NAMM Debuts New Gear for the DJ Market

DJ Times Magazine, March 2019

Anaheim, Calif. – According to organizers, more than 115,000 industry professionals – manufacturers, distributors and end-users – attended the Winter NAMM show this past Jan. 24-27. Held at the Anaheim Convention Center, the massive music-products market produced plenty of gear debuts, including several DJ-related products.

Testa Communications – publisher of DJ Times – is there with a dedicated exhibition booth. It’s also producing Convention TV @ NAMM, which provides on-the-spot show coverage. Additionally, The Music & Sound Retailer – another Testa title – presented its 33 rd Annual Music & Sound Awards. Winners included Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-1000 (Best DJ Product), Chauvet’s Freedom H1 X4 (Best Lighting Product) and JBL Professional’s 3 Series (Best Speaker).

Onto the Exhibit Floor: From the inMusic brands, Denon DJ introduced the Prime 4, a 4-channel, stand-alone DJ system with 10-inch, multi-touch display, pro-mixer section, performance pads, and dual-zone output. (For more, please see sidebar.)

Related company Akai Professional debuted Fore, a standalone music production/DJ performance device which features clip launching, step sequencing, sampling, synths and a 7-inch touch display. For touring pros, Akai debuted the MPK Road 88, a keyboard controller with Akai’s exclusive Model-A premium 88- key velocity-sensitive keybed.

Native Instruments debuted its Traktor DJ 2 and Tracktor Pro 3 software, in addition to its M32 MIDI keyboard. (For more, please see sidebar.)

Panasonic showed its new Technics SL-1200MK7 turntable, which features a coreless, directdrive motor and new DJ play functions like reverse playback.

Germany’s Reloop, exhibiting in the American Music & Sound booth, showed the RP- 1000 MK2 belt-drive turntable and the RP-2000 USB MK2 directdrive turntable, which features a USB audio output for digitizing vinyl. Both units are capable of plus/ minus 10-percent pitch control.

Pioneer DJ released the premium, limited-edition, carbonfiber version of its flagship HDJ- X10C headphones. For DJs and studio hounds, Stanton showed its SDH headphone line, which included the SDH 800, SDH 4000 and the SDH 6000 Pro models.

MWM showed Phase, the DJ industry’s first wireless controller for DVS – it lets DJs control tracks playing from a DJ software without needing cartridges or control vinyl. Roland showed updated versions of its TR-8, TR- 8S, TR-08 and TR-09 drum machines, making them Serato DJ OSA-ready.

In addition to the ATH-M50xBT over-ear, Bluetooth headphones and ATH-M60x monitor headphones, Audio-Technica showed the AT-LP120 and AT-LP1240-US- BXP direct-drive turntables.

In the DJ-accessory department, Odyssey Innovative Designs debuted several new accessory-related products. They include: two BACKSPIN2 camouflage DJ bags; four Black Label DJ coffins; three Flight Zone DJ coffins; two Flight Zone cases for Leko fixtures and Chauvet lighting gear; and a Steemline EVA carrying bag for Native Instruments Traktor S2 MK3.

Decksaver, distributed Stateside by Mixware, showed a variety of gear covers, including those made for units from Akai, Allen & Heath, Hercules, Native Instruments, Pioneer DJ, and Roland.

Moving to pro-audio, Mackie unveiled its new flagship DRM series of active loudspeakers. The series is available in 1,600-watt DRM212 and DRM215 models, 2,300-watt DRM315, 2,000-watt DRM12A Array and the 2,000- watt DRM18S subwoofer. All models are also available in passive boxes.

Yorkville Sound debuted its Synergy Array Series, which includes the SA153 3-way, active cabinet and the SA3155 active subwoofer. QSC Audio showcased its new CP Series of active loudspeakers, which includes the CP8 and CP12 models. Suitable for portable or installed apps, both units feature a 1,000-watt, Class-D power module. RCF debuted the HDL28-A, a 2-way, active, line-array loudspeaker system and a white version of its EVOX J Series of portable loudspeakers.

BASSBOSS debuted its MFLA (Medium Format Powered Line Array), a dual 12-inch plus dual 1.4-inch line array element featuring a 3,000-watt amp and comprehensive DSP.

Electro-Voice showcased its range of portable speakers including the EVOLVE 50 column loudspeaker system, along with ZLX, ELX200, EKX and ETX speaker series. Also, E-V debuted the RE420 and RE520 condenser vocal microphones and the RE3 wireless system, which includes mic options, bodypacks and accessories.

Bose showed its S1 Pro multiposition PA system, plus a full complement of accessories and enhancements, including the new S1 Pro play-through cover (available in multiple covers), the S1 Pro Backpack and the S1 Slip Cover.

Funktion-One and its North American distributor Sound Investment showcased the Evo-6E and Evo-6E-L115 speakers from its Evolution Series, the F124 bass enclosure, the BR118/F1201 system the PSM318 DJ monitor and the PSM12 stage monitor.

From the lighting world, ADJ debuted seven new products. They include: the Starship centerpiece; Entour Faze Jr., a compact faze machine; Starbar Wash, a portable four-head LED wash bar; 4 Stream DMX Bridge; Airstream Wifi Bar, a wireless switch pack built into a T-bar; and Rayzer and Contour, two new additions to the Startec series of effect fixtures. Related company Elation Lighting debuted the Rayzor 760 wash light, the Smarty Hybrid spot/beam/wash fixture, and the Protron Eclypse LED luminaire.

Chauvet DJ debuted a number of new lighting products, including three battery-powered Bluetooth wireless technology lights – the EZLink Par Q4 BT and EZLink Par Q6 BT quadcolor LED par fixtures, plus the EZLink Strip Q6 BT linear wash light – and the EZLink FS BT footswitch. Other Chauvet DJ debuts will include the Intimidator Spot 475Z moving-head light, the EZ- Bar pin-spot unit, Scorpion Dual RGB laser, the Vivid Drive 28N video driver for Chauvet’s Vivid video panels.

HARMAN company Martin Professional showed the ERA Profile fixture, the MAC Allure Profile fixture and the ELP LED ellipsoid fixtures.

From the studio world, Audionamix showcased XTRAX STEMS 2, its automatic stemcreation software. High-end studio-hardware manufacturer

Bettermaker debuted its new Bus Compressor. Distributed by TransAudio Group, the digitally controller VCA compressor features like digital recall, Dry/Wet and Highpass Sidechain. PreSonus introduced its Studio Series USB- C 24-bit, 192 kHZ audio interfaces with five models – the Studio 24c, Studio 26c, Studio 68c, Studio 1810c and Studio 1824c. (For more, please see sidebar.)

Sweden’s Elektron debuted Model:Samples, a 6-track, samplebased groovebox. JBL Professional showed its JBL One Series 104 compact reference monitors.

IK Multimedia debuted the iLoud MTM, a compact, nearfield reference monitor for professionaland home-studio applications. IK also showed the new iKlip 3 Series of iPad- and tablet-mounting products. Blue Microphones introduced the Ember XLR condenser microphone for home-studio applications.

Shure launched its MV88+ Video Kit, an all-in-one solution for capturing quality video recordings on the go.

HARMAN company AKG debuted the DMS100 and DMS300 digital wireless systems. VocoPro introduced its Commander Series of wireless microphones, which includes handheld and headset configurations. Sony showed its new PCM-D10 and PCM-A10 portable hi-res recorders, in addition to the DWX Digital Wireless Series and the UWP-D Wireless Microphone Packages.

Floyd Rose Audio showed its FR-80BK 3D Bluetooth fold- able headphones and FR- 620BK Bluetooth earbuds.

In addition to showcasing its updated A2e custom in-ear monitor, 64 Audio unveiled three new IEMs, including the A6t, A4t and A3e units – all of which feature the company’s tubeless technology.

Audinate showed the Dante AVIO, a family of endpoint adapters that includes line-in and lineout analog adapters, an AES3/EBU adapter and a stereo USB adapter. RHC showcased the RAT FX RAT tail distortion cable, the RapcoHorizon V-Cable and the ProCo Sound Drop Snake Boxes and Wall Plates.

DJ Times, By Jim Tremayne

NAMM Picks: A Dozen Hot DJ-Gear Debuts

Anaheim, Calif. – This past Jan. 24-27, DJ Times set out on its annual new-gear quest by hitting the Winter NAMM show’s exhibit floor of the Anaheim Convention Center. Along with editor Jim Tremayne, I join a crowd of registered NAMM attendees that swelled to more than 115,000, according to show organizers. Amid a showfloor that displayed every kind of product sold in an M.I. retail store – musical instruments, pro-audio systems, lighting gear, etc. – we were there to see new product debuts that might impact the DJ industry.

I recall coming away from the 2018 show with the sense that “we’re currently between major innovation cycles with music technology,” to quote myself from last year’s retrospective, and my reaction this year was somewhat more dramatic: The show didn’t offer too much more for DJs that was particularly revolutionary or innovative. Lots of imitative, “me-too” products that are certainly useful for the market – column-array PA systems come to mind – but nothing truly earth-shattering or fully mind-expanding.

That doesn’t mean these few days were completely devoid of interest. On the contrary, we did find some extremely nifty new products for club jocks, mobile entertainers and home-studio hounds. So here are my show picks – a dozen hot products that, in my mind, stood out from the rest:

Germany’s Native Instruments kept its recent momentum going, showing off both its new Traktor DJ 2 — an entry-level version of its flagship DJ software, coming soon to iPad, as well as Macs and Windows PCs. The recently released Traktor Kontrol S2 controller works not only with the new Traktor Pro 3, but it works with all flavors of Traktor DJ 2, including the iPad version. The Berlinbased company also showed affordable new digital computer audio interfaces, and a nifty portable MIDI keyboard called the M32, among other things.

Denon DJ, an inMusic brand, made waves with its new Prime 4 all-in-one DJ controller. To say that the Cumberland, R.I.-based company explored the notion of a DJ controller on steroids would probably be an understatement. I’m pretty sure it hits every logical DJ use case, and none of it requires a computer. For your music library, the unit even includes a 2.5-inch hard-disk drive bay, along with a large multi-touch display. It’s sort of like the Denon DJ MCX8000 controller, an X1800 Prime mixer, and a pair of SC5000 media players mashed together into something greater than the sum of its parts. Look for the full review soon in DJ Times.

Battery-powered PAs seem to be a thing these days, with Adam Hall Group’s LD Systems showing the Maui 5 Go, and Canada’s Yorkville Sound showing the EXM Mobile 12. The two offerings carve out different niches, but the idea of having decent-sounding satellite PA speakers for mobile gigs without the need for power cables does have a certain appeal, as proximity to power outlets no longer needs to dictate speaker placement.

Roland Corporation talked up the integration of its hardware units, such as the TR8-S drum synth, with Serato DJ. The L.A.-based company’s higher-end DJ controllers uniquely have integrated drum machines, allowing unique performance capabilities, and now they’re bringing that ability to DJs who prefer other control methods, such as DVS.

At NAMM, the Baton Rouge, La.-based PreSonus threw some muscle behind the adoption of USB-C with its new Studio USB-C series of audio interfaces. Virtually identical to its existing Studio series, apart from the support for the latest connectivity standard, they come with pretty attractive price points, and are ready to work with the latestgeneration MacBook Pros, iMacs, and indeed any computer sporting USB-C ports.

Germany’s Bitwig showed Bitwig 3, its latest iteration of the DAW platform, coming later this year. The big news? An integrated modular-synth construction set. Similar in some ways to Native Instruments’ Reaktor or Cycling ’74’s Max, it offers some advantages by being integrated into the DAW itself, and brings some unique sound design capabilities to the fore. We’ll do a closer look soon.

On the accessories front, San Gabriel, Calif.- based Odyssey Innovative Designs debuted its DJ Z Stand, a portable, easy-to-set-up workstation for mobile DJs. It provides a ton of workspace with a multi-tier design, and folds down into a compact roller-case form factor. Supporting up to 200 pounds of gear and with great space for signage, this stand feels like a must-have accessory for mobile jocks.

Finally… I’ve often worn high-fidelity, volume-reducing earplugs under my cans when DJing in loud environments like clubs. When the headphones go to my neck, it’s always seemed like a smart step for hearing protection. The problem? They haven’t fit well under headphones. No longer. Belgium’s Loop was showing Earplugs for Music. Designed primarily for club- and concert-goers, they have a unique, low-profile flush design, and are supercomfortable alone — or under the DJ cans — and provide 20 dB of reduction in sound level.

So, interesting things to be sure, and many of the vendors we spoke with hinted at some exciting things coming during 2019. I’m anxious to see how the balance of evolution vs. revolution plays out between now and Winter NAMM 2020. See you next year, Anaheim.

DJ Times, By Wesley Bryant-King