News: The NAMM Foundation to Induct Breakthrough Inventions at its Annual TECnology Hall of Fame Ceremony 2014

The NAMM Foundation to Induct Breakthrough Inventions

at its Annual TECnology Hall of Fame Ceremony

Audio and recording technologies that span the 20^th century will be highlighted

Carlsbad, Calif., Dec. 12, 2013 – The NAMM Foundation has announced 10 historic 20^th-century musical and sound inventions ranging from 1915 through 1998 that will be inducted to its ninth TECnology Hall of Fame. Inventions that have greatly impacted the audio, sound and recording industries will be presented Saturday, January 25, 2014 as part of The NAMM Show’s H.O.T. Zone.

Fans of The Beatles’ smash hit “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” will be interested to note that the album was recorded on the Studer J-37 4-track, an invention that dates back a half century. The Klark Teknik DN360 graphic equalizer was first revealed 30 years ago and continues to demonstrate its staying power among professional audio systems. Both will be recognized, along with eight other significant inventions, including keyboards, monitors and microphones.

“Modern-day audio and recording professionals all have the early fathers of invention to thank for superior creativity and breakthrough ideas that allow for 21^st Century innovations,” said George Petersen, TECnology Hall of Fame chairman. “It is both beneficial and important to honor these early pioneers who made significant contributions that continue to literally be heard all around the world.”

The TECnology Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to recognize companies and products that have significantly contributed to the advancement of audio technology. The 2014 inductees were chosen by a panel of more than 50 recognized audio experts, including authors, educators, product designers, production professionals and others.  The presentation is scheduled during the NAMM Show, which is one of the largest global music industry trade shows.

The 2014 TECnology Hall of Fame Inductees are:

1915 First practical audio amplifier - Western Electric

1930 Bass-reflex loudspeaker patent - Bell Labs

1959 Echoplex tape delay - Mike Battle

1963 Mellotron tape-loop keyboard instrument

1964 Studer J37 4-track recorder

1984 Klark Teknik DN360 graphic equalizer

1986 Yamaha SPX90 digital multi-effects processor

1988 Akai MPC60 sequencer/drum machine

1991 Genelec 1031A active studio monitor

1998 Royer Labs R-121 ribbon microphone

For additional details about each inductees: http://tecawards.org/hof/14techof.html