Apple Buys Emagic, Music Unit To Operate As Independent Division

by , 2:15 PM EDT, July 1st, 2002

Continuing its buying spree of the last 18 months, Apple has announced another acquisition today: the company has bought Emagic. Emagic makes a professional sound mixing and composing application called Logic, which adds to Apple's growing portfolio of high end movie, and now sound, production solutions. Unlike the other companies that Apple has been buying, the company says that Emagic will be operated as an independent, but wholly owned, division within Apple. The company also says it will be discontinuing Emagic's Windows offerings in September.

Emagic has been in the business of making digital sound production software since it grew out of the ashes of C-Lab in the early 90s. Logic stemmed from a product called Notator made by C-Lab for the Atari platform.

From Apple:

Apple® today announced it has acquired Emagic, a leading provider of professional software solutions for computer based music production. Emagic's most popular product, Logic, is actively used by over 200,000 musicians around the world. Emagic will operate as a wholly owned division of Apple.

"Emagic has set the industry standard for professional music creation and production," said Sina Tamaddon, Apple's senior vice president of Applications. "We're very excited to have the Emagic team join Apple and create more amazing products for musicians."

Macintosh®-based products account for over 65 percent of Emagic's current revenues. Emagic's Windows-based product offerings will be discontinued on September 30, 2002.

You can find more information on Emagic at the company's Web site. TMO Forum member Fletch also pointed us to a history of the company, as well as a review of Version 5.0 of Logic. We also found a Web site/message board dedicated to users of Logic (there are other user-sites around, too).

The Mac Observer Spin:

Apple hasn't been officially announcing all of its acquisitions in the last few months, so we find today's press release all that much more interesting. In addition, Apple has specifically not set up any of its acquisitions to operate as independent divisions. That marks a major shift in strategy, though it is likely this will be specific to Emagic.

We also find it necessary to point out that Apple is making aggressive moves with many of its content creation acquisitions by ceasing all development of any Windows related products at hand. This is a direct reflection of the fact that Apple wants these products to help it sell more Macs, and not just for the Revenue stream from the acquired company's existing product line.

We will also point out that if Microsoft, or any other PC developer or manufacturer, had bought this company and killed off Mac versions of its products, most Mac users would be screaming bloody murder. Is it smart for Apple? Yes, but it is going to hurt some folks who have invested in Emagic's Windows offerings. We get the feeling Apple doesn't care, nor should they, but you may want to put the shoe on the other foot before you start gloating.

Emagic