Considered to be the most important event in the music industry, the NAMM is a prolific music and equipment show that ran from the January 21st to Sunday, January 24th, 2016. The show was set to host nearly 100,000 visitors and over 1,400 exhibitors displaying and promoting their latest musical equipment.
The 2015 NAMM Show saw music equipment take center stage with the all the biggest names in the industry releasing awe-inspiring products, so there was a lot of expectations for the 2016 show. So, whether you were looking for a heads up of what to expect from the top brands, such as Fender, Roland, Yamaha, Korg, and Ibanez, or inspiration to learn an instrument, here’s a brief of the latest equipment that was expected to be featured at NAMM 2016:
Equipment
They say that music speaks to the soul, and when news of Korg’s presence at NAMM 2016 was announced, we bet that they would not come empty handed. Rumors of their latest offering hinted towards the addition of a synth-styled device in its 2016 NAMM line-up. And with the company being tight-lipped about its immediate launches, we could only speculate whether it had bought back one of its legendary products or designed a brand new one altogether!
Another brand to watch for was Yamaha. What the brand would bring to the table in 2016 was reason enough for genuine excitement, although last year’s releases seemed like a step backwards. Insider information said that the company has worked hard this year, with the aim to release something truly special, most likely with its synthesizers.
Roland has been the market leader of analogue and digital synths of varied sizes and specifications and seems to be expanding its portfolio into just about anything music related.
We were hoping to see more of their mysterious Aira range of synths, or something even more complicated- maybe even an entirely new product line!
Guitars
If you think synths have finally come of age, you should check out what the guitar industry had planned for the event. After quite some time on the sidelines, Fender, with an all-star cast board of directors, was hoping to really rock the market with their own signature Stratocaster.
Audio Damage, a prominent player in the music plugins industry for some time now, has excitedly entered the guitar world, by releasing its first ever range of guitar pedals. Rumor has it that at least one of these pedals will be a stereo chorus, if not all!
Jersey-based Eventide was said to be all set to launch their all new H9 algorithm, supposed to be inspired by Einstein’s 100thGeneral Theory of Relativity Anniversary. If that didn’t pique your curiosity, nothing would! Big-wig Marshall was also said to make a big splash this year as it was rumored to be releasing an all-new product line for 2016. The company had also planned a new configuration of a classic head.
Drums
That’s right, drums; because even drum tech is said to be receiving a major upgrade this year. Alesis and Roland have been in a cold war over some new ground-breaking electronic percussion products, something that music fans have been waiting for, for a long time. Yamaha has also been teasing the public with info about its Steve Gadd–R&Ded Recording Custom Series machine– so we expected to see it at NAMM 2016.
Apart from the equipment, this year’s NAMM was also hosting a range of musical superstars that were going to set the stage on fire, with a number of top performers said to be performing live. Such enthralling performances were sure to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Featured Image: Image Credit
Music U Can See Features the #Fender Bassbreaker Guitar Amplifier Series at #NAMM https://t.co/abBue6C6Gm pic.twitter.com/LZsYWcXaAt
— Fender (@Fender) February 6, 2016
Magnificent Seven collection: 7 ltd edition guitars from the minds of #Fender‘s innovative designers & builders --> https://t.co/qUAcvaNcH8
— Fender (@Fender) February 2, 2016
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