A few months back Native Instruments released their new line of midi keyboard series of the Kontrol S25, S49 and S61. For this review we have used the S49 and curiously tried it out. Considering the good Native Instruments reputation of hardware controllers their new line of midi controlers deserves our utmost scrutiny.

Focusrite launching their obsession for sound quality into the world of Thunderbolt, they have released a range of audio interfaces that combine a new preamp design with the very latest in Thunderbolt technology, to offer exceptional sound quality with an unparalleled interface latency of under 1ms.

KOMA Elektronik is pleased to announce its latest release: the KOMPLEX SEQUENCER, which enables musicians and producers to construct complex musical patterns via both MIDI and CV/Gate, by the means of sequencing the sequence.

MUTEC from Germany, manufacturer of professional audio and video equipment, starts shipping the MC-1.2, a new USB audio interface for professional and audiophile use.

Spectrasonics has introduced Omnisphere 2 - a major upgrade to its best-selling flagship software synth. ‘Version 2.0’ adds a vast amount of new synthesis and creative capabilities for sound design and significant user interface innovations. 

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Mackie is showing the new DL32R 32-Channel Wireless Digital Mixer with iPad Control, a powerful new digital mixing system completely controlled wirelessly from Mackie's intuitive Master Fader™ iPad®app, freeing users to get in the mix like never before. Featuring complete wireless control over everything, including fully-loaded DSP and multi-track recording/playback, you can control everything from anywhere with the DL32R.

The kaossilator 2S has been redesigned to include new features and more user friendly functions.  Korg’s new model of the loop-based synthesizer/recorder, now features unlimited undo/redo functionality and the ability to export multi-track audio data for immediate use with in Ableton Live (via a generated .als file) for a more seamless production interrelationship.  Audio files can also be manually imported into a different DAW of choice.

KORG USA debuted the new KRONOS, the most powerful version of its flagship synthesizer to date during Winter NAMM. For the first time enthusiast will be able to hear and see the new Kronos in action with live performances and in depth demonstrations by product experts and engineers.

The Behringer XENYX QX602MP3 is a premium-grade 6-input/2-bus small format mixer with XENYX Mic Preamps, British EQs, an MP3 Player and a class-leading Multi-FX engine. The ultra-compact mixer’s 6 Inputs (2 mic, 2 stereo) feature onboard studio-grade XENYX Mic Preamps with available phantom power, as well as the Company’s ultra-musical “British” channel EQs, which are modeled after the EQs found on vintage British recording consoles.

Apogee Electronics, industry leader in digital audio recording technology since 1985, is pleased to introduce Groove – a new portable USB DAC and headphone amp for listening to music on your Mac or PC. Built upon Apogee’s 30-year history of award-winning digital audio technology for music creation, Groove unlocks the highest possible quality of any headphones or powered speakers you have, allowing you to listen to the music you love with incredible lifelike clarity. 

Roland is proud to announce the JD-Xi Interactive Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer, a new compact keyboard that’s powerful, versatile and fun. Equipped with 37 mini keys, the JD-Xi features a true analog synth engine along with a wide selection of Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL digital sounds. This affordable instrument also comes packed with many great extras for self-contained music creation, including built-in drum kits, a four-track pattern sequencer, and a gooseneck mic for using the synth’s Vocoder and AutoPitch effects.

Dave Smith today announced the Sequential Prophet-6, a new 6-voice synthesizer with an all-analog signal path and discrete VCOs and filters. Auspiciously branded with Smith’s recently reacquired original company name, the new instrument is aimed squarely at musicians in search of vintage tone with the reliability of modern technology.

music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to launch BeatStep Pro, an all-new world-class controller and dynamic performance step sequencer.

The Novation Launchpad Pro is the professional grid instrument. It's the simplest and easiest way to create dynamic, expressive performances in Ableton Live and any other music software, using an 8x8 grid of RGB velocity-sensitive pads to trigger and combine clips, create dynamic beats, bash out melodic lines and control your external hardware.

Rane worked with some of the World’s best DJs and clubs to redefine the Rotary DJ Mixer. With help from Doc Martin, Dixon, Ata, Oliver Hafenbauer, Anthony Parasole, Martyn, Gerd Janson, Ben UFO, Derrick Carter, Tim Sweeney, Efdemin, Brian BeeZwax, James Patrick, a handful of Seattle's best DJs and many more, Rane is proud to introduce the MP2015.

Allen & Heath’s Xone:DB4 and Xone:DB2 digital DJ FX mixers will be supported by Serato DJ software and will be Serato DJ and DVS Upgrade Ready in the near future.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.’s Professional Sound and Visual Division continues to bring the most advanced DJ gear into the market, and today introduced the next generation of its flagship professional DJ headphones, the HDJ-2000MK2. The top-of-the-line model promises to deliver Pioneer DJ’s exceptional sound quality from a newly redesigned body that provides a sleek and modern cosmetic look. The HDJ-2000MK2 incorporates large 50mm drivers and features low-volume air chambers for noise isolation and high quality construction to achieve maximum audio performance. The new HDJ-2000MK2 will be available in two colors, silver and black.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.’s Professional Sound and Visual Division today introduced the HRM-7 studio headphones intended for home and private studio listening, providing excellent audio reproduction with maximum comfort. Pioneer’s latest headphones incorporate a newly developed HD driver suited for high-resolution audio sources and capable of reproducing frequencies up to 40 kHz. Its “dual chamber” bass reflex enclosure also helps produce lower bass response as well as provide better control for increased audio accuracy. The incorporated hybrid memory-foam ear pads provide a snug fit around the ears and maximum comfort when worn for extended listening sessions.

British electronic musical instruments manufacturer Modal Electronics is proud to be showcasing 002 its inaugural instrument and also the first analogue/digital hybrid polysynth to have been designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK for four decades, at The NAMM Show 2015.

KOMA Elektronik's new POLTERGEIST Eurorack module enables users to manipulate up to four audio/CV signals quadraphonically or stereophonically in new and ghostly ways.

Bitwig will attend NAMM 2015 and announce the forthcoming update, BITWIG STUDIO 1.2. Following the announcement, Bitwig will offer a sneak preview detailing the all-new features scheduled for the next major update, free for all Bitwig Studio license holders. Additional surprises can be expected on the actual release date of Bitwig Studio 1.2.

50 years ago, at its first introduction, the Moog modular synthesizer represented as radical a transition as Kandinski’s abstracts or Kodak’s cameras – offering both a break from yesterday and a startling glimpse of tomorrow. And, as with all cultural explosions, the impact of Dr. Bob Moog’s invention was impossible to evaluate from the epicenter. It’s only now, 50 years down the line that we can get some measure of the importance, and the sheer untapped potentiality of the Moog Modular Synthesizer.

New from Roger Linn Design is LinnStrument, an expressive 200-pad MIDI controller that captures three dimensions of each finger’s movement for subtle control of note volume, pitch and timbre, polyphonically. 

Reloop will be arriving at the NAMM show 2015 with new products in tow that will undoubtedly make a big impact on the DJ market this year. DJ Fong Fong (DMC Online Champion) used our new products Reloop RP-8000 straight, Reloop RMX-60 and Reloop RMX Innofader by Audio Innovate in his amazing "fast cutting" turntablism showcase already - watch out!

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. Professional Sound and Visual Division today introduced the XDJ-RX, an all-in-one DJ console that incorporates two separate digital players, a mixer, and a built-in monitor. The uniquely designed DJ system is intended for users of the popular Pioneer rekordbox® music management software, which enables DJs to quickly play prepared music stored on a USB device, eliminating the need to connect or carry a separate computer for use as a music source. The XDJ-RX’s featured 7-inch LCD screen provides a window of information including simultaneous display of music waveforms from each integrated player. The unit also emulates Pioneer’s well-known professional players with built-in key performance functions including HOT CUE, BEAT EFFECTS, SOUND COLOR FX and a new LOOP SLICE feature.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

By Jolanda van der Burgt

The top-of-the-range DDJ-SZ four-channel controller for Serato DJ is now even more desirable, as Pioneer DJ releases the limited run Gold Edition. 

By Marc van den Hurk

Artists can now load, play and control all their virtual instrument plugins directly from their keyboard. New keyboards deliver optimum hands-on performance features with seamless software integration for playing and controlling today’s hottest VST instruments and DAWs.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Casio is pleased to announce its Trackformer series of new DJ products. With the XW-DJ1 DJ Controller and XW-PD1 Groove Center, dance music fans can create, mix and play or produce their favorite tracks on their own.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection. There are still a lot of good offers to be found so you might have a look at the previous sample saturday.

It's been a year full ups and a giant down with the loss of one of the founders of Gearjunkies, Eric Thoolen. So we close this year and with his spirit in our minds we are heading to 2015. 

we like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, happy new year and all the success and health for 2015

The Gearjunkies network team: Dave, Dennis, Eric, Luuk, Marc, Mark,  Rick, Rob, Ron and Wouter.

A few weeks back, they asked us: ‘what if we entered synth market’ and where comes the bombshell (Jeremy Clarkson voice on) and we quote:

Antares Audio Technologies announces the release of Auto-Tune 8, the latest version of the world’s leading recording software plugin for creating perfectly tuned, natural sounding recordings and dramatic vocal effects. The release of Auto-Tune 8 introduces a number of innovative features that build on the product’s legacy as the best-selling audio plugin of all-time.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection. A lot of holiday sales offerings once more.

Raw is the brainchild of Rob Papen and Dutch dance producers DJ Promo and DJ Free-K after getting together at Dancefair 2014 in the Netherlands. After their initial meeting they soon forged plans to create a synthesiser which primarily focused on ‘distorted’ sounds with a user friendly interface. Several brainstorming sessions later and Raw was born.

Algoriddim today released djay Pro, the first professional version of djay for the desktop. djay Pro includes a suite of sophisticated features and an innovative interface that allows DJs to take their performances to the next level. djay Pro is the first DJ software on the desktop with Spotify integration giving DJs access to over 20 million tracks instantly. 

German entrepreneurs with the CWM holding company have acquired ownership of ADAM Professional Audio on December 11th, 2014. The new owners stated that their goal is to invest in ADAM Audio bringing production back up to normal and to invest in new products which will strengthen the competitiveness of ADAM Audio already excellent market position.

Steinberg announced the release of their latest USB 2.0 audio interface. The UR12 features 192 kHz audio quality, class compliant support for the iPad alongside a microphone input with D-PRE preamplifier, one high-impedance line input plus line outputs.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection. A lot of holiday sales offerings this time.

MOTU is now shipping Monitor 8, a 24 x 16 x 8 monitor mixer, 6-channel headphone amplifier and USB/AVB audio interface with console-style 48-channel mixing and DSP effects. 

Roland is pleased to introduce the new 7X7-TR8 Drum Machine Expansion for the TR-8 Rhythm Performer.

Native Instruments today continues the #futureofdjing discussion with the fourth in a series of videos aimed at exploring how technological innovation plays a role in shaping the future of DJ culture, features pioneering UK house and techno legend Carl Cox on how he keeps his musical passion alive, and how TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is taking a new generation of creativity forward.

Eventide announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Yamaha to develop signature effects for a future update to its recently announced flagship live sound console, the RIVAGE PM10.  The Eventide H3000ELive plug-in will include some of the most widely used signature Eventide effects used in the live sound industry.

Solid State Logic is pleased to announce the availability of ‘AAX Native 64’ versions of the acclaimed SSL Duende Native plug-in collection. 

When researching how to capture the much sought-after sound and vibes of classic 1970's studios, Question de Son owners Jordan KOUBY and Frederic VECTOL reached out to Amadeus for both the acoustic design and custom studio monitors for both Studio A and Studio B. The team at Amadeus, led by designer Michel DELUC, satisfied all their needs. Question de Son is now one of the most respected studios in France, and a "favorite Paris recording studio." 

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Arturia is proud to announce availability of V Collection 4, its premium-packaged ultimate reference software collection of keyboards and drum machines, updated and expanded to include all of the cutting- edge company’s latest software instruments for demanding musicians.

Scottish based SkoogMusic announces the launch of its new low-cost wireless Skoog 2.0 on crowd funding site Indiegogo, aiming to raise £75K to finance the final stage of development to get their product out to market. This week the company gave more details about its new Skoog- controlled synth app called Mogo.