NAMM 2008: Top Ten Picks From Winter NAMM Roundup

Here are my personal Top Ten Picks from Winter NAMM 2008. Due to the fact that these choices are from different genres, the picks are in no particular order.

1) URS - Saturation Plug-In

Realistic sounding saturation at a reasonable price? I’ve yet to find a saturation plugin that does the trick for me. Most just make things sound “different” but not necessarily “better”. Given their track record, URS are the ones who can do it.

Visit www.ursplugins.com for the lowdown.

2) Tascam DS-1

There are now plenty on digital recorders on the market but I’m personally attracted to this one. Mostly because it has a built-in tuner and vocal cancel feature so you can “sing along with music and measure how flat you’re singing”. I’ve always needed a portable device for this. I’ve long suspected my car-singing might not be as good as I think. Seriously, this will be a perfect scratch pad for ideas, or a quick and dirty way to get samples. Plus the Tascam logo reminds me of my 4-track cassette days. Without the unholy tape hiss.

Visit Tascam

3) Epiphone SG & Les Paul Prophecy GX

These guitars come with either EMG 81’s or Dirty Finger humbucker pickups factory installed. I particularly like the value of the SG with the Dirty Finger’s.

Visit Epiphone’s Website

4) Korg MicroKorgBK Synth

Yes, I know it’s mostly just a cooler looking version of the regular MicroKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder but with reverse color keys. I still want it. I’ve been looking at keys the other way my entire life. Let me have this one thing. P.S. I’m know it’s been done before but I don’t have one.

Visit Korg.com

5) Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser Microphone

If you’re a podcaster you owe it to yourself to get this mic. Audio-Technica make some of the best value microphones around and the USB input really simplifies spoken word recording.

Visit Audio-Technica

6) BOSS GT-10 Guitar Effects Processor

I love Boss pedals. They’re sturdy, sound great, I can remember what they are based on the color, etc. However, I don’t like changing batteries or taking 20 minutes to set-up a dozen pedals in a chain. This latest Boss floorboard has all the sounds you need and takes care of my nitpicking laziness at the same time. BOSS is Boss.

See the BOSS

7) Marshall 1959 Randy Rhodes Signature

26 years after his death Randy Rhodes finally gets a signature edition amp. It’s about time. Just make sure to release a matching cabinet Marshall and we’re good.

Visit Marshall

Korg X50CF 61-Key Synthesizer

Another awesome looking keyboard from Korg. I know there is more to a synthesizer than the way it looks. I also know this is the keyboard I want to be playing when the enemy attacks.

Again, see Korg’s website

9) SWR Redhead

Here’s something for the bass players. To mark the 20th Anniversary of SWR they are releasing a redesigned Redhead amp. 400 watts of Redheaded love. Thank you, SWR. Thank you.

Visit SWR

10) F*ing F*cker

Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention the now famous F*ing F*cker. Sure the price tag is a bit high and there are those heat concerns due the amount of temperature 23 tubes can generate, but honestly who can live without this? I mean really. Does it sound good? I don’t care. At the very least it’s a $5,000 conversation starter. So, what kind of amp is that?……..

http://www.metasonix.com/

That’s it for my Winter NAMM 2008 picks. What were your favorites at the show?