About Us

The story behind Sonoma Wire Works

About Sonoma Wire Works

Incorporated in 2003 and headquartered in Los Altos, CA, Sonoma Wire Works created high-quality, innovative software and hardware products and services that help musicians enjoy playing, recording, and sharing music on Mac OS, Windows and iOS. Combining intuitive interfaces and unique workflows, Sonoma's products enhance users' ability to create great-sounding music.

Sonoma's development group had decades of audio engineering experience. Together with graphic designers, 3D artists, musicians and educators, Sonoma infused cutting edge design into high quality music products and services.

Sonoma's products have been featured by Apple, Rolling Stone, Wired, Recording Magazine, Sound On Sound, Harmony Central, and more. Artists using Sonoma products include Anthony Gonzalez (M83), Al Di Meola, Chris Stein (Blondie), Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver) and many other artists.

Made in the U.S.A.

Dedicated to being socially and environmentally responsible, Sonoma developed and manufactured recording and amp modeling software, drum content, and audio interface hardware in the U.S.A. Sonoma's audio interface boards were built, and the units were assembled and tested in a factory in San Jose, California. The factory that manufactured Sonoma's audio interfaces (GuitarJack Stage, StudioJack Mini, GuitarJack Model 2 and GuitarJack 2 USB), and the design house that manufactured Sonoma's product packaging, were located close to Sonoma's office. This helped us keep a close eye on quality and testing, reduced the amount of travel and shipping, and supported local businesses. More about Sonoma's Social and Environmental Responsibility Commitment.

Sonoma's Team

Sonoma's products were built by an experienced team and partnering companies. To name a few...

Doug Wright, an audio engineer from Diamond Multimedia, Be Inc., Bias, and now Universal Audio, founded Sonoma Wire Works in 2003 with friends from the music tech industry: Dave Tremblay (Apple and Universal Audio) and Dan Walton (Retronyms). Doug taught audio engineering at Cogswell College.

Will Reichenthal, audio software engineer and guitar player, helped design and create GuitarTone, DrumCore 4 and more. Bill Preder (DTS, Bias, Beatnik and now Universal Audio), Senior Software Engineer, worked on Sonoma's mobile apps, DrumCore 4, and special projects. Moses Abrego, QA Engineer and Technical Support, helped with the DC4 Preview Player audio samples, trade shows and more. Erin Pauley helped with engineering, product managment, technical writing, videos, technical support, and more. Joe Bryan, hardware engineer for the Guitarjack line, is well known for his work for Universal Audio, including the UA 2192. Gianluca Divisi, Senior Visual/Interaction Designer, worked on multiple mobile (iOS and Android) and desktop (Windows and OS X) products for Sonoma. Scott Kinder, Controls and Automation Engineer, helped with GuitarJack Stage and StudioJack Mini production. Michelle Wright (CNET, SFSU MSP, and Be Inc.), Sonoma's VP of Sales and Marketing, managed sales, marketing and communication strategies, budgets, events, and logistics and several incredible team members who helped build Sonoma's products, see NAMM 2017 Pics, NAMM 2016 Pics and Musikmesse 2015 Pics.

Sonoma's History

Founded in 2003, Sonoma's first product launched in 2004 - RiffWorks™ guitar recording software with a unique InstantDrummer™, guitar effects, RiffLink™ online music collaboration and the RiffWorld.com online community. For many years, RiffWorks was bundled with Line 6 audio interfaces, IK Multimedia interfaces and AmpliTube, bundled in select Dean Markley Strings, and sold direct to customers and through dealers. RiffWorks received awards for performance and innovation, including a NAMM Best in Show Trendsetter Award. RiffWorks is still availble, but RiffWorld and RiffLink were discontinued in 2015.

Since 2005, Sonoma has hosted 24 RiffRumble song contests sponsored by companies such as Taylor, Schecter, IK, Line 6, Dean Markley, Seymour Duncan, Codella Guitars, Recording Magazine and many others.

In 2008, Sonoma launched FourTrack™, the first multitrack recorder on the iPhone, InstantDrummer™, StudioTrack™ multitrack recorder for iPad, and GuitarTone™ iOS app.

In 2009, Sonoma created AudioCopy/AudioPaste technology for iOS, including an AudioCopy standard and software development kit that was adopted by over 100 iOS app developers. The Retronyms have continued the development of AudioCopy/AudioPaste.

In 2009, Sonoma acquired Paul Allen's Submersible Music DrumCore and KitCore software and drum libraries, as well as the Discrete Drums multitrack drum recording library. See DrumCore's celebrity drummer bios.

In 2010, Sonoma launched GuitarJack™ Model 1 and partnered with Taylor Guitars to make Taylor EQ, which can be found in FourTrack and The Taylor Guitars Mobile App, which also includes a lite version of FourTrack.

in 2011, Sonoma launched the GuitarJack™ Model 2 audio input/output interface for iOS, then the GuitarJack 2 USB interface for iOS/Mac/Win in 2013.

In 2012, Sonoma's product distribution grew to over 100 dealers worldwide.

In 2015, Sonoma launched the next generation of GuitarJacks (GuitarJack Stage and StudioJack Mini) that were co-developed with Joe Bryan.

In 2016, Sonoma launched the highly anticipated DrumCore 4 (AAX/VST3/AU plug-in) update.

"DrumCore is so handy and so very easy to use! It's very close to having a live drummer with you."

Learn more about DrumCore
M83
Anthony Gonzalez of M83

"I'm obsessed with this recording app on my iPhone- the Sonoma Wire Works FourTrack. It's like you have a superpowerful studio in your pocket."

Learn more about FourTrack
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Trey Anastasio of Phish

"Just tried out Sonoma Wire Works GuitarJack plus the new upgraded FourTrack app. Beautiful crystal clear sparkling audio in iOS!"

Learn more about GuitarJack
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Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater

"RiffWorks is an incredible tool to get songs done stupid fast!"

Learn more about RiffWorks
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Johnny "Juice" Rosado of Public Enemy