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DJ Shadow lending DJ talents to DJ Hero
If your earholes have ever been graced by the presence of music created by DJ Shadow, we've got positively thrilling news for you -- the popular turntablist has been lending his encyclopedic knowledge of record mixology to Activision for months now as the developer works on DJ Hero. Not only that, he's also apparently lent his likeness and a few of his mashed-up tracks as well, according to his recent interview with Game Informer.If you're not a fan of Mr. Shadow's music, there's still some stuff in that interview that might interest you. For instance, he lays out the basic gameplay structure of the game, explaining, "you have two records playing, and you have a sample track, and you have to basically simulate what you're hearing." Ah, yes. Given our history as professional Bar Mitzvah disc jockeys (certainly you've heard of DJ Rabbinical and the Mohels), we feel confident in saying that sounds spot on.
Resumes hint at (probably canceled) DJ game from Harmonix
Everyone and their mother is throwing their hat into to DJ-based rhythm gaming ring, attempting to exploit a few untapped veins of lucrative ludo-musical ore. With Activision, Scratch, Deep Silver and ... some guy all working on turntable-centric titles, some might be wondering where Harmonix's record-spinning offering is. If a couple of resumes recently dug up by superannuation are any indication, said offering does exist -- but is stuck in some sort of time vortex, forever imprisoned in 2005.Said resumes belong to Laura Smith, whose experience include modeling for a 2005 Harmonix project titled "Hip Hop DJ," and Kim Simeone, a Motion Capture Director for Harmonix's "M2 Hip Hop," also supposedly developed in 2005. We doubt these two entries are a coincidence, and have contacted Harmonix to find out whether they did indeed plan on trying their hand at Mix Mastering back in aught-five. [Image]
'World's Best DJ' last in the world to get on DJ game bandwagon
Armin van Buuren may be the "best DJ in the world," but now he's also the guy who picked the wrong time to jump into the DJ-game market. Foreign Media Games is publishing a Wii-exclusive game featuring Van Buuren's music, called Armin Van Buuren - In the Mix, due out this fall.The Cloud 9-developed music game will allow players to remix Van Buuren's music, including previously unreleased tracks, with "effects and loops." In addition to Van Buuren's work, the game will feature music from guest artists. There's no mention of a special controller, and the press release makes mention of utilizing "Wii functionality," which is probably the Wiimote. Maybe this game can distinguish itself from the others by not using a wacky controller, and thus being affordable.
Video: Tonium Pacemaker in action
We've been playing with the Tonium Pacemaker pretty much non-stop since we got it, and while we're not terrible DJs, we thought we'd bring in some big guns for a demo -- so we asked our buddy Carlos from Chicago's CAPCOM crew to come in and spin a few tracks. Check out the video and our in-depth impressions after the break!
DJ Hero announced at last, along with Band Hero for the family and Guitar Hero 5 for the face melters
Activision just confirmed a whole lot of heroes: the long-teased DJ Hero being the most notable among them. Many trivial humans had conjectured what a "Hero"-style DJ controller would look like, and at last we have our first look (above, and there's another shot after the break). Sure, we have no idea how we're supposed to play it -- where's the whammy bar, for instance? -- but we're sure once we tape a couple of our mom's Perry Como records to the sides we'll start to get the picture. Music genres include "hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance," and the game will allow turntablists to create "original mixes" of songs. Additionally, Activision is also prepping a family-friendly Band Hero game, and a Guitar Hero 5 followup to its flagship title, with all three new Hero games hitting sometime this fall.
Tonium Pacemaker unboxing and hands-on
So we just got one of the first Tonium Pacemaker portable DJ rigs to land in the States, and while we anticipate having plenty to say about this trick little device, we thought we'd quickly share some pics with you, since it's seriously one of the best and most fun unboxings we've ever done. Each cable is individually packaged in tissue paper inside its own box, and the flaps all have different little fortunes printed on them, from "Your future is looking sound" to our personal favorite "Listen to your mother." As for the Pacemaker itself, it's been pretty fun to mess around with in the few minutes we've had, but we've got to get some more tracks loaded up before we can say anything meaningful. Stay tuned!
Tonium's 60GB Pacemaker pocket DJ now on sale in US
After an unbearably long wait, Tonium's 60GB Pacemaker is finally on sale here in the US of A. Hailed as the planet's first "pocket-sized DJ system," this 60GB portable media player boasts two "turntables" and a "mixer" -- all within a unit that easily fits within most medium- to large-sized palms. As expected, users have access to two independent audio channels and can beatmatch with the press of a button. If you're interested in living out your dreams of being a mix master in the late 80s, you can have one shipped out right away from Amazon in exchange for $499.99. And no, we won't tell your kids. The full release is just past the break.
AR-enhanced vinyl disk lets you scratch sans turntable
If you find the idea of turntablism without the hardware intriguing, but last year's surface-based TRAKTOR Scratch DJ system was just a little too abstract for your tastes, here's a rather clever compromise from Cambridge-based designerTodd Vanderlin. Using a vinyl record equipped with an AR marker, he manipulates the music by moving in front of a video camera. It's also got the added bonus of being able to control the beat across a three-dimensional space, and if you're viewing it through the camera's feed, the middle marker's replaced by pre-set visuals. Direct your browser to after the break for a video demonstration.
Deep Silver dares to announce a DJ game
If we happened to be working on a music game about spinning turntables, we would probably delay any press releases or announcements about it for a few months. The DJ game scene is a little ... hostile at the moment, and it seems like a good idea to let some of that business blow over before inviting the ire of two litigious companies. Nevertheless, Deep Silver bravely announced DJ Star for the DS today. The game uses the touch screen to simulate turntables, and includes "40 famous tracks (Electro, R&B, etc.)" The Game Life-developed music game even features a music creation utility! DJ Star is expected out "later this year." Nobody tell Genius or Activision -- or Konami, for that matter.
Pilotfish's Ondo music editing mobile concept puts new twist on smartphones
It's been nearly three years since the Onyx tickled our imagination, but Pilotfish is looking to completely melt our brains with its latest concept. The Munich-based industrial design firm has just introduced its Ondo music editing mobile, which is half cellphone, half music mixer and thoroughly amazing. In theory, the phone would boast a small mixing panel, three removable recording sticks with internal memory and a bendable center to give music lovers the ability to insert pitch bends and relieve stress. Essentially, the trio of OLED-infused sticks serves two purposes: when installed, they're the main phone panel, and when removed, they can be clipped onto instruments for recording purposes. Afterwards, they can be swapped with other Ondo owners or edited on the fly right on the device itself. Needless to say, there's a better shot at you winning the lottery than seeing this thing hit mass production, but you can feel free to dream by checking the full release, Q&A and demonstration video just past the break.
iFrogz EarPollution DJ Style headphones urban-hipster review
Look at that will you, just look at it. That's a pair of $50 iFrogz EarPollution DJ Style (heavy on style, light on the DJ) headphones we've been testing for the last week. As you can tell by the colors, graphics, faux-chrome accents, and over-the-top bulk, these headphones are meant to communicate a statement just as tersely as they'll strum your cochlear nerve. If you don't care about posturing cool, if you're the type who walks the sidewalk wearing a Bluetooth headset in staunch oblivion to ridicule, well mister these aren't the headphones for you. For the rest, click through for our expert urban-hipster review honed by years of knee-jerked responses to trends, ironic facial hair, and a taste for thrift-store clothing. With cred like that, how could we be wrong?
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.
DJ Hero's site goes live, doesn't drop any clues, beats
A little while back, Activision -- the fine folks responsible for bringing Guitar Hero to the world -- confirmed that it was working on a similarly named new title, DJ Hero. Well, the official site's appeared, and though it gives us no information about the actual game itself, well, you get the idea, right? Please, please let the above setup work in cooperation with Guitar Hero so that we can finally fulfill our dream of playing the part of Mr. Hahn with the rest of our band, Linkin Park. [Thanks, John D.]
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ: The First Trailer
MTV Multiplayer recently got its hands on the first-ever trailer for the upcoming 7 Studios/Mix Master Mike supercollider project, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ. The video contains a little bit of everything -- some gameplay footage (multicolored buttons on a track), some of the featured contributing musicians (Black Eyed Peas, Beastie Boys and Kanye West) and a few of the characters with which you'll be spinning vinyl (horrendously disfigured urban stereotypes). You can check it out after the break, but only if you live in the US. MTV's embeddable video player absolutely hates foreigners.
Stanton's T.55 and T.92 USB turntables take vinyl to MP3 sans fuss
We've already seen a number of mainstays in the turntable game crank out decks that easily archive vinyl records to MP3, and now we've got a new pair from Stanton making that same claim. The T.92 and T.55 USB turntables each feature USB and S/PDIF outputs and come bundled with Cakewalk Pyro Audio Creator and Audacity software. On the hardware front, you'll find an S-Shaped tone arm for lower distortion and reduced record wear along with a built-in DSP with key lock for controlling tempo without affecting pitch. As for differences, the T.55 is a belt-drive turntable that features a straight tone arm, while the T.92 touts a high-torque direct drive motor. Check 'em both right now at popular music retailers across the globe for $299 (T.92) and $199 (T.55). Full release is after the break.
Stanton's SCS-1 digital DJ system finally ships
It sure took 'em long enough, but Stanton has just announced that its completely boss SCS-1 System is finally shipping to eager DJs. The system is comprised of the SCS.1d deck and the SCS.1m mixer, both of which give funkmasters that digital flair while preserving the familiar feel of older school gear. One of the unique technologies is the HSS1394 protocol, which is a proprietary high-speed communications standard developed specifically for the SC System 1 in order to transmit MIDI messages rapidly over FireWire. You'll also find a preset library for the System (Traktor Pro included), and Stanton has vowed to make updates available regularly and free of charge. Check the full release just past the break.
Tonium updates Pacemaker DJ system with revamped UI, auto beat match
We reckon this whole "new Pacemaker" thing is becoming an annual occurrence for Tonium, as it has just introduced a revamped Pacemaker DJ system nearly a year to the day after we toyed with its prior iteration. The new flavor sports a "completely reworked" user interface, one that's supposedly user-friendly and "extremely intuitive" for the first-timers. Additionally, Tonium engineers have added in auto beat match for seamless track blending along with a 60GB hard drive that should store around 15,000 tracks. No price is mentioned, but it ought to be on store shelves across the US this Spring. Check the full release just after the break.
Hercules introduces DJ Control Steel mixing deck
While those only versed in the ways of the iPod-based DJ mixer may want to steer clear, those with a bit more DJing experience will no doubt find plenty to like in Hercules' new DJ Control Steel mixing deck here, which can be hooked up to the Mac or PC of your choice via USB. As you can see above, the unit itself will give you two mixing decks, along with 13 rotary switches, six faders, and no less than 46 push buttons, including five effects buttons and six kill buttons. To add your own stamp to the deck, you can also remove the steel center plate and replace it with a customized one, and you can use it with the MIDI-based DJing software of your choosing if the included Virtual DJ 5 isn't to your liking. At $299.99, it also won't be too much of a hurt on your bank account, although you'll have to wait until December 22nd to actually get your hands on it.
Denon jumps in the vinyl-to-MP3 turntable game with DP-200USB
For turntablists, there have been a plethora of options when scouting a deck with integrated vinyl-to-MP3 capabilities. Until now, though, you've had to deal with second-rate brands (we kid) like Numark and ion -- neither of which possess the prestige and haughty factor that comes with a Denon logo. The DP-200USB enables deep-pocketed DJs to rip vinyl straight to MP3, and you can even save the digital files to a USB drive thanks to the built-in USB socket. The unit will be available in Japan early next month for ¥31,500 ($310), though it's hard to say if or when Denon will see fit to bring this Stateside.[Via T3]
Stanton DJ intros touch-sensitive DaScratch USB-MIDI controller
Not too certain what brainiac reckoned that "DaScratch" was a suitable name for Stanton DJ's new touch-sensitive controller, but if we had our way, we'd have that guy / gal promoted on the double. Nomenclature aside, the device you see above is the outfit's newest member of the SC System family. The USB-MIDI controller was designed for mobility and to allow Funkmasters and Beatslayers alike to use "traditional performance motions and gestures on a touchpad style surface." Scratching, scrubbing, and navigating through digital audio files can all be handled with just a few flicks of the fingertips, and there's even support for multiple-finger gestures to "prompt quick kills on EQ's or transform effects on volume." Not a bad spin for $299, huh? Full release after the jump.
