Canadian Music Trade - April / May 2020 | Page 12

D’Addario Engineers Turn Drumheads into Face Shields for Healthcare Workers D’Addario’s engineers have devised a way to turn the clear film from the Evans G2 drumheads into protective face shields to be used by healthcare workers in New York and around the globe. Given the alarming shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) reported by hospitals around the world as they treat COVID-19 patients, D’Addario says it’s working nonstop to be in full production by April 27 th . Even before it was forced to close its strings and Evans drumhead factories in New York, D’Addario’s team began devising a way to use their engineering and manu- facturing expertise to help alleviate the dire PPE shortage. Led by Chief Innovation Officer Jim D’Addario, the team figured out they could fabricate protective face shields, and after working around the clock for three days, the team had their first prototype. Since the company already produces physical therapy products through its FDA-approved Dynatomy brand, it was able to work quickly on manufacturing and distribution solutions. The plan is to mass-produce the Dynatomy Face Shield in the Evans Farmingdale, NY drumhead facility utilizing American-made materials. The goal is to be in production by April 27 th or earlier and to ramp up as quickly as possible to a capacity of 100,000 face shields per week. “It’s our intention to manufacture these shields as long as they’re needed in New York or anywhere around the globe. We’ve watched the incredible efforts of our health- care and essential services workers all across the world with great admiration,” says Jim D’Addario. “While we cannot match the im- measurable efforts of these selfless heroes, we feel an immense responsibility to do our part in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis.” For more information, go to www.daddario.com. 12 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE ’S ORIGINAL HN BONHAM PAIR OF JO CO STICKS U M O CUSTOM PR B&J Music Now Distributing ENKI Travel Cases & Promuco Drumsticks B&J Music, a division of Jam Industries, is now the exclusive Canadian distributor of ENKI professional travel cases, as well as U.K.-based drumsticks manufacturer Promuco. ENKI, based in the U.S., makes professional-grade hardshell cases for the safe transport of electric and acoustic guitars and basses. The cases are used widely by professional touring musicians and their crews. Promuco gained popularity in the 1960s when they were adopted by drum legend Buddy Rich and grew in prominence throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s in Europe with established artists such as Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Phil Collins, and Def Leppard’s Rick Allen. “Designed by players for players, ENKI have come up with a truly unique and affordable solution for the gigging musician,” says B&J Music VP David McAllister. He adds about Promuco, “Chad Smith, Charlie Watts, Dave Grohl, Roger Taylor, and any die-hard Led Zep- pelin fan all agree…John Bonham is the greatest and most beloved rock drummer of all time. Promuco bringing back his signature ‘trees’ along with their great line is mana for drummers everywhere.” For more information, contact B&J Music: 800-268-8147, [email protected], www.bjmusiconline.com. Brainworx Audio Acquires Wolfgang Palm’s PPG Syn- thesizer Brand Brainworx Audio, founding partner of Plugin Alliance, has acquired the assets of Wolfgang Palm’s PPG synthesizer brand. Brainworx Audio says it will update the PPG products in close collaboration with Palm himself, who retired at the end of March and who is recognized as the originator of wavetable synthesis. The Hamburg-based company BRAINWORX AUDIO’S DIRK ULRICH (LEFT) & founded by Palm rose to fame in WOLFGANG PALM its initial incarnation throughout the 1980s and beyond. Software became the focus from 2012 onwards when Palm returned to prominence, producing new PPG products. “We are proud that Wolfgang Palm put his brand and product into our hands,” says Dirk Ulrich, owner of Brainworx Audio and Plugin Alliance. “We will make sure to carry on his leg- acy with the respect it deserves and we are looking forward to evolving the brand and products for years to come.” For more information, contact Brainworx Audio: [email protected], www.brainworx.audio.