Special Report:

Great New Gear From Winter NAMM

The 2007 NAMM Show returned to the Anaheim Convention Center this winter, where, from January 18 to 21, close to 85,000 registrants packed the exhibition floor to glimpse the most recent innovations in audio technology. Often the favored event for unveiling new products, this year’s show was no exception as a record-breaking 1,535 companies turned out to showcase the latest professional audio products and instruments. Performer was on hand to sample the offerings of Winter NAMM 2007 and bring you some of the many highlights.

Community SONUS Loudspeakers
Price: $599-1399

Community debuted SONUS, its latest line of high-end loudspeakers, at this year’s Winter NAMM show. Designed for the working musician, the SONUS line of portable linear-response loudspeakers consists of four full-range models and two subwoofers. Rugged and ready to endure the demanding conditions of touring, all of these speakers feature low distortion and high-impact sonic capabilities. The line consists of both two-way and three-way systems, and two models of subwoofers that utilize a Cool-Coil heat evacuation system to increase reliability by reducing power-robbing hot air. The cone driver in the SONUS line has a non-metallic diaphragm and uses Carbon Ring Cone Technology to reduce distortion and improve sensitivity and bass response. Dyna-Tech is another technology SONUS employs to protect the speakers’ circuitry in rough touring conditions. The Ergo-Grip handles on the rear of each full-range enclosure allow for easy portability.

www.communitypro.com

 

JBL LSR4300 Series Studio Monitors

Price: LSR4312SP $899; LSR4326P $999; LSR4328P (shown) $1399

JBL has tackled the problem of producing a mix that translates well both inside and outside of the studio with the LSR4300 Series studio monitors. JBL’s Room Mode Correction technology automatically analyzes low frequency standing waves and proximity to boundaries to tune the system to the specific acoustic characteristics of the room.

By simply plugging in a calibration microphone into the speaker and pressing a button, the system adjusts to the room’s acoustic boundaries. There are three models in the series: the LSR4326P features a 6.25” powered two-way system, the LSR4328P features an eight-inch powered two-way system, and the LSR4312SP is a 450 watt, 12” powered subwoofer. Up to eight monitors can be linked together and controlled by a single remote. Each has a meter displaying its output. Different packages are available.

www.jblpro.com

Tascam FireOne

Price: $299

Tascam showcased its new FireOne audio interface at Winter NAMM earlier this year. The first in its class to record two mic ins and two mic outs, the FireOne is equipped with tactile edit keys and a large, weighted, backlit jog wheel. Perfect for the home studio, the FireOne uses a FireWire connection to record and play at 192kHz/24-bit and its mic inputs have phantom power and pad and line switches. The unit also offers a guitar input switch for direct recording and MIDI input and output, accommodating up to 16 channels. The FireOne makes editing quick and easy with transport keys and eight shortcut keys (plus a shift key), which can be programmed to control DAW applications like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and SONAR. A unique feature of the FireOne is its useful backlight settings on the jog wheel, such as a flashing metronome.

www.tascam.com

Audio-Technica AT2010 Handheld Condenser Microphone

Price: $99

Audio-Technica unveiled its new handheld cardioid condenser microphone at Winter NAMM. The new AT2010 is a handheld version of the AT2020 studio condenser microphone, utilizing the same 16mm low-mass diaphragm as the 20 Series. Rugged and cost-effective, the AT2010 is geared towards singer/songwriters and solo vocalists that want to capture studio-quality vocals on stage. Such articulate, clear vocals are achieved through the AT2010’s extended frequency response (40 Hz — 20 kHz) and superior transient response. A fixed cardioid pattern reduces pickup of unwanted sounds by improving the isolation of the desired sound source. 48V phantom power from a mixer/console or an in-line source is required; output is via a low-impedance, three-pin XLRM-type connector. Weighing in at 8.2 ounces, the AT2010 is 7.05 inches long and comes with the AT8470 Quiet-Flex microphone stand clamp.

www.audio-technica.com

Shure Sound Isolating Earphones
Price: $149.99, $249.99, $349.99, $449.99 and $499.99 respectively

Shure recently unveiled four new models of Sound Isolating Earphones. The line combines features from previous models with improved sound quality, adjustability, style and ergonomics. The earphones have compact, balanced armature drivers and a wider frequency range. The SE210 and SE310 are designed with Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker technology to provide full-range audio and high frequency response. The SE420 features Dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers, internal crossover and a comfortable design. The SE530 and SE530PTH combine the attributes of the previous E Series and the new technology of the Sound Isolating Earphones to increase versatility and practicality. The SE530PTH has the industry’s first Push-To-Hear Control (PTH) in sound isolating earphones. The new line provides good design, performance and comfort.

www.shure.com

Digidesign Reel Tape Suite

Price: $495

Digidesign recently released the Reel Tape Suite analog tape emulation plug-ins set, which re-creates the sound of analog tape recordings and tape effects in live or digital recordings. The Digidesign set functions as an AudioSuite, TDM, and RTAS plug-in and creates the vintage sound of analog gear while incorporating the benefits of digital processors. Reel Tape Suite features three plug-ins: Saturation, which can also be purchased individually, simulates analog tape saturation effects by modeling analog tape machine and tape formulation characteristics; Delay, which replicates echo effects but also allows for precise control over regenerating echoes; and Flanger, which reproduces tape machine flanging effects.

www.digidesign.com

Yamaha MG8/2FX Mixer

Price unavailable at press time

A new addition to the popular Yamaha mixer line, the MG8/2FX is a compact unit with expansive signal-processing abilities. The eight-input mixer includes two mono mic/line inputs and three stereo line inputs, with balanced XLR connectors available on all excluding one stereo line input, which features both phone jack and pin jack inputs. Mic preamps, phantom power, insert I/O patch points, 3-band channel EQ, and 12-segment level meters bolster this lightweight (1.8kg) unit. The MG8/2FX boasts 16 built-in effects, including various hall, room, and stage reverbs, in addition to chorus, flanger, phaser, distortion, echo, and drum ambience. Users can even turn effects on and off through the provided footswitch jack. A 12-input model was also recently released by Yamaha.

www.yamaha.com

AKG MicroMic Miniature Microphone Series

Prices unavailable at press time
AKG Acoustics debuted a new line of miniature microphones at Winter NAMM 2007. Setting new standards in quality and performance, the five-model MicroMic Series offers both sound quality and dependability. The series includes five products: the C516, for mounting on amplifiers; C518, for drums and percussion; C519, for woodwind and brass instruments; C520, for vocalists; and C555, a headset microphone for dancers and vocalists. Each microphone features a flexible gooseneck and elastic suspension to reduce outside noise. The C516, C518 and C519 have metal housings and adapter plates that can be attached to WMS 40 Pro and WMS 400 bodypack transmitters, eliminating the need for additional cables between the mic and the wireless transmitter. Cabled versions of the new MicroMics are also available.

www.akgusa.com

Open Labs Gen 3 MiKo Mobile ProductionCenter

Price: MiKo SE $2,999; MiKo LX $3,499
Open Labs introduced the Gen 3 Series of its MiKo Mobile ProductionCenter products at Winter NAMM. The Gen 3 offers powerful upgrades to the MiKo SE and MiKo LX. Perfect for the performing and recording musician and multi-media artist, the Gen 3 MiKo is highly portable and provides the power of a Windows XP-based computer to record, edit, mix, master, and burn audio and video projects right onto a CD, DVD, or straight to the internet. Both the SE and LX feature a 37-key synth keyboard, a VGA out for dual monitors, audio 4 in / 6 out with mic preamps, a 15-inch touchscreen and assignable Alpha and DJ controllers, a QWERTY keyboard and a software bundle. The LX version also has Mimik keyboard cloning software, 0.3 more GHz in the Core2 Intel Processor, 1 GB more RAM, and 90 GB more HD.

www.openlabs.com

Crate FlexWave FW15 Guitar Amplifier

Price: $99
Crate recently introduced the FlexWave FW15 guitar amplifier, which combines high-quality performance and cost-efficiency. The combos and heads feature FlexWave Evolution 5 preamps and three-band EQ. Crate’s Channel Tracking feature automatically remembers which DSP effect is assigned to each channel, as well. In addition, all FlexWave cabinets, combos and heads have vinyl coverings for durability. The FW15 is a 15-watt combo with an 8-inch speaker and combines innovative design with dependability. The FlexWave line includes five more models in varying sizes, costing up to $499, of which the 65-watt and larger versions feature onboard Digital Signal Processing (DSP) effects.

www.crateamps.com

Behringer EUROPOWER PMP1000 Mixer

Price: $379.99
One of the many products released by Behringer at Winter NAMM, the PMP1000, a 12-channel tabletop powered mixer, is capable of providing 500 watts of constant power. Advanced amplifier technology allows for a much lighter unit without sacrificing sound quality. The PMP1000 features a 24-bit stereo FX processor, mic preamps, and a voice canceller function, which removes mono vocals from stereo playback to enable better instrumental reference. As with all the new EURPOWER PMP powered mixers, the unit boasts the FBQ Feedback Detection System to eliminate feedback. The tabletop models also come in 20- and 16-channel versions.

www.behringer.com

Roland MV-8800 Production Studio

Price: $2,295
Roland unveiled its new MV-8800 Production Studio at the Winter NAMM show this year. An upgrade to the MV-8000, the MV-8800 is a sampler and synthesizer that allows users to record, mix, master, and duplicate with hands-on features. The unit also features real time BPM matching, a fully-loaded sound library, both modern and vintage effects, and VGA monitor and mouse options. Incorporating both hardware and software together into one powerful full-production unit, the MV-8800 is portable and perfect for use on stage and in the home studio. The full sound library and effects are already preinstalled on the hard drive, making the product ready to use out of the box. Three MIDI ports — one in and two outs — let users connect external MIDI devices to the MV-8800 as well.

www.rolandus.com

Mackie SRM150 Compact PA System

Price: $389.99
Mackie recently released the SRM150 after the success of the SRM450 and SRM350 active PA speakers. The SRM150 uses the same technology to ensure high sound quality while maintaining a compact size for easy transport. 150-watt amplification and the 5.25” EAW-designed, full-range neodymium driver increase sound pressure levels (SPL) greatly. The compact design and versatility of the SRM150 make it practical in many capacities, such as live performances, in coffee houses and bars, as well as rehearsal rooms. The built-in three-channel mixer features a stereo channel for CD/MP3 players, three-band active EQ, and two combo XLR/Line inputs with phantom power and a hi-Z instrument input. The SRM150 can be mounted on a mic stand and, like the other SRM products, incorporates good design with functionality.

www.mackie.com

SLS Loudspeakers 8290 Portable PA Box

Price: $899.95
New from Winter NAMM, SLS Loudspeakers has introduced its 8290 portable PA unit, ideal for professional stage and house monitor applications, as well as multimedia installations. Full-range passive dual 8” woofers, housed in a multi-angled cabinet, provide excellent fidelity even at high SPLs. Bolstered by SLS’ PRD500 planar ribbon driver within a 90 degree die-cast aluminum waveguide, the box allows for remarkably clear reproduction from such a compact package. Its manageable size and first-rate sound distribution make it a good choice for the multipurpose needs of touring musicians or engineers.

www.slsloudspeakers.com