ANAHEIM, CA — A total of 96,129 music and audio pros were registered for the 2014 edition of Winter NAMM to see the latest from 1,533 exhibiting companies. One of those attendees was FRONT of HOUSE editor George Petersen, who had a much easier time traveling to the show than others arriving from snow-blasted regions of the U.S. His show report, which is also featured in the Feb. 2014 issue of FOH Magazine, follows.
ANAHEIM, CA — It always seems to coincide with NAMM week, but this year’s record cold temperatures combined with an ill-timed Nor’easter, resulting in a massive polar vortex, bringing ice storms, heavy snowfall and blizzard-like conditions that crippled much of the eastern states. And while the weather outside was frightful, thousands of flight cancellations played havoc with NAMM attendees. For those lucky enough to get through Anaheim provided a warm, inviting locale with warm, dry days and shirtsleeve weather. Fortunately, most of those affected by the weather eventually found their way to the show. Some 96,129 music and audio pros were registered, there was a 2% increase in buyer attendees and the convention center and adjacent hotels touted 1,533 exhibiting companies.There was plenty to see and hear, and we found no shortage of product debuts for the sound reinforcement professional. Here are a few that caught our attention.
Mixers Take Center Stage
While recording mixers seemed to have dropped off the planet, new consoles for live sound were everywhere and generated a lot of excitement.
QSC Audio Products (QSC.com) debuted its much-anticipated TouchMix Series of digital mixers, designed to offer the power of a large-format console in a compact, portable, affordable and easy-to-use product. Standard on the 12-input TouchMix-8 and 20-input TouchMix-16 is color touch screen control, 4-band parametric EQ and dynamics on each input, four onboard effects processors, eight DCA and mute groups, storable scene automation, recording and playback of all tracks to an external USB hard drive, and either four or 10 aux outs for driving in-ears or powered wedges. A free iOS remote controller for iPad will also be offered when TouchMix ships in mid-2014.
CHECK OUT THE QSC TOUCHMIX VIDEO ON FOH-TV
People also packed in to see the Midas M32 (midasconsoles.com), a 40-input digital mixer with components borrowed from its higher-end cousins such as 32 Midas preamps, Midas Pro motorized faders, 192 kHz (96 kHz-ready) AD/DA converters, onboard USB interface for 32 x 32 tracking, optional ADAT, MADI and Dante expansion cards and Ultranet “Acoustic Integration” with Turbosound’s new iQ Series active loudspeakers or IEM systems. The enclosure is carbon-fiber and aluminum construction. MAP is $4,999.
CHECK OUT THE MIDAS M32 VIDEO ON FOH-TV
Allen & Heath (allen-heath.com) expanded its popular Qu digital console series — see Qu-16 review on page 36 — with the Qu-24, a 32 x 24 design that features total recall of settings (including 25 moving faders and digitally controlled AnaLOGIQ padless preamps), touch screen and iPad control, integrated multi-track recorder, dSNAKE for remote I/O and personal monitoring, multi-channel USB streaming to Mac and four DSP engines with the acclaimed FX library from its high-end iLive consoles. Street is $2,799 and it’s shipping now.
CHECK OUT THE ALLEN & HEATH Qu-24 VIDEO ON FOH-TV
Ideal for permanent facility of H.O.W.’s is the new myMix Install (mymixaudio.com). This is an installation version of the popular myMix decentralized networked audio mixing and monitoring device that offers a flexible, efficient and cost effective way to transport HD audio over Cat-5 wherever quality audio is needed in a building. The straightforward design of this mix controller makes operation easy for non-tech personnel, and the desk- or wall-mount panel blends in perfectly with the decor of your sanctuary, narthex, lobby or other room.
Soundcraft (soundcraft.com) turned a few heads with the Soundcraft Realtime Rack — a massive library of Universal Audio’s UAD plug-ins that are compatible with all Soundcraft Vi Series digital consoles. This single rackspace enclosure is capable of processing up to 16 channels of a MADI stream, while additional units can be added for 32, 48 or 64 channels. Two versions are offered: the Core comes preloaded with 14 classic Harman and UAD plug-ins; the Ultimate has 72 plug-ins including emulations of legendary analog hardware from brands such as Neve, Studer, Lexicon, Manley and more.
Yamaha‘s (http://usa.yamaha.com/products/live_sound), redesigned MG Series compact analog mixers incorporate technologies originally developed for high-end professional mixers, including studio-quality discrete Class-A D-PRE mic preamps, onboard digital effects and rugged, reliable construction. Five Standard models range from six to 20 channels, with MSRP ranging from $129 to $929, when they ship later in Q1 2014.
Waves Audio (waves.com) was showing its Dugan Automixer plug-in, a software version of the popular Dugan Speech System Automatic Mixing Controllers. Available for every console, the Dugan Automixer is MultiRack SoundGrid- and MultiRack Native-compatible and handles 32 or 64 channels to automatically control the gain of multiple live mics in real-time, while preventing feedback and excessive noise pickup. MSRP is $500 (Native); the SoundGrid version is $750.
All Speakers Large and Small
You wouldn’t expect NAMM to be a source of line array unveilings, but new models of these big guns were out in force at the show.
JBL Professional (jblpro.com) launched its VTX V20 dual 10-inch line array and complementary VTX S25 subwoofers (shown with grill removed). The VTX V20 is a true 3-way system design (tri- or quad-amplifiable) with two 10-inch Differential Drive woofers, four 4-inch cone midranges and three small-format D2415K dual-diaphragm, dual voice coil drivers. A new ASM suspension system provides fast, secure rigging and the flyable dual-15 VTX S25 subs can be used front-firing or in cardioid mode.
CHECK OUT THE JBL V20 AND F-SERIES VIDEO ON FOH-TV
D.A.S. Audio‘s (dasaudio.com) Event Series line arrays include three models, with two 3-way line arrays — the double-8 Event 208A and the double-10 Event 210A — and a companion dual-18 sub. Both line arrays are powered by a three-channel Class-D amplifier with 360 peak Watts per channel; the sub has 3,600W on onboard power and can be used in cardioid mode, if desired.
Carvin Audio (carvinguitars.com/proaudio) showed the TRx3210A, an active, 2500w tri-amped version of its popular TRx3210A compact TRx3210 line array. Each line array element has DSP processing to three internal power amps (1000w/1000w/500w). The matching TRx3118A flyable active sub offers DSP processing and 1,900w into a single 18-inch enclosure.
RCF (rcf.it) expanded its D-Line with the HDL 10-A, a dual-8-inch, 2-way active line array, designed with the same waveguide and Class-D 700-watt amplifier as the larger HDL 20-A. Dual 8-inch woofers coupled with a 2.5-inch voice coil HF compression driver deliver up to 133 dB SPLs over a 100-degree coverage pattern.
Making its NAMM debut was Tectonic Audio Labs (tectonicaudiolabs.com) with the production version of its Tectonic Plates flat panel. The lightweight Plates provide high feedback resistance, with a diffuse output that does not destructively interact with room or venue acoustics, and a wide coverage up to 170-degrees while maintaining stereo imaging at extreme off-axis angles. See the video on FOH-TV.
Another NAMM newcomer was Montarbo (montairusa.com), showing its the 2-way, compact RA16 line array that handles 1,000 Watts, and features two 8-inch neodymium woofers, and a 1-inch exit titanium diaphragm HF driver on an aluminum planar waveguide. Its fly hardware can be adjusted from 0 to 12 degrees of splay.
CHECK OUT THE MONTARBO VIDEO ON FOH-TV
Turbosound (turbosound.com) launched its TLX Series compact and sub-compact line arrays, designed for small and medium scale systems. The line includes the dual 8-inch TLX84 ($1,149/MAP) and the twin 4-inch TLX43 ($499). The dual-12 TLX215S and dual-15 TLX215S subs round out the line.
Speakers to Go!
The ever-popular speaker on a stick format continues to dominate sales for smaller systems and provide an easily scalable solution, by simply adding a sub or two or more top cabinets.
JBL‘s (jblpro.com) latest generation EON Series was built from the ground up using advanced waveguide technology and proprietary transducers. The 15-inch 2-way EON615 has onboard 1,000-watt biamplification, iOS and Android supported Bluetooth control of volume, 5-way parametric EQ and user preset save/recall. JBL‘s new VTX F Series multi-purpose loudspeakers are designed to complement its VTX Series line arrays. Developed in conjunction with Firehouse Productions, the F Series offers the F12 and F15 2-way 12/15-inch systems and a matching F18S single-18 subwoofer. Versatility is the key here, and the full range boxes can be stacked, flown or pole mounted, and used as floor monitors, fills or standalone P.A.
CHECK OUT THE JBL EON VIDEO ON FOH-TV
Peavey (peavey.com) showed its RBN™ 112, a self-powered 1,500W peak 2-way system that pairs a high-power 120mm ribbon HF unit with a 12-inch neodymium Black Widow woofer, along with onboard DSP. Also offered is a matching RBM 215 double-15 1,500W subwoofer with performance down to 36 Hz.
Perhaps best known for its mixers, Studiomaster (studiomaster.com) unveiled its Venture Series of ultra-light, high-performance P.A. speakers comprised of 12- and 15-inch 2-way cabinets and a single-18 sub; all are available in both passive and 1,000W active models.
Mackie (mackie.com) was celebrating its 25th anniversary with its new, all-wood SRM series powered loudspeakers. The SRM550 is a 12-inch coaxial; the SRM650 is a 15-inch coaxial; and the SRM1850 is a compact single-18 subwoofer — all with 1,600 watts of onboard powering and onboard DSP.
LD Systems (ld-systems.com) demoed its entire Maui line of column-array speakers, ranging from the compact Maui 11 and Maui 28 to the top-end, 3,200 peak-watt Maui 44, all featuring an innovative plug-and-play/no-cabling-required approach where the columns link with the subs for fast setups. New at NAMM were versions of the Maui 11 and 28 models with an integrated mixer for a clean, simple look and even easier operation. Pricing begins at $899.
Another modular approach comes from KV2 Audio (kv2audio.com) with its K-RIG. This ground-stacked, tri-amplified system is comprised of the KT2.0 top cabinets (12-iunch LF/and titanium diaphragm compression driver HF) with any number of KT2.15 dual-15 subs and a K-PAK 3-way, 2,300 watt amplifier/system controller. K-RIG systems are designed to handle up to 1,000 people.
Electro-Voice (electrovoice.com) unveiled its ETX series of Class-D powered speakers from 10-inch 2-way to 15-inch 3-way systems with companion subs and onboard DSP with FIR filtering.
Expanding its successful Parasource powered loudspeaker series introduced a year ago, Yorkville Sound (yorkville.com) now offers a line of companion self-powered subwoofers. These range from the 12-inch (900W) PS12S to the 1,000W 15-inch PS15S to the 1,200W PS18S and all are made in Canada from 15mm birch plywood. MSRP starts at $1,499.
Raw Driver Surprises
Normally we don’t get too worked up over raw drivers, but a couple new things caught our attention. In an ongoing effort to keep older, classic P.A. gear up to spec and on the road, Eminence (eminence.com) showed its LA850 series of cast-frame, 10/12/15-inch cone drivers that are designed to retrofit into well-known 850 cabinets from a certain East Coast manufacturer. On that same vein (but opposite coast), Eminence also unveiled its Delta 12 Pro 450 ($119/MAP) — a drop-in woofer replacement for Mackie SRM450’s.
Making its debut into the pro driver market was Tymphany (tymphany.com), which acquired the Danish Peerless brand in 2005. At NAMM the company revealed its entire line but focused on the new pro products, showcasing the FSL series of 5/6.5/8/12/15-inch ferrite woofers and the TC line of full range transducers for the burgeoning column speaker market. The TC series is available in 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4-inch models.
Founded in 1924, Celestion (celestion.com) kicked off its 90th anniversary year, having grown to become one of the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturers of loudspeakers. The company is famed for creating the first dedicated guitar speaker and fueling the British rock revolution, while delivering models for modern tones as well as a leading line of cone and compression drivers for the sound reinforcement industry. Congratulations!
Microphones
After being deluged with mic debuts the past few shows, this time NAMM had a few — but fun new mics. Telefunken Elektroakustik‘s (t-funk.com) DD4 and DD5 Drum Microphone Sets both consist of the M82 kick mic, the M80-SHB for snare and the M81-SH for toms, with a hardshell flight case, multiple drum mounts and a five-meter XLR cable with a right angle female connector for each mic in the set. The 4-mic DD4 is $1,149; the 5-mic DD5 set (with one additional tom mic and cable) is $1,349.
CAD Audio (cadaudio.com) unveiled CADLive, a new line of instrumental (guitar and percussion) mics for live applications. The CADLive D80 is a large-diaphragm dynamic with a supercardioid pattern; the CADLive D82 is a figure-8 ribbon model with high SPL handling; and the CADLive D84 is a large-diaphragm condenser with an extended frequency response.
One of the fun parts of any tradeshow is peeking behind the curtain to see products that aren’t public yet. This time it was the AM-1 Real Time Steering Array Microphone System from TOA Electronics (toaelectronics.com). The AM-1 is a low-profile (about 1-inch tall and 14-inches wide) mic with eight capsules that resembles a very wide boundary mic. Essentially it “listens” detect a nearby sound source and can steer the pickup pattern to track and home in on the source. This beam angle steering occurs silently, automatically and in real-time, so if one person is speaking from the far left of the podium, the mic’s directionality can lock in and narrow it’s focus on that position for a dramatic gain increase without feedback. Using an iPad or PC, the user can also preset or dynamically change the width of the polar pattern. Best of all, it’s due to ship in the near future.
Production Essentials
The dbx (dbxpro.com) DriveRack PA2 offers fast, accurate sound system optimization. Features include a new AutoEQ room EQ and Advanced Feedback Suppression —controllable on the fly from your Android/iOS mobile device, Mac/PC laptop or front-panel controls and color display. Also standard are dbx compression, graphic and 8-band parametric EQ, subharmonic synthesis, built in crossover (for full-range, 2-way and 3-way systems), limiting, speaker time alignment, time delay and more. MSRP is $499.
Focusrite (focusrite.com) expanded its RedNet audio networking/transport systems with the RedNet D16 AES interface, providing 16-channels of AES3 I/O to/from any Dante source. Features include onboard sample rate conversion, word clock and Digital Audio Reference Signal (DARS) sync, and S/PDIF I/O for connecting CD or solid state recorders/players.
Cymatic Audio (cymaticaudio.com) showed uTrack 24, a single-rackspace recorder/player that lets users capture or playback 24 channels of balanced audio thru D-sub connectors or an optional digital/O module — as well as 64 channels of MIDI — as 44.1/48 kHz WAV files, direct to a USB hard disk. Two units can be cascaded for 48 tracks and the uTrack24 can also double as a 24/96 audio interface to iPad/Mac/PC.
Radial Engineering (radialeng.com) announced the Space Heater, a combination 8-channel tube drive and summing mixer in a single rackspace — designed to bring warmth and tube coloration to the sterile world of digital and/or in-ear mixes. Individual tube voltage switches on each channel let the user select from lo-fi, mid-fi or hi-fidelity, with the lower settings leaning toward more distortion. It ships in April with an estimated retail of $2,000.
CHECK OUT THE RADIAL SPACE HEATER VIDEO ON FOH-TV
Founded in 1974, Furman (furmansound.com) kicked off its 40th anniversary with new power conditioners. The 15-amp M-8S power conditioner and sequencer has nine outlets with three-stage power sequencing (three banks of two outlets each) for managing the power-up and power-down sequence of their system. Designed for applications where front panel lighting and metering are not needed, the 20-amp P-8 PRO C features Furman Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP), Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT) and Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) to safeguard gear from transients, spikes, line noise and sustained over-voltage conditions.
For a look into the future, Sennheiser (sennheiser.com) demoed a product concept for a laser-controlled drum mic gating system, with triggers gating action based on laser vibrometers that measure the vibration of the drum head. So rather than the false triggers on a traditional audio method of gating a tom mic — perhaps opened by a loud snare hit, the laser-operated gate only functions when the tom head vibrates after being struck. The concept was highly effective, but no word on product delivery or pricing. We’ll keep you posted on this one.
Back to the Future
There were more cool products at NAMM and we’ll present these in our regular product coverage — both in line and in print in future issues. But meanwhile, the NAMM excitement continues in Nashville when Summer NAMM returns to Music City July 17 to 19, 2014. The Winter NAMM Show returns to Anaheim, January 22 through 25, 2015. Book those flights early!
