The NAMM Show

The NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world, founded in 1901. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, USA, at the Anaheim Convention Center. In addition, a smaller show, Summer NAMM takes place each July in Nashville, Tennessee.

Winter NAMM 2014 takes place in Anaheim, California from January 23-26 2014. Easily the most important event in the music-making industry calendar, the NAMM show brings together all of the major hardware and software manufacturers and a host of celebrities for an industry-only convention. MusicRadar will be your eyes and ears at the show, bringing you the latest from the likes of Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Marshall and many, many more.

1.

Pioneer DDJ-SZ (£1749,€1999,$2399) 

1.The DDJ-SZ is Pioneer's new flagship Serato DJ-compatible controller/audio interface.

Taking design and build cues from Pioneer's CDJ decks, the DDJ-SZ is more than a third bigger than the DDJ-SX and comes with larger, CDJ-sized jogwheels. There are also performance pads, dual USB ports for simultaneous connection to two computers, and a mixing area that takes its lead from Pioneer's DJM series.

Find out more in the press release below or on the Pioneer DJ website. The DDJ-SZ will be available in March, with the first 5000 units sold worldwide shipping with a free license for the Serato Video plugin.

2.

                                              Pioneer Remix Station RMX-500($499)

2.Alongside the SZ, Pioneer also had a new, cut-down RMX Station on display at this year’s show. As with the RMX-1000 the new unit is designed to help enhance DJ performances with Rhythm, Scene and Release FX. You can also add further variation with the Pressure Controller knobs.

As with its bigger sibling, the Remix-Station 500 comes with a plugin that enables you to use its effects in a DAW, with the hardware then functioning as a controller.

3.

   Sennheiser HD7 and HD8 DJ Headphones($329.95)

3.Announced at CES earlier in the month and on display at NAMM, Sennheiser’s latest DJ headphones are based on upgraded specs inspired by the company’s much-loved HD 25s.

The headphones have apparently been developed in conjunction with DJs including Bob Sinclair and Luciano in order to offer DJs optimum comfort, sound and durability. On the downside, it seems that they don’t offer user-replaceable parts, which is one of the features that made the HD 25s so popular.

4.

Hercules DjControlWave

4.There’s certainly no shortage of beginner-friendly iPad DJ controllers on the market these days. Hercules’ new offering is noteworthy, however, for being entirely wireless.

Once charged, there’s no need to plug the DJControlWave into anything - simply sync up to Hercules’ own DJUCED mixing app and you’re good to go.

It remains to be seen how useful this wireless capability would prove to be, or whether it works without latency or dropout issues, but it’s a curious development nonetheless.

5.

Millenium Falcon CDJ 2000Nexus

Star Wars fan? Then this is the one for you. Unlike the Five Axis, this one is actually functioning and definitely puts itself forward as a main contender for the pinnacle of DJ geek chic. If only Han Solo and Chewbacca could help you commandeer it.