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Nashville-based Startup Offers Digital Audio Emulations of Rare Analog Gear
KIT Plugins, a music software development startup, has secured $1 million in seed funding led by Copycat Holdings. The company aims to provide digital audio emulations of rare analog gear, allowing producers and musicians to achieve high-quality studio sound without the hefty price tag.
Founding Story: A Gap in the Market
CEO Matt Kleinman founded KIT Plugins in 2020 with a mission to bridge the gap between creative professionals and innovative technology. As an audio engineer and producer who has worked with prominent artists like Fifth Harmony and Big Machine Records, Kleinman recognized the need for digital audio emulations in the music industry.
"The initial idea came from identifying a hole in the market," Kleinman explained in an interview with TechCrunch. "Blackbird is an amazing facility within the music space, and John has an unparalleled collection of vintage equipment. I had access to this incredible equipment, but my friends who didn’t have access to software that could recreate it as well as we wanted it to. I saw an opportunity to bring Blackbird into the plug-in world."
Leveraging AI and Analog Emulation
KIT Plugins focuses on analog emulation, which involves transforming physical electronic equipment into software that mimics its sound. This process enables users to recreate high-quality sounds from renowned studios using just their laptops or desktops.
"You can download our software, load it up on your computer," Kleinman said. "When you’re creating music at home, you can capture the same sound as running through that equipment in the real world. This has benefits – one is that $100 is a lot cheaper than buying vintage equipment. The other benefit is for people like John who have access to equipment but can’t travel with it."
Targeting a Broad Demographic
While KIT Plugins initially targeted established hobbyists and professionals, the company now aims to cater to anyone looking to get started in music production. This inclusive approach recognizes that music creation is no longer limited to those with extensive resources or expertise.
Utilizing AI for Innovation
With its latest funding, KIT Plugins plans to accelerate business growth by creating more plug-ins faster and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to support creative endeavors. The company currently offers nine audio plug-ins ranging from $29 to $200, serving over 6,000 paid customers with an average monthly growth of 9% in paid customers and 14% in order growth since its launch.
Expanding into Education and Collaboration
In addition to developing innovative audio tools, KIT Plugins has launched a subsidiary brand called NOIZ Hub, which offers educational resources and fosters community engagement. This initiative emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among music creators.
"No matter where you come from or how experienced you are," Kleinman said, "music production should be accessible to everyone."
The Future of Music Production
As KIT Plugins continues to push the boundaries of digital audio emulations, it invites creatives to reimagine the possibilities of music production. With its commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and education, this Nashville-based startup is poised to shape the future of the music industry.
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