Alphasphere Maker Turns to Crowdfunding It’s hard to get funding for business ventures these days, when banks are keener to give out bonuses to directors than to entrepreneurs. That’s why electronic instrument designer Nu Desine is raising extra funds to help develop and market its new AlphaSphere Me product through crowdsourcing. The quirky musical instrument made quite an impact last year, when user videos went viral on Facebook, racking up over 10m views in less than two weeks. The new model features the same pressure sensitive pads as the original Elite and Nexus models, but fewer of them and features a simplifed software user interface. “The idea is to make music accessible to anyone,” said a spokesman, “and this is rapidly being proven through initial user testing. It is proving very popular in an educational context. The campaign itself is hosted on IndieGo- Go and has a number of early-bird offers on the device so that contributors can get up to 25 percent of the retail price of $199.” Tabla player Talvin Singh described the original Elite model as, “An incredible universe of an instrument, which gives you the feeling to tailor make tones, aesthetically and sonically, as well as allowing you the capacity to invest in more indigenous and rebellious scale systems”. Audio Firms Join Together A new European audio firm has been set up, following the joining of two Swiss companies and an Italian loudspeaker manufacturer. The Schertler group comprises: Schertler SA, Swiss manufacturer of high quality contact microphones and compact acoustic and electric amplification systems; SR Technology, the Italian loudspeaker systems manufacturer (wholly owned by Schertler since 2012); and Velvet Strings SA (developed and owned by Schertler). The group’s new website offers pro-audio customers, hi-fi enthusiasts and musicians a range of amplifiers, preamps and contact microphones plus active and passive loudspeaker systems for live work, home audio and installations. In addition, it sells string sets for cello and bass and will soon be adding ranges for violin, viola and guitar. Customers in Europe can either purchase products directly via the website, or from authorised centres that have been set up in selected territories. Duilio Salvucci, general manager of SR Technology, said: “As well as buying direct, visitors can also have direct contact with our multi-lingual product specialists and access immediate after-sales assistance. With an increasing range of products designed for different market sectors, it has proved a logical development going forward.” Line 6 Plans Take Shape In other Yamaha news, it has begun the process of integrating Line 6 into its distribution network and will now be distributing the range out of its 13 European offices. More details of how the structure will work going forward are likely to be announced at the forthcoming Musikmesse in Frankfurt. “As a member of the Yamaha family, Line 6 now has the opportunity to target a growth target in Europe, which can only be achieved with a well designed sales and marketing network,” Paul Foeckler, president and CEO of Line 6 explained. “The Yamaha Music Europe markets served are considered the main growth areas for Line 6. We look forward to working with a major Yamaha branch and are confident that we can serve the European market better in the future.“ MBO for Cordial German cable manufacturer Cordial has a new owner after a management buy out which saw MD Francois Rousies take control of the company. Cordial was founded 20 years ago by Neutrik partner Heinz Schneckenaichner. Rousies became managing director in 2005. Yamaha Launches New-Look Flagship Store in London One of the UK’s best-known music retailers has undergone a transformation as part of Yamaha’s overhaul of its dealer network. The Yamaha-owned Chappell of Bond Street in London has now completed its rebrand to Yamaha Music London and undergone a refit to incorporate the new branding and new dedicated areas within the shop such as a pro sound area. It is part of Yamaha’s overhaul of its European dealer network which saw it introduce its first set of new dealer T&Cs in nearly two decades. European dealers now have to adhere to a strict set of standards in-store to achieve their 25 percent Yamaha margin. The conditions are set out in a document, which has become known as Yamaha’s Purple Book. As part of that, the London store has become the benchmark and flagship for Yamaha’s UK retail network. Store manager Nigel Hill told MMR: “We’ve had a very positive reaction from our customers since the relaunch - without a doubt the new pro sound area focusing on stage, studio and stadium product has a real ‘wow’ factor. added to that the lighting in this area along with the stage looks very effective and professional. All of our customers are really buying into the idea of getting hands on with the guitars and drums and trying before buying.” In fact, the store now boasts the largest collection of Yamaha guitars in Europe and a stock of 35,000 sheet music books. “Regular and new customers have been curious to explore the new look store for themselves,” added Hill. “The feedback we have had so far has been very positive. The feeling is that it is a vastly improved shopping experience - they can connect and engage with the brand in a way they couldn’t before.” The refit has seen what was already one of the UK’s best music retailers, seriously up its game and become a real showcase for the breadth of Yamaha’s range. “The ground floor has been reconfigured – it is now more spacious which has given us a better opportunity to showcase our lifestyle range of digital pianos. the new orchestral display walls highlight brass, woodwind and strings and the sheet music area is light, airy and clearly defined. Working with a listed building there are obviously many restrictions but we feel the refurbishment has been cleverly managed to create a contemporary new look and feel to the store without detriment in any way to the character and fabric of the original building. “The basement floor has gone from dark and uninspiring to a bright, lively and new space filled with the latest must have guitar, music production, drum and pro sound gear – the stage is the focal point of this floor creating theatre and a buzz with live demos and events, beginning in March.” As well as increased range, the new-look store will play host to a number of live events and product demos, all closely linked in with its online presence. “YML is a multichannel retail experience where we reach our customers through not only the bricks and mortar Wardour Street store but also digitally and through hosting many exciting live events,” said Hill. “I’m working closely with Yamaha to stage a program of live in-store events throughout the year. In addition to creating customer involvement this will also bring to life the Yamaha goal of sharing our passion for sound, technology and performance.”