Nashville, Tenn.-based Artiphon announced Hal Leonard will now distribute its INSTRUMENT 1 digital instrument to U.S. and Canadian music stores.
Artiphon first conceived the INSTRUMENT 1 in 2011 and launched it on Kickstarter in 2015, where it raised more than $1.3 million to become the largest crowdfund for a musical instrument in the site’s history. Artiphon has since won a “Best in Show” award at the 2017 Summer NAMM show. It also was named one of the best inventions of 2015 by Time magazine.
The INSTRUMENT 1 is a patented multi-instrument that lets users strum like a guitar, bow like a violin, and tap like a keyboard or drum pad. It plugs into iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC and connects with hundreds of music apps from GarageBand to Ableton Live and beyond.
“Hal Leonard is one of the most established and respected names in the musical instrument market, and we’re proud to have them distribute Artiphon products,” said Dr. Mike Butera, founder and CEO of Artiphon. “It’s our mission to empower creativity with smart musical devices and apps, and this partnership will introduce many more people to the possibilities of our multi-instrument technology.”
Brad Smith, vice president of MI products for Hal Leonard, added, “Hal Leonard likes innovative products that can create new music experiences and therefore create new customers. The new generation of digitally savvy performers, producers, learners and students will want to explore this. Dealers have to be there with new product offerings, and this one is sure to get new business and excitement.”