Live event audio and visual systems are converging into single, room-wide experiences. One of the largest names in pro audio is now buying one of the most widely used visual platforms in touring and venues.
Key Things to Know
- Yamaha Corporation plans to acquire Disguise, a visual technology company for live events, location-based experiences and virtual production.
- Disguise technology supports tours by Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, plus venues such as the Burj Khalifa and Stade de France.
- Disguise will keep its brand and operate as a new pillar alongside Yamaha’s existing business.
- Customers and partners will keep working with the same Disguise teams.
- The companies plan to share more details on a combined roadmap in 2027.
- The announcement doesn’t disclose financial terms.
What Is Yamaha Acquiring?
Yamaha Corporation has decided to acquire Disguise, the London, U.K-based, provider of visual technology for live events, location-based experiences and virtual production. The deal combines Yamaha’s audio and music business with Disguise’s software, hardware and services for large-scale visuals.
Yamaha describes the result as one partner for venues, attractions and live events. For you, that means audio and video for these projects may soon come from the same corporate parent.
Who Is Disguise?
Disguise is a visual experience platform that started as a media server specialist for concert touring. Over the past decade under CEO Fernando Küfer, it has grown into a business spanning software, hardware and creative and technical services.
Its work includes tours by Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, the films “Project Hail Mary” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” and Disney’s “Hercules” on Broadway and the West End. It also supports Netflix House, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream in Washington, D.C. Disguise has won two Emmy Awards and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation.
Who Owned Disguise Before Yamaha?
Disguise was owned by private equity firm Carlyle for more than five years before this deal. The company reports high growth during that period.
The move to Yamaha shifts Disguise from financial ownership to a strategic owner. That’s a different relationship, built around product and market expansion rather than an eventual exit.
Why Is Yamaha Buying Disguise?
Yamaha is buying Disguise to grow beyond musical instruments and audio equipment into experiences that span an entire space. The company plans to expand into software and services for live entertainment, sports and venues.
Atsushi Yamaura, president and representative executive officer of Yamaha Corporation, says the deal will let audiences experience live events and to Yamaha’s plan to expand its audio business into adjacent markets.
“People are seeking richer and more immersive experiences from live entertainment,” Yamaura says. “Audio, video, lighting and media come together across an entire space to create experiences that move people. Disguise has earned the trust of artists and creators around the world with a platform that enables such experiences.”
Yamaura adds that the deal is part of a long-term growth strategy. “As part of our long-term growth strategy, we are expanding our audio business into adjacent areas, including entertainment,” he says. “We will combine the strengths of Disguise and Yamaha while respecting the brand, technology and global relationships Disguise has built with customers and partners.”
What Does Disguise’s CEO Say About the Deal?
Küfer says Yamaha’s commitment to Disguise’s team, platform and partners drove the decision. He also points to what customers should expect from the new owner: more support and continued investment.
“From our first conversations, it was clear Yamaha understood what makes Disguise special: our people, our customers and our pace of innovation,” Küfer says. “Yamaha shares our ambition and is committed to investing in our people, platform and partners. For our customers that means more ways to create, more support and a partner investing in where live and immersive entertainment go next.”
Will Disguise Customers and Partners See Changes?
Disguise customers and partners won’t see immediate changes to who they work with. The Disguise brand, identity and existing relationships will stay in place, and the same Disguise teams will continue to serve customers.
The bigger changes will come later. Yamaha and Disguise plan to share more on a combined roadmap in 2027.
How Will Yamaha and Disguise Work Together?
Yamaha and Disguise plan to expand into new markets, cross-sell each other’s products and develop more integrated solutions. The pairing combines Disguise’s software-first platform and global network with Yamaha’s audio technology and worldwide sales reach.
That cross-selling piece matters. Expect Yamaha channels to start carrying Disguise conversations, and Disguise partners to hear more about Yamaha audio.
