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New music products headed to some Ohio stores
Kenmore attorney and musician Rik Williger did not attend the NAMM show but made a point to check out the recent offerings online. Williger plays in two tribute bands as well as in Jonah Koslen’s Stage Pass Now, and has attended the show in the past. He said he plans to try out Taylor’s electric guitars and amplifiers in person. “The Taylor Grand Orchestra is a beautiful guitar and I can’t wait to play one,” said Williger. (Photo courtesy of Rik Williger).
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 19, 2013
From gadgets designed to make a musician’s life a bit easier to an array of instruments, microphones, amplifiers and a unique 3D printer, those are just some of the products unveiled at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in Anaheim, California.
Almost 94,000 people attended the event, including retailers, corporate buyers, artists and sound and lighting professionals. It took place in January at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Some of the items that made NAMM’s 2013 “Best in Show – This Year’s Hottest Products” list were the new Vypyr VIP Series of modeling amplifiers by Peavey Electronics, the TC Electronic Ditto Looper, the Harp Arm distributed by Score Marketing, the Yamaha STAGEPAS 400i and 600i PA Systems, the Taylor Grand Orchestra guitar, the Kala Exotic Mahogany Ukulele, and 3D Systems, Inc.’s Cube 3D printer.
The technology involved in 3D printing has been in the works for about 30 years, and today it plays a part in almost every product used. The NAMM show featured two Cube 3D printers that are made by 3D Systems. The printers allow users to create objects ranging from toys, mugs, jewelry and even a rook with a stairwell and a double helix inside. Instead of putting ink on a flat surface like traditional printers do, the 3D printers melt plastic filament, building it up gradually in three dimensions to create the object.
Also on display at the show was a guitar by world famous guitar designer, Olaf Diegel, that was created entirely with 3D printing. While the one at the show was filled with 3D printed objects of some of New York’s landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, the guitars can be customized according to the artist’s desires.
The printer costs $1,299 and guitar prices vary depending on the design.
“The inside of the body of the guitar was made with a large 3D printer that used Selective Laser Sintering, which is just another version of 3D printing,” said Cathy Lewis, a spokesperson for 3D Systems.
“3D printing can print anything, no matter how complex, layer by layer, using this amazing technology.”
A number of accessories also made NAMM’s top products list, including like the Evans Level 360 Drumhead – a D’Addario Innovation, MusicNomad Equipment Care, the Remo Frame Drum Holder, ProLogix Russ Miller’s “All N-1” Signature Practice Pad, the Gibraltar Cajon Remote Pedal and the Ernie Ball Slinky M-Steel Electric Guitar Strings.
MXL also displayed a number of products at the NAMM show, including some that could be useful for attorneys taking depositions and dictation as well as web conferencing.
Perry Goldstein, director of sales and marketing for MXL Microphones, said the AC-404 USB is a high-quality capsule microphone that “dramatically improves voice quality on conference calls.”
Goldstein said it is ideal for people who rely on Internet conferencing to communicate with clients and colleagues.
“The AC-404 conference mic uses boundary microphone technology and built-in custom circuitry to produce smooth, quiet and professional sounding conferences, no matter where the user is located.”
Goldstein also recommended the MXL uCHAT (AC-406) USB Desktop Communicator for attorneys. “It’s like having a personal communications assistant right at the user’s fingertips,” said Goldstein.
He said the advanced boundary microphone design with 180-degree coverage makes “Internet conference calls feel like you’re in the middle of the action. The uCHAT also performs exceptionally well with speech-to-text software programs.”
For musicians looking for an entry-level and affordable mic, Goldstein said the MXL TRIO could be the answer.
The TRIO features a compact USB condenser microphone. “The small size makes it ideal for the podcaster on the go thanks to it’s rugged metal construction,” said Goldstein. “The smooth, clear sound of vocals is faithfully captured by the TRIO.
“It’s the perfect solution for a wide variety of popular voice chat services that are now available to consumers.”
Goldstein said it could also be used to record acoustic guitar ideas straight onto an iPad2 with the Apple Camera Connection kit.
He also recommended the MXL Studio 24 mic to those looking to transform their PCs or Macs into a “state-of-the-art production studio.
“This HD-quality USB microphone shines on instruments, vocals or any audio source,” said Goldstein. “Most importantly it captures every detail of your work with 24-bit audio quality.
“It’s perfect for traveling musicians and podcasters, as well as attorneys looking to achieve extremely clear, high-quality voice reproduction during dictation,” said Goldstein. “It incorporates a 22mm condenser capsule, which is the same capsule found in high-end studio microphones.”
In northeast Ohio, Todd Mobley, sales manager at The Music Farm, attended the 2013 NAMM show. He said the store, which recently moved to 4900 Whipple Ave. N.W. in Canton, has already begun stocking the Yamaha STAGEPAS PA systems.
“The portable PA market is growing at a fast rate,” said Mobley. “Buyers like to click the ‘buy’ button, and know that when they receive their order, it will be plug and play. The Yamaha STAGEPAS series of portable PA systems has always delivered in this regard.
“With the ‘i-device’ technology moving forward at rapid speed, it only made sense to carry the 400i and 600i models from Yamaha. With direct connectivity to your ‘i-device,’ it's the perfect solution for anyone looking for an all-in-one PA solution.”
He also gave the thumbs up to the TC Electronic Ditto Looper.
“So tiny, yet so big! It’s one of those creations that you see once, and know it’s right,” said Mobley. “TC Electronic’s engineers are die-hard guitar players. When they design a product, they always have efficiency and creativity in mind. None of it was spared with the introduction of the Ditto.
“With up to five minutes of record time in this time pedal, and the ‘one knob to rule them all’ mantra, this pedal is sure to be a hit. TC dropped all of the bells and whistles you see on most looping pedals; no built in drum machine, no SD card slot, and no large footprint. These are all things guitar players have been asking for from a looper, and TC Electronic did not disappoint!”
Mobley said The Music Farm would stock the Ditto Looper at a price of $129.
He said the store would also sell the Orange DIVO VT1000 Valve Tester made by Orange Amps, which the company debuted at the show.
“My first thought, Wow! My next thought, how much?”
It costs around $450, but Mobley said it is worth it.
“You can own knowledge only previously acquired from a service center. Will this mean the death of service centers? No way! But, it will bring a level of education to the guitar player that wasn't previously possible on their own.
“Think of it like the Internet. There is a wealth of knowledge there, but knowing what to do with that knowledge is where the fun begins. The same applies to the new Orange tube tester. The experienced players will be able to tinker with their amps in ways that were not possible before. The inexperienced guitar player will still gain much from this item, like simply knowing if a tube they've had laying around the house for years can be used in the amp they are currently playing.”
In addition to stocking the tube testers, Mobley said the store is offering $10 tube evaluations to customers.
Paul Braden, who owns Woodsy’s Music, also attended the NAMM show this year, as he has done for many years. He said the store, which has locations in Kent and Medina, would be stocking the new ID: Series of programmable amplifiers by Blackstar Amplification.
“There are six different channels of control to allow you to create and store your own sound,” said Braden. “It is an incredible amp.”
He said he was also impressed with the “old world craftsmanship, amazing prices, and quality” of the Eastman Archtop guitars and mandolins.
Woodsy’s will also stock the Roland TD-4K, which Braden said is a “super portable electronic drum kit from the leader in electronic drums,” along with the Ernie Ball Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. series of electric guitars and basses, which he said are “some of the nicest low-to-mid priced instruments on the market.”
Braden said the new acoustics in LAG GUITARS are “very artistic” and the guitars are “priced right.”
Shure wireless also made his stock list because of it “groundbreaking design.
“Shure’s digital technology offers a higher-quality sound, with less chance of interference.”
Braden recommended the new Nord Electro 4 Series, which features the new Nord C2D tone wheel engine, 122 Rotary Speaker Simulation, USB MIDI, and other components.
“The whole line is spectacular, and it offers some of the best organ and piano sounds,” Braden said.
Kenmore attorney and musician Rik Williger did not attend the NAMM show but made a point to check out the recent offerings online. Williger plays in two tribute bands as well as in Jonah Koslen’s Stage Pass Now, and has attended the show in the past.
He said he plans to try out Taylor’s electric guitars and amplifiers in person.
“The Taylor Grand Orchestra is a beautiful guitar and I can’t wait to play one,” said Williger.
While many keyboard manufacturers have released new products, Williger said it was the Sk1 Hammond Organ that caught his eye.
“It has all the Hammond sounds, the digital Leslie is killer, and they have improved the ‘extra’ voices, which had been weak on their prior keyboards.
“Percussion wise, Meinl is making a ‘do it yourself’ cajon, which I think is pretty cool.”
Williger said he is considering buying the updated version of the MXR Talk Box. “It is an effect made famous by Joe Walsh (“Rocky Mountain Way”) and Peter Frampton (“Show Me The Way”). I have an older version made by Heil. It’s the original and requires a lot of cables to and from the amplifier itself. The nice thing about the MXR is that it’s a stomp box with the standard plug-ins. The Heil requires a diaphragm and the MXR doesn’t. I may replace my Heil with an MXR.”
Williger, who is in the market for a new guitar amp, said he came across some “cool new models,” including the Eddie Van Halen Combo amps.
“EVH had a full stack amp out before (a head with a separate bottom). I don’t think they had a one-piece combo amp. Fender also has some new models out, and I’ll be checking out the Mustang V.2, which is a modeling amp, as well as their updated Bandmaster and Vibro-King.”