Anyone here attending NAMM this year?

[marcoloco961]

I personally have never been to one, but would love to go. Just wondering if anyone here is a regular, or is going this year? Would love to hear about some of the new products that are there if anyone happens to go.

[Drumslinger]

that would be sweet to attend one but i have a busy schedule.

[Structo]

Don't you have to be a dealer to go?

[selloutrr]

I'll be at NAMM on the 14th to mix House of Broken Promises.

NAMM is like the music store you always dreamed of but really crowded and loud and you probably wont get to try out anything. With special promo and sneak peaks at gear to come. Lots of stickers Teeshirts and bottle top poppers.

If you are a product rep you'll get smoozed and talked out of all sorts of free gear.

The best part of NAMM IMHO... take a fat stack of crispy fresh $$$ and buy the products they have on demo they are pennies on the dollar because most would rather sell then ship home.

If you go wear comfortable walking shows it's a long day!

[xtian]

I went last year, for the first time, with a media pass as cameraman for my buddy who runs recordinghacks.com. It was like a candy store where nothing was on sale. LOTS of really talented musicians playing in the booths to sometimes appreciative passersby, sometimes to no one at all, and always competing with a 90dB noise floor. Seriously--I wore my -6dB earplugs the whole time.

The best part of the show was seeing Tony Levin play Stick with his band, me sitting in the front row in a small room. Also got a good look at Jason Mraz in the Taylor chappel (awesome) and Night Ranger (dinosaurs, but great musicians). Lots of other celebrities at the show that I didn't get close to (Slash).

Wouldn't want to go back, since I'm not in the industry, but definitely worth the trip once.

Here's a video compilation I made of the music I saw (don't miss the little rocker at the end!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0LlLmmf7w

[BarryW]

back when I worked for music stores and was more involved in the industry, I attended a few NAMM shows here in Chicago and in Atlanta. I'll never forget playing for Rick Derringer, who was very kind. I enjoyed close sessions with Steve Morse, Steve Vai, and a killer quartet of Jeff Berlin, Terry Bozzio, Scott Henderson (long before anybody knew him) and I'm trying to remember who was on keys . . . Also great side showcases with Steve Morse, Neal Schon, and countless others that I can barely remember. An excellent time, but as with all trade shows it's tiring. Great way to get exposure for your product, especially if you have the right people to partner with.