NAMM 2019: Terrific 25

from Music & Sound Retailer February 2019, Vol 36 No 2

NAMM 2019: A Whole New World

You may have thought we had a ton of products for you in our NAMM Show issue last month. We did. But it’s not over yet. We have plenty more products that were featured at The NAMM Show. Here’s a look at 25 of them.

D’Angelico Guitars debuted the Brandon Niederauer Atlantic — a signature model version of its Atlantic single-cutaway solid-body — co-designed with the 15-year-old rising rock guitarist known as “Taz,” who starred in “School of Rock the Musical” on Broadway. Available in both the Premier and Deluxe Series, the Brandon Niederauer Atlantic signature model boasts high output in both sound and aesthetic. Imbued with the energy of one of music’s most electrifying young players, the Niederauer Atlantic comes in a custom sonic blue finish paired with satin chrome hardware for an irresistible aesthetic. The Deluxe Series offering comes strapped with a Seymour Duncan custom DA-59 in the neck and an Antiquity humbucker in the bridge for searing vintage tone, while its Premier Series counterpart sports Duncan Designed humbuckers. Both boast c-shape neck profiles and sleek body designs, guaranteeing performance comfort for players at every level, stated the company.

KHS America, manufacturer of XO Professional Brass Instruments and Jupiter Band Instruments, added the XO 1634 Tenor Trombone to its Professional Trombone line. The 1634 is designed for serious trombone players seeking a .508-inch-bore straight trombone. The 1634 features lightweight construction, specially annealed, hand-crafted 8-inch bell with small-bead bell wire, custom tapered leadpipe, ergonomically positioned hand brace, nickel outer slide tubes with rounded nickel silver crook, chromed inner slides, 24-karat gold-plated balance and XO ultralight case.

TAMA is expanding its range of affordable, mid-grade kits with the Superstar Classic Exotix series, comprising the CL72SPGBP and CL52KSPGBP. This new series offers an added sophistication and high-end look with a Lacebark Pine outer ply to prior models. Built on a foundation of 100-percent Maple shells, the Exotix series kits emit powerful tone with plenty of brightness and projection, along with full resonance. Drum shell hardware includes Triple Flange Hoops and Low-Mass Lugs, which account for open attack and unhindered resonance. Also featured on this series, the Star-Mount System supports resonant tone, versatile adjustability and stability.

Tech 21 has released three new Fly Rigs. The new Fly Rig 5 version 2 has the same Sans Amp heart, distortion and delay as the original. But it adds a switchable pre- and post-boost, plus an independent reverb that lets users adjust their settings based on room size. It also features an effects loop, a tuner, a connection for headphones and an X-L-R output. And the company has also released signature Fly Rigs designed by guitarists Richie Kotzen and Paul Landers.

**The Music People, musicpeopleinc.com**

On-Stage, a division of The Music People, debuted the DPB3000 Drum Bag Set. Crafted from durable, heavy-duty black nylon, the DPB3000 helps drummers transport their entire drum kit with peace of mind. Five individual bags accommodate everything from a 22-inch by 18-inch kick/bass to a 14-inch and 5 1/2-inch snare to every tom and cymbal in between. Double-pull zippers offer easy access to padded, smoothly lined interiors and high-quality shoulder straps, and handles provide nextlevel comfort during transportation.

The Verity Monster Tower is designed to cover the dance floor in both the near and far fields. This four-way system consists of two UHF Conical Horns; two HF Monster Asymmetrical Horns with a 2.5-inch voice-coil HF compression driver; three Monster212 dual 12- inch MF cabinets loaded with 700-watt, four-inch voice coil, Neodymium drivers; plus four Monster121S single 21-inch cabinets loaded with 2,000W Carbon-Fiber cone, 6-inch voice coil drivers. Full System response is 28-18.5 kilohertz (-6 decibels) and can reach peak output exceeding 140dB SPL. Cabinets are constructed of 18-millimeter birch plywood, using dado joints and internal bracing.

Roland debuted GO:PIANO88, a new addition to the company’s lineup of GO-series instruments and devices. Offering 88 full-size keys and natural sound derived from Roland’s premium digital pianos in a portable cabinet, the product offers built-in Bluetooth and an integrated stereo sound system. GO:PIANO88 works alongside a smartphone to offer a simple and compact learning solution that allows beginning pianists to connect wirelessly and stream audio from online piano lessons, karaoke and tutorial videos. Its lightweight design is easy to carry and set up anywhere, while high-quality onboard speakers, battery operation and Bluetooth eliminate the need to fuss with add-ons such as external amplifiers, AC power and messy cables, stated the company. GO:PIANO88 also supports listening with headphones, allowing users to play at any time without disturbing others.

IK Multimedia expanded its iKlip range of iPhone/iPad and smartphone/tablet mounting products with the iKlip 3 series. This new lineup, which includes the iKlip 3, iKlip 3 Video and iKlip 3 Deluxe, provides secure, flexible support for a wide range of iPad/tablet sizes during live performance, image and video capture, presentations and more, stated the company. The iKlip 3 is designed for microphone stand mounting and includes a newly designed holding bracket with more durable rubber pads and a spring mechanism that allows users to rotate their device up to 360 degrees. The new design enables the device to be mounted on the front, side or boom arm of any mic stand so that the device is in the perfect spot for any gig. In addition, a smart bracket design leaves buttons and ports free from obstructions, and expandable arms offer secure support for all popular tablet sizes. iKlip 3 Video can mount any tablet onto a camera tripod. It offers the same universal tablet support, flexible viewing angle and rugged design as iKlip 3, but mounts to any standard UNC 1/4-inch - 20 thread, for compatibility with virtually any camera tripod, monopod or other mount.

**JMC Electric String Instrument Co., jmcinstruments.com**

JMC Electric String Instrument Co. introduced The Galaxy Electric Harp with both a New York Mets finish and a PsychoDelic finish. The 12-string harp is designed to “get the wacky electric-guitar-like sounds but with the sustain quality of a harp electrified,” stated the company. Deluxe models of the harp offer sharping levers.

DPA Microphones showcased its smallest high-end pro-audio microphone capsules, the d:screet CORE 6060, 6061 Subminiature Microphones and the d:fine CORE 6066 Subminiature Headset Microphone. Measuring in at three millimeters (0.12 inches) in diameter, the Subminiature mics may be small, but they are powerful in terms of performance. All three microphones incorporate the company’s CORE by DPA amplification technology and have achieved an IP58 waterproof rating, which provides water and moisture resistance. In terms of technical specifications, all three 6000 series capsules are omnidirectional and have a frequency range of 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. The d:screet 6060 lavalier has a noise floor of only 24 decibels (A-weighted), while the d:screet 6061 lavalier and d:fine 6066 headset have noise floors of only 26 decibels (A-weighted).

It’s hard to imagine, but it’s been 50 years since Woodstock took the world by storm. C.F. Martin is honoring the occasion by partnering with the Woodstock Foundation for its D-35 Woodstock 50th Anniversary and DX Woodstock 50th Anniversary models. The D-35 guitar includes tasteful custom headstock and pickguard inlay that replicates elements from the original, famed festival poster from 1969. It has East Indian rosewood back and sides with a 35 Series wedge, a Sitka spruce top with aging toner for a vintage look and antique white binding around the fingerboard to set it apart. It features expressive quarter-inch straight bracing for balanced power and a high-performance neck taper for comfort up and down the fretboard. The DX guitar includes colorful custom artwork by Robert F. Goetzl that replicates elements from the original, famed festival poster from 1969. This X Series D-14 model produces the rich, dynamic sound and look that made Martin the choice of many artists who played at Woodstock. It pairs an HPL top with mahoganygrained HPL back and sides and includes Fishman electronics.

PRS Guitars’ McCarty 594 Hollowbody II features fully-hollow build construction, making it a resonant guitar with warm, woody tone. 58/15 LT (low turn) pickups add to the organic feel of the guitar while keeping the tone clear and musical. The single-coil settings are especially transparent, and paired with the hollow-body construction, create an almost acoustic quality to the guitar. The details taken from the McCarty 594 model impart old-school character to this already classic instrument. Those details include a 24.594-inch scale length, two-piece bridge, tweaked Phase III tuners, Pattern Vintage neck shape and the control layout. With dual volume and push/pull tone controls, the tonal options are vast with both rich humbucking and sweet singlecoil sounds available. Additional specifications include a figure maple top and back with mahogany middle and a 22-fret mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard and old-school bird inlays.

Audio-Technica introduced The PRO-DRUM4 bundle, including a PRO 25ax Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphone for kick, a PRO 63 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone for snare and two PRO 23 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone for toms. The PRO-DRUM7 bundle includes a PRO 25ax, a PRO 63, three PRO 23’s and two AT2021 Cardioid Condenser Microphones for overhead/cymbals. Also introduced were the ATM-DRUM4 and ATM-DRUM7. The ATM-DRUM 4 includes one each of ATM250 and ATM650 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphones for kick/snare, and two ATM450 Cardioid Condenser Microphones for overhead/cymbals. The ATM-DRUM 7 bundle includes an ATM250, an ATM650, three ATM230 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphones for toms and two ATM450’s.

**Odyssey Innovative Designs, odysseygear.com**

Odyssey Innovative Designs introduced two new BACKSPIN2 digital DJ bags. Odyssey’s new BACKSPIN- 2CAM and BACKSPIN2GYC DJ gear backpacks strategically accommodate a performer’s digital DJ equipment essentials as they travel from one gig to the next. The BACKSPIN2 bags have a host of padded compartments and pockets to easily store items such as Serato, a laptop, DJ controllers, microphones, interfaces, cables, hard drives, headphones, vinyl and much more. It’s strategically padded in all the right places for the ultimate in digital gear protection and is available in green camouflage and gray camouflage.

**Anthology Gear, anthologygearwear.com**

Anthology Gear introduced “Iwi,” a hand-crafted leather ukulele case. Iwi (meaning “shell” in Hawaiian) is a hybrid between a gig bag and a hard-shell case, designed to offer total protection of a ukulele with its pliable shock-absorbing exterior cage and thickly padded soft interior. Iwi’s exterior is made from the highest-grade full-grain leather and features a stamped Hawaiian floral pattern and overlaid tropical leaves cut from the same high-quality leather. The case is crafted with industrial-grade thread and includes rivet support at stress points. An exterior front pocket provides easyaccess storage for small accessories or personal items. The padded ergonomic handle is steel reinforced at the body for durability. The case can be carried over the shoulder or like a backpack using the two removable padded shoulder straps.

Boney James has become one of the premier contemporary jazz saxophonists. He’s sold more than three million albums, had six albums reach No. 1 on the jazz album chart, and received four Grammy nominations. Now, Hal Leonard celebrates the career of this modern jazz icon with its latest saxophone play-along, “Boney James Saxophone Play-Along.” Featuring easy-to-follow notation, “Boney James Saxophone Play-Along” includes eight of James’ biggest tracks of his career for players to play along with. Each track includes a demonstration track so players can hear how the instrument should sound, as well as a play-along track with rhythm section only to play with. Songs featured in the book include “Butter,” “Let It Go,” “Stone Groove,” “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart),” “Sweet Thing (Sweet Thang),” “Tick Tock,” “Total Experience” and “Vinyl.” The audio examples included in “Boney James Saxophone Play-Along” can be accessed online for download and streaming by using a code found in the book. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.

Latin Percussion introduced the Karl Perazzo Signature Congas and matching Bongos featuring Dia de los Muertos skull artwork designed by Perazzo to match his most recent live setup with Santana. The graphic that adorns the badge of the San Francisco native’s existing signature timbales (LP1415-KP), and now his matching congas and bongos, is said to pay tribute to past generations of loved ones as part of the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The LP Karl Perazzo Signature Quinto (LP808T-KP), Conga (LP809T-KP) and Tumba (LP810T- KP) shells are manufactured from 30-inch Kevlar-reinforced seamless fiberglass. They are finished with durable lacquer and complimented with chrome hardware. Topped with handpicked rawhide heads, the drums feature heavy-duty 5/16-inch tension rods and patented LP Top-Tuning Comfort Curve II rims with ProCare Shell Protectors. The signature collection also offers matching LP Karl Perazzo Signature Bongos (LP794X- KP). The set includes 7 1/4-inch and 8 5/8-inch bongos, as well as an 11- inch Signature Mini Conga (LPM198- KP) complete with chrome-plated hardware and a fully tuneable head.

Remo has expanded its line of Colortone Drumheads to include Pink and Purple, featuring proprietary Skyndeep Imaging Technology for visual appeal with powerful projection, tone and durability. Colortone drumheads are offered in Powerstroke 77 snare, Emperor and Powerstroke 3 Bass. The Powerstroke 77 Colortone snare Drumheads are constructed with two plies of high-strength Mylar film with an added five-mil Controlled Sound Dot on top and a seven-mil dampening underlay ring for a powerful, focused attack. The Emperor Colortone Drumheads are constructed with two plies of high-strength Mylar film. The Powerstroke three-bass drumheads are constructed with a single-ply 10-mil high-strength Mylar film combined with a 10-mil underlay dampening ring.

Electro-Harmonix introduced electric guitar strings custom designed to its specifications and made in the USA by a premier string manufacturer, stated the company. Each wound string is precision wrapped with round nickel-plated steel onto a high-carbon, hexagonshaped steel core. The plain strings are made from the same high-carbon steel as the hex cores. The high-quality steel and computer-controlled winding process results in strings that intonate accurately, are better at staying in tune and vibrate evenly for maximum sustain. The new strings are available in three different sets.

Henry Heller introduced the Tort-O TRIGLIDE slider adjustment. “Hardware is often overlooked by strap manufacturers,” said Brett Marcus, partner at OMG Music and originator of the Tort-O design concept. “While simple in design, the Tort-O adds an undeniable unique style to any strap.” “It’s such an eye-catching accessory but pairing it with the right materials is really essential to achieving a certain look and feel. I also wanted to wait until we were able to give it the proper attention it deserves, and what’s more attention grabbing than Tort-O the tortoise rockin’ out with his awesome new strap?” added Marcus.

Yamaha launched the P37E Pianica, a new breath-powered keyboard instrument that enables anyone to make music anytime and anywhere. The rich, warm tone and simple, elegant design of the P37E make it ideal for adults who wish to learn their first instrument or are returning to playing later in life, stated the company. The sound of the P37E Pianica is best described as between a harmonica and an accordion, but with more body and depth than other melodica-type instruments, the company added. The lower half of the body of the P37E is constructed from Ecodear plastic, an environmentally friendly, plant-based material that offers improved instrument performance over plastics such as ABS and resonates in a matter more akin to that of natural wood. Yamaha made additional internal modifications to reduce unwanted overtones and contribute to a more organic tone.

Godlyke’s TWA released the MM-01 MiniMorph Dynamic Waveshaper. It features an envelope-dependent drive circuit where the amount and type of saturation is intricately and inextricably linked to the input signal level. Multi-layered, highly complex waveforms meet and morph to create sizzling, splatter-full effects bordering on the bizarre, stated the company. It took the original DynaMorph circuit and stripped out the envelope-controlled level section to create a pint-sized powerhouse that’s simple to use yet can still conjure cascades of cacophonous creativity. Depending on control settings and playing technique, the MiniMorph can expel an almost unlimited variety of filthy, flittering filter effects that will add depth and dimension to your notes. Tight chirps, greasy gurgles and long, yawning sweeps are all available by simply varying your picking attack.

Fishman introduced its popular Loudbox Mini portable amplifier with Bluetooth wireless connectivity, enabling users to easily and neatly add backing tracks and a variety of vocal or recorded accompaniments. Lightweight and portable, the 60-watt, two-channel Loudbox Mini weighs 21 lbs. and faithfully reproduces the sound of acoustic instruments with the advanced tonal qualities for great acoustic sound, stated the company. The Mini includes high-quality digital reverb and chorus for the instrument channel, and reverb for the microphone channel. The Loudbox Mini also features an MP3 input and balanced XLR D.I. output, a must for both jamming with others and recording performances. Features include Master Volume and 3-band EQ with low, mid and high tone controls for the instrument channel; a Reverb level control; dual-function Chorus and a feedback-fighting Phase switch; a 1/4-inch input for active and passive pickups along with a 1/8-inch auxiliary input; a D.I. output and a balanced XLR output. The Microphone Channel features an XLR input for dynamic mics; 2-band EQ with low and high tone controls and a Reverb level control.

Alfred Music debuted “Sound Percussion for Individual or Group Instruction.” Dave Black, one of the biggest selling percussion authors in the world and composer, clinician and instrumental music teacher Chris Bernotas, have teamed up to write this complete and comprehensive resource for teaching percussion, stated the company. “Sound Percussion” comprises four books: “Snare Drum & Bass Drum,” “Mallet Percussion,” “Timpani” and “Accessory Percussion,” all focusing on developing skills of intermediate to advanced percussion students. Each book can be used independently to focus on a particular instrument or in combination with each other as a full-percussion ensemble. With a clear and consistent approach, students will learn the fundamentals necessary to become well-rounded percussionists. Lessons are presented in a fun and interesting way so that all members of the percussion section are engaged. Every student has a meaningful and thoughtful part for every exercise. A Teacher’s Score is also available.

D.A.S. Audio debuted the ACTION-500 series, consisting of eight active and eight passive loudspeaker models, which include a 12-inch monitor, full-range systems consisting of eight-inch, 12- inch, 15-inch and two-inch-by-15-inch, and three subwoofers. The complete renovation of one of D.A.S Audio’s most recognized series upgrades both design and physical features — making the systems more compact and lightweight, with an attractive modern design, stated the company. The AC- TION-508 incorporates a newly designed DAS 8-gigavolt transducer and M-34 compression driver. The ACTION-508A powered version incorporates a new Class D power amplifier — providing higher power, thus optimizing the performance of the system.

NAMM 2019: Terrific 25

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Music & Sound Retailer February 2019, Vol 36 No 2