The Biggest Microphone, Synth, and Music Gear Announced During NAMM 2023

The world’s biggest instrument and music technology show, NAMM, ran from April 13 to 15 in Anaheim, California, and here’s a rundown of the latest microphone, plugin, studio equipment, and more that will shape the quality and process of how we make music.

Microphone

Berlin company, BEYERDYNAMIC, unveiled their updated M Series Microphones for 2023. The updated microphone models include the M88 dynamic microphone; the M160 and M130 ribbon microphones; the M201 dynamic hyper-cardioid microphone; the MC950 super-cardioid and cardioid MC930 true-condensers; and the MM1 condenser measurement microphone.

Aside from having a refreshed design, the new M series microphones of BEYERDYNAMIC have incorporated “a more streamlined production and build process” that can help in the logistics and servicing of these recording devices.

Plugin and Interface

Known to bring superb audio effects to recordings by merging the sound and vibe of classic analog gear using modern technology, Soundtoys has another product to offer; the Superplate.

The reverb plug is compatible with macOS and Windows and is dubbed by the company as the “big brother” of the Little Play plugin. What makes the Superplate plugin impressive is that it features five different algorithms in classic 140, goldfol 240, audicon, echo plate III, and strocktronics rx 4000.

Another company known for its tech and hardware is IK Multimedia which unveiled its do-it-all interface, the Axe I/O One. The “Musicians First” company truly paid attention to the needs (and wants) of both professional and budding musicians by creating a one-in, three-out audio interface that will work best for guitar and bass players.

It is also compatible with the IK-exclusive Z-TONE impedance control to help further exchange the sound of your recordings.

Instrument

An organ is perhaps one of the most versatile and useful instruments to have whether you’re a musician or you’re looking for an instrument that will help you create sound effects for your content. One organ that was unveiled during NAMM 20233 is Hammond’s XK-4.

While it emulates the class B3 organ, the XK-4 is as versatile and virtual as it can get. What makes it even more impressive is that it sports 91 virtual tonewheels, drawbars, a touch-response percussion, and chorus-vibrato, and has a built-in Leslie speaker while retaining an affordable price and compact design.

Studio Equipment

Some of the essential recording studio equipment to own are studio monitors and monitor speakers. Two companies in this year’s NAMM delivered in this category: Amphion and Neumann.

Amphion unveiled its first 3-way active studio monitor, the One25A. This studio monitor has a 2-way active circuitry that takes its design and builds from the Amphion Base units.

While it has plenty of features, we would have to highlight its high bandwidth, high signal-to-noise ratio, and no higher order or cross-over distortion as some of its key traits.

A known brand in the music industry for its microphones and other studio equipment, Neumann has unveiled the KH 120 II. These monitor speakers have amazing acoustic parameters that work wonders for deep bass signals, higher SPL capability than most products currently in the market, and an overall better resolution.