We have been at NAMM 2020 for the past couple of days and have had the opportunity to talk to tons of amazing companies and learn all about the incredible new products they have released recently, or will be releasing shortly! This is our 5th time at The NAMM Show as Produce Like a Pro, and it is always a privilege to be here and speak with all these great people in the industry. We talked to companies like Lewitt Microphones, Izotope, Austrian Audio, SE Electronics, and so many more! Keep reading to learn all about the great products we saw!
Austrian Audio – CKR12 capsule
Based on the CK 12 capsule, and contains all the amazing quality you can count on from Austrian Audio, with some improvements and changes. In addition to the new capsule, Austrian Audio has added a Bluetooth dongle that comes with their mics. On the back of this mic, you have the possibility of plugging in a Bluetooth dongle in the back and you can set up your favourite polar pattern from your smartphone!
SE Electronics – Hohner Harp Blaster
This mic was inspired by a select group of professional players and modelled after the sound of legendary vintage harp microphones. The Harp Blaster from SE Electronics sets a new standard for harp microphones, as it is comfortable to hold, cup, and use for long periods of time, and is designed to be the perfect channel for the artist’s creative output.
Audeze and Embody have come together to create Reveal+, which is a personalized virtual studio plugin for headphones. The difference between this and other virtual studio plugins is that Reveal+ provides a precise response of the studio that is personalized to the way you hear, whereas other plugins do not take your unique hearing into account, leading to unwanted tonal coloration and artifacts in your mix.
Thanks to Reveal+’s pwroful AI engine called Aural Map, you are transported directly into iconic mixing studios, even though you may be mixing in your own bedroom on a pair of headphones.
Audient launched EVO at NAMM this year! With the rise in podcasting, streaming, and gaming, Audient wanted to make audio accessible to everyone. EVO is designed to address the affordable audio interface market with a new range that offers an intuitive user experience, with application-specific features and stunning aesthetics, while still retaining the quality you expect from Audient!
What JZ Microphones had to announce to us is that they were welcoming two new mics to their family: the Globe and the Amethyst. These are beautiful vintage mics, that are both hand-crafted and backed by years of experience.
Access Analog allows musicians and recording engineers to have access to professional analog audio hardware from wherever they are. They have essentailly given you access to real, professional equipment through the cloud. The Analog Matrix plugin remotely controls the physical knobs, buttons, and switches on the audio hardware. Once you have decided on your desired settings, you can record the processed audio as it streams from the hardware to your recording software. This plugin allows you to have real-time analog processing from anywhere!
Leapwing Audio listened to your feedback, and has released a new version of DynOne 3. This new version incorporates features you said you wanted and improves on an already great plugin!
Sonarworks has just released SoundID, which is an app that gives you a very personalized listening experience. Starting at the studio reference level, the technology contained in this app works to craft a perfected sound for each invidual. This app will find your preference of sound and adjust for your hearing!
Howard Benson is legendary in the industry, having worked with huge names like My Chemical Romance, All American Rejects, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, and so many more! He has recently partnered with Joey Sturgis Tones to create the Howard Benson Vocal plugin. With this plugin you will get access to Howard Benson’s meticuously crafted, detailed vocal chain that he has built over more than 30 years of working in the industry.
The 73EQL delivers impressive tonal shaping options into a diminutive size, making it the ultimate accompaniment to a BAE 1073MPL 500 series preamplifier or as a stand-alone EQ to complement just any other input source. With a 3-band EQ section and highpass filter controls, the 73EQL is able to shape nuances of sound sources while imparting the classic sound character of the 1073 — this makes it the ultimate companion for on-location, studio recording, mixing or mastering applications.
SC3070 is a high-resolution, tri-amplified near / mid field monitor optimized for precise midrange and powerful bass response. The SC3070 active reference studio monitor expands the existing range of main monitors with a smaller studio monitor. The SC 3070 is compact, and delivers the outstanding midrange reproduction of the SC407’s mid-high section with the exceptional balance and low distortion over the entire frequency range, making it the ideal solution for recording, mastering, and home studios, especially where space may be an issue.
Lewitt Microphones – Project 1040
This has not actually been released yet, but is a project that has been 10 years in the making. Lewitt Microphones has a vision of creating the ultimate microphone system, and has worked many with musicians and engineers to create this project. It is not quite ready for release yet, and has not been manufactured, but it is on its way! Watch the full video to learn more!
I got to try out some beautiful guitars from Gray Guitars. The founders of this company love many guitars, and wanted to take all the best qualities of their favorite guitars and put them into one! These guitars were amazing to play, so make sure you check them out!
MXL Microphones are very affordable mics, that have been holding up against more expensive models in blind tests. If you are looking for an affordable mic that offers great sound quality, MXL is a great place to start.
Their new microphone for NAMM is the Revelation II. This is a variable pattern tube condenser microphone that delivers the warmth and intimacy of a classic tube microhpones with a lush mid-range providing a unique color and sound to any microphone locker. Whether you record vocals, instruments, percussion or simply use it as a room mic, the MXL Revelation II brings a classic sound in any recording application.
Nugen Audio – SEQ-S Linear Phase EQ
SEQ-S delivers sculpting power beyond any other EQ. The resizable direct-draw interface makes it easy to quickly fine-tune your audio, with incredible resolution that you can’t get with a traditional parametric interface. The 3 independent EQ curves can be individually assigned to channels across the surround panorama, giving complete control over your spatial environment, with access to stereo, mid/side, 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound operation.
Dialogue Match is a Pro Tools AudioSuite plug-in that learns the reverb, EQ, and ambience data of a dialogue recording. It can then apply the profile to any other dialogue recording, giving your scene audio consistency across multiple environments. This will allow amazing consistency across your dialogue, but you can also use this technology to do that same with music! There is more than one use for this great technology!
The BB-DI is a passive direct box designed around our proprietary, custom-wound Hi-Z transformer. High headroom and a virtually flat response make it the perfect input option for your instrument. The BB-DI is truly an improvement over other DIs that are currently avilable on the market!
AXE I/O SOLO brings the same great tone shaping, convenient features and premium sound to everyone, everywhere, in a compact and affordable 2-in / 3-out format. AXE I/O SOLO also offers IK’s patent pending Z-TONE circuit, which includes the Z-Tone DI and Z-Tone Stomp Box, which incorporates great buffer and boost.
Wireworld Pro Audio’s cords have been used in recording studios for over a decade, and there is a reason for that! At NAMM this year, they are showcasing their power courds, which are flat, making them stand out from other cords. Because they are flat these cords are easy to pack and convenient to use. In addition to usability, Wireworld’s cords provide a very effective filter that other power simply do not live up to.
Solid State Logic – SSL 2 & SSL+
SSL 2 and SSL 2+ are more than just an audio interface, they are the centre of your new Solid State Logic studio. SSL have been designing cutting-edge mixing consoles and processing tools for the world’s finest recording studios for over four decades. Now you get all that hit-making know-how in your own personal studio.
SSL wants to ensure they are remaining relevant and providing people with the tools they need to advance their skills and careers. These products have been created with the next generation of music industry professionals, and are designed for those who are recording at home or even out of their bedrooms!
With the AXR4, Steinberg sets a new standard in audio interfaces for studios, producers and professional musicians. Featuring connectivity and facilities aimed at professional-level recording, including 32-bit integer resolution and a sample rate of up to 384 kHz, this premium audio interface significantly raises the bar. The hybrid mic preamps with Rupert Neve Designs SILK emulation add exceptional tonal control, while SSPLL guarantees ultra-low jitter. The AXR4 ensures universal excellence for all recording applications.
Watch the full video to below to learn even more about these great products and see the amazing things we got to learn about at NAMM this year!
