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NAMM 2015 Highlights

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Those in the know (anyone with even a passing interest in performing and/or creating music) will have had their eyes and ears on Anaheim, California last week as the Anaheim Convention Centre hosted the NAMM Show 2015. NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is the largest music product trade show in the world, and every year, it plays host to a veritable treasure trove of shiny new gear for broke musicians such as myself the to drool over. As expected, there was just as much to be excited about this year, with all of the big names in musical equipment stepping up to the plate to deliver some really interesting announcements and let the industry feast their eyes, ears and hands on this and next year's new gear. Here I'll be looking at a few of the most exciting products.

 

Roland JD-Xi/JD-Xa

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Roland have always been on another level to the competition when it comes to affordable synths, and this year they really hit it out of the park with their latest additions to the JD range, which has lain largely dormant since the 1990's. The Xi and Xa are both hybrid analogue/digital synths, marking the first time a genuine analogue synth component has been used in a Roland synth since the 1980's! The monophonic analogue oscillator is a retro delight, aping the fashionable warmth of the era taste supposedly forgot and sending those sounds through a bank of digital filters and effects.

The Roland Xi and Xa are both hybrid analogue/digital synths

Both synths also include a vocoder and microphone, digital drums and rudimentary four-track sequencing, which means it's perfectly possible to perform on entire, multi-voiced track from just one device. The Xi is the smaller device, with its mini keys and less elaborate feature set meaning Roland have been able to cut the price back to just a shade under £400. The Xa, meanwhile, is a much larger beast with full-sized keys, an additional range of synth voices and an improves 8 channel of step sequencing. The Xa is a true workhorse synth destined to form the heart of many rigs (possibly even my own) in the near future, whilst the Xi is its more affordable and portable cousin.

Dorian Concept Performance Featuring the JD-Xi Synthesizer

 

Roland Aira MX-1

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Sticking with Roland for the time being, the Aira MX-1 is the latest addition to the brand's Aira range. A one-of-a-kind “Performance mixer,” engineered as a bespoke control surface for the Aira range, that can also be used as a digital mixer and control surface for other, non-Aira devices. It's essentially a convenient way to control your electronic rig without using a computer, which will come as a god-send to performers such as myself who prefer to perform without the help of a laptop, which can prove unreliable in a live situation at even the best of times.

The Roland Aira MX-1 mixer is the latest addition to the brand's Aira range

The MX-1 also includes a bank of on-board effects and is being sold as a potential bridge to completely unique performance possibilities. It helps too that, like all of the other products in the range, it looks the absolute bees knees! The green and black are a really solid look and (as if you couldn't tell already) I really want one!

AIRA - MX-1 Mix Performer

 

Sequential Prophet-6

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Dave Smith is effectively god in the synth world, and with good reason. It's his design and technology that has been behind many of the greatest synths and drum machines in history. This year, Yamaha celebrated the man's legacy by him back his old “Sequential” brand name, a moniker under which he'll be releasing the sequel to his own Prophet-5, one of the most famous synths of all time. Those in attendance at NAMM this year reported that the P-6 is very similar in many respects to its fore-bearer, only there are a number of significant enhancements. In fact, what this synth is capable of (at least on paper) seems quite staggering.

Sequential's Prophet-6 is the sequel to one of the most famous synths of all time

Smith himself said of the new synth that it's effectively a “Tribute” to the Prophet-5, “The original poly synth that started it all.” He calls the P-6 the culmination of his company's efforts to “Build the most awesome sounding, modern analog poly synth possible,” and underlines that “It's not a reissue, it's vintage with a modern twist." Those twists include a variety of modulation options including a dual effects section, a multimode arpeggiator, and a polyphonic step sequencer with up to 64 steps. The keys are also velocity-sensitive and the four-octave size was chosen for both its portability and scope. The best of both worlds. Needless to say, anyone who has ever played any Dave Smith Instruments will covet one of these bad boys when they drop later in the year. Though something tells me they certainly won't come cheap!

Introducing the Sequential Prophet-6

 

The Novation Launchpad Pro

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The Novation Launchpad almost single-handedly changed the way performers interact with their computers when it comes to a live show. What was initially seen as a simple triggering device for Ableton Live, quickly established itself as the new standard for live electronic music performance. The Pro looks set to be the new, new standard.

The Launchpad Pro looks set to be the new standard for live electronic music performance

The new pad includes RGB LED feedback as well as velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, which are the equal of anything produced by AKAI back in the vintage MPC days (ask your hip-hop head mate). It's not a revolution, but it's an evolution significant enough to give me a tentative nerd-boner, and reinforces the fact that electronic music can be as much of a performance art as rock and/or roll. If you have the talent and/or the inclination that is.

Novation – Launchpad Pro Overview

Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and struggling musician from Kidderminster in the UK. If NAMM 2015 is anything to go by, it looks set to be a very expensive year for him!

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