CMI Music & Audio

HI-TECH NEWS

CMI launches Hi-tech Products Division
CMI is proud to announce the launch of the Hi-tech Products Department. The last 5 years has seen strong growth and increased diversification from CMI. With the consolidation of the audio department, CMI has turned its focus to the Hi-tech products. The first products to be offered in this department are the French software synth designer Arturia. Founded in Grenoble (France) in 1999, Arturia specialises in the development of music software and hardware for both the professional and amateur musician. Focusing on innovation, the company strives to integrate the latest advances in computer music research and technology into their products. This involves working closely with partner research institutions, such as IRCAM France, in the development of leading edge musical instruments and software, the results of which have gone on to been used in the making of numerous hit records and Hollywood sound tracks. Arturia's product list is impressive with software-based models of several classic synths from the 70s and 80s including the CS80, Moog Modular, ARP 2600, Minimoog, Jupiter 8, and Prophet VS. Analogue Factory Experience (AFE) is a product that brings all of these classic synth products together, sans the editing interfaces, in one package. AFE comes with its own dedicated controller keyboard and out of the box comes with controller assignments pre-mapped. Sporting a mammoth sound bank of 3500 sounds sourced from the factory banks of the individual synth products, AFE makes the sounds of these classic instruments accessible to all musicians. Finally, and in development for over 4 years, Arturia is about to set the synthesizer world ablaze with release their ground-breaking synthesizer, the Origin! Origin is the first hardware synth from Arturia. Origin gives you the sound and control of some of the greatest analog and digital synthesizers ever made in an easy to use instrument. An advanced modular synthesizer, Origin allows you to build sounds in a truly modular fashion selecting from over 80 individual synthesis modules (with several being unique to Origin). Ever wanted to build a mammoth bass patch using the world-famous oscillator section of a Minimoog being fed through the low pass filter stage of Jupiter 8? Origin is synth you've been waiting for! Origin will be available from June 2008.
Native Instruments
CMI is also proud to announce that Native Instruments (NI) will join CMI's growing stable of Hi-tech brands. Native Instruments is the pioneer and market leader in the field of software instruments, and one of the key players in the market of computer-based music technology. The company's mission is to develop outstanding tools for musicians, producers, sound designers and DJs of all styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundariesand open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike. NI is the pioneer and market leader in the field of software instruments, offering a formidable range of tools covering revolutionary sound generators, unique interfaces, perfect emulators and stunning samplers - plus much more. This group includes products such as Komplete, Kore, Kontakt, Reaktor and instrument products such as Pro 53, Absynth, B4 II and Elektrik piano. Guitar products include the incredibly innovative Guitar Rig series including the highly acclaimed Guitar Rig 3 and the soon to be released Guitar Rig Session. Finally, the DJ line is committed to creating products that set the industry standard for professional DJ solutions. Each product is built on the foundation of real-world DJing experience mixed with large amounts of creative inspiration. This groupincludes products such as Traktor 3 and Traktor Scratch. In addition to these brilliant software products NI, also produce the Audio Kontrol 1 and Audio 8 interfaces. CMI will also extend the range of Belkin products offered. Belkin's Tune Studio has already been a great hit with musicians and schools and Belkin plan to extend this line and move further into digital recording products. CMI is delighted to be entering this market and looks forward to working with dealers nationally. For any enquiries contact Jason Hearn on 9315 2244 or at: jason@cmi.com.au
CMI appoints new Hi-Tech Product Manager
Originally from Perth, Jason Hearn began experimenting with synths and computers in the early 80s. He's embarked on avaried career - including Graphic Design - to fund his lust for gear. In 1993 he formed one of Perth's first live performing dance music bands, Sensory Overload. Eventually he went solo under the moniker, Jase from Outta Space, playing support spots for many touring international acts at electronic music events throughout the latter half of the 90s. Around 2001, he recorded a piece which became a minor international underground hit: Do What U Want. The song was remixed by Infusion in 2002 and first appeared on Ministry of Sound's Club Nation 2002. It's been subsequently relicensed several times - most recently, Max Graham's remix appeared on DJ Tiesto's In Search of Sunrise 4 mix compilation in 2006. Concurrent with his music career, Jason has worked in music wholesale. He relocated to Melbourne in August of 2002 to become Product Specialist and Technical Support person within MusicLink's Audio Technology department. There, Jason was responsible for Technical Sales and Dealer/User Support and Training for products including Ableton, Arturia, CME, Echo, Korg, KRK, Line 6, Mackie, Propellerhead, Steinberg, and Vestax - giving him a vast knowledge of the hi-tech products sector. Jason joins the team at CMI to establish a new Audio Technology product department in the role of Product Manager and is looking forward to working with CMI's dealers from all sectors of the marketplace to grow their businesses through sales of hi-tech studio production/performance hardware and software solutions. Jason maintains a firm belief that today's traditional MI customers who write and perform original music are tomorrow's hi-tech studio recording customers.