Believe in Music Week update: Yamaha, Martin, Epiphone, Gibson, ASI Audio, more!

NAMM's Believe in Music Week is being held online this week. I am posting some highlights of the news I am getting on Rock 'n' Roll Truth throughout the event...Robert Kinsler

The Peter Hook Signature BB 
Bass Guitar

Yamaha Music has announced the release of the Peter Hook Signature BB Bass Guitar. Hook, renowned for his seminal role in both Joy Division and New Order, notes that the Peter Hook Signature BB combines elements of his favorite long-time bass BB1200S (which he keeps at home) and the BB734A he currently plays on tour with Peter Hook & The Light. You can watch a fascinating video on the Yamaha website where Hook discusses his introduction to learning bass and getting his first Yamaha instrument, as well as his role in the release of his own Signature BB Bass Guitar. Hook has played long Yamaha BB basses for their assertive sound and durable construction. Another video has noted players discussing the influence of Hook on their own playing. Get more details HERE.

Yamaha's YDS-150 Digital Saxophone.

Yamaha is also celebrating the release of the YDS-150 Digital Saxophone, which allows musicians to play the saxophone anytime and anywhere. According to the details released by Yamaha: "Featuring the Integrated Bell Acoustic System, this is a unique digital saxophone that lets you control the volume and still maintain a seamless sense of expressive unity with the instrument." The digital sax delivers an authentic, gorgeous sound that feels and responds as if you were playing an acoustic instrument. The mouthpiece has a design  just like that of an acoustic saxophone and the key layout ensures natural playability. Learn more HERE.

At an virtual media event yesterday (Jan. 18, 2021), Martin (C.F. Martin & Co.) introduced its first acoustic guitar that is both FSC®-certified and plastic-free. Here is the official media release and artwork to get a better view of the new instrument.

NAZARETH, Pa. – January 12, 2021 – C. F. Martin & Co.® (Martin®) will introduce the 00L Earth guitar during NAMM Believe in Music Week, January 18-24, 2021. 

On March 15, 2019, artist Robert Goetzl watched the news in awe as a million students, across 125 countries, took part in the School Strike for Climate, an international movement of students who skip Friday classes in protest to demand action from political leaders against climate change. The movement started in 2018, when Greta Thunberg, a then 16-year-old activist from Sweden, staged a lone protest outside the Swedish Parliament holding a sign that read “School strike for climate," inspiring students across the globe to stand together to fight for the future of the planet.   The movement fanned a flame in Goetzl that had been slowly burning for many years. He wanted to use his talent to become part of the solution, so he immediately dropped what he was doing and painted a watercolor of the earth. His hope was that it would one day adorn the top of a Martin guitar that could be used to bring awareness to the urgent need for climate action.  Upon completing the painting, Goetzl wasted no time, driving to Nazareth to share his idea with Martin Chairman and CEO Chris Martin. Like Goetzl, the sixth-generation leader has a deep passion for fighting climate change and preserving the earth for future generations. This shared passion, reignited by the energy and perseverance of this new generation of activists, put into motion the plans to develop what is now being introduced as the Martin 00L Earth guitar—the first acoustic guitar that is 100% FSC® certified AND 100% plastic-free.  "When I first heard this eloquent young woman, Greta Thunberg, speak so passionately about climate change, I was immediately inspired and thought, why not design a guitar with a visual element as a tool to promote the message 'Save the Earth,'” said Goetzl. “Perhaps this is a way to help raise awareness of resource sustainability and our society’s failure to take action against the global crisis that this troubled planet is facing."         With Chris Martin’s blessing, Goetzl set about doing what he does best—turning his initial ideas into refined art—and he later presented several variations to the Martin team. The final design featured the earth and stars with a beautiful light burst peaking over the horizon.  While Goetzl was finalizing the artwork, Martin Lead Instrument Designer Tim Teel and former Martin Green Team Leader Chris Thomas began working on building out the model that would ultimately become the master canvas for Goetzl’s artwork. Teel and Thomas decided to use the framework from the Martin 17 Series and then went on to collaborate with many colleagues throughout the company to select and source only materials that are 100% FSC certified and free of all man-made plastics. Even the gig bag was specially sourced and made with hemp, a fast-growing and highly sustainable material, another first for the company.  “I respect working for a company that takes environmental issues seriously,” said Teel. “This project illustrates the importance of our planet and is depicted in this amazing graphic by Robert Goetzl. By using responsibly harvested materials, we will ensure the next generation of musicians and luthiers will have great tonewoods to choose from when designing, building, and playing stringed instruments of the future.”  Martin chose to go plastic-free with this model because single-use plastic is destroying entire ecosystems and greatly contributes to global warming. The world urgently needs to reduce single-use plastic, and Martin hopes  this guitar will be another vehicle for spreading the message.  “There’s so much that we can do as individuals to fight climate change in our daily lives,” said Chris Martin. “Yet we are continually looking for ways that our company can inspire musicians and their fans to take action. Not just on Earth Day, but every day. Music has always been a powerful tool for bringing people together for change.”   The guitar is priced at $2,249.   In honor of the 00L Earth guitar, Martin will make a charitable donation to the Rainforest Alliance. About Martin Guitars, Ukuleles, and Strings C. F. Martin & Co.® has been Inspiring Musicians Worldwide® for nearly two centuries with their superior guitar, ukulele, and string products. Martin remains the choice for musicians around the world for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. Throughout the company’s long history, Martin products can be seen and heard across all genres of music and in all segments of pop culture, from concert and theater stages to television and movies. With an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, Martin continually drives the acoustic guitar market forward, introducing innovative features that have become standards across the industry. These groundbreaking innovations include the introduction of X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the “Dreadnought” size guitar.  Martin has also led innovations in strings, such as introducing the first high-tensile strength steel-string core wire; the first nickel acoustic strings (Martin Retro®); the proprietary Titanium Core strings; and now the groundbreaking, new Authentic Acoustic line, which offers unmatched stability, tone, comfort, and longevity. Learn more here: www.martinguitar.com/aa. Connect with Martin on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and via www.martinguitar.com.

Check out the page HERE to be the first to hear about news and the latest product announcement across Epiphone, Gibson, Kramer, Mesa/Boogie and KRK for 2021.

ASI Audio is introducing an iOS-compatible version of the 3DME Music Enhancement IEM system, now with Bluetooth control. The media release follows:

The 3DME IEM + Body Pack. Photo courtesy of ASI Audio (Beachwood, OH ) ASI Audio x Sensaphonics has announced the imminent release of the upgraded version of its flagship 3DME Music Enhancement system. The new version will incorporate Bluetooth connectivity for the included ASI Audio App, enabling set-up and control via any current iOS or Android device. The core 3DME system remains unchanged, using patented Active Ambient™ technology to give the user natural room sound from their monitor mix, their bandmates, and the audience The 3DME Music Enhancement IEM System consists of a bodypack mixer/controller and Active Ambient earphones. This new Bluetooth version allows users to pair any common portable device with the 3DME bodypack mixer for untethered adjustment of the system’s 7-band stereo EQ and limiter threshold via the free ASI Audio app. The app also offers access to an Audio Seal Test to confirm perfect IEM fit and allows the saving and recall of User Presets to ensure repeat access to preferred sound signatures. “By adding Bluetooth control for both iOS and Android devices, 3DME has added ease of operation to its unmatched flexibility,” notes ASI Audio VP of Marketing Evan MacKenzie. “We’re very excited to see our full vision for this product come to fruition, and without raising the price. In addition to an enhanced monitor mix, you hear your bandmates and audience in a soundstage of your choosing.” The system comes with universal-fit Active Ambient in-ear monitors with an embedded binaural miking system. In operation, after locking in the preferred EQ and limiter settings, up/down switches on the bodypack make it easy to add the perfect amount of ambience to the monitor mix, so the performer can hear exactly what they want, no matter the style of music or type of venue. When used without a monitor mix, 3DME functions as variable-level, high fidelity earplugs. The universal-fit earphones supplied with 3DME can be converted to custom fit with silicone sleeves from Sensaphonics. For touring professionals, Sensaphonics has announced the 3DME Custom Tour version, converting the system’s dual-driver IEMs with MEMS ambient mics to the company’s acclaimed full-shell, soft silicone design. “With the coming return to live music in 2021, we have created this new pro touring version of Active Ambient technology,” says Sensaphonics President, Dr. Michael Santucci. “With its onboard EQ, rechargeable bodypack, and Bluetooth control, it’s the best-sounding, most powerful IEM system ever.” ASI consultant Gregg Stein of Triple G Ventures added, “3DME is a tipping point for musicians, unlocking a totally personal audio experience, which is typically lost with traditional in-ear monitors. We’re excited to be collaborating so closely with ASI Audio x Sensaphonics as we bring the new Bluetooth iOS-compatible 3DME to the broader global music retailer market.” The ASI Audio x Sensaphonics 3DME with Bluetooth is priced at an MSRP of $699 USD, and is available for immediate pre-order at www.asiaudio.com. Customers with original 3DME models can qualify for upgrades. Introductory specials are available for retailers as well. For full details, register for the virtual NAMM Believe In Music Week at https://attend.believeinmusic.tv/ and visit the ASI Audio x Sensaphonics booth, or go to www.asiaudio.com.