Thread January 30, 2016 editorial: comments
- 4 replies
- 3 participants
- 1,237 views
- 3 followers
![Mike Levine Mike Levine](https://static.audiofanzine.com/img/user/avatars/faders.png?w=40&h=40&fm=pjpg&s=853a15ec687949afcaeff5539f6334b4)
Mike Levine
![1066 posts 1066 posts](https://static.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/forum/avatars/new/admin.png)
I Got the Rockin’ NAMMonia
Whew, am I glad that NAMM is finally over. It’s a very important show for the industry, and it’s exciting to be there and see all the new products, but for virtually everyone involved, it’s four or more days of intense, grueling work; often sandwiched by cross-country or international travel. As a result, lots of people end up getting sick after they return from NAMM, either from the exhaustion, or from being exposed to so many people (and their germs). It’s so common for people to get sick post-NAMM that there are tongue-in-cheek names for it such as NAMMonia or NAMMitis (I recently heard a colleague refer to it as “NAMMthrax.) I had a case of it myself this week, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad, and I’m now back to normal (NAMMormal?).
But health hazards aside, it was a good show from a product standpoint, as you’ve seen if you’ve followed our coverage over the last week. Rather than delve into specific products (which we’ve already done quite a bit over this past week, including my recent 10 Cool Products from NAMM article) I wanted to pass along a couple of general observations from the show. One is that hardware synths are all the rage. We saw introductions from Dave Smith (OB-6), Arturia (MatrixBrute), Yamaha (Montage), Korg (Minilogue), and — for the second year running — a lot of action in the modular synth/Eurorack area.
Another observation: software is getting ridiculously powerful. Melodyne 4 (the Studio version) and Waves NX were probably the two most mind-blowing examples at NAMM. It’s really quite remarkable the amount of manipulation that can be done to audio in software.
I was also pleased that I didn’t see software introduced that was designed to replace the functions of musicians and engineers (like that automatic composition website I discussed a few weeks back). Instead, it seemed like the software introductions where designed to provide more creative control for the musician or producer. For example, the ability to edit harmonics in Melodyne 4 opens up a whole new avenue of musical control.
And speaking of software, in a couple of editorials in the weeks preceding NAMM, I’ve mentioned Software.namm, the new exhibit room that debuted at this year’s show dedicated strictly to software companies. Well, I can report that it was very cool to have a place with so many software developers clustered together. It made it easy to check out the products in a quiet environment. I look forward to more companies taking part next year.
So that pretty much wraps up our NAMM coverage (until Summer NAMM of course), and note that in April, we’ll be covering MusikMesse, which is essentially the NAMM of Europe.
In the meantime, based on what you’ve seen and heard from NAMM (whether you attended or have just been checking out the coverage), what do you think were the coolest products introduced? If you want, give us your “top 3” or “top 5” list. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
![claytonian@sbcglobal.net claytonian@sbcglobal.net](https://static.audiofanzine.com/img/user/avatars/generic.png?w=40&h=40&fm=pjpg&s=0d6213e9da38ef4cab8d0bdd3999c731)
claytonian@sbcglobal.net
![11 posts 11 posts](https://static.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/forum/avatars/new/1.png)
We had a similar mind blowing experience at CES earlier this month too. Loads of great stuff on view for those of us stricken with "Electronitis" or "Square-Eye" in the vernacular...
As I'm an old CES dog, having exhibited with my own company for many years ( 80's ) and try very hard not to miss a Las Vegas show every January, Moore's law is still operational, crashing paradigms and making speedy progress towards an intriguing future, full of 3-D experiences and true lifelike aural sensation...
Lot's to look forward to...
Clay Reid
www.facebook.com/PluggedInTurnedOnParadise/
![Mike Levine Mike Levine](https://static.audiofanzine.com/img/user/avatars/faders.png?w=40&h=40&fm=pjpg&s=853a15ec687949afcaeff5539f6334b4)
Mike Levine
![1066 posts 1066 posts](https://static.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/forum/avatars/new/admin.png)
...having exhibited with my own company for many years ( 80's ) and try very hard not to miss a Las Vegas show every January
I sometimes wish NAMM was in Las Vegas rather than Anaheim. Then again, that might not be such a great idea.
![:-D :-D](https://static.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Lot's to look forward to...
Definitely.
![NYCGRIFF NYCGRIFF](https://static.audiofanzine.com/img/user/avatars/keyboard.png?w=40&h=40&fm=pjpg&s=92cb901d28a49939f174813b6afa38b0)
NYCGRIFF
![43 posts 43 posts](https://static.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/forum/avatars/new/1.png)
Better you than me. <lol> Thanks for providing you yeoman-like coverage of this year's NAMM event(s). Personally, I could never do it; as I am extremely averse to 'crowd-related' exposure to germs. Call me Howie Mandel, but I've been like this for the past few years. Plus, the lack of sleep, proper dietary choices, along with a host of other elements, would make me the worst reporter -- ever! Perhaps a day (or a day and a half) but a week? Not happening, man. I'd be curled up in a fetal position, in a hotel shower, with unending boiling-hot water cascading upon my quivering frame!
Yet, another reason why I look forward to you and others to give me the 411 on the very latest epochs in this industry. You and those other fearless reporters/observers are to be roundly applauded, buddy.
[ Post last edited on 01/31/2016 at 16:37:24 ]
![Mike Levine Mike Levine](https://static.audiofanzine.com/img/user/avatars/faders.png?w=40&h=40&fm=pjpg&s=853a15ec687949afcaeff5539f6334b4)
Mike Levine
![1066 posts 1066 posts](https://static.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/forum/avatars/new/admin.png)
Yet, another reason why I look forward to you and others to give me the 411 on the very latest epochs in this industry. You and those other fearless reporters/observers are to be roundly applauded, buddy.
Thanks Griff!
- < Thread list
- Rules