Upfront

Pioneer to Sell DJ Division to KKR

After much industry specularion, Pioneer has confirmed that it will sell its DJ equipment division to U.S. private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

Peavey Reorganizes Manufacturing Under New Globalization Plan

Peavey Electronics Corporation is reorganizing its worldwide manufacturing assets as part of a new globalization plan to ensure continued growth worldwide. The reorganization includes focusing US-based manufacturing on Peavey’s premium products, and moving other manufacturing assets closer to its critical and emerging markets. The effort also involves modernization of production methods and a renewed focus on engineering, sales and marketing.

“In today’s global market, it is imperative that we operate as efficiently as possible,” said Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics Corporation. “This reorganization will allow us to meet the growing demands of our global markets while providing the capital for further reinvestment in our company. We will observe our 50th anniversary next year with over 130 patents to our credit, and we will continue that legacy of innovation and quality.”

LOUD and GnS Announce Mackie Distribution Agreement

LOUD Technologies Inc. ("LOUD") and GnS Electronics Co Ltd have announced a distribution agreement whereby GnS Electronics will serve as the distributor for the Mackie brand in South Korea, commencing October 1st 2014.


"We are delighted to announce or new partnership with GnS Electronics Co Ltd during this innovative and exciting time for the Mackie brand," explained Rohan Smith, director of Sales for LOUD's Music Gear Brands in the APAC region. "With their strong technical expertise, wide reach in the market and sound relationships across many verticals, GnS Electronics is a company really going places and will deliver strong value and support to their dealer network and end users alike in the South Korean market."

Numbers Up for 2014 NAMM Musikmesse Russia and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia

Muscovites and guests from beyond the capital and Russia welcomed two successful business platforms for the music products industry. Picturesque Sokolniki Park played host to NAMM Musikmesse Russia, International Fair for Musical Instruments, Sheet Music, Music Production and Music Business Connections, and Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia, the International Fair of Technologies and Services for Events, Installation and Production, from September 11 - 14. The shows’ third edition was a breakthrough, according to many attendees. After a successful incorporation of the Music Moscow show into the events, this unified, complete business platform brought together manufacturers and attendees from across the world with Russian and CIS retailers, distributors, music educators, corporate buyers and more. Total attendance at this year’s shows increased by 42 percent over 2013’s record attendance to 13,169 unique visitors.

GC Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Linkin Park Concert

Guitar Center has announced that Grammy Award-winning rock band Linkin Park will be performing in Los Angeles at The Wiltern on Friday, October 24th in celebration of the retailers 50th Anniversary. Interested parties can visit gutiarcenter.com/linkinpark to enter for their chance to win a VIP trip for two to Los Angeles, attend a meet & greet with the band, catch the show, and take home a guitar signed by the band, a merch pack, and a $5,000 Guitar Center gift card. Tickets will be given away by KROQ both on air and at select Guitar Center locations in Southern California during the weeks leading up to the event.

2014 AES Educational Foundation Awards

The Educational Foundation of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) has announced the recipients of the 2014 AES Educational Grants for Graduate Studies in Audio Engineering. The announcement was made by Don Puluse, president of the AES Educational Foundation (AESEF), on behalf of the foundation’s Board of Directors.

This year the foundation offers a special scholarship marking Bruce Swedien’s 80th birthday and recognizing over six decades of recording artistry. This scholarship is funded by his colleagues, family, fans, and friends. The scholarship will aid young recording engineers who believe in putting “Music First!” For more information, visit www.swedienscholarship.org.

Music & Arts Adds Two New N. Houston Locations

Music & Arts recently opened two new locations in the North Houston, Texas areas of Humble and Tomball. The roughly 3,000 square foot Music & Arts stores offer a large selection of instruments and accessories as well as six music lesson studios, which will have the capacity to serve about 250 students. Instructors at these locations will offer a variety of one-on-one or group music lessons including: piano, violin, viola, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, percussion, voice and more.

GitaarBizz Appointed as New Guild Distributor

Guild Guitars has named GitaarBizz as the new Guild distributor for Germany, Austria, and the Benelux. Industry vet Ruud Elbers founded GitaarBizz in 2013, after an 18 year stint as the Benelux distributor of Gibson, Epiphone, and Orange, among other popular brands. “Ruud’s extensive connections with the existing dealer network, along with his experience in marketing and logistics make him a well-rounded, ideal candidate to help us promote the Guild brand,” said Guild President Jonathan Thomas.

TMP to Distribute Audiofly in the US

TMP Pro Distribution has announced an agreement with Audiofly to be the exclusive distributor for their full line of Performance Series IEMs to the MI and Professional markets in the United States. Based in Australia, Audiofly is an award-winning innovator of premium IEM products for the professional audio market. Recognized for its fresh approach, Audiofly has quickly acquired impressive industry recognition, earning Innovation Honors from International CES and a Best-In-Show award from the CEA Line Show.

Steve Wozniak to Speak at 2015 NAMM Show


The 2015 NAMM Show, held January 22-25 in Anaheim, California, will showcase insights from entrepreneurs within and beyond the music industry including Apple co-founder, Steve "Woz" Wozniak. The engineering icon will open Saturday morning’s breakfast session, talking music and technology with NAMM’s president and CEO Joe Lamond.

"Since the days of Thomas Edison, the NAMM Show has been the place where great thinkers have come together to create the future," said Lamond. "NAMM Members coming to Anaheim this January will benefit from a robust show floor filled with the latest innovations, educational sessions that cannot be found anywhere else and the chance to hear iconic speakers and thought leaders like Steve Wozniak."

Hal Leonard and Groove3 Announce Strategic Partnership

Hal Leonard Books, a division of Hal Leonard Corporation, Milwaukee, the leading publisher of books and digital content on the music business, audio technology, and instrument history, and Groove3, the audio community's best source for informative and effective online tutorials, announced today a long-term strategic partnership to develop and deliver authoritative content to the world. 

Study Shows Community Music Programs Enhance At-Risk Youth Brain Function

A new Northwestern University study funded by the NAMM Foundation provides the first direct evidence that a community music program for at-risk youth has a biological effect on children’s developing nervous systems. Two years of music lessons improved the precision with which the children’s brains distinguished similar speech sounds, a neural process that is linked to language and reading skills.