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NAMM 2024: The NAMM show is making a welcome return to its regular time slot this January 25-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. After a couple of years of shifting dates thanks to COVID, it is back to hopefully doing what it does best: bringing us mountains of gear music news to digest, and instruments and equipment to look forward to for the year ahead.
The last NAMM show pre-pandemic had a generally positive buzz that we’d not felt at the show in years.
To say it’s been a tumultuous time for trade shows after over last few years would be an understatement. Thanks to COVID, the bottom dropped out of the events business, and the big shows that announce new products were hit hard. None have been more affected than the video games industry where the biggest trade show of them all, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), succumbed to COVID and is now closed for good.
The situation for NAMM, the twice-yearly music gear show, the globe’s pre-eminent showcase for new synths, acoustic and electric guitars, drums and much, much more, has been as stymied as any.
The last show pre-pandemic was in January 2020, and was one of its biggest ever, with new halls welcoming many smaller companies, record participants and a generally positive buzz that we’d not felt at the show in years.
But in the years since, because of the worldwide pandemic, NAMM’s calendar appearances have been irregular and uncertain, so this January not only sees the show come home but hopefully return to the glory days of 2020.
Whatever the outcome, this year’s show looks to be a cracker and we’ve already heard some pretty big rumours and gossip which we hope to spill over the coming days leading up to the show. We’ll be bringing them to you right here as and when we get updates so be sure to check back.
In the meantime, here’s the latest word from Anaheim…
Music tech
Korg
Korg looks like dominating this year’s NAMM show with a slew of new releases across several categories. Here’s what we know so far.
Korg has unveiled the sequel to one of the 21st century’s most iconic instruments and a ‘first synth’ for a whole generation of music-makers. It’s the long-awaited successor to the beloved microKorg.
Released in 2002, the microKorg was an affordable but deceptively powerful synth that became hugely popular with everyone from Tame Impala and The Prodigy.
The most noticeable upgrade on MicroKorg 2 is the synth’s 2.8-inch colour display, which offers advanced control of the synth’s parameters. There’s alsso a large new range of effects – grouped into modulation, delay and reverb – a two-band parametric EQ for further sound-sculpting, and Auto-Tune-style pitch correction and a harmonizer, alongside vocoding.
microKorg 2 will be released in June of this year, price TBA. Read the full story here and get more info from Korg here.
Next up is Korg’s KingKorg Neo, a more compact version of Korg’s KingKorg VA synth. It uses the same XMT (eXpanded Modeling Technology) sound synthesis engine to generate its analogue-style sounds, and has plenty of hands-on controls over them, albeit in a much smaller and cooler compact form.
You get a traditional analogue style layout but beneath this are some very 21st century extras including a large filter set with many modelled on classic synths like Korg’s own MS-20. There’s a built-in vocoder, three master effects delivering six effect types, and virtual patching so you can enjoy a semi-modular experience without the faff or connecting physical cables.
Finally there are 200 presets, three displays and an arpeggiator. KigKorg Neo is shipping in February with an expected RRP of £949/€1099.
Read our full story here and get more info from from the Korg website.
More Korg…
• Korg is embracing ‘portablism’ with a new portable record player/looper inspired by the Vestax Handy Trax.
• Korg’s Poetry, a ‘Chopin piano’, could be the most unexpected signature instrument ever.
• Korg unveils the Opsix mkII, an updated version of its six-operator ‘Altered FM’ synth.
• Korg has also updated its Gadget music production software and plugin suite with new gadgets, effects and VST3/AUv3 support.
SSL
SSL gives us our opening salvo of news for NAMM 2024. There’s going to be ‘significant enhancements and updates’ to the company’s UC-1 a plugin controller that can be configured to work with the company’s 360°-enabled channel strips and bus compressors.
Alongside SSL’s Puredrive QUAD and OCTO multi-channel mic preamp/interfaces, both making their NAMM debut, will be the ORIGIN 16 in-line analogue console which will be coupled with a UF8 controller just to show how analogue and digital can get along so famously these days.
SSL has also made huge inroads into the audio interface market in recent years with a range of entry-priced products that allow you to connect up your beginner to project studio and enjoy some famous SSL audio quality along the way – and all for the kind of low outlay you really wouldn’t expect.
Taking this a few steps further, the company will debut the SSL Recording Pack (see picture above) at NAMM, which features an SMC 80 microphone plus shock mount, a set of SHP 80 headphones, and an XLR cable bundled with either an SSL 2 or SSL 2+ audio interface. Price and availability TBA, but if it’s anything like the interfaces in question, it should be pretty good value.
Yamaha
Yamaha might already have stolen the NAMM show with its new Seqtrak. Yamaha calls it a “standalone music production studio” which pretty much covers everything, as pretty much everything is included! Seqtrak has a step sequencer, drum machine, sampler and several software synths. it is equipped with a microphone, speaker and rechargeable battery, along with a companion app that allows the user to dive into detailed sound editing.
From left to right on the unit you get drums, a synth and sampler in the middle, and sound design and effects on the right. The drum section has seven tracks (kick, snare, clap, two hi-hats and two percussion sounds) that can be filled with sounds from Seqtrak’s 2000-sample library, or with your own samples via the Seqtrak app.
Seqtrak has three polyphonic digital synth engine: two based on AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory) technology, and one, named DX, based on the sounds of the classic Yamaha DX7 synth.
Seqtrak’s sampler can record via the built-in microphone or a stereo mini-jack input, resample internally, or play back samples loaded in via the Wi-Fi and USB-C connections. Sounds can be processed through an array of effects that includes 12 types of reverb, 9 types of delay, modulation, distortion and compression, a 5-band master EQ and low-pass and high-pass filters on each track.
Seqtrak is available in either grey and black or white and orange and costs $599.
Read the full story here, or get more info from the Yamaha website and we’ll be getting one in for review asap!
Yamaha also recently announced its new new HS3 and HS4 monitors. We described the Yamaha HS5 as “the best-sounding studio monitor we’ve heard in its price range by a mile”, so we’re already pretty excited by these – they look like delivering a great sound from a couple of even more compact enclosures.
Yamaha has managed to downsize both designs by using one class-D amp for two speakers, which also reduces weight and simplifies cable connections. Talking of which, you can plug your audio sources in via XLR/TRS phone, RCA and stereo mini jacks, which should cover your audio interface, instruments, laptop and mobile device. The power button, volume control and headphone jack are located on the front of the speakers.
Both sets are 2-way bass-reflex powered speakers. The HS4, not surprisingly, has larger cone woofers and dome tweeters – 4.5-inch/1-inch as opposed to 3.5-inch/0.75-inch on the HS3. Frequency responses are 70Hz – 22kHz (-10dB) for the HS3 and 60Hz – 22kHz (-10dB) for the HS4. Both boast a 26W + 26W power output.
As is often the case with Yamaha speakers, you can buy them in either black or white. HS3 and HS4 cost around £229/$250 and $285/£329 per pair respectively.
Read the full story here, or find out more on the Yamaha website.
Other hi-tech
Ever wanted an all-analogue synth with motorised knobs? Looks like the wait will soon be over. It’s surely no mystery as to why the Nina – an as yet unannounced synth from an unknown manufacturer – chose to surface around now.
Polyend’s Play was a big hit at Superbooth and we can’t wait to have another play.
Shame that Roland won’t be at the show (when their vast stands have proved a popular ‘go to’ in previous years) but having already played their hand with their Aira Compact synth, Fantom 0 series and Juno-X, we wonder if there’s any more NAMM-timed releases on the way?
Definitely putting in an appearance however, will the Oberheim OB-X8. We’ve already checked it out in the flesh at Superbooth but fingers crossed we can get even closer to its greatness at NAMM.
We’re also looking forward to getting hands-on with Eventide’s innovative interval-based sequencer module, the Misha.
Next up, Audient is debuting its most powerful interface yet, the EVO16, and also has a new product under wraps which we should be able to unveil here very soon.
New at this year’s NAMM show are the Gorilla studio monitors from another new speaker manufacturer, Telegrapher Loudspeakers. The company prides itself on its sealed speaker enclosure designs, stating that traditional vented speakers often introduce phase delays and inaccuracies.
The company claims that its sealed designs “deliver cleaner and tighter bass than any ported system in the market”. The company also admits that ported speakers can deliver more volume but counters again with. “we may not be the loudest but our precision and clarity is second to none”.
The best bit might well be that you can get your Gorillas in five different colours on top of the traditional black and white. We rather like the sound of the Jaipur Orange or Menton Yellow models. Maybe we’ll get both in for review…
No price has been revealed yet but you can get more information from Telegrapher’s website.
Tascam already makes some of the most cost-effective headphones out there – its TH-02s sell for around £40/$50. However for the same price, these all-new TH-11 ‘phones are designed specifically for the studio.
Tascam says it spent Tascam spent over a year comparing various technologies, and designs “to provide you with an amazing product for less than a third of the usual cost”. The TH-11s feature a closed -back design, 50mm drivers and a frequency response of 18Hz to 22kHz – pretty decent specs so far.
Tascam also claims that they have a “clear balanced sound to fit all of your favourite tunes, regardless of genre or application” and “produce pristine highs, clear mid-range, and rich low end”.
As we said, the retail price is looking to be around £43/$50, which is decent money for studio headphones in anyone’s book. More info from Tascam’s website here.
Guitars
Get ready for a lot of new guitars this month. We know Fender, Ibanez, ESP and Yamaha are readying new models for announcement and you’ll find them here as soon as they surface.
Schecter has already made headlines with its latest Machine Gun Kelly signature guitar, the Razor Blade – for reasons that will become obvious when you see it.
Fender
The Strat is turning 70, and Fender has clearly been planning big things for the icon. There are two 70th Anniversary models: a Mexican-made Player model in stunning Nebula Noir, and a USA-made American Profession II with striking Flame Maple top.
In addition there are standard spec Player and Pro II models with an Anniversary Two-Colour Sunburst. All models are available this year.
The 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster is the one we’re most excited about; it looks like a statement for today about the Strats timeless quality, and the price/spec ration here is a pretty good balance for a special edition. It will retail for $999.99/ £959/€1,099/$1299AUD/¥165,000.
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The Nebula Noir finish is something we’re looking forward to seeing dazzle up close, but the specs are just as alluring; a modern “C”-profile maple neck and 9.5” radius rosewood fingerboard, Pure Vintage ‘59 Single-Coil Strat pickups, 2-point tremolo and Classic Gear tuners could be an interesting mix of contemporary and vintage.
The 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster ($1,999.99/£2,169/ €2,499/$3,699AUD/¥330,000) is further up the price and spec scale, but is a stunner with a Comet Burst and flame maple top. Pickups are 70th Anniversary V-Mod II single-coils, neck is a deep C-shape with rolled fingerboard edges and what Fender calls its ‘Super-Natural’ satin finish.
A sculpted neck heel improves upper fret access and the model also features Deluxe locking tuners and an upgraded 2-point tremolo with a cold-rolled steel block to aid ‘sustain, clarity and high-end sparkle’.
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The 70th Anniversary Strats are available now. Check out the new models at Fender.com
Gretsch has unveiled a reassuringly non-radical range of updates for its 2024 Electromatics…
EVH Gear is bringing back a pair of Eddie Van Halen cult classics as the Shark and the Circles (aka Unchained) guitar return to the lineup.
Hot rodders Charvel raise the (whammy) bar for its shredder-spec Pro-Mod series with super-hot Bubblegum Pink and Malibu Sunset colours and distressed nitro finishes…
Acoustic and Bass
Cort will be showing off three new acoustic electric guitars as part of its Core series, all with built in Fishman gear. Doubtless there’ll be more from them too.
Taylor’s 700 Series gets a major boost with new Grand Concert and Grand Auditorium models to replace its spruce/rosewood combos.
On the bass front the Badwater bass preamp and DI from Walrus Audio marks their first journey into the deep end.
And Ernie Ball has already revealed its DarkRay collab with Darkglass Electronics in five-string form. Wonder what else they’ve got new?
Martin is, of course, associated with high-end acoustic guitars but has also long championed an expanding line at the more accessible end, central to which is the company’s X Series. New for 2024, is a set of remastered guitars in that series.
Martin says it has focussed on playability and cosmetics in the remastering process. On the latter side, new High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) patterns make for some eye-catching looks with cocobolo, ziricote, and Brazilian rosewood joining mahogany, koa, and all-black.
For playability, significant changes include a thinner fingerboard with beveled edges for comfort, ‘refined’ string spacing, and what Martin calls a modernised bridge contour for a ‘smooth and enjoyable playing experience’.
There should be something for all acoustic needs here with Martins 0, 00, 000, D, and GPC shapes across the following models: The remastered X Series lineup includes the following models: 0-X2E Cocobolo, 00-X2E Cocobolo, 000-X2E Brazilian, D-X1E Koa, D-X1E Mahogany, D-X2E Brazilian, D-X2E Mahogany, D-X2E Ziricote Burst, D-X2E Brazilian 12-String, GPC-X1E Black, GPC-X2E Cocobolo, and GPC-X2E Ziricote.
The guitars are priced from $599. Read the full story here and get more info from Martin Guitars.
Amps, Pedals and More
Gibson has broken cover with the return of its amp division; its ’60s Falcon combo flies again with Randall-Smith-designed 20 and 5-watt Falcon tube amps at prices that are a lot more on the Fender side of the equation than Mesa/Boogie.
Laney antes up with the launch of the world’s most-powerful FRFR guitar cabinet – a 4×12 monster packing 2600W that was developed with Devin Townsend
Vox unveils Custom Series AC10 and AC15 tube combos in a very smart Rich Blue Vinyl finish
TC Electronic’s Plethora X3 is a smaller multi-fx pedal… but it’s still packing a lot of tones
Hopes are high for a new range from Positive Grid after they impressed us royally with their Spark Mini.
We’ve already heard all about “the lightest 50-watt valve guitar amps on Earth” from Blackstar but we’re looking forward to finally hearing the St. James amp series for ourselves.
Can’t wait to try out Two Notes’ ReVolt Guitar and Bass amp simulator pedals, complete with amps based on Fenders, Ampegs, Marshalls and more.
High on the list of ‘must play’s are Seymour Duncan’s ’78, Green Magic and High Voltage humbuckers inspired by Eddie Van Halen, Peter Green and Angus Young.
And Universal Audio claim to have upped their emulation game for their new UAFX Guitar Amp Emulator pedals, promising “the best vintage guitar amps of all time”.
Revv’s new Shawn Tubbs signature overdrive pedal, the Tilt will be sure to impress in person.
And getting up close with Crazy Tube Circuits amazing Super Conductor four-in-one analog boost pedal is high on our list of ‘to do’s.
And will the ‘almost too good to be true’ Bigsby Pedal from Gamechanger Audio impress once get ‘feet on’ with it? We’ll find out soon.
Reliable as ever, big guns Line 6 will be packing in the innovation, with their show highlight being the new DL4 MkII.
And Tech 21’s four new SansAmp Character Plus pedals look like the perfect pairings of amps and effects in one.
Chinese brand Mooer always has a strong NAMM game. first out of the blocks thjis year, the typically feature rich Tender Octaver and Harmony X2.
“Cozy up and immerse yourself in true stereo analogue delay” – Walrus Audio adds its feature-packed, MN3005-loaded Meraki delay pedal to regular lineup.
Vox’s amPlug range has been coming to the aid of guitarists since 2007, and for 2024, the firm has launched a third iteration of this successful guitar headphone amp range.
The battery-powered mini-amps (just 86 x 31 x 80 mm, and sitting directly on a 3/4″ jack), each have two channels and feature up to four effects including tremolo, chorus, reverb and delay, depending on the model.
Every one of the range, which comprises 5 guitar and 2 bass amps, has in-built rhythm patterns including Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Metal, Jazz, and a straight-up Metronome for solo practices, along with (obviously) tempo controls, and smartphone connectivity – as long as you have an AUX on your phone – for play-along fun.
The seven amps on offer are: AC30 (emulates Vox’s classic AC30); UK Drive (the “raw power of a 100W UK stack”); US Silver (warm, pristine clean tones); Boutique (both “silky, clean” and bright overdrive); High Gain (“sharp, aggressive, and powerful”); Bass (and uncomplicated classic bass tone); and finally Modern Bass (an edgier, more contemporary experience).
We don’t have a confirmed street date or price for amPlug 3 yet, but we expect it to land this spring, and we’d be surprised if it goes far north of amPlug 2’s £40/$49.
For more info read the full story or head over to voxamps.com.
Pianos and more
“A genuinely unique experience” – a new Kawai keybed makes the Nord Grand 2 feel like a piano, but with advanced layering options, it can also sound like a synth.
Clavia has so many great Nord keyboards, each of which is designed for a slightly different kind of player, that it would be hard to classify one as the definitive ‘flagship’. The Nord Grand is certainly in the mix, though, and it’s now been updated to version 2.
Grandstage X is Korg’s sleek new, ivory white stage piano. It has no less than seven sound engines, providing 13 main piano sounds, including grand piano models from Germany, Japan and Italy, upright pianos and even classic Korg pianos from OASYS and the Korg M1. In fact there are a whopping 700 sounds in total and 128 notes of polyphony.
Grandstage X features an RH3 Real Weighted hammer action keyboard that Korg says delivers “realistic touch and feel”, and Korg’s Nutube technology is employed in the onboard effects.
The seven sounds modes are SGX-2, Korg’s engine for delivering acoustic piano sounds; The EP-1 focusses on electric pianos; CX-3, VOX and FC-1 cover some classic organs; AL-1 has analogue modelling; and the HD-1 PCM engine provides electric grands, pipe organs and harpsichords.
The price is still TBA, but Grandstage X is expected to ship in June.
Read our full story here, and get more info from the Korg website.
Prince’s stunning custom Yamaha grand piano (above), the last instrument he played on stage, will be on display.
Drums
Tama is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, and one of its most-wanted re-dos has already emerged – it’s a reissue of one of the most sought-after snare drums of all time: the Mastercraft Bell Brass.
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