The NAMM Show is back on its regular schedule, as a four-day event set for Jan. 25-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The highlight for most attendees is checking out new gear, so we’re presenting this preview of some of the coolest new products and technologies debuting at the show.
AcuRental will be showing 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; NAMM Booth 11036
Adamson Systems will demo ArrayIntelligence V1.1 — the latest version of its loudspeaker design and deploy software. The update reflects the Adamson development team’s focus on encouraging user-generated feedback and quickly including it in the available software. www.adamsonsystems.com; NAMM Booth 18501
Allen & Heath recently launched the 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. www.allen-heath.com; NAMM Booth 18311
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 also new 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 will demo throughout NAMM at the Arena Stage outside of the ACC-North pro audio hall. www.avanteaudio.com; NAMM Arena Stage
Avid’s 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. www.avid.com; NAMM Booth 15000
BASSBOSS is rumored to have some new speaker products in its demo room 201D. There’s no official word on this yet, but we did catch some street talk about unveiling a line of advanced powered stage monitors at NAMM, so check those out. www.bassboss.com; NAMM Demo Room 201D
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; NAMM Booth 15208
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; NAMM Booth 6302
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, including a premium Jokoma-4 2-pin braided OFC cable. www.cleartunemonitors.com; NAMM Booth 15913
DiGiCo’s new Fourier Audio brand will spotlight its transform.engine. This 64×64 in/out, Dante-connected server designed to run all VST3-native software plug-ins in a live environment, bringing premium studio software to live sound and broadcast applications. Compatible with any VST3 plug-in that can run on Windows, the unit offers access to studio-grade processing on a platform specifically designed for the rigors and complexities of live productions. www.digico.biz; NAMM Booth 17901
DirectOut’s multiformat PRODIGY.MX audio matrix takes the PRODIGY Series’ audio routing, converting 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. www.directout.eu; NAMM Booth 18604
EAW is showcasing LA Series, a 2-way, self-powered speaker in a portable, lightweight package ideal for pole-mount deployments, such as small-to-medium shows, weddings, corporate events, restaurants, bars and clubs. The four models include the 12” LA121 and LA123, and the 15” LA151 and LA153. All weigh less than 50 pounds and the asymmetric horn pattern maintains HF directivity, while eliminating unwanted reflections in the venue. www.eaw.com; Demo Room 17104
Electro-Voice is building on the runaway success of its EVERSE 8 portable DC-powered speaker from last year, with a new, larger, as-yet-announced battery powered speaker to be unveiled at NAMM, along with a few surprise major product launches set for later in 2024. www.electrovoice.com; Demo Room 18816
JBL Professional’s IRX ONE column P.A. features an advanced acoustic package, 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 (AFS) and Soundcraft-powered audio ducking. Weight is just 34.1 pounds. www.jblpro.com; NAMM Booth 11202
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; NAMM Booth 18311
LD Systems’ MON G3 Series of active stage monitors feature coaxial speakers, with four models in 8″, 10″, 12″ and 15” sizes with an integrated CD horn for 50° x 90° dispersion and a 300W RMS Class-D amplifier. Onboard DynX DSP offers customization for different monitor setups and the low-profile designs include a pole socket for use as a stand-mounted P.A. speaker. www.ld-systems.com; NAMM Booth 17102
Meyer Sound’s NADIA network-based digital audio processing and distribution platform will handle installations of its Constellation variable acoustics systems. In addition to the processing power and inputs reserved for active acoustics, NADIA also provides separate inputs, processing and matrixing to enable Spacemap Go spatial sound. www.meyersound.com; NAMM Booth 17110
Neutrik expanded FIBERFOX line of fiber optic product bridge the gap between the physical contact world and the expanded beam world using chassis connectors that accept standard LCs on one side and any MIL-DTL-83526 compatible cable connectors on the other. In addition to connectors, all FIBERFOX cable assemblies can now be manufactured using Neutrik’s premium, extra rugged XTREME cabling, offering durability in harsh conditions. www.neutrikgroup.com; NAMM Booth 14619
Ocean Way Audio will demo 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; Demo Room 201D
RCF Audio will spotlight TT+ Audio, an independent brand within the RCF family. TT+ Audio’s GTX Line Array System separates the power amplification from the speaker enclosures, moving it to touring racks, each with up to three XPS 16k-watt, 4-channel DSP amps communicating via RCF’s RDNet. The line includes the GTX 12 three-way line array; GTX 10 two-way line array; and the double-19” GTS 29 high-performance sub — all in waterproof birch ply with optimized rigging hardware for touring or installs. www.ttaudio.com; NAMM Booth 18111
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; NAMM Booth 15114
Shure’s flagship KSM11 wireless cardioid condenser mic capsule is now 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 necessitating the use of additional processing. www.shure.com; NAMM Booth 15608
Studiomaster’s CORE system is designed for medium-size venues requiring wider (100° H; 70° V) coverage, achieved by CORE’s constant curve array hi-mid cabinet, together with a powerful active sub. Two variants — CORE 121 and CORE 151 — respectively offer 5” and 8” MF drivers rather than the 2” or smaller drivers usually deployed in this product class. In the CORE 121, these are matched with nine 1” dome HF drivers and a 12” sub; and 12 1” dome tweeters and 15” sub in the CORE 151. www.studiomaster.com; NAMM Booth 17501
Yamaha’s Version 6.0 firmware for RIVAGE PM consoles include the Genius.lab customizable macro system for triggering actions via key presses, fader operations, MIDI messages and more. The Interphase plug-in can sample a brief snapshot of two audio signals to easily align sources in time and phase with each other. Also new are FET Limiter and Diode Bridge Compressors on every input and output channel. https://usa.yamaha.com; NAMM 300 DE
Yorkville Sound’s EXM Mobile Tower is a battery-powered P.A. system that combines 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 110×90-degree (HxV) dispersion with 126 dB peak SPLs and 10 hours of battery life at high output levels. Street is $1,299. www.yorkville.com; NAMM Booth 18107
