Stepping up and standing out
Christian Wissmuller connects the value of informed music retailers with step-up drum sales and the 2026 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards.
MMR Industry Record
2026 Music Products Industry Archive
Search and browse MMR’s music products industry reporting timeline, connecting companies, people, products, NAMM coverage and market developments across the digital archive.
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Stepping up and standing out
Christian Wissmuller connects the value of informed music retailers with step-up drum sales and the 2026 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards.
Fender releases new digital ecosystem to connect players and fans
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation unveiled a revamped Fender.com designed as a connected global digital platform rather than a standard ecommerce site. The update aims to deepen relationships with musicians and…
A step above: Acoustic drum kits for players ready for more
DW, TAMA, Yamaha and KHS discuss step-up acoustic drum kits, player expectations and how music retailers can guide the next upgrade.
2026 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards: Cast your vote
Review the 2026 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards nominees and cast your ballot. Dealer voting closes at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 15, 2026.
D'Addario releases Collier XS strings and Vegan Strap with Taylor
D'Addario and Taylor Guitars have released a new string set and strap for Jacob Collier, while Reverend and Yamaha simultaneously introduced new electric guitar models.
Sterling by Music Man releases StingRay Plus bass with new electronics
Sterling by Music Man introduces the StingRay Plus to its SUB Series, offering four- and five-string configurations with expanded electronics including a push-push volume boost and a 3-way pickup switch…
Microsoft releases streaming transcription and voice models for agents
Microsoft introduced MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming and two new voice models to expand its conversational agent toolkit, offering developers modular tools for multilingual voice agents with distinct pricing structures.
HERCULES releases GS412BSW Auto-Grip Stand with swivel Yoke
Hercules Stands has introduced the GS412BSW Auto-Grip Guitar Stand, a new product designed to enhance stability and compatibility for diverse instrument shapes and sizes.
Spira adds Multiscale seven-string and new finish to lineup
Spira Guitars has expanded its seven-string offerings with a new multiscale model and a fresh color option, targeting modern metal players through UK distributor Almires UK.
Warm Audio releases MOD Series pedals with Black Keys collaboration
Warm Audio has expanded its product line with the Mod Series, introducing three compact guitar pedals that feature redesigned footprints and enhanced functionality. The lineup includes the Centavo Mod, WA-C1…
Vienna theatres adopt SSL System T for flexible audio workflows
Die Josefstadt and Kammerspiele theatres in Vienna have installed Solid State Logic System T digital mixing systems to unify their audio infrastructure, enabling shared show files and flexible deployment across…
Sennheiser HDB 630 wireless headphones Now available in LUNAR Silver
Sennheiser has expanded distribution of its HDB 630 wireless lifestyle headphones to include a new Lunar Silver colorway, joining the original black option. Manufactured in Tullamore, Ireland, the $500 unit…
Bose releases $99 USB-C Wired Earbuds with active Noise cancellation
Bose introduces the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, a USB-C powered in-ear model priced at $99 in the US, targeting consumers seeking active noise cancellation without managing a separate battery or…
Audacity 4 rebuilds free audio editor with new tools
Audacity 4 launches as a major rebuild of the free, open-source audio editor, introducing a redesigned interface, new editing workflow, customizable workspaces, rebuilt effects and expanded plug-in support.
Phantom Sun app brings Semi-Modular synthesis to ipad for $9.99
A new iPad application called Phantom Sun introduces semi-modular synthesis capabilities to the tablet market, offering a Source-to-Destination patching system and generative sound design tools for $9.99.
Atomix releases VirtualDJ 2026 with AI voiceovers and New FX Engine
Atomix Productions has released VirtualDJ 2026, introducing practical AI tools like ShoutOut for voiceovers and AI scripting for custom workflows, alongside a revamped effects engine and expanded controller compatibility.
Voidscan releases Parasite experimental FM synthesizer plugin
Voidscan has released Parasite, an experimental FM synthesizer plugin featuring three-operator synthesis and deliberate sound degradation for music producers.
Polar becomes exclusive UK distributor for chinese AI audio firm
Polar has secured exclusive distribution rights for AISpeech, a Chinese manufacturer of conversational AI technology, marking a significant entry for the supplier into the UK and Irish markets with advanced…
Jackson and Charvel launch Sleep Token signature models
Fender Musical Instrument Corporation brands Jackson and Charvel executed a historic joint launch for Sleep Token, delivering bespoke signature instruments that sold out immediately despite high price points. The collaboration…
Zynaptiq releases LOUD and WIDE plugins with new bundles
Audio software company Zynaptiq has launched new mastering and stereo imaging plugins alongside updated bundles, offering users advanced tools for music production and post-production workflows.
Mixed In Key updates Wingman 3.0 with expanded chord and drum tools
Mixed In Key has launched Wingman 3.0, a plugin that analyzes DAW audio to suggest chords, basslines, and drum patterns. The update introduces advanced chord editing, vocal remixing, and new…
Rock Music Alliance seeks sponsors to fill Awards void
The Rock Music Alliance is launching an awards program to recognize new rock, metal, and progressive releases, aiming to counteract the genre's reduced visibility on mainstream stages like the Grammys.…
BOSS releases EX-4 Effects Expander for pedalboard versatility
Roland division BOSS introduces the EX-4 Effects Expander, a compact processor designed to expand sonic options for musicians managing curated pedalboard setups. Priced at $299.99 with an October release, the…
Antares releases AutoTune Advanced with new pitch engine
Antares has released AutoTune Advanced, a rebuilt flagship pitch correction plug-in featuring a new DVA engine for vibrato detection and a revised Auto-Mode algorithm. The product offers perpetual licensing or…
Hybrid Synths see renaissance as manufacturers blend analog and digital
A resurgence in hybrid synthesizer production is offering musicians access to instruments that merge digital oscillators with analog filtering. Major manufacturers like Behringer, Arturia, Novation, UDO Audio, and Groove Synthesis…
Native Instruments releases free Maschine 3.7 update and new Expansions
Native Instruments has launched a free Maschine 3.7 update and three new Expansions to celebrate its 30th anniversary, marking the first major content release since the company was acquired by…
RTI adds Dante amps and PoE Zone Controllers to Commercial lineup
RTI has expanded its commercial amplifier series with four new models, including three featuring Dante connectivity and a new wall-mounted PoE Zone Controller. The additions offer versatile 2-, 4-, and…
DirectOut PRODIGY.MP consolidates Mixing and PA Drive for festivals
DirectOut Technologies reports that the PRODIGY.MP unit has replaced multiple separate devices in festival audio chains by functioning simultaneously as a stagebox, mixing console, and PA processor. This consolidation reduces…
L-Acoustics and Audiologic host UK integrator open day
L-Acoustics and Audiologic are hosting an exclusive open day for integrators in London to showcase immersive audio technologies and installation solutions.
Antares releases AutoTune Advanced with Sub-1ms Latency and new DVA engine
Antares has introduced AutoTune Advanced, a new flagship pitch correction plugin featuring a redesigned DVA engine and sub-1ms latency, while distinguishing its feature set from AutoTune Pro 11.
Ashdown Engineering expands Saint Series with Avant and Artisan bass lines
Ashdown Engineering introduces the Saint Avant and Saint Artisan bass series, offering retailers new multi-scale and traditional options with premium finishes to broaden market appeal.
Antares releases AutoTune Advanced with new Vibrato engine
Antares has released AutoTune Advanced, a flagship plugin featuring a rebuilt algorithm and DVA vibrato technology to preserve natural vocal character while offering precise creative control for producers.
Expressive E updates original Osmose with DAW control and Ctrl-E integration
Expressive E released firmware 2.3 for the original Osmose, adding DAW control and Ctrl-e plugin access previously exclusive to the CE model, while shifting manufacturing to Poland.
Neumann releases A-Series capsule heads for Sennheiser systems
Neumann has launched the KK 104 A and KK 105 A, new condenser capsule heads designed for compatibility with specific Sennheiser wireless handheld transmitters to enhance vocal performance.
Analog Obsession releases EQProfiler for real-time hardware Capture
Plugin developer Analog Obsession has released EQProfiler, a new tool allowing users to capture hardware EQ curves in real time and apply them across multiple tracks via software clones.
Graph Tech adds two new 7-string Un-Lock Nuts
Graph Tech Guitar Labs has added two new models to its Un-Lock Nut line, designed specifically for seven-string electric guitars with double-locking tremolo systems.
PRS releases Limited Silver Sky Defender collection with Land Rover
PRS Guitars introduces the Silver Sky Defender Color Collection, a limited run of eight models created with Land Rover and John Mayer, available now via authorized dealers.
Flattley Pedals releases Reaper 10th Anniversary Edition distortion
Flattley Pedals has introduced the Reaper Dual Mode Distortion Anniversary Edition, a $319 stompbox celebrating the manufacturer's decade in business with updated clipping modes and premium components.