The Rane SL 4 for Serato Scratch Live

Pioneer CDJ-350 & DJM-350 Guide

Korg iMS20 vs original MS20 - by modul8tor

ScratchLive 2.1 Release Video

Panasonic confirms the end of Technics turntables

Following weeks of rumours and speculation, Panasonic has confirmed that their Technics brand of turntables has been discontinued.

The Osaka-based technology company sent out the following statement yesterday:
Panasonic has confirmed that it ceased the production of its Technics-branded analogue turntables this autumn.

After more than 35 years as a leading manufacturer of analogue turntables, Panasonic has regretfully taken the decision to leave this market. However, Panasonic will continue to sell headphones under the Technics brand.

We are sure that retailers and consumers will understand that our product range has to reflect the accelerating transformation of the entire audio market from analogue to digital.

In addition, the number of component suppliers serving the analogue market has dwindled in recent years and we brought forward the decision to leave the market rather than risk being unable to fulfill future orders because of a lack of parts.

Panasonic employees who have been working on the analogue turntable range have been redeployed elsewhere within Panasonic – many of them continuing to work in Panasonic’s Audio Video Business Unit.

Resident Advisor recently spoke with JC Faxas, the main DJ Buyer for Guitar Center Inc, the biggest distributor of Technics products in the United States. Based on meetings with Technics' vice president, he confirmed much of Panasonic's statement, especially that a shortage of essential parts was the key factor in their decision. "Panasonic had been using some of the same parts manufacturers for over 40 years and most had gone out of business, so it would be very difficult and expensive to get some of those parts in production once again."

But after working directly with Technics for over a decade, Faxas also thinks the brand could have survived if Panasonic valued it more highly. "In my opinion, if Technics was a stand-alone company and not part of Panasonic, then there would be sufficient business for the company to continue. I feel that Technics has always been pocket change to Panasonic, whose upper management never took the DJ business seriously. The question now is whether a manufacturer will step up with a suitable alternative since there will never be a true replacement."

Official Site: Panasonic

Source: www.residentadvisor.net

ReBirth for iPad

For more information, please visit >> Rebirthapp.com

Pioneer CDJ-350 & DJM-350 Guide

Korg iMS-20 Turns Your iPad Into A Vintage Synthesizer

iPad Music Software: Korg is about to unleash another virtual instrument for the iPad – the KORG iMS-20, a software recreation of the classic Korg MS-20 analog synthesizer.

According to Korg, the Korg iMS-20 “transforms your iPad into a complete analog synth studio.”

See official Korg iMS-20 intro coverage for more info. Details and demo below.

Features:

• A complete recreation of the legendary Korg MS-20 analog synth
• Built-in 16-step analog sequencer to control the sound
• Music production studio with the MS-20 mono synth, a six-part drum machine, and a mixer
• Kaoss Pad function allows intuitive performance and control
• Publish and share your iMS-20 songs online with the SoundCloud music distribution site
• By combining a recreation of the Korg MS-20 analog synthesizer, an analog step-style sequencer, six-part drum machine, Kaoss-style performance, and a mixer to control it all, the iMS-20 will “transform your iPad into one way-cool sound studio for the modern musician – and the analog enthusiast as well!”

Here’s an audio demo of the Korg iMS-20 in action:
No Compromises by iNALOG

Information source: www.synthtopia.com

Pioneer blings out HDJ-1000 headphones - Limited Edition

The thing with headphones, and sound equipment in general, is that if you get the design right the first time, you don't leave yourself much room for significant upgrades down the line. Pioneer seems to have fallen into that trap with its HDJ-1000 set of cans, which are today getting rehashed in a pair of new shades: the extrovert gold number above and an understated all-black look. Pioneer hasn't left the innards completely unretouched, however, as it has nipped and tucked a few bits to allow better low-range reproduction and a more comfortable fit overall.

“Much like our players and mixers, Pioneer headphones are designed for both style and performance. We have a versatile line-up of headphones that are sure to complement many DJ levels. The new HDJ-1000s will not only catch your eye, but also please your ears,” said David Arevalo, senior marketing manager, Professional Sound and Visual Division for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

Many DJs are as critical of the look of their gear as they are with its audio performance. The HDJ-1000 headphones provide the high-quality sound that DJs expect as well as choices of colors and styles that make a fashion statement. The HDJ-1000 headphones come in two new colors, black and gold, in addition to the original chrome model. The black version resonates with a more sophisticated look, while the gold version provides a more glitzy style.

To obtain the best audio reproduction possible, the drivers in the HDJ-1000 headphones were tuned to deliver more impact in the lower bass frequencies of music. Its thick 38 micrometers diaphragm and 1.5 mm voice coil are more efficient in generating the critical midrange and mid-bass frequencies in music and produce a more linear response even at high volume levels.

Furthermore, the mono/stereo selector circuit was modified to obtain clearer playback, especially in the midrange frequencies. With this change, the headphones deliver sounds such as bass drums, snare drums and cymbals with more impact.

For maximum comfort, the headphones use low rebound urethane for the ear pads providing a better fit and increased comfort when used for long DJ sessions. Along with the urethane pads, the design of the headphones wrap around the ears to achieve excellent sound insulation, making monitoring effortless even in the noisiest environments.

Both the HDJ-1000 limited edition sets will be available in December for $209.

Technical Specs:
• Frequency: 5Hz – 30kHz
• Impedance:36Ω
• Maximum input power:3,500 mW
• Output sound level:107 dB/m
• Unit type: 50 mm diameter dome type
• Plug: 3.5 mm diameter 3P mini plus
• Weight:9.52 oz. (excluding cord)

Source from:

Engadget.com
Bornrich.org
2dayblog.com

Reason 5 & Record 1.5 - Live Sampling

Propellerhead Software has released the updated Record 1.5 and Reason 5, which add new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more.

Her’s a quick guide to what’s new and what it will cost you.

Propellerhead Reason 5 & Record 1.5 Highlights:

The new Kong Drum Designer and Dr. Octo Rex loop player extend Reason’s instrument arsenal to help musicians get phenomenal sounding rhythms, drums tracks and beats.

Reason 5 and Record 1.5 add a whole new take on sequencing: Blocks—build songs parts like patterns and string them together for lightening fast arranging with the ability to freely go back and forth between pattern and linear modes.

Neptune, a pitch correction tool and amazing voice synthesizer, turns less than perfect performances into great ones in no time. Simply play new harmonies on a MIDI keyboard for instant backing vocals. Live sampling into all sample capable devices means any musician can use samples in a new and playful manner, discovering the lost art of creative sampling. The Expanded Factory Sound Bank, doubling in size, plus added signature sound designers’ patches, inspire new arrangements and compositions. Multi core optimization, an on-screen keyboard and tempo scaling of clips top the list of additional improvements.

Live Sampling – Reason 5 and Record 1.5

This is an interesting concept; software samplers that actually record and sample audio. Live sampling is a new feature that places a Live Sampling button on every location where a .WAV or .AIF file can be loaded in on each of the sample playback devices (i.e. Redrum, NN-19, NN-XT, Kong, etc.) Live sampling will allow for two main functions:

1. To sample external audio through your audio interface in realtime (i.e. mic input)

2. To resample any piece, part or section of your tune

When live sampling is engaged, a waveform editor that has now been built into the program appears, and allows you to trim, crop, normalize, reverse, crossfade-loop the sample, thus making this whole process self-contained inside the program.

Kong Drum Designer – Reason 5 and Record 1.5

Kong is a multifunctional drum design unit that allows for 16 different drum parts for each of the 16 different pads on its GUI. Sounds can be edited and shaped all-day. Kong also posses an arsenal of Support generators and FX processors geared towards shaping your drum sounds. Support generators will add additional body and tone to your drum sounds.

Drum generation methods are:

1. NN-Nano – Sample playback – multisampling/layering

2. Nurse REX – REX Loop playback – plays back as individual slices, or chunks

3. Analog Bass Drum Synth – think 808, 909, etc. analog kicks

4. Analog Snare Drum Synth – think 808, 909, etc. analog kicks

5. Analog Hi-Hat Drum Synth

6. Analog Tom Drum Synth – think 808, 909, etc. analog kicks

7. Physical Modelled Bass Drum

8. Physical Modelled Snare Drum

9. Physical Modelled Tom Drum

The Support generators are:

1. Noise

2. Tone

Kong’s internal structure allows for 2 Insert FX for each part; 1 Send Effect and 1 Master Effect. Kong also allows for flexible output routing (16 outs.)The FX are:

1. Compressor

2. Filter

3. Overdrive/Resonator

4. Parametric EQ

5. Rattler

6. Ring Modulator

7. Room Reverb

8. Tape Echo

9. Transient Shaper

Propellerhead – Reason 5 and Record 1.5 – Neptune

Neptune is a pitch device for audio in Record 1.5. It’s also an FX processor that you would add to an audio track as an insert effect. Overall, Neptune has three key functions:

1. Real-time Audio Transposer – This is pretty cut and dry; you have controls for the semitone shift and fine tune.

2. Real-time Pitch Correction – This function is a very welcome addition, as it detects notes in monophonic audio signals and/or tracks (e.g. vocals) that are off and corrects their pitch. It looks as though it will also allow for incoming MIDI notes to pull the pitches away from their root and correct it in a sliding and gliding real-time fashion. Hmm… feels like I’ve seen something like this before in a certain plug-in.

3. Voice Synth – This functionality allows for incoming MIDI chords to make duplicates of the audio to create what sounds like harmonies and backing parts. I was a big fan of a piece of hardware that did this years ago

Pricing:

Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade) EUR 149 / USD $169
Reason 5 Upgrade from any version EUR 99 / USD $129
Record 1.5 Upgrade from any version free download
Record Reason Duo bundle EUR 405 / USD $449
Reason EUR 305 / USD $349
Record EUR 279 / USD $299

If you purchased a qualifying Reason product after May 24, 2010, you can upgrade for free.

Source: www.synthtopia.com

Source: http://blog.dubspot.com

Traktor Kontrol S4 hardware interface

Native Instruments today announced its new (and first) integrated hardware / software DJ system with a YouTube video wherein DMC World Champ DJ Shiftee rocked out to the Tetris theme and samples from Mike Tyson's Punch Out! (We guess someone knows their target demographic.) Traktor Kontrol S4 promises to take "functionality and control" to the next level with a new version of Traktor Pro that supports the hardware interface's many features, including: looping, cueing, effects, and track browsing controls, two sample decks, touch-sensitive jog wheels, a mixer, and more. Also included is a low-latency 24bit / 96kHz sound card. Available sometime this winter for an MSRP will be $999 (€899). See it in action after the break.

Source: www.engadget.com

Hands-on with the Pacemaker DJ system

Engadget had a chance to get up close and personal with Swedish startup Tonium's portable DJ unit and paw this 120GB-storing mobile mixing and more device. Comparable in size to the PSP (a smidge smaller), the Pacemaker's integrated crossfader and multifunction touchpad at first blush provide a surprisingly intuitive way to control your mix. We're not gonna lie -- we kinda wish the touchpad worked more like a Kaoss pad than like ye olde iPod scroll wheel, but all the same it's pretty fun to get some pitch bending on with a device that fits in one hand. Also let's be honest, you're probably not gonna become the hottest thing in Ibiza with this thing, but at $700 it's a relatively low-cost convenient practice setup for DJs on the road or an attractive option for aspiring amateurs. Be sure to peep yourself some video after the break.

Source: www.engadget.com

Token multitouch screen shows us the future of DJing, today (video)

Think you know multitouch surfaces? Think again. We've just come across a video demo of the Token multitouch, erm, pedestal, which seems to have come straight from the future. A clear sheet of glass that beams out video from your computer and accepts touch inputs in return, the Token concept has been designed by a chap named Rodrigo hailing out of Chile. We know it uses a rear projector for its video, but other construction details are scarce at this point; what's really special here, however, is the way he combines it with a Traktor Pro controller titled Emulator, turning a few intelligent finger swipes into a kickass light-and-sound show. See it on video after the break.

"emulator" on töken concept from yöyen munchausen on Vimeo.

Source: www.engadget.com
Source: yoyen munchausen (Vimeo)

Multitouch DJ table lets you swipe to rock

We just recently got a glimpse of one possible future of DJing, but our world has now already been turned upside down once again with this multitouch-enabled rig built by Gregory Kaufman. The big difference with this one, as you can probably guess, is that it employs a gesture-based interface that lets you spin the virtual turntables and use a variety of taps and finger swipes to replicate the main functions of a regular DJ deck. What's more, Kaufman says that the only gear a DJ would have to carry is a USB drive with their own music and settings, which they'd simply plug into the multitouch table at a club -- assuming the idea catches on, that is. Top top things off, the system would also be able to accommodate regular DJ gear for some added flexibility, and even provide enough room for two DJs if you're looking to battle or share the stage. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

Multi Touch Light Table: GERGWERK from GERG WERK on Vimeo.

Source: www.engadget.com
Source: Multitouch Light Table (Behance)