Gibson Brands Intend to Acquire Cakewalk

Gibson Brands continue to roll out their expansion plans, this time setting their eyes on Cakewalk Inc.

A letter of intent has been submitted to Roland and Cakewalk, with acquisition negotiations well on their way.

The move to gain a foot hold on the DAW market is an expected step for the giant guitar brand. After acquiring high-end consumer electronics and pro audio manufacturers like Onkyo, TEAC, TASCAM, KRK, Stanton, and Cerwin Vega - Cakewalk is meant to complete the "package" by providing the software backbone to their products.

Gibson Brands Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz had this to say, "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."

Aside from having the Cakewalk's popular DAW Sonar and their other software products, Gibson intends to utilize the current Cakewalk personnel and their R&D work to support future product releases. In line with this, Cakewalk will transition to an extended name "Cakewalk Development", to emphasize their focus on research and development. It was mentioned that the Cakewalk staff and headquarters will remain in Boston, and they will continue to produce products and do their research as an independent division. Juszkiewicz defends the acquisition plan by saying: "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.”

To ensure harmony between their expanding family, Gibson is planning to pair Cakewalk with TASCAM to create the TASCAM Professional Software brand. This new software brand will support, promote and publish Cakewalk's current and future products - this includes popular DAW Sonar. TASCAM President Yuji Hanabusa adds: "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." Cakewalk President Michael Hoover also 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."

Consumer oriented Cakewalk products like Music Creator will continue to have the Cakewalk brand, in order to differentiate them from their professional products. It was mentioned that there are more consumer level software products on the works.

When finalized, the acquisition will end Roland's ownership of the software, we have yet to see what their plans are in terms of software products. While a door closes for the Japanese firm, a new one opens up for Gibson as it tries its hand on the software market. We will just have to wait and see whether it will be successful or not.

Visit Cakewalk for more information on this upcoming acquisition.

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