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Welcome to EM, Mix and Remix magazines' Winter NAMM exclusive site.
We've packed in all of our trade show coverage—including more than 40
videos—in one easy-to-find spot. Check out emusician.com/ms/namm!
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This year’s Winter NAMM show was one of my favorites in the 12
years I’ve been attending. Despite overall economic woes, the mood was
decisively upbeat, and the number of new products was staggering. Among
this year’s trends was an interest in groove-box products (as
indicated by MOTU’s BPM and Native Instruments’ Maschine
annoucements) as well as the move towards customization (Sennheiser’s
and Heil’s stage microphones) and additional color choices (a number
of Korg keyboards and controllers are shown in snazzy new colors). There
was also an emphasis on hardware signal processing, with MOTU’s Volta
software creating the most buzz at the show. Volta is a plug-in that
allows you to send control voltages from any DC-coupled audio interface
to an appropriate hardware synth or effect. By routing the audio signal
back into your DAW, Volta will modify the outgoing CVs to correct the
pitch of your oscillators, for example, should they change slightly. As
much of a niche product as that seems to some, I heard a number of
engineers from other hardware and software companies talking excitedly
about Volta.
—Gino Robair, EM
For the electronic and hip-hop music producers, performers and DJs,
NAMM 2009 saw an inordinate amount of "now shipping" announcements for
gear that was previewed early in 2008 and then hotly awaited ever since.
That was especially the case for DJs and laptop performers, as the
Numark NS7 Serato Itch controller and Vestax VCM-600 Ableton Live
controller are finally available for purchase. However, there was a
comforting amount of brand new gear on display as well, especially for
home-studio producers. Impressive virtual instruments were prevalent,
with Arturia Minimoog V 2.0, Quantum Leap Silk, MOTU BPM, Wallander
Brass 1 and Sonivox Playa turning many heads to listen. For those with
hardware fetishes, the Open Labs Miko LXD workstation, Korg MicroKorg XL
modeling mini-synth and Native Instruments Maschine hardware/software
hybrid groovebox will supply plenty of motivation for saving your
pennies. But perhaps the hit of the show was the 1-2 punch from Ableton
and Akai, which jointly unleased the APC40 Ableton Live controller for
Live 7 and the also announced Live 8, another major update for the
prolific German software company.
—Markkus Rovito, Remix
As usual, the Southern California weather was sunny and warm for NAMM
week, but following a near-disasterous CES show, where this year’s
attendance plummeted by some 30%, NAMM looked pretty good in comparison.
True, the guest and visitor badges outnumbered walking the show floor
the coveted blue “buyer” badges by about 10 to one, but those who
did attend were serious about business and NAMM officials seemed
genuinely relieved by the respectable turnout. As in past years, there
was no single “gotta see it hit” but there were plenty of updates of
existing products—such as Cubase 5, lots of other stuff that is
finally shipping (such as Hagstrom's 8-string bass reissues) and lots of
almost-dones, i.e., N.A.M.M.s (Not Available—Maybe Musikmesse). But
one NAMM product that did floor me was a debut from a new company by
Zeta Violin founder Keith McMillen (www.keithmcmillen.com), who launched
the remarkable K-Bow Bluetooth Sensor Bow, a brilliant hardware/software
system that takes bowed instruments well into the 21st century and
beyond. Bravo, Keith!
—George Petersen, Mix
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Audio-Technica's ATH-M35 dynamic stereo monitor headphones features a
foldable design for easy storage and a rugged storage pouch. The
ATH-M35’s employ a low-profile, closed-back design, providing clarity
and isolation in high-volume listening situations. The headphones
feature a neodymium magnet structure and have a frequency response of
20-20k Hz. The ATH-M35’s also have a lightweight and adjustable
cushioned headband to provide maximum listening comfort. In addition,
they feature a gold-plated stereo 1/8-inch (3.5mm) connector with strain
relief and professional screw-on 1/4-inch (6.3mm) adapter, and a sturdy,
ultraflexible 11-foot (3. m) cable with single-side exit. MSRP:
$139.
Find out more about the ATH-M35 headphones.
EastWest Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs, Quantum Leap
RA
EastWest has added to its PLAY lineup with Quantum Leap
Symphonic Choirs, a virtual instrument offering control over a choir’s
words and sound, and Quantum Leap RA, a collection of rare and unique
instruments from Africa, Europe, India, the Americas, Australia, the Far
East, the Middle East and the Turkish Empires. Find out
more information at the EastWest site.
IK Multimedia StealthPedal
The StealthPedal guitar audio
interface/software controller in a compact wah-style pedal allows users
to record, play and control the included “Powered By AmpliTube”
software, or any other MIDI-controllable software. This USB-powered
audio interface also works as a software floor controller, allowing
anyone to record guitar or bass with Mac/PC at the highest possible
quality, with 24-bit A/D and D/A conversion and 44.1/48kHz operation.
Two separate inputs are provided for hi-Z or line-level instruments, as
well as two separate outputs, plus a headphone output. Find out more information about the StealthPedal.
JBL LSR2300 Series
The LSR2300 Series studio monitor system
includes the LSR2328P bi-amplified 8-inch studio monitor with 160 watts
of amplification; the LSR2325P bi-amplified 5-inch studio monitor with
85W of amplification; and the LSR2310SP powered 10-inch studio subwoofer
with an integrated 180Wpower amplifier. Each unit integrates JBL's
Linear Spatial Reference criteria. The LSR2328P provides low-frequency
extension to 37 Hz, the LSR2325P to 43 Hz and the LSR2310SP sub provides
deep LF performance below 29 Hz. Find out more information about the LSR2300 Series.
Watch the product demo video.
Muse Research Receptor 2
The new Receptor 2 is a
high-performance, superstable dedicated hardware plug-in player that
runs hundreds of virtual instruments and effects. Receptor 2 uses a
single-core processor and a 250GB SATA 2 hard drive. Additionally, the
new Receptor 2 has a sleek, new look with a deep-blue front panel, LCD
and blue power LED. The unit's single-core AMD processor and high-speed
DDR-2 RAM is similar to the previous generation’s top-of-the line, but
Receptor 2 costs less with a MAP price of $1,999 U.S. The unit also
includes the Plugsound BOX collection of six different virtual
instruments with hundreds of presets ready to go. Find
out more information about Receptor 2. Watch the product demo video.
Soundcraft Vi6, Vi4 Upgrades
Soundcraft showed 96- and
72-channel upgrades to the Vi6 and Vi4, respectively. The input-to-mix
expansion is part of the new Version 3 software release. The Vi Series
features an input-to-mix capacity of up to 96 channels, mapped out on 32
or 24 motorized faders for the Vi6 and Vi4, respectively. These can be
assigned to 32 or 24 outputs (plus a stereo and mono mix) that can be
any combination of group and aux buses. Up to 16 matrix outputs can be
configured from the pool of buses. The Vi6 is available in 64 or 96
input models (the Vi4 having 48 or 72 inputs), while existing consoles
can be upgraded with the purchase of an additional DSP card. The 96
channels to mix (for the Vi6) can then comprise the 64 stagebox mic/line
inputs, the 16 line inputs on the local rack and the eight stereo
Lexicon effects returns. The "additional" 32 inputs will be assigned to
Fader Bank C on the surface. Alternatively, a second stagebox can be
added to bring in mic/line inputs from the stage to all 96 input
channels. Through desk patching, the inputs can also encompass the 64
MADI channels or 16 AES/EBU inputs. Further options are available for
expanding the I/O to use additional remote stageboxes, or other audio
formats. Find out more information about that Vi4. Find out more information about the Vi6.
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A new suite of processing plug-ins including an EQ, a compressor,
and a limiter. Watch now
Steinberg Cubase 5
The latest version of Cubase features
new beat-making tools, pitch editing, a convolution reverb, and more. Watch now
Arturia Brass V2
Arturia demos the latest version of its
physically modeled Brass instrument collection. Watch now
SONiVOX Playa: the Hip-Hop Virtual Instrument
We check out
Playa, the latest creation from SONiVOX. Watch now
Nord Electro 3
Check out the features on the latest Nord
keyboards. Watch now
Drumagog Invisible Drummer
To demonstrate the capabilities
of Drumagog software, the folks at WaveMachine Labs had a drummer
playing with no kit into some drum mikes, and the software did the rest.
Watch now
Watch
more Winter NAMM videos.
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Welcome to BeatleTech, where you will find Fab Four-related articles
and interviews from the pages of Mix and Electronic Musician magazines,
as well as exclusive video content with artists and engineers who have
worked with the group. Check it out at emusician.com/ms/beatle_tech.
GET YOUR TWO CENTS IN!
Like what you read? Got an opinion
to share? Our site has been updated with article commenting, letting you
join in on our community by posting your comment and rating the article.
MIX NASHVILLE 2009
After an unbelievable inaugural year in
’08, we’re gearing up for another great event this year, so save the
date—May 19-20, 2009! Mix Nashville includes two jam-packed days of
expert panels, master classes, product demos and artist performances at
Soundcheck Nashville—two days of studio, live sound, songwriting,
networking, education and performance! For a taste of last year’s
event, check out our exclusive video coverage on the Mix
Nashville page!
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
This collection of St.Croix’s
columns was assembled during the two years following his death from
cancer in May 2006. Included are many of his most-read columns, as well
as personal notes, drawings and photographs. Whether you make your
living playing music or recording it, you’ll relish this ride in
“The Fast Lane” to revisit the art, technology and life experience
that inspired Stephen St.Croix. For more information and to order the
book, click here.
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