NAMM R.I.P. 

It was an honour being able to witness it online. Godspeed NAMM

It wasn’t a big surprise! The world has changed beyond the important supportive culture of music. It great people are still showing their works! 👍🏼

Open it to the general public and charge for tickets. Reduce the vendor fees. Done - it would be huge.

I attended NAMM last week. I see what you’re saying regarding gear launches. I asked some vendors about it and was told they the timing of NAMM was odd for them to launch new products, but all said they hoped to get back on track in nine months when NAMM returns to it’s usual January time. That being said, I personally enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s my 10th(ish) one. I reconnected with old friends, made lots of new friends as well as contacts at companies whose products I’m interested. There were a ton of content creators in attendance and it was fun to connect with them in person and build those relationships face-to-face. There’s no doubt the format has to change given the cultural shift to more online events. All major conferences are facing that challenge. There IS a business model there if they take some time to think about how to mix traditional with the value that content creators provide. I decided I’m going to wait until the January NAMM before I claim RIP. The world has shifted and I’m going to give them a chance to re-adjust. Was all the new, shiny gear there? No, but I’ve never had more fun spending time with other artists, content creators I enjoy, being introduced to some new music/musicians, and picking up a ton of tips for navigating the new digital world of music and marketing. I came home inspired to create! Those are my thoughts. Love the channel!

Hi Barry-i’ve been a NAMM member since 2006, and I usually go the first day every year. I have a lot of friends who are vendors and it’s good to connect with them and when they’re not burned out on day four and there’s still some anticipatory excitement going on. This year was an interim year, it being in April instead of January. and next year they plan on being back to normal with their January extravaganza. But I agree with you, the glory days of NAMM may be a thing of the past. When you have major vendors like Fender and Gibson saying that they don’t benefit from going to the show, that really puts a dark cloud on a major event like this one. In the old days of NAMM, I did a lot of personal business with vendors. For example I wanted an al l tube vocal chain for my studio, and I made a deal with Aspen Pittman, (RIP) to buy an all tube mic pre-called Vipre and an all tube compressor called the Glory Comp. Then the following year I took the lids of those units back to him, and he personally signed them for me. That’s the kind of cool stuff that I used to enjoy about the show. So , maybe NAMM of the future may better serve smaller vendors, icons vendors be damned. but this year I have to admit it was just lackluster- that said, I’m going to post pone judgment and give them another January to see if NAMM show can, once again be cool. I was kind of excited to go this year because, I heard you mention in one of your earlier videos that universal audio might be bringing out the next big thing ,but it didn’t happen. Oh well…

I hate to say it but im coming off recording equipment in general. As a musician the more crap i own the less i get done. There are a zillion home setups that blow mine away anyways theres no competing with them. Now im being pushed into atmos by the nazis etc. The whole thing is becoming more of a scam every day for people like me. Im bored of collecting expensive toys that promise to turn water into wine. Im actually becoming embarrassed of how much stuff i own for how little enthusiasm i have for it. There are almost zero channels telling people how to use what theyve got already and mostly its disguised gear ads. Music isnt about being rich. Anyone who can look at their wife and kids in todays world and finance a new API console hoping theyll finally “make it” didnt learn anything from the last few years.

This is the age of RU-vid and RU-vidrs now. Why would any company focus on 2 days in a year when they can pay pocket money to an enthusiastic RU-vidr gear-nerd in Finland, or in Berlin (who otherwise have no musical talent whatsoever, but can explain modulation paths, etc)? The message will be out anyway. For fraction of the cost, what NAMM otherwise would take them to pay.

I went to the show and was happy with what I saw from a lot of the smaller manufacturers. I also spent a lot of time with SSl and although not new, I have now purchased an Origin console because I went. I think there's a lot of value being able to just speak to the brands in person. The people who are passionate about their individual projects as opposed to a sales engineer or sales person. And if there's going to be blame for not seeing anything new, blame the manufacturers, not NAMM. I get that it may not make sense for them, but at the same time they didn't release anything outside of the show. I think next year will be bigger and better. NAB has gone through the same struggle. It's just the cycle. Great video Barry!!

I wasn't looking for this video, but at the exact moment I was thinking the same thing, I found it so thanks. Glad I wasn't the only one. I literally kept waiting for NAMM to start and then I realized, "oh, it's been going on for days".

The virtual world has taken away the incentive to go to the NAMM show in person and merchants have already let people know about their new products online even before attending such an event. I think it is still cool to attend in person, interact with others with similar interests, and also check out the live performances.

I think you're exactly spot on. It all has to do with the cost of a booth, hotels, food, travel and its not reaching as many people with the internet. You hit the nail on the head, it might be the last one... Sad, another humanistic contact going into isolation. Its changing not for the good....Great commentary and thanks for sharing. .

You are amazing

I didn't go to NAMM but I was looking forward to see new gear from Audioscape and they didn't dissapoint. They had the AS78 (1178 clone) and the AS A^A (BA6A clone). Both units look very interesting and considering how good the Audioscape gear is, I'm sure these two units won't dissapoint.

NAMM is not dead by a long shot. The purpose of NAMM was never for guys like us to go there and get excited about gear. No one thought this was going to be a full return, either. It was even a day shortened.

I’ve been going to NAMM for years, but this year was the first year I was unable to attend. It’s always fun to see what’s new on the market, but my focus was to network and develop relationships with people from all over the world, as well as to learn where the music industry is heading. I’m sure the event will start to go back to it’s norm, and new ways to enjoy being present will be added. Remember, the Winter NAMM Show used to be during the end of January and now having it in April might make a difference on who can attend (both vendors and buyers). The NAB Show is this week too which might have a bit of an impact on vendor attendance.

I saw two things that got me excited! 1. The new Sony binaural technology blew my mind, as well as anyone I talked to who also experienced it. 2. A company called Freqport debuted a product called Freqtube, which is a desktop unit housing four tubes, each of which can be controlled by a plugin instance in your DAW. A tube saturation plugin, but the tubes are real. Other than that not a lot of buzz around new gear. Just walking around and making good industry connections with cool people

I work for an international distributor. One of the major issues is that many manufacturers have still not recovered from the C 19 lockdowns, etc. During these times, many employees "went home or left" and when things resumed, never came back to work which has meant that not only are many factories still way behind on production but they also don't have many of those skilled workers to help them catch up. This also means that many companies still can't completely fulfil orders for existing products, let alone introduce anything new.

Nothing last for ever. RIP Namm

I was at NAMM 2023 and yes it was smaller, no lower floor etc. That said it was easier to get around, easier to do business, easier to hear. Worked for me.

I was really hoping we were going to see something new from Universal Audio and their interface lineup this year from Namm. I need to get a new interface and I was holding out to see if they are doing something new...

Thanks for making this video ! It confirmed exactly what I was thinking and wondering.. They should only have 1 Namm. It should be Winter Namm in January.

Been a 30 year NAMM show attendee. Did not go last year, but went last week. Its much smaller than in 2020 when I last attended before the pandemic. This show was in April for whatever reason. It also overlapped with NAB in Vegas where many of the more tech oriented companies like Avid, Dolby and Nugen also exhibit. So their marketing budgets were also split. There’s also a huge recession happening globally if no one has noticed. Also a lot of geopolitical tension happening in the world, especially in China where many brands still have their manufacturing. Supply chain issues still there, heard from a few manufacturers that because of the shortage of one critical part they cannot make stuff to sell. A sad situation and I pray for these companies. The big thing for me was Dolby Atmos as there were panels about it all over. Dolby releasing a new renderer for $300, and all the built in Atmos for other DAWs bringing point of entry down for small studios. As were low cost Atmos set ups from guys like Kali. There were also the Atmos panels, which demystified a lot for me, especially at the PMC booth which for me was the best sounding demo room in the show. This was also the first year I paid for my exhibits badge. Usually I get in for free. NAMM will be back in January 2024. Lets see how everything goes. Hopefully not RIP.

In my opinion, the industry has plateaued in terms of gear. A release-ready record can be made with almost any DAW, condenser microphone, audio interface, and monitors (if you know what you're doing). There are so many options already available that to truly get interest, it has to be something groundbreaking released. I haven't seen that at NAMM for years.

As a semi-professional musician, and a long-term tradeshow, exhibits, and convention sales manager that works with NAMM directly, I can tell you that all conventions and tradeshows took one of the biggest hits due to Covid. Many companies are still not going full out due to the uncertanty of the economy. As for the lack of new gear, this is on each company, not the show itself. I was hoping for a new flagship keyboard from Yamaha and Korg... Tradeshows will never go away, Covid proved that people need that in-person connections and that online events will not ever take over, at least anytime soon. Let's be real, we are all still going to go to NAMM and will still have a great time..

I have been at Namm since 1992. As a distributor in Brazil, what we did the most were meetings and meetings with goals to be reached. But we loved to see new gears. This is my first Namm that I was not there. Some factories informed us that they will not be there also (or at least one person for meetings at hall). Covid + Internet changed completely the scenario. Some companies start to like the possibility to not put so much money into these trade shows. It´s a test. It happend in Brazil also with a lot of crises there, despite of Covid. I loved to see friends there. Products? No more.

I grew up in Nashville and always managed to get into summer NAMM when it was there, even as a little kid. I always came back half-deaf and loaded up with posters, merch, and excited. In the 90s there was ALWAYS some wild new keyboard workstation with some star playing it, or some new goofy guitar gadget. It was so much FUN, even if you came home hearing the piercing sound of digital pianos tinkling through PA speakers when you closed your eyes.

I was super hype for the things I saw come out of NAMM. Distressor like 500 series, Ssl 4K B series, evertune bass, that’s just a few things that landed on my radar the last few days.

I worked in a music store during college in the early 80’s and went every year and was blown away so even though it’s been decades I am nostalgic about NAMM

Namm , CES and E3 we’re always what I looked forward to seeing videos of the newest stuff from each convention. Looks like that era may be over

Feel ya man. Ever since the incident NAMMs analog warmth just hasn't been the same.

I don't know if NAMM is dead , maybe reinventing itself , Jeff Keisel said it would cost them $ 100,000 to go, the reason they weren't going , but this year might have been be good for small vendors to be seen , and maybe they should sell merch off the floor, I think there's still a pandemic hangover going on for many businesses/ industries

I get excited when you release the totalmix Videos, Barry ;) 😘😘👌👌

I think NAMM might experience the same things that happened to "Frankfurt Musikmesse" in Germany. The owner of the exhibition decided not to reopen this event in their halls. So this exhibition is already gone. I don't know but I could also happen that NAMM will share the same destiny unfortunately. Thanks for sharing. Cheers DimiZ

I too went to 2019 NAMM. AKAI I read wasn't there?

I saw a lot of things but the first I remember the most it's an expression pedal with multiple controlable parameters for the MIDI Keyboard

Making music with all the stuff I got right now, is enough excitement to me!

Everything and every good thing comes to an end.

2019 was the first NAMM I went to (not sure if I’ll get to go to another) but it was great! Met Bootsy Collins and Victor Wooten! Also got the chance to talk to the JHS guy. It was a really cool opportunity

Open to public and make it more about giving exposure to startups and smaller companies

For some reason I always get served videos of you as the harbinger of doom! I think the last video of yours I saw was about how guitar center is on its way out.

I was there, and spoke to a number of people in a wide range of roles. The point about product releases is spot on, they are no longer tied to the show cycle and happen on the Internet at different times. Some major companies feel they don’t need the physical presence at the trade show, but that is because they had a massive surge in sales during Covid and went mostly virtual. It appears that the sales surge is over and sales are going down, I believe they are going to rethink this pretty soon. Another thing I heard from reputable sources is that most companies are coming back in January. The timing was more of the problem for them because it presented three Nam shows within 18 months which budgets did not permit them to spend on. When they go back to January in 2024, the consensus is that the vast majority of companies plan to be there. Another point is that some very notable companies like Taylor and universal audio were there, but had little a public presence. They were there to set up meetings,. Some, like Taylor, had private showing rooms for dealers. Certainly, the culture, and technology have changed, and Covid was a huge factor. However, there is a clear consensus that the show will be significantly more attended in 2024. I definitely noticed a drop off in Internet coverage of products. But if you were there in person, there was plenty of cool stuff. Sony had an amazing system for immersive, headphone reproduction, mercury, audio, created, a stellar Fairchild like compressor that has EQ on board. Amphion has a killer new set of flagship studio monitors, and, the list goes on and on!

Same, the ICON got me curious. Of course just watching through YT. But it's the only content I watched in full.

Superplate from Soundtoys sounded outstanding!

Hi Barry, YES!, the new Icom pro is amazing and The all new, Empirical Labs Pump 500 Series Compressor (like the "Destressor" or more like the "Eli arousor") not exactly the same but the DNA is there. The 1178 from AudioScape as well.

What about the new apollos? Did you say that UA was coming out with them.

I went to NAMM this year, yes some big names was missing but this is the first year in a while that I saw products that made me say "I'm going to buy that" Empirical Labs push 500 series compressor, Cranborne Carnaby 500, Heritage Audio Lang eq, to name a few. I didn't expect much this year with it being in April. But I had a good time and did some good networking

covid really didn't change the world, the inept response did

Nammy how I loved you how I loved you

RU-vid is the new NAMM

The last great lot of things was 2019. Before the world lost its collective marbles.

2019? As my first NAMM show was in 1976, I started seeing the decline in the 90's. I'm old enough to remember ordering gear at the show, and having it arrive the following week. Then as time went on, you started seeing nothing but prototypes, and with no assurance you would would even see the piece. I saw, and sold, many exciting products in the 70's from, Moog, Arp, Oberheim, Yamaha. Then the early 80s, Roland, Korg became major players. Alesis became of age with affordable products. The DX7 was huge in the early 80's. Became a standard. Recording wise, Fostex, Tascam, offered the regular guy recording products that enabled them to actually multi track at the house and sound pretty good. As for me, the last really big thing to hit the market was the Adat in the early 90's, which I myself being located in Nashville, I sold a bunch of Adats. After that, the industry, IMHO, turned into just more bells and whistles than anything. The new gear didn't really sound a lot better, just more features. Case in point, the sound in synths really didnt get a lot better, just had a lot more features. Same with a lot of the recording gear. Having owned and work in music stores, and being involved in the Nashville music/audio scene for 35 years, it provided me insight as to what gear was happening, and each year the NAMM was the place to see it, until it wasn't.

Namm was fun they already set a date for 2024. Plus my friends booth a excellent turn out. People just hope big companies come back. We'll see

After attending every single Namm Show since the early 90’s, the 2019 show was my last show as well because of Covid. This year the Namm and the NAB practically overlapped so, for the first time, I choose the NAB show instead and just returned today, And all I can say is WOW! This years show was literally off the hook! SO many parts of the broadcast/Video world overlap with the audio world now. This years NAB reminded me of Namm shows from the glory days when every hall (I mean EVERY) was packed. It was absolutely nuts and a complete blast, even from an audio perspective. And NO outlandish member fees, the badges are mostly comped if you subscribe to any of the well known industry newsletters.

So far there’s 3 things that I saw that I would like. Antelope studio monitors, MDR-MV 1 open back headphones, and the Soundtoys super plate plug-in.

Hi Barry I did some research about NAMM 2023 and the prices of the booths and the meeting rooms where astronomical so it really makes me wander.

A honest assessment of the situation today

I didn’t go, but I saw Audioscape showed off their new and upcoming RCA BA-6A and UREI 1178 models, both of which are very exciting!

I have the Icon QCon Pro X and love this controller. I just watch a video of the new Icon series at NAMM and they look fantastic. Great upgrades like the individual LED's and touch screen however I don't think it's enough to want to upgrade my unit.

The new Binson Echo-Rec? The AudioScape BA-6A? Some pretty big hitters there, Bar!!!!

I want to see more of the new 500 series SSL B compressor. I only saw a passing view of it. Looking forward to more info.

I agree!😢

It's a shame there were no new releases/updates to the Arturia, Native Instrument midi keyboards.

I remember Mick from That Pedal Show said in the Livestream yesterday that he really enjoyed it, as it was smaller, yes, but more intimate in the best sense.

Seeing new software, plugin's and hardware on RU-vid everyday takes away some of the got to go to NAMM factor. Unveiled at NAMM next day all over RU-vid!!

I went every year from 2008 till COVID. Went back this year. Our buddy builds amps but doesn’t show at NAMM. His annual membership usually includes 2 passes. This year we had to buy the passes. They were called “networking passes” and they charged us 325.00 each. And no one was there. Lots of vendors listed as attending, just had private sales booths set up but no product. Bottom floors was closed and main floor had a lot of empty spaces. It was a shell of itself. I agree with another comment, open it up to the general public.

This was my 10th year and I thought it was the best yet! Not as crazy, room to walk around. Yes my favorite brands were not there but I still had a great time.

I’m hoping to go next year

It's all changed; we get old, lay low, let the kids take over. Be a mentor not a distractor.

The Osmose was quite exiting in concept .I woner if it will exite new developments of keybed design with other manufacturers ?

Any news from UA?

When Summer NAMM moved from Nashville I was done. Won’t attend until it returns.

My last year was NAMM 2021,, when Fender and Gibson pulled out I was sad. This time it was Gibson, PRS, Fender and Boss, ugh it just hurts. I hope they can turn it around.

The new Icon control surfaces look good

I agree with you completely. I was there and compared to pre-COVID it was underwhelming. A lot of big vendors were not there. On the other hand, the workshops and classes were a lot more prominent. Or maybe I just paid more attention to them due to the lack of excitement gear wise? But yeah, not great unfortunately.

Yeah, I didn't see anything either, but the Icon Controller & The Soundtoys Super Plate plug-in. I thought Uaudio would be there showcasing a new Audio Interface, but they were a no show.

Barry well I don’t always agree with you but we both know you are right here. I am a synth guy. I started as a guitarist and I have been recording stuff from the 70s and like you I have a decent studio. We are the target audience as we spend the money but my bank manager will be very happy as there was nothing to spend money on. As you said it is all over. I am in Europe so I hope Frankfurt is better.

As usual Sweetwater did a pretty good job of covering most things at Namm. I checked the coverage everyday for something new that interested me and like you there wasn't much that did. I've been interested in the Icon control surfaces for some time and the new one went on my look into list. I was the most disappointed in Universal Audio. I thought for sure they've have a new interface. Apparently they just want to be a pedal company now.

I was there for the first time It was missing the vendor excitement but there were a few gems. Neumann interface was a shining star Yamaha hosted and did very well but scaled down.

I feel exactly he same way. The “new” Binson Echorec is jaw droppingly incredible, and Best In Show for me.

Based on one of the channels I follow Neumann introduced a potentially awesome audio interface, however the cost is out of reach for many $1800 however they did say it was geared towards the prosumer. I am not in market for it because I already have one on that scale but other than that nothing jumped out at me from the channels I follow. I think people said even UAD did not show up. I wonder since we are in the plugin craze is that having an effect on NAMM since a huge market enjoys virtual reality instead of reality itself.

It sounds a bit like the International Broadcast Conference (IBC) in the Netherlands, for me, I know a lot of people in my business, so it's always excited to go there. Especially for the good talks and champagne. But last year was also less to see, they even didn't open an extra hall, like before covid. So it's pretty much the same. Also because covid is still in Asia, big players decided to stay away there. So it's everywhere.

You mentioned in an older video that you’d bet your career on Universal Audio releasing new interfaces at NAMM. Did they release them or were you just off the mark?

Although I had access, I was too busy to get out there. There were only two companies I was interested in speaking with and that was Trinnov and Roland. I had friends that went and remember we're professionals and have been for a long time so take what i say and anyone else that's been in this game for a while with a grain of salt, But friends said it wasn't worth going, I still believe it is and I'd have loved to see some of the reps that I deal with and know. I also know there's a changing of the guard so new faces are coming in and a lot of the old ones are leaving or gone; such is life, I hope to be able to go in Jan.

I went only one day on Friday last week. I really liked it, much better than last year. They announced dates for the next year in January 2024, it will return to 4 days and companies like Fender, Gibson, and Roland supposed to be back. Chinese manufacturers returned with strong force. I noticed that lots of new gear showed up in the Fall of 2022, just in time for January's NAMM but since it was postponed to April, lots of gear that was new in January, was not new anymore in April. Yamaha as always prepared great NAMM show. I cannot wait to 2024:-)

I believe its because of the timing of the convention. If NAMM returns to early January I believe more people will return as well as vendors.

Once they started giving vendors crap about noise levels and artist sets, I was done. Haven't been back since 2019.

I agree, I went to namm in 2018 and finally again this year. There was a not good, basic guitar center vibe there, minimal new tech that got me inspired. Last Namm I will attend. I'll go to Disneyland across the street instead.

I really hope it comes back or maybe one more geared to the public - although I could see the waiting to release until name is likely dead and with that is going to mean a lot of the hype and torrent of awesome gear and excitement may die with it.

As a person who has been invited on and off for 15 years and never gone... and was always a sideline armchair fan, I have to agree with you! Nothing excited me this year. I'm coming at NAMM as a Synthesist with over 4 0synths in the home studio, plus I play bass and guitar with a few dozen guitar pedals and a heavy duty plugin roster. Nearly nothing excited me, and what little did excite me, was priced over $4K. Roland and Korg were a no-show, which was weird in itself. I'm not sure what the takeaway is here for my group of people, but if I had to make a guess? The second golden age of synthesis is now over.

We are getting older bro, thats why it is more difficult to be inspired ! I know the feeling, And also, with the knoledge you understand that audio was not that changed between Apogee Roseta and today gear, not by much right? Regards from Bulgaria , thats Eastern Europe, not Bolivia, because it is often mistaken lol!

I thought I was the only one thinking this!

I went to NAMM four times. I was at the last one before COVID. It was great but I must admit I was less excited every year. One of my favorite thing about NAMM was an excuse to escape a week of crappy Canadian winter in sunny California. I think moving NAMM to April made things worse for them. A lot of people I talked to enjoyed going to get sunny days in January. I get sunny days in Canada in April, I don't need the traveling ordeal.

This video popped up on my homepage, so I will comment. If someone already owns tons of recording gear, lots of guitars, effect pedals, synths, and whatever else they want…of course there wouldn’t be much to “excite” you. What would you actually want to see that makes you want to buy yeet another piece of gear? Maybe it’s still a great showcase for new vendors and new musicians to see what’s available, not necessarily for experienced pro’s that already have everything.

As I'm in Europe, I followed it online. And I agree it was kinda disappointing. I hoped UA would have revealed a new Apollo, but no :( (Still hope its coming later this year. Like you, I'm very excited about the new Icon V1 M, looks amazing. Regarding NAMM being R.I.P. : I was a steady visitor at MusikMesse in Frankfurt(D) for more then 35 years, but the last 6 years I would say. Its not that interesting anymore, and I have skipped a few now. I guess we are so used of getting our news from the internet, that there is not much added value anymore for such events.

I know that feeling godbless

keep in mind before a product goes to market there is a period of development maybe 18 months or so. 18 months ago there were still covid restrictions . Next NAMM will tell the real story

Given the damage done by the pandemic, inflation, rising interest rates, the odd timing of NAMM this year, and the slump in MI sales, it makes sense that some manufacturers decided to sit this one out.

NAMM will begin to return to normal next January. As far as vendors, the sophisticated microchip industry is at a temporary delay right now and major companies can't get the chips they need to build their flagship products for a few years. Once all this pick back up NAMM in a year or two, vendors will be able to build and show off new products at NAMM again. .

best announcement of April 2023, new Synergy module

Didn’t go to NAMM myself but did you see the T-REX Binson Echorec? I think that would be worth checking out…😎