Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[How would you change Native Instruments' Maschine Mikro?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/20/how-would-you-change-native-instruments-maschine-mikro/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/20/how-would-you-change-native-instruments-maschine-mikro/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/20/how-would-you-change-native-instruments-maschine-mikro/#comments How would you change Native Instruments' Maschine Mikro?

Native Instruments' gear is a must-have for those in the beat making world. We put the cheaper, dinkier Maschine Mikro through its paces and found that while we loved the portability, we weren't so hot on the lack of MIDI ports and absence of knobs for twiddlin'. That said, we weren't able to hate on the compromises that were made to bring it in under $600 and small enough to stow in a backpack, but how about you guys out there? When you've used this gear day in, day out, can you forgive its flaws in exchange for that extra cash in your hand, or do you wish you'd saved up a little more? If you were in NI's position, what would you have done differently?

How would you change Native Instruments' Maschine Mikro? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 22:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeatsHow Would You ChangeHowWouldYouChangeHWYCMaschineMaschine MikroMaschineMikroMikroMusicMusic MakingMusicMakingNative InstrumentsNativeInstrumentsSun, 20 May 2012 22:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments announces Traktor Kontrol F1 controller with Traktor 2.5 and Remix Decks, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-f1/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-f1/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-f1/#comments
A very colorful light will shine upon Native Instruments' DJ ecosystem on May 30th, and it's called Traktor Kontrol F1. The rainbow-flavored box aims squarely at the growing number of beat junkies who fall somewhere between DJ and producer. New Remix Decks in the accompanying Traktor 2.5 software cater to a more granular perspective on mixing, and the F1 is the tool that brings the new layers to your fingertips. We had an exclusive sit-down with a beta version of the adorable blinky-buttony-slidery controller/instrument-thing that we're itching to spill the beans on, so join us after the break, won't you?

Gallery: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 hands-on

Continue reading Native Instruments announces Traktor Kontrol F1 controller with Traktor 2.5 and Remix Decks, we go hands-on

Native Instruments announces Traktor Kontrol F1 controller with Traktor 2.5 and Remix Decks, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllerdjhands-onhardwareimpressionsinstrumentskontrolmusicnativenative instrumentsNativeInstrumentspreviewtraktor 2.5traktor kontrol f1traktor2.5traktor25TraktorKontrolF1Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Maschine Mikro review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/maschine-mikro-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/maschine-mikro-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/maschine-mikro-review/#comments Native Instruments' Maschine hardware/software bundle has become a staple in the beat-production market since its debut two years ago. Now at version 1.7, its performative and production capacities have grown to the point where dance pioneers like Underworld rely on it as a standard instrument much the way an electric guitar might be used by a rock band. Maschine Mikro is the first major hardware shift for the production platform: the newly-downsized controller easily fits into a backpack and comes in at $200 less than its bigger brother. What compromises come with the smaller footprint, and what will the price tag mean for people just getting starting in the groove production game? Read on, Lil' Dre, for our macro view of the Mikro.

Gallery: Maschine Mikro

Continue reading Maschine Mikro review

Maschine Mikro review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundledrum machineDrumMachinehardwaremaschinemusicnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentsproductionreviewsoftwareThu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/09/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-s2-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/09/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-s2-review/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/09/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-s2-review/#comments
In the world of DJ'ing there are few certainties, be it the music you play, where you play it, or what you play it on. One thing's for sure, and that is that technology is changing the craft of mixing as we know it. Controllers in particular are responsible for bringing the craft closer to the masses: they're bedroom-friendly, full of gadgetry and they bring the time honored two-decks-and-a-mixer set up into the 21st century.

Native Instruments already has offerings in this area in the form of the Kontrol X1 and Kontrol S4, both of which have been hugely popular. How, then, will its latest addition to the family - the Kontrol S2 - hold up against its established elder siblings, along with an increasingly crowded pool of competing models? Is this an evolutionary refinement of its bigger brother - the S4 - or a stripped-down, slightly more economical ($669) controller for those looking to dip a toe into the whole DJ thing? Let's get under the hood and find out.

Gallery: Native Instruments Traktor S2 vs. Traktor S4

Continue reading Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 review

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioaudio interfaceAudioInterfacecontrollerdjKontrol S2KontrolS2midimidi controllerMidiControllermusicnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentsreviewS2S4sound cardSoundCardtraktorTraktor ProTraktor Pro 2TraktorProTraktorPro2usbvideoWed, 09 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments Maschine Mikro just wants to make the world dance, forget about the price tag]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/native-instruments-maschine-mikro-just-wants-to-make-the-world-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/native-instruments-maschine-mikro-just-wants-to-make-the-world-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/native-instruments-maschine-mikro-just-wants-to-make-the-world-d/#comments
Besides looking like the illuminated dance floor in our favorite club, the Maschine from Native Instruments also inspires envy among the MIDI brigade for its wealth of features and reasonable $600 price tag. Come October and the Maschine will be supplemented by an equally Tony Manero-tastic Mikro version, for those with even stricter spouses or bank managers. Despite the reduction in size, you'll still get the 16-key drum sequencer and the full version of the production software. Making its debut at the same time will be iMaschine -- an iOS app that helps you sketch out hooks and loops on the go. The Maschine Mikro arrives worldwide on October 1st for $400 and iMaschine will set you back $5.

Native Instruments Maschine Mikro just wants to make the world dance, forget about the price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iMaschineMaschineMaschine MikroMaschineMikroMIDI SamplerMIDI SequencerMidiSamplerMidiSequencerminipostNative InstrumentsNative Instruments iMaschineNative Instruments MaschineNative Instruments Maschine MikroNativeInstrumentsNativeInstrumentsImaschineNativeInstrumentsMaschineNativeInstrumentsMaschineMikroTue, 06 Sep 2011 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Traktor Kontrol S2 digital DJ system shaves a few inches and bones off its big brother]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/25/traktor-kontrol-s2-digital-dj-system-shaves-a-few-inches-and-bon/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/25/traktor-kontrol-s2-digital-dj-system-shaves-a-few-inches-and-bon/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/25/traktor-kontrol-s2-digital-dj-system-shaves-a-few-inches-and-bon/#comments Traktor S2 Look, last year's Traktor Kontrol S4 was pretty damn awesome but, at $1,000 and about the size of your average Williamsburg DJ, it wasn't exactly for everyone. That's where the S2 comes in. Instead of four channels, it's a "2+1" setup that supplements the two standard audio ones with a dedicated sample channel. You still get the same high-resolution jog wheels and integrated 24bit / 96kHz sound card, but Native Instruments managed to shave a few inches, pounds and bucks off its predecessor. At $669 it's much more affordable -- still not exactly an impulse purchase, but within the range of most serious hobbyists. Check out the gallery bellow as well as the video and the PR after the break.

Gallery: Traktor Kontrol S2

Continue reading Traktor Kontrol S2 digital DJ system shaves a few inches and bones off its big brother

Traktor Kontrol S2 digital DJ system shaves a few inches and bones off its big brother originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj controllerDjControllerKontrol S2KontrolS2musicmusic makingMusicMakingnative instrumentsnative instruments traktor kontrol S2NativeInstrumentsNativeInstrumentsTraktorKontrolS2S2traktortraktor kontrolTraktor Kontrol S2TraktorKontrolTraktorKontrolS2videoThu, 25 Aug 2011 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Novation Twitch touchstrip DJ controller makes the scene at Musik Messe 2011 (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/novation-twitch-touchstrip-dj-controller-makes-the-scene-at-musi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/novation-twitch-touchstrip-dj-controller-makes-the-scene-at-musi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/novation-twitch-touchstrip-dj-controller-makes-the-scene-at-musi/#comments
We're not professional musicians by a long shot, but when we do get a chance to break away from the relentless torrent of cellphones and tablets, nothing quite hits the spot like a little music appreciation. Of course, when done Engadget-style this usually means a gadget of some sort -- and we'd be lying if we didn't say that Novation's newest didn't whet our appetites for some after-hours beatmatching. Twitch is essentially a full-figured DJ controller, but instead of some sort of round jog wheel (which the current reviewer has always found to be extremely counter-intuitive) the company added a touch strip, which can be used for everything from finding the beat to zooming in and out of the waveform display (after watching the video, it's hard to believe we've been beatmatching without pinch-to-zoom for this long). This bad boy also boasts a full compliment of controls for Serato, Traktor NI, and Ableton Live. You're probably interested in seeing how it performs in the real world, but unless you're in Frankfurt for Musik Messe, you're going to have to settle for the video after the break. Look for it in July for a street price in the $500 range.

Continue reading Novation Twitch touchstrip DJ controller makes the scene at Musik Messe 2011 (video)

Novation Twitch touchstrip DJ controller makes the scene at Musik Messe 2011 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abletonableton liveAbletonLivecontrollerdjdj controllerDjControllermakingmusicmusik messemusik messe 2011MusikMesseMusikMesse2011native instrumentsNativeInstrumentsnovationnovation twitchNovationTwitchseratotraktortraktor niTraktorNitwitchvideoFri, 08 Apr 2011 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments rolls out Traktor 2, Maschine 1.6 update]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/native-instruments-rolls-out-traktor-2-maschine-1-6-update/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/native-instruments-rolls-out-traktor-2-maschine-1-6-update/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/native-instruments-rolls-out-traktor-2-maschine-1-6-update/#comments
There isn't any hardware that will make you a better (or hell, a good) DJ, although we always seem to forget this whenever we see one of Native Instruments' invariably mind-blowing product demos. If you're a DMC-level DJ, it certainly looks like the newly available Traktor 2 will suit all of your needs nicely. If you're not? Well, you can always enjoy DJ Craze going wild on the video after the break (be advised, however, that the F-bomb drops about a gazillion times on the thing, so this might not be safe for your workplace). And while we're at it, if you own NI's Maschine, the 1.6 software that we first got a look at in early February is available: launch the NI Service Center app to upgrade.

Continue reading Native Instruments rolls out Traktor 2, Maschine 1.6 update

Native Instruments rolls out Traktor 2, Maschine 1.6 update originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj crazeDjCrazemaschinemaschine 1.6Maschine1.6musicmusic makingMusicMakingnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentsnipro audioProAudiot2traktortraktor 2Traktor2videoThu, 31 Mar 2011 16:46:00 EST<![CDATA[T2 is not a cyborg, is the new more colorful Traktor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/t2-is-not-a-cyborg-is-the-new-more-colorful-traktor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/t2-is-not-a-cyborg-is-the-new-more-colorful-traktor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/10/t2-is-not-a-cyborg-is-the-new-more-colorful-traktor/#comments Native Instruments just unveiled a lot of enhancements to their current line of DJ software. Before, we didn't even know we were just dealing with T1, but it feels good to know that going forward, everything from Traktor Scratch Pro to Traktor Duo will have T2 inside, which features a more Serato-like waveform colorization scheme called TruWave. We'll leave it to DJ Rafik to give you the real low-down, though, in the video after the break. Also new today are the Traktor Audio 6 and 10 interfaces with new analog direct thrus -- expect them in April for $279 and $449, respectively. Now excuse us, we've got a couple of sequel ideas of our own to get cracking on.

Continue reading T2 is not a cyborg, is the new more colorful Traktor

T2 is not a cyborg, is the new more colorful Traktor originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj softwareDjSoftwarenative instrumentsNativeInstrumentsseratot2traktortraktor audio 10traktor audio 6traktor duotraktor scratch proTraktorAudio10TraktorAudio6TraktorDuoTraktorScratchProtruwavewaveformThu, 10 Feb 2011 21:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments Maschine review and 1.6 beta first look]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/native-instruments-maschine-review-and-1-6-beta-first-look/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/native-instruments-maschine-review-and-1-6-beta-first-look/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/native-instruments-maschine-review-and-1-6-beta-first-look/#comments Since it first caught the world's attention at NAMM '09, Native Instruments' Maschine has made quite a stir in the world of electronic music production and performance. A modern re-imagining of Akai's legendary sampling sequencers, it takes the MPC's raison d'être -- recording and editing samples, sequencing samples to create tracks -- and uses it as the basis of a MIDI interface / software package that is both very familiar and quite unique. Maschine can run as a stand-alone application or integrate with your DAW (digital audio workstation) as a plug-in, and the company promises quite a bit as far as sound quality and improved workflow over the Akai's legendary instruments. But does it stack up? We've recently taken a good, hard look at the latest version of the software, 1.6 beta -- and we can't wait to share our thoughts with you. Check it out after the break.

Gallery: Native Instruments Maschine 1.6 beta

Continue reading Native Instruments Maschine review and 1.6 beta first look

Native Instruments Maschine review and 1.6 beta first look originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maschinemusicmusic makingmusic productionmusicmakingmusicprodutionnative instrumentsnative instruments maschineNativeInstrumentsNativeInstrumentsmaschinereviewsamplesamplerTue, 01 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-s4-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-s4-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-s4-review/#comments Think the iOS-versus-Android war is interesting? Out of sight to most of us, there's a knock-down, drag-out battle that's been waging for years between pro DJ software suites, and it's got all the drama and fanboyism of the dirtiest smartphone fight you've ever seen. In clubs, Serato's Scratch Live sees duty in plenty of booths, but Native Instruments' Traktor is as strong of a contender as it's ever been -- and for all-digital DJs who didn't cut their teeth on turntables, its long, rich list of features and capabilities makes it a strong, maybe even an obvious choice.

Traditionally, both Serato and Native Instruments have mostly left the hardware side of the equation -- digital mixers, controllers, and the like -- to other companies. In fact, Native Instruments even certifies a long list of equipment as being "Traktor Ready." But even in the best-case scenario, a third-party DJ controller connected to Traktor is just a glorified MIDI controller with a DJ-friendly layout. It doesn't integrate as tightly as it could, and no matter how fantastic the device might be, you're always making sacrifices -- it's nearly impossible with one of these third-party products to get your setup to the point where you never need to touch the computer.

And behold, that's where the Traktor Kontrol S4 comes in. Perhaps as a calculated response to Serato's Itch partnerships with Numark, Vestax, Denon, and Allen & Heath, Native Instruments finally decided to get its hands dirty and put together its own idea of what an all-in-one DJ controller should be. Does it deliver? Let's take a look.

Gallery: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 review

Continue reading Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 review

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj controllerDjControllerkontrol s4KontrolS4native instrumentsnative instruments kontrol s4NativeInstrumentsNativeInstrumentsKontrolS4reviewtraktorvideoTue, 09 Nov 2010 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Traktor Kontrol S4 hardware interface set to make the scene this winter]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/traktor-kontrol-s4-hardware-interface-set-to-make-the-scene-this/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/traktor-kontrol-s4-hardware-interface-set-to-make-the-scene-this/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/traktor-kontrol-s4-hardware-interface-set-to-make-the-scene-this/#comments
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.

Continue reading Traktor Kontrol S4 hardware interface set to make the scene this winter

Traktor Kontrol S4 hardware interface set to make the scene this winter originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj controllerDjControllerKontrol S4KontrolS4musicmusic makingMusicMakingnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentstraktorTraktor Kontrol S4TraktorKontrolS4videoMon, 16 Aug 2010 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments teases new all-in-one Traktor controller, enlists Dubfire to help]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/native-instruments-teases-new-all-in-one-traktor-controller-enl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/native-instruments-teases-new-all-in-one-traktor-controller-enl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/native-instruments-teases-new-all-in-one-traktor-controller-enl/#comments Even though it's made bits and pieces of DJ hardware for years, Native Instruments has steered clear of the burgeoning all-in-one controller market, leaving that to third-party players like Hercules, Behringer, Stanton, Allen & Heath, and Numark. Thing is, archrival Serato has been taking it to the paint with its Itch systems lately, so it looks like NI getting ready to step up its game. We've just been tossed a video of Dubfire testing out a mysterious, unnamed rig connected to an updated version of Traktor out at Ibiza, and for Traktor DJs, this looks like it could be the hardware you've been waiting for -- especially if the X1 wasn't quite enough to satisfy your deepest, darkest desires. We don't know what the deal is with this thing other than that it's "upcoming," so we'll toss you details just as soon as we have them.

Continue reading Native Instruments teases new all-in-one Traktor controller, enlists Dubfire to help

Native Instruments teases new all-in-one Traktor controller, enlists Dubfire to help originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj controllerDjControllermusicnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentstraktorvideoWed, 21 Jul 2010 14:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments Kontrol X1 impressions]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/08/native-instruments-kontrol-x1-impressions/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/08/native-instruments-kontrol-x1-impressions/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/08/native-instruments-kontrol-x1-impressions/#comments We don't typically do a lot of coverage of music gear here at Engadget because, by and large, it's an entire world unto itself -- a universe of specialty products that require unique knowledge (and often, talent) to use, let alone review -- and ultimately, we're only writing for a limited subset of our readership. There are, of course, countless exceptions to the rule; mixing gear in particular has really come into its own, technologically, over the past several years as a whole new generation of would-be DJ superstars come into the fold. A skill once dominated by turntables is... well, still dominated by turntables, but everything surrounding the spinning vinyl is changing: nowadays, you've got a PC that can serve as a virtually bottomless pit of tracks, state-of-the-art software for synchronizing and manipulating those tracks, and dedicated external controllers to help you control the software. Once an art form, modern DJing is now half art, half science. It's exciting, it's cool, and even if you don't know the difference between a crossfader and a high-pass filter, it's a lot of fun to see how this stuff works.

To that end, today we're taking a quick look at Native Instrument's Kontrol X1 -- the first official, dedicated controller for its Traktor series of apps, one of the world's most widely-used DJ suites.

Continue reading Native Instruments Kontrol X1 impressions

Native Instruments Kontrol X1 impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>djdj controllerDjControllerfeaturedimpressionskontrolkontrol x1KontrolX1musicnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentspreviewx1Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[DMC champ DJ Rafik puts Native Instruments' Traktor Kontrol X1 through its paces (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/10/dmc-champ-dj-rafik-puts-native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-x1-t/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/10/dmc-champ-dj-rafik-puts-native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-x1-t/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/10/dmc-champ-dj-rafik-puts-native-instruments-traktor-kontrol-x1-t/#comments
That Traktor Kontrol X1 hardware controller that one eagle-eyed trainspotter hepped us to a while back isn't out until February, but in the meantime Native Instruments (and the editors of Engadget) thought you might enjoy seeing the thing in action. Going for $229, this bad boy connects to your Mac or PC via USB and integrates fully with Traktor to allow you all the access to controls and effects normally reserved for the mouse / trackpad -- as you know, there really is nothing less "rock'n'roll" (er, "rave") than a mouse or a trackpad. Go past the break to get your block rocked (or something) by DMC world champ DJ Rafik.

Continue reading DMC champ DJ Rafik puts Native Instruments' Traktor Kontrol X1 through its paces (video)

DMC champ DJ Rafik puts Native Instruments' Traktor Kontrol X1 through its paces (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllerdjdr rafikDrRafikmidimidi controllerMidiControllermusicmusic makingMusicMakingnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentstraktorusbThu, 10 Dec 2009 14:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments working on a $200-ish Traktor controller, blinkenlights guaranteed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/native-instruments-working-on-a-200-ish-traktor-controller-bli/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/native-instruments-working-on-a-200-ish-traktor-controller-bli/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/native-instruments-working-on-a-200-ish-traktor-controller-bli/#comments International musician and man-about-town Richie Hawtin has a track record of collaborating with Native Instruments on its DJ products, frequently putting stuff through its paces well before it's made available to the public at large -- and once again, the dude's been caught using some unknown gear at a show in Berlin. Seems like pretty much everyone and their mother has made a controller compatible with the company's Traktor line of software at this point save for Native Instruments itself, and that's where this new hotness comes into play -- check out the video after the break starting around 19 seconds, where you can clearly make out a couple NI-branded boxes allegedly designed to control two decks at a time (so a grand total of two, like Hawtin has here, would be enough to control a four-deck Traktor setup). We've heard rumors from inside the company that it'll be available for around $200, which would be extremely competitive for a pro-level box that's specifically matched to Traktor's capabilities. Even if you don't have the slightest urge to get on the decks at any point in your life, the lights sure are pretty, aren't they?

[Via Engadget German and De:Bug]

Continue reading Native Instruments working on a $200-ish Traktor controller, blinkenlights guaranteed

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Native Instruments working on a $200-ish Traktor controller, blinkenlights guaranteed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllerdjmidimidi controllerMidiControllermusicnative instrumentsNativeInstrumentsrichie hawtinRichieHawtintraktorWed, 30 Sep 2009 20:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Native Instruments' Audio 2 DJ claims to be 'world's smallest' USB audio interface]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/native-instruments-audio-2-dj-claims-title-of-worlds-smallest/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/native-instruments-audio-2-dj-claims-title-of-worlds-smallest/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/native-instruments-audio-2-dj-claims-title-of-worlds-smallest/#comments
You know you're living in the digital age when even DJs start ogling capacitive touchscreens with glee and turntables can be replaced by pocket DJ systems. Aiding this trend along is the newly announced Audio 2 DJ, which packs studio-grade 24-bit / 96 KHz Cirrus Logic converters inside an impossibly svelte and stylish package. This USB-powered device can best be understood as a supercharged sound card: two 1/4-inch stereo outputs are amplified to a "pristine" +9.7 dBu, while low-latency OS drivers ensure rapid responsiveness. The best thing about the Audio 2 DJ, though, might just be the price -- at $119, it's reasonable enough to make the product appealing to non-professionals too. Should you care about souped-up sound on the move, there's not long to wait now, with availability set for September 1.

[Via Macworld]

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Native Instruments' Audio 2 DJ claims to be 'world's smallest' USB audio interface originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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