Keyboard benders make acquisition

Bendy keyboard manufacturer ROLI has acquired music software specialist FXpansion.

The deal adds to ROLI’s collection of sounds and effects available to its Seaboard keyboard, which will now be developed alongside FXpansion’s virtual instruments including BFD3, the world’s largest collection of acoustic drum sounds, and Strobe2, the analogue-modelled software synthesizer. 

Roland Lamb, founder and CEO of ROLI, said: “We are creating a Connected Music ecosystem of devices that will change the way people make and enjoy music. Our leadership in music technology innovation – across both software and hardware – strengthens with every link we add to ROLI’s toolchain. We’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of musical expression and technological innovation with FXpansion, which has been at the forefront of audio software development for the past 15 years.”

Angus Hewlett, founder and CEO of FXpansion, added: “This acquisition is a momentous opportunity for FXpansion. Together ROLI and FXpansion can create best-in-class instruments, even as we continue to develop the FXpansion products our users know and love.”

ROLI will support and develop FXpansion’s family of products which also includes Geist2, the beat production system, and a range of sound effect plug-ins such as Maul and Bloom. FXpansion products will continue to be sold in their current form. Customer support and product maintenance will be available on all of the current channels. Anticipated updates – including the release of BFD 3.2 and Cypher2 – are progressing. 

All FXpansion team members will join ROLI, where they will take on new roles. Angus Hewlett will become head of sound synthesis and lead software engineer. Rhiannon Bankston-Thomas, FXpansion’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, will become ROLI’s head of software program management. Skot McDonald, chief technology officer, will become ROLI’s lead software and research engineer.