by Kimmie
February, 2002

Did you have a hard time scraping the funds together to attend this year's winter NAMM festival? Did the band van break down en route? Or did your ever-forgetful drummer fail to mail in your dues? Never fear, Score! Music Magazine is here to save the day... or at least fill you in on some of the technological breakthroughs and cutting edge equipment developed for the music industry which was introduced in Anaheim this January.

First on the list - for the wanna be guitar virtuosos - $229 and Line 6's fabulous Guitar Port will have you sounding like Hendrix in no time! This innovative machine and software combo enables the user to play with virtually any amplifier. Plus, for an added $8.00 a month subscription fee, the user can play with the sounds of classic guitar legends, thanks to the remastering done by Eddie Kramer.

Speaking of Kramers... On the artist front, Aerosmith's Joey Kramer was on hand to hawk his new compilation of loops and samples. Other celebrity sightings included Slash, George Clinton, Michael Anthony, Bruce Kulick, George Lynch, and Michael Wilton to name a few.

Next, Fender has integrated what can only be compared to a type of LoJack® for guitars. This scanable identification chip, along with Snagg, a musical instrument identification registry and stolen asset recovery system, is much like the technology available for surgical insertion in the hides of Fifi or Fido. Now Lucille will also have these tracking devices. -- I know, I know, Lucille's a Gibson, but you get my point. -- The chips are being introduced as a theft deterrent, and while Fender foresees a day when they are found in all of their guitars, ID chips are currently being placed solely in their more pricey custom models. In addition to the inventive use of ID chip technology, Fender walked away with the "Amplifier of the Year" award for their Cyber Twin Amplifier and teamed up with Petersen Automotive Museum for an extraordinary showcase. This exhibit, aptly titled "Cars and Guitars" showed off automobiles owned by various rockers displayed along with their guitars.

More guitar fun: Boss' BF-2 stereo version, known as the BF-3 Flanger pedal, brings a variety of Boss flanging effects to guitarists and bassists. With the Gate Pan and Ultra modes available in this new model, the BF-3 has some serious guts.

DJ's are raving (literally) about the next two pieces of equipment that are certain to get your heart racing and your credit card companies rubbing their hands in anticipation. FinalScratch Pro-FS from N2IT allows the user to hook up any two turn tables and a 500MHz computer system to the ScratchAmp interface, used along with the FinalScratch vinyl album, to spin and control analog and digital sounds (MP3, WAV and audio CDs) in real time. Then there is the VRX-2000 Vinyl Cutter, which brings the concept of CD burning to vinyl. This fancy piece of equipment, which requires a class to learn the proper operating procedure, enables the user to create vinyl to vinyl and tape, live or MP3 to vinyl at a hefty cost of $10,000.

Drummers will be interested in Pearl's new revolutionary Fiber Claves which are touted as being "virtually indestructible". They've also introduced their percussion mini instruments for toddlers looking to start early or for those that want the ease of taking their skins anywhere, and the tough fiberglass shelled Primero Bongos in their new color "Raspberry Fizz". Finally, a sneak peak could be had of Jimmy DeGiazzo's (Megadeth) Carbonply Maple Masterworks kit that will be used on the band's upcoming tour, along with a replica of Tico Torres' (Bon Jovi) VH1 "Concert For New York" kit that auctioned off for a paltry $29,700, and Torres' Signature Snare.

Mac lovers salivated over the extravaganza of tools available to the rebel operating system. DSound brings forth Stomp'n FX Vol 1, which is a Mac VST plugin for realistic simulating stomp-box effects. Waves showed off the Mac TMD exclusive L2-Ultramaximizer software Audio Processor for ProTools 24|Mix TMD. Rocket Network's MOTU indicated a movement towards a MIDI sequencer software that will enable Digital Performer users to team up on-line with users of any Rocket Network compatible programs.

Finally, Cakewalk's SONAR 1.3.1 digital multitrac recording system provides enhanced mixing and editing with the most advanced recording, editing and mixing of digital audio available to Windows users. SONAR is touted by Cakewalk as providing "all of the tools a musician needs to produce projects from start to finish, with unlimited digital audio and MIDI tracks". Just ask BB King, Slipknot or System of a Down - all SONAR users. Pull out those credit cards again though, because this sucker's going to run you close to $500.00.

Now aren't you glad that Score! Music was here to fill you in on all of this great technology? Although much of it will probably empty out your savings accounts, but heck, if your credit limit can't handle the heat, do what we do: Dream big and hope that the fortune cookie prophecies come true!.

What's in y'er wallet!?

www.namm.org