Best New Electronic Instrument At NAMM 2015
At this year’s show, there were multiple new devices that go beyond the territory of traditional MIDI controllers, creating new types of instruments in the process.
In the past, there might have been one or two of these new MIDI instruments at the show. But this year, they were all over and it looks like they are starting to get some traction.
Returning this year were the Haken Continuum and the Roli Seaboard Grand. And, offsite, NuDesine gave us a preview of their new AlphaSphere Me – an inexpensive version of their alternative spherical controller.
Our pick for the best new electronic instrument of the 2015 NAMM Show is Roger Linn’s LinnStrument, above.
Modern synthesizers are capable of much more expression than standard keyboard controllers. For many musicians, it’s frustrating to not be able to take advantage of the full power of their synthesizers.
The LinnStrument addresses this problem, capturing your finger position in three dimensions – for each of your fingers – and letting you flexibly map this information to anything your synthesizers can handle.
Best New Hardware Sequencer Of NAMM 2015
In past years, we would have been lucky to see the introduction of one new hardware sequencer at the NAMM Show. This year, though, there were an amazing number of new hardware sequencers.
Standouts include:
- The Koma Komplex sequencer is a powerful 4 channel step sequencer that offers a ton of power at price that would have been unheard of just a couple of years ago.
- The Buchla Polyphonic Rhythm Generator is one of the most powerful, if complex, hardware sequencers ever created.
- The Social Entropy Engine is multitrack hardware sequencer, that builds on the company’s experience with 303/606 sequencing
- Korg SQ-1 Step Sequencer – Korg could have introduced a full-scale recreation of the classic SQ-10, but instead they created the SQ-1, a $99 sequencer that’s inexpensive and enhanced with modern connectivity.
Each of these step sequencers look like they will be a fantastic piece of gear. But the new Arturia Beatstep Pro, above, strikes a great balance between power and price. It offers two channels of monophonic step sequencing, plus a 16-track drum sequencer, with both MIDI and CV connectivity.
Best New MIDI Controller Of NAMM 2015
Our pick for the best new MIDI controller of NAMM 2015 is the Novation Launchpad Pro, above.
The Novation Launchpad Pro takes one of the most popular MIDI controllers in the world and makes it better – adding velocity and pressure sensitive pads, RGB LED feedback and improved control.
But the Launchpad Pro had some great company. Akai introduced the Advance Keyboard Controller series, which offer deep integration with your desktop synth software. And, for people that want a full-size piano keyboard controller, Nektar intrroduced their flagship 88-key semi-weighted Impact LX88 Keyboard Controller.
I’m as excited as anyone about the new Odyssey and I’m not saying it doesn’t deserve ‘best monosynth,’ but at the same time you guys seem to have completely ignored/neglected the Vermona ’14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDwZhWf21As
What do you have against Vermona?! Was this guy even a contender for ‘best monosynth?’
The Vermona ’14 looks does look interesting. As we see it, though, they’ve previewed the synth, vs introducing it.
Vermona has not put any information about the new synth on their website or on their social media pages; they have not shared any press information on the new synth with Synthtopia; they haven’t published any audio or video demos for it; and they haven’t announced pricing or availability.
We look forward to learning more about The Vermona ’14 and hope we can share more information on it, soon.
hmm.. yeah, but nonetheless, they’ve showcased the product.
So, you just could’ve gone there and asked them nicely.. 😉
Thanks for the feedback.
There were a wealth of new synths at NAMM this year where the manufacturers actually introduced them, provided specs and audio demos, had pricing and availability information and have websites we can point people to for more information.
Unfortunately, Vermona isn’t at that stage yet with their new synth.
If we select a keyboard as a ‘best of NAMM’ choice, readers are going to want to know how many oscillators it has, envelope types, filter slope, keyboard characteristics, modulation options and much more. They’re going to want to know the synth’s pricing and availability, so they can weigh its value compared to other keyboards out there.
We hope you’ll understand that we have to consider these things in compiling our ‘best of’ selections, in addition to a company just showing something interesting at NAMM. For example, longtime readers will remember that Dave Smith showed drum machine prototypes for several years prior to actually introducing the Tempest.
Vermona’s products so far are completely beautiful in sound! I would be as excited about this even as a preview as i would be for any number of variations on the idea of the Xi or Timbre Wolf! The synth ’14 looks a lot like what I’d hoped Vermona would go for next, from the Lancet mono towards a more full featured moog-style mono. the sound of the lancet was very beautiful, I hope they kept those designs intact.
I’m with you here!
For me, besides the Prophet 6, the best looking synth at Namm this year.
Sounds very nice as far the youtube vids go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtCHJAO-HB4&spfreload=10
did anyone get a noise violation this year?
I didn’t see any company booths shut down for noise violations this year.
I think the Prophet 6 was far and away the winner. If you look at the Prophet 12, I think it beats the Modulus/Modal as well. Designed by a legend, the Prophet 6 is destined to be a classic.
If the Prophet 12 had been introduced in 2015, we would have had a much harder time compiling our ‘best of’ list!
The fact that a startup like Modal Electronics has introduced a synth that can be compared with other great polyphonic synths is a huge deal. The more you learn about the 002, the more you realize that has some interesting ideas built into its design.
As far as audio interfaces go, the Rane smashes these other two IMO. Did you overlook the overhaul at UAD, where we can now daisychain devices and enter an I/O and plugin walhalla?
I agree with the Prophet being the most interesting synth in this year’s NAMM.
My second choice is the ARP Odyssey, no doubt about it.
Let’s see what 1983 NAMM will bring us. Because we are in 82 right?
Nah, just teasing you
No ms20 module mention???
I’d pick the updated Kronos as the most exciting new synth. Of course I’m not an analog fanatic. I would rather have something like the Kronos that can do analog AND a lot of other things.
Not a big workstation fan here but the Kronos is legit. Amazing price for what you get and it sounds quite impressive. I don’t think I’ll be buying one but it’s definitely well worth owning if you’re in the rompler market.
Worst of NAMM? The Akai Timbrewolf… If they release that thing as is, for even 200 dollars, it is one of the worst sounding synths I’ve ever heard. But it costs $500… What a joke…
I am ordering all the Pocket Operators and an SQ-1. But my favorite thing was the update for the Sub-37. That synth is a must have…
I tried the timbre wolf and thought it was actually a pretty interesting synth. Great build quality and 4-voice analog polytimbral! We’re getting jaded if that’s not a good deal for $500.
The demos didn’t do it justice, akai doesn’t know how to sell stuff anymore!
If you’re used to synths with built in effects, the timbre wolf will sound weak to you. It’s really four independent analog monosynth voices, more like a really basic version of a Oberheim four voice, rather than a traditional polysynth.
A friend of mine tried it at NAMM, admittedly I haven’t heard it in person. But Nick Batt and Correy Banks (Sonicstate and Bboy tech report) also said it sounds “ghastly”. Nicks exact words. They said it’s the exact same synth used in the rhythm wolf, which I own and it leaves a ton to be desired…