Within the last 15 years, the personal computer’s profound impact on all aspects of the recording industry – creation, recording, and distribution – has had both positive and negative results.

On the positive side, complete software-based “virtual studios” with all the requisite synthesizers, samplers, and effects along with the recording and mixing technology can now exist solely on a desktop PC. This revolution, driven by innovative software from companies like Opcode, Digidesign, MOTU, Emagic, Steinberg, and Native Instruments has transformed the personal computer from a piece of office equipment to the modern recording studio’s “central hub.”

On the negative side, ergonomics, reliability and simplicity have all suffered greatly. The mouse has replaced the immediacy of knobs and faders. The QWERTY keyboard has replaced the instant response of dedicated buttons. And the computer’s natural tendency to “be all things to all people” has introduced instability where none needs to exist.

The Muse-Machine is being developed to enable manufacturers to embrace the powerful benefits of desktop software and embed it into dedicated, user-friendly devices -- thus allowing these devices to conform to their intended functions, rather than requiring that musicians, artists, engineers and producers conform to the devices.