inMusic buys Moog

[t-sun]

inMusic owns Alesis, Akai Pro, Numark and M-Audio.

Asheville, NC, June 13, 2023 — Moog Music, the iconic US manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, is thrilled to announce they are joining the inMusic family. This exciting development brings together two leading forces in the music technology industry and marks a significant milestone in the ongoing legacy of Moog Music.

inMusic, renowned for its portfolio of innovative companies specializing in performance and production instruments, is dedicated to delivering high-quality musical experiences for musicians worldwide. The addition of Moog Music to the inMusic family represents a strategic alignment of shared values and a shared vision for the future of electronic music.

Maintaining Moog Music’s commitment to uncompromising sound, quality, and manufacturing philosophy, this partnership with inMusic presents new opportunities to overcome long-standing challenges and strengthen the company. Leveraging inMusic’s global distribution and supply chain network will facilitate greater accessibility for Moog instruments around the world. Furthermore, Moog Music’s deep expertise in analog synthesis will enhance the capabilities of inMusic and its exclusive brands.
Team

Under a seasoned leadership team that includes Steve Dunnington, long-time Moog engineer and former student of Bob Moog, Moog Music will continue to develop and build instruments in its hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, USA.

In recent conversations, members of Moog Music’s team had the pleasure of engaging with inMusic CEO Jack O’Donnell. Jack shared his personal journey with a Moog modular system, highlighting the profound impact that Bob Moog’s vision and instruments have had on his career. During Jack’s visit to the Moog factory, he witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication that drives the Moog Music team every day.

The collaboration between Moog Music and inMusic will usher in an exciting new chapter of innovation, introducing a range of groundbreaking instruments for creatives worldwide. This partnership will expand Moog Music’s reach into new communities while continuing to push the boundaries of music technology. The shared values, mission, and legacy between the two companies make this alliance a remarkable opportunity for Moog Music and its dedicated community.

The future shines brightly for Moog Music and the incredible community that has embraced its instruments and values. The company is grateful for the unwavering loyalty and support received along the way, and it eagerly anticipates unveiling the extraordinary advancements that lie ahead.

inMusic does not have a good track record, but we can hope they keep the ship steady. I don't really know how this sale works with Moog's company structure and we're not getting more than the fluffy press release for now.

https://synthanatomy.com/2023/06/inmusi ... ments.html

EDIT TO ADD: Roger Linn's thoughts (several years ago) on the CEO of inMusic, Jack O'Donnell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdMRxUC77RQ

[muzines]

I've not heard good things about the InMusic guy, from just reading around the internets.

Let's hope this works out good for Moog. Fingers crossed.

[IAA]

Let's hope this works out good for Moog

yep I wish them all the best. But it’s been obvious over the last few years it’s a different kind of Moog, their normally brilliant support is long just a memory. I suspect a tangent towards homogeneity rather than engineering prowess. I own a Moog One (which I think is a flawed marvel) but the promised development path is currently in the sidings at firmware v 1.6!

You can only trade on your reputation for so long without new products and pro support. More hoodies and software for iOS is not going to cut it.
If this venture enables Moog to deliver what they clearly can do then let’s hear it for inMusic.
Moog has a special place in my music and my heart. I wish them every success.

Ian

[MarkOne]

Well, they kinda kept Alesis and Akai going, and there are interesting products from both brands. (MPC Key61, MPC1) the various drum kits and Sample Pad Pro from Alesis

But if you look at what Alesis were doing prior to the takeover, it did seem way more innovative and boundary pushing - Andromeda? Fusion? (Albeit not really profitable! - which is why they needed a buyer) And Alesis has exactly zero synths in their lineup now!

I'm hoping that Moog will continue to do what they have always done best,

[ajay_m]

I will give InMusic credit that they have continued to enhance the firmware for the Akai Force and added a lot of functionality over several years.
They now represent some pretty weighty brands and this kind of consolidation is inevitable in a highly competitive marketplace and with Behringer producing some very cost competitive products. Fingers crossed, I guess....

[The Elf]

When they announced yet another MiniMoog re-issue, this time for over 5 grand, I wondered how this was going to end.

RIP Moog. The four letter brand will remain, no doubt, but any credibility has long since left the building.

[t-sun]

https://cdm.link/2023/06/moog-music-has ... y-inmusic/

The acquisition means Moog is no longer employee-owned; those owners are now bought out. According a statement forwarded to us from the company:

Moog Music will remain in Asheville, NC, and our team will continue to design and build our instruments here inside the Moog factory. As part of the transition, Moog Music is no longer employee owned. All past and present employees who have participated in the Moog Music Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) since it was implemented in 2015 will receive a payout.

I’m also unaware of what became of efforts by Moog employees to unionize. A Twitter account for union organizers has been dormant since September. But it seems that unionization never came to be.

[BWC]

...what became of efforts by Moog employees to unionize.

Maybe why they sold.

[t-sun]

...what became of efforts by Moog employees to unionize.

Maybe why they sold.

Seems likely the potential sale may have been the impetus to unionize. The company conflating 'employee ownership' with 'employee stock ownership plan' for so long (not to mention 'made in the USA' with 'assembled in the USA') created some long standing false assumptions about the company leadership.

[Arpangel]

This exciting development

Why is it exciting?

and marks a significant milestone in the ongoing legacy of Moog Music.

It’s about as significant as putting an Aston Martin dealership in Pound Land.

[John Stafford]

It’s about as significant as putting an Aston Martin dealership in Pound Land.

[Arpangel]

It’s about as significant as putting an Aston Martin dealership in Pound Land.

Yes, and Jack O'Donnell the CEO of inMusic doesn’t seem to have a good track record when it comes to "doing business"

[t-sun]

It’s about as significant as putting an Aston Martin dealership in Pound Land.

[SecretSam]

It’s about as significant as putting an Aston Martin dealership in Pound Land.

I want one.

[Arpangel]

If I could switch to an electric car I’d do it today, but they are still way too expensive.
We’ve been running round in a friends electric VW, it’s soooo comfortable, quiet and smooth.

[Going Modular]

I see that this thread has not received any new post in a while.
Now, with hindsight, we do know what the InMusic buy-out did to Moog: As you probably already know, they fired ALL their production crew in Asheville last month, with a 24-hour notice (elegant and classy as usual). Informed sources claim that Moog's production is being relocated to Taiwan.

This is the end of a US-built legendary brand, and all very sad for both music lovers and the affected staff there.

I will cherish my own Moog Sound Studio, recently purchased and one of the very last to have been made on US soil !

[Arpangel]

I see that this thread has not received any new post in a while.
Now, with hindsight, we do know what the InMusic buy-out did to Moog: As you probably already know, they fired ALL their production crew in Asheville last month, with a 24-hour notice (elegant and classy as usual). Informed sources claim that Moog's production is being relocated to Taiwan.

This is the end of a US-built legendary brand, and all very sad for both music lovers and the affected staff there.

I will cherish my own Moog Sound Studio, recently purchased and one of the very last to have been made on US soil !

I was going to get another Moog, but instead I’m going to put together a Behringer modular Moog, there’s really no incentive to buy "Moog's" now for me.

[Wonks]

I see that this thread has not received any new post in a while.
Now, with hindsight, we do know what the InMusic buy-out did to Moog…

It switched to a new thread in the Music Business forum.

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=88129

[Maftrack]

Since they joined, it’s possible nothing has changed, but the way they present their products has become so low-quality and ridiculous that soon they might be selling Moog as DIY at the same price. Assembling it probably requires downloading instructions. A few weeks ago, I bought a Moog Subharmonicon, and it didn’t include the manual, registration card, or booklet (Music as a Living Matter). You might not believe it, but the right side of the panel had an oblique cut, revealing a groove, and it could slide on the flat surface. When I asked the seller, they said all devices come this way, and those materials have been removed. When I checked the Moog Music website, somewhere it mentioned that this was supposedly done to “help the environment,” lol. This, they call a downgrade!