One of the companies taking the stage this afternoon at TechCrunch Disrupt is Miso Media, a startup that’s looking to help you learn how to play guitar with the help of your smartphone or tablet. In addition to a product update, the company had some significant news: it’s about to raise $2.4 million in a round led by Mind Fund (based in Hong Kong), with participation from Aria Ventures, Detroit Ventures Partners. This is the company’s second round of funding, after a $600K seed round in December.
For those that haven’t used it, Miso Media makes an iPad application called Plectrum that can display guitar tabs and ‘listen’ to you as you play, scrolling the tablature forward as you progress through the song. It also lets you purchase additional tabs through an integrated store.
Founder Aviv Grill took the stage to discuss some of the recent improvements to the product. Back when it first launched, the app had fewer than two dozen songs available for download; it’s now up to over 400, and will have over 1000 songs by the end of the month (the company has partnered with several music labels to secure the rights to these songs).
And while it’s currently focused on the guitar, Miso Media is also planning to expand into sheet music — which means it’s a direct competitor with Tonara, a finalist in this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield (you can see our full post on Tonara here).
Miso Media is a Venice Beach, CA startup who develops music education software. They use polyphonic note detection and realtime feedback to revolutionize sheet music and teach people how to play string instruments such as Guitar, Bass, ‘Ukulele, Banjo and Mandolin. Current products include Miso Music : Plectrum (Winner of 2010 TechCrunch Disrupt SF People’s Choice Award) and the Miso Strobe Tuner. They have strategic partnerships with Fender, Fender Music Foundation, Woodees, Deering Banjo, and Ko’Aloha Ukulele, as well as...
Seattle, WA
San Diego, CA
Menlo Park, CA
San Francisco, CA
Berlin, Germany
Boston, MA
