Sibelius Announces Rock And Pop Sample Library

Fully integrated sample collection provides high-quality playback for contemporary music from the world’s best-selling notation program

Sibelius Software has today announced the Sibelius Rock and Pop Collection , a complete library of contemporary instrument samples for use with Sibelius 4, providing a 'plug and play' solution for achieving high-quality playback from within Sibelius.

The new collection has been developed in partnership with Sonic Implants and Native Instruments, two of the world's leading software instruments companies. It includes a huge variety of instruments – from guitars, keyboards and drums to horns, strings, and even a Hammond B3 organ – plus well-known instruments such as a Fender Stratocaster guitar and Rickenbacker bass. Multiple samples are provided for many of the instruments, with different styles and tones so users can achieve exactly the sound they're looking for.

Sibelius Rock and Pop Collection integrates seamlessly with Sibelius 4, via a special version of the acclaimed Kontakt sample player from Native Instruments, and adds a huge range of new sounds which can be used on their own or with other Sibelius Sounds. Users can even export an audio file to create a CD or an MP3 file of their music.

The library will form part of the new Sibelius Sounds range of sample libraries, developed in partnership with world-leaders in the field of software sampling, which will provide a variety of award-winning instrumental sounds tailored to the needs of specific groups of composers and musicians.

Jeremy Silver, Sibelius CEO, said:

'The Sibelius Sounds range marks a huge step forward for those working with notation who require high-quality, realistic playback. Sibelius and Sonic Implants are already leaders in their fields, and by making it easy to use them together we are extending the possibilities for musicians even further. We plan to extend the Sibelius Sounds range in the future, with additional libraries each designed to suit the needs of a different group of musicians.'

Jennifer Hruska, founder and president of Sonic, stated:

'It is exciting for us to take part in creating the first dedicated rock/pop library to be specifically used in conjunction with notation software. While our Sonic Implants retail line has been prized by recording and performing artists for almost a decade, we look forward to working with Sibelius to provide a wonderfully unique palette of high-end sounds for a wider and more diverse market.'

Daniel Haver, CEO of Native Instruments, said:

'Rock and pop writers who use notation should not have to miss out on a specialized sample library to assist them in their work. We are excited to cooperate with Sibelius on this innovative collection that should satisfy a huge number of requests from their users. It is great to see technology, notation and the rock and pop worlds coming even closer together.'

The Sibelius Rock and Pop Collection will be available from November 2005. For more information, see www.sibelius.com/sounds.

Notes to editors

• Sibelius is the world's market leader in music notation software.

• Sibelius was founded in 1993 by Ben and Jonathan Finn to sell music notation software for the Acorn computer. The Sibelius notation software was released for Windows and Mac in 1998/99.
• Since then the Sibelius Group has developed 11 music products for the professional, educational and home user, ranging from Internet publishing to guitar software.

• Sibelius has customers in over 100 countries.

• Sibelius is used in 50% of schools in the UK , Australia and New Zealand.
• Sibelius is endorsed by the Royal Academy of Music and is used by all the major music academies and colleges: The Royal College of Music, Trinity College of Music, The Juilliard School, Berklee School of Music, The Sibelius Academy in Finland , The Royal College of Music in Stockholm
• The world's leading music publishers, including Music Sales and Hal Leonard, all use Sibelius technology
• Sibelius is headquartered in London , UK , with a US subsidiary, Sibelius USA Inc., in Walnut Creek , California and a new Australian subsidiary, Sibelius Australia Pty Ltd, based in Adelaide.

About Sonic Implants:

Sonic Implants is Sonic Network's market proven professional product line, known for its high fidelity and emphasis on playability. With full in-house production at Sonic's own recording studios in Boston, MA, and Sonic's nearly two-decade history of designing award-winning wavetables, Sonic Implants clients are assured 100% complete copyright protection and top-notch quality. Sonic's staff of musically trained sound designers provide OEM clients as well as performing and recording musicians with a limitless choice of high quality wavetable solutions ranging from highly refined symphonic orchestral instruments to global ethnic instruments and popular ensemble sounds. Sonic's award-winning end user wavetable soundsets are available via a worldwide dealer and distributor network, and its OEM sounds can be heard throughout the world in such diverse consumer devices as Dell Computers, Motorola Cell phones, Turtle Beach Soundcards, Sega Games, Asheron's Call Online Games, Professional Synthesizers, Epcot Center Multi- Media Installations, and much more.

www.sonicimplants.com

About Native Instruments Software Synthesis GmbH

Native Instruments is pioneer and technological market leader in the field of software synthesis, and one of the key players in the booming market for music and audio software. The company's mission is to develop outstanding tools for musicians, producers, sound designers and DJs. Native Instruments opened up the fascinating world of real-time sound synthesis on standard computers as early as 1996, and today offers an extensive product range covering the whole field of modern computer-based audio production. The company currently employs around 100 people in its two offices in Berlin , Germany , and Los Angeles , USA , and works closely with more than 40 international distribution partners to ensure its future growth and success.

www.native-instruments.com