Audiotonix scores landmark investment for future expansion plans
Audiotonix, the provider of professional audio mixing consoles, production software, and ancillary solutions, has reached an agreement for a next-stage investment from private equity firm PAI Partners.
The investment follows a successful partnership with global investment house Ardian, which has seen Audiotonix further enhance its significant presence in live events, professional audio creation, commercial installation, TV and film production, and broadcast markets. Ardian will maintain a minority stake in Audiotonix via re-investment as part of this transaction.
“I would like to thank Ardian for the confidence and their solid support of Audiotonix, and all our brands since their investment in March 2020,” stated James Gordon, Audiotonix CEO. “Ardian invested alongside us just as the global COVID lockdowns began, and from our first meeting they were aligned in making sure all our brands emerged in a stronger position than before, but with the same teams and brand values fully supported. They allowed us to continue our large investment into R&D and supported our desire to add the right brands to our portfolio.”
On this new investment, Gordon is clear on the choice of partner. “We have spent the last 12 months selecting the right team to partner alongside us in our next chapter, and I am happy to say the PAI team were a perfect cultural fit from our very first meeting. They come to us with a global reach and passion for music and technology that is a natural fit for our pro audio brands today and tomorrow.”
Colm O’Sullivan and Neil McIlroy, both partners at PAI, said: “We are delighted to partner with James Gordon and the exceptional Audiotonix management team, alongside Ardian, in this next chapter of growth. Audiotonix is well placed to benefit from positive structural tailwinds in the experience economy and diverse professional audio environments – whether in live entertainment, installed professional audio, music or sports. We look forward to working with the team as the group continues to deliver market-leading, professional products, defining audio experiences worldwide.”
Formed in 2014 with leading pro audio brands Allen & Heath, Calrec and DiGiCo, Audiotonix has fast-tracked expansion of its business and portfolio with a series of acquisitions in the pro audio entertainment space, starting with leading US importer and distributor Group One, prestige studio console brand Solid State Logic and immersive sound pioneers, KLANG:technologies.
Ardian invested in 2020 and, the following year, Audiotonix further expanded its operations with the acquisition of TV and film location sound and RF wireless specialists, Sound Devices. A year later, the company finalised the addition of Slate Digital, a provider of audio processing and instrument plug-ins software and microphone modelling.
2023 saw multiple acquisitions across the group. US-based pro audio console and music production software manufacturer Harrison joined Solid State Logic, followed by the acquisition of sonible, one of the world’s leading developers of assistive artificial intelligence (AI)-based processing solutions for professional audio. Finally in October, DiGiCo announced the acquisition of Fourier Audio, a UK-based live sound software developer and manufacturer, strengthening the group’s investment in live sound innovation.