Today Denon DJ introduced the new MC2000 DJ controller. This controller is designed from the ground with Serato Dj Intro software in mind. It delivers Plug and Play with the most accessible DJ software around (we think!). The controller is USB Powered and built for use at home or owning the party venue.
Only hours after the new Maschine leaked onto the internet and we braught you the first details, Native Instruments have made it all official and introduced the MKII version. Next to that they now have published an incredible performance from Jeremy Ellis with the new Maschine and Maschine Mikro. He creates a track completely from scratch — the sound you hear was recorded live in one take without any overdubs or post production. Filmed at the abandoned former US listening station on Berlin’s Teufelsberg.
Here it is, next-generation design, multi-colored pads, timestretching capabilities, and more. All in all, the New MASCHINE from Native Instruments is the same highly gratifying instrument that it’s always been, combining pattern-based sequencing, professional sampling, multi-effect units, and a VST/AU plug-in host, but now with even more style and functionality. Everything is intuitively controllable via the fully integrated hardware – once you touch the tactile controller the fun and intuitive workflow takes over, allowing you to stay focused on what matters – the music.
PERCUSSA announced SOUNDOR, the free and open source FM Synthesizer for Max for Live, the visual programming environment in Ableton Live based on Cycling 74’s Max/MSP. SOUNDOR is available as a free download from the Percussa website, and allows users to explore FM Synthesis using hand and finger gestures, through AudioCubes’ high speed and low latency sensors, requiring no MIDI mapping or programming.
Since joining Sarm Studios in 2005, Graham Archer has moved up the ranks to become one of Trevor Horn’s top in-house engineers. Having recently engineered recordings for Seal, Robbie Williams, Massive Attack, Ellie Goulding and Madonna, Archer is often found in Sarm’s London or Los Angeles studio reaching for his A-Designs Audio HM2 NAIL compressor/limiter.
Mario is a good friend of Gearjunkies. We have posted already more of his great work he does on custom specialised software controllers. His latest work is a controller for the u-he Diva software synthesizer. Inside the controller there are 2 Doepfer USB64 Midi Interfaces, one special Wheel Electronic for Pitch and Mod Wheel and the MKE Electronic for the 4 octave Fatar keyboard with velocity. The DIVA Controller has about 90 knobs and 25 switches.
Native Instruments introduced CONANT GARDENS, a new MASCHINE Expansion that reflects the soulful side of Detroit – covering hip-hop, funk, afrobeat and deep house. Named after the district of Detroit renowned as the birthplace of many African American musicians and artists, this expansion explores the distinctive sound of the neighborhood through tailored drum sounds, percussion and sampled phrases.
The Pianocade is a synthesizer designed to sound, look, and feel like vintage arcade games. It’s easy for people who want to dive right in, powerful and feature-rich for people who want to tinker, and fun to play for everyone.
With the recent increase of DJs who play using music files, many people are using music management software installed on computers to control the music they own. At the same time, the massive popularity of smartphones and tablets is leading to increased demand for mobile based management of music used in DJ play as well as demand for ability to give DJ performances using music stored inside smartphones. In order to satisfy these demands, Pioneer will provide a smartphone and tablet version of the rekordbox DJ music management software for download free of charge as of August 21, 2012.
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.
Mario Galeano Toro, one half of Colombia’s hottest musical export Ondatrópica and musical mastermind behind the Colombian band Frente Cumbiero takes us on on a trip through the rich heritage of Colómbian music and performs a seriously cool track on Maschine. Video produced, filmed and edited by Luis Antonio Delgado.
After the release of Google+ last year it has been relatively quiet (we think). But that doesn’t mean Google hasn’t been busy. This week they annouced a new high quality ‘Studio Mode’ for musicians to play live concerts, online! Bands can now stream online concerts to their fans with good sound quality.
Being a DJ, producer, remixer, music culture researcher as well as a label owner, Anna Gavanas is a mainstay of the Swedish electronic music scene. When producing, her perfect sense for musical intensity and mellowness guarantees a captivating listening experience. Tracks like »Technomad communitas« simply can’t stop, won’t stop.
Pioneer’s most versatile controller, the DDJ-ERGO-V is popular among DJs for its usability, portability and compatibility with virtually all DJ software. And now the white DDJ-ERGO-V is available in a sleek new black model – the DDJ-ERGO-K.
It is not quite the secret that Native Instruments stands at the top of the ‘digital dj’ing world’ with their Traktor DJ software. Especially here in Europe they have a firm grip on the market and are the most used DJ software available. However, Serato comes in a strong second and is growing as we speak. Many DJs love the no-nonesens approach of Serato and also the collaboration with Ableton with The Bridge brought a lot of attention to the brand. I have been able to work with this Kontrol F1 for some time now and will give you my findings about this controller. I’ll try to keep it short and concise. However this is more difficult said then done as the Kontrol F1 is such a comprehensive controller / software combination.