Innovation & Inspiration: 2010 NAMM Show Product Report
Innovation abounded among the more than 1,500 exhibitors at the annual winter gathering of the National Association of Music Merchants, held January 14-17, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. NAMM’s exhibitors at the bustling show included more than 350 devoted to various aspects of the string trade, ranging from violin and bow makers to manufacturers of instruments cases and electronics. The mood, overall, was upbeat and confident, after the uncertainty amid economic woes the previous year. Attendees enjoyed performances by such string players as rock violinist and electric violin manufacturer Mark Wood (who has introduced a new Turbow bow line), singer/songwriter, hip-hop and jazz violinist Paul Dateh, and ex-Stray Cat bassist Lee Rocker (who has a signature bass from Kolstein Music Inc).
In upcoming issues, Strings magazine will be reporting on many of the new acoustic instrument and bow models as well as the latest instrument cases and other accessories. But it’s worth noting that the electronics segment of the trade showed a lot of activity.
There was quite a buzz around NAMM's strings sector regarding Keith McMillen’s new K-Bow Bluetooth Sensor Bow Control, a well-balanced and nicely weighted electronic viola, cello and bass bows loaded with sensors and a wireless bluetooth transmitter that turn can your bow into a sort of wireless mouse. The K-Bow, when coupled with K-Apps software, controls a suite of special effects. Some industry insiders suggest that it may one day serve as a diagnostic tool that could help to analyze your bow stroke. Look for an article on the K-Bow in the March issue of Strings magazine. Several observers expect the technology that McMillen is developing to work its way into new and even more exciting applications in the years to come.
Also, DPA Microphones, manufacturers of the acclaimed DPA 4099 clip-on mini-boom mic, has a modified version for bass; Fishman Transducers introduced a new cello piezo pickup; Sony Music displayed the DWM-01 Digital Wireless Microphone System, which enables the user to experience less signal interference; Yamaha displayed a refined version of its Silent Violin Pro model; Knilling Violins, already known for its innovative geared Perfection Planetary Pegs, is developing a new wood treatment used to alter an instrument’s tonal properties, a process that shows some promise; David Gage [http://www.davidgage.com/], inventor of the Realist pick-up, showed an easy-to-use portable bass pick-up that clips onto the bridge and permits the player to adjust the sound by adding or subtracting weights (by the way, if you have a chance to try out one of Gage’s Czech-ease Travel Basses, you may be surprised at just how much punch this small-sized instrument packs); and there were several affordable feature-packed flash recorders on the show floor, including new hand-held digital models from Zoom (which has introduced the Zoom Q3, a compact, hi-def video and audio recorder that a handy tool for string teachers seeking to help students analyze their technique), and Tascam, which has introduced a new ultra-portable pocket recording studio, the DR-07.
That’s just a small sampling of the new strings products in showrooms or coming to the marketplace soon. And stay tuned for more coverage of the latest in the strings trade, both online at AllThingsStrings.com, on our monthly Strings Trade e-newsletter, and in the pages of Strings magazine.
Meanwhile, check out the related NAMM videos posted on this site:
In upcoming issues, Strings magazine will be reporting on many of the new acoustic instrument and bow models as well as the latest instrument cases and other accessories. But it’s worth noting that the electronics segment of the trade showed a lot of activity.
There was quite a buzz around NAMM's strings sector regarding Keith McMillen’s new K-Bow Bluetooth Sensor Bow Control, a well-balanced and nicely weighted electronic viola, cello and bass bows loaded with sensors and a wireless bluetooth transmitter that turn can your bow into a sort of wireless mouse. The K-Bow, when coupled with K-Apps software, controls a suite of special effects. Some industry insiders suggest that it may one day serve as a diagnostic tool that could help to analyze your bow stroke. Look for an article on the K-Bow in the March issue of Strings magazine. Several observers expect the technology that McMillen is developing to work its way into new and even more exciting applications in the years to come.
Also, DPA Microphones, manufacturers of the acclaimed DPA 4099 clip-on mini-boom mic, has a modified version for bass; Fishman Transducers introduced a new cello piezo pickup; Sony Music displayed the DWM-01 Digital Wireless Microphone System, which enables the user to experience less signal interference; Yamaha displayed a refined version of its Silent Violin Pro model; Knilling Violins, already known for its innovative geared Perfection Planetary Pegs, is developing a new wood treatment used to alter an instrument’s tonal properties, a process that shows some promise; David Gage [http://www.davidgage.com/], inventor of the Realist pick-up, showed an easy-to-use portable bass pick-up that clips onto the bridge and permits the player to adjust the sound by adding or subtracting weights (by the way, if you have a chance to try out one of Gage’s Czech-ease Travel Basses, you may be surprised at just how much punch this small-sized instrument packs); and there were several affordable feature-packed flash recorders on the show floor, including new hand-held digital models from Zoom (which has introduced the Zoom Q3, a compact, hi-def video and audio recorder that a handy tool for string teachers seeking to help students analyze their technique), and Tascam, which has introduced a new ultra-portable pocket recording studio, the DR-07.
That’s just a small sampling of the new strings products in showrooms or coming to the marketplace soon. And stay tuned for more coverage of the latest in the strings trade, both online at AllThingsStrings.com, on our monthly Strings Trade e-newsletter, and in the pages of Strings magazine.
Meanwhile, check out the related NAMM videos posted on this site:
Comment
-
Comment by Rory Williams on February 4, 2010 at 2:45pm -
As Greg mentioned, there was a good deal of optimism at NAMM, which was not only displayed by some of the cool products introduced on the showroom floor, but by the players as well. Violinist-vocalist Paul Dateh comes to mind. Dateh was hanging out at the Realist Violin booth with guitarist and duo partner Ken Belcher. We chatted with them about their recent project, The Good Life (Paul Dateh Media), a smooth and uplifting R&B album. Dateh was talking about getting that CD into more hands and making a return to his former calling, hip-hop violin. You can find him at pauldateh.com.
Another player with his sight set on the future was rock violinist Antonio Pontarelli. He and cellist Tina Guo played a smokin’ hot set at the Yamaha booth (which was an entire conference room at the Marriott—though they say they’ve actually scaled down). You can check out the performance by going to yamaha.com/namm, clicking the Band & Orchestral Artist Performances category on the left-hand menu, and choosing the two videos under their names. Pontarelli’s studying music industry at the University of Southern California, with plans of taking on a more business oriented career.
Catching a bit of the Mark Wood Experience in the NAMM lobby during the Les Paul tribute was a blast, as was meeting up at the Strings booth with violinist Jesus Florido, who had a lot of great insight into going electric. Florido says he and Soldano Custom Amplification are going to research and design an amp specifically for strings. That’s right—an amp just for strings. We’re looking forward to more electronic offerings at the 2011 NAMM Show.
Find more product reviews and news in every issue of Strings magazine. Get amped!
FEATURED TITLE FROM STRINGS CHARTS
These charts, accompanied by helpful instruction and performance notes, offer new interpretations of popular rock, jazz, and roots music—”alternative styles.” Players of all skills and levels will appreciate these well-written, easy-to-read alternative-styles arrangements and original compositions.
Dealer Inquiries
Badge
Strings presents Backstage Books including reference, how-to, and advice for enthusiasts, students, and performers on bowed stringed instruments.
Visit our bookstore for more Backstage Books.
Dealer Inquiries
FOLLOW US!
Be alerted to the latest articles on AllThingsStrings.com, including playing tips, career advice, information for educators, news and event alerts, and artist profiles.
© 2010 Created by Strings.
You need to be a member of All Things Strings to add comments!
Join All Things Strings