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Panasonic is reviving Technics' legendary DJ turntables
Ask DJs about their favorite turntables and they'll frequently swear by Technics' SL-1200 -- even though it hasn't been made since 2007, the super-reliable deck is still the gold standard for vinyl spinners. If you're one of those enthusiasts, you'll be glad to hear that Panasonic is bringing Technics turntables back as part of a larger revival for the audio brand. Many of the details are still under wraps, but the turntable set will have a new direct-drive motor that should improve the audio quality. The gear won't show up until some point during Panasonic's next fiscal year (sometime between April 2016 and March 2017), but more development time is likely a good thing. After all, the SL-1200 thrives precisely because its makers were careful to preserve elements that worked well -- a rushed product could easily hurt more than it helps. Check out all the news from Berlin at our IFA 2015 hub.
DJs can buy remix-friendly 'Stems' music files starting today
Back in March, Native Instruments -- the company behind the ubiquitous Traktor DJ software -- announced Stems: a music format that lets DJs and remixers to control individual parts of a track. Today Stems launches to the buying public on a number of popular music stores including Beatport and Traxsource have them listed already, Bleep, Juno, whatpeopleplay, and Wasabeat will also be selling them. For years DJs and producers' only chance of finding a cappella versions of songs was to hope a vocal-only recording existed. The advent of the internet made finding these a little easier, but they were still rare. Expensive software can sometimes help you surgically remove parts or a track, or isolate vocals, but the results aren't always very clean. Stems makes all that a thing of the past.
Recommended Reading: NFL player turns mercenary in 'Call of Duty'
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. 'The Whole Game is Beast Mode' by Sam Alipour ESPN The Magazine Kevin Spacey temporarily shelved his presidential persona to play a private military contractor in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. For this year's title, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch hung up his cleats to play a mercenary in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. ESPN The Magazine has a behind-the-scenes look at the process, from motion capture to facial scans required to construct the digital version of the NFL player.
Native Instruments' open music format is designed for DJ mixes
DJ equipment has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, but digital music formats? Not so much -- unless your software is clever enough, you usually have to mix whole tracks rather than just the parts that make sense for your set. Native Instruments aims to fix that with Stems, a free and open file format tailor-made for the DJ crowd. The tracks will play as usual in most music apps, but the right software lets you independently control the bass, drums, melody and vocals. You could drop singing if you don't want it during a transition, for instance, or apply effects to the beat without touching anything else.
Native Instruments teases a portable, touch-sensitive DJ deck
Native Instruments has a full-fledged DJ deck and mixer combo, but it can be a big hassle -- do you really want to lug a giant controller with you on tour, especially if you already have a preferred mixer? You won't have to make that sacrifice for much longer, it seems. The company is teasing an upcoming Traktor Kontrol system (likely to be called the Kontrol D2) that is essentially the deck half of the Kontrol S8, complete with a display and touch-sensitive faders, knobs and track controls. In other words, you have a a proper, modern deck (more than a basic controller) that's both easier to carry on the road and lets you use a different mixer. NI hasn't said when this machine will ship or what the price will be, but it's safe to say that it'll cost less than the $1,299 S8.
Use your keyboard to recreate tracks from J Dilla and Kanye West
If you've ever wanted to try your hand at creating some stellar beats, here's your chance. Thanks to music enthusiast Matt Daniels, all you need the keyboard that's likely already in front of you to rebuild tracks from J Dilla, Kanye West and 9th Wonder. Daniels built Sample Stitch: a website that reconstructs songs from their original samples, and in the process, reveals just how each one was created. "I wish that more people understood this process and gift, so I've recreated the process of chopping up a sample, just as a producer would," he explains. The pieces of each beat are mapped out for your keyboard, so after listening to a portion of the sample play, try your hand at Dilla's "Don't Cry," 9th Wonder's "Impressknowsoul!!!" or Yeezy's "Otis." Heck, you can even record your efforts to see just how they match up, or to add more on top of 'em. This web-based MPC will at least save you the trouble of investing before you know the extent of your talents. [Photo credit: Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Roc Nation]
Engadget giveaway: win an AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer courtesy of Roland!
Think you have what it takes to be the next hot producer? Who cares? You should explore your musical side, craft some homebrew rhythms and enjoy the ride. This could be the year for you to start building beats, too, because Roland has graciously offered to supply one lucky Engadget reader with an AIRA series TR-8 Rhythm Performer. The classic TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines have been merged to create a more flexible, powerful and colorful addition (or start) to your gear collection. This machine hasn't lost the character of the originals either, providing a faithful recreation of their iconic sounds. With Tap Tempo, continuous Fine and Shuffle adjustments alongside pattern copy and randomization features, your on-the-fly performance can be fluid and fun. If you're a fan of Roland's famous TB-303, which helped define the acid house sound in the '80s, you'll find that it's also been reincarnated as the AIRA TB-3 (more gear for your wishlist). It just takes a few clicks at the Rafflecopter widget below and you get up to three chances at winning this modern music box from one of the most trusted names in the business. Winner: congratulations to Deepak R. of Folsom, CA!
Casio's new DJ controllers aim to upgrade your next house party setlist
Casio makes a lot of keyboards. That's the company's primary contribution to music, and while it's a pretty big one, it's also looking to adapt to, well, what the youth have been listening to (and making) in recent years. To that end, it's launching two different devices better suited to dance music, hip-hop, electronica and more. There's the XW-DJ1, with a 7-inch scratch disc, and the XW-PD1, which combines a 16-pad sampler with a synthesizer, sequencer and effector. Both run off batteries, have built-in speakers and connect to your iPhone/iPad, PC or Mac through a proprietary cable. The idea is that it should be all you need to "DJ" for a party, though we'd advise adding some speakers to the arrangement. The XW-DJ1 DJ Controller will launch this month, priced at $299, while the XW-PD1 Groove Center (we'd probably drop the "Groove" there), will be available in early March for a pricier $399. Those looking to upgrade their next party playlist might want to read into the details, which are right after the break.
Interactive album artwork doubles as a DJ controller
Jack White isn't the only act doing amazing things with vinyl releases. Inside DJ Qbert's Extraterrestria, one of the jacket inserts doubles as a controller for Algoriddim's djay iOS app. After connecting to a mobile device via Bluetooth, Novalia's printed MIDI tech makes the album art the console, complete with scratching and a smattering of other tools. What's more, it'll work with Apple's desktop OS, too. The album was funded by a Kickstarter campaign, and most of the copies will go to those who committed ahead of time. Unlike White's Lazaretto release, it's not the record itself that's the main attraction here, but rather the packaging -- not that it makes the project any less awesome. Jump down past the break to see it in action.
DJ music store Beatport to relaunch as a free streaming site
When we talk about buying music online, we tend to think of stores like iTunes or 7digital. There was a time -- especially for DJs -- that buying online meant browsing vinyl on sites like Juno or Chemical (in the UK at least) from the comfort of your PC -- and, the joy of getting it delivered! Then Beatport came along, selling digital club tracks at a time when more and more spinners were leaving their vinyl in the loft. Early users may even remember when the site was built in Flash (and all the compatibility fun that comes with it). Other web stores compete for DJ affections, but since 2004 there hasn't been a friday night pass without revellers being on the receiving end of Beatport's hastily-downloaded (and dubiously mixed) top 10.
Even Pioneer CDJs don't play CDs anymore
The Pioneer CDJ-1000 sparked a revolution in the early '00s, persuading many DJs to put their vinyls to one side and make the move from analog to digital recordings. While, thanks to services like iTunes and Spotify, CDs have almost been relegated to the history books, CDJs are still very much a thing. If Pioneer has its way, however, they won't be for much longer. The aptly named XDJ-1000 is the company's first USB-only deck -- the first CDJ to not play CDs.
NI's latest Traktor DJ controller ditches old-fashioned jog wheels
Native Instruments' Traktor Kontrol DJ decks have clung to old-school jog wheels for ages, in part to help you transition from vinyl and turntables to digital mixers. However, you're probably not a stranger to modern technology these days -- and appropriately, NI has a new controller to match. Its Kontrol S8 replaces those wheels with displays and touch-sensitive input that lets you control many aspects of the included Scratch Pro 2 software directly on the mixer, rather than having to switch to your laptop. Aside from embracing the digital era, this also lets you focus more on your performance (and, presumably, the crowd). Just be prepared to play some extra gigs to pay this off. The S8 will go on sale October 30th for $1,299, or about as much as the computer you'll need to host the companion software.
Scratching cassettes like vinyl records brings a new meaning to mixtapes
Sure, you could load a pair of turntables with a couple of vinyl records to hone those DJ skills, but what about that old cassette collection? Well, one inventive fellow created his own set-up using the tapes to achieve the same goal. Jeremy Bell created The ScrubBoard: a pair of cassette tape sections stretched across a board (hence the name) for scratching with a pair of tape heads. The two heads have been removed from Walkman-like cassette players, and the portable devices remain plugged into a sound system of some sort for audio. As Fact Mag points out, similar setups have been constructed before, but if you've got a stack of tapes and a couple of the portable players lying around, this certainly seems like a worthwhile weekend project. Bell is also looking to raise funds to create a actual product based on the project, which you can see in action after the break.
iRig Pads offers multicolored MIDI control for iOS and more
It's no secret that we're fans of handy audio gear here at Engadget, and if you're looking to kick off that DJ habit, IK Multimedia may have a compact option for you. The company's new iRig Pads brings a 4 x 4 grid of multihued touchpads (as the name suggests) for MIDI control of iOS, Mac and PC apps. Those 16 rubber pads are also pressure sensitive while flashing red, green and orange. What's more, a smattering of buttons and a slider are programmable to handle custom presets alongside onboard edit controls. At less than an inch thick, the outfit says it's the smallest of its kind available at the moment, and it grabs power from whatever device it's tethered to via either a Lightning or USB cable. As you might expect, this latest iRig offering plays nice with IK Multimedia's suite of audio apps (SampleTank, DJ Rig, etc.) as well as popular MIDI-friendly options like Ableton Live, GarageBand and more. If you're itchin' to start composing those trance grooves, the gadget is now shipping worldwide with a $150/€120 price tag.
Moonlight as a DJ using Spotify tracks and an iPad
We've living in an age of on-demand music and high-power hardware everywhere. That means (among other things) that it's never been easier to play at being a DJ... especially if the streaming-audio buffs have anything to say about it. You see, Spotify and Algoriddim -- the makers of the popular iOS DJing app djay 2 -- have partnered up to give would-be turntablists access to Spotify's extensive audio archive, just in time for all those early summer shindigs.
Pacemaker DJ app for iPad swaps your record bag for your Spotify password (update: video)
Third time lucky? The team behind Pacemaker clearly thinks so. What was originally ambitious hardware, had to reinvent itself as an app after a complex business arrangement meant things didn't work out. Sadly, the app's devs chose a platform that limited its scope, when it launched as a BlackBerry-only offering. Today, Pacemaker is back, and perhaps where it most logically belongs -- as an iPad app. The totally reinvented interface is much cleaner than before, and operates on a freemium model (unlock extra features like effects at a small cost). Most notable though, is the partnership with Spotify, giving you instant access to the streaming service's entire library. You'll need a premium account, but there's a free trial included in the app. This is something that was attempted before, albeit in breach of Spotify's terms and conditions. Perhaps the most pleasing part of the story though -- at least for owners of the original hardware -- is that Pacemaker the device hasn't been forgotten. Today, it receives a new firmware update that brings new features and improvements to the now-cult gadget. So whether you're hardware or software, it's time to dig out those headphones. Update: The digital DJ gurus over at DJ Tech Tools have given the app a more in-depth look, we've embedded the video overview after the break.
Pioneer's CDJ900NXS brings new performance features to its slightly less pricey DJ deck
If your raison d'être is eat, sleep, rave, repeat, then you might want to cop a look at Pioneer's new CDJ900NXS. Much like the CDJ2000nexus was to its predecessor, the new deck is just a CDJ900 after a tickle with the feature brush, rather than a full overhaul. No bad thing though, as the original '900 is a great player, and the one that introduced the coveted "Slip Mode" into Pioneer's CDJ line. So what's new this time? Like the revamped 2000, you can browse media with artwork, or custom views. Auto Beat Loop is sent to pasture in lieu of a new Beat Divide function and there's a new Slip Loop feature -- plus four-deck Beat Sync and the Quantize button we first saw on the CDJ2000NXS. The CDJ900NXS also gets an improved screen, and is WiFi compatible -- to add to the already long list of ways to send media to it (USB, Ethernet, CD etc.). If the new features light up your LEDs, then expect to pay £1,149/1,399€ a piece when it launches next month. In the meantime, there's a pair of demo videos past the break to whet your appetite. Update: Pioneer has now confirmed the US price, which is $1,699. The CDJ900NXS will be available over here in January 2014.
Pioneer's $299 DDJ-SB controller lets you spin records on the cheap (video)
You might have the ambition and desire to be the next Deadmau5, but the price of some DJ controllers aren't exactly wallet-friendly. Thankfully there are plenty of affordable options out there, and one of them has just arrived from Pioneer. Dubbed the DDJ-SB, it claims similar basic features and operability as the DDJ-SX that debuted last year, but at almost half the cost. A 2-channel controller, the DDJ-SB uses the popular Serato DJ Intro software and touts two decks with large jog wheels for easy scratching, a "filter fade" function for smoother transitions, multiple performance pads and a USB interface so you can hook it up easily to your computer. Sure, you'll still need some knowhow to fully make use of it, but at only $299 each, you could invest your savings in a few DJ lessons. Head past the break for a video of the DDJ-SB in action.
iPad app lets you create DJ mixes from Spotify playlists (update: pulled from App Store)
If you're a Spotify Premium subscriber, you can now move beyond simple crossfades thanks to the DJ Mixer for Spotify iPad app. In order to use it, you have to download songs from your existing playlists, which also lets you use it offline. As with other such apps, you get two virtual decks and can set loops, add cue points, and change the tempo for your mixes, among other features. We gave it a spin ourselves and found it to be easy to use in relation to other DJ apps, despite any lack of talent. You can grab it for free at the iTunes link below, since Spotify prohibits apps that use its API to charge money. With 20 million songs to choose from, there's no excuse for a lame mix. Update: The app has been removed from the App Store at Spotify's request, which apparently felt it violated its terms of service. A representative from the publisher, Musicsoft Arts, made the following statement: The App was removed from the App Store due to Spotify's request. Spotify claims that some features breach their API terms of service. We have designed the App to fully conform with their T&Cs. We are talking with Spotify and hope to be able to put the App back in the App Store once this issue is resolved. There's clearly a demand for the App and I believe it can deliver a great experience for Spotify users while complying with Spotify terms of service for 3rd party mobile Apps.
Microsoft reveals Surface Music Cover, gives DJs and producers more musical tools (updated)
The new Surface Pro 2, with its prodigious computing capabilities, has been built as a computing productivity machine for just about anyone. Spreadsheets, editing video and mixing music are all in the new Pro's wheelhouse, and that last task is why Microsoft is also revealing the Surface Remix Project and the Music Cover to go along with it. The Music Cover, as you might expect, comes with pressure-sensitive buttons that allow budding DJ's to craft and fine tune their next remix. It has 16 programmable pads for easy access to instruments and sounds, while there are pause / play and slider controls to adjust the volume and tailor transitions to your liking. And, just like the regular typing cover, it's backlit, so you'll be able to mix on the fly at any late-night sonic soiree. There is one downside, however: the Music Cover only works with the Surface 2, Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2, so original RT owners need not apply come October 22 when it goes on sale. Update: It turns out, the Music Cover will be distributed as a kit (for free!) to select musicians with the launch of its Remix Project on the 22nd, but we don't know when the rest of us will get a crack at it. Want to know if it's worth your dollars when the time comes? Check out our hands-on of the new hardware and software right here.
