2026 Music Products Industry Archive — Retail

Black Lion Audio adds PBR LIT digital patchbay labeling system

Waldorf increases Iridium Core voices with firmware update

A new firmware update raises the Waldorf Iridium Core polyphony from 12 to 16 voices, matching larger models.

Fender releases SILENT SYSTEM to eliminate single-coil hum in new Limited models

Fender introduces a passive, battery-free Silent System in limited edition American Professional Classic Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars, aiming to solve the 80-year-old issue of pickup hum without compromising tone for…

DRUMTEK hosts EXCLUSIVE ART CRUZ CLINIC during LAMB OF GOD tour

Melbourne retailer Drumtek will host an exclusive drum clinic featuring Lamb of God drummer Art Cruz on Oct. 5, coinciding with the band's Australian arena tour.

MAD PROFESSOR releases NEW MILESTONE germanium FUZZ PEDAL

Mad Professor Amplification has introduced the Milestone, a handwired germanium fuzz pedal designed for modern pedalboards and bass applications, with shipments scheduled for October 5.

Vader Sound expands Veelah distribution with new V Series models

Vader Sound has expanded its distribution of Veelah guitars across the UK, Ireland and Benelux, adding multiple new acoustic and electro-acoustic models to the V Series lineup.

DiCosimo Audio shrinks 360+ Bass Preamp for 2026 lineup

DiCosimo Audio has updated its 360+ Bass Preamp pedal, reducing its footprint while improving power efficiency without altering the core circuit or retail price.

Roland opens first standalone US retail store in New York City

Roland launches its first dedicated US retail location in Manhattan, marking a strategic shift from dealer distribution to direct sales with a large flagship store.

Eventide adds Immersive algorithms to H9000 Gen2

Eventide released a free software update for the H9000 Gen2 featuring new immersive processing tools including MicroPitch Immersive, Valley reverb, and upmixing capabilities for various multichannel formats.

Guitar Center removes false entries from Ed Sheeran contest

Guitar Center disqualified illegitimate submissions flooding its Open For Legends competition following political controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's tour.

Open-Source Octabam project expands Elektron Octatrack capabilities

A new open-source firmware project called Octabam allows Elektron Octatrack owners to create custom OS versions with enhanced effects and MIDI features, presenting potential market implications for hardware longevity and…

Suno V6 launch sparks audio quality complaints amid licensing shifts

Users report degraded audio and creativity in Suno's new V6 model, which relies on licensed data from Warner, BMG and Believe while excluding unlicensed catalogs.

Smart Audio Plugins releases Timbral Box Parallel harmonic processor

Smart Audio Plugins has released Timbral Box, a new parallel harmonic processing plugin for mixing and mastering, offering distinct saturation modes and transformer-modeled summing at an introductory price point.

Gibson adopts L.R. Baggs HiFi DNA pickups for select acoustic models

Gibson integrates L.R. Baggs HiFi DNA technology into three acoustic models, utilizing a non-invasive sensor system to enhance tone and simplify installation for retailers.

Roland to open first North American flagship store in New York City

Roland Corp. will launch its first North American flagship retail location in Manhattan this October, consolidating Roland, BOSS and Drum Workshop brands under one roof to serve musicians and producers.

Sadowsky releases MetroExpress Modern Fretless Bass series for retailers

Sadowsky announced the MetroExpress Modern Fretless bass series, featuring roasted maple fingerboards and active electronics, with shipping beginning soon at approximately $1,476.

Martin guitar releases refreshed 16 series with new finishes and electronics

C.F. Martin & Co. introduces the updated 16 Series, featuring all-solid-wood construction, bold gloss-top finishes, and standard L.R. Baggs electronics for the retail market.

Ashdown secures exclusive US distribution via guitar Center

British amp maker Ashdown partners exclusively with Guitar Center and Musician's Friend to expand US retail footprint ahead of its 30th anniversary.

Harley Benton adds Fishman Fluence Pickups to SC-550 line

Thomann retailer Harley Benton has expanded its entry-level single-cut guitar lineup with two new SC-550 Plus Fluence models featuring active Fishman pickups. Priced at 499 euros, these instruments represent a…

JET Guitars adds four new models to UK lineup

JET Guitars launches four new electric guitars ranging from £229 to £539, now shipping to UK retailers via distributor Almires UK.

Tanglewood taps Taigu for exclusive China distribution push

Tanglewood Guitars has appointed Taigu Musical Instruments as its exclusive partner for China, marking the brand's largest commercial distribution deal to drive global manufacturing growth and retail expansion.

Coffeeshopped releases Patch Base 4 for Mac with new MIDI features

Coffeeshopped has launched Patch Base 4, a software update for Mac users managing hardware synthesizers, introducing MIDI controller mapping and external keyboard support.

34audio releases GlitchShredder ios effect for $4.99

Developer 34Audio has released GlitchShredder, a new real-time glitch and stutter audio effect application for iPhone and iPad devices, expanding the mobile music production market.

ESP Guitars promotes four veteran staff members to new leadership roles

ESP Guitars has promoted Miguel Soto, Mike Brinker, Ryan Dominguez, and Tim Jennaway to key positions overseeing global sales, domestic distribution, manufacturing, and product operations.

Nopia MK1 harmony generator raises $1.4m on Kickstarter in 24 hours

The Nopia MK1, a semi-modular harmony generator, surpassed its crowdfunding goal within a day, signaling strong retail demand for innovative chord-producing instruments despite a 2027 shipping date.

Thomann releases Millenium MPS-1500 Hybrid-X flagship electronic drum kit

Retailer Thomann introduced the Millenium MPS-1500 Hybrid-X, a new flagship electronic drum set featuring the Nexus multi-percussion module with extensive sampling and connectivity options for the professional market.

Roland restocks TR-1000 drum machine with firmware update and new Editor

Roland has resumed limited sales of the TR-1000 rhythm creator alongside a major firmware update and a new third-party DAW editor.

Arturia updates MiniFreak with sample and wavetable import

Arturia released MiniFreak V 5.0, enabling user sample and wavetable imports for both hardware and software, potentially boosting retailer demand.

Spector releases NS Icon Neck-Through basses to expand market reach

Spector Basses introduces the NS Icon Neck-Through series, bringing its signature construction method to a broader audience with new models featuring alder bodies, maple tops, and Aguilar electronics.

IK Multimedia releases TONEX Board flagship modeller with advanced routing

IK Multimedia has introduced the Tonex Board, a flagship floor unit capable of running four Tone Models simultaneously, featuring advanced stereo routing and extensive sound libraries for gigging musicians.

Yorkville Sound releases ART PRO audio RPC Series Power Conditioners

Yorkville Sound introduces the ART Pro Audio RPC Series rackmount power conditioners, featuring nine outlets and USB charging across three tiers for retail distribution starting October 2026.

Voice-Acoustic taps Enjoy Division as Portugal distributor

German loudspeaker maker Voice-Acoustic appointed Lisbon-based Enjoy Division to handle distribution, installation and rental in Portugal.

Rupert Neve Designs releases first branded Plugins with McDSP

Rupert Neve Designs has entered the software market with three new plugins developed in partnership with McDSP, marking a strategic shift for the hardware manufacturer.

Mayer EMI releases major Aurora 5.0 firmware update for MD850 Vibes synth

Mayer EMI has launched the free Aurora 5.0 firmware update for its MD850 Vibes desktop synthesizer, adding cloud reverb, SFZ multisample support, and expanded controller mapping to enhance retail value.

Hammer releases Wave 2 portable speaker in india at rs 1,299

Indian lifestyle electronics brand Hammer has introduced the Wave 2, a 20W RMS portable Bluetooth speaker priced at Rs 1,299, featuring Bluetooth v6.0 and RGB lighting.

Audio-Technica releases BP880R Contact Transducer for immersive audio

Audio-Technica introduced the BP880R, a waterproof contact transducer designed to capture surface vibrations for sports broadcasting and production.

Audient releases Horizon Thunderbolt interfaces to challenge DSP ecosystems

Audient has introduced its new flagship Horizon range of Thunderbolt audio interfaces, featuring sub-millisecond latency and no onboard DSP to leverage modern host processing capabilities.

LG releases wireless OLED W6, modular sound Suite and xboom Power in UAE

LG introduced the OLED W6 TV, Sound Suite with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, and xboom Power speakers to the UAE market, though local pricing remains unconfirmed.

Sampleson releases Backgrounds plugin for local Semantic Audio generation

Sampleson has released Backgrounds, a one-time purchase plugin that generates soundscapes from keywords using a local semantic audio model, offering new retail opportunities in the creative software market.

RC MIX releases automated SNARE plugins for retail market

RC MIX has introduced RC RING and RC SNARE, new mixing plugins designed to shape real drum recordings without sample replacement, targeting the music production software sector.