AVID HIGHLIGHTS NEW PRODUCT OFFERINGS, RECENT PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EXPANDED TRAINING PROGRAMME AT NAMM 2013

Avid has the following announcements from NAMM 2013 which include a partnership with the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, the expansion of its Avid Learning Partner Program to include Sibelius certification, and new product offerings for its professional audio and live-sound customers.

“Providing valuable resources and developing the professional tools to help our valued customers produce amazing music continue to be priorities for Avid, as demonstrated by the news being shared at NAMM this year,” said W. Sean Ford, vice president of worldwide marketing, Avid. “We’ve set the standard for our industry with our innovative products and programmes and we’re particularly excited to be offering formalised certification for Sibelius, which will ensure that music educators have the training they need to inspire the next generation of composers, and the Pro Series line of plug-ins, which lay the groundwork for our expanding AAX portfolio.”

The news being showcased at NAMM includes the following:

High profile partnerships— Renowned Abbey Road Studios, the masterminds behind hits from today’s hottest musical artists including Adele and Florence + The Machine, is the most recent of a large group of facilities and private studios making the upgrade to Pro Tools|HDX. In addition to a full studio overhaul to HDX systems, Abbey Road and Avid have also announced the first ever Abbey Road Studios and Avid Song Contest, which will provide visibility for emerging artists competing for the grand prize of a Pro Tools system and opportunity to have a track of their choice mixed with Abbey Road’s Online Mixing platform.

Expanded training opportunities— Avid has reinforced its strong commitment to the Sibelius product line with the announcement of the official Sibelius Training and Certification Program, offered through the Avid Learning Partner Program, which will provide valuable training and accreditation to music educators.

Innovative product upgrades and launches— Avid expands its AAX plug-in portfolio and adds increased flexibility and integration to the VENUE live-sound system.

· Pro Series plug-ins: Avid announced the launch of the Pro Series line of AAX Native and AAX DSP plug-ins, featuring three new advanced processors that enable users to sound their best. Pro Compressor and Pro Expander (available now), along with Pro Limiter (coming soon), are the first plug-ins in the series, joining an expanding line-up for the AAX platform.

· VENUE Mix Rack: Avid’s industry-leading live sound console system is now fully compatible with VENUE Stage 48 and the VENUE Ethernet Snake Card to provide users with unprecedented flexibility and enhanced capabilities.

· Pro Tools│ HD Native Thunderbolt: Avid will spotlight its HD Native Thunderbolt solution, which delivers unmatched speed and sound quality using Pro Tools on a laptop or desktop, which debuted at IBC2012 in September.

Avid Announces Launch of the Official Sibelius Training and Certification Programme

Avid Learning Partner Program will expand its course offering to provide professional instruction for Sibelius users

Avid has announced the launch of the Official Sibelius Training and Certification Programme, which will be offered to users of the industry-leading music notation software through Avid’s Learning Partner (ALP) Programme. “The expanded programme, which will be offered at Avid’s current network of partner schools and taught by Avid Certified Instructors, underscores the company’s commitment to education and ultimate goal to provide students and users with valuable credentials to meet their professional goals,” said Andy Cook, training partner program manager, Avid Worldwide Training.

Featuring Sibelius-specific course materials and certification exams, the expanded ALP programme is the first in a series of Sibelius and Scorch updates and events to be announced throughout 2013. The product line enhancements follow last year’s appointment of senior product manager and experienced composer Bobby Lombardi as the head of Sibelius product development for Avid.

“Avid is committed to the success of the many talented and devoted musicians that rely on Sibelius to help them hone and perfect their craft,” said Bobby Lombardi. “We’ve seen tremendous results through the ALP programmes offered to Audio, Post and Live Sound Avid customers, and are excited to expand the courseware to include Sibelius as well.”

Schools including St. Petersburg College, Commercial Music Lab and Shenandoah University are already offering the Sibelius Training and Certificate Program, and more are regularly being added.

“Avid products have been the cornerstone of our programme from the outset,” said Mark Matthews, a lead instructor of the music industry and recording arts at St. Petersburg College. “As an Avid Certified Instructor in both Pro Tools and Media Composer, I welcome the addition of Sibelius Training and Certification to our curriculum. We will be implementing it as soon as possible.”

Avid and Abbey Road Studios Launch Competition to Uncover Music Industry’s Hidden Talent

Global talent competition aimed at aspiring artists, musicians and producers

Avid the legendary Abbey Road Studios, has announced the launch of a song competition to celebrate 25 years of bringing award-winning products to the music industry.

The Abbey Road Studios and Avid Song Contest gives aspiring artists, musicians and producers across the globe the chance for their work to be judged by an illustrious panel of music industry figures, as well as fans online, during the voting period from March 14 – 21 March 2013. The three winning artists, chosen by judges, will receive the ultimate package which includes a track of their choice being mixed and mastered online by Abbey Road Studios as well as an Avid Pro Tools|HD Native system.

“The hardest thing for an aspiring musician is to get their songs heard by the right people,” said Greg Wells, competition judge and multiple Grammy-nominated producer, mixer and songwriter. “This competition is the perfect way for artists to get their music out there and I’m really looking forward to listening to an eclectic mix of songs.”

About the Competition
Artists can upload their original song to “Submit a Track” from today until March 13 2013, with the winners of the Judges choice, Fans choice and Judges choice runner-up being announced on 10 April 2013. Voting for the Fans choice award runs from March 14 – 21 March 2013.

Judges choice award
The judging panel will be made up of industry professionals including multiple Grammy-winning producer, mixer and songwriter Greg Wells (Adele, Katy Perry); musician, producer and A&R representative John Feldmann (Goldfinger, Good Charlotte); and Grammy-winning producer Tricky Stewart (Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Rihanna). They will choose their three favorite songs, with the winning entrants getting an original song mixed and mastered by Abbey Road’s Online Mixing & Mastering Services as well as a full Pro Tools|HD Native recording system from Avid.

Fans choice award
Fans around the world can also vote for their favourite song, with the winning entrant receiving an Avid Mbox® audio interface with Pro Tools 10 software.

“Avid and Abbey Road Studios have a shared passion for the creation of music, so we’re delighted to be teaming up to give aspiring musicians the chance to showcase their original work to three of the music industry’s most respected figures, as well as providing a platform for their work to reach a global audience,” said W. Sean Ford, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Avid. “The industry-standard technology in Pro Tools is designed to enhance the creative process, and through new more accessible offerings such as Abbey Road’s Online Mixing and Mastering Services, it’s becoming easier for aspiring musicians to benefit from this technology and add a professional finish to their work.”