Release date: Monday, September 23, 2013

Gibson Brands Announces Intention to Acquire Cakewalk Inc.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; and Tokyo, Japan – September 23, 2013 – Gibson Brands, the number one company in music and sound, has entered into a letter of intent with Roland Corporation and Cakewalk, Inc. for Gibson to acquire Cakewalk pursuant to definitive acquisition agreements to be negotiated by the parties. According to Gibson Brands Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, “If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Cakewalk must be very flattered that so many of their innovations have become industry standards. As an addition to the Gibson Pro Audio Group, Cakewalk will enhance their flagship professional products, pursue provocative R&D initiatives, and continue to serve the needs of musicians and producers world-wide.”

Following the closing of the proposed acquisition, a new brand, TASCAM Professional Software, will be created to support, promote, and publish Cakewalk’s current and future professional products. Cakewalk President Michael Hoover notes “The world’s most iconic guitar, Gibson’s Les Paul, bears the name of the inventor of multitrack recording—and TASCAM launched a musical revolution by bringing multitrack recording to the masses. The combination will make a fitting home for products developed by Cakewalk.” TASCAM President Yuji Hanabusa states “The future of recording is an intelligent, intuitive combination of both hardware and software. Cakewalk and TASCAM will have the power to realize this future.”

The Cakewalk staff and headquarters will remain in Boston as an independent division. Juszkiewicz concludes, “This isn’t just about wanting to acquire Cakewalk’s respected product line. We’re equally excited about what Cakewalk’s R&D labs are developing for current Cakewalk fans—as well as those who are about to become Cakewalk fans.”

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About Gibson Brands (gibson.com)
Gibson Brands, one the fastest-growing companies in the music and sound industries, was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Nashville, TN. Gibson Brands is a global leader in musical instruments, and consumer and professional audio, and is dedicated to bringing the finest experiences by offering exceptional products with world-recognized brands. Gibson has a portfolio of over 100 well-recognized brand names starting with the number one guitar brand, Gibson. Other brands include: Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer. Audio brands include: KRK Systems, TASCAM, Cerwin-Vega!, Stanton, Onkyo, Integra, TEAC, TASCAM Professional Software, and Esoteric. All Gibson Brands are dedicated to innovation, prestige and improving the quality of life of our customers.

About Cakewalk (cakewalk.com) Cakewalk, Inc. is a leading developer of powerful and thoughtfully designed software for the modern musician including award-winning digital audio workstations and sequencers, innovative virtual instruments and effects, and entry-level consumer products. Millions of musicians around the world choose Cakewalk products to produce audio for the professional music, film, broadcast, and video game industries. These customers include Grammy® and Emmy®-winning producers, composers, sound designers and engineers.

About TASCAM (tascam.com) TASCAM is the pro audio and consumer brand of the TEAC Corporation, an electronics company based in Japan and founded in 1953. For more than 30 years, TASCAM has developed products for every segment of the sound and music industry, from the high-end audio professional in a major post-production studio to the novice or hobbyist at home. TASCAM launched the home recording revolution during the early 1970s, then went on to achieve additional recognition for pioneering products in the professional recording arena, as evidenced by both Oscar® and Emmy Awards for outstanding technical achievements.

Press Contacts

Jimmy Landry – Head of Artist and Public Relations, Cakewalk
JimmyLandry@cakewalk.com

Tara Zanett – Marketing Manager, Cakewalk
TaraZanett@cakewalk.com

Craig Anderton – Chief Magic Officer, Gibson
craig.anderton@gibson.com