In this video shot from the show floor at NAMM 2018, James Ivey and Dan Cooper take you through some of their show highlights. From Mic preamps with Dante and vocoders to mastering limiters, microphones, and storage upgrades. James and Dan share the stuff they have found most interesting from day 2 of NAMM 2018.

James' Highlights

1. Rupert Neve Designs RMP-D8 which is an 8 channel mic preamp which talks Dante, which a new world for them. The objective is to bring the Rupert Neve designs out of the studio and into the live world and so it has dual redundant power supplies. It is also the first Rupert Neve Designs unit to have A to D converters in it.
   
   On the audio side, it has eight mic/line inputs, each with phantom power, phase reverse, input pad and high-pass filter. Apparently, the Class A mic preamps can be adjusted in 1dB steps, with up to 60dB of gain and can be remote controlled. There are also 4 dual-channel AES outputs on XLRs if you don't want to use the Dante.
   
   They expect to ship in Q2 of 2018.
    
2. Bettermaker Mastering Limiter - The sound of the limiter is of course based on the quality of its hardware design, but all the control and user interactions are performed in the digital domain.
   
   This allows them to incorporate options and possibilities not found in any standard analog limiter like being able to save and recall presets, have instant reset of all parameters, rapid, precise and repeatable adjustments, precisely linked stereo operation with the ease of a single control, implement DAW automation and comprehensive metering operations based on high quality A/D conversion and DSP.
    
3. OWC Aura Pro X Storage Upgrade Kit - for most 2013 and later Apple MacBook Air, MacBook Pro with Retina, Mac Pro, and iMac. There are upgrade kits available designed to make replacing the PCIe-based flash drive in a Mac as simple as removing a few screws and there is even an OWC free comprehensive video installation guide to help you every step of the way. Prices vary from $280 for 240GB to $1280 for 2TB.

Dan's Highlights

1. Zynaptiq is previewing their Orange Vocoder 4 plug-in at NAMM 2018. The Orange Vocoder was in the Prosoniq range back in 1998. In 2013, Zynaptiq acquired the Prosoniq product line and technologies and the Orange Vocoder 4 is one of the fruits of that acquisition.
   
   In bringing back the Orange Vocoder it has been completely 'Zynaptiqfied'. It has 22 algorithms, a pitch-locking effect and it has a great feature with icons of all 22 algorithms, as you hover over each icon it pays a preview of that algorithm, when you find the one you want, click on it and it locks into that setting.
   
   To make accessing the huge number of parameters, they have gone for a multi-layered user interface so that you always have a clean and easy to use interface to work with. As well as normal presets there are also what Zynaptiq call sub-presets. Each section of the vocoder has its own sub-preset menu.
   
   Expect to see the Zynaptiq Orange Vocoder 4 plug-in in Q1 2018.
    
2. Antares Auto-Tune Pro - This is their newest, most advanced version of its industry-standard pitch-correction software set to replace Auto-Tune 8. Auto-Tune Pro features a new interface that has been redesigned from the ground up for more streamlined workflow.
   
   The included Auto-Key plug-in provides automatic key detection. Auto-Tune Pro also includes ARA support with compatible VST3 DAWs and adds popular user-requested features such as Classic Mode for getting that legendary Auto-Tune 5 sound.
   
   A new Settings menu includes commonly used preferences for session-specific settings. Other new features include MIDI CC control of parameters in Automatic Mode and HiDPI support for Retina and other high-resolution displays.
    
3. sE Electronics RNR1 ribbon mic - With the RNR1, two custom Rupert Neve-designed transformers form the buffer between the ribbon and the outside world. The circuitry between those transformers has been designed to help maintain the ultra-wide frequency response, compensate for the ribbon's natural predisposition to roll it off, and thus preserve the high-frequency content. 
   
   After experimenting with ribbon materials available from all corners of the world, the design team landed on the 2.5µm aluminium ribbon for the RNR1, intended to strike the balance of flexibility and stiffness needed for this microphone's exceptional performance. 
   
   The precision-machined and scalloped edges have been designed to not only look vibrant and dramatic, they have also been custom-designed to provide the ribbon with an acoustically ideal setting for the best possible frequency response and look great with the matte black finish.
   
   The RNR1 includes a custom-designed and easy-to-use shock mount, which is essential in use to reduce the unwanted effects of vibration or knocks to the supporting microphone stand. Price - $2,495.

Don't forget to check each day for the next roundup from the NAMM 2018 show floor.