Following the death of founder Keith McMillen, his company, Keith McMillen Instruments, has announced it will continue as Muse Kinetics. They’ve also got updates on stock in the latest versions of their tools.
This is obviously relevant to readers, as a few of you have sent it in. There is this question of what to call companies once their founders are gone. Moog, of course, carried on with Bob’s name. Sequential had already returned to its original name under Dave Smith’s leadership. Muse Kinetics are here to remind us that the founder’s vision lives on. (They did miss the opportunity to keep the acronym – Kinetic Muse Instruments would still be KMI – but I guess it was time for a new chapter.)
Products will be gradually rebranded, just in case any of you want a collector’s item with the old name. In a statement, the company also emphasizes they’re worth a look if you haven’t checked in on them lately. They say that in recent years they’ve delivered major hardware and software updates, and “made significant improvements in their core technology, quality control and customer service.”
Under the Muse Kinetics name:
- QuNexus Galaxy – A new color option, available now!
- BopPad Galaxy – A new color option, available now!
- 12 Step2 – In stock now!
- SoftStep3 – Available in October.
- Accessories: Step Adapter Kit, QuNexus Adapter Kit, MIDI Out Adapter Cable
And under the old KMI name until stocks are refreshed, then switching evidently to MK:
- K-Board C (available in all 5 colors)
- K-Board Pro 4
- Accessories: BopPad Mount, MIDI Expander, K-Board Pro Case
QuNeo and K-Mix are discontinued.
More on their site: