Native Instruments released HALCYON SKY – a new MASCHINE Expansion delivering the downtempo rhythms, organic synths, and hazy atmospheres of contemporary ambient electronica. Designed exclusively for the MASCHINE 2.0 software, HALCYON SKY is the first MASCHINE expansion to feature exclusive presets for the PRISM synth – included in the MASCHINE 2.0 software update.
Announced at the recent BPM Show, Reloop and Algoriddim announce the availability of Beatpad, the professional iOS DJ controller, created and optimized for djay. Jointly developed, Beatpad is an all-in-one MIDI controller that offers mixer controls, ultra-responsive multicolor LED jog wheels, performance section with hot cue points, FX, Looping, Drum Pads. Beatpad features a built-in studio-grade audio interface to make the mixing experience complete.
Recently the touchAble controller app for Ableton Live has been updated to version 2. Countless artists around the globe – from bedroom producers to award winning artists – use it on stage, in their studio or while on the road. touchAble 2 has been completely redesigned from the ground up, with stability and performance in mind – as well as an array of new and improved features.
Wow! Even for ourselves this is an achievement we didn’t expect to make 10 years ago on that cold thursday morning. But, … we did. Today we are celebrating our 10th anniversary of gearjunkies.com. December 4th, 2003, our website went online. Back then the website was actuallyjust an online product database. A couple of years later we added the news section and started posting information on new gear, interviews, videos, etc.
Last week we reviewed the KICK Synth plugin by Nicky Romero and Sonic Academy. Earlier this year Nicky released his first plugin called Kickstart. This plugin will be looked at today. Kickstart by Nicky Romero & The Cableguys is a plugin that can emulate the sidechain effect that is so populair in dance music styles for years now. The key to this whole proces is called volume ducking, through different volumeshapes you get different swings in the sidechain effect.
As 2013 comes to a close many people will find themselves taking stock of what the year held for them, and perhaps making resolutions to accomplish more of their goals. It’s safe to say, in looking back at the last several months, Grammy award winning producer/mixing engineer Andrew Scheps might be looking forward to taking it a little easy, but probably not. His time is in high demand.
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.
Here it is, the KICK Drum Synthesiser Nicky Romero artist edition plugin by Sonic Academy and Nicky Romero. The name says it all, this plugin is intended for making kicks. And that’s what you get, big fat kickdrums for a wide variety of genres.
Well, maybe you have seen this video somwhere in your timeline or somewhere else but it still is worth a post here. Wikidrummer is actually an online French website … for drummers! Drummer Julien Audigier plays his drums at a factory, on a wind farm, and in many other unusual locations, resulting in widely varying acoustics throughout the video.
Next to the Eris E5 and E8 models, Presonus present the E4.5 model. The Eris E4.5 Hi-Definition 2-Way 4.5″ Nearfield Monitors (Pair) are designed for recording studio tracking, mixing, and mastering. Each monitor features a 4.5″ Kevlar woofer for midrange and a 1″ silk dome tweeter for treble powered by a 25W class AB amplifier.
WaveDNA and Livid have joined forces, offering a powerful music production bundle. The Livid Base MIDI controller’s multi-coloured buttons and touch-sensitive sliders light up when connected to Liquid Rhythm in standalone mode. Experience this powerful and super-fun way of building drum tracks!
iXimix is proud to announce the latest update for TrakProDJ Deluxe, the popular iOS MIDI controller for Native Instruments Traktor Pro. Since it’s launch in 2011, TrakProDJ Deluxe has become the most popular mobile control surface for Traktor Pro, with over 40k users worldwide.
Alphasphere are very excited to announce that a limited run of the AlphaSphere nexus series is now available for purchase throughout Europe. After launches in Japan and the USA earlier in the year, it is now Europe’s turn to have a generation of producers and musicians empowered by the creative possibilities of the AlphaSphere. AlphaSphere nexus, is the definitive version of the AlphaSphere (video), and is available through the online web store or one of the partner sites.
This latest course from Producertech achieves what no one thought was possible; professional sounding mastering results using only Live 9’s internal devices. Accompanying the 8 hours of tutorials is a Live Template Set, complete with a custom built mastering rack, a comprehensive Pro Mastering Tips written guide and Flowchart, and 8 additional mastering weapons racks, which include an Aphex-style Exciter, Bass Maximiser and various stereo enhancement tools.
The MC6000 Mk2 is Denon DJ’s next generation, flagship professional DJ controller and digital mixer. Created to be the definitive tool for contemporary club and mobile DJ’s, the slimline, table-top steel chassis unit combines a 4 channel/8 source real-time matrix operational digital mixer with a 24-bit, class-leading digital and analog audio interface. This Mark 2 incarnation operates out of the box with the bundled Serato DJ Intro (upgradable to Serato DJ) and is fully MIDI compliant to work with other software solutions via supplied or created mappings.