NAMM 2022 Roundup
We roundup Yamaha Music's NAMM 2022, including a Best In Show award for the new AG01 combined condenser microphone and mixer
The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) conference is one of the largest trade shows for musical instrument manufacturers and dealers in The United States. NAMM is two days of announcements, demonstrations, and performances using the latest music gear.
Yamaha was thrilled to exhibit at NAMM 2022, as this was the first in-person event NAMM had run in two years. Yamaha has kept developing and releasing new products, and NAMM was the first chance for a lot of people to experience them for the first time.
Here’s a list of Yamaha products from NAMM you can find in Australian stores in 2022.
The new AG01 microphone wins its first award
The AG01 won Best In Show at NAMM 2022, up against hundreds of other products reviewed by industry experts. The DSP effects taken from the larger AG series of mixers, the flexibility of connections, and the bundled software suite from Steinberg helped the AG01 stand out and win such a prestigious award for Yamaha’s first foray into USB microphones.
The new ZG01 gaming and voice chat audio mixer is the centre of your streaming setup
Yamaha’s new game streaming audio mixer was also featured at NAMM. The ZG series offers control of a streaming setup at your fingertips, with inputs for microphones, two HDMI inputs, controls and effects for microphones and inputs, and dedicated volume control for a chat partner.
The onboard DSP effects allow for latency-free audio manipulation for both your voice and your input sources. Set up three programmable scenes for game audio that can be recalled with the press of a button.
Set up for any venue with the DHR/CHR range of speakers
This new range of loudspeakers was announced last year, but NAMM 2022 was the first chance for people to listen to these speakers in person.
The DHR and CHR series feature 10”, 12”, and 15” speaker variations to suit every need in a live sound setup. The powered DHR series offers enough output to fill most venues, whilst the CHR loudspeaker range can slot into anyone’s power amplifier arrangement.
MG-X series of mixers bring DSP to live sound
The popularity of the MG-XU series of mixers with streamers and content creators had people crying out for a mixer with the same DSP effects without the USB recording functionality.
The new MG-X range is the midpoint between Yamaha’s MG and MG-XU series mixers. You get the same quality built-in effects without the added expense of the USB interface. This makes the MG-X range better suited to live events, such as music venues and corporate conferences. Enjoy the same effects and one knob compression as the MG-XU in a unit optimised for live sound.
As the premier model of the CF Series, the new CFX made a grand impression
The new CFX concert grand is out after 10 years of research and development. Yamaha drew on over a century of experience creating pianos to deliver the best concert grand yet.
The finest beech and mahogany woods are chosen for these handcrafted pianos that meld the passion of master craftsmen and the absolute precision of current technology.
The new CFX may look the same on the outside, but inside the timber has been treated with state-of-the-art Acoustic Resonance Enhancement that reduces moisture content so each piano ships with an aged, worn-in tone.
The PSRE473/EW425 offer premium sound in a portable package
The new PSR and EW range of digital pianos also proved popular with conference goers at NAMM. The sleek new design grabbed their attention, which was held by new features such as the Quick Sampling pads, the large LCD screen that replaces the numeric keypad of old, and the new microphone input.
These new external features are backed up by a powerful sound engine that shares DNA with more expensive models, bringing augmented effects, 820 voices, and super articulation to a portable package.
New YDP165/S55 Digital Pianos improve your learning and enjoyment
With better integration with Smart Pianist/Flowkey, the Arius range has become easier than ever for budding musicians to learn piano with the true feeling and response of a high-end grand piano.
The new Arius YDP165/S55 digital pianos have the sound and feel of an acoustic piano in a compact digital package. The authentic acoustic feel is consistent down to the finest detail, such as the heavy feel of the bass strings right up to the lighter touch of the higher strings, complete with the replication of damper action that allows for rapid note repetition.
Yamaha introduced the new Revstar range for players interested in classic style with modern upgrades
The Revstar series II was unveiled earlier this year and was one of Yamaha’s key products featured at NAMM. The new Revstar range features chambered bodies that both reduce weight and improve resonance through Yamaha’s Acoustic Design process.
The Revstar’s new Focus Switch expands the guitar’s audio palette by functioning as a passive boost that evokes the sound of overwound pickups. The output volume and low end are boosted whilst the mid and high end frequencies are smoothed out. The Focus Switch gives you 10 different tonal options when coupled with the 5-way pickup selector without the need for an external equaliser. There are also more pickup options and finishes available, all drawing from the same café racer inspired designs that defined the first generation of Revstars.
New THR colour variations fit into even more environments
You can now pick up a THR30II in black or white alongside its original cream. Design was always an important part of the THR story as they were intended to be at home on a coffee table or bookshelf as well as in the studio.
These new colour options allow the THR to blend in with your current setup, or stand out as a statement piece. Whether you want to show your friends your guitar chops, practice wirelessly, or listen to some music around the house, the THR has the features to suit your style.
Yamaha showcased Vox Limited edition AC Custom and Pathfinder amps
Vox displayed limited edition versions of the AC Custom and Pathfinder amps that proudly showcase their British heritage.
The limited-edition Pathfinder amps were featured in two new finishes, a Union Jack-themed front grille with a Royal Blue Vinyl and a Cream Vinyl housing with the classic brown diamond speaker grille cloth for a natural warm look. The AC Custom is slightly more subtle with a Rich Blue leather look on the cabinet.
Both amps stand out in a sea of black cabs and are bound to grab people’s attention, whether on stage or as part of your collection.
Become a solo performance powerhouse with the TransAcoustic range
The FGC-TA and FSC-TA are the latest cutaway models in the line for the solo performer who needs an acoustic guitar that provides easy access to the upper register.
Combine that higher fret access with the TransAcoustic’s onboard effects that can add reverb and chorus without the need for amplification, and you’ve got yourself a powerhouse of a live instrument.
The TransAcoustic range won the Best in Show award for their ability to turn any space into a rich acoustic soundstage with nothing more than a few controls on the instrument itself.
Classic meets modern with Catalyst amps
The Catalyst family look and perform like traditional guitar amps, whilst providing the increased versatility of modern amplifiers. There are six Original Amp Designs crafted with Line 6’s renowned HX sound design technology, dedicated reverb with 18 additional effects, USB, MIDI, and XLR outputs, all delivered in a traditional guitar amp package.
The new Catalyst range was so impressive the lineup won the Gotta Stock It award from Music Inc Mag, with Chris Tso saying “This is a great amp. You absolutely have to check this one out”.
The Catalyst range of amps is ideal for anyone that wants more amp for their money without needing to learn a whole new method of guitar sound design. There’s a Catalyst for everyone with combo models that put out 60, 100, and 200 watts of power.
A brand new series of Paiste flat rides are reissued with a modern twist
Paiste developed the idea of a cymbal without a bell in the late 1960s. The sound of a flat ride is much more subdued than a regular cymbal. The transient comes from the tone of the drums tick more than the cymbal, and a faint, splashy tail only becomes present after successive hits.
The controlled and defined sound of the flat ride resonated with jazz players who liked the more subtle sound. As a result, flat rides have been featured in several significant jazz recordings throughout history. The inclusion of flat rides in jazz records has driven interest in the cymbals over time. Paiste has rereleased three of their models as a result of this renewed interest, as well as the Masters series, a whole new range of flat rides for the modern player.
The Signature, Masters, 2002, and Formula 602 models all offer different tones for all types of settings and applications. Anyone interested in incorporating flat rides into their setup is bound to find the perfect cymbal for their sound.
The DTX8 and DTX10 electronic drum kits offer real drum responsiveness
Although released last year, NAMM would have been the first chance for many conference-goers to experience the new range of DTX electronic drums.
Both the DTX8 and DTX10 offer the sounds and versatility of electronic drums, with the response and feel of an acoustic kit. The Real Wood and Black Forest finishes help complete the authentic drum look, alongside two drumhead options.
The two-ply Remo heads can be tuned to fit your desired tension just like a real drum, or the Textured Cellular Silicone heads offer a surface with the same response and rebound of real drums that will never loosen.
The YCL-650 offer the richness and warmth of a custom-made instrument
The new YCL650 is a completely redeveloped range intended to feel like a custom-made clarinet you can pick up off the shelf. Everything about the new YCL-650 has been designed to improve tone and playability.
Even the smallest detail in the key layout has been considered for playability. The E/B lever has been extended by 2mm to improve the certainty of this key's actuation.
The Pisoni leather pads are the same as Yamaha’s Custom range of clarinets. The improved tonal quality and response from these pads were so good they just had to be included in the YCL-650 for that premium feel and greater durability. An adjustable thumb rest and strap ring have also been included offering greater ergonomics.
Other Colours Available
