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Musikmesse 2011: From the basement

By The MusicRadar team
published 11 April 2011

AX master
You're never too old to take up the keytar. And who needs a strap when you've got a stand?

AX master

Musikmesse 2011: As you’ll know if you were following our coverage last week, MusicRadar scoured the Messe floor for the best new guitar, tech, drum and DJ products. But, as ever, our eyes were also on the lookout for the weird, the wacky and the whimsical: the items and people who keep spirits high as you pace your hundredth travelator of the day. Here they are in all their leftfield glory.

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
One woman band
Amp, guitar and iPad: the holy triumvirate for the next-gen Messe busker.

One woman band

Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
Wrong turn
Spot the iPad hardware add-on that's wandered into the wrong trade show.

Wrong turn

Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
We're going to need a bigger booth
This DJ blows. He has to if he wants to inflate his decks and mixer.

We're going to need a bigger booth

Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
Deflated
Sadly, these headphones produce a lot of hiss. At least they did after we'd shoved a pin in them.

Deflated

Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
Sonic sculpture
Drum exhibit, or the most elaborate set of weighing scales ever devised? You decide.

Sonic sculpture

Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
The light-up bass drum
Well, it beats a bit of scrawl with a black permanent marker pen.

The light-up bass drum

Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
Drums for dummies
This was the year that Kraftwerk decided to ditch the synthesizers.

Drums for dummies

Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
National amp-them
Which country is Marshall from again? We can't quite recall.

National amp-them

Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
100watt-ocaster
If one guitar lit up the show, it was this one.

100watt-ocaster

Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
The piano scarf
Because piano ties are so 2010.

The piano scarf

Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
Hey good lookin'
Elektron proves that its Octatrack will quite literally melt your face off.

Hey good lookin'

Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
Vertical vinyl
We're not sure what we're more confused about: how this works or why it's playing a Huey Lewis And The News record.

Vertical vinyl

Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
But daddy I want one…
Your child's next birthday present. IF YOU'RE INSANE.

But daddy I want one…

Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
Collapsible drums
Record this kit and there'll be plenty of space in your mix.

Collapsible drums

Liked this? Now read: NAMM 2011: From the basement

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Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
The MusicRadar team
The MusicRadar team
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