Tag Archives: NAMM 2025

NAMM 2025: More little things to come

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NAMM Show 2025 coming up: January 21-25, 2025, Anaheim Convention Center. More new products, no rumors, no kidding.

Haken EaganMatrix Micro

Now, this is coolness. The Haken EaganMatrix Micro is a full-featured EaganMatrix sound engine in a tiny package:

  • Polyphony: Nominal 1-3, Maximum 8
  • Stereo Audio Output: 3.5mm TRS
  • EXT Connector: 3.5mm TRS
  • Seven Segment Display: Preset navigation and settings
  • USB Power: 500mA max, 190 mA average
  • USB Midi: via Mini USB connector
  • Dimensions: 11.3 x 5.8 x 1.9 cm (4.4 x 2.3 x 0.75 inches)
  • Weight: 0.075 kg (2.6 oz)

The EXT connector can be attached to a foot pedal and can be configured for voltage conversion (Haken Audio CVC). The Mini USB connector takes power and communicates via MPE and MPE+ protocols.

Haken EaganMatrix Micro synth module

The price is $449 direct from the Haken Store (free USA shipping).

There are only a few things that give me pause. First, no 5-pin MIDI. I’m sure the Web trolls will trash this omission. Next, the polyphony is a tad underwhelming. [I smell an embedded ARM.] The EaganMatrix Micro should be fine for folks with exotic monophonic controllers, e.g., a wind controller. Lush pads are out. No battery operation (not a deal breaker, though). Finally, no USB HOST capability?

The front panel buttons are small and might be difficult to find during performance. The four digit seven segment display is 70s tech although it keeps component cost down and size small.

I’m still mining the 1010Music Tangerine, so I’m not going to rush to the EaganMatrix Micro. But, gosh, what an incredible, portable MPE engine!

Sears Silvertone Nostalgia

The Jackson Audio Silvertone Twin Trem gave me instant nostalgia for 60s high school guitar amps. It emulates the classic 1484 Twin Twelve amp and its tremolo. As the name implies, the Twin Trem has two independent tremolo circuits. $299 USD.

Silvertone Twin Trem pedal

Slivertone (Jackson Audio) also offer the Twin Twelve Pedal, $249 USD.

Jeez, I miss those days, although I don’t miss dodging hoods wanting to kick my tail after a school dance gig. 🙂

On-Stage LPT8000 Laptop Stand with USB

On-Stage just woke up with a good idea — integrate USB-A and USB Type-C ports into a laptop stand. The LPT8000 weighs 3 pounds and supports up to 11 pounds. Looks like it takes power and data from a laptop through its USB Type-C PC port and hubs them out to two Type-C ports and two USB Type-A ports. Still waiting to hear about price. [The USB-less LPT5000 is $23 street.]

OnStage LPT8000 laptop stand with USB

On-Stage also announced the OB1 Organ Bench — longer (32 inches) and taller (22 inches) than a piano bench to achieve the proper playing position for foot pedals. This thing looks sturdy as a tank with solid wood legs providing up to 330 pounds of support. So, don’t hold back on the fried chicken… The OB1 will set you back $150 USD.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Little things

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Last year we were excited to see a lot of pre-NAMM, post-pandemic product announcements. This year, not so much.

Here’s a few little things that you might have missed. NAMM 2025 is only four weeks away (January 21-25, 2025).

Behringer GO MIDI HOST

Behringer have rolled out a boatload of new products in the last few weeks:

  • WAVE 8-voice multi-timbral hybrid synthesizer (wavetable), 49 full-size keys, thank you!
  • LM Drum hybrid sampling drum machine à la Roger
  • JT Mini Analog Polyphonic Synthesis (3 voice, 3 VCOs) inspired by Jupiter
  • Phara-O Mini Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer (3 voice, 3 VCOs)

And more. Behringer are gunning for the Korg Volcas with those Minis.

Behringer GO MIDI HOST

You might have missed the smallest announcement of them all: Behringer GO MIDI HOST. Behringer joins the ranks of Kenton, DoReMIDI, CME, and other. This sucker is tiny:

  • 5-pin MIDI IN and OUT
  • Class compliant Type C Host and Power
  • Dedicated USB C power socket
  • 500 mA maximum current draw
  • 34.34 x 40.01 x 56.20mm (1.35H x 1.58W x 2.21″D)
  • 43.2 g (1.52 oz)

MIDI IN and MIDI OUT DIN connectors are on the front panel. USB HOST, POWER and RESET button are on the rear panel.

Street price is $29 USD and is available for pre-order. I will definitely be ordering one of these!

Oaktone Oakboard Mini 2 MIDI Controller

Oaktone is not a name that readily springs to mind when discussing MIDI controllers.

Oaktone Mini 2 rugged MIDI controller

The Oakboard Mini 2 is a small six button controller for playback control, e.g., launching music cues and other playback chores:

  • Launch music cues
  • Works with Ableton Live
  • Die-cast, aluminum case
  • Backlit silicone buttons, tactile feel
  • Play button can blink in sync with MIDI clock
  • USB-C data and power port on the rear panel
  • Includes Taz Lite cue-launching plug-in for Live
  • 0.9″H x 4.7″W x 3.7″D L (23 x 119 x 94mm)
  • 9.3oz (236g)

The keyword here is “rugged.” Oaktone emphasize dependability.

The Oaktone Oakboard Mini 2 is $229 MSRP.

Copyright © 2024 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha NAMM 2025 pre-show announcements

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Christmas time is near! That means pulling together a boatload of music for Christmas services and — NAMM 2025 anticipation (Anaheim Convention Center, January 23-25, 2025). Can you think of a better season than Advent for anticipation?

Yamaha have made two pre-show announcements via PR Newswire. It’s the usual puff-speak and the usual quote or two from a Yamaha exec. Here’s the actual information.

Yamaha will have an array of breakthrough products across categories like guitars, drums and percussion, and keyboards on display at this year’s show — including featured products such as the newly-launched TAG3 C TransAcoustic Guitar, YEV Pro Electric Violin, and SEQTRAK designed for composing and performing electronic music from anywhere.

The event will feature live performances from Jack White at the TEC Awards, Jacob Collier at NAMM’s Grand Rally for Music Education and an appearance from Peter Frampton at the NAMM Global Media Day.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Jack White will headline the NAMM TEC Awards, where he will receive NAMM’s TEC Innovation Award. TEC stands for “Technical Excellence and Creativity.” TEC Awards recognize the people, companies and technical innovations behind recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multimedia. Peter Frampton, BTW, is also a TEC Award recipient.

With the spotlight on Jack White and Peter Frampton, I smell a guitar-centered NAMM 2025 from Yamaha.

On the professional front, I’m taking the time to listen to our group during live services. Our church has a few acoustic challenges and I’m hoping to make our mix and congregational singing better. I made a quick recording a few Sundays ago which was quite revealing. Unlike some modern “warehouse” church halls with zingy acoustics, our church is carpeted and the pews are upholstered — dead, dead, dead. Here, I’ve been cutting back reverb on my patches when more reverb might be helpful! All of the cloth is killing high end frequencies and accentuating the kick drum. Oh, my.

Copyright © 2024 Paul J. Drongowski