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Create Digital Music rounds up iTouch / iPhone music apps
The lovely and talented Peter Kirn over at Create Digital Music has posted a round up of music apps for the iPod / iTouch platform. The list includes tools for using your iPhone as a MIDI/OSC controller, making random weird digital art, visualizing your music and, er, listening to Snow Patrol's next album, amongst other apps. Peter's a thoughtful critic and his evaluations are pretty detailed and thorough.If you're an aspiring iPhone musician / DJ/ sound designer, this is definitely a good place to start finding useful apps.
Sony expands Muteki family with DJ-style LBT-DJ2i XROSS FADE music system
Man, we didn't even know the Muteki moniker was still in existence. Nevertheless, Sony has just added a big, bad member to said congregation with the LBT-DJ2i XROSS FADE. This rather beastly music system packs 450 total watts of power, a CD player, AM / FM tuners, a line-in jack, a pair of 2-way shelf speakers, a dual 7-inch subwoofer enclosure and the ability to convert CDs / radio to MP3 files. And that's just the beginning. Aspiring DJs will also find a bundled cross-fader with monitor cue and a built-in two-channel mixer, and the iPod-lovin' interface ensures that you'll never have to touch your PMPs once they're mounted. There's also a USB recording function to save mix sessions to a USB device in ATRAC MP3 format. Too bad this setup will cost you half a grand when it ships next month. Check the full release after the cut.
Video: Camera-based concept turns any surface into a DJ deck
DJ MoCAP, master of time and white space, has developed a camera-based controller for the TRAKTOR Scratch DJ System. Just sketch the deck onto a piece of white paper and turn any high contrast surface into a mixing table. There seems to be a bit of latency but overall the system looks fairly responsive. Why? Why not, we say. Video demonstration after the break.[Thanks, Brian]
Art Lebedev lets loose Plastinkus scratch pad
Sure, you could whip out your iPhone or Nintendo DS and your app of choice for a little impromptu DJ session before dinner, or you could get yourself one (or two) of Art Lebedev's new Plastinkus scratch pads, which supposedly sound just like you're scratching the real thing. While that claim may be somewhat dubious, at about four bucks apiece they're certainly at least worth taking a chance on, and you can even get 'em in no less than forty different color combinations. Now, if we could only get our business cards printed on them.[Via Pocket-lint]
NCsoft is throwing a free party in Leipzig, and you're invited!
At the Leipzig Games Convention this year, NCsoft plans on doing more than just showing up and being awesome. They have quite a party planned for any fans of their products, and the best part is it's all free! There will be music with your chance to be a DJ playing the tunes of your choice for 20 minutes, and there will also be karaoke at the first ever NCsoft Fansites Karaoke Battle.The party will be held at Leipzig's Nachtcafe on the 22nd of August at 22:00 local time. In order to get in free, you will need to bring along the party flyer, grab one from the show floor or wear a t-shirt from any NCsoft game. Be sure to read the official announcement for more information.
Auroroa: the open source DJ mixer
Sick of paying top dollar for your mixers? Yeah, so are we. But we're not so sure about building our own from scratch, even if you can get the full source code and build schematics to whip up your own Auroroa open source mixer. (They'll sell you posers one pre-built, too, if you want to front it.) Matching, scratching, and tasteful song selection? You're on your own there, pally boy.[Via hack a day]
RepeaterDS stu-stu-stutters audio samples
It might not be the most pleasant music -- some would even argue that it's not music at all -- but there's definitely, uh, something going on in the above RepeaterDS demonstration video. According to developer Bret (a.k.a. Clone45), the same programmer behind cellular automaton sequencer GlitchDS, RepeaterDS is "a music application that allows you to 'play' a sample by drawing on the DS screen.The application imports audio files and records your gestures, with vertical movements controlling repeat length and horizontal movements controlling the playback offset into the sample. Messing with the directional pad and pressing different buttons will also affect the resulting sounds in some manner incomprehensible to us.We're not sure how exactly one would incorporate the stuttered audio into anything, except for maybe in a stop-motion zombie film featuring G.I. Joe figures, but the effect is pretty cool!
Music and life intersect for GlitchDS
The strange, seemingly cacophonous stream of sounds coming out your speakers is GlitchDS, a homebrew cellular automaton music sequencer inspired by Conway's Game of Life. Developer Clone45 boasts that the program (his first) is "perfect for creating IDM and Glitch-style loops," and, while we have no idea what that means, we're sure he's representing the software accurately with that claim.In addition to being free and odd enough to be awesome, GlitchDS allows you to create "trigger points," import your own audio files, save/load your work, control tempo with BPM settings, edit sounds with a 32-step frequency modulation sequencer, load six sounds at once, and fiddle with global distortion settings. If you manage to make any music with it, make sure to send it our way!See also: Homebrew Week, Friday Video: Two DS Lites and a microphone[Via DCemu]
ATTIGO TT elegantly integrates touch panels into DJ setup
Just after seeing how the Nintendo DS's touch panel could be used to scratch things up, along comes a full-blown turntable setup that relies heavily on interactions with touchscreens. Dreamed up and designed by Scott Hobbs, the ATTIGO TT enables DJs to manipulate sounds via sensors, and the added visual effects are fantastically beautiful, if not useful. Check out a video of the creation being used after the jump -- just make sure one earcup is firmly planted around the ear first, alright?[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
ProteinDS app enables DJ-style scratching on Nintendo's DS
Not like we haven't seen Nintendo's DS used as a music maker before, but this variant may be the most amazing to date. yarglaaaafr's ProteinDS application is currently in demo mode, but judging by the demonstrative video waiting after the break, it's remarkably solid as-is. C'mon, it's a tool that enables users to scratch up tunes via the handheld's built-in touchscreen -- how could Mario not approve?[Via BoingBoing]
Steve Aoki hates World of Warcraft
DJ Steve Aoki, brother of Devon "deadly little Miho" Aoki and one of the heirs to the Benihana steak house fortune, hates World of Warcraft. Our favorite game got a weird mention in New York Magazine -- in a "21 Questions" interview with the DJ, also known as Kid Millionaire, he says that his biggest enemy is Blizzard's big MMO. Getting rid of the game, he says, has left him "much happier."I'm not quite sure what else to say to that, except that I wonder what he played. My guess is that it was a Shaman -- he probably didn't have so many problems with spending too much time playing the game (after all, he's a DJ, and they don't work before sundown anyway) as he just did with all the constant nerfs. Maybe when those buffs show up, he'll be back.
Activision files trademark for 'DJ Hero'
Activision, publishers of Guitar Hero 2 and 3 (and the abomination known as Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s), recently filed for a trademark for the name "DJ Hero". No, it's not an adventure game featuring everyone's favorite character from Full House -- the trademark references software to be released with a special controller, leading us to assume we'll be living out our fondest Mix Master Mike fantasies with a rhythm game, complete with tiny plastic turntables when, and if, the game comes out.Wait a minute -- doesn't that sound a lot like Beatmania, a popular Konami rhythm game using a turntable peripheral that's been around since 1997? Now that we think about it, Konami also came up with Guitar Freaks in 1998, long before the release of the similarly designed Guitar Hero. And that Rock Band drum peripheral looks a heck of a lot like the one used in Konami's 1999 arcade hit DrumMania. We wonder what Harmonix and Activision's next project will be -- Vampire Killer Hero or FOXHOUND Hero?
Numark's TTi turntable transfers vinyl to iPod sans a PC
Sure, there's a smorgasbord of products out there designed to transfer your precious vinyl recordings to a slightly more modern format, but few pack the cool factor that comes bundled in gratis with Numark's TTi. This newfangled turntable not only brings back not-so-fond memories of your second high school prom, but it also boasts an integrated iPod dock, USB interface, a metal platter and pitch control to boot. Besides ripping records directly to your 'Pod, the unit also features a line-level output and comes with versions of EZ Vinyl Converter software for the PC or Mac should you prefer vinyl-to-computer ripping. We know, it's tough to leave the 70s, but the TTi should make the transition somewhat less painstaking when it lands in Q2 for $449. One more angle's waiting after the break.
Stanton, Pioneer bust out new DJ rigs
It looks like DJs (robot or otherwise) will soon have a couple of new pieces of gear to consider, as both Stanton and Pioneer took advantage of the currently-happening NAMM expo to announce some new and decidedly non-amateur rigs. First up is Stanton's SC System (pictured above), which will be available either as a set for $2,499, or as a separate "virtual turntable" and "virtual mixer" for $1,499 and $999, respectively. As Crave reports, the former of those'll give you a 10-inch, high-torque motorized platter covered in real vinyl, while the latter packs four channel strips with EQ control among other standard controls and, most importantly, a Firewire interface that'll handle a 96KHz sample rate. Look for it to be available in May. For its part, Pioneer's announced two new additions to its line of DJ CD players, including the MEP-7000 Professional Multi-Entertainment Player and the SEP-C1 Professional Software Entertainment Controller. Both of those pack 4.3-inch LCDs and make use of Pioneer's DJS software suite for control from a PC, with the $2,300 MEP-7000 adding dual players (that'll handle DVD-ROMs in addition to CDs) and a slew of other features not found on the $1,200 SEP-C1. As with the Stanton, however, you won't be able to get your hands on those just yet, with each of 'em only slated to roll out in June.Read - Crave, "Stanton unveils SC digital DJ rig"Read - Press Release, " Pioneer Livens DJ Performances with Two New DJ Machines"
Modder makes turntable controller for Guitar Hero
The guitar controller and Guitar Hero/Rock Band are such flawless pairings of game and peripheral, we can't really understand the urge to want to play them with something else. That said, we can definitely see the attraction of Aaron Skillman's homemade Scratch Blaster, a portable turntable made for Guitar Hero.OK Activision and EA/Harmonix/MTV, the race is on. Who will be the first to integrate the controller into a Rock Band-like setting or build a whole game around it? Because if it's half as fun as Skillman's peripheral looks, you can already consider our money in-hand.[Via Engadget]
Hands-on with the Pacemaker DJ system
We 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.%Gallery-12859%
Getting some block-rockin' beats out of the GHIII guitar
Do you remember that whole Wiijing thing? Well, it's been taken a step further with the new Les Paul wireless guitar that comes with Guitar Hero III. As you can see, it lends itself a little more to the whole musical theme a bit better than having a guy twirl a Wiimote around. Plus, it looks like it takes more skill to rock with the guitar than just Nintendo's newest controller.It isn't our kind of music, to be honest, but the folks in the video sure seem to get a kick out of it.
Player vs Radio: the volume is fading
DJ Krelo is one of the owners of Player vs Radio, and she handles both the administrative end and personnel support. Even though NCsoft's CoX Meet & Greet was fairly high-energy, she was kind enough to take some time out of her event coverage to give us an interview about PvR, its history, and what it's looking forward to in the future.PvR is a cross-MMO station -- meaning that they don't limit themselves to the City of Heroes and City of Villains properties, but broadcast within a wide range of MMO titles such as Vanguard, World of Warcraft, and Second Life -- and their music rotation is based on player requests. DJ Krelo herself is focused on Gothic, Industrial, Trance, Techno, and Synth-Pop, but every DJ has their own range of music they play. DJ Krelo has been broadcasting for almost two years -- starting with a former station, and moving to PvR after they opened a little over a year ago -- while PvR itself has been broadcasting continuously since they started, save for a brief hiatus during the RIAA royalties debacle.
New Wiimote hack for the air guitarist in all of us
The idea of using the humble Wiimote to create music seems to have really fired the imagination of the hacking community recently. DJing WiiJing and drumming are already both possible with the waffly versatile controller and a bit of know-how, and now those of you who lack the funds for Guitar Hero III can get your virtual shred on for free.Hacker Evan, maker of the Wiimote drum sampler we linked to exactly one paragraph ago, has developed software that allows users to play air guitar, simply by "strumming" the Remote while holding down the d-pad to alternate between chords, or the B button to toggle between major and minor chords. As Evan points out, this has a similar feel to Jam Sessions on the Nintendo DS, which is far from a bad thing if you ask us.[Thanks, Evan!]
Is WiiJing the new hot fad?
Forget DJing. That is so old school. Nowadays, it's all about WiiJing.We're sure you can put two and two together, but just in case you can't, WiiJing is the art of using Wiimotes and software while performing DJ sets. The alterations in the music are therefore based on physical movements. Starting this fad was DJ !, who even hosted a whole WiiJing event, and now? It seems that a guy named WiiJ Timski is also using this technique.The above video has Timski himself explaining how it all works, with some demonstrations included. It's definitely worth a watch, if you find the art of WiiJing as interesting as we do. We still can't confirm the rumor that Nintendo will be making a WiiJing game, but once they realize that all the cool kids are doing it, we think they'll be on board. This is nerdcore at its finest, folks![Thanks, Marc!]
