Best in Show for Singers!
NAMM Show 2022
* Photo: Getty Images for NAMM
After a two-year absence, The NAMM Show (The National Association of Music Merchants) came roaring back to SoCal. Smaller this year, with new and old faces, NAMM welcomed over 1,000 exhibiting members representing 3,500 brands across the campus of the Anaheim Convention Center. A truly global affair, the mix of 46,627 registered attendees represented 111 countries and territories.
* Photo: Getty Images for NAMM
NAMM Chair, Joel Menchey, of Menchey Music Service notes, “We’re at our best when our industry is together, and at a show like this, inspiration emanates from every hall, conversation, and surprising chance encounters to become the launching board for the next great idea.” NAMM is a not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry.
Here are some New & Cool Products from this year’s show!
Austrian Audio Microphones
photo: Austrian Audio
Austrian Audio Microphones, founded in Vienna by a core team of 22 former AKG employees, bring innovation and contemporary designs to their microphones, and the new OD303 handheld dynamic vocal microphone is no exception. Priced to compete (think the Shure 58 or Sennheiser e835), it’s only $119 at Sweetwater and has many of the features of their higher-end models, including their Open Acoustics technology. Editor’s note: Worth a look! Be sure to try it against a number of comparable mics to see what works best for you!
Adam Audio A7V 7-inch Powered Studio Monitor
photo: Adam Audio
Have a small studio space or home project studio? Need a speaker with great quality and at a reasonable price?
Adam Audio has got you covered! With a newly designed 7-inch woofer, 96kHz sampling rate, and their well-known X-ART ribbon tweeter, this compact 2-way powered studio monitor is next-generation. DSP-based tuning is a cool feature helping to tune the monitor to any room or space.
Casio Privia PX-S3100
The new Privia PX-S3100 is a slim, high-performance piano that delivers a harmonically rich sound and a myriad of features that would suit and enhance any singer, singer/songwriter, or musician. If you’re looking for a keyboard that has all the best features and an affordable price tag, look no further.
Upgraded from the PX-S3000, a key feature of the Privia PX-S3100 is its slim body, unique among 88-key digital pianos with hammer action. With a depth of just 232 mm, it is meant to fit perfectly in a bedroom, home studio, or on the go. It has Casio’s original multi-dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source which accurately generates the unique resonances of a grand piano. Along with Casio’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard, you get the feel and weight of a grand piano in a lightweight, sleek version. How cool is this?! (Editors Note: Singers! A keyboard is a must-have in your toolbox!)
Martin Guitar
For singer/songwriters, C. F. Martin & Co. guitars (Martin Guitar) are among the most longstanding (188 years!) played by such icons as Bob Dylan and Chris Cornell (see list).
2.5 Millionth Guitar
Photo: Martin Guitar
At NAMM 2022, the companyunveiled its 2.5 MILLIONTH GUITAR adorned with precious gems, that celebrates the exact night in 1833 that C.F. MARTIN SR. landed in America. The 436 diamonds have been laid out to depict the map of the stars on that famous night! Amazing!
DSS Hopps & Barley,
Photo: Martin Guitar
They also launched a new seven special edition collection, featuring the DSS Hops and Barley, and much more. Known for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone, Martin offers guitars at many price points (some of you have played mine!!).
Roadie 3 Automatic Tuner
Photo: Roadie Music
The great thing about NAMM is that you’ll never know what you’ll find on the show floor, like this small but mighty tuner. Offering the next generation of string instrument tuners, Roadie 3, from Roadie Music, is their flagship tuner and an upgrade from its earlier version. It comes with 150+ built-in tunings and can tune almost any string instrument with a guitar machine head in just seconds. Singers rejoice!! Forget those excuses we’ve all heard about not being able to tune down to accommodate your voice! In addition, Roadie 3 has a built-in vibrating metronome and a powerful winding feature, and will even wind a new string to tension and then tune it up, all in one smooth step! Hallelujah! See more at Roadie Music! Sells for $129.