Winter NAMM 2019: Today’s catch - Sand, software and sound

Given all of the on-line resources and forums, I don’t really try to cover the music tech universe. Sites like MusicRadar, etc. have staff for that. I prefer to take note of products that I will visit again in the future. Shucks, my memory ain’t so good anymore.

One product worth another look is the McDSP APB-16 Analog Processing Box.

McDSP have a solid record as plug-in providers. Now it looks like they are venturing into the hardware realm. Digital DSP is no biggy, but McDSP are promising programmable analog processing — sixteen analog channels controlled by a Pro Tools plug-in. Other specs from the press release are:

Premium analog components
Multiple analog saturation options
APB-ready software plug-in bundle
Sample accurate automation
AKM 32-bit DAC and ADC
Thunderbolt 2 and 3 compatible

The press release is an announcement, so details and technical information are scant. The APB-16 is scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2019. No price, of course.

I’m always a sucker for small, cute, practice amps. The IK Multimedia iRig Micro Amp grabbed my attention: 4 inch speaker, 15W RMS (adapter), 7.5W (battery), iOS/USB interface (24-bit up to 96kHz), battery-powered (6 AA cells), 3 band EQ, 2.8 pounds (1.26kg). Of course, it integrates with AmpliTube. $149.99USD.

It’s definitely try-before-buy with these tiny amps, especially when putting a keyboard through them. I’d like to run Reface YC into it. It would definitely be cool to add AmpliTube Leslie into the signal chain. IK Multimedia have a winner in the iLoud Micro Monitor, so I’m hopeful. The price is right, too.

IK Multimedia are hawking their NAMM sale (40% off popular software titles). That’s a good reminder to watch for NAMM specials. I snagged Toontrack EZKeys on a holiday special and I’m looking to expand. Oh, gosh, I should really write up a mini review! I really had to try EZKeys to “get it.”

Loopmasters are pre-announcing version 4 of their Loopcloud sample management tool. Version 4 will be available during the first quarter of 2019.

The Loopcloud Version 4 loop editor will “slice, edit, bounce and save”, apparently allowing definition of patterns that can be applied again and again to other samples.

I’ve been warming up to the Loopcloud concept and workflow having purchased a library or two during holiday sales. Although I still like having big local libraries, there is simply too much material to sort through. And, we’ve all had the experience of buying a library and then using 0.0001% of it. Much better to buy incrementally unless you really, really love an entire library.

Loopcloud is quite generous with new sounds for trial, too. The trial sounds are the same as the Loopmasters’ Taster Packs, but it’s possible to try sounds in a musical context of your own making.

Here’s a few more very quick hits:

Rockboard LED Dampers kill the glare from pedalboard (and other) LEDs. Price range is $6.90 to $7.90. I need these for hotel rooms where everything has an LED and I can’t sleep because of the glare.
The Earthquake Sound Hum Kleaner kills, er, hum. MSRP: $149
Applied Research & Technology (ART) are offering three new utility pedals: Patch-In, L-Switch and Loop Switch
Go back to yesteryear with Synclavier’s new apps.
Experiment with RTX wireless audio solutions from Sheerlink — low latency, high definition audio.
Play the Stylophone Gen R-8. It’s a patchable Stylophone synth on steroids.
Take control of your MIDI set-up and VST with the Camelot app. There is a lot of Internet buzz about this one. As an alternative, give the OpenLabs Stagelight app a try on your iPad or computer.

Wow, it’s like Winter NAMM 2019 has already happened — and the show still hasn’t opened!