Las Vegas, NV, May 23, 2003 - Virtual Studio Systems, Inc., producer of Windows-based software for amateur/professional songwriters and home recording artists, is proud to announce their acquisition of VS-Planet - an international on-line community dedicated to helping its members learn and master Roland's VS line of digital audio workstations.  A letter of intent to purchase one-hundred percent of VS-Planet's assets has been signed by both parties.  The acquisition was finalized on May 23, 2003.

"The successful aggregation of a virtual on-line community and its culture is determined by its organizers and the chemistry of its members," says VSS product manager Eddie Imbriano, also known as Walrus44 on the Planet.  "We have monitored the evolution of this community since its inception, and the relationships that develop on the Planet rival the intimacy of physical friendships.  These social dynamics, combined with the free exchange of musical and audio-engineering ideas has clearly focused this community, turning it into a resourceful and magical place for its 8,000 plus registered Planeteer subscribers. 

"We looked at the community's culture and immediately adopted the 60's style Apple Corp vision for the Planet," says Imbriano.  We will employ an open Theory Z type management style and  tight financial controls to assure financial health, but . . . the mission isn't about money, power, or egos.  It's about creative people, artistic expression, and how far we can take the music.  Our job is to foster an infrastructure that will enable the community to realize its economic and artistic potential.  It is our good fortune to have acquired this community and the opportunity to serve these good people." 

Virtual Studio Systems plans to spin off the vision of VS-Planet's previous owners.  Our immediate goals are to add value to membership, foster a closer relationship with Roland, enhance training opportunities, and make VS-Planet an even better place to visit.  The critical success factor in meeting our objective is to maintain the organic roots of the community by always putting the membership first, before vendors, when introducing commerce into the community."    By aggregating membership to realize economies of scale and using the power in numbers, VSS plans to procure gear and services at a significant group discounts for its membership.

In addition to enhancing the current basic free membership, VSS plans to introduce a premium Artist package that will provide Planeteers their own VS-Planet web page - complete with music download links so that Planet artists and their bands can promote themselves and their music via the website.  The proposed package will bundle VSS software, a VSPlanet email account, provide for an option to purchase group studio gear insurance, and air play on the proposed VS-Planet internet radio station - where the programming will be exclusive to independent music written and produced by Planeteers.  Billboard style song charting, on-line interactive workshops in songwriting, music theory, and audio engineering for Planeteers is also on the horizon, as is an Annual International VS-Planet Symposium that will provide a venue for music Industry product workshops and a showcase for live Planeteer muscial performances. 

Virtual Studio Systems, Inc. (VSS) is a privately held Corporation, founded in September 1999 and became a NAMM member in November 2000. The company’s goal is to promote musical creativity and deliver the finest on-line solutions to problems encountered by musicians, songwriters, and home and project studio engineers. For more information about VS-Planet and VSS, contact the company via email to info@virtualstudiosystems.com, or visit their website at http://www.virtualstudiosystems.com, or call 888.732.1176.

-VSS Management (Walrus44)