At NAMM, Sony Creative Software announced a new subscription program for its royalty-free loop libraries, as well as "Quartet to Quintet", a new ACIDplanet.com remix contest for the recently announced Artist Integrated loop library "Quartet". The activities at NAMM 2008 highlight the Tenth anniversary of ACID Pro and the Sony Sound Series Loops and Samples product line for music creation and production.

"Our libraries are a legacy of great music and sound for producers and remix artists," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. "The new subscription program is a great value that gives producers easy and convenient access to all the latest titles. Subscribers will get a commemorative bonus disc with 500 loops and 50 tracks from the ACIDplanet archives to kick off their collection, as well as an exclusive window to use their new titles before they show up in the catalog. We're also pleased to be launching the "Quartet to Quintet" ACIDplanet.com remix contest, celebrating 10 innovative years of music made possible by creative people using ACID software and our libraries worldwide."

The "Loop Year" subscription program offers an affordable way for music producers to receive new libraries in a variety of genres a month in advance of public release throughout the year. Enrollment in the program has begun, with the first library shipping on March 1, 2008. The 2008 subscription enrollment deadline is May 1, 2008. Pricing for the subscription is $349 for the year, which represents a saving of more than 50 percent off list price.

Entrants to the ACIDplanet.com "Quartet to Quintet" remix contest will be able to download a complete song built from all four Artist Integrated "Quartet" loop libraries released last month. The song will be in .MP3 format and will feature bass, drums, guitars, and keys -- along with built-in parts for solos -- and will have a set beginning and end. Entrants will then drop the .MP3 file into their digital audio workstation of choice and work on the song using any additional instruments or parts they choose. There will be no limit to the number of parts that can be added, however, the song cannot extend past its original running time.

The Grand Prize for this contest will be a NeKo LX keyboard workstation (MSRP $6,000) provided by Open Labs, which will come pre-installed with ACID Pro 6 and Sound Forge 9 software, as well as content from all four Sony Quartet loop libraries. Other prizes will be provided by Sony Electronics and Gibson Guitars, with a total of four prize packages for this contest.

Contestants may download the Quartet track today and must submit their remix entry by midnight February 28, 2008. ACIDplanet remix contestants may use ACID XPress software that users can download for free or they may also use their software of choice.

Price and Availability

The subscription program is now available for purchase and will close May 1, 2008. The cost of the subscription is $349 and as subscribers, users will receive an exclusive 30-day period before the library becomes publicly available. The first library in the series will ship in March 2008.