As I fly home from the show, I needed to get my thoughts together from the show. thanks to Sid and Jake for being extra pairs of eyes at the show . . .
NAMM 2012 featured some the kewlest and some of the lamest products that I have ever witnessed as a lover of professional audio.
What was new?*
My picks for the kewlest products offered were both iPad based. Mackie and Numark both get props for harnessing the power of the new apple iPad. The Mackie DL1608 digital mixer ($999) *allows you to dock and use the iPads processing (actually up to 10 iPads) to mix and of course add digital effects and processing to 16 mics. *Numark’s Djay Pro also docks your iPad in the center of this big wheel controller. Still in vaporware mode (under plexiglass) Numark’s lead engineer promised March delivery about the same time that the iPad 3 comes out and at $499 is guaranteed to be a winner.
2012 is the year of the music controller and now almost any computer can be the center of your DJ system. Wether you prefer Serato, Virtual DJ, or Traktor as your software, someone has a new controller to you to DJ with. The show featured serious controllers and toy controllers created to sell at Best Buy and Amazon for Xmas gifts.
My picks for the kewlest were the new Denon MC3000 ( their MC6000 was already a grand slam hit). The new Vestax VCI-400 at $999 is coming in February and focused for the serious jock. My fav for low cost controllers go the Vestax VCI for their Typhoon $299 and American DJ for their VMS2.
Gemini, Behringer, DJ Tech and other new toy companies showed controllers also . . . . not many dealers cared. Will anyone take a $199 controller seriously ?
Just Mattel.
Pioneer seems to like the color white and was showing their DJ-Ego control system that features a white plastic controller priced at $599. Pioneer also reprinted their best mixer and cd players, the DJM900 nexus and CDJ2000 now have a limited white edition model. Perfect for girl DJ’s and churches.
Hey they’re Pioneer.
Rane showed 3 new mixers/controller (61 and 62) designed by DJ Z-Trip that will allow you to control Serato from Rane *mixer . . . Nice but pricey . They also show a limited edition Z-trip 62 (ala Grandmaster Flash) with purple highlights, fancy cables and yellow knobs. Rane makes good stuff that Serato DJ’s love.
LED moving heads are getting brighter and costing less. I liked the ADJ ViziSpot Pro and they introduced a mobile 4 bar type led mobile light for $399 with bag. Chauvet showed an led Leiko Source Four type light that allows you to make wedding gobos with your laser printer. The king of uplighting is still Blizzard. Pucks still rule with their brightness and 2 year warranty. ADJ’s new little DMX *controllers are cost effective and designed perfectly for uplighting.
Back to Audio.
JBL showed their new PRX400 series that will replace SRX and MRX for less *money.
AKG showed a $99 UHF wireless system that rocked. Why buy a toy when you can buy AKG quality form$99? Line6 added more channels to their digital wireless microphones.
Ultimate Support is finally shipping their computer stand and it seems to be very solid to protect your laptop.*
Finally
I loved the new Soundcraft SI compact live digital mixing console that’s easier to use than the Yamaha LS9 and lights up far prettier.
I now have a demo LS9 I need to sell cheap with case. I’m in love.
At Audiolines, we are taking orders for new products so check our website for more details of what’s new from NAMM. Have a great 2012!
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