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…
Audio Technica
Audio Technica added a new large-diaphragm microphone to their family of studio condensers. With a HUGE diaphragm (larger than an inch), and hand-selected tubes that are individually tested and aged to peak performance, the AT-3060 delivers a sound all its own. No dedicated power supply or special cable is needed – the tube is built into the microphone. For personal and project studio owners, the good news is that you simply need a good quality XLR cable and you’re set! The AT-3060 also includes an AT8458 shock mount and protective pouch. We’re sure to run this mic through its paces in our studios once we get our hands on it in March. Stay tuned for more information!
BLUE
Even after all the beautifully designed mics BLUE have delivered over the course of the last few years, they’ve managed to come up with something new! The Ball is a softball-sized, phantom-powered dynamic microphone. Yes, you read that correctly. Without getting too technically deep, the idea is that this should yield exceptionally smooth and open sound not typically associated with “everyday” dynamic microphones. The Ball handles high SPLs without distortion and comes in at a very nice price. As we do with nearly all microphones that come through Sweetwater, we can’t wait to hear this mic in our studios!
Boss
Boss was showing off a couple great new effects pedals. The AB-2 is 2-way selector that makes changing inputs or outputs easy, the from BOSS features rock-solid construction and simple interface. One stomp is all it takes to switch between two guitars or effects setups, change amps or switch between an amp and a tuner. The AB-2 is amazingly affordable and should be included in every guitar and live engineer’s rig!
Also on display was the DD-20 Giga Delay, the latest edition to their line of double pedals. The DD-20 offers more User memory and the longest delay of any effect pedal we’ve seen. Delay time can be quickly set using the push-button knob or via tap tempo. And, with a choice of 11 modes – including new “Smooth” and “Twist” delays and sound-on-sound recording – this Twin Pedal raises the bar for delay effects.
Also entering the guitar effects arena was the ME-50 Guitar Multiple Effects unit, a floor-based effects processor that combines the durability and simplicity of a stompbox with the selection of effects of a rack unit! With an eye toward simplicity, the ME-50 makes menu surfing a thing of the past. Designed to work seamlessly with your existing amp, the ME-50 focuses on killer multi-effects (such as COSM overdrive and distortion) rather than amp modeling. Dialing in your desired tone is easy thanks to dedicated knobs for each section, three footswitches and a built-in expression pedal!
For guitarists and songwriters wanting to add a little rhythm to their work, the DR-3 is the solution. An easy-to-use drum and rhythm machine machine, the DR-3 is BOSS’ most affordable drum machine yet. Simply choose from 100 preset styles and use the eight panel buttons to switch between different sections of your song. Up to three variations can be selected for each Intro, Verse, Fill and Ending! Naturally, there are footswitch options for “hands free” operation. Turn it on, set it up and start jamming – it’s that simple!
Finally, their new TU-15 from BOSS is a chromatic tuner for guitarists that yields ultra-accurate tuning by way of “Accu-Pitch” which verifies intonation by sounding a note when correct tuning is reached. A backlit needle and LCD make seeing your pitch easy, while improved high-impedance inputs let you connect between an amp and guitar without signal loss. The TU-15 is amazingly small and fits easily into nearly any gig bag or guitar case.
Korg
Korg has been busy improving their already solid live of Triton Studio workstation keyboards with a new OS! Version 2 includes a ton of new features that makes the upgrade a real must-have for anyone who currently owns one. The upgrade is free and will be available from KORG in April. On a similar note, version 1.5 for the Triton LE is available now and adds many of the same features as version 2 does for the Triton Studio. Some of the new features and improvements found in the upgrades for the Triton family include
* Two HD-Audio tracks: Record live audio directly to the internal bus drive. This allows complete integration between MIDI and audio!
* “One Touch” record feature: Now you can set up a new Song based on a Combination or Program, complete with effects and arpeggiation settings quickly and easily.
* Tap Tempo control: Us a foot pedal or front panel button to set tempos.
* Swing Quantize: Critical for good hip-hop and jazz feels.
* Improved AKAI loading: Even better AKAI library conversion.
* SCSI Target Mode: Allows the Triton Studio to be connected directly to a computer for direct access to its internal hard drive.
* Triton LE and Karma file compatibility: Load and share sound and song files between all the KORG workstations!
MOTU
Meet the new sampling centerpiece of your studio. Mark of the Unicorn’s MachFive Universal Sampler plug-in delivers the balance of superb audio quality, speed of operation and across the board compatibility. What does it do? Not only does this Universal Sampler actually sample, but it reads just about every format known to man (including Akai, Roland, EMU, Giga, Emagic’s EXS24, SampleCell, Creamware, HALion, Kurweil,REX), and it’s compatible with all the major audio formats, channel formats AND plug-in formats. This plug-in sampler will work with MAS, VST, RTAS, Audio Units, HTDM and DXi compatible DAWs! What’s more, you can actually save work within MachFive while you’re working in one application such as Digital Performer, then open it up and work inside of another application such as Pro Tools! While the sample playback possibilities are impressive, MachFive also features a TON of processing, editing and sampling capabilities as well. It’s incredibly flexible, easy-to-use yet powerful and deep. With support for 24-bit/192kHz audio, the sonic character is solid and ready for the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s artists and composers. It’s early to tell, but it looks like MOTU has hit another home run!
In addition to the MachFive, MOTU also showed a pre-release copy of Digital Performer running under Mac OS X! Free to anyone who has purchased DP since December 1, 2002, this version of DP includes Rewire support, Core MIDI, Core Audio and Audio Units support as well. There are also a number of QuickScribe (notation) improvements and additions. Due out early this year (Q1 or Q2), this upgrade to DP is sure to mean the end of OS9 for many musicians.
Roland
As always, Roland has a TON of great new stuff to show us. So, without further ado, we’ll take a deep breath and plunge right in…
With both guitar AND mic/line (with Phantom power) inputs , the AC-60 compact stereo acoustic amp delivers more freedom to solo performers everywhere. The stereo, 30-watt design features two 6.5-inch speakers that are plenty loud for most club gigs and smaller PA situations. Onboard DSP offers lush stereo and multi-band chorus and more. A built-in “Auto Anti-Feedback” control will be an added bonus to those running their own sound as well. A
Roland calls their DisCover 5 keyboard a “Realtime Orchestrator.” It is the first performance keyboard that allows musicians the ability to manipulate Standard MIDI Files (SMF) on the fly. You can immediately change the arrangement of a song with the simple touch of a button! It also delivers a vocal harmonizer with over 90 presets for creating harmonies and the ability to display lyrics and chords on the LCD and Video output. All told, this gives any singer or instrumentalist the ability to have and/or create a great backing band, while maintaining instant creative control.
How do you build on an already successful line of keyboard workstations? You add an entirely new sonic palette of bold new ROM sounds AND advanced sampling capabilities! Roland’s new Fantom-S is a complete solution for professional music production. Offered in both a 61- and 88-key version, this new workstation is all about making music fast with an, “If you can dream it, you can create it” attitude. Seamless integration of audio and MIDI, advanced sampling with VariPhrase waveform control and a Dynamic Pad Bank (more on this in a minute) means you’ll have all the power you need to realize your musical ideas. A USB link to and from your computer lets you easily move AIFF and .WAV files between your Fantom-S and Mac or PC. In addition to the fantastic sounds, the Dynamic Pad Bank really sets this workstation apart. Designed to bring the functionality of drum machines and sampling workstations to the table, the pad bank effectively makes the Fantom-S two instruments in one! The 16 gel pads let you easily create and trigger beats, loops and more, using an interface far more effective for rhythmic production than a traditional piano keyboard. This is definitely one of the coolest products released this year…
… but the new V-Synth also raised a few eyebrows! Imagine a synth that combines multiple oscillator technologies with real-time control of a waveform’s pitch, time and formant. Next, add user sampling to create entirely new waveforms, powerful COSM filtering, a killer arpeggiator and a host of real-time controllers! The V-Synth delivers all of this and more, in a remarkably easy to use package that’ll have you creating your own sounds in no time. This 61-key instrument delivers VariPhrase manipulation of pitch and time and real-time manipulation of waveforms via the TimeTrip Pad, multiple knobs and more. A USB port for audio file import and export to and from your computer rounds out this truly revolutionary instrument.
Also on-hand was the impressive (and affordable) VR-760 Performance Keyboard. The VR-760 offers three things that will enhance any performing keyboard player’s arsenal: 1) great organ sounds, 2) realistic piano sounds and 3) a variety of amazing synthesizer sounds. Covering all bases, this unique instrument delivers these first rate sounds by way of their Virtual ToneWheel organs from the VK-Series, high-quality FP and RD Series pianos, all-new electric pianos with COSM Amp Modeling, and synth sounds with SRX expansion! This 76-key wonder also sports a waterfall keyboard and other performance enhancing features such as a D-Beam.
Finally (for the keyboards, at least), the FP-5 digital piano adds a few new features that make this instrument a little different from other digital pianos in the FP Series. In addition to Roland’s famous grand piano-like Progressive Hammer-Action keyboard, added ToneWheel organ sounds and a built-in speaker system, the FP-5 features a USB MIDI-interface for direct-to-computer connection! Updated styles lend to the FP-5’s built-in rhythm patterns and auto-accompaniment giving players a “live band” to practice with from the convenience of their home or studio.
As guitar players make their way in the world of synthesis, sample triggering and MIDI sequencing, Roland’s new GI-20 is here to lead the way! Automatically detecting the signal from any electric guitar or bass equipped with a Roland GK-2A or GK-2B pickup respectively, the GI-20 allows the triggering of synths and samplers with unflinching accuracy! With a built-in USB MIDI port, the GI-20 is also perfect for computer-based recording setups. Plus, the GI-20 has a guitar output so you can output your “natural” guitar sound to your amp. The creative possibilities are endless.
If you’re a drummer, you’ll probably be getting the PCK-1 for your next birthday from your roommates, neighbors, parents, or spouse. with Roland’s new PCK-1! This unique package lets you turn your acoustic snare drum into a silent practice pad. It includes a patented 14-inch mesh head, an acoustic trigger with separate head/rim capabilities, and a rim silencer so you can practice on your own, real acoustic drum without disturbing others. Speaking from experience, I can say that the 14-inch mesh head feels dramatically better than traditional “rubber” practice pads and the rubber rim silencer is a nice added touch. Combine the Roland’s RM-2 Rhythm Coach that we saw at the 113th AES show this fall and the RT-5S trigger included with the PCK-1 package and you’ll have ultra-quiet practice time on your very own snare drum WITH a metronome, sound module and rhythm training exercises.
Also in the electronic percussion department, the RT-7K Kick Trigger, RT-5S Snare Trigger and RT-3T Tom Trigger, let acoustic drummers tap into the world of electronic drums without sacrificing the sound quality of their acoustic kit or dealing with the installation headaches of conventional triggers. Unobtrusive and easy to place, these new triggers are rock-solid and built to withstand even the most aggressive playing. Also, integration between this new line of triggers and Roland’s TD- and SPD-Series percussion and drum brains doesn’t require any additional hardware – just plug into the dedicated Trigger inputs and you’re set.
Roland’s new SPD-S builds on the success of their hugely popular line of percussion and drum pads, but adds something new to the mix. The SPD-S gives you the ability to SAMPLE! Until now, integrating custom drum sounds into a percussionist’s setup meant configuring sometimes complicated drum triggers and a MIDI module of some sort. Enter the SPD-S! Record CD-quality samples and play them back instantly using six pads and three edge triggers. Ready for music production right out of the box, the SPD-S also includes preset sounds and effects. The SPD-S is also ready for expansion with an onboard compact flash slot and external trigger input.
Roland also unleashed Version 2.0 software for their flagship VG-88 guitar effects processor. It’s almost like getting a whole new VG-88, with three new COSM guitar models, 18 new amps, new effects, five types of COSM wah models and more! If you own a VG-88, version 2.0 is a must have! If you’re new to the VG-88, then there’s never been a better time to experience this amazing V-Guitar System.
Looking for that authentic organ sound and feel? Tired of “playing” virtual tonewheel emulators with your mouse? Then you’ll love Roland’s VK-88 dual manual organ. This combo organ is feature-rich and dripping with vintage tonewheel control, sound and expression. Driven by Roland’s advanced COSM Amp and Rotary Speaker Modeling, the VK088’s pair of waterfall keyboards play just like a classic organ. The active drawbars, solid wood cabinet and traditional panel layout adds to the authentic look and feel.
Sure, Roland’s VK combo organs are great, but even though they’re much lighter than the originals, they’re still not that easy to haul around. Meet the VK-8M module. Delivering Roland’s famous COSM Amp and Rotary Speaker Modeling, 9 harmonic drawbars and additional controls, this space-saving organ is retro in style AND sound. The VK-8M is small enough to fit in your gig bag, backpack or on your computer desk while authentic-sounding enough to use in any performance or recording situation!
Of course, you’ve been waiting for a new digital audio workstation, and here it is! Delivering an amazing 24-tracks at 24-bit/96kHz, the VS-2400CD offers a whopping 40GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, and RSS 3-D panning (more on that in a minute). This compact recording workstation inherits many of the features found in the flagship VS-2480CD such as premium analog components, motorized faders and graphic editing with optional VGA monitor. New to the VS series, but not to Roland, is the RSS 3-D panning technology that creates a 3-dimensional sound field for mixing! According to Roland, this function is relatively simple while yielding unique “spatial” results. The VS-2400CD also features a nice price tag that will appeal to many home and project studio musicians.
Sony
The Oxford EQ plug-in is now available for TC Works’ PowerCore! Based on the OXF-R3 EQ section, The Oxford EQ plug-in from Sony provides a truly professional EQ processor for the VST and MAS user. This is the plug-in that has received so much attention lately on forums and pro audio chat rooms. The specs? It is a fully functional 5-band application with selectable shelf settings on LF and HF sections. Additionally, separate variable slope low pass and high pass filters are provided. The EQ also features 4 different selectable EQ types that cover most of the EQ styles currently popular amongst professional users, including some legacy styles, which are renowned for their artistic capability. The good news for native-based computer recording artists is that DSP power from PowerCore is now available for the Oxford EQ plug-in, bringing the sound of Sony’s million-dollar flagship console to your desktop for a song!
Sony was also showing off Version 2.0 software for the powerful DMXR-100. Needless to say, this is still one of the top digital mixers, especially considering continued development and the desk’s new low price. Version 2.0 offers a number of enhancements and additions, including 96 kHz/88.1 kHz processing in surround mode as well as the currently available stereo mode; enhanced automation functions; ‘Live’ pre Aux Cut mode: Aux Pre-fader Send signals can be switched to be cut or not when the Channel Cut button is selected; a maximum of 99 settings of EQ and Dynamics curves can be stored per title, for later recall and assignment to any individual channel, and MUCH more!
That’s all we have room for today! Be sure to check inSync tomorrow for the second installment of our exclusive Winter NAMM 2003 coverage.