Blog

Best of NAMM 2026: Bass Pedals That Defined the Show Every January, the NAMM Show brings together manufacturers, artists, retailers, and media from around the world for the largest and most influential music industry trade event. For gear companies, NAMM is the ideal stage to unveil new products, gather real-time feedback from players, and set the tone for the year ahead. New releases debuting at NAMM often reflect where technology, design, and player demand are heading, making the show a reliable snapshot of the future of music gear. Our Best of NAMM 2026 series highlights the most noteworthy bass pedals launched at this year’s event—tools that stood out for innovation, tone, and real-world usefulness for working bassists. Tech 21 raised the bar for bass preamp and DI pedals with the SansAmp Bass Driver DI Elite, a fully programmable evolution of one of the most iconic bass tools ever made. The Elite version expands the familiar SansAmp sound into a modern, flexible platform suited for both live performance and studio work. The pedal features multiple operating modes, including a performance-oriented preset layout and a deeper studio mode capable of storing a large number of custom presets. Familiar controls such as drive, blend, EQ, presence, and compression remain central to the experience, preserving the touch sensitivity and character that define the SansAmp sound. Advanced editing options unlock additional parameters such as parametric mids, compression behavior, ambience, and modulation, while MIDI support and comprehensive connectivity make the Elite a powerful centerpiece for complex rigs. For bassists who rely on direct sound and consistent tone, the Bass Driver DI Elite stands out as one of the most capable and forward-thinking releases of NAMM 2026.