Legend Channel Episode 16 Now Available! Guest: Mastering Engineer Kotaro Kojima (KOTARO)

An interview series spotlighting the industry legends who have supported the world of sound across music, audio, and musical instruments.

Our guest for this episode is mastering engineer Kotaro Kojima, also known as KOTARO.

We visited Victor FLAIR Mastering, where Kojima works, and spoke with him in depth about his career and his involvement in the production of music for numerous artists.

Through a wide range of stories—from what first inspired him to pursue a career in the music industry and his years of training in the United States to the professional setup he has established today—we trace the path of his remarkable career.

Interviewers
Isao Kumano, President of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, President of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Now available on the official Legend Channel website!
https://niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/118

Legend Channel Episode 15 Now Available! Guest: Music Space Creator Tsukasa Miyamoto

Episode 15 of “Legend Channel,” a podcast that shines a spotlight on the industry legends who have supported the world of “sound” across music, audio, and musical instruments, is now available.

This episode’s guest is music space creator and sound engineer Tsukasa Miyamoto.
Having worked at the forefront of live sound reinforcement for many years, Miyamoto has shaped the sound at countless venues and events.

Drawing on the knowledge he has gained through this extensive experience, the episode takes a deep dive into the question of “how we listen to music.”
It features real-life stories from the field, his philosophy of sound, and fresh perspectives for listeners.

Packed with insights that help us go beyond simply “hearing” sound toward truly “feeling and understanding” it, this is an episode not to be missed.

Interviewers
Isao Kumano, President of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, President of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Now available on the official Legend Channel website!
https://www.niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/113

Legend Channel Episode 14 Now Available! Guest: Yuichiro Hosokawa of PEDAL SHOP CULT

Episode 14 of Legend Channel, a podcast that shines a spotlight on industry legends who have supported the worlds of music, audio, and musical instruments, is now available.

This episode’s guest is Yuichiro Hosokawa, owner of PEDAL SHOP CULT.

We visited his office, where he introduced us to his unique and treasured collection.

As he showed us the items in person, he provided detailed explanations of their appeal and the stories behind them.

He also introduced us to CULT products, which are created according to his belief that he uses only the components he truly likes.

Mr. Hosokawa spoke at length about his distinctive attention to detail and his approach to designing and building effects pedals.

Interviewers
Isao Kumano, President of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, President of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Now available on the official Legend Channel website!
https://www.niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/112

PHONON Joins the Rock oN Creator Bazaar!

PHONON will be at the “Rock oN Creator Bazaar at LUSH HUB,” a flea market event dedicated to music production and audio gear, taking place on July 17 (Fri) and July 18 (Sat).

Come visit us at the Nice Company / PHONON booth!

We’ll be offering a variety of special deals, including:

Items Available
• ML-2 (Studio version / Non-Bluetooth) – Special Price
• Slightly blemished items at discounted prices
• Rebuilt headphones
• XLR cables
• USB 5V Linear Power Supply Kits
…and more!

Don’t miss this chance to discover some great bargains!

📅 Dates & Times
July 17 (Fri): 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
July 18 (Sat): 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

📍 Venue
LUSH HUB
B1F, Qualia Jinnan Flats
1-8-18 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

For more information:
https://store.miroc.co.jp/magazine/campaign/bazar-2026-0701

Legend Channel Episode 13 Now Available! Guest: Recording Engineer Jun Murakawa

Episode 13 of Legend Channel – Reje-chan, a podcast program that explores the stories of “legends” who have supported the worlds of music and sound, is now available.

This episode’s guest is Jun Murakawa, a Los Angeles–based recording engineer.

We spoke with him about his approach to work, as well as the background that led him to the starting point of his career.

Interviewers
Isao Kumano, President of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, President of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Now available on the official Legend Channel website!
https://www.niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/111

Legend Channel Episode 12 Now Available! Guests: Media Artist Yuki Anai and Shinjiro Nishino, Representative of GASBON METABOLISM

Episode 12 of “Legend Channel – Lege-chan,” a podcast program that explores the “legends” who have supported the worlds of music and sound, is now available.

This time, we visited an exhibition by Mr. Anai held at GASBON METABOLISM, an art complex located in Yamanashi.

After the exhibition, we spoke with Mr. Anai and Mr. Nishino, the representative of GASBON METABOLISM.

They shared fascinating stories about the exhibition and the relationship between the two of them.

Interviewers:
Isao Kumano, CEO of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, CEO of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 The episode is now available on the official Legend Channel website!
https://niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/110

Legend Channel Episode 11 Now Available! Guests: Japanese Taiko Drummer Hiroyuki Hayashida and Mr. Kondo of Hokuriku Color Form

Episode 11 of “Legend Channel – Lege-chan,” a podcast program that explores the stories of “legends” who have supported the worlds of music and sound, is now available.

This episode features world-renowned Japanese taiko drummer Hiroyuki Hayashida and Mr. Kondo, an engineer at Hokuriku Color Form Co., Ltd.

Through a series of wonderful connections, we had the opportunity to speak with both of them in Kanazawa.

Mr. Hayashida has dedicated himself to the pursuit of Japanese taiko, while Mr. Kondo has pursued advanced carbon technology.
We had the pleasure of hearing many fascinating stories from these two individuals, each of whom has carved out their own path in their respective fields.

Interviewers:
Isao Kumano, CEO of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, CEO of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Now available on the official Legend Channel website!
https://www.niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/105

Legend Channel Episode 10 is now available! Guest: Yu Miyashita

pisode 10 of Legend Channel, a podcast program that explores the stories of “legends” who have supported the worlds of music and audio, has now been released.

This episode is presented as part of the “Funky Patrol” project, welcoming electronic musician Yu Miyashita as the guest.

We spoke in depth with Miyashita, an internationally active sound designer and composer, about the origins of his musical journey, his career to date, and the ideas behind his current creative work and activities.

Interviewers
Isao Kumano, CEO of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, CEO of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Now streaming on the official Legend Channel website!
https://www.niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/104

“Dubbing Show! Special Talk with Isao Kumano” Released

A special interview video has been released ahead of the headphone live event “Dubbing Show!”, which will be held at STUDIO AMPLITUDE in Sapporo on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Musician Akira Inoue interviews PHONON CEO Isao Kumano, introducing the story behind the birth of PHONON and the concept of “Dubbing Show!”.

“Dubbing Show!” is a headphone live & overdubbing session by Akira Inoue and violinist Chieko Kinbara.

We hope you enjoy the video and experience this unique live performance through PHONON headphones at the venue as well.

Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
OPEN 18:00 / START 18:30
Venue: STUDIO AMPLITUDE
Admission: Advance Reservation ¥6,000
Limited to 20 guests / Ticket reservations available

💻 STUDIO AMPLITUDE Website
https://studio.amplitude.co.jp/movie_dubshow2026/

Legend Channel Episode 9 Now Available! Featuring Jyoji Ide

The 9th episode of Legend Channel, a podcast interview series featuring legends from the worlds of music, sound, and instruments, is now available.

This episode’s guest is Jyoji Ide, a photographer and visual creator. Since the 1970s, he has continued documenting the rock scene and has photographed many renowned bands and artists, including RC Succession, Kai Band, and Y.M.O.

In this interview, we visited Mr. Ide at his home and spoke with him about how he first began photographing rock bands, as well as the shooting environment of that era. His stories offer a rare and vivid perspective on the rock scene of the time.

Interviewers
Isao Kumano, CEO of PHONON Inc.
Motoaki Sayama, CEO of Nice Company Inc.

🎧 Listen now on the official Legend Channel website:
https://niceinc.jp/legendchannel/topic/103