Full list of winners below.
CARLSBAD, Calif. – January 22, 2021 – Winners of the NAMM Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC Awards), honoring the best in professional audio and sound production, have been announced in a virtual event on the final day of NAMM’s Believe in Music week, a global online gathering to unify and support people who bring music to the world. Presented by NAMM on Believe TV, the annual event recognized the highest achievements in the pro audio and sound worlds of music making, live performances, video games, television and films.
Universal Audio picked up the day’s biggest collection of prizes in the Technical category for its Apollo x 4 (Computer Audio Hardware); Neve 1084 Preamp & EQ Plug-In (Signal Processing Software-Dynamics/EQ/Utilities), and the company’s LUNA Recording System (Workstation Technology/Recording Devices). Two pro audio brands who each have a long history of sound gear innovations took two awards a piece, also in the Technical category. They are JBL and AKG both recognized for professional gear in several categories including Amplification Hardware-Studio & Sound Reinforcement, Headphone/Earpiece Technology, and respectively, as well as additional categories listed below.
“Despite the global pandemic, the industry continued to innovate, creating one of the largest collectives of product Nominees in the 35-year history of the awards. And given the world engaged in virtual interaction on an unprecedented level, the products honored helped connect us all by delivering music and sound across the world,” shared Eric Geer, TEC Entries & Nominations Supervisor.
Many projects in Creative categories were recognized as well, including the Disney+ show featuring the evergreen Star Wars-theme: “The Mandalorian, Season One” (Television Sound Production). A salute to the posthumous legacy of Prince won out in Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast for “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince, CBS.” A full list of winners in Creative Excellence is below.
For the first time, award content, including category and a 35-year retrospective videos, were streamed live to Believe in Music attendees for free. Viewers enjoyed companies and experts who were feted in 22 Technical Achievement categories and seven Creative Achievement categories.
If you missed the event premiere, parts of the program are still watchable online after registering online http://attend.believeinmusic.tv.
Sponsors for today’s event supporters included The Les Paul Foundation, , Antelope Audio, C.F. Martin & Co., EastWest Sounds, Electro-Voice, Retro Instruments, sE Electronics, Allen&Heath, Apogee, Austrian Audio, Broadjam, d&b audiotechnik, Genelec, Harman, Leapwing Audio, Mackie, McDSP, Meyer Sound, OWC, Pioneer DJ, Sessionwire, Shure, Tracktion, Universal Audio, WonderWonder Sound, Cinema Audio Society, EIPMA (Entertainment Industry Professionals Mentoring Alliance), G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild), GeerFab Audio, Grace Design, IsoAcoustics, iZotope, L-Acoustics, MPSE (Motion Picture Sound Editors), Shenzen Maono Technology, Softube, Sonic Scoop, Strymon, Studio Expresso, ThumbStopper, WSDG and Hotone Audio.
Congratulations to the winners of the 36th Annual NAMM TEC Awards:
Amplification Hardware - Studio & Sound Reinforcement
Audio Apps & Hardware/Peripherals for Smartphones & Tablets
Computer Audio Hardware
DJ Production Technology
Headphone/Earpiece Technology
Large Format Console Technology
Microphone Preamplifiers
Microphones - Recording
Microphones - Sound Reinforcements
Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects
Musical Instrument Hardware
Musical Instrument Software
Production Essentials
Signal Processing Hardware
Signal Processing Hardware - 500 Series Modules
Signal Processing Software - Dynamics/EQ/Utilities
Signal Processing Software - Effects
Small Format Console Technology
Sound Reinforcement Loudspeakers
Studio Monitors
Wireless Technology
Workstation Technology/Recording Devices
Studio Design Project
Film Sound Production
Interactive Entertainment Sound Production
Record Production/Album
Record Production/Single or Track
Fear Inoculum, Tool, Tool Dissectional and Volcano and RCA
Television Sound Production
“The Mandalorian (Season 1),” Disney+
For more information, visit www.tecawards.org
