OpenLabs DBeat blends computer, audio control surface into amazing

We've seen plenty of crazy audio gear in our day, but nothing's ever prompted as much drooling and downright lust as OpenLab's DBeat, a monster of a rig that blends a full-bore 3GHz Core 2 Duo and 12-inch capacitive multitouch LCD screen with tracking controls, a DJ-oriented MIDI controller, iPod dock and a high-quality 4-in/6-out audio interface all into one integrated unit. Spec-wise you're looking at 4GB of RAM and a 320GB drive, as well as a dual-layer burner -- stuff we'd generally want to keep far, far away from our audio interface, but we're overlooking that right now, because we're in love. Harder to ignore? The $3,999 price tag. Ouch. We'll be looking in the couch cushions if you need us.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:00AM]

I believe you mean Open Labs (manufacturers of the MiKo and NeKo computer/keyboards), not Open Computing.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:06AM]

Great all in one package...maybe good for live PA's or ableton gig's.

But $3500 bucks...? I'll take a mac book with a MIDI controller, Live 8 software and a few extras instead...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:07AM]

*CORRECTION $4000.

ok so add an Mbox or I/O

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:13AM]

dammmmmmmn that is nice! this should be a giveaway!

[mitchsw Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:23AM]

wot *blinks*

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 1:21AM]

i want one.
for now i am going to continue to make my shitty electro music
DONT BOTHER LOOKING

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:02AM]

it isn't totally uninspired

i give you the go-ahead to continue making music

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2009 2:33AM]

thanks.
i'm nervous to post a link, as it is highly dishonorable in the engadget community.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:29AM]

For that interface this is not worth it. Better off with a laptop and a notation remote zero sl. Way better options out there

[Reason Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:31AM]

Bye bye MPC5000?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 1:43AM]

awesome.. it's complete...

[Eternal Density Posted Apr 3rd 2009 12:34AM]

Yes, it blends!

[mitchsw Posted Apr 3rd 2009 1:01AM]

It looks like REALLY cheap hardware, those pads, knobs and sliders. I would rather use a laptop and an established controller.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 1:34AM]

I've demoed open labs stuff and im saving up 3 grand to get that Dbeat, It would be nice if the lowered the price because as far as DJing goes if I still need to get a serato breakout box..im gonna be pissed.maybe if the box comes with a large Jog wheel to simulate a turntable platter. and of course a button to switch between decks like the eks otus or the denon hs5500

[Prokanda2oh Posted Apr 3rd 2009 4:57AM]

I love typical people... the retailers and companies cater to this type. You see a "3" and totally skip over the ",999" portion of it. Better make that around forty-two-hundred dollars after tax (if you buy it outside of the internet, of course).

That really is a 15" new MBP and the hardware + software to do even more than this... plus a 32" HDTV, PS3, an HDMI cable, a couple of movies, and some popcorn... ridiculous. Then you can browse YouTube and watch movies when you're done "spinnin' ". >.>

[protocollie Posted Apr 3rd 2009 8:23AM]

@moses: probably should learn about the trade before you start posting that you're a part of it.

this isn't for Djing proper, save for if you play in ableton, hate yourself and want to be frustrated constantly. This is for production, and even then in limited capacity. Theoretically you can slave it while you you spin on normal decks, but really this is just. It doesn't have a jog wheel 'cause you're not supposed to spin on it. It's for producing.

if you bought this to play tracks on as part of DJing, and not augment your set with additional beats or synths, or are even intending on it, then you should probably sit down, learn how to DJ, then plan out your purchases, not the other way around.

I'm gonna come right out and say it, this is a piece of crap. The fact that they're showing ableton running on it in the promotional pictures shows they really have no idea who the target market is... anyone who's performed in ableton knows that a tiny touch screen like that would be absolutely, utterly useless - the track triggers in ableton are maybe 50x50 pixels wide. Sure, you could trigger from the drum pad, but then why not just buy the APC40 and use it with your existing laptop, because it's better suited towards that. I'd also be worried about dragging effects places they shouldn't be, accidentally moving clips around the screen - no. Don't like it one bit.

And then there's the whole identity crisis the thing has, what with having a crossfader near the bottom, but it's not really laid out in any way such that it would be useful to a DJ... and an iPod dock!? The only use I see for this is in the studio, where most people already have an interface, a drum trigger pad, a better controller, more knobs and a better computer... maybe a live PA, but anyone doing a live PA already probably has a nice setup, plus you most likely still need to have a legit copy of ableton to even RUN on the thing, so uh.

I see less than zero point to this.

[logicbombde Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:15PM]

Um, Ableton Live 7 comes included in the package - the full version, not some LITE crap.

but otherwise, yeah....


I'll be sticking to my laptop with Live 8.0, Novation remote 25 controller and Native Instruments audio interface.

[logicbombde Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:20PM]

Also it's not just a touch screen, the unit has a trackball as well.

That being said, for the money I'd still rather buy a beefy laptop and MIDI/audio interfaces.

[Oddio Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:17AM]

This is so unbelievably over rated and over priced.

[AMiSHPiRACY Posted Apr 3rd 2009 1:43AM]

this is what Chris Pine mixes his fat beats on in the music video for the new Star Trek movie.

[Spork Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:06AM]

Why the hell would you want a dock for a player with such low sound quality?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 8:37AM]

i would guess, were i a betting man, that it's for copying your tunes you produce on it to your iPod.

Other than that I know that as a sort of de facto portable hard drive standard, a lot of higher end dj software supports playing off of an iPod and since it seems they're at least trying to imply there's some conceivable DJ use for it (which there's really not) they probably put it in for that reason.

i know that for a while when i was gigging on traktor scratch i could go to a gig with just an ipod and a cable and then power the dvs with my tracks on the ipod, then listen to 'em on the way home.

[Joe Geronimo Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:14AM]

dope as hell

[lr4life Posted Apr 3rd 2009 2:35AM]

If anybody here has actually worked with professional audio before, they would realize how unwise of a decision it is to buy an all in one device like this. Never put all of your eggs in one basket or else you will be dead in the water.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 3:06AM]

Im good friend with The open labs Creator Victor Wong....I Think The focus on this product was more user friendly

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2009 6:15AM]

You think that is epic
Take a look at the midas xl8
bit pricey though :P
Ir4life, this is not a pro mixing desk and does not want to be IMO....

[decapitor Posted Apr 3rd 2009 9:29AM]

The computer goes obsolete waaaaay quicker than the audio interface and the controller will

[djmere Posted Apr 3rd 2009 11:46AM]

wacksauce

[Penguina Posted Apr 3rd 2009 8:12PM]

Headline says: "OpenLabs DBeat blends computer, audio control surface into amazing"

amazing what? Amazing is not a noun -- it is not even a complete sentence. Did the writer take any basic English?