It’s every musician’s and music technology enthusiast’s favorite time of year: Winter NAMM. This is the show the whole industry has its eyes on, when the big guns in music technology roll out their hot new releases. As always, your inSync NAMM Report crew is there, scouring the enormous show floor to bring you the scoop on all the latest and greatest.
The NAMM Report is not intended as a complete listing of every single piece of new gear debuted at NAMM. Nor is all of the information here guaranteed to be 100% correct; in many cases, manufacturers are still solidifying things like price, availability, and features. We gathered all we could from the things we thought you’d be most interested in hearing about, and some stuff that we just thought was cool.
If you see anything that catches your attention here (and we think you will), please give your Sales Engineer a call today! He or she can give you all the updated information.
Now, on with the show…
Line 6
The all new Flextone III has amp tone from Line 6’s flagship Vetta, effects adapted from their award-winning MM4 and DL4 stomp box modelers, 16 classic Reverb types, and the exclusive A.I.R. II direct recording technology. At the heart of the Flextone III’s is its remarkable collection of Amp and Cabinet models – 32 to be exact. Everything from a 4×12 Mesa Boogie to a 1963 Fender Vibroverb is included. A 50-watt amp drives the 1×12 touring quality cabinet delivering sonic power to the Flextone III. When you combine all this in one “classic combo” amp, you have everything you’d need to gig, rehearse, or even tour the world.
M-Audio
This was a big year for M-Audio who came out with several USB audio and MIDI interfaces that are the perfect tool for musicians and engineers in different situations. Check these out:
• A combination audio and MIDI interface for USB compatible computers, the Audiophile USB delivers 24-bit/96kHz fidelity and includes Mac and PC drivers. Connections include two analog line-level inputs, two analog line-level outputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone output and MIDI I/O.
• Field recording engineers, take notice: M-Audio’s MobilePre USB brings the art of mobile recording to a new level of ease and affordability! With two mic/line inputs, the MobilePre is completely powered from the USB bus of the host computer making setup and tear down a snap. Switchable Phantom power, XLR mic inputs, 1/8-inch mini stereo mic inputs and instrument/line inputs offer plenty of versatility.
• All told, the OmniStudio is a complete USB audio and MIDI studio interface that delivers without breaking the bank. Due to USB specs, the 4×4 architecture is software configurable for 4×4 operation at 16-bits or 2×4 (or 4×2) operation at 24-bits. The unit also sports an onboard mixer along with numerous connections for auxiliary I/O, effects sends and returns, monitoring and more.
• An all-in-one keyboard, MIDI control surface, mic preamp, USB audio interface and USB MIDI interface the Ozone packs a LOT into a package no bigger than a laptop. When combined with your computer and favorite audio and MIDI application, Ozone provides a complete personal mobile studio from input to output. In all, it features 25 full-sized keys, 8 assignable knobs, USB MIDI and standard MIDI ports, mic input (w/Phantom), line input, stereo out and a headphone jack.
• Real-time MIDI control via 8 assignable sliders and knobs, space-saving 49 keys and powered by the USB bus. Sound interesting? The Radium 49 covers the middle ground between the amazingly popular Oxygen 8 and the relatively new Radium. In fact, other than the key count (61 on the Radium) and therefore size, the Radium 49 is identical to its larger sibling. Why fix it if it isn’t broken?
• The BX5s are the latest in the popular Studiophile series, which delivers exceptional quality and professional sound at affordable prices. The BX5s offer 5.25-inch low-frequency drivers, 1-inch high-frequency drivers, and 75 watts of bi-amped near-field technology at a fraction of the cost of other monitors their size.
Marshall
The Mode Four boasts a true ‘Two Amplifiers in One’ design. Not only do AMP 1 and AMP 2 have totally separate valve pre-amplifier circuits, including an ECC83 valve each, but the MODE FOUR also completely reconfigures its power amplifier section depending on the AMP type selected.
Novation
Novation has equipped the KS Rack with no less than 33 knobs and sliders, giving you instant control of it’s sonic character. Other features include 4 part multi-timbrality, 16 voice polyphony and 4 individual audio outputs. The core sound engine uses the advanced liquid analog technology found in other Novation keyboards. Oscillator waveform tables, drum maps and, perhaps most especially, desktop or rackmount ergonomic control round out this virtual analog synth package. Wire yourself into a KS Rack and you’ll experience the kind of aural delight you can only get from analog sound – Novation style.
Samson
Winter NAMM was the proving grounds for many new products from Samson. We got to hear their new mics and we think you’ll be surprised at just how great they sound – and the value is second to none.
• Samson also unveiled all-new Q Series dynamic drum microphones. Built to last and designed for high SPL, each of these dynamic mics are aesthetically pleasing and are offer easy placement due to included rim-mounting mic clips and cable management. Available in various kit configurations, the Q Snare, Q Tom and Q Kick round out the heart of this new series. While both the Q Snare and Q Kick will be made available separately.
• If you remember last year’s NAMM report, they introduced the CO1, a large condenser microphone that came in well under $100. This year, Samson adds to it the CO2, CO3 and CO5. The CO2 is a beautifully crafted pencil-style condenser for use with acoustic instruments, cymbals, percussion, piano and in overhead micing situations.
• Another sibling in Samson’s “CO” family of affordable studio microphones is the CO3. A flexible studio condenser microphone, the CO3 has two large (19mm) diaphragm capsules and switchable pickup patterns: Super cardioid, omni and figure-8. The CO3 is perfect for recording multiple vocals at once, acoustic instruments, room micing and more.
• Finally, the CO5 follows up on the success of the CO1 condenser microphone. The new CO5 offers Samson condenser technology in a comfortable to use hand-held design. It has a cardioid pickup pattern, smooth, flat frequency response, a multi-axis shock-mounted element, gold-plated XLR connectors and a convenient carry case and mic clip.
TC Electronics
TC Electronic is calling the new Reverb 4000 the “offspring of a giant,” and after hearing it, we all agree. Perfect for the person who lusts after the System 6000 but doesn’t need its surround functionality, the Reverb 4000 includes all of the best stereo reverbs and presets from the System 6000 and M5000, delivering the an extremely deep, spacious and realistic acoustic space simulation.
TC Helicon
• TC Helicon’s new Quintet offers the same high-quality harmony technology as the all-new VoiceWorks processor along with a high-quality mic preamp and TC Electronic Reverb. Essentially, the only thing missing is the intonation correction that VoiceWorks offers. 4 harmony voices, complete with a TON of presets to get you started, full MIDI control and A/B switching for live performance make the Quintet a songwriter or live performer’s secret weapon and new best friend.
• Coming to the rescue of those of us who were not born with perfect pitch is the all new TC Helicon VoiceWorks. With Pitch Correction, multi-voice harmonies, double tracking and more, VoiceWorks is a complete vocal kit.
Vox
Now, in collaboration with Brian May, VOX has introduced a new amp that will allow guitar enthusiasts to achieve the greatly desired effect of May and Deacon’s original and legendary amp. Called the Brian May Special, this 10-watt combo amp is suprisingly small but sounds a great deal like May’s homemade “Deacy” system. Whether you use it alone, or in addition to another amp, the Brian May Special is sure to please anyone looking for a unique sound previously available only on vinyl.
Zoom
The new Fire-15 and Fire-30 guitar amps both feature Zoom amp modeling and multi-effects built-in to compact cabinets with solid power and great-sounding speakers. From vintage stack to modern high gain sounds, Fire amps provide the tone people want at the turn of a knob.