(Billboard) (01/27/04)

By Christopher Walsh

Edited By Michael Bennett

ANAHEIM, CA, USA - Acoustic and electric musical instruments -- long the standard for amateurs and artists alike -- are facing new competition from a growing array of digital products that emulate them.

That was the most striking contrast at the 2004 Winter NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California.

Buyers from such musical-instrument giants as Guitar Center and Sam Ash as well as small businesses around the world had a wealth of products to consider.

The sheer size and intensity of NAMM and its after-hours performances and parties indicate a healthy industry, in contrast to the declining fortunes of major record labels during the past three years.

Professionals and hobbyists are making music and, more than ever, high-quality recordings.

"The public perception of the value of music-making has never been higher," NAMM president/CEO Joe Lamond says.

"We've got an economic picture that's improving -- exhibitors felt that the last quarter was very strong -- and a general public that, more than we've ever measured, values the benefit of music-making at all ages."

"I think we're in for a good phase."

Ultimate Sound Bank, distributed in North America by ILIO Entertainments, introduced such virtual instruments as "Charlie," a 3-gigabyte sample library of classic electric organ sounds, and X-Treme FX, another 3-gigabyte sample library enabling the creation of sound effects for music, video and games.

ILIO is also known for the software-based Vienna Symphonic Library sample recordings.

Sonic Reality, also distributed by ILIO, introduced the I-Drums sample library, featuring seven distinct drum kits sampled with a variety of playing styles.

Vox Amplification displayed a wall of its Valvetronix guitar amps featuring multiple amp models.

Vox also launched the ToneLab amp and effects modeler, a desktop unit offering an impressively accurate range of amps, cabinets and effects.

The ToneLab SE is a pedalboard-format version of the latter.

Similarly, Toneworks debuted the AX10G, AX10A and AX10B modeling signal processors for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass, respectively.

Each features multiple amplifier or instrument models.

Korg, which exhibited a broad range of keyboard, recording and DJ equipment, launched the "Legacy Collection," offering software-based models of its own analog synthesizers.

Appropriately, software companies like IK Multimedia, which manufactures the "AmpliTube" guitar amp and effects plug-in, were situated near digital audio workstation powerhouses like Digidesign and Apple Computer.

At Winter NAMM, Digidesign -- which bundles software from IK Multimedia, Ableton and Propellerhead with its Pro Tools systems -- announced its acquisition of the assets of Bomb Factory Digital, including its 27 plug-in effects.

Reverb modeling software, commonly found in high-end professional products, has moved into mass-market availability.

Waves Ltd. introduced the IR-1 sampling-based reverb, featuring a library of more than 60 impulse responses from concert halls, recording studios, churches, theaters, opera houses and other environments.

Waves also introduced the "Musician Bundle," a low-cost package that comprises processing plug-ins for musicians and vocalists.

Of course, the NAMM show featured thousands of musical instruments -- and tens of thousands of attendees enthusiastically checking them out each day.

Fender Musical Instruments -- including Squier, Guild, Benedetto, Gretsch, Charvel and Jackson guitars -- launched a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Fender "Stratocaster."

To commemorate the "Strat," Fender is making a limited number of 50th anniversary Stratocasters using the same materials as the original instruments, as well as a 50th Anniversary Deluxe Series and 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Series.

Fender also displayed the limited-edition (100 will be made) "Number One," a painstaking reproduction of the Stratocaster made famous by the late Stevie Ray Vaughan.

NAMM, the International Music Products Assn. (originally the National Association of Music Merchandisers), reported 74,236 registrants at the close of its four-day trade show.

These registrants, representing a 10% increase over 2003, examined the diverse range of products from a record 1,340 exhibitors.

Copyright 2003-2010 Billboard/Internet Music Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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