What's new at NAMM Show 2024 that excited us!

The NAMM Show in Los Angeles, as every year, proves to be an event not to be missed.

NAMM 2024 was undoubtedly an edition to remember because, in a more pronounced way than the post-Covid edition (2023), it was clearly understood that we have now entered the era of Dolby ATMOS Music.

It is true ... in Italy many still wonder if it will ever catch on, but overseas we can assure you this is no longer a doubt ... it is not a question of "if" but of "when" ...

But let's not digress! NAMM 24 brought great news, and that is exactly what we want to talk to you about....

What new products in the Pro Audio world were presented at the Anaheim (Los Angeles) show?

Audient ORIA

Did we mention Dolby ATMOS? With ORIA Audient gets straight to the point... We present the new audio interface dedicated exclusively to immersive audio, complete with calibration, routing, and monitoring.

Audient Oria aims to make Dolby ATMOS easy for everyone. The interface is fully integrated with Dolby Renderer and allows calibration and monitoring of a 9.1.6 speaker array. Perfect for Music, Film, TV, game and VR production.

Not to be missed, ORIA also facilitates system calibration through flawless integration with Sonarworks' SoundID Reference.

With the SoundID Reference calibration microphone, it will be possible to calibrate multichannel listening in less than an hour, and with one click, curves can be loaded directly into ORIA's control system.

AMS Neve Genesys G3D

The search for solutions to make Dolby ATMOS easy to use continues with the upgrade of the Neve Genesys to the 3D version.

AMS Neve has always stood for excellence in analog console mixing.

Undoubtedly being able to integrate a console with Dolby ATMOS is a considerable challenge, and Neve has decided to meet it by designing an integrated system between the analog and digital worlds to take full advantage of channel strip quality with the ability to mix in three dimensions directly from the console surface.

The Neve Genesys G3D has the same layout and stereo recording/mix capabilities as the Neve Genesys, but with a master section from which you can directly control the Dolby Renderer, manage Dolby Atmos monitoring, and control and automate objects in real time, thanks in part to a dedicated touchscreen panel.

Barefoot FP03

Barefoot Sound presents a new 3-way, tri-amplified studio monitor that is extremely competitive in price (about €1,800 + vat to the public) and very compact (33.65 x 22 x 23.50 cm HxWxD).

The challenge of this monitor is to offer Barefoot's detail and sonic performance even in small production or mix rehearsals.

Barefoot also thinks ATMOS, in fact the new FP03s have a reinforced structure on the rear panel with dedicated holes for installing a wall or ceiling mounting plate and a fairly low weight (about 8 kg).

PMC Power 750-8

PMC Speakers has stated for a few years now that they want to be one of the leading companies in the transition to Dolby ATMOS in the entire recording market, and their Booth at NAMM proves it!

Their monitoring system consisting of the new 6, 6-2 and 8-2 active series and Ci series in-wall monitors are now an established reference for Dolby ATMOS mix rooms around the world, such as Netflix studios or Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

Only one piece was missing from the puzzle-and it was unveiled at NAMM 2024! The 750w per channel 8-channel power amplifier in just two rack units with DANTE and analog inputs.

The amplifier mounts a DSP system that can be controlled by PMC's Soundalign app, which allows the calibration of each individual speaker and the saving of mix presets.

Gainlab Audio GOVERNOR

Announced before Christmas, we finally got to hear GOVERNOR, Gainlab Audio's new optical tube compressor.

Nowadays, few manufacturers tackle the creation of a stereo/dual-mono optical compressor, as handling an optical circuit in stereo is extremely delicate.

Gainlab Audio, however, has decided to go this route, and we can confirm that they have hit the mark--in fact, they have outdone themselves.

In fact, the Governor inherits the Bishop's "dual threshold" circuit that allows two different thresholds to be set for handling the most complex dynamics.

Quagliardi Audio (New Brand)

As you know, at Milk Audio Store we want to look to the future but at the same time we love the "old school" ...

We have been impressed by a new brand, Quagliardi Audio, which has fully entered the Pro Audio market with four products of excellence in terms of sound quality and cleanliness as well as in terms of construction.

It has been a long time since we have felt solid construction like this by touch alone.

QLifter

Is a microphone booster that provides +20dB gain thanks to its FET amplifying circuit, perfect for use with dynamic or ribbon microphones, which provides a significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio.

Colorbox DI

For many engineers, DI boxes are merely utilities and one is as good as the next...not so for Quagliardi Audio, which has created its DI box with the needs and practicality of engineers everywhere in mind.

A low-priced, extremely lightweight and elegant transformer-based DI Stereo Box offers a smooth and warm sound, reminiscent of the best vintage equipment.

The "Live" version is reinforced and tested to withstand the weight of a fully loaded trailer truck!

576 FET Compressor

Quagliardi Audio's 500-format FET compressor is inspired by the legendary sound of the Urei 1176LN while at the same time looking at the needs of modern productions, including new controls such as Dry/Wet Mix and the ability to Link for use in stereo with another 576 FET.

501+ preamp

The 500-series preamp from this Argentine brand is sure to make waves.

It offers a clean, transparent sound at low and medium gain levels. At the same time, when taken toward saturation, it allows a strong and distinctive character to be added to the sound.

[ColorBox DI photo]

Fairchild Model 660

Following the reissue of the world-famous Fairchild 670 unveiled at the last NAMM, Fairchild presents an exact replica of the historic Fairchild 660 mono compressor that will be rebuilt to the specifications of the original design, using the same valves and the same purpose-built winding transformers.

Elysia channex|studio

Elysia, a German company known for making cutting-edge analog outboards with a defined, clean sound, brings a prototype "ultimate" channel strip to NAMM, a complete unit that incorporates everything needed for a recording session:

Channex|Studio, a Class A channel strip with recall for recording and mix sessions.

This outboard, in just two rack units includes:

A microphone preamplifier, a four-band dynamic equalizer, an extremely easy-to-use compressor, a sound "coloring" section called "Flavour," saving and recalling your own settings, and, to top it off, a complete zero-latency monitoring section for separate listening between Artist and Engineer and Talkback management.