Gibson acquires-Cakewalk / Sonar

Started by admin, September 23, 2013, 11:36:34 AM

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admin

Looks like Roland just sold Cakewalk/Sonar to Gibson.
Look for more micromanagement and layoffs.

http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Cakewalk-for-Gibson.aspx
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2013/09/breaking-gibson-acquire-cakewalk-creating-rd-division-tascam-pro-audio-software/

     Sep 23 2013    Breaking: Gibson to Acquire Cakewalk, Creating R&D Division, Tascam Pro Audio Software      by Peter Kirn
     Guessing a bunch of people are going to start talking about the 1990s. But that may be premature. Photo (CC-BY-ND) reducer, via Flickr.Guessing a bunch of people are going to start talking about the 1990s. But that may be premature. Photo (CC-BY-ND) reducer, via Flickr. Gibson's buying spree through the music and sound industry continues, creating a giant serving audio creators, pros, and musicians. And while the acquisition of a DAW manufacturer is likely to bring up the specter of Gibson's ultimately-fruitless acquisition of a failing Opcode and Studio Vision in the 90s, this seems different. It ends years of ownership or investment by Japan's Roland, returning ownership to the USA via the Nashville-based name, associated with guitars but now diversified across audio products. And unlike Opcode, Cakewalk remains a healthy business serving both consumers and high-end users. Now, the question is, what next?
The acquisition marks some changes for Cakewalk – like the end of the name's appearance on the pro products, after decades as one of the marquee brands for music making on computers – and will presumably bring big changes, primarily, in distribution and marketing, as they shift from Roland infrastructure to Gibson infrastructure.
The Boston office and employees will remain, Gibson says, and development will continue on both pro and consumer products. The pro products will be re-dubbed TASCAM Pro Audio, while the consumer products become Cakewalk. SONAR is the new TASCAM computer flagship and standards-bearer, as the lucrative consumer product line remains as Cakewalk. (Don't underestimate the consumer products, one of which recently appeared even on the Steam site associated with gaming. They're big sellers.) Cakewalk itself will become Cakewalk Development.
The acquisition is best understood in the context of recent Gibson strategy, not the 1990s. Gibson has lately bought Onkyo, TEAC, TASCAM, KRK, Stanton, and Cerwin Vega. Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz talks mainly about human assets and technologies. He even appears to imply in the press release that Cakewalk's innovations were ripped off by others (or, at least, leveraged by rivals rather than successfully marketed by Cakewalk). Juszkiewicz says in the announcement, "If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Cakewalk must be very flattered that so many of their innovations have become industry standards." (Certainly, I would argue there's fairly liberal borrowing of features in the DAW market in general – often, by necessity, as users have long lists of demands. But there's no question Cakewalk deserves some credit here, and there aren't that many big shops doing this kind of development.)
Gibson has been on public campaigns for years touting re-imagined guitars for the digital age, with Ethernet ports and so on, even if that direction hasn't translated into a popular product. (Certainly, it's delivered nothing like the Les Paul, which Gibson naturally brings up in the press release). In any event, it seems R&D is the thrust of the press announcement and the re-labeling of Cakewalk, as Gibson says the new division will "pursue provocative R&D initiatives" as well as continue to develop the pro product line. Gibson also says they might leverage technologies in other divisions, though it's not obvious what that would mean in practical terms.
Yes. One of the main strengths of Gibson Brands is the constant dialog among its divisions. As just one example, the possibilities of combining TASCAM's leadership in professional audio hardware with Cakewalk's industry-leading software are virtually unlimited.
That last bit remains to be seen. Collaborations between Roland and Cakewalk and Yamaha and Steinberg didn't necessarily lead to "virtually unlimited" possibilities. But as far as the health of the company, that may be more a matter of whether the new distribution and marketing apparatus works well, and whether it can support development that keeps the product competitive with other offerings.
For now, the acquisition has only a letter of intent. The biggest test may be if Cakewalk can remain healthy through any transition, up against competition from a variety of developers selling similar products.
And we will also see how this impacts Roland strategy and products, since Cakewalk was that company's main gambit in the computer realm.
Cakewalk has already changed their website to read "Cakewalk Development," with the footer reading "developers of TASCAM Professional Software."
Gibson FAQ [Spoiler alert: no SONAR for Mac. Sorry.]
Gibson Brands Announces Intention to Acquire Cakewalk Inc.


Further reading
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=downfile&id=69

http://forum.cakewalk.com/Goodbye-Roland-Hello-Gibson-m2890757.aspx

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/871552-gibson-buys-cakewalk-3.html

Kevin M

As a longtime Cakewalk/Sonar user I can only say....hmmmm, it was nice while it lasted.

thebrushwithin

This explains the big sale on Sonar the whole summer. Not cool!

montyrivers

I was debating getting x2. Maybe I will try cubase instead


germanicus

Well I love x2 producer, couldn't be happier. Not sure what to think of this. I don't think they are buying it to tank it. Tascam needs a DAW program to go with their hardware.

Im finishing up two albums on Sonar at the moment so I wont be switching any time soon. Don't see any reason to at this point in any regards.

My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4

montyrivers

I have heard good things about reaper.  How is it when it comes to startup time and how's the sequencer?  Is there a view to compose using sheet music or tab GUI?  (Wishful thinking)

Does it use VST?  Is the interface anything like pro tools or logic?

Kevin M

I'm using X2 as well on a project. It's a really mature and robust product. I'm going to take a wait and see approach when it gets folded into Gibson/Tascam.

GraemeJ

This sort of thing happens all the time - the big boys muscling in on what they perceive to be a profitable sideline.

The same happened with Tracktion - a truly innovative DAW - that got taken over by Mackie.  As, primarily, a hardware company, Mackie failed to support Tracktion properly and it gradually faded away.  Fortunately, in this particular case, the rights reverted back to the original author - but that's the exception, rather than the rule.

The upside of the Cakewalk/Sonar deal is that it is very mature software.  If Gibson canned it tomorrow, it would not stop the legions of Cakewalk users from continuing to use the product for many years to come.


germanicus

X3 has been released.

It has an integrated version of Melodyne Essential.
If you aren't familiar with what this can do, it is basically capable of altering single pitches within a mono polyphonic audio recording. Have a piano chord in a take with a single wrong note in the chord? you can fix it. Its pretty mind blowing. Its basically like treating an audio recording as midi.

It also has a pitch to midi engine. Its not realtime, but its incredibly accurate. Ive managed to extract workable midi tracks for orchestration out of mono audio distorted guitar track recordings.
My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4

Kevin M

Haha!  This happens to me all the time!  I bought both X2 and Pro Tools 10 at the beginning of the year. Now, both products have been updated!  Oh well...I already have Melodyne Editor anyway.

Quote from: germanicus on September 28, 2013, 01:54:06 PM
X3 has been released.

It has an integrated version of Melodyne Essential.
If you aren't familiar with what this can do, it is basically capable of altering single pitches within a mono polyphonic audio recording. Have a piano chord in a take with a single wrong note in the chord? you can fix it. Its pretty mind blowing. Its basically like treating an audio recording as midi.

It also has a pitch to midi engine. Its not realtime, but its incredibly accurate. Ive managed to extract workable midi tracks for orchestration out of mono audio distorted guitar track recordings.

admin

Seems all DAW software announces the new version Oct-December  - every year like clockwork.
Melodyne is powerful - I first got it free in Presonus StudioOne a few years ago. Then upgraded to the full Melodyne Editor

germanicus

Just to clarify, the melodyne you get with x3 (essential), does NOT do the polyphonic type of editing I alluded to (Direct Note Access). I believe you need the 'editor' version for that.
My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4

Kevin M

Quote from: germanicus on September 28, 2013, 09:35:30 PM
Just to clarify, the melodyne you get with x3 (essential), does NOT do the polyphonic type of editing I alluded to (Direct Note Access). I believe you need the 'editor' version for that.

Yep, that's correct

rolandvg99

I can't shake the feeling that Roland was their main target..
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

Elantric

Since up until recently Roland owned a share of Cakewalk.
Gibson must pay Roland to acquire those shares.

Kevin M

I'm curious why Roland would consider offers. The Cakewalk/Roland marriage seemed logical.

montyrivers

Hopefully as a result of this new Roland hardware will work with pro tools now that they are dropping sonar.

rolandvg99

Quote from: kmaus10 on September 29, 2013, 09:01:48 AM
I'm curious why Roland would consider offers. The Cakewalk/Roland marriage seemed logical.


Don't take my word for it, but the musical instruments business has been in decline for a long time and I've heard talks about Roland needing more funding for a few years allready. Most of the former "mammoths" struggle with funding and finding the next "big thing". At the moment all they do is shuffling money around trying to survive.
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

montyrivers


admin

Roland Details on the Cakewalk Transfer of Ownership to Gibson
http://www.roland.com/ir/pdf/2013/20130924.pdf


It nets Roland some cash and unburdens the Roland Corp from re-investing in new R&D for Cakewalk.

Roland also liquidated its Italian pedal factory ( sold to Proel),

Roland Europe sold to Proel
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12722.0


and Roland sold off the whole "V-Accordion" line, to Fatar Italy those are now known as "Nissan Accordions" 
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12722.msg92525#msg92525

http://www.roland.com/ir/pdf/2014/20140904.pdf