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Sets are back online!

Our sets section is back up! And for a chill start to 2013 we have a very mellow mix by Paula M from Half Seas Over Records.   2013 SETS SECTION

EDC Week


There’s always something big happening in Las Vegas, from giant conventions to world class boxing matches, and the first week of June was no exception. Electric Daisy Carnival Week started on Tuesday, June 5th and took over Sin City until Monday, June 11th along with it’s newborn sister, the EDMBiz Conference, both organized by Pasquale Rotella’s Insomniac Events. Drama and controversy also made some guest appearances this week, shaking party goers and industry professionals alike.
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Groove Cruise 2012

Late January we headed to Miami for a different kind of 3 day EDM festival, one that promised a party experience like no other. A promise like that is no easy feat to accomplish these days, there are dozens of EDM festivals running around the globe each year with enormous production values. But when they told me about Groove Cruise it truly sounded different right from it’s venue selection: a floating dance floor that never closes it’s doors and takes only 2.200 lucky travelers through a 72 hour dancing adventure in the caribbean… we thought we knew what we were in for, but had no idea.
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Industry Standard? Maybe

Pioneer had been entering the “computer assisted” DJ market in steps, small steps every new product line comes along. USB connection to CDJs and DJMs, RekordBox software and PRO DJ Link have been some of their incursions in this area but with the products launched this year it is clear they now come with full force. Last month they announced their All-In-One Serato and Traktor controllers and now they will try to take back their place as industry standard mixer with the DJM-900 nexus.

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A New Generation

On NAMM week Native Instruments released a teaser video of the new Traktor software and hardware, the world immediately dissected the video in slow motion and frame grabs to extract as much info as possible. Last friday Native Instruments finally unveiled the Traktor 2 family, but don’t get too excited yet, you’ll have to wait till April 1st to enjoy it.

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The year of the controller


For almost 30 years vinyl records and the traditional turntable dominated the Dj booth, it wasn’t until the very late 90’s that CDs were accepted by pro spinners, mostly because of Pioneer’s CDJ line of players. Then came the DJ computer software but for years those who decided to go the computer way still stuck with either CD players or turntables as control mediums ’cause MIDI controllers were not up to par. During the past year the software controller market has literally exploded and it has become evident that CD players will not enjoy as many years in the throne as the turntable.

With just a few days left before winter NAMM pictures leaked out yesterday about Pioneer’s new Serato and Traktor controllers and that means all the big names are accounted for. The new Pioneer controllers (DDJ-T1 and DDJ-S1) will compete with recently released units like the Denon DN-MC6000, with machines that already have a few months out like Native Instruments’ Traktor S4 and also against brand new ones like the Numark S6.

Pioneer’s pictures after the break, Continue reading…

Traktor's Own

When rumors leaked of Native Instruments’ all in one Traktor controller most people expected it to be the end all be all of Traktor controllers and with good reasons: if someone knew Traktor and it’s users well enough it should be Native Instruments plus they had the expertise acquired from the building of the X1 and Maschine. When the S4 controller finally came out it met the expectations of some but fell short on the hopes of others. In my opinion they came very close to taking the top controller spot had they not failed in some minor details. Our pictures and review after the break.
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It's a white Christmas from Pioneer

Pioneer just announced glossy Pearl White versions of their CDJ-350 player and DJM-350 mixer that should be available at the end of January 2011. These units are mainly geared towards the home user and thus their price is lower than the more professional units but they still give you a lot of features for a package price of $2445 (for 2 CDJs and 1 DJM). Thats a MSRP so when they finally get to the stores I would expect a street price of $1950 to $2100 for the package.

With the CDJ-350 W you can play all popular formats of music files in a variety of mediums (CDs, USB and computer) and can be used as a computer MIDI controller with audio interface. It also comes with several beat assist features to help beginners nail their mixes and looping functions to experiment with when you get more advanced. Even Rekordbox compatibility is present in these units. The DJM-350 W mixer will come with 4 effects: the traditional Filter and Jet plus 2 new ones Noise and Short Echo. A unique feature of this mixer and it’s black counterpart is the USB recorder for saving your sets on the fly.

Here’s a video of Miss Nine explaining the new filters…

Classic sounds in the palm of your hand

In 1997 Propellerhead software brought simulations of 3 classic Roland machines to Mac computers in the form of Rebirth RB-338. 13 years later they are putting those synths literally in your hands by releasing Rebirth for your iPhone, iPod or iPad.
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Free Traktor Upgrades

For a limited time Native Instruments is upgrading the software that comes with their DJ soundcards. Instead of the usual Traktor LE the Audio 2 and Audio 4 cards will now come with Traktor Duo and the flagship Audio 8 will include a copy of Traktor Pro. It’s a great opportunity to grab a new soundcard as the upgrades would normally cost the user $79 and $139 respectively. Offer ends June 30th, for more info here