by Jefferson Graham

In a country renowned for the invention of the piano and violin, Davide Barbi says it's natural for Italy to become the center for the next generation of bella musica, digital style. "Making musical instruments," he says. "We have this in our blood."

Barbi is the chief technology officer for IK Multimedia, the firm that has quietly changed the way guitar players, pianists and singers make music—by helping connect them to smartphones and tablets. The $39.99 iRig, released first in 2009, enabled the guitarist to leave the big amplifier at home. Instead, he or she could rock out from anywhere.

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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/