NAMM 2026: New Synths, Cool Gear, and Pro Audio Innovations
NAMM is the music industry’s biggest trade show—a yearly pressure-cooker where instrument makers, audio brands, and music-tech companies show off what they’ve been building behind the scenes. Even if you’re not flying to Anaheim to walk the floor, NAMM still matters because it tends to set the pace for the year: new synths, new DJ tools, surprise software drops, and a wave of “this is what we’re focusing on next” announcements that ripple out for months. For NAMM 2026, the show returns to Anaheim, California, running across late January with the exhibit floor open Thursday, January 22 through Saturday, January 24. And the news cycle is already moving: pre-NAMM reveals are landing early, and the usual rumor ecosystem is spinning up fast. This post is your up-to-date hub for what’s already confirmed, what looks most likely to drop next, and what’s worth paying attention to if you make music, DJ, or obsess over gear.
What’s Already Confirmed (so far)
NAMM news always starts early, and 2026 is no different. Brands don’t want their biggest launches buried under the flood of show-week announcements, so a lot of reveals happen in the days leading up to Anaheim—sometimes even weeks before the exhibit floor officially opens. This section is the “hard info” part of the roundup: confirmed products, official announcements, and real releases you can actually point to.
I’ll keep this area updated as more companies go public with their NAMM plans, but for now, here are the most concrete early headlines worth knowing about before the show even begins.
Nord Electro 7
Nord’s Electro series has always been aimed at players who want a gig-ready keyboard that’s fast, reliable, and built around the sounds that matter most on stage: pianos, EPs, organs, and a curated set of synth tones that cover a ton of ground without turning into menu-diving. With the Nord Electro 7, the headline isn’t that Nord reinvented the wheel—it’s that they’ve refined one of their most popular “grab-and-go” instruments at exactly the moment when live performance setups are getting more hybrid, more portable, and more demanding.
What makes the Electro 7 a NAMM-relevant release is that it signals where the premium keyboard market is still heading in 2026: tactile control, immediate workflow, and a stronger emphasis on flexible sound shaping without losing that classic Nord simplicity. If you’re the kind of producer or performer who wants real keys under your hands but still lives in a modern setup (audio interface, laptop, MIDI routing, maybe even a DJ rig on the side), the Electro 7 sits right in that sweet spot—serious enough for stage work, but streamlined enough to stay fun.
More info about Nord here
AlphaTheta RMX-Ignite
AlphaTheta’s RMX-Ignite is one of the most interesting early NAMM 2026 announcements because it’s clearly built for DJs who want more than “nice effects”—it’s aimed at people who treat FX as part of the performance. At a high level, RMX-Ignite is a next-gen multi-band effects processor with performance sampling baked into the concept, designed to sit in the middle of a DJ setup and turn transitions, builds, drops, and live edits into something more intentional than just riding a filter knob.
The reason this matters right now is that DJ gear has been shifting toward hybrid workflows: mixing + remixing, DJing + live performance, club tools that behave more like instruments. RMX-Ignite fits that trend perfectly, and it also feels like a modern continuation of the classic “RMX-style” approach—big, playable controls, punchy FX, and that feeling of physically “doing something” to the music in real time. If you’re the kind of DJ who wants your set to sound like you’re actively reshaping tracks—not just blending them—this is the kind of unit that could end up being a real headline product of NAMM 2026.
More info about AlphaTheta here
ASM Leviasynth — ASM’s new flagship hybrid synthesizer
ASM has officially introduced the Leviasynth, a fully realized successor to the Hydrasynth that’s generating serious interest heading into NAMM 2026. The Leviasynth is a 16-voice hybrid algorithmic synthesizer built around eight independent oscillators per voice — a big expansion in sound-generation capability compared to the original Hydrasynth engine. The architecture blends both digital precision and analogue character, with a flexible signal path that includes a dedicated analogue filter stage alongside a range of digital filter models.
Two formats are available: a keyboard model with a 61-note Polytouch polyphonic aftertouch keybed and a desktop variant with 16 Polytouch pads. Sound creation on the Leviasynth is powered by deeply routable modulation (multiple envelopes, LFOs, and a large modulation matrix), optional algorithm morphing, and a built-in three-track sequencer. The synthesis approach leans into a hybrid algorithmic design that gives players access to a broad sonic palette — from complex FM-style textures to rich layered pads and expressive performance sounds — making it one of the most technically ambitious instruments that ASM has released so far.
More info about ASM here
Stylophone On-The-Fly Performance Sequencer
Stylophone has introduced the On-The-Fly Performance Sequencer, a hands-on hardware sequencer designed for in-the-moment pattern creation and manipulation. Unlike many step sequencers that rely on menus or small screens, the On-The-Fly puts performance controls directly on the panel, with dual 4-step sections that can be expanded into 16, 32, or 64-step sequences, eight live-switchable pattern chains, and multiple sequence directions like forward, reverse, and bounce. The unit also offers an array of step effects — including skip, glide, ratchet, rest, tie, and random — plus creative timing controls such as swing and tempo adjustments, all of which make it easy to shape evolving rhythmic or melodic sequences without stopping.
Connections include CV and Gate I/O, sync and MIDI, and the sequencer can be used standalone or linked with Eurorack and other modules, making it a versatile performance tool whether you’re integrating it into a modular system or using it with MIDI gear. This positions Stylophone’s latest product as more than a basic pattern generator: it’s aimed at real-time creation and live sequencing, a niche that appeals to players who want instant feedback and control during jams or stage performances.
More info about Stylophone here
Viscount Legend 70s MKII Stage Piano
Viscount has announced the Legend 70s MKII, a refreshed version of its modular stage piano platform that’s set to be highlighted at NAMM 2026. Like the original Legend ’70s, the MKII keeps the modular concept — allowing interchangeable sound modules to be added or swapped — but upgrades the hardware with dual DSP cores, a new EPROM chip for more program memory, and refined controls. Two versions are planned: a Compact model with a Fatar TP/110 keybed and an Artist-W model featuring a wooden keybed, giving players options based on playability preferences and performance needs.
Alongside the MKII keyboard itself, Viscount is introducing two new modules: an FM Synth Module and an A. Piano 2G Module. The FM Synth Module brings bi-timbral FM synthesis to the stage piano with six operators and 16 voices per layer, plus support for classic DX/TX-series sounds and a software editor for custom patches. The A. Piano 2G Module doubles the sample memory of its predecessor and offers newly designed acoustic piano sounds that take advantage of the MKII’s increased DSP power. Both modules are compatible with the original Legend ’70s as well, meaning existing users can expand their setups without having to buy into a completely new system.
More info about Viscount here
Korg — microAUDIO + Kaoss Pad V
Korg is already having a very active NAMM 2026 cycle thanks to multiple confirmed product announcements rather than empty hype. Early in the run-up to the show, Korg officially revealed its microAUDIO interface lineup — the microAUDIO 22 and the more creatively oriented microAUDIO 722 — both compact USB-C 2-in/2-out interfaces with studio-ready I/O and DSP-driven tools. The 722 goes a step further by integrating a resonant analogue-filter style signal path that can be used as a standalone creative processor or a performance-ready studio interface. Having this hardware on the table before the exhibit floor opens gives readers real news to chew on, and not just speculation.
On top of that, Korg has also announced the Kaoss Pad V, a next-generation take on its iconic touch-controlled effects and performance sampler. The Kaoss Pad V features a redesigned dual-touch interface, expanded effects including vocal processing and filter tools, and broader connectivity — including dedicated instrument and microphone inputs alongside USB audio integration — making it both a live performance machine and a creative sound-design tool. This update is the first full-size Kaoss-Pad-series product in over a decade, and the fact it’s landing now gives even more weight to Korg’s NAMM presence heading into the show week.
More info about Korg here
Universal Audio software news
Universal Audio is also in the early NAMM 2026 conversation thanks to software news and promo-style releases landing right in the show window. Even when UA isn’t dropping a brand-new piece of hardware, NAMM season is often when they push meaningful updates that matter to producers: new native versions, refreshed collections, limited-time offers, and releases that make their ecosystem more accessible outside of DSP-only setups.
What makes this worth tracking is that UA’s momentum lately has been tied to a bigger shift in the market—more producers want “high-end studio tone” without committing to a locked hardware workflow, and UA’s native direction keeps meeting that demand. If you’re watching NAMM 2026 from a music-tech perspective, UA is one of those brands that can quietly end up being a major part of the week, even if the announcements don’t look flashy at first glance.
More info about Universal Audio here
Early speculation — what we expect from the big players
Once the exhibit floor opens, the pace of announcements usually changes overnight. Brands that stayed quiet during the pre-NAMM drip suddenly start dropping new products, limited editions, software updates, and “available now” launches all at once—because NAMM week is still one of the best moments of the year to grab attention across the entire music-tech world.
This section isn’t a rumor dump. It’s a realistic map of the categories that tend to heat up during NAMM, plus the kinds of releases that are most likely to show up in each lane. Think of it as the “if you care about this kind of gear, here’s what you should keep an eye on” part of the post.
Roland
Roland looks like one of the safest bets for a busy NAMM 2026, mainly because they’ve already been pushing rhythm and performance-focused gear hard lately. The obvious angle is beatmaking: if Roland wants to own that lane this year, NAMM is where they’ll lean into it with live demos, hands-on workflows, and possibly one more headline product that fits the same world. The other thing worth watching is software and integration—Roland has been steadily building its platform side over the years, and NAMM is a common time for them to add features, release new tools, or tighten how their hardware fits into modern setups.
At NAMM 2025, Roland used the show to spotlight Roland Cloud, including a NAMM-specific promo that underlined how important its software library has become alongside its hardware instruments.
More info about Roland here
Akai
Akai’s name keeps coming up because MPC is still one of the most popular “centerpiece” systems for beatmakers, and there’s always pressure for the next jump forward. The rumor angle here isn’t “a new MPC model exists for sure,” it’s that Akai has a strong incentive to show something that feels like a real upgrade: more standalone power, a clearer all-in-one pitch, and fewer reasons to fall back to a laptop. If Akai brings anything substantial, it’ll be framed as the next step in what an MPC can replace—sampler, sequencer, performance tool, and full production box.
At NAMM 2025, Akai’s main news was a partnership with Native Instruments aimed at bringing NI content and instruments more directly into the MPC workflow.
More info about Akai here
Native Instruments
NI is a brand to watch because even small updates from them can matter to a lot of producers. The main rumor thread is a refreshed Maschine direction—something more current and competitive with modern standalone workflows—while Kontakt is always the other likely lane for NAMM-week announcements. Even if nothing dramatic appears, it’s realistic to expect new instruments, expansions, or updates that keep NI’s core tools moving forward, especially given how much of the company’s relevance is tied to everyday studio use rather than flashy show-floor hardware.
At NAMM 2025, NI expanded its NKS Hardware Partner Program, adding more third-party controller support, and it was also part of the Akai partnership announcement.
More info about Native Instruments here
Behringer
Behringer is hard to predict in specifics, but easy to predict in outcome: they tend to show something that gets talked about. The pattern is usually a mix of bold prototypes, clone-adjacent designs, and “wait, they made that?” reveals that look great in photos and videos. The only reason people hesitate to take every Behringer reveal seriously is timing—some products ship quickly, others linger for a long time. Still, if you’re making a NAMM watchlist, Behringer belongs on it because they consistently bring attention-grabbing gear to the show.
At NAMM 2025, Behringer drew attention with the reveal of the BX-1 synth, one of the show’s more widely discussed surprises.
More info about Behringer here
Arturia
Arturia is a credible “new hardware” candidate because they’ve been building a tight lineup where controllers and software are meant to feel connected, not separate. If they announce something at NAMM 2026, the most believable direction isn’t a random standalone synth—it’s something that fits into their current world: hands-on control, fast workflow, and a direct link to their instruments and sound library. If that happens, it’ll likely be pitched as a practical creative tool rather than a spec-flexing flagship.
At NAMM 2025, Arturia didn’t have one single flagship reveal that dominated coverage, but it remained a consistent presence through its software lineup and controller ecosystem that a lot of producers already rely on.
More info about Arturia here
What this could mean for NAMM 2026 (the bigger pattern)
A lot of the most interesting NAMM years aren’t defined by one single “best synth of the show” moment — they’re defined by a few companies pushing the same direction at the same time. If Roland keeps leaning into beatmaking hardware, and Akai and Native Instruments both push harder into all-in-one production workflows, you start to see a real arms race forming: not just who has the best sounds, but who can offer the most complete, fastest path from idea to finished track without friction.
The other trend worth watching is how much of NAMM 2026 ends up being about “systems” rather than standalone products. That doesn’t mean everything becomes locked into one brand — it means companies are clearly trying to keep you inside their workflow longer, whether that’s through tighter hardware/software pairing, deeper sound libraries, or performance tools that feel like instruments instead of accessories. For producers and DJs, the best NAMM announcements are usually the ones that make your setup simpler or more playable, not just the ones with the longest feature list.
The rumors rule (what I’m including, and what I’m ignoring)
For this post, I’m treating “rumors” like a watchlist, not a fact list. If something is truly confirmed, it goes in the confirmed section with real product info. If it’s still speculative, it stays here and gets framed as what it is: a possibility based on patterns, credible chatter, or multiple outlets pointing in the same direction.
What I’m ignoring is the low-signal stuff that wastes your time—random forum screenshots with no context, dealer-list whispers that never turn into real products, and vague “trust me bro” leaks. NAMM season always brings noise, but the goal here is to keep the post useful: real announcements first, and speculation only when it’s worth paying attention to.
Stay tuned…
NAMM 2026 is already shaping up to be one of those years where the announcements start early and accelerate fast once the show floor opens. Between confirmed launches landing ahead of time and bigger brands clearly preparing their NAMM-week pushes, this is the kind of show cycle where it’s worth paying attention even if you’re following from home.
I’ll keep this post updated as more gear gets officially announced and more speculation turns into real products. If you’re a producer, DJ, or just someone who likes staying ahead of what’s coming next, this page is meant to stay useful all week: confirmed news first, then the most realistic watchlist items as the picture gets clearer.
NAMM 2026 FAQ
What is NAMM?
NAMM is the major industry trade show where music gear companies show new instruments, studio tools, DJ hardware, and software to press, retailers, and artists. Even if you’re not attending, it’s still one of the biggest moments of the year for new releases and announcements.
When is NAMM 2026?
NAMM 2026 takes place in late January. The exhibit floor runs from Thursday, January 22 to Saturday, January 24, with additional events happening earlier in the week.
Where is NAMM held?
NAMM is held in Anaheim, California, and it’s typically centered around the Anaheim Convention Center area.
Do companies announce gear before NAMM starts?
Yes. A lot of brands announce products early so they don’t get buried once the show floodgates open. That’s why you’ll often see major releases landing in the days leading up to the show.
Is NAMM open to the public?
NAMM is primarily a trade event, so it isn’t generally a public consumer show. Most people follow along through press coverage, videos, and official brand announcements.
When do NAMM products actually ship?
It depends. Some products go on sale immediately, while others are announced as “coming soon” and may take months to become widely available.
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