

Music Industry Newswire NEWS: Akai this week revealed their second of three new MPC-flavored products, as a follow on to the groovy new MPC Renaissance “Music Production Controller.” The small, and shiny, MPC Studio is a slimline (one inch thick) controller that has traditional MPC style control buttons to right side of the familiar 4×4 MPC drum pads, then instead of knobs or sliders on left, are larger DJ-friendly dial-knobs.

Paris, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — Emulation II features a set of unique instruments to reproduce that typical music from the 80s: from warm digital sounds to the most analog-ish textures. Sounds were recorded and carefully selected from the authentic restored instrument, with the very best analog and digital gear.

Music Industry Newswire NEWS: AUSTIN, Texas — Music Computing introduces ControlTOUCH, “your laptop’s new best friend.” The world keep changing and that’s no different for music production and performance, says the company. Traditional instruments are giving way to computer-based alternatives and the key is to bridge the two worlds without stifling creativity or getting lost in the technology.

Seoul, South Korea /Music Industry Newswire/ — DEELEEBOB Music Products, is exhibiting for the first time at Winter NAMM 2012, Booth #3496 – The Effect Rack. This new product provides benefits musicians / technicians and music enthusiasts. The bracket device allows for safe carriage and easy access to a variety of devices normally placed hap-hazard on top, or beside an amplifier.

LONDON, U.K. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Sample Magic has announced the full line-up for the first ever London Electronic Music Event (LEME 2012), with appearances from Ben Watt, Toolroom Records, Dom Betmead (The Nextmen), SoundCloud, Hal Ritson (Dizzee Rascal), DJ Magazine and more.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Moog Music has announced the release of Minitaur, the newest addition to Moog’s Taurus Bass Synthesizer family. Minitaur is a compact and powerful analog bass synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function layout.

Music Industry Newswire NEWS: Just in time for the 2012 January NAMM show, Akai Professional has announced a new line of MPC-branded music gear, starting with the gorgeous ‘MPC Renaissance’ which looks like the Borg step-child of a MPD MIDI controller and the MPC-5000, but better. The Music Production Controller claims to fuse ‘legendary MPC production with the power of your computer’ with a Vintage Mode changing the sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 (8 to 16-bit sound), with 16 backlit MPC pads, 16 Q-Link controls, and adjustable backlit LCD screen.

AUSTIN, Texas /Music Industry Newswire/ — Austin based Music Computing this week announced a new ‘souped up’ version of their computer-based keyboard music workstations, the StudioBLADE Gen2, with a ‘TypeR’ trim package. While it might not tear up the Nurburgring like a Nissan GTR, it does come with carbon fibre and custom livery like many glammed up sports machines.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. /Music Industry Newswire/ — MakeMusic, Inc. (NASDAQ:MMUS) this week announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Garritan Corporation, a leading provider of software musical instruments. Under the terms of the agreement, Garritan Corporation will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MakeMusic. Founder Gary Garritan will be joining MakeMusic as director of instrumental sciences.

GRENOBLE, France /Music Industry Newswire/ — Arturia this week announced some important updates, including 64-bit support for the CS-80V and Prophet-V virtual instruments, bringing both versions to v2.5. The updates include several bug fixes, as might be expected, and some technical improvements. Additionally, version 1.4 of Spark was released.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — SoundExchange has announced the appointment of Scott Day to the role of chief technology officer (CTO). Scott will assume responsibility for identifying and implementing technology innovations that create strategic business value for the organization.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Based out of mostly sunny San Diego, Calif., Mr. Mike Shirk, an artist and former ad exec, is living with an illness called inclusion body myositis. To deal with his health issues he launched a blog called lifedisabled.com [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Bringing musicians from around the world to communities across America, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced OneBeat this week, an initiative that will bring up to 50 international musicians between the ages of 19-35 to the United States for a month-long exchange.

SEATTLE, Wash. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Using Kickstarter a popular fan and crowd funding site, Loren Weisman is raising the funds from fans for a 15 City Speaking Tour over the period of a month in the spring of 2012.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — American Voices, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is now accepting ensemble applications for the American Music Abroad 2012-2013 touring season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Cutting-edge, online music licensing site Splother.com is pleased to welcome legendary singer/songwriter, Robert Earl Keen, to their team as Strategic Advisor. In his position, Keen will provide strategic advice, artistic vision and act as a voice for the company.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /Music Industry Newswire/ — The Bob Moog Foundation announces the release of its 2012 calendar, ‘Moog Pioneers in the Studio.’ The calendar features photos and history from Bob Moog’s archives, as well as photos from collections of pioneering synthesists.

NEW GEAR: Inventor and iOS app developer Alex Smith of Alkex Instruments is back with his latest foray into MIDI controllers, with his ‘Ball Beats’ MIDI step sequencer product. Unlike his somewhat failed stab at creating a wood and knobs controller for virtual instruments earlier this year, this new product looks polished, and has a boutique coolness…

MODENA, Italy /Music Industry Newswire/ — The new Stealth CS series of mobile audio interfaces combines powerful audio interfaces with the revolutionary AmpliTube Custom Shop software. The Stealth CS series of interfaces includes the StealthPlug CS and the StealthPedal CS.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Acorn Instruments, a developer of high-value, digital musical instruments, recently announced the availability of their new Masterkey 61, the latest addition to their line of USB keyboard controllers.