Winter NAMM 2016 (the annual gear lust thread)

64Guitars · January 18, 2016, 12:20:35 PM

Winter NAMM 2016 starts this Thursday (Jan 21) and runs till Sunday, Jan 24.

Some new products have already been announced in advance of the show.

KORG has announced two new nano series MIDI controllers. What's especially interesting about these is that they can be operated completely wirelessly. Seems ideal for people who record in their cars.

Update: Sweetwater is showing these on their website at $139.⁹⁹. Not a bad price. Of course, they're not available yet.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/nanoKEYStu

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/nanoKONTStu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP-ElX43FOg

http://www.korg.com/uk/products/controllers/nanokey_studio/

(Click to view full size)

http://www.korg.com/uk/products/controllers/nanokontrol_studio/

(Click to view full size)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LExgvC2UzLU

64Guitars · January 18, 2016, 12:47:30 PM

VOX Starstream modeling guitar. Interesting body design. Not sure about the sounds.

http://voxamps.com/STARSTREAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1P75C8QrVw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJKg-pSaHpU

64Guitars · January 18, 2016, 12:53:48 PM

Digital whammy bar can be added to any guitar - even an acoustic.

http://www.fomofx.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk9twEEMsJE

64Guitars · January 18, 2016, 01:10:34 PM

Add MIDI control to any pedal.

Pretty cool technology, but at $389.00 each (£289), I doubt that they'll be hugely popular.

http://www.thegigrig.com/thegigrig-autopot-c2x19427686

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwnYaH_LcuM

Geir · January 18, 2016, 01:36:55 PM

The Jeff looks really cool ... not sure about the vox either

bruno · January 18, 2016, 03:31:29 PM

Some nice stuff, and some not so nice (vox sounded horrid)
B

fenderbender · January 18, 2016, 04:03:36 PM

$:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$
That Vox is kinda weird

64Guitars · January 18, 2016, 05:34:23 PM

Here's a new DAW that will debut at NAMM on Thursday, Jan 21, 2016 for $149.99.

Unfortunately, it's only available for Windows. Here are the system requirements:

Windows 7, 8, or 10®: 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4®/AMD A8® or better (more cores recommended), 4GB RAM or more, 3 GB hard-disk space, monitor with at least 1280 x 720 resolution, ASIO® (recommended) compatible audio device, multi-touch surface monitor with 10+ touch-points (optional), a MIDI keyboard (recommended), internet connection for setup

http://www.lumit-audio.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvvn8JJsFKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtGEFDFQfcA

64Guitars · January 19, 2016, 10:56:25 PM

Nothing too exciting from Boss and Roland this year (in my humble opinion).

Boss VO-1 Vocoder pedal - $249 US at Sweetwater

http://www.boss.info/products/vo-1/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qeXCvrxsg

Boss VB-2W Vibrato pedal - $199 at Sweetwater

http://www.boss.info/products/vb-2w/

(SwanSong looks much younger than I imagined)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f0-pUAkiYk

Boss also announced a guitar amp, a compressor pedal, and another effects switching system. Whoopie!

Roland A-01 MIDI Controller and Sound Generator

At first, I wasn't impressed with this. But then I realized that, like the Korg nanoKEY Studio, the Roland A-01 can be run on batteries and can be operated completely wirelessly via Bluetooth. And, unlike the Korg, the A-01 has a real keyboard (though the keys are mini size), built-in sound generator and speaker, and a 16-step sequencer. Then again, the A-01 lacks the eight velocity-sensitive trigger pads, KAOSS-style touch pad, and eight assignable knobs of the nanoKEY Studio. I guess it all depends on your needs and the price of the A-01. The nanoStudio seems a steal at only $139.99 US.

http://www.roland.com/products/a-01/

Update: Just realized the keyboard doesn't come with it. All you get is the module at the top. If you want the keys, you have to buy the optional K-25m which the A-01 fits into. Although, you can also buy the A-01 bundled with the K-25m -- it's designated the A-01K.

Update #2: B&H Photo is advertising the A-01K (A-01 module and K-25m keyboard) for $399 US. The K-25m keyboard is also sold separately for $99, so I assume the A-01 module is about $300.