The Best of NAMM 2026 – Our Favorite New Gear and Highlights
This being our third NAMM, it increasingly felt less like a trade show and more like a family reunion. People weren’t just bumping into each other-they were reconnecting. Some even joked about a “NAMM-Union” or calling each other “NAMM-ily,” underscoring the genuine camaraderie that pulses through the event. With the industry moving at breakneck speed, NAMM became a rare place for us to pause, catch up, and celebrate each other and the craft we share.
Day 1: Gear, Workshops, and Early Connections
Our first day was filled to the brim. We made rounds to partners like AVID, SONY, KALI Audio, Focusrite, and Apogee, checking out both well-established brands and up-and-coming innovations. The halls were alive from the moment doors opened—packed with performances, workshops, jam sessions, and engaging panels that set the tone for the entire show.
Some standout moments:
- Pro Sightings: Catching up with GRAMMY-winning professionals, including Teezio (Chris Brown’s engineer), Bainz (Young Thug), and Maurice Moore (noted R&B songwriter).
- AVID’s Nu Studio Demo: A walkthrough with our Avid rep, Jay, of a fully mobile, acoustically treated creative space complete with Dolby Atmos, an Avid S6 console, and immersive 360° LED visuals for mixing and storytelling.
There was a palpable buzz-NAMM isn’t just about gear, it’s about experiencing the possibilities the gear unlocks.
Day 2: Conversations, Cars & Culture
Day two brought even more highlights for the team:
- Legends: We got to talk shop with Chris Lord-Alge – For anyone in the mixing world, he’s the North Star.
- Immersive Audio: We explored PMC’s immersive audio room, where their latest monitors were making serious waves in the world of spatial and high-fidelity sound.
One of the coolest tech experiences we saw was Sony and Honda’s Afeela concept car-launching later this year. With 28-speaker immersive audio, fully customizable displays, game integration, and independent front/back audio zones, this vehicle is essentially a rolling creative playground.
The DJ community energy was intense-back-to-back battles at the AlphaTheta booth kept the crowd moving. And on a truly unforgettable note, Stevie Wonder made an appearance, reminding everyone why this industry is built on roots, inspiration, and legacy.
The day closed with an impromptu drum circle, a spontaneous testament to the NAMM ethos: music is better together. People joined, left, laughed, and played-everyone in sync without a rehearsal.
Day 3: Global Voices & Emerging Creators
Closing out the show, we sat down with creatives ranging from up-and-coming talents to Grammy-nominated engineers, producers, and artists—voices from around the country and across the globe.
Our connections included:
- Wayne Wav (@wayne.wav)
- prodbyiiinfinite (@prod.by.iiinfinite) – Credits: Tinashe, BigXThaPlug, Larussell, E-40
- Jade Alysse Berry – Engineer for Ty Dolla $ign, Jason Derulo, Tank
- Reid Stefan (@reidstefan) – The Realest Puppet in the Game
- Karra (@iamkarramusic) – Pop Artist
- Los Wizzards (@loswizzards) – Grammy-nominated band and NAMM performers
The energy wasn’t just about famous names-it was about stories, process, and potential.
Favorite Booths & Highlights
Some of our standout booths and activations this year included:
- Avid & Nu Studio – Pro Tools ecosystem innovations
- Blackmagic Design – PYXIS 12K camera and so much more
- JBL – Leading speaker systems
- PMC – Next-level studio monitors
- AlphaTheta – DJ tech and community showcases
- Afeela – Sony & Honda’s immersive audio vehicle experience
Why NAMM Matters
According to official materials, NAMM is a global industry hub with thousands of brands, hundreds of educational sessions, live concerts, and special events that kick off the year for music pros worldwide.
For us personally, this year’s NAMM wasn’t just about what’s new in gear-it was about what’s timeless in community. That feeling of walking into a room full of creators who genuinely know and care about what we do-that’s the real headline.