NAMM
(The National Association of Music Merchants)
Introduction
If there is an organization that promotes the entirety of the professional music recording industry, it is NAMM, or the National Association of Music Merchants. The organization is probably best known for its trade show extravaganzas— which showcase the very best products that the major professional audio manufacturers around the world have to offer for artists, engineers, musicians and producers to do their professional work in recording studios around the world. However, NAMM is more than just a trade organization, it also promotes educational programs and seminars to foster both learning and connections within the industry. While I keep up with each of the major trade shows promoted by the organization, I have never been fortunate enough to actually be able to attend one of them.
Trade Shows and Educational Programs
While NAMM offers educational seminar offerings at each of its fabulous trade shows, it makes each of these amazing presentations available throughout the year. Most of the time, engineers attend the NAMM convention to see the latest and greatest products to be produced by the major manufacturers in the world of professional music recording. But, it is also important to realize that the organization also allows for those who work in the industry to develop strong and important relationships with the very people who create and develop the products that they may use on a daily basis in their professional work.
Image: The NAMM Website
Image courtesy-- NAMM
Why should an educational institution learn more about NAMM and its programs?
It is important to note that for schools across the country, knowing who the people are that manufacture the products that you may be using in your educational program is important. It is critical to develop these relationships because of the products that you will purchase from these companies are truly lifetime investments. It is also worth mentioning that the TEC awards come from the NAMM organization. The products which receive the TEC award in their respective categories are the best of the very best in the world of professional music recording and many of them have become industry staples over time. I have friends who are legendary recording studio engineers who regularly attend the NAMM conventions, and it would be an awesome experience not just for your teachers and students to connect with the people who may be behind the development of the products that they may be using in their classroom, but also with the very people who have used them to make the music that has inspired them to seek out their own place in this amazing profession.
The following link will take you to the NAMM website where you can learn more about this amazing organization and also, to see more of their great programs.
NAMM— The National Association of Music Merchants
Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at NAMM.
Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Pete Johnston at NAMM for his time and assistance with this article.