Every year, innovators from around the globe descend on Las Vegas for CES, the largest consumer technologies trade show in the world. With CES 2019 upon us, one category that continues to gain a greater presence is musical instruments and equipment. Guitar Center recognizes the huge impact that advances in technology can have on musicians and how they create, produce, listen to, and share their music.

As a company that constantly strives to bring the cutting edge of technology to its customers, Guitar Center sends its tech category braintrust to CES every year to see what's new and what's trending. Their presence enables Guitar Center to bring the most innovative new products from brands like Technics, Audio-Technica, Blue and Shure to its customers.

Shure MV88+ Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone Kit

Whether you’re a DJ looking to check out the new Technics SL-1200MK7 turntable or a digital content producer wanting to get a first look at the new Blue Ember XLR and Shure MV88+ iOS Digital Stereo Condenser microphones, there’s no shortage of music-related gear on display at CES.

The Technics SL-1200MK7 direct-drive turntable was designed specifically for professional DJs, boasting a coreless motor and rock-solid construction you’d expect from Technics. Meanwhile, the Blue Ember XLR mic is a super-affordable way to upgrade your home studio. For the musician on the go, the Shure MV88+ iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone gives you the ability to make high-quality audio recordings anywhere with your compatible iOS device and comes with a video kit including a tripod, phone clamp, USB-C & lightining cables so you have everything you need to capture, save, and share your music and videos.

Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct-Drive Professional DJ Turntable

Executive Vice President of Merchandising & eCommerce Michael Amkreutz will be on the floor at CES 2019 from January 8–11 with other executives hunting for the newest tech advances likely to influence the industry. “I’ve always seen CES as the global stage for all things innovation,” Amkreutz said of the trade show, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). “What excites me is the stuff we don't know about—the things we will discover … game changers in the way people create content.”

Now attending his 20th CES trade show, Amkreutz knows firsthand why musicians should pay attention to CES 2019. “Musicians should care because if you are constantly in exploration to improve and find your sound, this show is perfect for introducing musicians to the latest and greatest in electronic gadgetry that could be that sound—or enhance any instrument’s sound—from recording to performing,” he said.

Amkreutz added that musicians looking to set themselves apart from the competition should also take note of CES. “Everybody always looks for a point of differentiation, an edge to set your sound apart from the next musician,” he said. “Because of the massive amount of vendors that exhibit, CES presents a smorgasbord of sound-enhancing devices and software that could get you that edge.”

“As things continue to converge in the world of electronics, the barriers between business become blurred and eventually disappear,” Amkreutz said. “It started several years ago when companies like Roland, Gibson, Harmon, Sennheiser, Shure, Pioneer, Apple and others started to recognize the similarities between customers creating musical, video and audio content—and BLOG and VLOG content in general.” He noted that those companies saw the possibilities of positioning their respective brands at the center of those ecosystems. Amkreutz said companies realized the value of leveraging the thousands of dealers and retailers that visit CES.

“The lines will continue to blur and cross over,” Amkreutz added. “No more neat separation between musician, videographer, photographer, blogger and vlogger. It's all about bringing experiences to life. CES will continue to be bolder and more outside the box when it comes to introducing their respective audiences to the impossible, and making it a reality.”