Reverb UK Relaunches with a Lower Seller Fee and One-of-a-kind Music Gear
Reverb, the largest online marketplace dedicated to musical instruments, today announced the relaunch of Reverb UK, complete with lower selling fees and new tools for sellers. Now, sellers on Reverb UK will pay a bundled 5% fee once their music gear has sold, 3% less than before, getting more money for their music gear.
With Reverb UK’s all-in 5% fee, hundreds of UK-based music shops, as well as the hundreds of thousands of musicians on Reverb UK, will make more money on each sale. The addition of discounted postage labels via DPD, Yodel, and Evri, as well as UK-specific market trend data that sellers can use to price their gear, further empowers sellers to get their gear into the hands of musicians throughout the UK and beyond using the music gear marketplace created by musicians for musicians.
Said Reverb user and BRIT Award-winner Mark Ronson during his 2024 “Industry Insights” talk at NAMM 2024, “We were working on the score for Barbie, and we realized that Director Greta Gerwig was in love with the sound of ‘70s and ‘80s analogue synthesizers. I looked on Reverb for a Yamaha CS-80, and I saw that there was one about an hour and a half away, so we drove out to get it and its sound became a key part of the movie’s soundtrack.”
For nearly a decade, Reverb UK has provided a platform for musicians looking to sell and buy music gear. Featuring a wide range of instruments, from the console used by the Beatles to record Abbey Road to over 150,000 second-hand and new instruments, the leading music gear marketplace has proved popular with enthusiasts, local bands, and world-renowned musicians alike, from Muse and Duran Duran to Placebo and many more.
“Since 2016, Reverb has played a key role in the UK’s music-making community by connecting musicians with music gear they love,” said Reverb’s COO, Tiffany Miller. “Whether you’re parting with a vintage Telecaster or looking for unique pedals that can reshape your sound, our straightforward fees and key product improvements make selling music gear more rewarding than ever before, giving musicians more time to focus on what really matters: making music.”
To sell your music gear on Reverb UK, visit: https://reverb.com/featured/reverbUK
Adam Hall Group Appoints Loud Technologies Asia as Exclusive LD Systems Distributor in Singapore
The Adam Hall Group is continuing its international growth and expanding its sales network in Southeast Asia: Loud Technologies Asia PTY is now the exclusive distributor of the LD Systems brand in Singapore. With this new partnership, the global event technology manufacturer headquartered in Neu-Anspach aims to further expand the presence of its pro audio brand in the dynamic city state and tap into new market potential.
Loud Technologies Asia, based in Singapore, is an established distribution partner specializing in high-quality audio, lighting, video and control solutions for professional applications. The company has extensive regional market experience and – in addition to the exclusive distribution of LD Systems – will also offer the other brands of the Adam Hall Group in Singapore on request. The regional clientele includes AV integrators and rental companies as well as retailers and public institutions.
“Singapore is a demanding market for professional AV technology, but one that is also very innovative, “explains Alessio Foti, global business development manager of the Adam Hall Group. “With Loud Technologies Asia, we have gained an experienced partner who understands this market and has an excellent customer and service network. We look forward to working closely together to establish LD Systems’ audio solutions in the region in the long term.”
KY Koay, senior sales manager at Loud Technologies Asia PTY, adds: “We are delighted to partner with the Adam Hall Group and offer our customers stable, reliable support – not just in Singapore, but also regionally. With the strong product portfolio and the excellent brand reputation, our customers can count on reliable availability and first-class after-sales service – both decisive criteria when making a purchase.”
Unique Billsville House Venue Upgrades with Allen & Heath
Billsville House, a unique and intimate house concert venue, has been enhancing the live music experience for a decade, evolving from its roots in Williamstown, Massachusetts to its current home in Manchester Center, Vermont. Founded by Doug Hacker and Caroline Schneider, with their sons Ethan and Kai Hacker handling production, sound engineering, and ticketing, Billsville has cultivated a space that warmly embraces both audiences and musicians.
The genesis of Billsville stemmed from Doug and Caroline’s passion for live music and the challenge of accessing good venues in rural Massachusetts, especially with young children. Inspired by a friend’s house concert, they reached out to musician Joe Pug, who agreed to play a small show at their home, leading to a new tradition.
This led to their distinctive operating model: offering musicians 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales, along with “a fine helping of our vegetarian cooking, and a place to stay for the night,” said Hacker. “It’s a deal that makes sense to everyone involved.”
This arrangement allows indie and touring musicians to turn potential daily losses between show days into a profitable and enjoyable evening. “We attract really incredible acts,” said Hacker, including Grammy-winning artists like Sierra Hull and Tony-winning writer Anais Mitchell, who have performed in their living room and backyard. The venue prioritizes an intimate listening experience, with focus on the music in a cozy home environment.
Ethan Hacker’s journey into Billsville’s sound engineering began in 2011 with a simple 4-channel analog mixer. “Our goal has always been to create a unique sonic experience and optimize the space as a listening room,” said Hacker. As more elaborate acts came in, he recognized the limitations of his setup – and has since proudly upgraded to an Allen & Heath SQ-5 digital mixer and a GX4816 stagebox.
Hacker found the transition to the SQ-5 remarkably smooth. “I kind of jumped right into it,” he said, adding that he spent a few hours familiarizing himself with the workflow before feeling confident enough to mix a show the very next day. “I felt like it was a really fast learning experience,” said Hacker, “it was very intuitive.”
A significant improvement was the SQ-5’s capacitive touchscreen, which was ideal for navigating menus compared to their previous non-touchscreen console. “The customizable fader banks are also really huge for my workflow,” said Hacker. “Having my input channels and DCAs and groups on the same fader bank was a big improvement.”
Hacker also immediately noticed improved sound quality. “I hear a lot more punch straight out of the preamps,” he said. “That simplifies gain staging during soundchecks with a more confident head amp level coming in.”
The SQ-5’s built-in FX engines have also been highly beneficial. “The SQ’s reverbs got me to a place that I was happy with quicker,” said Hacker. “In a living room with minimal natural reverb, being able to just dial the slightest amount in – and to have so much granular control over it was really nice.”
For their unique L-shaped living room, hacker uses SQ’s matrices to feed two sets of mains, a front fill, and a sub, ensuring all processing and tuning are handled directly within the console.
Hacker also leverages the SQ MixPad app on his laptop and iPad for initial setup and soundchecking. “The wireless control allows me to be connected with the musicians on stage, especially if I’m running their monitors too,” he explained. “I can listen to them and make adjustments without being stuck behind the console.”
As Billsville House continues into its second decade, its charm lies not only in the caliber of artists it hosts – but also in the genuine care poured into every performance. What began as a family’s love for live music has grown into a cherished cultural hub where musicians feel at home and audiences experience music in its most authentic form. Billsville remains a rare gem in Vermont’s music scene, proving that sometimes the most unforgettable concerts happen not in big halls, but in the warmth of a living room.
Focusrite Group Hosts Inaugural Educational Summit at Create-it Studios in Franklin, TN
The Focusrite Group proudly hosted its inaugural Educational Summit on August 14-15 at the cutting-edge Create-it Studios in Franklin, TN. Organized by Dr. Lee Whitmore, Vice President for Education, Focusrite Group Americas, the summit brought together leading voices in music, audio, and education for two days of thought leadership, collaboration, and exploration of best practices in preparing the next generation of creators.
The event followed closely on the heels of the July 26th Focusrite Group Create-it Takeover, held at Create-it Studios, a groundbreaking creative innovation space developed in collaboration with Walmart and sponsored by Full Sail University. Located inside Walmart in Franklin, TN, Create-it Studios is a one-stop destination for podcasting, music production, video creation and live events, open to everyone, regardless of experience or background.
At the Education Summit, attendees participated in panels, workshops, and discussions that spanned topics such as immersive audio, curriculum design, music technology innovations, and cross-industry collaboration. A highlight of the program was a Dolby Atmos® panel moderated by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer and audio educator John Merchant, with guest experts GRAMMY-winning engineer Jon Blass and noted electronic music producer/DJ Greg “Stryke” Chin sharing insights on the future of spatial audio.
Special thanks were extended to the Create-it team, along with Full Sail University’s Andrew Duncan and Michael Orlowski, for their contributions to the event.
Attendees included representatives from:
- Belmont University
- Calhoun Community College
- Columbia State Community College
- Dark Horse Institute
- Dolby Laboratories
- Eastman School of Music
- Florida State University
- Full Sail University
- Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT
- Lipscomb University
- Loyola University New Orleans
- Metro Nashville Public Schools
- Miami Dade College
- Middle Tennessee State University
- North Carolina State University
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of North Alabama
- Virginia State University
“Focusrite has always been deeply committed to supporting education and empowering the next generation of music creators,” said Dr. Lee Whitmore. “This summit gave us the opportunity to bring together a remarkable group of educators, industry leaders, and innovators to share knowledge, inspire one another, and advance the role of music technology in education.”
The Focusrite Group Educational Summit marks the beginning of an ongoing initiative to foster dialogue and collaboration between academic institutions, industry leaders, and creators, ensuring that the tools, resources, and inspiration needed for tomorrow’s music innovators remain accessible and impactful.
18 Leaders From Music Products Industry to Attend 2025 Women of NAMM Leadership Summit
Women of NAMM (WoN) has announced that 18 leaders from the music products industry will participate in the WoN Summit, October 13–15, 2025, at the NAMM Headquarters in Carlsbad, California.
Now in its sixth year, the WoN Summit is an intensive, three-day leadership and professional development experience designed to support women working across the industry and their goals to connect, support and grow their leadership and professional abilities. Led by Dr. Jennifer Hall, a renowned leadership development expert and psychologist, the summit empowers women in the music products industry with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, elevate their careers and network with industry colleagues.
Participants will include NAMM members from both music manufacturers and retailers:
- Margaret Addison, Johnson String Instruments
- Brittany Bauman, Nuvo Instruments
- Hannah Bliss, Focusrite Group US
- Toni Carroll, Encore School of Music and Arts
- Lauren Carr, West Music
- Lorenza Cocco, La Bella Strings
- Erin Connelly, Menchey Music
- Allison Dolegowski, Shure
- Hailey Earp, Candyman Strings & Things
- Beverly Fowler, Paul Reed Smith Guitars
- Jennifer Gershon, Yamaha Canada Music
- Kara McCanna, Heid Music
- Whitney McGuire McNicol, Maxwell’s House of Music
- Jonni Murphy, Fender
- Mary Peterson, CodaBow International
- Korrine Marie Smith, Haynes Flute Company
- Beth Smith, The Music Shoppe
- Laura Whitmore, Positive Grid
To learn more about the Women of NAMM Summit and how you can get involved, visit the Women of NAMM page.
People
Gibson, Inc. announces the appointment of Anne Rohosy as chief commercial officer (CCO). In this expanded role, Anne will lead Gibson’s global commercial strategy, overseeing wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and retail channels as the company accelerates its growth and brand presence worldwide.
“I am excited to step into the role of chief commercial officer,” says Anne Rohosy. “Gibson has a legacy unlike any other, and we have incredible opportunities ahead to expand our reach, strengthen our brands, and deliver for our fans and partners worldwide.”
“Anne’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Gibson’s transformation over the past several years,” continues Cesar Gueikian, president and CEO of Gibson. “Her deep experience in building global brands, leading complex commercial organizations, and driving innovation makes her the right leader to take Gibson’s commercial strategy to the next level.”
Anne has been a key member of Gibson’s leadership team since 2021, serving as chief human resources and impact officer, as well as managing director of the Gibson Amplifiers business. During this time, she has led organizational transformation, championed culture and people strategy, and guided the revitalization of Gibson’s iconic Amplifier division.
With over 30 years of leadership experience across top-tier global brands, including Levi Strauss & Co. and Nike, Inc., Anne brings proven expertise in brand building, P&L management, sales and marketing operations, and organizational transformation.
In addition to her executive leadership, Anne has contributed her expertise to global board and advisory roles in consumer products and technology-driven businesses, adding further depth to her perspective on innovation, market expansion, and consumer engagement.
Casio America, Inc. has announced that Stephen Schmidt, vice president of the company’s Electronic Musical Instruments (EMI) Division, will retire on September 30, after 19 years of dedicated service to Casio.
During his nearly two-decade tenure, Stephen Schmidt played a key role in advancing Casio’s corporate creed of “Creativity and Contribution,” offering people new ways to experience and enrich their lives. He began his career at Casio America as vice president of sales, supporting all major divisions including watches, calculators, digital cameras, business projectors, digital pianos, and portable keyboards. In 2009, Schmidt assumed the more focused role of vice president of the EMI Division, where he made a lasting impact by overseeing the development and marketing of Casio’s award-winning musical instrument lines. These include the Privia and Celviano digital pianos, as well as the Casiotone portable keyboards — recognized globally for their innovation, quality, and accessibility, making them a trusted choice for everyone from beginners to educators and professional performers.
Throughout his time with Casio, Schmidt also contributed to several key initiatives across other divisions, including the U.S. launch of the Oceanus watch line, the development of Casio’s jewelry channel, and the introduction of new business ventures such as the Tryx digital camera and slim projectors. In the musical instruments space, he led three standout product launches, including two high-profile “Beyond Sound” events for the XW synth series—featuring The Crystal Method and Karmen—and the 2015 launch of the Grand Hybrid piano at Lincoln Center. Most recently, he supported the 2022 release of the Privia PX-S7000, a flagship product that redefined digital piano design for the modern lifestyle.
Before joining Casio, Schmidt built a successful career in the consumer electronics industry, holding leadership roles that spanned direct-to-consumer marketing, brand development, and long-term business strategy. He earned a strong reputation for consistently managing sales and profitability growth while helping brands expand their footprint in competitive market segments.
“Stephen has been a vital part of Casio America’s success in the music industry,” said Yusuke Suzuki, President and CEO of Casio America, Inc. “His leadership and vision have helped shape our Electronic Musical Instruments division, driving innovation, expanding our market reach, and strengthening our reputation for delivering outstanding products. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Reflecting on his career, Schmidt said: “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead a company with such a well-known name and rich history. Casio’s mission to bring music to more people, initiated over five decades ago, has resulted in several award-winning, groundbreaking products. We continue to bring musical instruments to market for everyone, wherever they may be in their musical journey, from beginners to professionals. It is incredible to see how the music created through these instruments has changed lives, and it has been a joy to be part of that process.”
These milestones reflect Schmidt’s deep commitment to innovation, cross-functional leadership, and expanding Casio’s presence across both new and established markets.
Following Schmidt’s retirement, Brian Piccolo, currently General Manager of Sales for Casio America’s EMI Division, will assume Schmidt’s responsibilities, ensuring continuity for the company’s dealers, partners, and customers.
With deep appreciation for his years of service, Casio America congratulates Stephen on his retirement and celebrates the legacy he leaves behind.
Solid State Logic announces that it has appointed
to the position of national sales manager, Eastern U.S., where he is responsible for SSL Broadcast and Live solutions. In his new role, Skipper joins SSL’s U.S.-based distributor, Group One Ltd. as part of expanding its business development and customer relationships, reporting to Rick Naqvi, Senior VP of USA Sales.
Skipper, who is based in southern Virginia, brings more than two decades of broadcast and professional audio experience to his role. Prior to starting with SSL, he has been a recording studio owner and A1 sports mixer for top networks including NBC, ESPN, Fox, CBS and others. He is also experienced in music production as a classically trained violist who has performed and recorded with multiple chamber orchestras and musical ensembles.
In his new role at SSL, Skipper is looking forward to interfacing with customers and helping solve their problems in both the broadcast and live sound production realms: “Throughout my audio career, I’ve approached studio problem-solving through strong relationships with others… always building meaningful human connections and fostering a team culture that thrives on collaboration—now by leveraging SSL’s exceptional audio solutions for superb sonics for all to enjoy!”
