Barry Wood's NAMM Oddities 2018 Edition
Percussion
Beat Unboxing
This is a more elaborate version of the Bag Drum that I saw a couple of years back.
- Beatbox Drums, LLC
- www.beatboxdrums.com
One-Touch Tuning
Tune both heads on your drums with the turn of a single tuning key. They had an entire kit rigged with these and it was interesting to be able to change the pitch that quickly.
- Welch Tuning Systems, Inc.
- www.welchtuningsystems.com
Give Me Freedrum or Give Me Dreth
This is a different approach to the drumless drumming idea pioneered by Aerodrums. This product uses sensors attached to the sticks to detect trigger events.
- Freedrum
- www.freedrum.rocks
This Drummer Blows
If he doesn't then he'll never get this inflatable drum kit to a playable pressure.
- Paxphil Corporation
- www.paxphil.co.kr
Cajon2Go
Shipping shouldn't cost much. Just slap a stamp on it and drop it in the mailbox.
- Meinl USA
- www.meinlpercussion.com
Vestigial Neck
Like the eyes in a cave dwelling fish, the neck has been left behind due to the evolutional pressure of the percussive guitar technique.
- WalkaBout
- www.walkaboutdrum.com
Winter is Coming
Sabian has progressed from defensive cymbal towers to ramparts.
- Sabian Ltd.
- www.sabian.com
Cheval de Frise
Keep your drummer safe from overzealous fans with this spike-laden hardware mounting system.
- Attack Rack
- www.attackrackusa.com
Target Practice
I have to believe that the initial proof of concept prototype for this drummer training device was simply a spindle back chair.
- ToneAlly
- www.toneally.co.uk
Blueberry, Lemon, Cherry, & Lime
These look like djembes but they're fiberglass reinforced gourds made in several delicious colors and are very lightweight.
- Nomad Drum Company
- www.nomaddrumcompany.com
The Vitamin Water of Drums
It wouldn't be NAMM without translucent products.
- Drum Workshop, Inc.
- www.dwdrums.com
Gong of the Gods
It also wouldn't be NAMM without gigantic instruments. This gentleman provides a sense of scale for this 90", 450 lb. (2.3m, 204kg) gong.
- Paiste AG
- www.paiste.com
Amplified Timber
The company name is perfect for the entry title. They put an Audix ADX60 boundary condenser microphone on a lovel wooden mount so you can get consistent micing of your cajón.
- Amplified Timber
- www.amplifiedtimber.com
Brass in Pocket
If you're tired of having other people pawing your cymbals and leaving fingerprints when you're not playing, this is the product for you.
- Cymbal Sox
- www.cymbalsox.com
Pinch On, Pinch Off
Don't waste precious seconds on your cymbals using traditional wing nuts.
- PinchClip
- www.pinch-clip.com
The Finest of Snake Oils
The British Drum Co. had this tucked away on the side of their booth. I don't know what this mysterious substance does and the YouTube video that I tracked down from the display sheds no additional light.
- British Drum Co.
- www.britishdrumco.com
You'd Better Be Good
…if you're going to have the pantheon of drum gods hand airbrushed on your drums.
- Craig Fraser Studios
- www.craigfraserstudios.com
Hiding the Ring
No, this isn't a proposal stunt, it's another attempt to tame overly resonant drums. It's a more subtle tool than their similar product that I saw in 2012 that is made from a hunk of brass.
- Snareweight
- www.snareweight.com
Adze Meets Log
With the exception of the metal hardware, this conga looks as if it could have been made with stone age tools.
- Tycoon Percussion
- www.tycoonpercussion.com
Spokesalien
I think hemp was involved with more than just the cloth here – I'd say it was involved in the brainstorming session for the promo video.
- Canopus Co. Ltd.
- www.canopusdrums.com
No More Pillows
More thought went into this kick drum head dampening product and the traditional pillow-stuffed drum.
- SledgePad Innovations, LLC
- www.sledgepad.com
Yoga for Drummers
If you aren't able to perform the Urdhva Vrikshasana pose then this is not the drum kit for you.
- Jinbao Music
- www.jinbaomusic.com
Hardware Rollups
Having fashioned a number of my own bags and cases for gear, I was instantly on board with the thinking behind the Standwrap.
- Standwrap
- www.standwrap.com
Mixed Messages
I don't know if the idea of erasing my ear bothered me more than being directed to be irresponsible.
- Persona Medical
- www.earasers.net
Prepare the "Laser"
The only moving parts on the Laser Kick (LK-01) are the knobs and switches. You trigger the on-board sounds by breaking the beam.
- Finhol Musical Instruments GmbH
- www.finhol.de
OchoCajón
The perfect classroom addition for a teacher you hate.
- Nino Percussion
- www.ninopercussion.com
Premium Shakers
These classy sets of shakers should be on the shelf in every overpriced gift shop in quaint tourist towns.
- Natural Acoustics Lab
- www.naturalacousticslab.com
Josie and the Emojicats
At least the female emoji-singer isn't holding a tambourine.
- Peace Drums Co. Ltd.
- www.peace-drums.com
©2018 Barry Wood