PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Neilson/Clyne
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GC PRO TEAMS UP WITH EUPHONIX TO DISTRIBUTE THE
MC MEDIA APPLICATION CONTROLLER IN THE U.S.
— Guitar Center will be the primary U.S. distribution outlet
for Euphonix’s new
MC hardware controller which works with any Mac or PC application —
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, January 30, 2006 —
GC Pro, the dedicated professional audio division of Guitar Center,
Inc. (Nasdaq: GTRC), America’s leading musical instrument and
professional audio retailer, has announced an agreement with Euphonix
to be the primary U.S. sales channel for the new Euphonix MC Media Application
Controller. The MC will be featured at several Guitar Center locations
and supported by a U.S. tour of the Euphonix ‘Break Free’
truck that features an MC in a mobile demo environment.
Addressing the common necessity to work with multiple
applications and, in many cases, multiple workstations simultaneously,
the Euphonix MC is designed to provide fast Ethernet control of any
application, and push-button selection of multiple workstations over
a network. The MC brings back the touch and feel of artistic connectivity,
which is often strained through the use of only keyboard and mouse.
Featuring 56 SmartSwitches, hi-res touch screen, 9 touch
sensitive knobs, 4 moving faders, keyboard, trackball and jog wheel,
the MC will speed up and enhance operation of any software application.
The MC also includes a professional surround sound monitor application
with control from the MC’s surface. The MC’s 56 LCD SmartSwitches,
each with custom name and graphic icon designation, can be programmed
to send out keystroke commands at the push of a button. The MC also
supports HUI and Mackie Control for integration with applications such
as Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Logic Pro and Final Cut Studio. For
the ultimate in application integration, the MC supports the EuCon high-speed
Ethernet control protocol for total integration with workstations such
as Steinberg’s Nuendo and Merging’s Pyramix.
GC Pro will work closely with Euphonix over the coming
months to provide a unique outlet for this new product. GC Pro’s
General Manager, Rick Plushner, is on familiar ground: “Its very
exciting to be working with Euphonix again. I spent several years at
Euphonix as Vice President U.S. Sales in the 90’s so I know the
company and many of their staff very well. I think the MC is the perfect
fit for GC Pro; it’s a very unique and exciting product that will
appeal to GC Pro customers and we can provide complete integrated packages
including the MC, DAW software, plug-ins, converters and the Mac or
PC workstation.” Plushner adds, “You have to see the MC
to really understand its power — it’s definitely a wow product.
We have the infrastructure and the stores to get the MC out in front
of as many musicians as possible.”
Euphonix Executive Vice President Worldwide Sales, Russell
Waite, sees this as a very positive step for Euphonix, “With the
MC we now have a product that fits GC Pro’s new approach to business.
Through a single distribution chain in the U.S. we will support GC Pro
and help their customers experience the power of this product. We are
very excited about this relationship.”
Photo File: GC_Euphonix.JPG
Photo Caption: Shown L-R, seated: Jay Wanamaker,
Guitar Center Executive Vice President, General Merchandise Manager;
Martin Kloiber, Euphonix Chief Executive Officer
L-R, standing: Russell Waite, Euphonix Executive Vice President Worldwide
Sales; Bill Wrightson, Guitar Center Vice President/Hi Tech Merchandise
Division.
…ends 469 words
About Euphonix
Celebrating its 18th Year Anniversary in 2006, Euphonix is a leading
manufacturer of large format digital audio consoles and digital recording
equipment that has satisfied users worldwide in broadcast, post, live
sound and music production. Key products include Max Air and System
5 consoles plus the System 5-MC and the MC Media Application Controllers.
www.euphonix.com
About GC Pro/Guitar Center
GC Pro is the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on
the needs of professional users. Its clientele includes recording studios,
audio engineers, producers, recording and touring musicians, live sound
venues, post production facilities and more. Emphasizing extraordinary
individualized service via local account managers, GC Pro offers expert
consultation and a comprehensive selection of the world’s finest
equipment for music and audio professionals.
Guitar Center is the nation’s leading retailer of
guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards, live-sound/DJ
and recording equipment. We presently operate 153 Guitar Center stores,
with 121 stores in 49 major markets and 32 stores in secondary markets
across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates
77 retail locations specializing in band instruments for sale and rental,
serving thousands of teachers, band directors, college professors and
students. Guitar Center is also the largest direct response retailer
of musical instruments in the U.S. through our wholly owned subsidiary,
Musician’s Friend, Inc., and its catalog and web site, www.musiciansfriend.com.
More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company’s
web site at www.guitarcenter.com.
The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center,
Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective
companies with which they are associated.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Clyne, Neilson/Clyne at (615) 662-1616