Have you ever thought about who creates and records the orchestral music swells for your favorite movie, the intense music behind your favorite video game, or the software plugin that makes that unique guitar sound for your favorite song? The TEC Awards at The NAMM Show dives deep into the best-of-the-best technology innovations. Step aside Pro-Tools, Garage Band, and SM58’s, there are many new kids in town. Dolby Atmos is the new Surround Sound, bringing immersive audio to your theater experiences. The programmers and designers are creating hundreds of new, and innovative choices. Many of these cutting-edge inventions were on display at The Namm Show. One of the winners was so excited that he’d been to his first Namm Show 2 years ago, then was back here this year to win an award for his software.
Comedian Fred Armisen was the host, he is a complete pro at being emcee. Fred teased everyone about musician and engineer stereotypes, and joked about having too many free microphones and headphones sent to him. That’s a problem I wouldn’t mind having!
Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles acknowledged the timeless work and artistic innovation of Peter Asher, who was inducted and presented with the TEC Hall of Fame award. Throughout his decades-long career in the music industry, Asher has earned the reputation of being one of the industry’s most sought-after producers and performers. His career began in the ‘60s as the other half of the pop group Peter & Gordon. After the group disbanded, Asher was named Director of A&R at the Beatles’ Apple Records label, where he signed a then-unknown James Taylor. Asher would go on to work with the likes of Cher, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Ringo Starr, and many others, earning him three GRAMMY® Awards for his talents.
Did you know that you actually know Carol Kaye? Check out the video above. Pioneer and bassist extraordinaire Carol Kaye was honored with this year’s Les Paul Innovation Award, one of the night’s most anticipated honors from The Les Paul Foundation. The Foundation’s Executive Director Michael Braunstein introduced the award and noted Kaye’s impact on the musical landscape, “Carol, like Les [Paul], built a legacy that will continue to encourage all people to create incredible sounds.” I wish she had been able to attend the awards, everyone was so impressed by her legendary work.
It was great to see and hear the band Venice, they covered a Beach Boys song. We used to play them “back in the day.” I’m so glad they are still together.
The NAMM show is amazing, and seeing the TEC Awards is the cherry on top. Make sure you get tickets to attend the next event!
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Congratulations to the 37th Annual TEC Award recipients:
Audio Apps & Hardware/Peripherals for Smartphones & Tablets
Shure – Wireless Workbench 6.14.1
Audio Education Technology
PreSonus Audio – Electronics Sphere
Computer Audio Hardware
Rupert Neve Designs – MBC: Dual Path A-D Converter & Limiter
DJ Production Technology (Hardware/Software)
PreSonus Audio Electronics – ATOM SQ
Headphone/Earpiece Technology
Austrian Audio – Hi-X65 Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones
Large Format Console Technology
Neve – 8424
Microphone Preamplifiers
Audient – iD4 MKII
Microphones – Recording
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik – TF11 FET
Microphones – Sound Reinforcement
sE Electronics – V7 VE
Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects
Universal Audio – UAFX Golden Reverberator
Musical Instrument Hardware
Sequential – Prophet-5
Musical Instrument Software
EastWest Sounds – Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition
Production Essentials
Genelec – Loudspeaker Manager – GLM V4.0
Signal Processing Hardware
Rupert Neve Designs- 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor
Signal Processing Software (Dynamics/EQ/Utilities)
iZotope – RX 8
Signal Processing Software (Effects)
FabFilter – Timeless 3
Small Format Console Technology
Solid State Logic – UF8 Advanced DAW Controller
Sound Reinforcement Loudspeakers
Meyer Sound – ULTRA-X20 Compact Wide Coverage Loudspeaker
Studio Monitors
EVE Audio – SC4070
Wireless Technology
Sennheiser – Evolution Wireless Digital
Workstation Technology/Recording Devices
Universal Audio – LUNA Recording System v1.1.8
Film/Sound Production
Soul, Disney+
Interactive Entertainment Sound Production
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Ubisoft
Remote Production – Recording or Broadcast
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, CBS
Record Production – Album
McCartney III, Paul McCartney, Capitol
Record Production – Single or Track
Lost Cause, Billie Eilish, Darkroom/Interscope
Television Sound Production
The Mandalorian, Season 2 – Disney+
Studio Design Project
Genelec Immersive Experience Center, Natick, MA FM Design
NAMM Show blog coming soon, and watch for our upcoming Brandi Carlile livestream ticket giveaway for her Gorge show, this week here and on Facebook!
Have questions or comments? Email me.
