Project Management
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Written by
Melanie Reed
Senior VP
My NAMM 2025 Takeaways: A Dive into Pro AV Innovation and Dedication
Industry professionals gather yearly at the NAMM Show to discover the latest advancements and forge valuable connections. While NAMM often highlights music technology, it’s also become an essential event for the professional AV sector, showcasing cutting-edge solutions that can transform how we approach audio and video workflows. This year, I had the privilege of attending alongside Eric Faulk, our Senior Audio Department Manager, and Ben MacKinney, our Senior Director of Purchasing. Here are my some of my key takeaways from the show:
1. Tap-to-Configure Technology
A standout revelation was the RCF Sub 9000 series and its tap-to-configure feature—a perfect example of how our everyday smartphone technology can be leveraged for advanced AV applications.
•Anytime Access: With near-field communication (NFC) or similar technologies, you can configure or run diagnostics on equipment just by tapping your phone—even with the gear turned off.
•Time-Saving QC: This mobile-based approach to quality control (QC) means issues can be identified and addressed quickly.
•Practical Integration: What excites me about this is that it offers a glimpse into the future, where everyday devices seamlessly integrate with pro AV gear for greater efficiency.
2. Microphone with Built-In Control
Another highlight was the Sound Devices microphone, which goes beyond standard audio capture by offering customizable controls directly on the device. While the idea of giving users more control may initially make professional audio engineers uneasy, it exemplifies how the industry is advancing and how traditional workflows can adapt.
•On-Device Adjustments: Users can tweak gain, mute, or change settings on the fly without a separate control panel.
•Forward-Thinking Design: By embedding remote-like controls in the microphone itself, manufacturers are reducing complexity and putting more power in the hands of the operator. A universal ring also allows the usage of both Shure and Sennheiser microphone capsules.
•Proprietary Innovation: By designing the transmit antenna internal to the microphone stick from bottom to top, transmit interference is eliminated no matter where the users hand holds the microphone…a first of its kind.
3. Expert Engineers Will Always Be Essential
While newer technology like tap-to-configure features and user-facing controls has made AV setups more accessible than ever, it’s crucial to remember that expert engineers remain the backbone of this industry.
•Complex Problem-Solving: As systems grow in sophistication, seasoned professionals are still needed to handle complex integrations and troubleshoot advanced issues.
•Innovation Drivers: Engineers and technical leaders play a vital role in pushing boundaries and creating the next generation of solutions—technology doesn’t innovate by itself.
•Quality Assurance: Automated or user-friendly tools can’t replace the nuanced expertise of human professionals who can evaluate system performance holistically and ensure reliability in demanding environments.
4. The Power of People, Passion, and Collaboration
Despite all the exciting product showcases, my greatest takeaway was the opportunity to learn directly from other dedicated professionals in the pro AV field—and from my own team.
•Networking Value: NAMM brings together a broad range of AV experts, offering the chance to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations.
•Continual Learning: Though my focus is on leadership rather than deep technical expertise, talking shop with engineers, designers, and product managers enriched my understanding of today’s AV challenges and solutions.
•Impressive Colleagues: While I work with them closely every day and have for many years, witnessing Eric and Ben’s level of knowledge and passion firsthand was truly inspiring. Their ability to dive into technical details and engage with product developers highlighted just how invaluable, dedicated, and well-informed team members are.
•Shared Drive: The collective enthusiasm for advancing the AV industry shone through in every conversation. It’s clear we’re all aiming to deliver better, more efficient solutions for end users.
These dedicated specialists not only design the tools but also help us use them to their fullest potential. This synergy of intuitive technology and experienced engineering is what will truly drive the pro AV industry forward.
Small things:
When I spoke with Eric Faulk about his experience, he shared, “Even though we witnessed incredible technological advancements and had thought-provoking conversations that challenged our view of the industry, there are always those hidden gems that others might not fully appreciate. The K&M Universal Joint is a perfect example. For nearly a year, I’d been searching for this thirty-dollar part—without even knowing it existed. A quick stroll through K&M’s booth at NAMM finally revealed its existence, and it will soon be used in our shows to enable better articulation of the Martin FP4 speakers. It’s a small find with the potential for a big impact, providing more flexibility to our Audio department for years to come.”
NAMM 2025:
Every year, the lead-up to NAMM sparks phone calls and email threads with countless vendors and end users. Much like NAB and InfoComm, NAMM drives innovation in technology, efficiency in hardware, and the way we use gear to bring shows to life, broadening what we can offer our clients. There’s a steady build-up of anticipation throughout the year, knowing that the feedback we provide—and the NDAs we sign—ultimately shapes new solutions that push our industry forward.
Ultimately, no one person makes this happen on their own. It requires attendees and vendors alike to create the energy that is used to fuel this process. Whether it is the smallest adapter or a system processor that gives us the capability of manipulating and controlling the largest deployment of show gear, every single puzzle piece has its place. Without the need, there is no drive forward, and without the solution, there is no means of getting there. Although tens of thousands of steps are taken, literally and figuratively, it is only by exerting this energy that we as a whole are able to create the synergistic process to create the future.