Namm was back to its mighty best!
You could feel the buzz and eagerness of the massive crowd to check out the hottest and latest musical instrument releases from around the globe. It was no different in the world of drums and percussion, with most brands offering anything from selected new releases to the complete overhaul of product lines. There were also the newcomers with their unique, clever, strange and quirky products who in time, no doubt desire to make their mark on the musical products industry.
Here’s a quick run down of what to expect in 2011…
Zildjian
No doubt one of the stand out products and talking points of the show was the new Gen16 Acoustic/Electric cymbal system. Boldly crossing into a new frontier, the Gen16 not only bridges a gap between the acoustic and electronic cymbal market but carves out a unique place for itself. The product itself is a low volume acoustic cymbal. Mounted underneath it on the cymbal stand are two tiny out of phase microphones encased in an attractive moulded enclosure. A distinctive blue light emanates from the pick up/mic and contrasts with the silver cymbal to give a strikingly modern look and feel. A controller/audio mixer (DSP device) comes with the cymbal which is available in a 2 pack or a 5 pack in several sizes and styles. The Zildjian Gen 16 was awarded the prestigious "Namm Best in Show" award.
To support the cymbal launch, Zildjian has also designed a new acoustic/electronic drum rack with several unique features. The ultra modern rack is compatible with all manufacturers’ drums and also cleverly hides all cables in a centre channel.
Also new from Zildjian are the digital vault software packages. Available in 3 distinct packs are some of the greatest cymbal sounds ever recorded, ready for you to use at home or in the studio.
There was even a Zildjian Groove Track APP for your iPad or iPhone - this is a lot of fun! If you have an iPhone and you’re a drummer, you will definitely want to download it.
New street wear caps, 6” and 12” logo and artist practice pads, Z3 “Ultra Hammered” chinas and a new Tre Cool cymbal and stick bag were also on show.
Paiste
New from Paiste is a large selection of ride cymbals in the Twenty series. Titled the “Masters Collection”, Paiste has assembled an exquisite and laboriously hand crafted range of beautiful yet musical prestige rides.
Additions to the Alpha line are 2 effect cymbals - Swiss crashes. Visually similar to the Zildjian and Sabian Ozone equivalents, the Swiss 18”crashes are bright and trashy.
No doubt the stand out Paiste product was the re-introduction of the famous 602’s. Yes, 602’s are BACK! Originally launched in 1959, the 602’s became one of the most popular and revered cymbals in history. Their thin, fine and controlled tones were an instant success and many drummers to this day still avidly hunt for old 602’s. Hunt no longer, they are back and they sounded fantastic!
Sabian
Big sounds were offered from Sabian with the introduction of the Holy China Cymbal. Designed in conjunction with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, the requirement was for the loudest most durable china ever. As the name suggests, the cymbal is actually full of holes - that seems a bit of a trend lately but they achieved what they set out to do.
In addition to the Holy china, drummer Jo Jo Mayer has teamed up with Sabian to develop the Omni cymbal - a combination of a crash and a ride. The cymbal features an extra thin edge, blending into a heavier unlathed centre.
Also new was an old face from the Sabian family - the B8Pro - which has been refreshed and improved.
Gretsch
Gretsch remained stable with no real interruption to their line up but they did release some new finishes in the Catalina Club Jazz, Catalina Birch, Catalina Maple and Renown Maple ranges. Back also is the FREE toms with the Catalina Maple kits.
What was eye catching on the Gretsch stand was the Renown 57 - a maple drum set inspired by the great American car companies of the 1950’s. Finished in gloss lacquer motor city blue with white panels, it is set apart by authentic chrome chevrons and embossed by beautiful Gretsch badging. Also, as an exclusive offer, the kit also comes with the same colour coded heavy duty stool. This is one for the retro buffs - a classic looking kit!
Mapex
Small adjustments were all that was needed to add to an already balanced Mapex range.
New in the Horizon range is the Big City jazz kit. The 18” BD, 10” & 12” mounted toms and 14” floor make a welcome addition offering another alternative for the jazz player. Also featured was a limited edition Horizon HZB 6pce kit, available in 2 colours with black hardware. The lower end of the range was bolstered by a Horizon HZB 7pce kit.
Meridian Birch and Maple had some new colours on show but the most striking impact was on the new limited edition Saturn Birch/Walnut. The best way to describe it is this - imagine the Orion Burl maple outer ply, lacquered in a beautiful dark transparent sienna fade, finished with smoky black chrome hardware and you have it. It is available in a 6 pce set up. It basically looks like an Orion - very nice!
Also new are 2 models of Black Panther drum kits. Born from the successful line of snare drums, the Black Panther kits feature unique shell formulas, specially designed bearing edges with a rounded back cut. The 2 models: “The Blaster” and “The Velvetone” are for the drummer that wants something a little different.
KORG
New from KORG is the Oriental Wavedrum. Featuring all the sounds from the original Wavedrum plus a full range of algorithms and PCM samples dedicated to Arabic percussion - the perfect instrument for percussionists seeking a broader range of sounds.
Yamaha
Yamaha’s display is always impressive and this year there was plenty on offer for percussion. Gigmaker finally launched an expanded range of new glitter finishes. Stage Custom Birch launched an 18” Be Bop kit with 1 mounted tom with usual sizes of 18”, 12”, 14” and 14” snare. The Be Bop will be available in 3 colours.
An addition to the pro range is the “Steve Jordan” inspired Club Custom. Made from the unique Asian wood
Kapur, this 100% true shell provides a warm and dry, yet balanced tone. Reminiscent of many of the older vintage tones sought after by drummers these days, the Kapur shells of the Club Custom are offered in 2 matte wood finishes and 3 textured hand painted swirl finishes. Another interesting feature is the 15” deep bass drum, continuing Yamaha’s habit of offering slightly unique bass drum depths. These drums are intended to be a limited 12 month production run aimed at the professional market.
Roland
Roland released its new TD4 and TD9 drum kits - effectively superseding the old models. The base model TD4 becomes the TD4K2 and the TD4KX becomes the TD4KX2. New features include the KD9 mesh kick pad and new V -cymbals including a 3 way triggered CY-13R.
The two TD9 models are TD9K2 and the TD9KX2, again enhanced with new components such as the KD9 kick pad, CY12C and CY13R cymbals along with the VH11 hi hat cymbal, a PD105 snare pad plus enhanced sounds. The TD9 range continues to offer a competitive and value for money option right in the heart of the mid electronic kit market.
DW
Undoubtedly the big focus from DW was the new Performance series. Big things are expected and will no doubt be delivered by this exciting new range. Built on the foundation of a proprietary new 8-ply HVX shell made entirely from select North American Hard Rock Maple, the look is as striking as the sound with a sleek new lug design. Available in 5 stunning hand sprayed lacquer finishes and topped off by a classy new outline logo design, the performance series are intended to offer a more affordable pro alternative.
The bottom line is if it says DW it has to not only look but sound amazing as well.
Tama
Always a powerful and impressive presence at the Namm show!
Tama boasted a dominant feel with its elevated drum displays, forcing all to look up in awe at the stunning new releases. Tama’s significant focus on its drum line was evident with a redesign of the line up, the release of a totally new mid range model and some exotic finishes on their elite drums.
Tama begin at Swingstar level which will continue now with cymbals. There will be less emphasis on the Imperialstar kit for Australia. The Superstar is gone and replaced by the new Silverstar - a 100% Birch shell kit highlighted by extra features such as triple flanged hoops, a newly designed light weight Star Cast mount, and an upgraded sliding tom holder. The interior of the shell is also finished with a light stain which looks classy. Another addition to the Tama range is a neat little 18” Jazz set that will no doubt be welcomed by many players. Some good looking lacquer fades and eye catching sparkle wraps round off this line.
The hugely popular Hyperdrive sizing has become a separate range in itself and introduces 1 new wrap and lacquer finish.
The top end of town impressed with some stunning new finishes on Starclassic BB, Maple and Bubinga kits. These kits looked stunning and suggested a very handmade feel. Often difficult to describe colours effectively perhaps some of the names may encourage you to jump on the Tama website for a look. There was Black Clouds and Silver linings, Molten Satin Brown Burst with black nickel hardware and Volcanic Red Burst with black nickel hardware. Do we need to say more?
Pearl
With one of the most impressive stands of the show Pearl had so much on offer it is difficult to know where to begin. In short, Pearl has virtually re-vamped their entire range.
Forum stays the same but from there on it’s all new. VX becomes VB which stands for Vision Birch and continues the market leading quality of this range with some updates to hardware, a new badge and the introduction of polished chrome finish.
VSX is gone and replaced by the impressive VBA, a blended Birch shell with the stunning Artisan II finishes.
Pearl has developed the impressive technology whereby an image of wood grain is transferred onto a wrap and then applied to the drum shell. The result is a stunning finish that suggests a price point far beyond the reality of this series. The VBA is available in 3 Artisan II finishes.
VBX is replaced by VBL, a 100% Birch high gloss lacquer shell available in 4 of Pearl’s most popular Vision finishes. Also included are a steel sensitone snare drum, twin ply heads and the award winning 900 series hardware.
VMX is now a more refined and finely tuned offering called VML - Vision Maple. One of the most affordable maple kits on the market, the VML comes standard with 2 ply heads and matching maple snare drum. These incredible sounding drums are offered in 2 exclusive high gloss lacquer finishes including the exciting new Artisan II Vintage Wine lacquer.
Pearl has also adapted a version of the Buttkicker - a device that provides all the punch and low end frequencies of large speakers and delivers it to you through your drum stool. Called the “Throne Thumper”, it will allow your stool to vibrate in perfect sync with all the low end thunder your kick drum puts out as you play. Compatible with any acoustic or electronic drum set and powered by a 200 watt, amp the Pearl Throne Thumper is but a fraction of the price of the last Australian attempt at this product. The bad news is that this product is only made for US design and release at this stage.
Also new were 2 stunning finishes featured on Pearls 100% 6 ply maple shelled MCX range. Using Pearl’s proprietary Artisan II lacquering process MCX boasted the amazing Quilted Bubinga Sunburst and Mocha Tamo finishes - these were truly beautiful!
A new Pearl Cajon and an Ezi Tune rope Djembe were some of the offerings in percussion.
Precision Drum headphones were the next on offer, professional studio quality isolation headphones engineered for drummers. Featuring an over the ear noise cancelling design these will be popular for acoustic or electric players.
New Roadster drum thrones were also on show and the D-2500BR is an impressive throne with a removable back rest that heralds a return to the oversize and comfortable motorcycle thrones of recent times. Also available in standard cycle style, all Pearl’s Roadster thrones now feature an exclusive LOCK/SPIN seat bracket and all come with a sturdy tripod base.
At the top end, all were impressed by the new Reference Pure. Pearl’s claim is simply “The most resonant professional series drum set on the market today.” The same shell blending Reference recipe is used on Reference Pure taking full advantage of three different wood types, plies and bearing edges and applied to a thinner shell. Newly designed low mass STL swivel tube lugs really set off the look ,coupled with the new 1.6mm Fat Tone hoops that combine low mass with extra strength and rigidity at point of contact. This kit just oozes class!
Remo
Remo had its usual assortment of new hand drums including upgrades to their legendary conga series, a new Gospel tambourine, new soloist doumbeks as well as great new finishes on their pro djembes. Their drumhead technology continues to astound and impress, particularly the amazing ability to apply finishes, designs, graphics and even advanced textures to drumheads. Jump on Remo’s website and check out the clear coloured doumbek heads - they look and sound amazing.
But no doubt the big news from Remo is the release of their new Powerstroke Pro bass drum head. In the opinion of many drummers, the long overdue but eagerly anticipated release of the Powerstroke Pro bass drum head will at last be the product that takes on the Evans Emad head to head (excuse the pun!). This head sounds fantastic, it’s a killer!
Evans
Whilst not having any major new product releases, Evans has been busy in other areas. Evans explained that over the past couple of years they have been looking deeper inside their organisation and making improvements in not only quality but efficiency. Cutting unnecessary costs and reducing waste has them promoting a “Lower Price” policy in the USA. A streamlined approach to the pricing of their models has already begun here in Australia.
Ludwig
Although they are one of the oldest drum companies existing today, their recent resurgence shows no signs of slowing down.
The new Element and Epic kits are as popular overseas as they are here in Australia. Bridging the gap between modern requirements and a traditional feel these two ranges have expanded further to show some exciting new finishes and hot looking smoky chrome hardware. Already distinctively different with their cool sizing, keystone lugs finished in standard chrome, vintage bronze and now smokey chrome hardware they are still offering the “6 for 5” FREE tom concept.
The Centennial range boasted some new finishes which looked fantastic, the Keystone line-up of pro drums were on show educating us all about their new shells and Vistalites will be available in custom red and green for a limited time.
A welcome return to Ludwig was drummer Joey Kramer from legendary US band Aerosmith. Joey was at the Ludwig Booth promoting his limited edition signature Keystone Kit. Joey’s signature kit is an oak/maple blend finished in orange Glass glitter with his trademark white hardware. The 5pc shell pack will be produced in a strictly limited run.
The USA Classic Maple series also had some new finishes and customised shell options whilst the Legacy Exotic range showed off some jaw dropping elite wood finishes.
If all that is not enough! There is also some new Ludwig snare drums on the way including a Joey Kramer model, a Corey Miller designed drum, a Carl Palmer 14”x3.7” piccolo in a stunning green powder coated lacquer but the new Epic 20-ply snare named “The Brick” is a knockout!
Well, that’s a wrap from Namm 2011! Ah, we’ll take one of everything!
