By George Petersen and Steve Savanyu
The NAMM Show was back on its regular January schedule, from Jan. 25-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Besides enjoying the (mostly) gentle Southern California weather, the highlight for most of this year’s 61,000 attendees was checking out new gear, so here are our picks of some of the coolest new products and technologies from the show.
LOUD-SPEAKERS!
Adamson Systems unveiled its VGt — a 3-way powered, Milan-driven system with two 13” Kevlar woofers, two 10” Kevlar cone directional drivers, two Kevlar M140 compression mids and two 3” HF compression drivers — all in a tour / install-friendly package capable of 151 peak SPLs. adamsonsystems.com
Alcons Audio launched its W-Series of pro-ribbon solutions, which includes monitoring both to the live and studio markets, uniquely offering an identical audio reference for both. And with high dynamic output, ultra-low distortion and high gain-before-feedback, these are also useable in other applications, including as a stand-mounted P.A. This marks Alcon’s first stage wedge monitor product. alconsaudio.com
Avante Audio’s Imperio Pro IMP328 3-way active small-format line array is engineered for medium-to-large events and pairs nicely with the Imperio Pro IMP218 dual-18” subwoofer. The IMP328 has two 8” low-mid drivers and two HF drivers on a precision waveguide, with 2,800 watts of peak power. The system demoed throughout NAMM at the Arena Stage outside the pro audio hall. avanteaudio.com
BASSBOSS’ CCM12-MK3 Compact Coaxial Monitor is 50% smaller than typical 12” monitors and has an 80-degree conical coverage pattern. It can be adjusted to three different upward angles to suit both standing and seated performers and can be pole-mounted or flown as a side fill. The coaxial 12” woofer/1.4” compression driver has 1,200 watts of biamplification, and eight onboard presets can tweak the response. bassboss.com
Celestion’s new 1.4” exit, neodymium CDX14-3055 and CDX14-3045 HF drivers offer improved power handling and sensitivity, a lower crossover point and 120W AES power handling. The more compact CDX14-3055 is ideal for close coupling in multi-driver design applications, such as line array cabinets. www.celestion.com
d&b audiotechnik supported its popular speaker lines with its new flagship D90 amplifier. Designed to power any d&b speaker system, the D90 has built-in Milan networking and improved system efficiency. Also new (shown here) is the DS100M, a Milan version of the DS100 Signal Engine, enabling Soundscape for Milan-based systems and a new DS20 Network Bridge that facilitates Milan connectivity to d&b amps lacking built-in Milan. dbaudio.com
DAS Audio expanded its ARA Series: the ARA-P12.74 with a 12” woofer; the ARA-P28.74 having dual 8” drivers; and the ARA-M210 10” stage monitor. All have 1,200 watts and 96k Hz FIR processing. Also new is EVENT-28A (shown above), an ultra-compact, powered line array with two 8” neodymium LF transducers and an M-60 compression driver. Weight is just 44 pounds. The EVENT-118A is a powered, single-18” subwoofer. Both EVENT boxes have rigging hardware and easy DAScontrol system configuration. dasaudio.com
EAW showcased its LA Series powered portable speakers — ideal for pole-mount deployments. The four models include the 12” LA121 and LA123, and the 15” LA151 and LA153. All weigh less than 50 pounds. eaw.com
Electro-Voice builds on the runaway success of last year’s EVERSE 8 portable DC-powered speaker, with the new EVERSE 12, a 12” 2-way battery powered system. E-V also celebrated a milestone — the production of 1-million units of its popular portable ZLX loudspeakers, first launched in 2013. Congrats! electrovoice.com
HK Audio’s FINEO speakers for indoor installs range from 5” to 18” 2-way systems with 12”, 18” and double-18” subs. All FINEO mid/high-units (except the compact FO 5) have rotatable HF horns and include DSP presets for Lab Gruppen IPX and LEA Pro amps. A variety of fly hardware and mounts are offered. hkaudio.com
JBL Professional’s IRX ONE column P.A. features a 3-channel mixer and Bluetooth 5.0 streaming in a system that can be carried with one hand. The C-shaped array has six 2″ HF drivers and an 8″ woofer for LF down to 40 Hz. Also standard is built-in dbx automatic feedback suppression and Soundcraft-powered audio ducking. Weight is 34 pounds. jblpro.com
LD Systems’ MON G3 Series of active stage monitors feature coaxial speakers, with four models in 8″ (shown here), 10″, 12″ and 15” sizes with an integrated CD horn for 50° x 90° dispersion and a 300w RMS Class-D amplifier. The low-profile designs include a pole socket for doubling as a stand-mounted P.A. speaker. ld-systems.com
Meyer Sound demoed its NADIA integrated network-based digital audio platform for Constellation acoustic system installations, providing separate inputs, processing, and matrixing to enable Spacemap Go spatial sound with no performance compromises for either function. meyersound.com
Ocean Way Audio showcased its large-format, horn-loaded AeroWave speakers, now available as the AW9090 (90×90) and AW9045 (90×45) degree system. A new revamped processor offers wide stereo coverage and the pristine audio Ocean Way Audio is known for. The AW9090 is loaded with 20 cone 10” LF/MF and 30 1” exit compression drivers; the AW9045 has ten 10” LF/MF and 15 1” exit CDs. Complementary S218AW double-18 subwoofers round out the systems. www.oceanwayaudio.com
PK Sound presented its compact T8 robotically controlled, powered line array — a 3-way design with dual-8” and coaxial compression drivers, along with its companion powered T18 subwoofer. The system is designed to deliver PK Sound technology to a wider range of users and applications in the touring and rental, installation, theatrical, worship, nightlife and corporate event markets. pksound.live
QSC Audio showcased its L Class Active Line Array System with the intuitive QSC SysNav remote software for iOS and Windows. But what grabbed people’s ears was hearing a colossal 52-box L Class/KS system in action, providing the live P.A. for the She Rocks Awards, TEC Awards and Parnelli Awards (shown here). Nice! qsc.com
RCF celebrated 75 years with 20 new products. The popular ART 7 Series (shown) adds seven MK5 models ranging from 8-inch to 15-inch woofers, with FiRPHASE and XBOOST algorithms for optimal sound. Meanwhile the NXL 14-A active column speaker sports two 6” woofers, 1.75” PKX HF driver, and 2,100w amplifier. The NX 932-A and NX 945-A share the NX 9 Series’ cabinet, DSP and amp, and incorporate precision neodymium transducers and titanium compression drivers. All are available in black and white. rcf.it
Sound Barrier unveiled CORE 103P, a dual-10”, 3-way powered line array with all neodymium drivers. The MF section uses two 6.5” cone transducers, while HF is handled by dual 1.4”-exit titanium compression drivers with the low-curvature wavefront providing 100° horizontal dispersion. The 32x16x12” birch ply enclosure weighs 98 pounds. soundbarrier.com
Yorkville Sound wrapped up its 60 year anniversary celebration, and showed the EXM Mobile Tower, a battery-powered P.A. system combining a 3-input mixer, 10” subwoofer, four 3” mids and an HF compression driver, with 560 watts of power. Weight is just 40.5 pounds and the system is capable of 126 dB peak SPLs and 10 hours of battery life. Street is $1,299. yorkville.com
CONSOLE-ATION!
Allen & Heath showed its recently launched CQ series of compact digital mixers and the powerful (and now-shipping) Avantis SOLO. One perk for the Avantis range is the V1.30 firmware updater, with new features, such as the 12-band NEQ12 mix EQ for dPack users, a pop-out scenes list, PEQ width gesture control and more. allen-heath.com
Avid VENUE 7.2 software adds more routing capabilities for its S6L console. Users can patch any input source from anywhere on the VENUE | S6L platform or connected network to any input channel with Automatic Delay Compensation. Users can also access any source on the VENUE | S6L platform, such as stage and local inputs, and from MADI-192 or Milan-192 option cards. avid.com
DiGiCo’s new Fourier Interface Card brings VST3 software plug-ins to DiGiCo’s Quantum and SD-Range desks via a direct Dante connection — including consoles without DMI card slots. The module delivers 64 channels of bidirectional audio at both 48k and 96k connections to Fourier Audio’s transform.engine — an outboard 2U Dante-connected server designed to run VST3 software plug-ins in the live environment. Shipping begins this summer. digico.biz
DirectOut’s multiformat PRODIGY.MX audio matrix takes the PRODIGY Series’ audio routing, conversion and processing capabilities to the next level. PRODIGY.MX has a 1,664 x 1,668 audio channel capacity, with modular hardware selectable between Dante, RAVENNA/AES67, SoundGrid, AVB/Milan and MADI — with seamless interconnectivity among them. Operational control is facilitated through globcon control Mac/PC software and locally, via an intuitive touch display. directout.eu
Studiomaster’s compact DIGITRACK18 digital console features 16 mic inputs, six DCA subgroups, two programmable mute groups and custom layers and hot keys for frequently accessed tasks. Other plusses include 16 internal buses, eight assignable XLR outs, a 7” HD touch screen, nine motorized faders and optional 16×16 multi-track USB recording module to connect to a DAW. studiomaster.com
TASCAM was showing Version 1.5 firmware for its Sonicview 16XP/24XP consoles. The free update adds a Monitor 2 section, faster snapshot memory loading, improved routing, an oscillator on/off function and enhancements to the Sonicview Control app. tascam.com
Waves’ updated version of its eMotion LV1 Live Mixer includes compatibility with the new MixMirror app, offering full iOS tablet remote control for the Waves eMotion LV1 Live Mixer and Waves SuperRack, with plug-in access from anywhere in a venue. Download the free Waves MixMirror from the Apple App store. Waves is also now shipping its new Feedback Hunter plug-in. waves.com
Yamaha’s v6.0 firmware for RIVAGE PM consoles include the Genius.lab customizable macro system for triggering actions via key presses, fader operations, MIDI messages and more. Also new are FET Limiter and Diode Bridge Compressors on every input and output channel. usa.yamaha.com
PRODUCTION ESSENTIALS
AcuRental showed its Acumatica cloud-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software for production companies, which provides everything needed from field service to point of sale to fixed assets to accounting, and tracking/inventory management in an all-in-one solution. www.iigservices.com
American Recorder Technologies showed two tools for cleaning ¼” and 3-pin XLR plugs and jacks. Each kit includes a precision knurled-aluminum handle burnisher with a nylon plug brush at one end; a cylinder-shaped pin cleaning pad at the other; and tube of CAIG DeoxIT for cleaning and enhancing contacts. americanrecorder.com
Beyerdynamic updates its classic DT 770 closed back headphones with the new German-made DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition, which offers wide-response STELLAR.45 drivers, detachable cable with mini-XLR connector and super-comfortable soft earpads. Price is $199. north-america.beyerdynamic.com
CAIG Laboratories has returned to its earlier design of supplying its DeoxIT D5 Sprays using the adjustable Low-Medium-High valve with the detachable red straw. The DeoxIT D5 solution cleans, lubricates and improves conductivity on all metal connectors and contacts and is ideal for pots and switches. www.caig.com
Clear Tune Monitors’ latest custom IEM is the Da Vinci Infinito. This third model in the elite Da Vinci series has eight balanced armature drivers for pristine clarity, while infusing warmth into the deepest sounds. Retail is $1,899. CTM also unveiled its CE220 universal IEM, a dual-driver balanced armature system priced at $249. cleartunemonitors.com
Heil Sound unveiled its RC 37 wireless microphone capsule, a screw-on replacement for many popular wireless handheld transmitters and based on the capule used in Heil’s popular PR 37 handheld sound reinforcement mic. Retail is $249 when it ships in Q2 2024. heilsound.com
Lake People will preview Phone Amp G103-D4, the latest entry in the company’s G-Series of compact audio tools. This reference-class PoE or USB powered headphone amplifier has two independent amps, each with 1/8” and ¼” outputs fed from a Dante input. Deliveries are planned for mid-2024. www.lake-people.de/en
Link USA’s Bob Vanden Burgt showed the company’s LKG connector (aka “Smiley Face”), which is an FOH solution that carries 3-phase, 32-amps of power, 12 single mode fiber, 12 multimode fiber and two Gigabit Cat-6 lines. According to Vanden Burgt, “since we’re a manufacturer of cables and connectors, we can come up with unique hybrid solutions like this that incorporate power and glass and Cat-6 all into a very robust, mil-spec waterproof solution. When this is mated, you can put it in a puddle and it works just fine.” linkusa-inc.com
Neumann’s new KK 104 U and KK 105 U condenser capsule heads use the common screw-mount format, making the Neumann sound accessible to users of third-party wireless systems. In addition, Neumann expanded its Miniature Clip Microphone System (MCM) with an omnidirectional capsule as well as goosenecks and cables in various lengths. neumann.com
Neutrik showcased its collaboration with PK Sound for enhancing the connectivity of PK’s loudspeaker products using Neutrik’s DR Series connectors. The ultra-reliable DR Series handle etherCON and XLR 3/5/4+2 pin, are available in male and female variations and an IP65-rated option is available. These integrate seamlessly with existing Neutrik and REAN inline connectors. neutrikgroup.com
Rupert Neve Designs’ MBT Master Bus Transformer is designed to sweeten, enhance, drive, widen and transform full FOH or monitor mixes, groups, mono or stereo channels. A sweepable HPF feeds a new 2-band, 3-octave shelf EQ. The Color Comp optical compressor accentuates the opto cell’s non-linear distortion and “colorful” characteristics. Super Silk builds on Rupert’s “Silk” harmonic saturation, while a new Zener Drive circuit can add aggressive tonality. www.rupertneve.com
Shure’s flagship KSM11 wireless cardioid condenser mic capsule is available for purchase with Axient Digital or ULX-D wireless handheld transmitters. The KSM11’s combination of low and mid-range clarity and essential high-end detail provides users with natural, transparent and high-clarity sound without requiring additional processing. shure.com
Sound Devices showed its A20 SuperNexus, a 16-channel (expandable to 32 channels) wireless mic receiver, which can remove all that RF receiver clutter at the FOH or monitor positions. It can even add native Optocore connectivity directly to DiGiCo consoles, for all your Sound Devices beltpack transmitters. sounddevices.com
SPL launched the all-analog Stereo Vitalizer Mk3-T, designed to make productions sound more alive, with more details, more transparency, a higher perceived loudness and, if required, an overwhelming bass foundation. Housed in a rugged, 1U chassis, Vitalizer Mk3-T swaps the classic, golden robe of the previous model for an all-black design but also adds a higher internal audio voltage of +/-18 V for greater sonic results. USA pricing is $1,099. www.spl.audio
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik debuted its Echomixer plug-in. Created by Audiopunks, Echomixer is a Germanium preamp, distortion and spring reverb plug-in. Modeled after a modified version of the original 1960 Echomixer, the device is upgraded with features such as daisy-chaining and flexible spring tanks. Audiopunks meticulously replicated the distinctive sound of the original spring tank, capturing every detail and nuance and then added two other popular spring tank modules for more versatility. telefunken-elektroakustik.com
TEQSAS’ LAP-TEQ PLUS Line Array Inclinometer is distributed by measurement mic specialists iSEMcon US, and can measure the inclination of a line array or a speaker cluster — quickly and with high accuracy. Intended for mounting on flying frames or bumpers, the LAP-TEQ PLUS sensor module (measuring unit) works with the handheld LAP-TEQ PORT display module (reading unit), and the sensor’s green laser also makes it possible to visually identify where, any line array element hits in terms of acoustics. isemcon.com
Ultimate Ears Pro announced a new line of universal fit in-ear monitors, with three models: the $199 single-driver UE 150; $299 dual-driver UE 250; and $399 three-way UE 350. These universal IEMs come in a carry case with a selection of foam or silicone ear tips and a removable 50-inch IPX T2 cable. pro.ultimateears.com
Wisycom updated its MTK982 dual-wideband, stereo IEM transmitter with improved layout of the status page, menu customization and other enhancements. Key parameter information is now displayed on the LCD screen, such as receiver type, audio output, while IP address and RF power information will be more prominently shown. Users can also customize their menu by selecting “Basic Mode,” for a more simplified structure or “Advanced Mode” for more experienced applications. wisycom.com
More to Come!
There was lots more to see and hear at NAMM 2024, and we’ll be covering other cool products online at fohonline.com and in future print issues. Meanwhile, The NAMM Show returns to Anaheim next year with exhibits from Jan. 23-25 and events from Jan. 21-25, 2025. See you there!