InformationWeek

Rocking The Net

The convergence of music and the Internet has opened up new possibilities for downloading digitally stored tunes for listening purposes. Now one San Francisco startup wants to use the Web to shakeup the way music is recorded.

Rocket Network (www.rocketnetwork.com) is offering Web-based Internet recording studio software and services that allow musicians to collaborate remotely. With its RocketControl client software and its Internet Studio Centers, musicians and audio professionals from around the world can collaborate over the Internet, reducing the time and money it takes to put together a recording, the company says. Sony Music Studios and Berklee School of Music are among the organizations working with Rocket Networks.

"In the short term, we are targeting the professional recording industry," says CEO Pam Miller. "Down the road, we believe all Web sites will have original sound tracks."

The company has attracted some high-profile support. Microsoft founder Paul Allen is one of the company's chief backers. Vulcan Ventures, Allen's venture capital firm, is the majority stakeholder.