According to reports from Italian blog Fanpage (via TechCrunch), Apple just bought Italian startup Redmatica, a company that creates software to enhance the capabilities of popular audio sampler software like the EXS24 used in Apple’s Logic Pro recording suite. The proof apparently exists in a document from local regulator AGCOM that was obtained by the blog.
Apple has not confirmed that it acquired the company. However, if true, it looks as though Logic Pro could get some powerful and easy sound design tools in the near future. The highlights of the company’s tech, which Logic and GarageBand could certainly benefit from, include slick drag-and-drop management of sampler instruments and full AU plug-in support directly in the synthesis signal chain. Another aspect we can imagine Apple is interested in is the new Escher, Penrose, and Moebius Machines that allow for realtime, detailed, and sample specific gain control for every facet of your sampled loops. Moreover, none of the gain control is destructive. The company also has its GBSamplerManager designed for managing sampler instruments for GarageBand on iOS from your Mac.
According to Fanpage, Radmatica only had an income of €26,000 on €100,000 in yearly revenue.
Just last night, CEO Tim Cook said Apple does not acknowledge all of its acquisitions.
Update 1: It appears the company only has a few employees. So, if Apple were to buy Redmatica, we would like to think of it as an “acqui-hire.” We are also hearing that a deal between Apple and the music company has yet-to-close or be announced within Apple, so we would rule this as unconfirmed for now.
Update 2: MacStories provided some more information on the Italian document that discussed the possible Apple acquisition. Notably, the report said the legal regulator document does not necessarily indicate the purchase has closed. This lines up nicely with our first update.
