NAMM 2009 TOP 10 Products Review |
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| I just returned from NAMM 2009, the annual January show for musical products in Anaheim, California. No time for Disneyland, but I did walk past miles of costumed figures and musicians as giddy as children to bring you what I think are the most exciting home recording products for 2009. So here are my top ten with the main reasons why I think we should care as studio owners. Many of these products were announced but not yet shipping. Make sure you check out the links if you are interested in learning more or always feel free to shoot us an e-mail with comments and questions - sales(at)revolutionaudio.ca | ||
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10 |
The Warp Lever on the new Cakewalk / Sonar V-Studio 700 I know they call it a "T-Bar" and it's used for useful things like controlling surround sound mixes, video or fading in your effects. And I know it's attached to an amazing motorized console that is perfect for integrating with Sonar. But when I checked out this T-Bar lever on the V-Studio 700, I felt like I was able to push it forward and take us all into warp speed. And anything that makes me feel more like the captain of the enterprise deserves a place in my studio and a mention in my top 10. Shipping / Pricing TBA |
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9 |
M-Audio Axiom Pro These new Axioms don't just have a cool new look. They have an upgrade touch sensitivity and a technology called "hyper-control" which I thought was really cool. Other keyboard controllers have preset maps, but this one senses your DAW and automatically maps the controls (on Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic and Reason so far). Available in three sizes - click here for more information! |
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8 |
MXL Gold 35 Microphone You can't hear a thing at NAMM. So for my selection of the coolest microphone this year, I had to work strictly from looks. This MXL Gold 35 Mic was stunning. Yes that is real gold plating. They say it sounds as great as it looks... |
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7 |
IK Multimedia Stealth Pedal Combining a 24bit USB interface with a wah pedal type guitar controller was a very good idea. It can be used as an interface and/or controller. The Stealth Pedal has a rugged feel and comes packed with some great sounding software like Amplitube 2 Live. Availability TBA |
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6 |
UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop Effects Card I've been a big fan of the UAD cards for quite a while. They combine great, classic sounding effects with DSP power (so they do not bog down your computer CPU). At NAMM they announced a UAD-2 SOLO laptop card for Mac or PC. Now you can take the extra processing power and amazing effects on the road with your portable DAW. Available Spring 2009 Prices TBA. |
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5 |
Steinberg Cubase 5 For most users, here are the biggest upgrades for Cubase 5: 1. It's 5 and not 4 and so it must be at least better by 1. That's a 20% increase right there. 2. Some cool new tools for Beat Creation and Loop Mangling (see video #1) 3. Vocal editing and pitch correction built in - saves you from having to add a 3rd party plug-in and works like Melodyne in a drag-and-drop way or in keyboard style like the classic Antares Autotune (see video #2) 3. Integrated Convolution Reverb 4. Better hardware integration 5. Groove Agent One included * Note some of these features are only available in the Full version of Cubase 5 and not Cubase Studio 5 Click here for a complete comparison chart between Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 Shipping in Canada early Feb 2009 |
Click for our exclusive web video reviews from NAMM 2009 
Cubase 5 Video Review Pt. 1 - New Features Cubase 5 Video Review Pt. 2 - VariAudio - Built in Pitch Fix |
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Pro Tools 8 For me, the biggest upgrade in Pro Tools 8 is the ability to edit MIDI in a separate window. For Cubase and Sonar users, they have had this feature for about 15 years, but Pro Tools has finally become a full fledged MIDI editor in version 8. Marry this with built in Sibelius note editing, this new software is a big upgrade from 7 in the MIDI department. They have also upgraded the new version to 48 tracks and added a number of new MIDI and audio plug-ins. Click here for more info on Pro Tools 8 - now shipping with all new Digidesign Hardware and as standalone Pro Tools 8 M-Powered for use with M-Audio hardware interfaces like the Profire 610, the Profire 2626, and the Fast Track Ultra. |
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3 |
Recoil Stabilizer While not a brand new product, EQ magazine said about these simple devices "..they could be the most cost effective upgrade you can make to your monitoring setup." The recoil stabilizer decouples your monitor in such a way that tightens up the bass and helps with detail on the high end. Plus they are a Canadian company, which is an added bonus. I say if they are good enough for Daniel Lanois.... Available soon! |
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Native Instruments Maschine This integrative hardware / software beat production tool is going to blow away anyone who is into making beats. It's like a computer based MPC and 808 all in one device. You just have to check out the video. Availible soon! |
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Melodyne Editor - the First Melodyne with DNA Melodyne's DNA first made waves at Music Messe in Germany. It is the first commercial software that is able to extract individual notes from a stereo file. You just have to check it out. The video does not show the whole process, but the individual notes from the guitar where extracted from a simple stereo file before he started manipulating them. It is amazing. Shipping in spring as a plug-in. Shipping Spring 2009 - free upgrade for anyone who purchases Melodyne now |
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1.26.2009
TOP 10 New Home Recording Products from NAMM 2009
