Roland Corp. acquires Austin firm's music-making app

Roland Corp., the global maker of electronic musical instruments, has acquired a music-making app developed by Austin-based Open Labs.

The app, called Stagelight, serves as the foundation for Roland's newly released app named Zenbeats, which lets people easily create music using standard computer equipment such as a desktop, laptop, Chromebook or smartphone.

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

"This is good news for Austin as the team will remain here and Roland is opening an office here," said Cliff Mountain, Open Labs CEO. "Many thanks to the Stagelight team for their commitment to our products, customers and partners. Roland is fortunate to welcome these professionals, and it’s been a privilege to have worked with each individual on the team."

Open Labs was founded in 2002 and initially made a name in the music industry by selling high-end electronic instruments that combined the power of a 64-bit computer with a keyboard and synthesizer.

Its products used software to mimic instruments and create sound effects and to mix and master multitrack audio recordings. The systems were used by bands including Maroon 5, the Black Keys and Timbaland, as well as to produce shows including the Grammys and Oscars.

But despite building a following of professional musicians, sound engineers, producers and turntable disc jockeys, the company never reached a broader market and filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

Mountain, who was then an Open Labs board member, saw promise in the company's software and bought its assets for an undisclosed price in 2011. Timbaland, the artist and music producer whose real name is Timothy Mosley, was the lead investor in a $500,000 funding round Open Labs raised in 2013.

Over the years, Open Labs built Stagelight into a leading app for creating music. It requires no special keyboard or equipment and uses a simple touch-screen interface. Users are guided through the process of creating a drum track, adding a baseline and melody, and can record a guitar or vocal track.

With the acquisition by Roland, Open Labs will cease operating and the Stagelight team will join Roland at the company's new Austin office.

Roland was founded in Japan in 1972 and sells electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software worldwide.

“Roland’s mission has remained the same since it was founded — to inspire the enjoyment of creativity for everyone," Roland CEO Jun-ichi Miki  said in a written statement. "With Zenbeats, anyone can enjoy casual music-making using the devices they already own, and we are certain that our existing loyal fans will inspire us by how they bring the app into their musical lives.”