NAMM Highlights 2022 You Should Not Miss
The great musical instrument trade show returned for the first time after the pandemic, and with it comes new trends that will surprise engineers, mixers, editors, and other members of the sound community.
NAMM show is the annual gathering of music and audio products, as well as live sound and lighting. Like any other convention, there are lectures and exhibits on new products and services, and there are usually educational sessions and networking events where new strategic alliances are made among attendees. It is usually held every January in Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the dates have changed, and, this year, the event was merged with NAMM Summer 2022.
Despite the significantly reduced number of exhibitors (around 150, compared to more than 2200 in 2019), there were some products worth knowing about. Let’s talk a bit about this year’s highlights and why you might be interested in them.
Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave
3rd Wave harkens back to the popular wavetable synthesizers of the 1980s, and it does so with some pretty promising initial specs, including twenty-four voices of polyphony that can be spread across the four parts offered by its architecture, which offers the option of having six voices per part. It also has three oscillators per voice, and each of these allows you to load classical as well as modern high-resolution waveforms. On the other hand, with this, you could also create your own waveforms on the synthesizer itself via the integrated audio input.
According to the specifications described on the website, there is also a six-stage wave envelope for each oscillator, four envelopes and dual effects and sequencer for each of the four parts, as well as a modulation matrix with sixteen slots, a five-octave keyboard, and a display with which you can work quite comfortably.
Magix Sound Forge Pro 16
Undoubtedly, the most notable new feature of Sound Forge Pro 16 is the application’s new audio engine, which now can record and edit at up to 64 bits and 768 kHz. It also features the dynamic EQ, an equalization tool designed to boost or attenuate the mix just where needed, and to do so dynamically, with maximum precision and level control. This version also includes a new continuous graph noise meter that works by providing numerical values concerning the timeline and works with color codes that will greatly simplify your workflow.
On the other hand, this tool now has support for multichannel audio files of up to thirty-two tracks, as well as an expanded plug-in manager.
NX 985-A
The NX 985-A sets a new standard among the company’s portable sound products with its three-way electro-acoustic design. The creators of this tool have merged specially designed transducers in a three-way configuration with constant directivity mid and high-frequency waveguides, advanced processing, and newly added bass movement control algorithms.
This loudspeaker is capable of reproducing high-fidelity full-range sound without a subwoofer but excels when combined with those designed for high-impact live music reinforcement applications. The rugged wooden cabinets are easy to transport and feature ergonomic handles on each side. The separate amplifier housing ensures component efficiency and reliability.
This equipment can be docked for improved coverage and can also be hung using the included suspension points. Due to the front vented ports, the subwoofer can also be installed in recessed spaces. From the cabinet to the final texture and the rugged protective grille, both speakers offer ruggedness for intensive use on the road and can be used for fixed installation as well.
RME 12Mic-D
This new model now supports the Dante protocol through the two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear. In addition to mounting coaxial MADI input and output, it also includes a port for MADI connectivity via optical support, as well as a power supply in duplicate.
Furthermore, it includes the twelve analog preamps on the front, all digitally controlled with four combo connections that can work as mic inputs — line and instrument — plus another eight inputs that support mic and line. In addition to the headphone output and USB port for upgrades and remote control, there are also three outputs, and Word Clock input and output. A lot of connectivity options ultimately translate into two hundred and four input channels that, with the help of a routing matrix, can be routed to any of the two hundred and eighteen available outputs.
AMS Neve 88M
Neve brings new surprises. This tool has balanced sends for each of the preamps, ADAT input, and output, for a total of ten inputs and ten outputs, a Marinair transformer, balanced stereo output, and headphone output. The interface operates at up to twenty-four bits and 192 kHz. The chassis is rugged, and the unit is powered directly from the USB bus. It has been designed and will be manufactured in the UK, which is unusual these days, and will certainly increase the price a little. What is certain is that the quality is guaranteed and with this tool you will be able to work with professionalism.
The onboard preamplifiers are based on those mounted on the AMS Neve 88RS consoles, and in this case, the same microphone preamplifier as the previous console is used.
For more information or more detailed advice on the best products and services, do not hesitate to contact the opinion of experts such as Enhanced Media Sound Studio.
