NAMM 2018: AES Partners With the NAMM Show

A four-day symposium will cover line-array technologies, system measurement and optimization, more

Professional audio’s presence at the NAMM Show, the main annual gathering of the musical-instrument industry, will increase substantially at this year’s edition (Jan. 25-28, Anaheim Convention Center). NAMM is partnering with AES, which developed and will manage a four-day symposium comprising a series of Training Academies and related sessions on line-array technologies, live-sound mixing consoles, wireless systems and studio environments, and tutorials on system measurement and optimization, as well as a selection of peer-reviewed technical papers. Sessions will be held in the Anaheim Hilton Hotel’s NAMM U Education Center, adjacent to new pro-audio exhibit space in the recently expanded convention center.

The symposium — sponsored by more than a dozen pro-audio companies, including Sennheiser, Bose Professional, Lectroconics, Yamaha, and Audio-Technica sibling Alteros — will focus on a range of audio sectors. These, such as the Line Array Loudspeaker System Academy and Live Mixing Console Academy, will have relevance to the live-sound aspects of sports productions. The Entertainment Wireless Academy will feature a Spectrum Update panel discussing upcoming changes to wireless-frequency spectrum, followed by 90-minute breakout classroom instruction on recent wireless hardware systems from leading brands, including Alteros/Audio-Technica, Lectrosonics, and Sennheiser. These breakout sessions are followed by best-practices workshops on antenna systems and frequency coordination to prepare attendees for the coming changes in wireless spectrum. Other panels on popular live-sound topics include Sound System Measurement & Optimization.

This is the second major co-location that the AES has done. Last October, it partnered with NAB, occupying two adjacent halls on the main level of Manhattan’s Javits Center during NAB Show New York.

“As a platform for business and learning, the NAMM Show unites the global music and sound ecosystem in its own unique way,” says Joe Lamond, president/CEO, NAMM. “Through our collaboration with the passionate members and leaders of AES, we are now further united in a shared vision of showcasing exciting new products, technologies, and educational offerings for the good of the entire industry.”

The show is also host to the annual TEC Awards, pro audio’s yearly celebration of technical achievements. In their 32nd year, the awards honor Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and producer Jack Douglas, alongside a variety of top pro-audio exhibitors, professionals, and products. At the 2018 NAMM Show, the organization will also host the professional touring and production industry’s Parnelli Awards for the first time.