Winter NAMM 2004
Apr 14, 2004 1:41 PM
From January 15 to 18, 2004, as the East Coast was locked in one of the worst cold snaps in memory, some 70,000 music and audio industry pros made the annual pilgrimage to Winter NAMM in sunny Anaheim, California.
Long considered solely a “music store” show, NAMM has evolved into a premier showcase for pro products for live sound, touring, and even the installed sound market. With six-plus exhibition halls of musical instruments and sound technologies and a record 1,340 exhibitors, there was plenty to see. Listed alphabetically, here are some picks that caught our attention.
Allen and Heath iDR-4. Based on the successful iDR-8, this 4-in/4-out digital processor (with an additional 2-in/2-out, dual-function monitor channels) is ideal for smaller installations. A&H also showed three more wallmount remote controllers for the series and the Xone:92, a cool new high-end DJ mixer. www.allen-heath.com
Altair Audio Electra E-3. This large-format analog console has 32/40/48 input channels and features 8 subgroups, 16 auxes, 8 VCAs with motorized faders, 8-by-16 matrix, LCR outputs, and 4-band input EQ with parametric mids. Eight mute masters store 128 scenes, and digital parametric EQ and onboard dynamics complement the aux outs. www.altairaudio.com
Alto Dragonfly Series. A new line of powered, 6- to 20-channel mixers have onboard digital amps. The 2-by-450W (into 4 ohms) PM16 is a svelte 18 pounds and retails at $749. www.altoproaudio.com
Atlas Sound QR2. This clever adapter for your Atlas mic stand attaches between the 7/8-inch lower tube and the cast-iron base and features a quick-release button that allows the stand to easily separate into two pieces for transport. www.atlassound.com
Audio-Technica Midnight Blues. A-T updates its entry-level cardioid mic line with higher-output designs and lower handling noise, including the MB1k and MB3k dynamic vocal models, the MB2k dynamic instrument mic, and the MB4k (battery or phantom) condenser. Price: $49 to $129. www.audio-technica.com
Audix I-5. Priced at $179 retail, this cardioid dynamic is designed for high-SPL applications, such as close-miked snare or guitar amplifiers. www.audixusa.com
Cerwin-Vega Vision. Not just for bass anymore! C-V’s serious new flagship series includes two three-way, biampable trapezoidal enclosures with ATM-equipped fly points; two optional subwoofers; a single-12 coaxial that doubles as a floor monitor and flyable install speaker. www.cerwin-vega.com
Community DnD Series. Community turned heads with its DnD12 ($239) and DnD15 ($259) speakers with 12- or 15-inch woofers and twin 1-inch PZT drivers on a 40-by-90-degree horn that operates as upright (standing or polemount) mains or at two different angles for monitoring. www.loudspeakers.net
Crest CM Series. Designed for multichannel installs in clubs, restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces, the 4-channel CM 2204 and 8-channel CM 2208 amplifiers allow low impedance or 70V operation at the same power levels without switching. Features include 220W/channel, rear level controls, multiple protection circuits, switchable highpass filters, and optional 50V or 100V operation. www.crestaudio.com
Crown I-Tech Series. Crown’s new top-of-the-line series of 2-rackspace amps for touring/corporate P.A. uses Class-I switching technology to pack up to 4,000W/channel into a 28-pound package. The amps run on any voltage from 120 to 277 VAC and feature self-diagnostics, AES/EBU digital and XLR analog inputs, IQ network connectivity, and more. www.crownaudio.com
dbx 162SL. This packs the punch and quality of dbx’s flagship 160SL Blue Series compressor but in a more affordable package, featuring Jensen output transformers; full-manual, AutoVelocity, and OverEasy modes; and a cool purple chassis. www.dbxpro.com
EAW KF850z. The industry-standard KF850s get better. The new KF850zF (flyable) and KF850zR (road) versions include new internal components, such as Radial Phase Plugs, a neodymium Orbital Magnet Array HF driver, new HF horn, and new dual 1,000W 18-inch woofers. www.eaw.com
Fiberplex Light Viper. Military-grade fiber optics transport 40 line-level signals up to 1-1/4 miles without degradation, from a stage box with 32 inputs of phantom-powered mic/line amps. At the other end, a single-rackspace box has D-25sub connectors breaking out to any analog configuration you need. www.lightviper.com
Furman SB-1000 UPS. The single-rackspace SB-1000 uninterruptible power supply offers 3 minutes of power at a 5-amp draw or 32 minutes with a typical computer/monitor load–plenty of time to save files or avoid crashes during brownouts/power failures. At $699 insurance was never so affordable. www.furmansound.com
Phonic T8200 TubeOptimizer. This $250 (retail) box features a stereo/dual mono, 2-band (HF/LF) compressor with balanced I/Os, tube warmth controls, and eight VU meters showing status. www.phonic.com
Powersoft Digam 10000. This stereo power amp jams 3,300W/channel (4 ohms) or 10,000W (bridged mono) into a single-rackspace and features onboard digital signal processing, remote operation over Ethernet, and Smart Card management of settings and parameters. Distributed by Martin Professional. www.martinpro.com
Hear Technologies Mix Back. An affordable ($1,495) 16-inch monitor mixer with 12 mono and 2 stereo outputs for live or studio cue use. The 11-rackspace unit can be cascaded for more inputs. An optional $100 talkback remote instantly connects the engineer with any (or all) of the musicians. www.heartechnologies.com
JBL Pro JRX100 Series. The JRX115 and JRX112M (doubles as monitor) two-way speakers with 12- or 15-inch woofers have distinct, dual-angle pole sockets for vertical or –10-degree downward aiming. Also new are dual-15 JRX1215 and two (passive or powered) 18-inch sub boxes. Nonhardware installation versions, the JRX112Mi and JRX115i, are also offered. www.jblpro.com
Latch Lake Music Microphone Jam Nuts. These large-diameter rings replace those stupid, pinkie-ring-size threaded nuts that secure mic clips/shockmounts to mic stands. At $4 each, these will change your life for the better. www.latchlakemusic.com
Mackie TT24 Digital Mixer. With 24 mic inputs for front-of-house/monitor work, this 56-by-45, 8-group, 24-bit, 96 kHz–capable, LCR design features 100 mm touch-sensitive moving faders, onboard analog and digital I/O, digital recall, 4-band EQ, 12 aux sends, dynamics, effects, 11-by-8 matrix, and two expansion slots. A 5-inch touch screen, 8 function buttons, and 12 rotary encoders provide quick access to key live functions. www.mackie.comwww.mackie.com
Midas Verona. Midas finally enters the midmarket with the Verona, an affordable analog 8-bus for FOH or monitors, with six models from 24 to 64 inputs, premium mic preamps, sweepable 4-band EQ, eight aux buses, 12-by-4 matrix, four mute groups, optional redundant PSU, and more. www.midasconsoles.com
Peavey Sanctuary Series. Designed to optimize sound from inexperienced house-of-worship users, Sanctuary mixers offer onboard effects, autofeedback elimination, and Automix to automatically switch from lapel to pulpit mics and mute unused inputs. www.sanctuary-series.com
QSC eBOX. Integrating the functions of telephone, e-mail, and Web interaction into a single online resource, QSC personalizes tech support with FAQs, submitted questions/answer archives, product content, and messaging–all customized to each user’s needs. www.qscaudio.com
Radial Engineering showed the JPC Direct box, a 2-channel DI specifically designed for use with computer sound cards, consumer electronics, audiovisual post systems, and electronic media. www.radialeng.com
RØDE S1. The Aussie mic company brings its studio sound into the S1, a high-performance handheld vocal mic with low-noise FET electronics, an internally shockmounted true (externally biased) condenser capsule, and five-year guarantee. www.rodemic.comwww.rodemic.com
Samson D-Class. Three all-new digital live processors with analog feel include the D-1500 real-time analyzer, the D-2500 graphic equalizer, and the D-3500 feedback management system. All feature 24-bit resolution and sampling rates up to 96 kHz and can communicate with each other through Samson’s D-Net protocol. www.sanmsontech.com
Sennheiser Evolution Wireless G2. Evolution UHF wireless goes second generation with new handhelds, smaller body packs, expanded receivers, 1,440 available channels, free channel search scan, rechargeable or battery operation, true diversity receivers, and compatiblility with earlier E-Series models. www.sennheiserusa.com
Shure SLX Wireless. The midline SLX UHF series features Audio Reference Companding technology, Auto Transmitter Setup, with support of as many as 20 systems in an area, a choice of 960 channels, and a variety of handhelds, belt packs, and receivers. Systems are priced from $599. www.shure.com
Soundcraft GigRac. Two low-cost ($430/650) powered mixers make gigging easy with eight line/mic inputs (with 2-band EQ and phantom power), 7-band master EQ, internal digital effects, single or dual 300W amps, and a road-ready case that also stores mics and cables. www.soundcraft.com
Wharfedale Pro DM 2.0. Wharfedale enters the mic market with a tough, handheld dynamic featuring a nondent, spring steel grille, and shockmounted cardioid capsule. They’re sold in a three-pack priced comparably to a single competitive pro mic. www.wharfedalepro.com
Whirlwind E-Snake. This first CobraNet-based digital snake sends/receives 24-bit audio over standard Cat-5 cable. Each E Snake Frame module handles 8 to 32 channels with a capacity of hundreds of channels over a Gigabit Ethernet network. Control software remotely tweaks mic/line levels, pads and limiting. www.whirlwindusa.com
Sound & Video Contractor editorial consultant George Petersen is also the editorial director of Mix magazine and the coauthor of Crazy Campsongs, a wild book of kids’ singalong songs for the modern age. Check it out at www.crazycampsongs.com.
