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We've just shipped our latest issue to the printers (in shops on the 15th Feb 2008) and thought we'd take a few moments to catch up with you blogwise.

It's been a while since we last blogged as there's been plenty of technical behind the scenes changes here at Future Publishing - not least of which has been the launch of our new MusicRadar.com site: the new home of Future Music online.

The new Future Music blog on Music Radar is on the way (work faster you technical dogs!) but until then we're back on the faithful FM slot to bring you the latest news on the latest issue.

And the big news of issue 198 has to be the NAMM show.

NAMM isn't just a great excuse to get out of the freezing cold UK rain and swan around Orange County in a T-shirt and shades. It's also the place where the big names unveil their big new gear and the world's music mags descend in the search for big news. And covering the show for Future Music – if you can plug it in, we want to know about it – I had to do more than my share of legwork.

First thing a hi-tech journalist needs for a NAMM report is a pair of comfortable shoes – the show is *vast* taking twenty minutes just to walk from one end to the other. The next thing you need is an encyclopaedic gear knowledge and an eagle eye for 'II's or 'SX's added to the back of familiar looking casings. Yes, seems the theme for Winter NAMM 2008 was evolution rather than revolution with many staples undergoing minor tweaks to stay ahead of the pack. We went in search of incredible new standards in synthesis and recording and came away with a bulging bag of new gear but very little in the way of genuine innovation.

The big names were perhaps those playing it safest. Yamaha chose NAMM to unveil a new Pocketrak 2G micro recorder for example. Excited yet? Meanwhile Korg showed off their M3-powered Pa2Xpro workstation and Pa500 songwriting station. Both great products but both based around bringing established technology to new music makers. Roland were the closest to 'new' with their new Fantom G and new mid-range V-Tour V-Drums. And special mention to their entirely kick-ass new V-Accordians. They can recreate the sound of any accordian. Don't laugh. They sell stacks of the things.

The most remarkable synth we saw was Access's Virus TI Snow – a stunning new mini Virus that packs in a surprising amount of original Virus power into a tiny, sexy white 'n' walnut case. Special mention to it's brilliant Atomiser program which allowed Warp artist Richard Devine – resident on the Access stand throughout the show – to mangle his iTunes collection live before our ears. If I had a dollar for everytime someone came up and asked me "What IS that?!?!"…

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