PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GUITAR CENTER AND GUITAR CENTER PROFESSIONAL ARE THE EXCLUSIVE USA DISTRIBUTORS
OF THE NEVE GENESYS CONSOLE
— Neve’s 40 years of technical heritage results in the
Genesys, featuring Neve’s legendary mic preamps and renowned analog
circuit design —
— The Genesys is available only at Guitar Center and GC Pro,
where the power of this analog console is matched by GC Pro’s
dedication and acclaimed customer service —
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, January 27, 2009 —
Guitar Center, Inc., America’s leading musical instrument audio
retailer, and Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro), the outside sales
division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional
users, announce an agreement with AMS Neve Ltd. stating that GC Pro
is the exclusive U.S. sales channel for the innovative new Genesys,
a custom-crafted, expandable analog recording console with digital workstation
control, as well as related products. Genesys was designed to address
the new realities of the modern professional audio industry for music,
postproduction and gaming, while building on Neve’s 40 years of
accumulated technical heritage. In coordination with the recently signed
agreement, GC Pro has also announced four demonstration facilities throughout
the U.S., in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville and Miami. An additional
flight-cased Genesys console will be moved on a monthly basis to other
GC Pro locations throughout the country. In partnership with Neve, GC
Pro will host a series of industry events to present the product to
customers nationally. A Genesys console has already been installed in
GC Pro’s West LA location, with additional demo consoles arriving
in January.
The Genesys is a comprehensive, cost-effective solution
to the challenges of audio in the digital age. The base configuration
offers 16 channels of mic/line preamps, 16-channel DAW monitoring, 32-channel
analog summing at mixdown, DAW control for Pro Tools, Logic, Nuendo
and more, 8 auxiliary buses, 8 group buses, 2 main outputs, 4 effects
returns, comprehensive metering, 5.1 monitoring, 2 cue mixes, talkback
services and an internal power supply. What sets the Genesys apart is
its remarkable combination of features and affordability — an
affordable Neve analog console with Neve’s legendary sound and
digital control at a cost of less than $50,000 enables the widest possible
range of professionals to make a genuine Neve console the heart of their
studios. Furthermore, the Genesys has the ability to upgrade as studio
owners’ requirements change — it can be expanded to over
60 channels in a straight or articulated frame, with options including
motorized fader automation, recall, mastering-grade A/D and D/A converters,
digitally controlled EQ and dynamics, remote mic amp control and much
more. The Genesys was created by Robin Porter, AMS Neve Head of Analog
Design, who with his 35 years at Neve has vast experience with the classic
8068, 8078 and VR consoles and was also the principal designer of the
88R.
GC Pro is uniquely qualified to distribute and market
this product. A nationwide organization with offices from around the
country, no other professional audio team can provide this degree of
comprehensive customer and product service. To support the rollout of
the console and the new relationship with Neve, GC Pro demo rooms will
be optimized to demonstrate the power of the Genesys, and GC Pro’s
56 staff members will take its message to the industry. Additionally,
GC Pro is planning a series of hands-on industry events to present Genesys
to its client base.
“Neve is a legendary name, and Genesys represents
40 years of analog console development,” commented GC Pro Director
Rick Plushner. “We’re very proud and honored to be selected
as the U.S. distributor, and our division is fully behind this product
line. At an entry level price point of $50,000 MSRP, for the first time,
everyone from a studio owner to an artist/producer, to audio enthusiasts,
can actually own a real Neve console.”
Mark Crabtree, Managing Director of AMS Neve, says that
choosing Guitar Center and GC Pro as exclusive sales and support partner
was simple. “The staff are exceptionally well trained and their
contacts in the industry are widespread,” he said. “Having
store locations in key markets and allowing hands-on access to the console
in well-equipped studio environments makes for a very impressive organization.
Neve customers expect a high level of customer service before and after
the sale, and we’ve seen how GC Pro has delivered above and beyond
with other Neve products, so we know that with GC Pro our new customers
will be well taken care of.”
“Guitar Center is excited to offer the extraordinary
line of AMS Neve Genesys consoles to our customers,” stated Bill
Wrightson, GC Vice President, HiTech Merchandise. “Our partnership
with AMS Neve, combined with the outstanding services of our GC Pro
organization and our financing/leasing options, will help make it easy
to own a Neve console.”
# # #
About Guitar Center Professional/Guitar Center
Guitar Center Professional 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. More
information on GC Pro can be found by visiting www.gcpro.com.
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of
guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio
and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates
more than 200 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our
Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing
in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors,
college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response
retailer of musical instruments in the United States 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, Clyne Media, Inc. at (615) 662-1616