Macsimum Awards “Best of Show” for 2008 Winter NAMM announced

Posted by Daniel East Jan 26, 2008 at 2:30pm

With a reported attendance of over 80,000, more vendors than in recent years, and lots of new technologies on display, the 2008 Winter NAMM conference was yet another major trade show event to kick the year off in style. The usual star-sighting whiplash caught a few people who were at the industry-only event, but it was the new products that everyone wanted to see that made the NAMM show such a hit this year.

Yes, there were headbangers and choral groups partying with jazz guys and classic rock legends. Pop divas and punk rockers, but everyone had a common thread – the music. Through it all, there were some truly outstanding new products on display that were more than worthy of this year’s Macsimum Awards. In no particular order, let’s get to it, shall we?

IK Multimedia – Stomp IO

This new and great sounding guitar pedal effects emulator requires no keyboard or mouse to create patches and assign pedals. Selecting sounds is as simple as stepping on the Stomp IO. Assigning any control is easy and configurable to exactly as you might have them on stage with an amp and analog pedal board. The always visually realistic UI is all IK Multimedia and works as a pro-audio product should. Quiet, clean and of good quality, the Stomp IO gives you lots of choices for output as well including direct out, balanced out (+4 for live to console, e.g.) and unbalanced out (-10 for direct to amp, e.g.). 4,000 presets, 150 models, tons of variations with lots of control options, edit mode and an easy way to change the model you want to find your own specific sound(s). It’s like spending a day in a local music store playing through all of the amps they have to pick the one you like, then realizing that you can have them all.

Urban Boards Shoes (yes, shoes) for Drummers

A lot of performers may seem to wear street shoes on stage, but in the new world of wardrobe for concert tours and even club bands or weekend warriors, the need for something special was usually overlooked when it came to drummers. The truth is that, in the words of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, “it costs a lot to look this cheap” for a lot of musicians on stage. While there are a precious few companies making performance shoes for drummers, Urban Boards were designed specifically for those performance needs without looking like inappropriate. They offer a excellent ventilation, the balance of control with dissipation of the vibration from the impact of the foot to metal pedals with “sweet spots” at the points that make the most contact. They come in basic black and various colors as well. The technologies and materials that go into these designs is superior to anything of this type seen thus far. Urban Boards may take a little time to adjust to, but the improved playing results of these state-of-the-art designs might just give street shoes a “run” for their money. 

Spellbinder B-II by Stanley Clarke, Thomas Lieber and Rick Turner 

You may not know the name, but you have probably heard one of the truly fine instruments from Rick Turner’s Renaissance Guitars and Model 1 Basses. For most bass players, the idea of Turner’s original Alembic bass was the stuff dreams are made of. Turner’s booth at NAMM was the source of some great music from Janet Robin and celebrity sightings galore, but it is the instruments that really drew the crowds. Stanley Clarke wanted to create a new bass with Turner and his business partner, as well as another legendary luthier, Thomas Lieber, that would be offered in a very limited run of just 125. Released as the Spellbinder B-II, a follow up to the original Spellbinder model, this spruce, maple and ebony beauty is pricey compared to some brands (but not more than some others), but the sound is priceless. According to Turner, it is something he’s very proud of—and so he should be.

Allen & Heath ZED 14 USB Mixing Console

When is a console not a console? When it is the new hybrid of live, studio and production console from Allen and Heath called “ZED.” The features are there for excellent sound, solid build, and 69dB of gain range on each of the single channels with the Allen and Heath DuoPro pre-amps that provide clean gain with the least amount of noise. The four stereo channels  - the first three have an additional third input for USB audio in/out. The USB input can be sent directly to the main output as well. Both the channel inserts and direct outs are top-positioned by the XLR connectors for easy access. With a single sweepable mids EQ and four Aux sends, you will find a lot of ways to mix and monitor your sound. The ZED 14 also sports both 1/8” stereo mini-plug and 1/4-inch stereo plug connectors for on-console listening and PFL for all types of earphones and headphones. This small console is a great value given it’s flexibility and usability for nearly any situation at home, in the studio or on your live stage. Go ahead, mix it up a little.

Cubase Essential 4 by Steinberg

What they are calling their “personal music production system” is really that and more. As a more cost-effective introduction to Cubase (Mac users might liken them to how Macromedia was to Adobe prior to their becoming a single entity) in what is for some a ProTools driven world, this cross-platform software is definitely all about the Cubase feel. Renamed from the old Cubase SE, but with a lot of great new features that their clients have asked for including more arrangement enhancements, pitch-shifting and time stretching, and tempo-based audio for loops. Add to that their new VST3 effects and HALion One sampling plus an on-board amp simulator that can make use of that nice new set of plug-ins plus, of course, QuickTime and you have yourself a nice suite for your Mac – PPC or Intel-based. Oh, and by the way, Cubase Essential 4 supports the Apple Remote Control used with Front Row to control lots of functions. Nice touch, eh?

">http://www.gig-fx.com/">Gig-FX ProChop

Gig-FX does it again with their solid designs and real tactile appeal for awesome sounds to make your guitar take on an entirely new dimension. The Pro-Chop pedal is rock-solid and bring stereo tremolo to an otherwise mono world. Sure, you’ll want two amps, but who wouldn’t?! The great Leslie organ swells and digital speed combine old school and new in a very tough feeling pedal. You can sync to your track, drum machine or just click in with your MIDI clock and your effect is right on time…and in time. If you’re all about the analog, kick it in anytime as the bypass switch is incredibly quiet. The clear and contrasty blue LCD display is a new feature for the Gig-FX line, but a welcomed one in that you save steps (no pun intended) when you stomp on this box. The Gig-FX website has some very cool audio samples you can hear for yourself. It’s time someone put their foot down!

Fender New American Standard Series

Going for more of the things that made them one of the most famous guitar brands in the world – even as they have now acquired many of their competitors – Fender’s new generation of their American Standard series now adapts with improvements across the (more than just the fret) board. Their Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars as well as their Precision and Jazz basses are part of musical history. Fender now says that they’ve improved on perfection with new bridges using new alloys, new neck/body finishes with improved resonance and tone, more refinements and improved stability, plus attention to minute details ranging from better hardware screws and bent-steel saddles to pole pieces to lightweight tuners. This is not just “next year’s model,” it is a respectful step up in the production of what is already one of the finest instruments available. Great new features while simply respecting what brought the company to where it is today. If you love guitars, you’ll love how much of what made Fenders great is now in the improved American Standard Series. 

D4 Instrument Microphone by AKG

Even as confusing as tons of model numbers can get, in the world of microphones they can be synonymous with their reputation or just how they are used. A “57” on a snare or an “88” on a kick drum are pretty common, but every engineer and musician have their favorites for their own sound. Now, AKG has introduced their new patented technologies that not only sound excellent, but will also take the beating from working performers without breaking a sweat. The new D4 is not only dent-resistant, it’s also sound pressure tolerant up to volumes well beyond your average garage band (and I didn’t even say “11.” Wait… I just did.) Its cardioid polar pattern is great for a guitar amp or percussion, plus the short neck design doesn’t take up much space allowing it to be in close proximity to the audio source without risk of blowing out the thing. Did I mention it has a custom-built capsule mounting surrounded by a metal housing. Maybe the model number should be “Tonka.”

FXpansion BFD2

This beautifully designed drum production workstation is a major improvement over its previous version and offers a more natural approach to creating all kinds of great drum sounds in the recording studio. With visual reference libraries and dramatically improved sound, the BFD2 includes everything from mic bleed between drums to a wide range of effects for a more natural feel to the output. Trigger your sounds or use a controller, the sound is better than most in this class and offers that sense of a drummer’s touch, rather than a drum machine. There is a lot you can do, but just trying this is almost as much fun and using it. Contact your inner drummer.

Akai MPC5000

The next generation MPC station improves the screen, better real-time control, maps to the Q-links and edit multiple parameters. They’ve added 8 tracks of audio hard disk recording that can stream back from the hard drive without waiting. It also includes 500 analog synth presets with tons of effects and 20-voice synth engine. It comes with 64Mb RAM that expands to 192Mb, plus their “Chop Shop 2.0” editing can slice up stereo loops into individual samples. The cool “ZonePlay” feature allows multiple sounds on a single pad as well as the ability to trigger multiple pads. They’ve added a track mixer for groups of pads and tracks as well as all of the things that made MPC’s a favorite for sampling and sequencing in production houses. This is professional and fun at the same time as Akai raises the bar again in this category.

The “Macsimum MWSF 2007 Coupon Book” is available for download. You can find it here and print it as a PDF. It has discounts, special offers and promotions.

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