Latest News & Articles
Remember Pacemaker? – It is back … on the iPad!
Remember the hand-held Pacemaker DJ device of many years ago (2007)? Well, they have returned. Hoewever this time it’s revamped as an app for your iPad. Months of effort and passion has been poured into the development of Pacemaker for iPad, the first DJ app with Spotify. With a design that is colorful, fun and easy to use, backed up by Pacemaker’s powerful Mix Engine. It’s the most elegant DJ experience you can possibly get on a tablet.
Serato DJ Version 1.6 Available Now
Serato is proud to announce the release of Serato DJ 1.6, available to download now from serato.com/dj. The latest update for Serato DJ includes Rane Hardware support, Pitch ’n Time DJ Expansion Pack, Quantize, Nameable Cue Points, Jet Pack FX Expansion Pack, support for the Pioneer DDJ-SZ & Numark V7 Pro Controllers and the brand new Denon DJ MC6000MKII & Reloop Terminal Mix 8 DJ Intro Controllers and a healthy dose of maintenance bug fixes for continued stability and performance.
Heavy Valentine with NI Kontrol Z2 limited-time sale
Native Instruments launched a limited-time February special on TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 – the highly acclaimed 2+2 channel DJ control mixer. Until February 28, 2014, customers can purchase TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 for $200 / 200 € / ¥ 14,000 / £ 180 off retail value. Normally priced at $799 / 799 € / ¥ 83,800 / £679, TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 is available at the NI Online Shop and retailers worldwide.
Ben Findlay mixes Peter Gabriel with Sonnox Plugins
Having mixed extensively at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios throughout the 90s, Ben Findlay is primarily a live engineer these days. Having mixed live shows for Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Cat Stevens, Sting and other major artists, he clearly enjoys ‘life on the road.’
More performance and creativity with Tracktion 5 Software
Following the successful re-launch of the Tracktion Software brand in early 2013, Seattle-based TSC has released Tracktion Version 5 (T5). This eagerly awaited update to the popular recording application combines an intuitive workflow with a ground-breaking feature set at a remarkable price. Beginning on January 23, 2014, Tracktion 5 is now available for download from www.tracktion.com at $29.99 for upgrades or $59.99 for new licenses. The software operates on Mac, PC and Linux systems.
New Groundbreaking Gain Reduction Vocal Compressor by Joey Sturgis
Famed producer/mixer/engineer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Blessthefall, We Came As Romans, Of Mice & Men) has released “Gain Reduction“, a groundbreaking compressor plug-in that puts Joey’s signature vocal production sound in the hands of the masses.
Cableguys Filtershaper 3 – Gearjunkies Review
Recently we did the review for the Kickstart Plugin from Nicky Romero and The CableGuys. A nice little plugin we liked. So we thought to look at some more plugins from the CableGuys. This is a german company well known for their plugins volumeshaper, midishaper, filtershaper and the curve2 synth. Today we test the FilterShaper plugin, which is in its third incarnation now and has got some nice tricks up its sleeve.
Loopmasters release their Ultimate 2013 Bundle Productiontools
Loopmasters proudly announce The Ultimate Bundle, a collection of year defining Loops and One Shot samples gathered from bestselling Loopmasters packs of 2013. Featuring a staggering 2013 samples spanning a huge range of styles including House, Techno, Dubstep Electro House, Dub and Reggae, EDM, DnB and more!
New Sounds and Samples on Sample Saturday #189
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 Spark 2 Software Engine Update – Video
One of the new products that Arturia introduced at the past NAMM show was the new Spark 2 software engine. Arturia presented a new look, new feel version of the powerful software engine that drives its drum machine-redefining SPARK Creative Drum Machine and SparkLE Creative Drum Machine hybrid hardware/software instruments.
Universal Audio Apollo TWIN Thunderbolt – Video Overview
At the NAMM Universal Audio introduced this sleek 2×6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac which combines the same high-quality 24/192 kHz audio conversion of Universal Audio’s acclaimed Apollo series with onboard Realtime UAD SOLO or DUO Processing. With its ergonomic desktop design, rugged aluminum construction, and front panel headphone and instrument connections, Apollo Twin allows Mac users to record in real time (at near-zero latency) through the full range of UAD Powered Plug-Ins.
Something For The Weekend: A Brief History Of Sampling
This week we have selected a video from Eclectic Method. In about three minutes he shows us some classic samples and the tracks they’re used in over the years. Eclectic Method (aka Jonny Wilson) started out as a digital outlaw who spliced together music, TV and film and set it to high-energy dance beats. When he started Eclectic Method, he created a project so progressive that the simple tag of VJ would never do.
Zoom, zoom … blazing speed with the TAC-2 Thunderbolt Interface
In today’s world, speed is everything. The blazingly fast Zoom TAC-2 interface uses the latest Thunderbolt™ technology for ultra-low latency and the ultimate in high-quality audio, up to 24-bit/192kHz. Lightweight and portable, yet rugged enough for the road, the TAC-2 is also easy to use, with a single large rotary knob controlling all parameters. Whether using it in your home studio or on the road, you can rely on your TAC-2 to deliver pristine audio.
SM Pro Audio introduces Active and Passive M-Patch
SM Pro Audio presented the Active-1 and Passive-1 M-Patch monitor controllers. Both have Control Plus Studio Talkback and USB Audio I/O on board.
Image Line Minihost Modular plugin host (beta)
Image Line have introduced the beta version of their Minihost Modular, which is a modular environment for hosting/interconnecting VST/AU plugins based on a custom modular engine especially developed for this purpose. As a standalone, Minihost Modular can be used as an advanced VST/AU host with modular routing with some sequencing recording/playback capabilities.