just got back from a stint at LA store. Jared Eberhardt installed his awesome cassette posters at the store on thursday. go check em out, and if you like, you can special order them at the store.

on friday, I went to the annual NAMM convention which covers everything from violins, to guitars, pro audio and djing. this is the real underbelly of the industry: lots of suits, mullets, ex-mullets, and shady electronics people.

the coolest thing I saw was the upcoming Serato competitor by Native Instruments. The interface looked robust with all sorts of inputs, the timecode was tight, and the software had many more features than Serato. on a side observation, there weren't that many small companies at the show this year. seems like the big boys like M-Audio/Digidesign and Native Instruments are taking over the production game.

Pioneer had a cool mini-exhibit about "historic DJ products." apparently, this is the first DJ product ever: a Pioneer mixer from the mid-seventies.

go-go midi control! this guy was killing the computer drums using some old-school MIDI controller.

In pro-audio, Akai is know for 2 things: the MPC series and this electronic clarinet-type thing called the Ewi

As usual, the best action was downstairs where all the independent companies show their wares. Over a hundred custom guitar dealers, plus this strange booth of vintage and homemade synths.

NAMM is also a haven for b-listers. this is the second year I've seen CC Deville there. my top NAMM spotting was Elvira two years ago, I almost popped 12 year wood (I had a crush on that cleavage when I was young)...

there's also a bunch of Asian companies downstairs, offering generic goods... this poster was so strange (and communist), I saw it at a Chinese case company booth.

there's also a bunch of cool performers down there.

thrash band in a box!