NAMM 2024 opens with Global Media Day

48 months on and NAMM has finally returned as a four-day show in its traditional January slot. On the eve of NAMM 2024, a Global Media Day took place with opening remarks from the NAMM president and CEO, John Mlynczak. The exclusive media/Influencer-only event previewed a select number of MI brands, including Dean Guitars, Deering Banjos, KHS America, Peavey, Positive Grid and Sennheiser. Five of those featured brands were invited on stage by the NAMM president to highlight and in some cases demonstrate their latest products.

Yamaha kicked things off by highlighting what attendees would find on its demonstration booth in the lofty heights of 300DE above. For the third consecutive year, Yamaha has transformed the third floor of the Anaheim Convention Center into a playground of its latest musical instruments including guitars, keyboards, drums and percussion, wind and string instruments. The display also includes products from Yamaha Group companies Bösendorfer, Line 6 and Ampeg. In addition to the new product debuts, the piano customised for Prince for his Piano and a Microphone solo tour is being showcased. Normally residing at Paisley Park in Minnesota, the purple piano can be viewed at the Yamaha booth lobby

Next up, Shure explained the virtues of its Axient Digital ADX3 plug-on transmitter and SLX-D portable digital wireless systems including how the rechargeable devices are ensuring tens of thousands of AA batteries are no longer destined for the landfill after some outdoor festivals.

Guitarist and singer Kenny Buttons ensured the sleepy afternoon participants were aroused with some slick guitar playing courtesy of his Gibson Les Paul Special amplified through a cabinet from a Vox Hand Wired Series.

A little London wit was then added to the proceedings as Audiotonix CEO, James Gordon, promoted Sound Devices’ A20-SuperNexus and Astral Wireless innovations. Noted for location sound capturing audio on film and TV sets, Sound Devices have taken off with its latest range of RF products including Astral. Gordon explained that the brand aims to take its location audio capture technology into live sound, theatre and corporate AV. In addition, the SuperNexus RF receiver was highlighted. Capable of managing 32 channels of RF, the 1-u 19-inch rack mountable unit operates within a frequency range of 169 to over 1500 MHz allowing it to work anywhere in the world. Hexversity allows it to connect to six antennas with it. Joining him on stage from the recently acquired Fourier Audio, CEO Henry Harrod introduced transform.engine.

Executive chairman, C.F. 'Chris' Martin IV and CEO Fred Greene from Martin & Co. wrapped the session off. Like Shure, sustainability was highlighted in the presenting of its GPCE Inception Maple and Remastered X series guitars. “We have had a good run with rosewood and mahogany, which are exotic tropical hardwoods. However, these are rare woods and I want this business to have a 190-year future in front of it. Hence, we are looking to embrace more sustainable domestic hardwoods that can regenerate quicker. “

Bringing the curtain down on the event, country artist Hunter Hayes played the final track from his latest Red Sky studio album, Victory, on a Martin guitar. Described as a celebration of growth and healing, the NAMM Show is hoping to rejuvenate its fortunes following four years of disruption.