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.[1]
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.[2]
History
BandLab Technologies was founded in 2015 by Kuok Meng Ru and Steve Skillings. Kuok is also the owner of music retailer Swee Lee, acquired in 2012.[3] BandLab Technologies' first product, a Cloud Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) called BandLab, was released in November 2015.[4]
In July 2016, the company acquired Composr, an iOS app for recording audio and making music.[4] In September, the company acquired MONO Creators Inc, an American manufacturer of instrument cases, straps and accessories.[5] Also in September, BandLab Technologies acquired 49% of American music magazine Rolling Stone from publisher Wenner Media.[6]
In September 2017, the company acquired Chew.tv, a video streaming service for DJs.[7] In November, the company announced it was relaunching the Harmony Company guitar and Teisco musical instrument brand names.[8]
In February 2018, BandLab Technologies acquired digital audio workstationSonar from musical instrument company Gibson, after Gibson acquired and closed Sonar's developer, parent Cakewalk.[9] Sonar was renamed Cakewalk by BandLab.[10] In October, the company acquired brands including The Guitar Magazine and MusicTech from UK-based publisher Anthem Publishing.[11]
In January 2019, BandLab Technologies sold its 49% stake in Rolling Stone to American publishing company Penske Media.[12] In May, the company bought the music publications NME and Uncut from United Kingdom publisher TI Media.[13] In August, the company announced that it was integrating its livestreaming service Chew into BandLab and renaming it as BandLab Live.[14]
In July 2020, the company released BandLab Albums, software for digital distribution for independent artists.[15]
In November 2021, BandLab acquired DIY artist services platform ReverbNation for an undisclosed sum.[16][17]
In December 2021, the company announced a new parent company, Caldecott Music Group.[2] 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.[18]
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.[3] It works in a browser or with a standalone app.[19] BandLab includes BandLab Albums, a digital distribution tool for musicians.[15][4] The tool also includes BandLab Live, a livestreaming feature.[14]
Cakewalk – a digital audio workstation formerly known as Sonar.[10]
Brands now under NME Networks,[20][21] a division of CMG (previously part of BandLab Technologies):
Swee Lee – a Southeast Asian musical instrument distributor and retailer.[3]
Business model
BandLab Technologies does not charge for its software or digital musical content, but instead focuses on retail, manufacturing and media advertising sales.[22]
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