Independent News Publication of artistpro Media Daily Global Reporting for the Music Products Industry Since 1879 Publisher of Musical Merchandise Review
The daily industry record for musical products, retail, suppliers, people, technology, trade shows and global markets.
Waves Audio has released Tracks Live 2.0, featuring deep eMotion LV1 integration and expanded channel capacity to streamline live recording workflows for engineers.
HK Audio has appointed Isabelle Wear as Head of Sales Emerging Markets to strengthen its international team and expand presence in key regions including the Middle East, Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
HK Audio reported the release of version 4.2 for its DSP Control software, featuring bulk updates, more preset slots, and new language options to assist audio professionals.
Solid State Logic replaced its 12-year-old portable audio system with EM Acoustics Reference Series loudspeakers at its Oxford headquarters to enhance live console demonstrations for engineers.
Mad Professor Amplification has introduced the Milestone, a handwired germanium fuzz pedal designed for modern pedalboards and bass applications, with shipments scheduled for October 5.
Vader Sound has expanded its distribution of Veelah guitars across the UK, Ireland and Benelux, adding multiple new acoustic and electro-acoustic models to the V Series lineup.
dBTechnologies launches the Opera Nona series, featuring dual-woofer active loudspeakers designed for performers with direct connectivity and flexible mounting options.
DiCosimo Audio has updated its 360+ Bass Preamp pedal, reducing its footprint while improving power efficiency without altering the core circuit or retail price.
Roland launches its first dedicated US retail location in Manhattan, marking a strategic shift from dealer distribution to direct sales with a large flagship store.
Guitar Center disqualified illegitimate submissions flooding its Open For Legends competition following political controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's tour.
A new open-source firmware project called Octabam allows Elektron Octatrack owners to create custom OS versions with enhanced effects and MIDI features, presenting potential market implications for hardware longevity and third-party accessory ecosystems.
Users report degraded audio and creativity in Suno's new V6 model, which relies on licensed data from Warner, BMG and Believe while excluding unlicensed catalogs.
Smart Audio Plugins has released Timbral Box, a new parallel harmonic processing plugin for mixing and mastering, offering distinct saturation modes and transformer-modeled summing at an introductory price point.
MOTU releases Digital Performer 12, adding Dolby Atmos mixing and AI stem separation to update its digital audio workstation.
Gibson integrates L.R. Baggs HiFi DNA technology into three acoustic models, utilizing a non-invasive sensor system to enhance tone and simplify installation for retailers.
Roland Corp. will launch its first North American flagship retail location in Manhattan this October, consolidating Roland, BOSS and Drum Workshop brands under one roof to serve musicians and producers.
Sadowsky announced the MetroExpress Modern Fretless bass series, featuring roasted maple fingerboards and active electronics, with shipping beginning soon at approximately $1,476.
C.F. Martin & Co. introduces the updated 16 Series, featuring all-solid-wood construction, bold gloss-top finishes, and standard L.R. Baggs electronics for the retail market.
British amp maker Ashdown partners exclusively with Guitar Center and Musician's Friend to expand US retail footprint ahead of its 30th anniversary.
Sonicware restricts production of its new ELZ_1 core sound module to 50 made-to-order units due to rising component costs, while Dirtywave and Amiteque announce upcoming hardware for the performance mixer and FM synthesis markets.
Thomann retailer Harley Benton has expanded its entry-level single-cut guitar lineup with two new SC-550 Plus Fluence models featuring active Fishman pickups. Priced at 499 euros, these instruments represent a significant distribution shift for the German manufacturer, offering upgraded tonal capabilities previously reserved for higher-tier models.
JET Guitars launches four new electric guitars ranging from £229 to £539, now shipping to UK retailers via distributor Almires UK.
Tanglewood Guitars has appointed Taigu Musical Instruments as its exclusive partner for China, marking the brand's largest commercial distribution deal to drive global manufacturing growth and retail expansion.
Coffeeshopped has launched Patch Base 4, a software update for Mac users managing hardware synthesizers, introducing MIDI controller mapping and external keyboard support.
Developer 34Audio has released GlitchShredder, a new real-time glitch and stutter audio effect application for iPhone and iPad devices, expanding the mobile music production market.
ESP Guitars has promoted Miguel Soto, Mike Brinker, Ryan Dominguez, and Tim Jennaway to key positions overseeing global sales, domestic distribution, manufacturing, and product operations.
Razer introduced the wired Kraken V4 X Sensa HD Haptics headset at $99, bringing tactile feedback to over 100 PC games. The device targets budget-conscious gamers seeking haptic immersion without wireless premiums or peripheral chairs.
The Nopia MK1, a semi-modular harmony generator, surpassed its crowdfunding goal within a day, signaling strong retail demand for innovative chord-producing instruments despite a 2027 shipping date.
Retailer Thomann introduced the Millenium MPS-1500 Hybrid-X, a new flagship electronic drum set featuring the Nexus multi-percussion module with extensive sampling and connectivity options for the professional market.
Roland has resumed limited sales of the TR-1000 rhythm creator alongside a major firmware update and a new third-party DAW editor.
Arturia released MiniFreak V 5.0, enabling user sample and wavetable imports for both hardware and software, potentially boosting retailer demand.
Universal Audio released Luna 3.0, featuring AI stem separation, a simplified recording mode, and a new paid tier called Luna Studio alongside a plugin subscription plan.
Universal Audio introduces UAD Spark Studio, a new monthly subscription bundling LUNA Studio DAW and over 70 native plug-ins for $19.99.
Roland partners with Universal Products & Experiences to release a Minion-inspired portable keyboard aimed at beginners and collectors, priced at $449.
Spector Basses introduces the NS Icon Neck-Through series, bringing its signature construction method to a broader audience with new models featuring alder bodies, maple tops, and Aguilar electronics.
C. F. Martin & Co. introduces 11 new all-solid-wood acoustic-electric models in its refreshed 16 Series, featuring bold finishes and the debut short-scale sloped-shoulder Dreadnought.
IK Multimedia has introduced the Tonex Board, a flagship floor unit capable of running four Tone Models simultaneously, featuring advanced stereo routing and extensive sound libraries for gigging musicians.
German loudspeaker maker Voice-Acoustic appointed Lisbon-based Enjoy Division to handle distribution, installation and rental in Portugal.
Rupert Neve Designs has entered the software market with three new plugins developed in partnership with McDSP, marking a strategic shift for the hardware manufacturer.
Mayer EMI has launched the free Aurora 5.0 firmware update for its MD850 Vibes desktop synthesizer, adding cloud reverb, SFZ multisample support, and expanded controller mapping to enhance retail value.
Antares has released AutoTune Go, a free lite version of its pitch-correction software available to all FL Studio users through FL Cloud.
Markbass has expanded its MB PB and JB entry-level bass lines with three new finish options while maintaining the $299.99 price point.
Indian lifestyle electronics brand Hammer has introduced the Wave 2, a 20W RMS portable Bluetooth speaker priced at Rs 1,299, featuring Bluetooth v6.0 and RGB lighting.
Audio-Technica introduced the BP880R, a waterproof contact transducer designed to capture surface vibrations for sports broadcasting and production.
Audient introduces its flagship Horizon audio interface line, featuring three models with scalable I/O and native processing capabilities aimed at the professional studio market.
Audient has introduced its new flagship Horizon range of Thunderbolt audio interfaces, featuring sub-millisecond latency and no onboard DSP to leverage modern host processing capabilities.
LG introduced the OLED W6 TV, Sound Suite with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, and xboom Power speakers to the UAE market, though local pricing remains unconfirmed.
Sampleson has released Backgrounds, a one-time purchase plugin that generates soundscapes from keywords using a local semantic audio model, offering new retail opportunities in the creative software market.
RC MIX has introduced RC RING and RC SNARE, new mixing plugins designed to shape real drum recordings without sample replacement, targeting the music production software sector.
Installation magazine named Vitec's X-View and Vizrt's TriCaster Prizm as Best of Show winners at IBC2026, highlighting new pro audio and video solutions for the international market.
Gibson has launched its third and largest Gibson Garage in Miami's Wynwood district, aiming to reach Spanish-speaking audiences and leverage the city's role as a hub for South American music. The location features expanded performance space, dedicated brand shops, and local street art.
Konzerthaus Freiburg selected an Alcons Audio Pro-Ribbon line-array system for its Rolf Böhme Saal following a competitive evaluation, with Rock Shop handling the integration to address specific feedback and intelligibility requirements.
Italian manufacturer Proel has appointed Polar as its exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland to streamline logistics and expand market reach for its audio and stage equipment brands.
RockBoard introduces Second Tiers, a mounting accessory designed to expand pedalboard capacity for modelers and switchers, debuting at Guitar Summit 2026 with pre-orders open.
Developer GOGDOG has launched Normal by Proxy, a free, browser-based collaborative music environment allowing up to eight users to jam in real time without downloads or accounts.
German manufacturer Glockenklang expands its Acoustic Series with the new 10-2 cabinet, offering a compact solution for double bass and electric bass players priced near $1,111.
Danish manufacturer Carl Martin introduces the CM Acoustic, a 300-watt amplifier targeting acoustic performers with specialized full-range drivers and dual-channel flexibility.
String manufacturer Stringjoy has launched its first capo, the Sweetspot, featuring a precision tension dial and quick-release design priced at $24.99.
Norwegian developer Acon Digital has released Acoustica 8, a major update to its audio editing suite featuring machine learning tools and immersive audio support for the professional market.
Elektron has launched the Outbox 8, an eight-channel audio and control voltage breakout box priced at $349. The device addresses long-standing owner requests for expanded connectivity on grooveboxes, offering individually configurable quarter-inch outputs that support audio or control voltage. It functions as a standalone USB audio interface and MIDI-to-CV converter, serving as practical hardware rather than a new sound source. Distribution is currently available through Elektron and its dealers
