These are the 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.
Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces the MPK mini, USB keyboard and pad controller. MPK mini will be unveiled at the 2010 BPM EXPO in Birmingham, England on October 2nd.
At the coming BPM Show, Numark will introduce two new DJ software controllers. The iDJ3 is a new DJ software controller with USB computer audio interface. MIXTRACK PRO, is the Pro version of the earlier this year released MIXTRACK DJ software controller and computer audio interface designed to mix, scratch and perform.
Fabfilter PRO-C is a compressor/limiter plugin. But what does a compressor really do? To understand this we have to go back in time when professional studio’s didn’t use any compressors. The recording engineers had to manually control the faders in order to compensate for any changes in level. This was even before mix automation. John B. Howell was the first one to come up with the idea to develop a device which could control the level of audio signals. The first (experimental) version didn’t have any variable settings and acted more like a limiter. Still recording engineers wanted it because saved them a lot of effort. Since then the compressor has been evolving till current day even in the digital realm.
Hercules, a leader and pioneer in digital DJ controllers for computers, announces the newest version of their DJ Console line for Pro DJs, the DJ Console 4-Mx, an innovative and precise controller featuring large jog wheels (each equipped with touch sensor) a built-in audio interface tailored for DJing for easy connection with existing analog gear, and intuitive control over 2 and 4 virtual decks.
It seems that every time a manufacturer tries to to tease a new product and are aiming to a specific event to introduce that same new product … they fail! Another manufacturer who isn’t able to keep things under wraps is Allen & Heath. Teasing us for almost two weeks with their new Xone:DB4 controller, pictures and details already leaked onto the internet 2 days before the official presentation at BPM Show.
Pioneer is proud to introduce its first active reference speakers designed specifically with DJ/Producers in mind. The studio friendly S-DJ08 (8-inch) is available from late December and the smaller all round DJ lifestyle choice S-DJ05 (5 inch) from early January 2011. Both models come as a pair. Harnessing our long-standing history of speaker production, the S-DJ08 and S-DJ05 deliver accurate, neutral sound that professionals can rely on – while their innovative features make them adaptable for all your studio roles.
DJ Dan Guest and his father Darren have fully customised a Allen&Heath Xone:4D mixer which can be seen at this years DJ show, BPM in Birmingham. U.K. The mixer will be completed just in time for the international event at the NEC and no one, (not even A&H) has seen what Dan & Darren have created. The changes to the Xone:4D include: A new way of controlling the mixer, a radical new finish to the front panel, Dan Guest branding, some technical mods and a change of light pipe setup. Dan has made it totally unique with improved features for his personal Dj’ing use.
These are the 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.
DJ MIXTOOLS from LOOPMASTERS is the brand new concept for forward-thinking DJs and live artists. Imagine buying a track but then being able to separate that track into its key elements and having ROYALTY FREE access to remix, effect, chop and loop the parts in your own individual style to create an exciting and refreshing new mix. Today and last week the editions Tech House Deep Minimal volume 2 and Minimal Underground Techno volume 2 have been added to the DJ Mixtools series.
Flexiknobs is a project from students of the University of Applied Sciences Bremen: Kristian Gohlke, Michael Hlatky, Sebastian Heise, and Joern Loviscach (Fachhochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences). This project is a new and somewhat different view on the hardware to control MIDI.
We knew this for a few weeks and the news was supposed to come out at the BPM show in October, but the internet is quicker so here it is: the new Reloop Mixage DJ Controller.
Loopmasters, the sample boutique has set up a new record label, Public Records to connect music lovers with new and emerging raw talent from the underground – offering a springboard to new artists who deserve recognition for their music.
Native Instruments have released new ‘Glow In The Dark’ control vinyls for Tracktor Scratch. The new vinyls are in fluorescent Blue, Orange and Green. Both TRAKTOR SCRATCH versions come with two black vinyl records and two control CDs. But if you want to brighten up your decks, NI are now offering vinyl records in hot new colors. The records cost $/€19 and also work with the previous TRAKTOR SCRATCH version.
Ableton and Serato today announced the release of The Bridge, a software partnership which brings together DJ performance and production. The new tools generated by this partnership emphasize ease and creativity while pushing the boundaries of live performance. Below are two videos to give us some more insight in the use of The Bridge for DJ’s.