Native Instruments announced the TRAKTOR Cookery School, produced in partnership with leading online music retailer Beatport. Taking place between October 17 and October 19 at Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), the TRAKTOR Cookery School adds a culinary twist to the world of electronic music and digital DJing.
Introduced at the past BPM Show where Reloop announced this really cool gadget, they today made it all official. Reloop will bring the mixtape back! – DJs know the situation. Inspiration hits you and you want to record a new live mix to share with friends or promoters online. The only issue is, there’s no fast or hassle-free way of capturing the moment without the need of a computer and recording software. Reloop has created a smart solution to this problem with the launch of TAPE – an easy and secure digital recording device with the retro design of the beloved mixtape.
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.
Casting shapes for the sound artists pursuit. This is the origin of Vestax as a musical instrument manufacturer. Vestax don’t want you to listen to an unnecessarily fabricated version of your favourite song. They want you to listen to the groove and sound the artist intended. HMX-05 is designed with our obsession for sound as a musical instrument manufacturer. Vestax long history in the DJ and pro audio industry allows them to listen carefully to the feedback of pro users and consumers alike. The result of this research is simply the best headphone they have ever designed: HMX-05.
Producertech’s Synth Courses have been designed to teach you the inner workings of the most popular software instruments available today, in order to teach you how to skilfully edit patches as well as create your own from scratch, which is an essential part of music production. The courses, which are delivered via streamed movies, thoroughly explain the key stages of synthesis and give numerous examples of patch creation throughout, to help put all of techniques taught into perspective. In addition to the instrument presets and written notes that accompany the lessons, there are a host of extra patches or samples provided by Producertech’s sponsor LOOPMASTERS. Furthermore, students have direct access to tutors either via email or on the forum when help is required.
More news from the BPM Show. Reloop have announced they will bring back the Mixtape. Well kinda! The Reloop Tape is a device for recording your mix quick and fast. Whenever inspiration hits you and you want to record a new live mix to share with friends or promoters online, the Reloop Tape gives you the opportunity. Reloop has created a smart solution to this problem with the launch of TAPE – an easy and secure digital recording USB device with the retro design of the beloved mixtape.
Allen & Heath will be releasing new firmware updates for the Xone:DB4 and Xone:DB2 digital FX mixers, and the Xone:K2 MIDI controller. Previewing at the BPM show, the new software provides enhanced FX sections and configuration for the DB4 and DB2 mixers, and greater integration between the DB4 and the K2 controller.
With the BPM Show starting this saturday, the first announcement just rolled in. Vestax will introduce a specifically designed controller for the algoriddim djay software. Spin2 is the world’s first 2-channel DJ controller to directly connect and natively control algoriddim djay for Mac, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch with integrated connections. Spin2 comes with all essential tools to DJ in a simplified layout, and with djay’s seamless integration with iTunes you can easily trigger loops, jump to cue points, add effects, play samples, scratch, beat sync and mix your favourite songs in your music library. Plug in your Mac, iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, launch djay and you’re ready to rock the party!
Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2, the world’s first 2+2 control mixer combining the industry’s leading DJ controller design with a high-quality soundcard and a host of new features, all housed inside an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis. New creative features inside the acclaimed TRAKTOR PRO software expand creative possibilities while premium-quality Innofaders™ assure rock-solid dependability when DJing, making KONTROL Z2 the first professional club mixer from Native Instruments.
We already informed you about the new concept from Loopmasters, their Artist Series. It’s an evolution of the DJ Mixtools series. Now artists release their own music as tracks but also as separate stems and individual samples. This way DJ’s get content for their sets and for example new controllers like the Kontrol F1 from Native Instruments. Perfect content for the Remixdecks in Traktor, we think. The first release in the new Artist Series is the Transitions EP from Guy J. And the cool thing is we are giving away three EP’s!
Yesterday Pioneer launched the DDJ-SX controller. It is the world’s first native controller for the brand new Serato DJ professional software, which launched yesterday as well. The DDJ-SX has been carefully designed and developed in partnership with Serato to deliver intuitive control of the included software’s exciting features. Dedicated buttons and dials give pro-DJs plug-and-play control of Serato’s four decks, up to eight Hot Cues, six samples, and ten high-quality FX Powered by iZotope.
As of yesterday, October 2nd, Arturia is shipping their 1.5 update version of the Spark Creative Drummachine. Version 1.5 has several new features like the Tune feature and the added Oberheim SEM V filter and other performance oriented features.
With the release of the follow-up for the Serato Itch software, Numark announces full support for the new Serato DJ software. Numark will include the new Serato DJ software with select Numark DJ Controllers.
Serato has partnered with leading-edge hardware manufacturer Pioneer, to design the Pioneer DDJ-SX controller, a professional level controller specifically designed for Serato DJ. This controller brings the best of both worlds together, and digital DJs worldwide can get theirs from 1 November 2012, when the Pioneer DDJ-SX controller launches with Serato DJ.
Native Instruments today announced that the new generation of its critically acclaimed groove production studio is now available in stores worldwide and at the NI Online Shop. As of October 1, 2012, the MASCHINE range of products have received a major overhaul with new updates to hardware and software, the addition of colored CUSTOM KITS and the MASCHINE STAND, and a free separate download for MASSIVE, available to all new and existing MASCHINE users.