NAB 2026: Marker Maker

Product: Marker Maker (NAB 2026)

What it does

• A portable real-time “marking” system that lets users create edit-friendly notes directly while filming.
• It writes marker information onto the timeline during post-production as a track underneath the footage, including:
  • Separate marker tracks per unit
  • A scratch audio track from the receiver

Key features

Two form factors / modes

• Handheld transmitter unit for quickly marking moments while you’re on set
• On-camera style transmitter (receiver “brain” supports on-scene use)

Real-time timeline marks

• Green status indicator (“green means good”)
• Simple controls: press/tap to place markers
• Designed to be unobtrusive during recording

Multi-user / multi-track

• Supports connecting up to four transmitter units
• Each transmitter corresponds to its own track in the edit timeline (e.g., director vs. producer vs. separate assistant feedback)

Scratch audio + communication

• The receiver includes a microphone for quick “note while marking” audio (e.g., “use the close-up instead of wide”)

• Intended to speed up editing decisions in the field rather than later

Timecode device

• Outputs full LTC audio out
• Supports jam sync in
• Works with common ecosystems like Tentacles or Deity
• Can integrate with existing timecode setups

Recording / export flexibility

• Can output marks in different ways (mentioned: 3.5 mm output on one channel and LTC on the other)
• Can record directly to internal SD card
• Syncs with timecode or time-of-day

NLE compatibility (“agnostic”)

• Marker format described as polywave, intended to be understood by any NLE
• Claims: no plugins, no special apps, no subscriptions—hardware purchase only

Pros mentioned

• Real-time editorial help: markers and scratch audio go into the edit timeline, speeding up decision-making
• Highly portable (“absurdly portable”)
• Simple on-set workflow: one button, minimal complexity compared to earlier prototypes
• Scales to teams: up to 4 transmitters, each generating separate tracks
• No subscription / plugin-free: “totally agnostic”
• Timecode integration: LTC + jam sync; designed to fit into established production setups

Cons / limitations mentioned

• No explicit drawbacks were stated.

Comparisons / use-case framing

• Positioned as solving a common problem in long-form content workflows, such as:
  • Interviews
  • Sports
  • Church/sermon mixes
  • Converting sermon content into social cutdowns
• Example workflow:
  • Use one marker channel for “good moments” (sound bites)
  • Use another for “bad/needs cleanup” moments
• Useful when turning hour-long content into short social clips (TikTok/Instagram) by marking what to use and what to cut

Connectivity

• 2.4 GHz Bluetooth mentioned (as part of system specs)

Unique points (consolidated)

1. Real-time timeline marking while filming
2. Handheld and on-camera style options
3. Receiver/brain has a microphone for scratch audio notes
4. Timeline output includes marker tracks under the footage
5. Separate marker tracks per transmitter (up to 4 units)
6. Polywave-based marker format intended for any NLE
7. No plugins/apps/subscriptions required
8. Receiver is a timecode device: full LTC audio out
9. Jam sync supported; integrates with Tentacles/Deity and existing systems
10. Mark output options: 3.5 mm on one channel and LTC on another (as described)
11. Internal SD card recording with timecode/time-of-day sync
12. Designed for interview use (push/hold to “underline” good moments)
13. Applicable for sports/church/long-form mixing and cleanup guidance
14. Example strategy: one channel for “good”, one for “cleanup/cutdown”
15. Absurdly portable; earlier prototype was larger/complex, now simplified to one-button/tiny design
16. 2.4 GHz Bluetooth mentioned
17. Availability: markermaker.io; pre-orders; shipping late summer
18. Pricing: $225 brain, $125 each transmitter; 30% pre-order discount; approx. $175 shipped for the brain mentioned

Pricing & availability (explicitly stated)

• Pre-orders / shipping: shipping expected late this year, toward the end of summer
• Target price at show (may change):
  • $225 for the receiver/“brain”
  • $125 for each additional transmitter
• Discounts (next week mentioned):
  • 30% off pre-orders via mailing list survey/NAB discount mention
  • Example stated result: about $175 shipped for the brain (based on promo language)

Speakers / perspectives

• Reddy (main presenter): product overview, workflow explanation, timeline output, timecode/LTC/jam sync, multi-transmitter tracking, NLE compatibility, portability, prototype history, pricing/discounts
• Interviewer/other participant(s): prompts and confirmations (e.g., timeline-visible marks, polywave/NLE compatibility, cost/shipping questions, general reactions)

Verdict / Recommendation

Recommended for production teams that frequently need fast, reliable “marking” for editing—especially interviews and long-form content that’s repurposed into short clips. The system emphasizes real-time, timeline-ready markers + scratch notes, strong timecode integration, and plugin/subscription-free compatibility, with straightforward multi-user support (up to four transmitters).