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. Note: This week there is 3-Day contest as well with P5 Audio!
Looking for a compact, no-hassle MIDI controller for all your music software and hardware needs? Tired of keyboard controllers jammed with knobs and sliders you’ll never use? Are you ready to just plug and play? If yes, the Q series of MIDI keyboard controllers is for you.
In part one of our Pioneer DJM-2000 review we told you how much we loved this machine. For us it is the ‘missing link’ to the CDJ-2000. When you connect the DJM-2000 with the CDJ’s through the PRODJ protocol, these devices will function as one. The DJM is packed with so many features that anyone can use/create their own style on it. Our team member Wytse Gerichhausen, who wrote the review, took the DJM by the hand and made this cool video. He made this video as a visual overview of what this ‘baby’ can do. Particularly the effects and the use of the touchscreen of this mixer. …. It was a sad day at the office when we had to return this review unit!
From mixer to instrument – At first look, the DJM-2000 looks like a small SVM-1000, (also equipped with a touchscreen), but it really isn’t a small SVM. The DJM-2000 is the missing link in a booth with CDJ-2000’s. Because you can connect the DJM-2000 with the CDJ’s through the PRODJ protocol, these devices will function as one. Almost anything becomes possible.
The stylish new HDJ-500 entry level DJ headphones are the latest arrival to expand our headphone series. These new pair of headphones are designed specifically for DJs. Unlike previous models, it will be available in three distinct colours: red, black and white. The HDJ-500-R (Red) / HDJ-500-K (Black) will be in stores in November, with the HDJ-500-W (White) following in January 2011. Designed to be as usable in the club as they are at home or on the go, the HDJ-500 is set to invigorate the headphone market.
The Ohm Studio is evolving faster every day. In the past there were the brainstorms, then the different features specifications, then coding hundreds of independent modules, and now the guys at Ohm Force are finally putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. They’re in the process of implementing them one by one on the ever-evolving Ohm Studio’s graphic user interface. Not that they want to put you to sleep with this kind of techie blah blah, it is just their way of telling you thatthey are very excited about the iminent arrival of the Ohm Studio’s Beta Version, later this year!
The Denon DN-HC1000S USB MIDI controller for Serato Scratch Live now has added extra mappings for the latest update of Scratch Live 2.1, allowing complete control of the software’s DJ-FX. The DN-HC1000S provides new mapping with control of both the Super Knob and Ultra Knob in Scratch Live 2.1. Now, a DJ can easily access a huge range of software effects with the versatile control of this popular controller.
Remember the past MusikMesse in Frankfurt? One of the products that caught our eyes there was the Feeltune Rhizome groove machine. Feeltune have now announced a release date for it, well kinda.Feeltune have announced that the Rhizome will be released in the third quarter of 2010, which means pretty soon!
Allthough Livid Instruments still hasn’t announced the new Code controller,we all know it is coming. Livid themselves are already giving away sneak peeks for a while now. So below is a quick demo they did with a prototype showing how it can be used as an encoder grid, and button grid controller (each encoder is also a button). Code is a really, really, really fun controller to play. This a a prototype model so there are some imperfections, but you get the idea. Livid is really excited to see the release and usage of Code, and it will happen some time this month. Dealers will be receiving them starting next week, ask your local dealer for availability.
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.
CodaNova is known for their midicontrollers VMX Studio 1 and 2 and the VMX VJ. On their website they have now announced the VMX Active8 controller. A Multi Touch, Tactile, but above all, a Beer Proof controller. They have posted a teaser video which explains some questions but then again, a video that raises a lot of questions as well. Well just take a look!
In this brief chat he lets rip about all things 2000, including the brand new DJM-2000 and the CDJ-2000s. Hear how he now organises his music and utilises the incredible functionality and connectivity of the DJM-2000. He explains how he can connect up to four CDJs into the DJM-2000 so that no additional hub is needed and also plug his laptop straight in via USB to use Ableton, not forgetting the touch screen to control midi functions. How the DJ landscape is changing as he explains how his whole DJ set just fits on his key chain. He only carries two 2GB SD cards! James was originally involved this time last year with the seminal Dawn of a New Species campaign that launched the CDJ-2000s, which you can watch here on DJsounds.
Jointly designed by Ableton and Novation, Launchpad places Ableton Live at your fingertips. Whether you’re a DJ, performing musician or studio producer, Launchpad gives you all you need to truly ‘play’ Live. Launchpad is ultra-portable. It is USB bus powered (no need for power sockets), and weights in at just 717gms (one third the weight of a macbook!). With a multi-colour 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons, Launchpad is purpose built for triggering and manipulating clips in Live, it also offers a totally new way of controlling Ableton Live’s mixer.
The microKEY features 37 velocity-sensing mini keys, using the same Natural Touch keybed found on the Korg microKORG XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer/Vocoder and microSTATION Music Workstation. This keybed has been designed with careful attention to the touch and feel. The proportions of the black keys and white “waterfall” keys have been adjusted for optimal playability, and the key touch makes it easy to play chords, glissandos, and rapid-fire phrases. The microKEY accurately conveys the dynamics of your performance to any software package.
Already present in our Gearjunkies lab in beta edition but now widely available through the iTunes App store is touchAble. A controller app for Ableton Live. touchAble will be discussed more in one of the coming parts of our iPad and music app series.