Release Your Inner DJ with Scratch DJ Academy’s New Software Application, CIMIO

www.CimioSoftware.com

Now Anyone Can Mix Their Music Like a DJ in Just Three Simple Steps;
Program Launches in Partnership with ArtistDirect

New York, NY, September 8, 2009—New York-based Scratch DJ Academy (www.Scratch.com), which touches 100,000 consumers a year through its DJ Academies and nationwide events, is launching Cimio, a remarkable—and remarkably simple—software program that enables anyone to create mixes from their own music library in just three simple steps. The free 10-day trial version and the full application (which retails for only $29.95) are both available for download TOMORROW, September 9th at www.ArtistDirect.com and www.CimioSoftware.com.

Cimio is designed for music fans that want to mix their music like a DJ but do not have the time or money to invest in professional DJ software. Cimio helps users transform their playlists into seamless DJ mixes for their friends, house parties, workouts, commutes, road trips, and more. The application also features tips from Scratch DJ Academy’s leading curriculum—written by real professional DJs.

While no software program can match the accuracy of a live DJ, Cimio is a great way for music fans to get more out of their playlists and to learn a little bit about DJ’ing along the way. Scratch DJ Academy offers Cimio as an introduction to the DJ art form and encourages users to attend its Academies in New York, Miami. or Los Angeles for courses with real professional DJs.

Here’s how Cimio works: Users download the FREE 10-day trial version on www.ArtistDirect.com or www.CimioSoftware.com for their Mac or PC. The newly minted Cimio users then import songs from their personal music library into the application. During the import process, Cimio analyzes each track to determine its beats per minute (BPM) and unique song structure. Then, Cimio helps users create an ideal playlist order by using BPM’s as well as professional DJ tips from Scratch DJ Academy’s curriculum. Finally, users press the mix button and Cimio mixes the tracks in the playlist automatically.

Scratch DJ Academy releases Cimio on September 9th, 2009; users can download from www.ArtistDirect.com or www.CimioSoftware.com.

ArtistDirect’s partnership has added a number of terrific enhancements to the Cimio launch. First, as the home to one of the world’s largest free download libraries, Cimio users can use ArtistDirect to create their Cimio mixes right away with music from Los Amigos Invisibles, Papercuts, De La Soul, Tyrese, and thousands more artists. Second, Scratch DJ Academy’s DJ Lexey, one of NYC’s hottest female musical talents, has created a recommended 15-song playlist on ArtistDirect—featuring music from Brazilian Girls, Lady Sovereign, Hot Chip and Ghostface Killah, among others. There’s also a video tutorial from the diminutive, classically-trained and versatile Lexey on the site. Expect more DJ playlists, tips and tricks, advice and encouragement to come through ArtistDirect for Cimio.

“We created mixing software that any music fan can use,” explains Scratch DJ Academy co-founder and CEO Rob Principe. “After looking at the other products on the market, we realized that current professional DJ software is expensive and intimidating for the average consumer.” Scratch Academy Chief Strategy Officer Mike Cannady adds. “Tens of millions of people currently make playlists in iTunes, yet most consumers do not know how to customize their listening experience beyond the traditional playlist. Cimio breaks down this barrier by allowing music fans to mix their music in just a matter of minutes. ”

The term “playlist” has entered the lexicon and taken the place of the famed “mixed tape.” Millions of people from the casual to the die-hard music fan create playlists for their devices for everything from workout mixes to romantic and party mixes to soundtracks to playlists for friends. Nearly every major music service and entertainment portals (i.e. MySpace, iTunes, Rhapsody) tout celebrity and artist playlists. Most of all, though, people do it for pleasure, and Cimio makes that pleasure more pleasurable due to the simplicity of the software with the ability to create professional-sounding mixes.

Founded by Principe and the late Jam Master Jay of RUN DMC in 2002, Scratch DJ Academy (www.Scratch.com) has grown to become the world leader in DJ and music production education. Scratch’s past and current faculty includes some of the most renowned and respected DJ’s in the world including Grandwizzard Theodore (inventor of the Scratch), DJ Evil Dee (producer for Eminem, Talib Kwali, Busta Rhymes), DJ Beverly Bond, DJ Craze, Jazzy Joyce, Cosmo Baker and many more. Today, Scratch teaches more than 100,000 people annually through its Academies in New York, Miami and LA and through its nationwide events.

“As we developed Cimio, our students, colleagues, friends and others inside and outside the industry had two common requests,” Principe recalls, “Make it EASY and make it INEXPENSIVE. “ Cannady concludes, “Our target user is anyone with a desire to better customize and personalize their listening experience. While most music-based software has a steep learning curve, Cimio provides value for the user very quickly. Cimio consumers will immediately walk away with a more rewarding music experience, and they’ll learn a little bit about DJ’ing along the way. “

Contact Information

Henry Eshelman

Publicist

PMG

Contact via E-mail