The Anaheim Convention Centre will soon host the 2009 NAMM show from January 15th to 18th. Located just outside Los Angeles, California, last year’s show featured over 15,000 exhibitors and nearly 90,000 visitors eager to display and see the latest the industry has to offer.

International visitors from over 100 countries travel to Anaheim every year to see new product releases, announcements and take part in NAMM University sessions. With all this on offer, the organisers of the event state that the NAMM Show is the best place to establish a company’s brand and take it to the next level.

NAMM University features four days of quick sessions on focused topics ranging from handling finances to ideas for promoting business on the web. The one pro audio focused session will be given by Peavey’s Kent Morris in the Idea Center in Hall B, stand 5501, on January 15th at 1:30pm. The class is designed for MI retailers who want to gain a greater understanding of the technology behind professional audio equipment, from digital consoles to line array technology.  Morris will take a beginner’s look at the finer points of professional-level live sound.

Another interesting session for all attending NAMM is the Best In Show session. Held on the final day of the show, Music Inc publisher Frank Alkyer and a panel of industry leaders will review the hottest products, ideas and trends displayed during the show. The hour-long session will be held in the Pacific Ballrooms on January 18 at 8:00 am.

Over 1,500 manufactuers are exhibiting this year, including the likes of Shure, Audio Technica, Dynaudio, Tannoy, TC-Helicon, TC Electronics, Behringer, Community Loudspeakers, Rane, Audix, DAS, Tascam, Harman Pro and many other major players.

While most manufacturers are reluctant to give out details of their secret new product launches until the day of the show, a few have hinted at the new gear that they will be releasing or pushing at the show.

Allen & Heath will be present at the American Music and Sound stand, stand 6474, exhibiting two new products, one digital and one DJ. It will also show its ILive series of digital consoles for live audio and its new Zed FX series of small format mixers with onboard effects.

Harman will show its brand new DMS 700 wireless system at the show. A sneak preview of the system was given at PLASA 08, but the official launch will be made in Anaheim. The DMS 700 features a broadband frequency range with extended flexibility in crowded RF environments.

With over 100Mhz of bandwidth, the DMS 700s low RF link quality offers service that is secure from interference or distortion. It also has a dynamic range of 121dB(A) and offers up to 40 channels simultaneously. AKG is boasting that the DMS 700 is the first digital wireless system to meet worldwide transmission regulations.

The DMS 700 also incorporates AKG’s D5 dynamic microphone capsule, while its patented laminate varimotion diaphragm and supercardiod polar patterns ensure maximum gain before feedback. Harman’s HiQnet System Architect supports all of the features of the DMS 700.

Furman will be exhibiting its range of AV signal processors alongside its AC power conditioning and distribution products on stand 6874. It will also be unveiling a brand new series designed for AV professionals, the Prestige series. The new line includes the P-1800 PF R Power Conditioner, the
P-1800 AR Voltage Regulator and the P-1400 AR E Export voltage regulator.

OC Weekly writer, Rick Kane described NAMM visitors as, “Just barely cooler than your average Star Trek or Dungeons and Dragons geek.” While Kane’s comment is a bit harsh, participants of NAMM 2009 will be eager to see the raft of new products, innovative ideas, interesting topics, new industry trends and the occasional celebrity guest present every year in Anaheim.
www.namm.org/thenammshow