NAMM Show 2025 Highlights

I had the opportunity to attend The NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center after a long trade show hiatus since COVID. It was great to see a full house of exhibitors and streams of people. While not everyone was there, and finding specific people was sometimes a challenge, it was good to be back and see some exciting new music gear and technology on display. Here are some of my highlights.

KiTbetter - KiTalbum

Stop #1 at NAMM was the KiTbetter booth to check out their innovative KiTalbum physical media format in person and get all my artist/label questions answered by Rynda Laurel, Head of Artist Relations. KiTalbum offers a unique product that helps artists provide an enhanced, immersive music fan experience and monetize their music with no upfront costs. KiTbetter is aggressively expanding from its Korean (K-pop) home base into the U.S. and international markets, with upcoming releases from Filter, Weezer, and Duran Duran. They've already sold over 9 million units worldwide, so if you want to foster deeper connections with your music fans, grow your audience, and unlock new revenue streams while keeping costs manageable, check them out! [🔗 KiTbetter website | KiTbetter Instagram]

A special shoutout to former Brave Girls member Hyeran Noh (@JainRos9 on Instagram) for putting me onto this. You can check out her KiTalbum 0123 and single Play With Ü [here]. Stay tuned—I'll be posting my Jain Ros KiTalbum unboxing video soon!

Audient - iD48 Audio Interface

I've been using an Audient iD44 as my primary audio interface since 2020 and love it. I also have a bus-powered iD14 for remote work and wrote to Audient four years ago about making an 8-rack mount version with 8 analog ins/outs, ADAT, etc.—and they finally did it!

The iD48 is a 24-in/32-out USB-C audio interface featuring:

• 8 Audient console mic preamps
• 2 J-Fet instrument inputs
• 8 + 8 analog switchable inserts/outputs (DB25)
• 4 Monitor outputs (main/alt)
• 16-channel ADAT-S/PDIF I/O
• 2 headphone outputs
• WordClock in/out
• ARC Software bundle

It's missing S/PDIF and MIDI (unfortunately), and they’ve opted for "Pro Studio" DB25 connectors on the outputs and insert returns/sends, which I'm not a fan of. However, this setup allows you to connect up to 8 pieces of outboard gear (preamps, compressors, EQs, etc.) without repatching for tracking & mixing—it's all managed via the app. This will appeal to users with a hybrid workflow and more than two external units.

Audio specs:

• 68 dB gain (-127 dBu EIN)
• 32-bit/96 kHz converters
• 120/126.5 dB dynamic range (inputs/outputs)
• Price: $999

SSL - SSL 18 Rackmount Audio Interface

SSL showcased their first rackmount USB audio interface, the SSL 18, featuring:

• 8 SSL analog mic preamps (+ Talkback mic pre with a LMC)
• 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs (front) and 2 line-level inserts
• 10 analog outputs (4 monitor + 6) + 2 returns
• 2 headphone outputs with switchable impedance
• 2× ADAT in/out, S/PDIF, MIDI (3.5mm mini-plug)
• 4K console sound emulation
• WordClock out
• SSL software bundle included

For my current project studio needs, I prefer this over the Audient iD48 because it uses standard 1/4" inputs/outputs, avoiding the extra cost/hassle of DB25 connectors, while still giving me 2 outboard insets/returns and line level inputs that bypass the internal mic pres. I also appreciate the extra Midi &  S/PDIF I/O, 4k Legacy option, Listen Mic Compressor on Talkback mic input, and better software bundle. YMMV.

Audio specs:

• 67 dB mic gain (-130.5 dBu EIN)
• 32-bit/192 kHz converters
• 120 dB/125 dB dynamic range (inputs/outputs)
• Price: $1,199

SSL also introduced the Alpha 8, which adds 8 additional line-level inputs/outputs via ADAT for $899.

🔗 Buy on Amazon

Other NAMM Show Floor Highlights

JON BATISTE - Live @ Yamaha NAMM Show stage