Sony Electronics Brings the Latest Audio Technologies to the 2024 National Association of Music Merchants Show

At the 2024 NAMM Show, Jan. 25 – Jan. 28 in Anaheim, CA, Sony Electronics will showcase its latest audio technologies in booth #14708, including headphones, microphones, receivers, and recorders, host industry panels, and present developments for its sound technologies and solutions.

NAMM guests will also have the opportunity to get personalized measurements for 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360VME), Sony’s next generation music creation technology that uses binaural processing to reproduce a sound field using headphones. These activities are in support of “For The Music,” Sony’s audio brand platform that fosters end-to-end collaboration with music creators, from creation to consumption.

Products and Demos

Highlights of Sony’s presence at the NAMM Show include demonstrations of solutions for studio and home recording professionals, such as the new hi-res MDR-MV1 open back reference monitor headphones, C-80 studio condenser microphone, and immersive audio offerings including 360 Reality Audio (an immersive music experience that uses Sony’s object-based 360 Spatial Sound technologies), and 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360VME), Sony’s new sound technology which incorporates a personal binaural measurement service. Also on display will be the MDR-7506 stereo headphones; studio mics including the industry standard C-800G, and hi-res C-100, ECM-100U, and ECM-100N options; the UWP-D wireless microphone package, which will be used in conjunction with a Sony Alpha camera; the premium STR-AZ7000ES 13.2 CH 8K A/V receiver; and portable hi-res audio recorders including the PCM-A10 and PCM-D10.

Presentations

Throughout the show, industry experts and creators are planned to participate in timely panels, twice daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Panel participants include Michael Romanowski, Dennis “ROC.AM” Jones, Will Chason, Brian Kennedy, and Scott Spock, amongst others.  Discussions are expected to take place on the following topics.

• Sony’s professional audio ecosystem and synergies
• 360 Reality Audio (360RA) creators and their process
• 360VME creators’ use and workflow
• Sony’s Immersive Creator Retreat
• 360VME’s use in studios and educational environments.

360 Virtual Mixing Environment at NAMM and Blackbird Academy Collaboration

Sony’s booth guests at NAMM can get their unique 360VME measurements done by Sony Audio professionals. This sound technology uses headphones to reproduce the sound field environment of a reference studio with high precision. With the measurement data, a personalized Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) is created, enabling users to produce studio-quality spatial sound content, such as “360 Reality Audio” outside of the studio in almost any location.

Sony and Nashville’s Blackbird Academy recently launched the incorporation of Sony’s 360VME into Blackbird Academy’s audio education program, marking the first time 360VME personalized acoustic virtualization has been used in education. Using Sony’s MDR-MV1 open back headphones, the latest semester of Blackbird Academy students have been profiled in two of Blackbird Studio’s world class mix rooms – Studio C in the Sony 360RA environment and Studio F in the 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos environment. Provided with Sony’s 360VME application and MDR-MV1 headphones, the students can monitor their work on their laptop with a sonic experience identical to the studio they were measured in.

“The students and faculty of The Blackbird Academy are excited to explore the many potentials of Sony’s Virtual Mixing Environment. Since we are lucky enough to get to work in such world-class acoustical spaces as Studio F and the George Massenburg and Peter D’Antonio-designed Studio C, being able to virtually mix in those rooms anywhere will be a fantastic opportunity and advantage. Studio C is also equipped with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, and we are happy to get to explore the shape of audio in the future,” says Mark Rubel, Co-Director of Education and Instructor at The Blackbird Academy.