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The NAMM SHOW, where the latest and greatest music, sound and lighting products are tradionally unveiled, was held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, January 17-20. Here are some of the highlights.

Mandala 2.0, from Synesthesia, is a USB computer peripheral available at a third the price of its predecessor. The unit looks like a drum but can sound like any instrument on the planet. Mandala 2.0 delivers astonishing audio range, via proprietary sampling techniques, derived from more than 100 instruments, with a drum pad so sensitive it responds to a fingertip touch. To see it in action click on the following links:

Offering a wide and robust sound stage, Ultimate Ears claims their new UE-11 Pro provides more dynamic range than any other custom piece on the market and that it’s the clearest, purest sound ever achieved by an earphone. The company backs that up with a design that places four speakers in each ear piece to define and detail low, mid and high frequencies. In addition, the UE-11 Pro has a two-driver subwoofer. The subwoofer addresses the inadequacy of bass frequencies to stand up to brighter mids and highs and eliminates the muddy bass frequency that is often the bane of other monitoring systems. The result is a solid bottom in the sub lows, extremely precise highs, and an in-your-face edge and “growl” in the middle for guitars and vocals. The UE-11 Pro also offers -26dB noise isolation, which provides hearing protection in addition to blocking outside distractions. MSRP: $1150

Blackheart Engineering’s "Handsome Devil" brings back those classic tube tones that laid the foundation for rock and roll guitar tones starting in '60s. The 15-watt, Class A amplifier was designed and prototyped in a one-car garage in Austin, TX, by Russian-born amp whiz, Pyotr Belov. Blackheart says that, like its predecessor and little brother, the Little Giant 5, The Handsome Devil is overbuilt to last with features and components you'd expect to only find on a hand-built, much more expensive piece of gear. "We truly believe that a Blackheart Engineering product may be the only lengthy and meaningful relationship you'll ever have," says Kevin Van Pamel, Blackheart's official talking head and admitted corporate sellout. Delivering 15 watts of RMS output power in Pentode Mode and 7 Watts in Triode Mode, the Handsome Devil is equipped with a pair of 12AX7 tubes in the preamp section, a pair of EL84s in the power amp section, and a solid-state rectifier with internal 6V - 2A rectifier tab that permits future mods with 6X4 or 5AR4 type tubes. The Handsome Devil is available as a compact head (BH15H, $299.99 street price) or single 12-inch combo (BH15H-112, $399.99 street price).

Back in 2003, two tech industry veterans (and part-time guitar players) got together to play some music. Frustrated while trying to find a tuner, Seth Demsey and Tom Lorimor hit upon the genesis of an idea: Why wasn’t there a tuner available ‘onboard’ the guitar? With that question, Zero Crossing’s debut product, the patent pending N-Tune Onboard Chromatic

Tuner, was born. Fast forward to 2008, and N-Tune announces the world’s most convenient solution for fast, accurate guitar tuning—on stage, in studio or wherever. The concept is simple: just pull your guitar’s volume knob up, silently tune up in seconds then push it back down to play. N-Tune installs seamlessly and inconspicuously into most guitars using standard tools, and requires no permanent modifications. It is available in both Fender- and Gibson-style designs. Better still, with its true bypass circuitry and string detection technology, N-Tune gives the guitarist superb, uncompromised tone and fast, accurate tuning that’s always right at your fingertips. MSRP $100.

SKB has added another model to its extensive line of injection molded watertight cases. The new 3I-0907-6BDD injection molded watertight case offers a new interior configuration with a double layer of adjustable padded dividers, making it the perfect solution for handling microphones and smaller electronics in a secure watertight environment. The case has a gasket seal and pressure equalization valve, providing a watertight design that is also resistant to corrosion and impact damage. The case includes a continuous molded-in hinge, patent pending trigger release latches, and a comfortable snap-down rubber over molded cushion grip handle. www.skbcases.com.

Since the original 000-42EC Eric Clapton Signature Edition was introduced in 1995, Clapton has explored the sonic subtleties of various tonewood combinations in the Martin guitars that bear his name. The 000-42M Eric Clapton Limited Edition may well boast the most exciting tonewood combination yet. The top is Carpathian spruce, which blends the power and clarity of Adirondack spruce, and the warmth and responsiveness of Italian alpine spruce. The back and sides are Madagascar rosewood, prized for its uncanny resemblance in both appearance and rich resonance to the now-endangered Brazilian rosewood. The ebony fingerboard showcases Style 45 abalone pearl snowflake inlays with Eric Clapton’s signature inlaid in mother of pearl between the 19th and 20th frets. Each of the 250 000-42M Eric Clapton Limited Edition guitars bears an interior label personally signed by Eric Clapton and Martin Chairman C.F. Martin IV, and individually numbered in sequence with the edition total. The guitars are delivered in with a deluxe Geib™ style five-ply hardshell case.