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London-based music tech firm Roli acquires FXpansion

Roli

Music technology startup Roli has acquired fellow London-based FXpansion, a software instruments company, for an undisclosed amount.

Roli is the creator of Seaboard Rise and Seaboard Grand – keyboard-like instruments that incorporate a touch-responsive surface – and Equator, a software synthesizer. It also created Noise – an app that transforms the surface of an iPhone into what the company labels “a powerful multidimensional instrument”.

Roland Lamb, founder and CEO of Roli, said: “We are creating a Connected Music ecosystem of devices that will change the way people make and enjoy music.

“We’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of musical expression and technological innovation with FXpansion, which has been at the forefront of audio software development for the past 15 years.”

The Seaboard will now be developed alongside FXpansion’s virtual instruments, including BFD3 (a vast collection of acoustic drum sounds), and Strobe2 (an analogue-modeled software synthesizer).

Angus Hewlett, founder and CEO of FXpansion, said: “This acquisition is a momentous opportunity for FXpansion. Together, Roli and FXpansion can create best-in-class instruments, even as we continue to develop the FXpansion products our users know and love.”

Hewlett is to become head of sound synthesis and lead software engineer at Roli, with all other FXpansion staff joining the Roli team, too.

The acquisition follows Roli’s $27m Series B fundraising, which was led by Foundry Group, earlier this year.

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