Mixman
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Interactive music software |
| Founded | April 1994 |
| Founder | Josh Gabriel, Eric Almgren |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Josh Gabriel (CEO), Eric Almgren (Chairman), Chris Scarborough (Executive Director) |
| Products | Interactive music software, hardware controllers (historical) |
Number of employees | 140 (at peak, post-merger) |
| Website | mixman |
Mixman Technologies, Inc. is a U.S.-based interactive music enterprise specializing in software that empowers users to compose and modify music tracks. Established in April 1994 by founders Josh Gabriel (CEO) and Eric Almgren (Chairman), the company is headquartered in San Francisco and serves a global customer base.
Initial development
The inception of the company can be traced back to early prototypes created by Gabriel during his studies at the Institute of Sonology in the Netherlands. Combining his skills as both a musician and coder, Gabriel sought to democratize music creation. In the early 1990s, he joined forces with Almgren, and together they formed a team to engineer a hardware device akin to video game cartridges designed for music production. Within twelve months, they developed a prototype that included a hardware controller paired with music cartridges containing song data. The industrial design was overseen by Scott Summit of Summit Industrial Design. They secured foundational patents related to their synchronization technology.
Mixman’s primary strategy centered on delivering user-friendly interactive music solutions that enable real-time editing and performance of digital song components, effectively allowing users to reconstruct tracks from individual elements. Over time, the firm broadened its scope to include software development and dance music publishing, thus diversifying its product range and expanding its market presence.
Products and technology
In 1996, Mixman introduced the first interactive CD capable of live PC performances featuring zero latency and automatic beat matching. Following initial collaborations with record labels and the release of one music title, Mixman transitioned from consumer-focused products toward advanced production tools with releases such as Mixman Studio (1997) and StudioPro (1998). These offerings were distributed through major retailers including Best Buy and Guitar Center, targeting both consumer audiences and musical instrument buyers.
Artist and label promotion
Mixman created an online platform dedicated to promoting artists from independent and major labels via community features such as an online radio station that allowed user uploads. Between 2000 and 2001, Mixman launched online remixing initiatives called Mixman eMixes, showcasing artists like Britney Spears, NSYNC, David Bowie, and LL Cool J, thereby strengthening its role in artist promotion.
Mixman as a software company
Since 1996, Mixman has released numerous software versions, licensed its technology to original equipment manufacturers such as Sony, Creative Labs, and Intel, and collaborated with major labels on projects including George Clinton’s Greatest Funkin’ Hits (Capitol) and Tommy Boy’s Greatest Beats. In 1999, the company expanded its offerings to Macintosh platforms.
From 2000 to 2001, Mixman partnered with Mattel to develop the DM2—a USB controller combined with proprietary Mixman software and sound libraries—sold at retailers like Toys-R-Us and Target with over 200,000 units moved. After Mattel discontinued the Apzu teen product line in 2002, Mixman resumed independent operations.
Between 2002 and 2005, Mixman released updated software versions such as LoopStudio and MP3 Producer; the most sophisticated among them was StudioXPro (2003). In 2006, the company ceased manufacturing hardware to concentrate on digital distribution and brand partnerships with companies including Pepsi Frito Lay, SCION, M&M Mars, Hershey’s, and Heineken.
In 2011, Mixman collaborated with Intel to launch an updated version on the Intel AppUp Store at CES 2012. This release was optimized for Intel processors and introduced features like Rex file compatibility and Facebook sharing. Further joint efforts with Intel led to Mixman Loop10 for AAIO devices supporting multi-user playback.
Since 2014, Mixman's founders have redirected their business focus toward the electronic dance music (EDM) sector, capitalizing on founder Gabriel’s extensive performance experience spanning over ten years.
Venture Capital, Merger, and Initial Public Offering
Initial seed capital was provided by Almgren, Roger Summit, and Dick Asher. Dr. Roger Summit, who founded and led Dialog Corporation as CEO, served as the first board member and business consultant. Dick Asher, formerly CEO of Polygram Music and President of Columbia Records (now Sony), joined the board as both an investor and advisor to help establish connections with major record companies. The Series A preferred stock financing round for Mixman was spearheaded by Don McKinney, founder and CEO of International Networking Devices and a former partner at Sequoia Capital.
In 1999, Mixman pursued Series C venture funding to enhance its online presence and product development. The Mayfield Fund, under Alan Morgan’s leadership, facilitated the merger between Mixman and Beatnik, an internet audio firm, with the goal of integrating Mixman’s software into Beatnik’s web audio platform. Mayfield invested $12 million in the combined entity and targeted a public offering. Tony Fadell, then a Mayfield consultant and later known for creating the iPod and iPhone, collaborated with Almgren on formulating the business strategy. Zomba Music (subsequently acquired by BMG) also participated as an investor and board member.
Following the merger, the company expanded to 140 employees and prepared its S1 SEC registration for an IPO. However, market conditions in March 2000 delayed the public offering. During this interval, a $35 million mezzanine financing round was secured with MTV leading the investment. MTV became the primary revenue contributor by investing in software development, marketing Mixman’s products and content, as well as broadening partnerships with OEMs and music industry entities.
Executive Leadership
Gabriel departed in mid-2000 to focus on his career as a recording artist and producer with Gabriel and Dresden. Almgren left later that year to establish Vivcom, Inc. (currently VMark.tv), a company specializing in video search technology, while maintaining his position on Beatnik’s board. By late 2002, Mixman reestablished itself as an independent company.
Gabriel resumed his role as CEO; in 2018, Chris Scarborough joined the board as executive director. Scarborough brings experience from Credit Suisse Tech and Media banking as well as media investment banking at Code Advisors, where he advised Spotify for eight years—providing strategic guidance to support Mixman’s business expansion and investment efforts.
Awards
Mixman’s software earned accolades from Keyboard magazine, while founder Josh Gabriel received “Demo God” distinctions at the 1997 and 1998 DEMO conferences—underscoring the company’s industry acclaim and visionary leadership.
Support for Music Education
Mixman demonstrates its dedication to community involvement and corporate social responsibility by donating products and partnering with organizations such as the Miracles Foundation, Zeum, and Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the United States and Canada.
External links
- Mixman Official site