Francisco Partners exits Muse Group (Audacity, Hal Leonard, MuseScore)

Francisco Partners, the private equity firm, is now exiting Muse Group amid 2026’s financial maneuvers. Muse Group is the Cyprus-based conglomerate that owns the publishing giant Hal Leonard, audio editor Audacity, notation software MuseScore and StaffPad, and the online platform Ultimate Guitar.

inMusic will acquire Native Instruments, as NI joins brands from Akai to Moog

inMusic Brands, the US-based owner of Akai, Moog, Denon, Numark, Rane, and M-Audio, announced today that it will acquire Native Instruments. That puts NI tools like Traktor and Kontakt under the inMusic umbrella along with Plugin Alliance, iZotope, and Brainworx.

Peter Kirn - May 8, 2026

For May Day, United Musicians and Allied Workers shares wins, goals

Today is May Day, the original date for Labor Day, or a pagan date to drive away evil spirits. Actually — why not both? For today’s International Workers’ Day, United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) is sharing some optimism, as it takes on justice for musicians in the era of streaming and AI.

Peter Kirn - May 2, 2026

Elektron is the latest firm to be acquired by private investment capital

Peter Kirn - April 8, 2026

Native Instruments issues a statement; likely closer to acquisition

Peter Kirn - March 19, 2026

Native Instruments statement on continued support for customers and partners

Peter Kirn - January 29, 2026

Native Instruments GmbH is in preliminary insolvency

Peter Kirn - January 27, 2026

LANDR acquires Reason Studios; takeaways from that announcement

Peter Kirn - January 6, 2026

Warner does a deal with Suno, Udio; what could possibly go wrong?

Peter Kirn - November 25, 2025