Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
Forum Statistics

180,797 users have contributed to 42,141 threads and 254,364 posts.

In the past 24 hours, we have 1 new thread(s), 7 new post(s) and 74 new user(s).

  • NAMM 2009 and Beyond

    Hello,

    I always wanted to go. Get a couple of friends and take the journey.  But i know i will not be able to go this year 2009. But i want to plan for next year. I know more musicians in the biz get access to go. But what about the everyday guy who just wants to experience and get to that level so I can see how it works. How do you get access. Because I'm assuming that you just cant buy tickets it almost like invites only for companies. I'm asking I guess because i don't know how to get access to the biggest music event of the year.


  • Technically, NAMM is primarily for resellers and educators, which is what its original purpose was. It's been around for over 100 years and started out primarily as a way for schools to shop for band equipment etc. (well, that was one of its main foci).

    I've gone a number of times but didn't go last year nor am I going this year. I work in the audio industry so generally have a relatively easy time getting a badge (though it's gotten harder the past few years, in terms of the race against deadlines and quotas).

    For those who want to network with their peers, AES is a better show (there's also excellent training, tutorials, workshops, seminars, etc. associated with the show). NAMM is really not meant for us in the industry, unless we make stuff that's sold via traditional channels.

    I will be in the area this year as last, but don't feel comfortable taking advantage of my connections as the NAMM organisation really wants to crack down on people who are going primarily to network with peers and/or check out esoteric stuff that otherwise has to be bought on faith (hard to find).

    If I am correct in reading between the lines, you do not seem to have a legitimate basis for attending NAMM, so I would suggest you don't. I know it's frustrating, but the NAMM organisation has valid reasons for limiting who can attend. It helps the show maintain its focus.


  • Thank you for a detailed explanation. I will make plans for AES then. Thanks again.

  • If your main interest is to look at and play with toys (i.e. upcoming products), AES might not be your show either.

    A fair number of vendors do show up, in terms of software vendors and even keyboard/synth manufacturers.

    But the main emphasis is on live sound, installed sound, mixers, loudspeakers, microphones, headphones, etc.

    The learning opportunities at AES are unparalleled, and there are also very exciting factory tours and special events.

    I learned so much about the history of recording (going back to acetate) and of "sound on film" and what didn't work.

    I've had the pleasure of sitting in a room with George Massenbern, George Martin, and other famous luminaries.

    The AES Show is very popular with graduate students and undergraduates in physics, math, acoustics, engineering.

    Professionals go to network and also to lead and/or partake in the educational part. We rarely have time for the floor :-).