DOT DOT DOT COM
Tonos is pledging to make home recording and mixing easier with the launch of its TC8 creation platform. The Tonos TC8 features an 8-track digital recorder and mixer, which allows recording of eight separate tracks, as well as effects such as reverb, compression, distortion and EQ. Best of all, its interface allows musicians in remote locations to send each other tracks-in-progress electronically. The platform can be tested free at the Tonos website for 30 days. "With the launch of our new platform, we are enabling hobbyists and career-minded musicians to record their own creations or collaborate with other musicians around the world," proclaimed President/CEO Matt Farber. "This will bring them one step closer to whoring themselves desperately for record contracts that will lead directly to their financial and moral ruin."
FROM THE FOLKS WHO BROUGHT YOU "SUE-IT"
MP3.com is also jumping on the free bandwagon, offering developers no-fee access to its Beam-it service. The Beam-it API can be added to a company's software, device or website; with it, consumers can put licensed portions of their personal CD collections in an online music account without having to rip, encode or upload CD song files. The service is available at http://developer.mp3.com. Said MP3.com Chairman/CEO Michael Robertson: "Our developer's network provides a valuable, no-cost resource to online businesses and manufacturers looking to drive traffic and generate what could be future revenue. By integrating Beam-it into their offering, websites, software players and hardware vendors can offer their customers a groundbreaking service that adds value and dimension to any product or service." Meanwhile, MP3.com has also teamed with Ivex Corporation. The video provider will use MP3.com's ViewOps service to provide customers with in-store entertainment and messaging. There was a boilerplate quote about this, too, but we couldn't bear to reprint it.
THE CENTER CANNOT FOLD
Struggling netco Emusic has named Peter T. Johnsmeyer as its new VP of Sales. In the position, Johnsmeyer, who honed his skills at magazines like Omni, High Fidelity, Modern Photography and Penthouse, will manage the advertising sales and sponsorship revenues for RollingStone.com, EMusic.com, DownBeat.com and IUMA. Said Johnsmeyer: "I look forward to exploring a new level of sponsorship opportunity with our corporate partners. We want to continue to grow beyond simple Web banners to provide advertisers with unique interactive tie-ins to the hottest musical and online events. Besides, EMusic will let me use their copy machines as I update my resume." Speaking of sales, Emusic stock edged down slightly today to close at 59 cents a share.
SATAN'S SMOOTH JAZZ FORMAT FLOURISHES ONLINE
NetRadio.com has grabbed the top three spots in the October Arbitron Webcast Ratings. The Internet station's "Smooth Jazz" garnered 289,100 Aggregate Tuning Hours, "80s Hits" earned 269,400 ATH and "Hits" scored 267,900 ATH. Twelve NetRadio stations scored in the top 25 of the survey, which measures more than 2,000 channels and stations. In a related story, HITS Magazine will be changing its name to 80s HITS Magazine in hopes of attracting 1,500 more readers.
ALSO AVAILABLE ON 8-TRACK
Digital music provider Vitaminic has teamed with Sony Music Entertainment for digital distribution. The deal, which takes effect this spring, will give users access to nearly 600 tracks on the Vitaminic U.S. site. While Vitaminic services Italy, France, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden, there are currently no plans to bring the agreement to a global level. Said Vitaminic U.S. Managing Director Gianluca Grechi: "We are delighted to work with a record company of Sony's caliber. This agreement allows us to distribute and promote almost 600 digital downloads from Sony Music artists. The people at Sony told us that people pay big money for downloads, and they have no reason to lie, yes?"
WON'T GET SYNDICATED AGAIN
MCY has syndicated the global DVD rights to The Who's recent benefit concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. Image Entertainment will release the performance this spring. The three-and-a-half hour concert took place November 27 and featured guest appearances by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller, Stereophonic's Kelly Jones, Bryan Adams and Oasis' Noel Gallagher. MCY plans to syndicate the event across all media. A fan registration page will be available at the MCY website on February 15 for an exclusive edit of the event. A portion of proceeds will benefit U.K.'s Teenage Cancer Trust.
