It's that time of year again, time for your NAMM Report Staff to break out the black canvas laptop carriers, shine up their shoes, jump in the van and head on down to Nashville to experience Summer NAMM's abundance of musical riches. There is a lot going on at 2001 Summer NAMM this year, and a lot of new products to cover, so let's get to it. But first, two items of business.

(1) No Summer NAMM report would be complete without a comment on the weather, but this year we're completely fresh out of adjectives or points of comparison for the combination of soul-sapping heat and lethargy-inducing humidity that is Nashville in July. Besides, our readers born and raised south of the Ohio River never tire of letting us know what wimps we are (of course, they aren't exactly rushing to visit us in the middle of January, either).

(2) One more item of business. Please keep in mind that this is not intended as a complete listing of all new or relevant products debuted at NAMM, nor is all of the information here guaranteed to be 100% correct. The key phrase here is "Subject to Change." In many cases, manufacturers are still solidifying things like price, availability, and features. We gathered all we could from the things that caught our eye. We hope you enjoy this first sneak preview.

Aardvar

Aardvark has jumped into the 21^st century of fashion and design with the release of the very cool Q10 audio interface. The newest addition to the great DirectPro Series, this rack mount beauty has eight phantom powered inputs and eight outputs via combined XLR/TRS 1/4" jacks. The first four channels have inserts, too. The Q10 is scheduled to become available within the next several weeks. Retail: $999.

For all those people with Akai MPC series products that have been wishing for real-time analog controls, your dreams have come true. The MFC42 analog filter module includes three channels optimized for stereo drums and mono bass loops, but able to spice up any analog input, with dual filters and large dedicated knobs for great control. The MFC42 has 4 different filter types with 2, 4, or 8 pole curves and dedicated controls for cut off frequencies and resonance. You’ll now have a tremendous amount of flexibility to shape your sounds. It even includes a phono input so you can plug in a turntable. Look for it mid-fall for only $579.

Ever need a simple but effective solution for automatic mixers for conference systems and other similar installations? AKG is now shipping four rack mount options which are modular, simple to install and even simpler to use.

The AS 4+3 single rack mount unit redefines user friendly. Seriously, a smart pet could operate this unit. It sports four gated, 24-V phantom powered XLR balanced mic inputs and three unbalanced RCA line level inputs. If you need more than four mic inputs, these units easily daisy chain via an expansion port. Retail: $998.

The AS 8 and AS 8 TC units are single rack mount units with eight balanced and RF filtered inputs. What makes these two units unique is the patented Adaptive Proportional Gain mixing algorithm. In a nutshell, this is an automatic, intelligent algorithm that allows the microphones with the highest signal levels to receive proportionally higher gain than inactive microphones. Retail: $1417/$1600. The AS16X12, two-space rack unit, rounds out the pack with sixteen balanced/unbalanced mic/line inputs. Along with a slew of other features, setup and operation is simplified with the supplied AKGNet software and RS-232 (no knobs on this unit anywhere). Retail: 3,783.

A nice addition to the AS series is the DFM4X4 digital signal processor. This is a single rack unit with four channels of feedback elimination. Additionally, it sports compression, limiting and audio delay on each channel. Control is via the RS-232 serial port.

At this point, most folks know that Alesis is under new ownership (by Numark). We were thrilled to see Alesis at this NAMM show in force. It sounds like production is ramping back up and we’ll soon be seeing lots of new Alesis products on the shelves.

Key among those is their new ProLinear820 reference monitors. These self-powered speakers have plenty of power and are bi-amplified, but they didn’t stop there. They include a cool new DSP control system with a digital cross-over, 4 band parametric EQ, 8 factory presets and 8 user presets, and front panel controls. If that wasn’t easy enough, you don’t even have to run around to each speaker. With the intelligent RS232 jacks included on the units you can interconnect them all and control them from one unit’s controls, or even a PC computer (Mac software to be available soon.). And let’s not forget that they are shielded, include combination XLR/1/4" jacks, and have an amazingly flat frequency response for only $750 each. Watch for these to become available by mid-fall.

Still blazing the trail with the highest quality digital converters on the market, Apogee introduced two new units at this summer’s NAMM show. The DA16 digital-to-analog converter is sure to provide excellent quality analog audio with sample rates of up to 96kHz. Even cooler than that, the input sample rate is detected automatically which makes the unit easier to use than ever before. Also featuring the new IntelliDAC technology to provide rock solid Apogee proven timing, the converter’s "intelligent" two-stage re-clocking system de-jitters both the incoming word clock and data. Besides making the systems clocking source ultra solid, IntelliDAC also helps make the system less sensitive to phase errors between synchronous digital sources. Also entering into the music technology arena from Apogee is the DA16’s twin brother - the AD16 analog-to-digital converter. Able to operate at sample rates of up to 96kHz, the AD16 utilizes the same 2 stage re-clocking IntelliDAC technology system to clean up nasty jitter entering the unit. Look for both of these units to be available this coming fall.

Applied Research and Technology, a company that has been producing some extremely popular (and affordable) tube preamps in recent years, has another winner on the horizon. Scheduled to ship in late September, the DPS is a dual channel microphone preamp that features balanced analog or High -Z inputs and balanced analog and your choice of digital outputs: S/PDIF, TOSLINK or ADAT (front panel selectable) at a variety of selectable sampling rates (44.1-96k), or sync to external wordclock. This unit will also have Variable Valve Voicing (V3), analog output level meters on each channel, Output Protection Limiting, phase reverse switches, separate gain control on the analog and digital outputs, and an insert loop on each channel for additional signal processing. A ton of value in a 24bit/96kHz ready, single rack space dynamo.

Audio-Technica showcased three new microphones from their AT series. The AT3050 comes with its own shock mount and sizzles on acoustic instruments and vocals. The AT3031 and AT3032 are great for overhead applications. Retail prices are $349, $259 and $259, respectively.

Audio-Technica is offering a commemorative edition of their now famous AT-4033 large diaphragm microphone. The AT-4033SE comes in a wooden case, has a redesigned matching shock mount and includes a dust cover. Retail: $529.

Audio-Technica was showing a new addition to their wireless family as well. Called "The Freeway," it is a low cost, frequency-agile UHF system, available as a handheld mic package or with lavalier, headset or instrument configurations. The most prominent feature on this unit is that it has a docking power supply - with IEC power cable - so no "wall-wart" type power supply (as found in many of the lower cost alternatives) is needed

Auralex introduced a new product called GRAMMA (Gig & Recording Amp & Monitor Modulation Attenuator) designed to reign in out of control bass. Able to hold up to 250 pounds of weight each, the GRAMMA is designed to decouple any guitar/bass/keyboard amplifier, PA subwoofers, or full range boxes from the floor, which really tightens up the low end. Conveniently designed, the GRAMMA is small & light enough to carry around, and even includes a built in handle. Many units can be used together either for larger amps/subs, or to quickly put together a visually and acoustically wonderful drum platform. GRAMMA is available now for the incredibly low list price of only $59.95.

The luthiers at Brian Moore Guitars have certainly been busy, with an amazing array of their finest custom shop pieces on display at the show. The concept of ‘built to order’ is taken to a completely different level with Brian Moore’s electric guitars and basses.

New to the BMC lineup is the addition of the RMC piezo pickup to their i2000 Series models i2p, i8p, and i9p. Piezo pickups allow the emulation of an acoustic sound in an electric instrument, and further expand the tonal soundscapes available on these already versatile instruments. Retail prices range from $1,295 to $1,695, and are available immediately.

Finale 2002, which ships in a month, is easier than ever to use. Recent upgrades include the astounding new Exercise Wizard. This tool allows a teacher or instructor to create training exercises for their students quickly and efficiently.

The big news from Crown this summer is the new look and pricing of the ever popular Power-Tech series amplifiers. Musicians and DJs alike demand and have come to expect a lot from this series, and now they can have it with less pain to the pocket book.

"I am woman, hear me roar." Well, I’m not, but that’s the message the guys over at the Daisy Rock booth are saying this summer. With the introduction of their new guitar line shaped like hearts and daisy’s, the "She-Rock" title has been dubbed to the uniquely crafted instruments and are shown in bright, vivacious colors like Dreamy Daisy, Awesome Blue, Pepper Mint, Princess Purple, Black Heart, and my personal favorite, Red Hot Red. Also thrown into the mix are a pair of acoustic guitars, one of which is a 3/4 size designed specifically for the smaller female body and hands followed by the Jr. Miss which shrinks to a tiny but full sounding 1/2 size. Throw any one of these Grrl Guitars into their included padded gig bags, throw it in the back of your favorite VW and take off on a musical journey.

Digital Audio Corporation introduced the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2. Eight powerful effects all wrapped up in one unit that can be battery powered. One of the coolest features is the Pedal Power 2 allows for 2 outputs to be used at 200ma for Line6 products, and 2 outputs that are adjustable from 4v to 9v to plug into a number of pedal type effects. Available immediately for only $239.

Epiphone rolled out some real ‘beauts at the show, each with some of the funkiest body styles we’ve seen. The Apollo, Moderne, Futura, and Comet take their cues from both vintage 50’s and the ultra-mod look of the late 90’s. While these new axes will certainly take you back to bygone eras, they’ll only set you back around $1,700 greenbacks — not bad, considering this flock are some of the first USA-Made Epiphone guitars released. Be sure to ask Santa for one of the latest Epiphone looker’s, as they’re due to be released just before December.

The Slasher, another recent development from Epiphone, is a tricked-out "Firebird" style guitar with a twist — on-board effects processors. Slasher comes with built-in Distortion and Chorus, with controls for the overall level of effects.

Another one of the fine Italian companies represented in the USA by Music Industries was at NAMM showing their affordable compact PA systems. While these products are not new to the European community, they are very new to the US market. Most impressively, their FBT Maxx line-up of powered and un-powered speakers were their biggest hit at the show. They’re extremely compact, lightweight design make them ideal for the portable PA system. The unit that made the biggest impact on us was the FBT Lightforce LF40AM. It has a 2-way 12" woofer with a 200 watt power amp for the front of house and a built-in 8" rear-facing monitor speaker powered by a 60 watt amp. With separate inputs and volume controls, this makes the LF40AM a perfect match for Karaoke or small stage PA setups. Retail price: $1049.95.

This summer, there was nothing hotter at the Gemini booth than the all new CDX601 and CDX602 Single and Dual tray DJ CD players. Featuring Gemini’s unique ADCS (Automatic Disc Calibration System) technology, both units re-align the laser for each individual disc for better performance playback on different types of media (CD, CDR, CDRW, etc.). A must for DJ’s, the CDX’s allow them to use their own material already burned onto an existing disc. In addition to these features, the CDX602 also has the Robostart function, which can "ping- pong" back and forth between its dual trays by either track or song allowing one to jump back and forth between beats. The CDX602 will retail for $599, while the CDX601 will retail for $319. Both are available later this fall.

General Music is expecting to release the WK6 Latino early fall. This workstation ships with patterns from the WK6 plus sixteen new Latin patterns and around 1000 sounds. Eight faders and an auto arranger make creating music a lot of fun. Retail: $2,200.

The PRP7 from General Music is an 88 key, 16-part multi-timbre keyboard with 444 GM sounds. This keyboard has Pitch Bend/Mod Wheel and great action making it a fantastic controller. Retail: $995.

In keeping with Godin’s commitment to new guitar concepts comes the Multiac Jazz. At first glance the ‘Jazz’ has a familiar look with its single cutaway chambered body adorned with traditional F-holes and the Godin GJN1 mini humbucker at the top of the fingerboard. However the slotted headstock and the preamp controls on the upper bout may be the first clues towards discovering that this isn’t your Grandfathers jazz guitar.

Although capable of producing classic jazz guitar sounds courtesy of the Godin GJN1 pickup, the ‘Jazz’ has the power to take you far beyond traditional jazz guitar sounds. Each saddle in the bridge is actually an independent transducer which is supported by an on-board preamp and graphic EQ. Designed specifically for the Jazz, this system opens up a world of new sonic possibilities for all players. The crystalline acoustic guitar sounds produced by this system can be used on their own, or very effectively in combination with the neck position pickup. A small dose of the bridge output can be combined with the mellow sound of the GJN1 to produce added note definition so often missing in traditional Archtop guitar sounds. The Multiac Jazz also includes hexaphonic output from a 13-pin connector, which provides direct access to Roland GR-Series synthesisers, and the various ‘Virtual Guitar’ products that Roland has developed around the same 13-pin interface.

The Jazz is the first Godin guitar to make its debut featuring the Ergocut shaping technique. The Ergocut technique bevels the edges of the fingerboard and frets back in towards the center of the fingerboard providing an extremely comfortable feel-which will certainly come in handy when the sax player decides on an additional thirty choruses.

Each of these guitars features an exquisite ‘AAA’ grade top cut from a book-matched piece of Flamed Maple.

J. D’Addario has a couple of new products to make guitar/bass player’s lives just a little easier. The new Chordmaster is a wonderful pocket size unit with 4500 chords in memory, and it even takes care of the southpaws out there by displaying left handed fingerings as well. Incredibly simple to use just choose a root note for your chord on the touchscreen display, and pick which chord you desire from its amazing list. Available immediately for the low price of $39.95, it should be every player’s best friend.

Also available right now from J. D’Addario are the Pro-Winder and Bass Pro-Winder. What could possibly be cool about string winders you ask? Well not only are they ergonomically designed for great looks and comfort of use, they are an all-in-one tool that also includes wirecutters for your convenience. Retail: $12.99.

JBL showcased an affordable new series of loudspeakers. The MPRO series merges great looks with consistent legacy. The MP418SP features on-board Crown amplification.

For those out there that own the Johnson J Station there is a FREE upgrade on their website. Included with the update are 5 new guitar models and 3 new bass models. And if that wasn’t enough Johnson also has a new version of its J Edit software for the J Station that is now Macintosh compatible. And don’t you Mac users worry, it is also a FREE download off of their website. Get them today.

Korg is still generating a high level of excitement over their groundbreaking KARMA music workstation that they unveiled at last winter’s NAMM show. And rightly so. Sharing the same HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis technology that was introduced with the popular TRITON sampling workstation, KARMA has become one of the best selling keyboards on the market. Now there’s more good news for KARMA and TRITON enthusiasts with the release of Korg’s new 32 Mbytes, two card expansion set, the EXB-PCM 06/07 Orchestra Collection. In addition to the 193 PCM multisamples stored on the boards, the collection includes a floppy disc containing 256 programs and 256 combination programs that utilize these samples to their fullest. The disc also includes data for 8 new drum kits and 32 arpeggio patterns. The strings include full 38 piece sections, ensembles and solo instruments, all recorded in stereo, as well as "phrase samples" that include run-ups, flourishes, arpeggios and ensemble phrasing in major and minor keys. Brass, woodwinds and orchestral percussion round out this truly remarkable collection.

The EM-1 Electribe M Music Production Station is the latest addition to Korg’s popular Electribe series of groove/synth boxes and is sure to be a hit with those looking to create complete dance tracks quickly and easily. Featuring two synthesizer parts and eight drum parts, the Electribe M has "Motion Sequencing", a Korg exclusive. This allows you to record actual realtime controller knob movements affecting volume, pan, filter cutoff, filter sweep, etc; up to two Motion Sequences per drum part, or three per synth part to create tracks that really come alive. And of course you can sync all your Electribe modules together by simply connecting them with MIDI cables to create a complete production system.

How do you improve one of the greatest sounding effect processors in the world? Update its software! That is exactly what Lexicon has done for the 960L. Version 2.5 software adds several new algorithms including new multi-channel and stereo delays and 96kHz multi-channel and stereo reverbs. Combining the best of the MPX 100 and several new features providing advanced level of operation is Lexicon’s new MPX 200. This is a fantastic sounding 24-bit dual channel processor that is easy to operate but deep in sonic quality. Digital I/O is the icing on the cake for DAW fanatics.

Line6 was showing off a number of new modeling products to be available before Christmas. Their new Vetta amp, which carries a price tag of $2399, is available both as a head unit (Vetta HD) with 200 watts of power, or as a combo amp with 2x12" Celestion speakers. Both models are able to model 2 amps simultaneously, with 20+ new models available which are even better sounding and more reactive. Visually the units are much more aggressive with a stunning industrial look, with easier to read LCDs for both studio and stage use, and a graphical display of signal routing. With their available XLR outputs, an expansion slot, and optional FBX foot controller for $599 expect to see Santa looking for lots of these. In addition, Line6 had new rack mount versions of their Echo Pro, Filter Pro, and Mod Pro pedals. All feature sync to MIDI clock and remapping of the tap functions, the Echo Pro even includes the ability to assign different note values. Look for these closer to Halloween for the frightening low price of $699.

Mackie has been hard at work creating two new active speakers for PA. The SA1521 has both a 15" RCF woofer powered by a 400 watt amp, and a RCF titanium compression driver powered by a 100 watt amp for distortion free high power output. Lots of thought went into this cabinet, with special equalization and time/phase alignment for the drivers, for a wonderfully clear sound, electronic protection, and a trapezoidal shape that is extremely small and very well balanced. Watch out for this powerhouse by the end of fall for $1199. If that isn’t enough power for you there is the SA1232 with over 1300 total watts available to drive its two 12" woofers, 6" midrange, and 1" compression driver. Including all the same technology as the SA1521, look for this impressive speaker at the end of fall for $1699.

Midiman has now made Reason available to both the Mac and PC platform.

Adding to a growing list of inexpensive USB audio/MIDI control interfaces, Midiman is releasing the Surface One this fall. This interface has 16 knobs, eight faders and doubles as a 2X2 MIDI interface. The Midiman Duo is due out in October. This mic pre-amp sports two inputs and two outputs. Retail: $349.

Want audio in and out of your Mac or PC, but don’t want to mess with PCI cards? What? You’re also on a tight budget? Perhaps the Quattro was made for you. This USB audio interface gives you great audio quality, at an affordable price. It won’t take up too much desktop space, and is portable enough to go anywhere with your laptop. This is a great sounding, 24-bit USB interface that is easy and convenient to use. Retail: $349.

Monster showed a new product at summer NAMM 2001, a new cable for guitarists playing through combo amps - a new head-to-cab cable. Following the lines of specified cables such as their ever-popular Jazz and Rock cables, these new cables will deliver the same Monster quality that you’ve come to know and love.

Following the success of Parker’s entry line of bolt-on electrics, Parker introduced a flame maple top version — the P44. Featuring the same Fishman stereo preamp and piezo pickups that the more expensive models use, the P44 comes in at a reasonable list price of $1,149, and is available in October.

The Nitefly guitars have a new family member — the Nitefly-M. The Natural Mahogany body of the ‘M’ is lightweight, and adds a lustrous dark quality to the tone. Slightly lower in price than the standard Niteflys, the ‘M’ comes in at only $1,499 retail.

Also new from Parker are upgrades to their bolt-on graphite neck axe, the Nitefly. Niteflys now sports chrome knobs, pearloid pickguard, and the ‘power chip’, which senses the type of cable you’ve plugged into your guitar (mono or stereo), eliminating the need for a switch operated by the player to determine this. Best of all, the price stays the same on the Nitefly models.

Peterson Electro-Musical Products puts the old time feel of a player piano in your favorite restaurants and taverns with the new Peterson Bottle Organ. It is a self contained wind blown musical instrument, capable of playing back MIDI Files by blowing streams of air across the tops of bottles using specially designed nozzles. Creating a remarkably pleasing tone, the Peterson Bottle Organ is sure to turn heads and perk ears as it chimes through any song that you program it to play, or play it in real time with your favorite keyboard. Originally a novelty instrument that "brewed" up a lot of attention at convention booths, Peterson decided this year to offer it to the world. Available in numerous custom sizes and finishes, with your choice of bottles, (size dependent — at the NAMM booth they were all Guinness Bottles) you might see this amazing instrument start popping up everywhere.

Presonus had a tremendous showing of new products. One really cool new product is their DEQ624 digital 31 band equalizer. Unlike most other digital EQs on the market, this unit has 74 high resolution digital encoders, which give the unit that old school touch of having a control for each band. But, the innovations didn’t stop there, as you can program the frequency band controls to act as a typical 6 or 12 dB cut or boost control, or even an amazing +12 or —24 to really be able to notch out troublesome frequencies. Even that was not enough for the wizards from Louisiana, as you can also change the Q of each band individually. Also included in the unit are high and low pass filters, expanding, and limiting available on each channel. All of this along with scene snapshots and security lockout make this one monstrous unit at only $799, available today.

For those that thought the BlueTube was cool, what happens when you take a Presonus high gain/low noise tube mic pre and add a three band parametric EQ? You get the amazing new TubeStrip. Other stunning features include a dual connector for both mics and instruments, and an astounding 22 dB of headroom and 70 dB of gain. This unit has both XLR and 1/4" outputs, but this time around the phone jacks are TRS, and another jack is provided for an insert. All this for only $249, look for it mid-fall.

All those acoustic musicians out there that want to get much better sound at an incredible value definitely need to look at the Presonus Acoustique. The TRS jack on the front panel accepts two inputs (for example a pickup and a mic) and can blend between them. These inputs are passed through the same high gain/low noise preamp that is available in the TubeStrip. This unit also has a notch filter, semi-parametric midrange EQ circuit, as well as brilliance and bass controls to have tremendous control over the tone of your instrument. It even includes a footswitch input to mute the output or engage a preset cut/boost level. Also available in mid-fall, this fabulous piece is only $249.

Presonus also introduced two new multichannel products. The CL44 is a new 4 channel Compressor/Limiter with ‘Companding.’ The GTX-44 is a 4 channel Noise Gate and Expander with low pass sidechain filters. Both units utilize new advanced Digital Sidechain Processing and include high pass filters. Both also feature ten segment meters on each channel, for real-time visual feedback. And, with XLR and TRS inputs and outputs, you will have no trouble interfacing either unit with anything. Watch for these to come out at the end of the year for only $599 each.

We found the Roland booth tucked comfortably away in a private suite filled full of new music technology. Roland has been keeping their engineers very busy indeed. Leading the way with a host of new products is the highly anticipated Fantom workstation keyboard. A lean and mean, uncluttered and easy to use interface makes creating music with this powerful 76 note synthesizer keyboard a musicians dream. The Fantom has 64 voices, is 16 part multitimbral, has 1,024 patches plus 29 rhythm sets, and uses the same professional sound engine as the XV5080, with 24-bit reverb and 90 multi-effects, including COSM Amp Modeling. With its Variable Arpeggiator and Rhythm Generator, the Fantom is designed to keep the music flowing, bridging the gap between performance and composition. Roland has another keyboard hit on its hands with the new RD-700 Expandable Keyboard, the Ultimate 88 note piano, with Progressive Hammer Action and 64 MB of stereo sampled piano and instrument sounds, and the ability to expand via two SRX Series Wave Expansion Boards. On the digital audio recording front, the VS2480 hard disc recorder/digital mixer/workstation/wonderbox continues to amaze, and has a new operating system update that is available on Roland’s website, enabling it to, among other things, interface with almost any other digital recording system on the planet. But for totally new cool, you absolutely have to check out the revolutionary CDX-1 Multitrack CD recorder/Audio Sample Workstation. It is the world’s first digital recorder that allows you to record multiple audio tracks (2 simultaneously, 8 total) directly to CD-RW, digitally mix, add effects and master to CD-R, all in one box. Add phrase sampling pads, waveform editing, high quality time-stretching, BPM synching and a special Mastering Tool Kit, and you begin to realize what all the fuss is about. We could go on for pages with details about Roland’s newest products, but we’ll have to be content with providing you with a few more highlights. Among the attention grabbers were a new V-Drums kit, the V-Club Set, that brings the acclaimed V Series to its most affordable price point, featuring newly developed rubber pads and the new TD-6 module, with 64 note polyphony, 1,024 drum sounds, 262 backing sounds, 99 kits and a 6 part sequencer. The D2 is a new breed of groovebox that puts the sound and power of the MC Series at your fingertips with the new D-Field controller, a touch sensitive pad that provides real-time control over multiple parameters in three distinct modes. We can’t forget to mention the DB-900, Roland’s new flagship bass amp. Big, bad bottom end with 4x10" speakers, 2x12" passive radiator speakers, horn tweeter, COSM Amp Modeling and 320 watts of power with Feed Forward Processing for maximum punch and clarity.

New to the already incredibly powerful, ever expanding line of digital recorders from the company that redefined digital recording in a box, the Boss BR-532. The Boss BR-532 is ready to take that reputation of an excellent quality "studio in a box" and push it even one step further, this time concentrating even more on ease of use and improved sound quality. The BR-532 features four primary audio tracks accompanied by a stereo drum track and on board effects. They have also improved the drum sounds found on the already super friendly built in Rhythm Guide. Other new features of the new BR-532 is the fact that this unit has stepped away from the use of Zip™ disks and has now switched to the ever popular Smart Media cards. Couple these cards with the new disk loader and you will have the awesome ability to record on the BR-532 and then save the project right on to your computer, freeing up all of the space available on the Smart Media card to begin recording your next hit song. The BR-532 is going to be available later this fall with a retail price of $495.00. Also from Boss this summer comes the all-new GT-6 guitar foot pedal processor. Going for a much easier user interface, the new GT-6 is loaded to the brim with knobs for easy access of control on the board. Just grab a knob and turn it for results. The expression pedal has also been given a more realistic control feature. Now to turn the expression pedal on or off, simply press it down harder at the top of its sweep like an authentic Wah-wah pedal design. Sounds great and will be ready to over take your rig also later this fall. And, Roland is preparing for quite the Halloween Spectacular with the announcement of four new products with expected availability in late October. The WP20G gives access to an incredible assortment of great guitar effects for any instrument with a 13-pin connector or a GK2A synth pickup. Its incredible wave processor reshapes waveforms to create stunning delay, chorus, synth, ring mod, VG88 sounds and much more for only $299. Next in line we have the OC20G polyoctave GK effect. This amazing unit allows you to generate octaves on an individual string - or any other possible combination - glitch free also for only $299. Also they were showing the GT6 which replaces the GT3 & GT5, but at the price of a GT3. With a beautiful anodized case that is built like a tank and has plenty of controls for all of the functions you will enjoy the look & feel almost as much as the wonderful sounds of the COSM created amp models and effects, it even includes a digital S/PDIF output. For only $499 look out Charlie Brown, the Great Pumpkin is coming and he means business.

Rotosound has two new offerings for bass players this year. The new RS44 and RS44-5 (five-string set) offer an amazing rich sound for those acoustic bass players out there. Both are LG scale length, and available now for $45, or $55 for the five-string set.

Soundcraft will be shipping the M12 console in the next 4—6 weeks. This is a bonus for those of us who love the M Series mixers, but need more inputs. These are very sexy, great sounding mixers, which are easy to use. Retail: $995.95.

The exciting news from the Tascam booth is a new digital mixer. The 24bit/96kH DM-24 has EQ and dynamics on each channel with flying motorized faders. Retail: $3,000. For those MX2424 users, Tascam is releasing an upgrade to version 3.0 available in the next month or two. This will allow for full waveform display and more virtual track enhancements. Additionally, Tascam showed us just how easy it really is to pull a removable harddrive from the MX2424, slide it into a Glyph rack, and import all the tracks, sample accurately, into a ProTools session. Wow, it really changes the way that ProTools users may think, with the ability to track to a real hardware recorder and still have the full functionality of mixing and editing in ProTools. Speaking of upgrades, version 3.0 for the US428 has been announced. This now includes a guitar tuner as well as support for more software interfaces. They also announced the new model 322 will replace Tascam’s 302 cassette deck. This dual cassette deck has full RS-422 support.

The biggest news from the Tech21 camp this summer is the latest in foot switch stomp box technology in the SansAmp TRI-A.C. Triple Channel, Programmable Stomp Box. It doesn’t really get too much easier than this to operate. Simply dial in the tone you want, from the sparkling clean to full metal rhythm, double click on anyone of the three footswitches found on the top of the pedal, and you’re set. This simple operation even lends itself to some very cool abilities like changing and saving your sounds on the fly, or dial them in and plug it right into the console and start recording your next big hit. At a price of $149.00, this small and durable SansAmp TRI-A.C. will fit in the pocket of your gig bag, and produce the sound of a full stack of amps. You will be able to get your feet on one of these by year’s end. Also big news from the Tech21 guys was that of the Killer Wail 3-mode selectable wah pedal for guitar and bass. Featuring three different modes of use giving it powerful flexibility for either guitar or bass. Improving on the shortcomings of many of the pedals out there, the Killer Wail still stays true to classic looks and performance. Get your ears wrapped around the amazing sounds of the Killer Wail sometime this coming fall.

What comes around goes around, and so does the newest addition to the Vestax booth at this summer’s NAMM show in the VRX-2000 Vinyl Cutting Machine. Now with the power to be able to put your own material on record, DJ’s are going to have a lot of extra power in creating, writing, and performing their sets. This very large unit is capable of cutting vinyl on the Vestax specially designed vinyl discs that are even durable enough for scratching. Of course, like burning your own CD’s nowadays, these vinyl discs will have the same durability and superb sound quality of even commercially available vinyl now available on the market. Look for the Vestax VRX-2000 for about $12,000.00 retail now.

Searching for that perfect keyboard sound from yesteryear? Voce’s Electric Piano additive synthesis module was still the talk of their booth this summer. Not only does it have tons of effects - like Stereo Tremolo, Chorus and Wah-wah - this half-rack space module contains many of your favorite Wurlitzer, Rhodes, and Planet electric piano sounds that are sure to please your needs. Six knobs on the front of the unit add for powerful real time MIDI control of the effects on board. The warm tone and very powerful dynamics are excellently created in the Electric Piano. Retail is $599.00 and is available now.

Vox and Korg have joined forces to create the new VOX Valvetronix Series of amps. The two models that comprise the line are the AD60VT (60 watts, 1x12") and the AD120VT (2x60 watts, 2x12".) Although they have a classic VOX look about them, this is definitely not your father�s Vox amp! The new line integrates digital modeling and effects with a uniquely designed power amp section. The VOX Valve Reactor power amp consists of a tube power amp and an output transformer that is electronically coupled to a solid state power amp. The VariAmp Power circuit can be configured to either 1, 15, 30 or 60 watts. Now you can have a power amp that correctly matches that of the pre-amp model. You can also drive your amp hard, but select a lower volume of 1 or 15 watts. The Valve reactor can switch between a class A or a class AB circuit. There is even a switchable feedback circuit. With the amp having 16 models, 10 stomp box models, and a full compliment of digital effects, this guitar amp looks to be a hot (and unique) item for this year!

Yamaha introduced the little brother to their AW4416 in the all-new AW2816 Professional Audio Workstation. With the same great power and versatility of the already super powerful workstation in the AW4416, the AW2816 gives the user the same fantastic power available in their earlier unit broken down a little bit for those who find the AW4416 a little bit "over their heads." An incredible number of inputs and the power of an O2R coupled with the built in CDRW allows the user to keep their entire project within the digital domain with absolutely no degradation of audio quality. The superb built in effects and the full automation capabilities of this powerful little box, lend themselves to be very comfortable and easy to use in the mixing environment. Of course, that’s not all it has to offer. Open-ended expandability of the unit allows for a slew of optional in/out cards to meet the needs of even the most demanding engineers and environments out there. Look forward to seeing this awesome addition to the Yamaha line coming later this fall for a retail price of around $2395.00.

Zoom has been creating great digital effects processors for years, and will be shipping their new MRS 1044 hard disc recording workstation within the next few months. We got a peak at this innovative entry to the digital recording fray at the show. This unit is jam packed with cool features, including 10 audio tracks (backed up by 80 virtual takes), a programmable stereo drum track and a dedicated programmable bass track for a total of 13 tracks. Of course the unit will feature Zoom’s Modeling Guitar effects, studio effects such as reverb, chorus, delay compression and EQ, with the ability to utilize six effects simultaneously. The unit will come equipped with a 15 GB hard drive, capable of up to 44 hours of 16 bit recording at 44.1 kHz. An extremely affordable projected price point makes this one unit you’ll want to be watching for.