Jack O’Donnell Announces the Acquisition of AIR Software Group and M-Audio From Avid

inMusic, newly formed parent company of Akai Professional, Alesis, Alto Professional, ION Audio, Numark, and Sonivox,
bolsters its commitment to music production and performance with the addition of two world-class brands

CUMBERLAND, R.I.--()--Today, inMusic announced the acquisition of two product lines from Avid. inMusic will add the AIR Software Group, a cutting-edge audio software and technology development team, and M-Audio, the world’s largest manufacturer of keyboard controllers and a category leader in studio monitors and computer recording tools for musicians.

Through these deals, the AIR Software Group and M-Audio will join a family of premier brands that includes Akai Professional, Alesis, Alto Professional, ION Audio, Numark, plus another recent addition, Sonivox, a developer of innovative virtual instruments, acquired earlier this year.

Based in Germany, the AIR Software Group started as Wizoo Sound Design, one of the earliest pioneers in virtual instrument technology, and was acquired by Avid in 2005. The AIR team develops a number of specialized effects plug-ins for Avid’s Pro Tools® software, the de facto standard for professional audio production across the music, film, and television industries. The AIR team has also developed a suite of award-winning virtual instruments specifically for Pro Tools. The group has a number of groundbreaking new products in development, many of which will be showcased and released in the latter half of 2012.

Previously a part of Avid, M-Audio is a leading provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for electronic musicians and audio professionals. Since 1988, M-Audio has continually provided musicians with innovative and creative products. From their acclaimed MIDI and audio interfaces to their wildly popular keyboard controllers, M-Audio’s products have become studio and stage mainstays, giving musicians broad access to the latest in music creation and performance technology.

“By acquiring the AIR Software Group and M-Audio, we’re not only broadening but also deepening our commitment to the future of music creation and production,” said Jack O’Donnell, owner and CEO, inMusic. “All of our brands are technology leaders, and they all have tremendous market momentum. With the addition of AIR and M-Audio, we’re in an even better position to push the boundaries of computer-based composition, production, and performance. Naturally this will be very positive for musicians, who will get better software, better hardware, and a much more integrated music-making experience as a result.”

The acquisitions also signal a new relationship with Avid. The AIR Software Group will continue to develop and maintain technologies for the Avid Pro Tools family of digital audio workstations, and a number of M-Audio products will continue to include Pro Tools software. Select Akai Professional and Alesis products will also now include Pro Tools, bringing the leading professional production software to a whole new audience of musicians, producers, and engineers.

M-Audio and the AIR Software Group will dovetail with Akai Professional, Alesis, and Numark in many key areas, including product development, engineering, and distribution. This synergy will bolster the product offerings and technological leadership of all five brands, giving musicians an array of instruments unprecedented in both capability and value. M-Audio and the AIR Software Group will join the other brands at the Summer NAMM Show in July and will debut a number of innovative new products at the show.

About AIR Software Group

Based in Germany, the AIR Software Group started as Wizoo Sound Design, one of the earliest pioneers in virtual instrument technology, and was acquired by Avid Technology in 2005. The AIR team is responsible for the core of much of the effects offerings in Avid’s Pro Tools software, the de facto standard for professional music production across the music, film, and television industries. The AIR team has also developed a suite of award-winning virtual instruments specifically for Pro Tools. The group has a number of groundbreaking new products in development, many of which will be showcased and released in the latter half of 2012.

About M-AUDIO

Previously a part of Avid Technology, M-Audio is a leading provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for electronic musicians and audio professionals. Since 1988, M-Audio has continually provided musicians with innovative and creative products. From their acclaimed MIDI and audio interfaces to their wildly popular keyboard controllers, M-Audio’s products have become studio and stage mainstays, giving musicians broad access to the latest in music creation and performance technology.

About inMusic

inMusic is the new parent company for a family of premier brands that includes AIR Software Group, Akai Professional, Alesis, Alto Professional, ION Audio, M-Audio, MixMeister, Numark, and Sonivox. Committed to pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo, each of inMusic’s brands is a leader in its industry, providing cutting-edge products that both incorporate and build upon the latest in engineering, design, and technology. www.inmusicbrands.com

Contacts

inMusic
David Frederick, 401-658-3131
dfrederick@numark.com
or
Bender/Helper Impact
Steven Solomon, 212-689-6360 x1224
steven_solomon@bhimpact.com

Release Summary

Today, inMusic announced the acquisition of two product lines from Avid including the AIR Software Group and M-Audio.

Contacts

inMusic
David Frederick, 401-658-3131
dfrederick@numark.com
or
Bender/Helper Impact
Steven Solomon, 212-689-6360 x1224
steven_solomon@bhimpact.com