Hosa Adds Industry Veteran, Ken Fuente, as Director of Sales
Hosa Adds Industry Veteran, Ken Fuente, as Director of Sales
Proven Sales Leader and Industry Veteran Joins the Hosa Team
Buena Park, CA, April 2022 — Hosa Technology, the leading supplier of analog and digital connectivity solutions to the musical instrument and pro audio industries, recently welcomed Ken Fuente as the company’s new Director of Sales.
Fuente will work closely with Hosa leadership and marketing teams to further expand Hosa’s existing global presence as a trusted manufacturer and supplier of professional audio and video cables. Fuente is a proven sales leader and industry veteran with decades of experience generating demand and revenue for well-known global brands. He previously held sales leadership roles at Peavey Electronics, Gator Cases, Korg USA, Samson Technologies, and most recently, TKL Cases.
“We’re so excited to welcome Ken to our growing team,” said Hosa CEO, Mayumi Allison. “His years of sales experience, proven track record, and rock-solid reputation will be critical in helping Hosa expand our business globally and better serve our distributor and channel partners around the world.”
- Hosa
History of Gaming Setups – 80’s, 90’s & 00’s
History of Video Games – 80’s, 90’s, & 00’s
Video games have been around for decades. From arcade systems, to home consoles, to handheld and mobile devices, they’re often at the forefront of computer technology. Nearly two thirds of all Americans have household members who game regularly, making video game console history relevant weeknight trivia.
Though the first of their kind was introduced in the 1950’s, video games had not made a mainstream splash until the late 70’s/early 80’s. Today, we’re going through the most notable trends in the history of video games from the 1980’s to today.
The Birth of Publishing Houses | 1980’s
For the most part, 1980s games were simple clones of existing arcade titles. The history of video games changed with the introduction of third party publishers. The relatively low publishing costs for personal computer games allowed for bold, unique games. In 1983, the video game industry experienced a market crash like no other. The transition of arcade gaming to consoles that were home-friendly was in full effect: marking the beginning of video game console history.
“Activision’s success as a third-party developer for the Atari VCS and other home consoles inspired other third-party development firms to emerge in the early 1980s; by 1983, at least 100 different companies claimed to be developing software for the Atari VCS.” – David Crane Interview 2016 / Video Game Crash of 1983.
What was the first video game console? | 1980
The Odyssey was manufactured by Magnavox and released in North America in September of 1972. It’s considered the very first home video game console. Ralph Baer, a German-American engineer, created a ping-pong style game. Baer’s creation inspired gaming pioneer Nolan Bushnell of Atari to create his own version: the much more popular and world-renowned Pong, programmed by Al Alcorn.
Video Game Console History | 1980’s
Sega SG-1000 (~2 million sold) | (1983)
At the time, Sega was a subsidiary of Gulf & Western – one of the top five arcade manufacturers. The Sega SG-1000 was the first of its kind to be made specifically for households.
NES Family Computer (~62 million sold) | (1983)
“The NES featured a number of groundbreaking games, such as the platform game Super Mario Bros. and the action-adventure games The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. As one of the bestselling consoles of its time, the NES helped revitalize the US video game industry following the video game crash of 1983.”
A huge part of the NES’s success was its innovative business model. NES licensed third party publishers to create & distribute the NES’s games.
Nintendo Family Computer Disc System (~4 million sold) | (1985)
Player One’s controller can pause the game, and Player Two’s controller has audio controls. The cartridges were half the size of the NES’s, and were inserted in the top instead of through a door in the front (like on the NES). Instead of looking like a vertical cartridge, like the NES, it more closely resembles a SNES cartridge.
Atari 7800 (~2 million sold) | (1986)
The 7800 was initially released in southern California in June 1984, following an announcement on May 21, 1984, at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show. Thirteen games were announced for the system’s launch: Ms. Pac-Man, Pole Position II, Centipede, Joust, Dig Dug, Nile Flyer(eventually released as Desert Falcon), Robotron: 2084, Galaga, Food Fight, Ballblazer, Rescue on Fractalus!, Track & Field, and Xevious.
PC Engine TurboGrafx (~10 million sold) | (1987)
One of the most “hybrid” consoles of all times. Created by Hudson and NEC to be the versatility of a PC with a sole operation of gaming like a console. The PC engine utilized an 8-bit processor with 16-bit graphics, merging much of the stronger tech from the time without reinventing the wheel for its developers.
Sega Genesis (~35 million sold) | (1987)
30.75 million first-party Genesis units were sold worldwide. Many games have been re-released in compilations or on online services such as the Nintendo Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Steam
Not Just a Fad | 1990’s
Three decades in as an industry, the 1990’s was a decade of innovation for video game console history. Not only were the 90’s the highest grossing period for the history of video games timeline so far – but a rise in technology made the potential vision for video games more clear.
It was a decade of transition from sprite-based graphics to full-fledged 3D graphics. The 90’s gave rise to several genres of video games including the first person shooter, real-time strategy, survival horror, and MMO. And though arcades had still been popular during the 90’s, they would be soon on the decline with the popularity of household consoles.
Video Game Console History | 1990’s
Super NES (~49 million sold) | (1990)
The SNES received largely positive reviews and was a global success, becoming the best-selling console of the 16-bit era after launching relatively late and facing intense competition from Sega’s Genesis console in North America and Europe. It continues to be popular among collectors and retro gamers, with new homebrew games and Nintendo’s emulated rereleases, such as on the Virtual Console, the Super NES Classic Edition, and Nintendo Switch Online.
Philips CD-i (~1 million sold) | (1991)
The attempts to develop a foothold in the games market were unsuccessful, as the system was designed strictly as a multimedia player and thus was under-powered compared to other gaming platforms on the market in most respects. Earlier CD-i games included entries in popular Nintendo franchises, although those games were not developed by Nintendo and Philips had established an agreement to co-develop a CD-ROM enhancement for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System due to licensing disagreements with Nintendo’s previous partner Sony (an agreement that produced a prototype console called the SNES-CD).While Philips and Nintendo never released such a CD-ROM add-on, Philips was still contractually allowed to continue using Nintendo characters.
Sega CD (~2 million sold) | (1991)
While the Sega CD became known for several critically acclaimed games such as Sonic CD, Lunar: The Silver Star, Lunar: Eternal Blue, Popful Mail, and Snatcher, its game library contained many Genesis ports and poorly received FMV games. 2.24 million Sega CD units were sold by March 1996, after which Sega discontinued the system to focus on the Sega Saturn.
3DO Interactive Multiplayer (~2 million sold) | (1993)
Despite having a highly promoted launch (including being named Time magazine’s “1993 Product of the Year”) and being a host of cutting-edge technologies, the 3DO’s high price and an oversaturated console market prevented the system from achieving success comparable to competing consoles from Sega and Nintendo. As a result, it was discontinued in late 1996.
Sega Saturn (~9 million sold) | (1994)
The Saturn was initially successful in Japan but failed to sell in large numbers in the United States after its surprise May 1995 launch, four months before its scheduled release date. After the debut of the Nintendo 64 in late 1996, the Saturn rapidly lost market share in the U.S., where it was discontinued in 1998. Having sold 9.26 million units worldwide, the Saturn is considered a commercial failure; the failure to release a game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, known in development as Sonic X-treme, is considered a factor in its poor performance. The Saturn was succeeded in 1998 by the Dreamcast.
Sony Playstation (~102 million sold) | (1994)
The PlayStation signalled Sony’s rise to power in the video game industry. Its release elicited critical acclaim and strong sales; in less than a decade, it became the first computer entertainment platform to ship over 100 million units. Its use of compact discs heralded the game industry’s transition from cartridges.
Nintendo 64 (~34 million sold) | (1996)
Development of the console began in 1993 under the codename “Project Reality”. Although the design was mostly complete by mid-1995, its launch was delayed until 1996. The console takes its name from the 64-bit processing unit. It was launched with three games: Super Mario 64, Pilotwings 64 and Saikyō Habu Shōgi (exclusive to Japan). Time named it Machine of the Year in 1996, and in 2015, IGN named it the ninth-greatest video game console of all time. The Nintendo 64 was discontinued in 2002 following the launch of its successor, the GameCube. The Nintendo 64 was critically acclaimed upon release and remains one of the most recognized video game consoles.
Dreamcast (~9 million sold) | (1998)
Although the Dreamcast had a short lifespan and limited third-party support, reviewers have considered the console ahead of its time. Its library contains many games considered innovative, including Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Phantasy Star Online, and Shenmue, as well as high-quality ports from Sega’s NAOMI arcade system board. The Dreamcast was also the first console to include a built-in modular modem for internet support and online play.
Are video games a sport? | 2000’s
An era of rapid technological development, the 2000s delivered a wide array of changes in animation, gaming, and website design. After all, this was the start of the Internet Age – paramount in the evolution of smartphones, computers, and social media.
Video Game Console History | 2000’s
Playstation 2 (~155 million sold) | (2000)
The PS2 is the best-selling video game console of all time, having sold over 155 million units worldwide. Over 3,800 game titles have been released for the PS2, with over 1.5 billion copies sold.
Nintendo Gamecube (~22 million sold) | (2001)
Reception of the GameCube was generally positive. The console was praised for its controller, extensive software library and high-quality games, but was criticized for its exterior design and lack of features. Nintendo sold 21.74 million GameCube units worldwide before the console was discontinued in 2007. Its successor, the Wii, was released in November 2006.
Xbox (~25 million sold) | (2001)
The original Xbox was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe. It was Microsoft’s first foray into the gaming console market. The integrated Xbox Live service launched in November 2002 allowed players to play games online with or without a broadband connection. Xbox Live was a success due to better servers than its competitors and its features such as a buddy list, and milestone titles like Halo 2 released in November 2004, which is the best-selling Xbox video game and was by far the most popular online game for the system.
Xbox 360 (~86 million sold) | (2005)
Xbox 360 is the sixth-highest-selling home video game console in history, and the highest-selling console made by an American company. Although not the best-selling console of its generation, the Xbox 360 was deemed by TechRadar to be the most influential through its emphasis on digital media distribution and multiplayer gaming on Xbox Live.
Playstation 3 (~87 million sold) | (2006)
During its early years, the system was negatively received, due to its high price ($599 for a 60-gigabyte model, $499 for a 20 GB model), a complex processor architecture, and lack of quality games but was praised for its Blu-ray capabilities and “untapped potential”. The reception would get more positive over time. The system had a slow start in the market but managed to recover, particularly after the introduction of the Slim model.
Nintendo Wii (~102 million sold) | (2006)
The Wii repositioned Nintendo as a key player in the video game hardware marketplace. The introduction of motion-controlled games via the Wii Remote led both Microsoft and Sony to develop their own competing products—the Kinect and PlayStation Move, respectively. Nintendo found that, while the Wii had broadened the demographics that they wanted, the core gamer audience had shunned the Wii.
Wii U (~14 million sold) | (2012)
Response to the Wii U was mixed. It was praised for its innovative GamePad controller, improvements to online functionality over the Wii, backwards compatibility with Wii software and peripherals, and price; however, it was criticized for its user interface and functionality, and the GamePad’s short battery life.
Playstation 4 (~106 million sold) | (2013)
The PlayStation 4 was released to critical acclaim, with critics praising Sony for acknowledging its consumers’ needs, embracing independent game development, and for not imposing the restrictive digital rights management schemes like those originally announced by Microsoft for the Xbox One.
Xbox One (~41 million sold) | (2013)
The Xbox One received positive reviews for its refined controller design, multimedia features, and voice navigation. Its quieter and cooler design was praised for making the console more reliable than its predecessor on-launch, but the console was generally criticized for running games at a technically lower graphical level than the PlayStation 4.
Nintendo Switch (~68 million sold) | (2017)
By the start of 2018, the Switch became the fastest-selling home or hybrid console in both Japan and the United States. As of December 2020, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite have sold more than 79 million units worldwide. Switch sales have been strongly tied to sales of Nintendo’s first-party titles, with six games; The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons having sold over twenty million units each.
History of Video Games Today | 20’s
As video game consoles are constantly evolving, so do the accessories that help ensure its reliability. At Hosa, we carry the most efficient USB Cables & Adapters in the market.
The gaming industry has grown to a near $200 billion market that continues to push the boundaries of technology and entertainment. Once a niche market, the industry has undoubtedly launched into the mainstream. E-sports, in 2021, is just as respected as any other major professional sports organization – with personalities and content creators just as big as any other high level athlete. The industry continues to grow and there aren’t any signs of it slowing down.
The gaming industry’s competitive nature has allowed the sport to grow tremendously – creating opportunities for not only competitive gamers, but coders, programmers, designers and artists of all kinds. Today, we’re going to take a look at two different gaming setups: one for gamers just starting out and another for gamers looking to get into the competitive part of the sport.
What Do You Need for a Gaming Setup?
Gaming Equipment and Parts
Before heading out to make any purchases, there are definitely some key gaming equipment and accessories you should know about that will make your gaming setup efficient.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The Central Process Unit is the principal part of any digital computer system, generally composed of the main memory and control unit. This enables your computer to interact with all of your applications and programs installed. Generally, the faster your CPU, the easier it is to use the computer.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Have you ever wondered why the images or videos on your computer screen take a while to load? The problem is likely your GPU. GPU’s are designed to accelerate the rendering of 3D graphics.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This is your computer’s short-term memory storage. It stores information that is being actively used, so it can be accessed even more quickly.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the backbone that ties the computer’s components together at one spot and allows them to talk to each other. Without it, the computer’s CPU, GPU, etc could never communicate to each other.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
The PSU converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers use switched-mode power supplies.
Hard Disc Drive (HDD)
HDD is storage that lives internally in your computer. Because it is part of the computer, its data is stored and read on the disc. It works similarly to that of a turntable – with an LP record and needle on the arm.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Generally, SSD’s are much more expensive than HDD’s. The reason being they have no moving parts and are compact. They can be the size of a stick of gum, yet can hold more storage and be accessed quicker than an HDD.
Casual Gamer Intro Setup
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
GPU: RTX 2060 Ti (or better)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8 GB
Motherboard: ASUS Prime A520M-A
PSU: Corsair RM650
HDD: Seagate BarraCuda 1 TB
SSD: Samsung EVO 860 250 GB
~$900
If you’re new to the market, there are a few reasons why we recommend these base setups. Aside from the price – which we believe is the most bang for your buck – these setups, we feel, would guarantee a smooth, non-interruptive gameplay. However, we highly recommend adjusting your setup to fit your needs.
Your Gaming Space
Lastly, when planning your gaming setup it is imperative to know exactly what you will need to ensure all of the parts connect. At Hosa, we carry the most efficient USB Cables & Adapters in the market. For example, if you’re looking to mirror your monitor or displays, use HDMI cables. If you have a USB hub and want to charge your phone, try our USB to USB-C cables.
Welcome to the latest Music & Audio Industry News Roundup! Every month, we’ll share the top music and audio news headlines, stories and more from our ever-changing industry.
This month we’ll take a look at music Spotify podcasts, BMG giving more royalties to artists, marketing online events, Warren Huart, and Black Friday deals.
Spotify Revolutionizing Podcasts and Artist Potential
Spotify hosting podcasts has created lots of new opportunities for musicians to have their music streamed, along with compensation, without all the thorny licensing issues of the past. Also hosting music on the streaming platform is sure to give musicians more opportunities to tell their stories and engage with wider audiences. (Read More)
BMG Say Goodbye to the Controlled Composition Clause
The Controlled Composition clause was standard in nearly every record industry contract, allowing labels to collect more royalties on physical sales. This will pave the way for signed artists to make more on the physical sales of their recordings and could have a ripple-effect across the industry. (Read More)
Eventbrite has some tips for best marketing your online streams & events. With concerts and performances indefinitely suspended, more and more people are turning to streaming, so it’s good to shift strategies. (Read More)
Warren Huart Helps You Produce Like a Pro
Warren Huart is a producer, engineer, and composer whose YouTube channel offers interviews, reviews, demos, and critical advice for DIY recording artists. He also has courses online for a more formal education on recording & producing at producelikeapro.com.
MusicRadar featured an early look into the kinds of deals that might come up from manufacturers and retailers this Black Friday. Given the state of the pandemic, even more deals are expecting to migrate online, so keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of savings. (Read more)
Thanks for reading our November Music & Audio Industry News Round-up. If you enjoyed this recap and would like to continue to receive news, audio how-tos and product announcements directly from Hosa, subscribe to our newsletter today.
- Hosa
Music & Audio Industry News Roundup – October
Welcome to the latest Music & Audio Industry News Roundup! Every month, we’ll share the top music and audio news headlines, stories and more from our ever-changing industry.
This month we’ll take a look at music industry growth, converting fans into paying subscribers, congressional relief for independent venues, Rick Beato, and Native Instrument’s new Maschine+.
Despite closures and cancellation of events, the music industry actually saw an increase of 5.6%. Welcome news for musicians who have been using this time to create and hope when events resume that audiences will still be engaged. (Read More)
With music audiences even more engaged and streaming numbers continuing to climb, it’s time to think about how to monetize your streams. Symphonic Blog runs down a few helpful tips on how to think about converting music streams into paying subscriptions in a non-intrusive way. (Read More)
New House Coronavirus Relief Bill Includes $10B To Save Music Venues
Not long ago Hosa donated $5k with your help to NIVA in order to assist independent venues threatened by Coronavirus closures. The newest draft of the Heroes Act includes $10B in government aid to those venues. Although not passed yet, it is a promising step to have stages to play to when events return. (Read More)
Rick Beato is Everything Music
Rick Beato has had a long history in the music business as an artist and producer, but more recently became one of the top YouTube music personalities. Whether you want theory lessons, commentary on the state of the music industry, or watching him break down what makes classic songs so special, Rick offers a little bit of everything.
The new Maschine+, an entirely standalone system that embeds the iconic Maschine workflow into a powerful, flexible groove box that works without a computer. Musicians can plug in, power up and sketch beats easily, as well as develop fledgling ideas into performance-ready pieces with arranging and mixing tools – both with or without a computer. (Read more)
Thanks for reading our October Music & Audio Industry News Round-up. If you enjoyed this recap and would like to continue to receive news, audio how-tos and product announcements directly from Hosa, subscribe to our newsletter today.
- Hosa
Music & Audio Industry News Roundup – September
Welcome to the latest Music & Audio Industry News Roundup! Every month, we’ll share the top music and audio news headlines, stories and more from our ever-changing industry.
This month we’ll take a look at NAMM’s “Believe in Music” week, Google Play going away, Crew Nation raising $15M, Learning Modular, and creative merch ideas.
It’s no surprise considering the suspension of events and tradeshows that NAMM cancelled the annual trade show in Anaheim for January 2021. Instead, they will be hosting a “Believe in Music” week online event starting January 18. It’s here you’ll be able to find all the latest industry news and videos brought directly to you by your favorite manufacturers. (Read More)
Starting in August, Google will begin phasing out Google Play and migrating that service to YouTube Music. For Google Play users, there will be a transfer tool available to migrate their accounts. Artists should be notifying their audiences about the upcoming change, which might wind up being helpful to keep music on Google to a single platform. (Read More)
Live Nation Raises $15M To Support Live Technicians
With events currently cancelled, as is the livelihood of technicians and crews who make their living from such events. Live Nation’s Music Forward Foundation has announced that the Crew Nation global relief fund has raised more than $15 million to support music crews affected by the shutdown imposed due to COVID-19. You can still help by purchasing merchandise, which 100% of the proceeds go to help the unemployed. (Read More)
Chris Meyer Demystifies Modular Synthesis
Since 2016, Chris Meyer has been teaching modular synthesis both in online courses and on his YouTube channel, Learning Modular. There you will find a wealth of information on synthesizers and demonstration videos made for novices and experienced players alike.
It’s always important for musicians and entertainers to sell merchandise to their fanbase, but the global pandemic offers some unique opportunities to expand from more reserved and traditional bits of merchandise. Spotify for Artists wrote an insightful and short article on ways to be creative and meet the moment with your merch. (Read more)
Thanks for reading our September Music & Audio Industry News Round-up. If you enjoyed this recap and would like to continue to receive news, audio how-tos and product announcements directly from Hosa, subscribe to our newsletter today.
- Hosa
Music & Audio Industry News Roundup – August
Welcome to the latest Music & Audio Industry News Roundup! Every month, we’ll share the top music and audio news headlines, stories and more from our ever-changing industry.
This month we’ll take a look at how to live stream concerts, music videos on Facebook, YouTube analytics for artists, David Wallimann, and studio monitors.
Since playing live isn’t possible for the moment, lots of musicians and performing artists are finding new, creative ways of staying active and engaging their audiences. Our friends at Disc Makers wrote a very good piece on how to make a compelling live performance over streaming. (Read More)
Facebook to Launch Music Videos in August
Image credit: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
Starting August 1, Facebook will now feature a page for artists’ official music videos. Artists won’t have to manually upload them. Instead, they can enable a setting on their page that will give Facebook permission to add the videos to their page. For info on what this means, and how to opt-in or opt-out as an artist, read more from our friends at TechCrunch. (Read More)
YouTube Adds Analytics Tools for Artists
YouTube recently improved the analytics capabilities that will help artists better engage and see trends in their audience. These tools will be available to Official Artist Channels, and even on the mobile app. Visit your YouTube Studio for more information.
David Wallimann Shares Guitar Secrets for Free
David Wallimann has been on YouTube for a long time. He started as a recording artist and private instructor, but over time started Guitar Playback, which gives beginner, intermediate, and advanced guitar lessons online. Many of the things covered in his courses, including gear demos and commentary are on David’s YouTube Channel, which is a must-watch for any guitarist.
Best Studio Monitors of 2020
Image credit: Future
Anybody doing recording or producing at home is always on the lookout for the best monitors on the market. These will ultimately influence how your mix turns out and translates to the many types of speakers out in public, from cars to earbuds. Music Radar put together a comprehensive list of the 10 best studio monitors available this year that we highly recommend you check out. (Read more)
Thanks for reading our August Music & Audio Industry News Round-up. If you enjoyed this recap and would like to continue to receive news, audio how-tos and product announcements directly from Hosa, subscribe to our newsletter today.
- Hosa
Music & Audio Industry News Roundup – July
Welcome to the latest Music & Audio Industry News Roundup! Every month, we’ll share the top music and audio news headlines, stories and more from our ever-changing industry.
This month we’ll take a look at virtual tradeshows, Instagram, increasing employment, Andrew Huang, and the latest plans for NAMM 2021.
Virtual Tradeshows Becoming the Norm
Photo credit: Worship AVL
Industries are adapting, and we are seeing lots of trade shows going virtual, bringing manufacturer content directly to the users screen rather than the show floor. This means more company investment into video content, including demonstrations and overviews for products and services that will be even more publicly distributed. (Read More)
Instagram is Helping Musicians Sell Merch
Photo credit: Music Business Worldwide Instagram has recently expanded their shopping feature, allowing for creators and musicians that meet their commerce eligibility requirements to link from posts & stories to their storefront. In a time where musicians find normal sources of income either dramatically reduced or completely removed, the more opportunities to sell merchandise will help wade the waters until traditional incomes return. (Read More)
American Jobs Are Storming Back as States Reopen
Photo credit: Free To Use Sounds
Even with some hiccups, states have reopened and are seeing establishments return with distancing measures, which means employment and customers. This turnaround bodes well for the music industry, where many artists and retailers are out of work. (Read More)
Andrew Huang’s YouTube Channel is a Weird, Creative Paradise
Andrew Huang is a Toronto-based music and video producer with a penchant for working within absurd, self-imposed limitations. Just as often as he releases videos turning random noises into addicting melodies, he gives DIY tips to aspiring songwriters, producers, and engineers of all styles. Check out Andrew’s YouTube channel, which has over 2 million subscribers.
NAMM Announces Intentions to Keep the Show On
Photo credit: NAMM
NAMM has announced its intentions to have the 2021 show in January after discussions about cancelling until 2022. For an industry that’s been hit hard, they see this as a chance to help rebuild for manufacturers and retailers. NAMM will be working with local authorities and health agencies to make sure safe distancing measures are in place. (Read more)
Thanks for reading our July Music & Audio Industry News Round-up. If you enjoyed this recap and would like to continue to receive news, audio how-tos and product announcements directly from Hosa, subscribe to our newsletter today.
- Hosa
Music & Audio Industry News Roundup – June
Welcome to our first ever Music & Audio Industry News Roundup! Every month, we’ll share the top music and audio news headlines, stories and more from our ever-changing industry.
This week we’ll take a look at Joe Rogan, Spotify, COVID-19 retail adaptations, helpful tips for aspiring musicians, and how to start live streaming without busting your wallet.
Why Joe Rogan’s Spotify Deal is GOOD for Musicians
Photo credit: Haulix
I’m sure you heard the news about Joe Rogan‘s exclusive deal with Spotify. While the $100M number raises a lot of eyebrows, Haulix has an interesting take on how this might actually be a big win for artists in the music industry. Potential benefits include more people on the platform, discovering artists featured directly on Rogan’s podcast and through related Spotify playlists, and more creator control. (Read More)
How Small Retailers are Adapting to COVID-19
Photo credit: Muskoka 411
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all having to make adjustments. As music and audio stores begin to reopen in different areas around the country, the need to support small businesses is greater than ever. The National Retail Federation recently published an article on several ways businesses are adapting to public health concerns, including online orders, curbside pickup, and delivery. If you normally frequent a retailer in your area for music and audio equipment, find out what additional services they are providing. (Read More)
Spotify Looking to Add More Paid and Free Artist Features
Photo credit: Spotify
With the goal to help artists connect with fans and monetize beyond streaming, Spotify is exploring a direct marketplace for fans on their platform.
“These initiatives drive a combination of revenue through selling paid marketplace tools to creators and their teams, as well as content cost savings through negotiating more favorable licensing rates with certain segments of content suppliers.” (Read More)
Damian Keyes’ YouTube Channel Offers Free Insight and Advice to Aspiring Musicians
Damian Keyes started his career as a bass tutor, started the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, and now runs DK Music Management Ltd, a commercial band management company that trains musicians to help them find work. His YouTube channel provides a free outlook on the modern music business aimed at helping artists grow their audience and prepare for the rapid changes ahead. If you are an aspiring musician, visit Damian Keyes’ YouTube channel to learn more.
Start Streaming Audio Without Breaking the Bank
Photo credit: IK Multimedia
Late last year IK Multimedia introduced the iRig Stream, an affordable way to stream quality audio from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. With so many people stuck at home and looking to connect and create online with others, there’s no need to drop your savings to get started. You probably already have the audio cables, guitar cables, and microphone cables to start with. To learn more about the iRig streaming audio interface, visit IK Multimedia’s website.
Thanks for reading our June Music & Audio Industry News Round-up. If you enjoyed this recap and would like to continue to receive news, audio how-tos and product announcements directly from Hosa, subscribe to our newsletter today.
- Hosa
Hosa Names Mainline Marketing as 2015 Rep of the Year
Exceptional performance throughout 2015
Buena Park, CA, February 2016 — Hosa Technology, Inc., the leading innovator of analog and digital connectivity solutions for the audio and video professional, has named Mainline Marketing as its 2015 Sales Representative of the Year. The award recognizes remarkable performance throughout 2015. Mainline Marketing received the award during the recent NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
Hosa’s Rep of the Year award is based on numerous factors that lead to “comprehensive excellence in sales.” The winning rep firm consistently reaches sales goals, exhibits first-rate communication skills, adapts to an ever-changing environment, and seeks out new market opportunities. The sum of all these traits is what makes Mainline Marketing one of Hosa Technology’s top firms.
In addition to being the Hosa Sales Representative of the Year, Mainline was also presented the 2015 Mogan Microphones Rep of the Year award. This award is given to the rep firm with the highest net sales of the company’s Mogan Microphones line.
Based in Melbourne, Florida, Mainline Marketing represents multiple manufacturers in the Musical Instruments, Broadcast, Pro Audio, and Commercial AV markets. Clinton Muntean, President of Mainline Marketing, said the following, “We are delighted to have won these two prestigious awards from Hosa Technology. We have worked together to grow our businesses for over 25 years and these accolades represent Hosa’s recognition of the effort the entire Mainline Marketing team puts forth each and every day.”
“After working side by side with Mainline Marketing for so many years, it is our pleasure to recognize their efforts,” said Jonathan Pusey, VP of Sales and Marketing at Hosa. “Clinton, Dana, and the crew came through for Hosa in 2015, as they so often do, regardless of the challenges they faced. Mainline is truly an extension of our company, sharing many of the same core values. We congratulate them on a successful year and look forward to many more as our partnership continues.”
For additional information about Mainline Marketing, visit the company website at www.mainlinemarketing.com.
