BandLab Technologies#Brands
{{short description|Singaporean multi-brand music company}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Guitar Magazine|Guitar for the Practicing Musician}}
{{Infobox company
| name = BandLab Technologies
| logo = BandLab_Technologies_Logo.svg
| type = Private
| location = Singapore
| foundation = {{start date and age|2015}}
| founders = {{Ubl
| Kuok Meng Ru
| Steve Skillings
}}
| key_people = Kuok Meng Ru (CEO)
| industry = {{Ubl
| Music collaboration software;
| Instruments and accessories
| Music publications
}}
| products = {{Ubl
| BandLab
| Guitar.com
| lab.fm
| MONO
| MusicTech
| NME
| Swee Lee
| Teisco
| The Guitar Magazine
| Uncut
}}
| revenue =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| homepage = {{URL|https://bandlabtechnologies.com}}
}}
BandLab Technologies is a Singaporean company founded in 2015 that operates a social music platform, called BandLab, and also owns a variety of music-related brands, including Harmony and Heritage Guitars; media platforms Guitar.com, NME, Uncut and MusicTech.com ; and musical instrument retailer and distributor Swee Lee.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54138180 |title=Covid: NME owner says pandemic impact wasn't all negative |website=BBC|date=2020-10-03 |access-date=2020-11-16}}
In December 2021, the company announced a reorganisation under the newly formed parent company Caldecott Music Group (CMG). BandLab Technologies is the music technology division of CMG.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-01|title=Caldecott Music Group revealed as new umbrella of BandLab|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/caldecott-music-group-bandlab-technologies/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=The Music Network}}
History
BandLab Technologies was founded in 2015 by Kuok Meng Ru and Steve Skillings. Kuok was a Singaporean mathematics graduate from Cambridge University who is the son of agribusiness conglomerate Wilmar International's billionaire founder and CEO Kuok Khoon Hong, and Skillings was the developer of the JamHub audio mixer.{{cite web|url= https://vulcanpost.com/589375/bandlab-what-you-need-to-know/ |title=What You Need To Know About BandLab, The Singaporean Startup Behind That Rolling Stone Deal |website=Vulcan Post |date=2016-09-29 |access-date=2020-11-16}} Kuok is also the owner of music retailer Swee Lee, acquired in 2012.{{cite web|url= https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/bandlab-technologies-202914/ |title=BandLab's Meng Ruo Kuok on building a business model around music|website=DealStreet Asia |date=2020-08-22 |access-date=2020-11-16}} BandLab Technologies' first product, a Cloud Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) called BandLab, was released in November 2015.
In July 2016, the company acquired Composr, an iOS app for recording audio and making music. The app and its users were integrated into BandLab. In September, the company acquired MONO Creators Inc, an American manufacturer of instrument cases, straps and accessories.{{cite web|url=https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/singapores-social-music-platform-bandlab-takes-in-us-design-studio-52949/ |title=BandLab debuts a new 'Albums' tool for self-releasing artists |website=Deal Street Asia|date=2016-09-09 |access-date=2020-11-17}} Also in September, BandLab Technologies acquired 49% of American music magazine Rolling Stone from publisher Wenner Media.{{cite web|url= https://fortune.com/2016/09/26/rolling-stone-sell-bandlab/ |title=A Large Stake in Rolling Stone Is Being Sold to This Singaporean Company |website=Fortune|date=2016-09-25 |access-date=2020-11-17}}
In September 2017, the company acquired Chew.tv, a video streaming service for DJs. The service was renamed Chew By BandLab, and was integrated into BandLab's web platform.{{cite web|url= https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/06/bandlab%E2%80%8B-%E2%80%8Btechnologies%E2%80%8B-acquires-chew-tv/ |title=BandLab Technologies acquires Chew.tv, a video streaming service for DJs|website=Techcrunch|date=2017-09-06 |access-date=2020-11-16}} Also in September, the company signed a sales and marketing partnership with Heritage Guitars.{{cite web|url= https://msretailer.com/heritage-guitar-teams-bandlab/|title=Heritage Guitar Teams with BandLab|website=MS Retailer|date=2017-09-11 |access-date=2020-11-17}} In November, the company announced it was relaunching the Harmony Company guitar and Teisco musical instrument brand names.{{cite web|url= https://reverb.com/news/bandlab-announces-teisco-and-harmony-guitar-reboots |title=BandLab to Reboot Teisco and Harmony Guitar Brands |website=Reverb|date=2017-12-14 |access-date=2020-11-16}}
In February 2018, BandLab Technologies acquired digital audio workstation Sonar from musical instrument company Gibson, after Gibson acquired and closed Sonar's developer, parent Cakewalk.{{cite web|url= https://reverb.com/news/bandlab-acquires-cakewalk-assets-from-gibson |title=BandLab Acquires Cakewalk Assets from Gibson |website=Reverb|date=2018-02-23 |access-date=2020-11-16}} Sonar was renamed Cakewalk by BandLab.{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/news/sonar-now-free-renamed-cakewalk-bandlab |title=Sonar now free, renamed 'Cakewalk by BandLab' |website=Sound On Sound |date=2018-04-04 |access-date=2020-11-17}} In October, the company acquired brands including The Guitar Magazine and MusicTech from UK-based publisher Anthem Publishing.{{cite web|url= https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/singapore-bandlab-the-guitar-magazine-musictech-109643/ |title=SG music platform BandLab acquires The Guitar Magazine, Musictech|website=Deal Street Asia|date=2018-10-24 |access-date=2020-11-17}}
In January 2019, BandLab Technologies sold its 49% stake in Rolling Stone to American publishing company Penske Media.{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/penske-media-acquires-who-owns-rolling-stone-1203124892/ |title=Penske Media Takes Full Ownership of Rolling Stone |website=Variety|date=2019-01-31 |access-date=2020-11-17}} In May, the company bought the music publications NME and Uncut from United Kingdom publisher TI Media.{{cite web|url= https://www.ft.com/content/43c3d1bc-7893-11e9-be7d-6d846537acab |title=Music bible NME sold to Singapore's BandLab |website=Financial Times|date=2019-05-17 |access-date=2020-11-17}} In August, the company announced that it was integrating its livestreaming service Chew into BandLab and renaming it as BandLab Live.{{cite web|url= https://bandlabtechnologies.com/press/9155-bandlab-live-adds-livestreaming-to-popular-social-music-platform|title='BandLab Live' adds livestreaming to popular social music platform. 'Live' replaces previous streaming platform, Chew.TV. |website=BandLab Technologies|date=2019-08-01 |access-date=2020-11-16}}
In July 2020, the company released BandLab Albums, software for digital distribution for independent artists.{{cite web|url=https://musically.com/2020/07/01/bandlab-debuts-a-new-albums-tool-for-self-releasing-artists/ |title=BandLab debuts a new 'Albums' tool for self-releasing artists |website=Musical.ly|date=2020-07-01 |access-date=2020-11-17}} In October 2020, the company reported that 22 million people were using the BandLab app. In March 2021, BandLab Technologies reported that there were 30 million people using the app.{{Cite web|title=Music-making platform BandLab now has 30m registered users – Music Ally|date=31 March 2021 |url=https://musically.com/2021/03/31/music-making-platform-bandlab-now-has-30m-registered-users/|access-date=2021-11-08}}{{Cite web|title=BandLab crosses 30 million users around the globe|url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/bandlab-crosses-30-million-users/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=MusicTech|language=en-GB}}
In November 2021, BandLab acquired DIY artist services platform ReverbNation for an undisclosed sum.{{Cite web|title=BandLab buys ReverbNation in artist services expansion – Music Ally|date=5 November 2021 |url=https://musically.com/2021/11/05/bandlab-buys-reverbnation/|access-date=2021-11-08}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-05|title=Singapore's BandLab acquires DIY artist services platform ReverbNation|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/singapores-bandlab-acquires-diy-artist-services-platform-reverbnation/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=Music Business Worldwide|language=en-US}}
In December 2021, the company announced a new parent company, Caldecott Music Group. Caldecott Music Group (CMG) oversees three divisions: BandLab Technologies (technology and software), NME Networks (media), and Vista Musical Instruments (manufacturing, retail, and distribution).
In February 2023, it was announced BandLab had acquired the beat marketplace company, Airbit.{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2023-02-01 |title=BandLab Technologies acquire Beat marketplace Airbit |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bandlab-technologies-acquire-beat-marketplace-airbit-3390490 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
Brands
Brands within the BandLab Technologies division of CMG:
- BandLab – a free online Cloud Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) tool for creating music and collaborating with other musicians. It works in a browser or with a standalone app.{{cite web|url=https://www.musictech.net/guides/essential-guide/getting-set-up-for-remote-collaboration-collaborative-platforms/ |title=Getting set up for remote collaboration: Collaborative Platforms |website=MusicTech|date=2020-06-09 |access-date=2020-11-17}} BandLab includes BandLab Albums, a digital distribution tool for musicians, allowing them to also create exclusive content for listeners such as demo tracks and behind-the-scenes videos. The tool also includes BandLab Live, a livestreaming feature.
- Cakewalk – a digital audio workstation formerly known as Sonar.
Brands now under NME Networks,{{Cite web |date=2021-11-14 |title=NME, Guitar.com, Uncut & MusicTech form new media group, NME Networks |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/bandlab-nme-networks/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=The Music Network}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/nme-uncut-and-more-form-media-group-nme-networks/084616|title = NME, Uncut and more form media group NME Networks}} a division of CMG (previously part of BandLab Technologies):
- Guitar.com – a music news website that also published The Guitar Magazine (published from 1991 to 2021). It ceased physical magazine publication in December 2021, announcing it would focus solely on the digital offering from January 2022 onwards.{{Cite web|title=Subscribe to Guitar Magazine|url=https://magazines.nmenetworks.com/all-products/guitar-magazine.htm|access-date=2021-12-14|website=magazines.nmenetworks.com}}
- lab.fm – an online music publication.{{cite web|url= https://www.techinasia.com/singapores-bandlab-buys-iconic-music-magazines |title=Singapore's BandLab Technologies acquires iconic music magazines NME and Uncut |website=Tech In Asia|date=2019-05-17 |access-date=2020-11-17}}
- MusicTech – an online music technology publication.
- NME – formally known as New Musical Express, a UK-based music journalism website and former print publication.
Brands now under Vista Musical Instruments, CMG (previously part of BandLab Technologies):
- Harmony Company – originally America's largest musical instrument manufacturer, relaunched in 2018 by BandLab with guitars and amplifiers.{{cite web|date=2018-01-31|title=NAMM 2018: Harmony resurrected with new guitars and amps|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/namm-2018-harmony-company-resurrected-with-new-guitars-and-amps|access-date=2020-11-17|website=Music Radar}}
- Heritage Guitars – a United States–based guitar manufacturer.
- MONO – a manufacturer of instrument cases, straps and accessories.
- Teisco – a brand of musical effects pedals.
- Swee Lee – a Southeast Asian musical instrument distributor and retailer.
Business model
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://bandlabtechnologies.com Official website]
- [https://www.bandlab.com BandLab website]
{{BandLab Technologies}}
Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Singapore
Category:Singaporean companies established in 2015
Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions
Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions
Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions