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Pioneer DJM-2000 DJ mixer review
You know that feeling you get when you hop into a car you'll never be rich enough to own? It's full of fascinating technology, everything works great, it's solidly built, it definitely won't fit into the "compact" spots at 7-11 -- and it just doesn't care. If you're a DJ, entering the world of Pioneer's DJM-2000 is a little bit like that. Read on for our impressions of the multitouch-laced behemoth to see if it'll have you raving all the way to 2012. %Gallery-112385%
Tascam Portastudio for iPad could make you a four-track superstar all over again
If you've never experienced the joy of conveying four precisely-played tracks onto a single, rattly plastic cassette tape, prepare to see what you've been missing. The iconic Tascam Portastudio is coming to iPad in a very virtual way, a $10 app that presents a simplified replication of the original's decidedly more tactile controls. You can mix four inputs to stereo output, which is stored on a pretend cassette -- and can then share via iTunes or Soundcloud, which is rather more useful than a picture of a tape. It's available right now for the iPad only, with no plans for a release on any other platform. Yeah, boo.
iPad apps: defining experiences from the first wave
There are now over 1,348 approved apps for the iPad. That's on top of the 150,000 iPad-compatible iPhone programs already available in the App Store. When Apple's tablet PC launches, just hours from now, it will have a software library greater than that of any handheld in history -- not counting the occasional UMPC. That said, the vast majority of even those 1,348 iPad apps are not original. They were designed for the iPhone, a device with a comparatively pokey processor and a tiny screen, and most have just been tweaked slightly, upped in price and given an "HD" suffix -- as if that somehow justified the increased cost. Besides, we've seen the amazing potential programs have on iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and webOS when given access to a touchscreen, always-on data connection, GPS, cloud storage and WiFi -- but where are the apps that truly define iPad? What will take advantage of its extra headroom, new UI paradigms and multitouch real estate? Caught between netbook and smartphone, what does the iPad do that the iPhone cannot? After spending hours digging through the web and new iPad section of the App Store, we believe we have a number of reasonably compelling answers. Update: Now includes Wormhole Remote, TweetDeck, SkyGrid, Touchgrind HD, GoToMeeting, SplitBrowser, iDisplay, Geometry Wars and Drawing Pad.
Hercules supports diminutive scratchers with two-deck DJ Console Mk4 controller
We've certainly heard this "world's smallest" claim before in the world of DJ controllers, but as components shrink and plastics get thinner, we aren't shocked to see one company leap-frogging another. According to Hercules, its new DJ Console Mk4 is "the most portable and most compact 2-deck DJ controller with built-in audio for PC and Mac," checking in at 10.4- x 7.3-inches and weighing just 3.3 pounds. Making its musical debut at Musikmesse 2010, this controller boasts a pair of stereo outputs (one for mixing, one for previewing tracks), a duo of analog inputs, the ability to hum along on USB power alone and a bevy of knobs / faders for those who actually know what they're doing with a pair of platters spinning in front of them. It's slated to ship this June in the UK for £179.99 ($268), though no US availability seems planned at the moment. Update: Good news! Hercules pinged us to say that the unit will be out in America this June with an MSRP of $199. %Gallery-89119%
Pioneer's new CD deck and mixer feature MIDI integration, USB for external storage
If you're looking for a product designed to "transform novices" (that is, you) into "the next generation DJ" (that is, Sven Vath) you're in luck: Pioneer has just announced a CD deck / mixer combo that includes the usual compliment of features (looping capabilities, a visual beat display, BPM lock, so on, and so forth) as well as some computer-friendly touches, including MIDI integration -- allowing you to use either as a control surface for your fave DJ software. The CDJ will also play music off your thumb drive, and the mixer itself accepts external USB storage device for saving your mixes as WAV files. Sure, in our day all one needed were two turntables and a crossfader to rock the party -- but that was a long time ago, kids. The CDJ-350 and DJM-350 will be available in June 2010 for $850 and $750, respectively. We've only scratched the surface here, however -- peep the PR below for all the vital details.
Reminder: It came from the Blog's Gurubashi Beatdown is today
Join in the Gurubashi Beatdown today with It came from the Blog! When: Saturday, March 20th at 5:30pm EDT (2:30pm PDT, 3:30pm realm time) and the mixer will be at 5pm EDT. Where: Meet in front of Orgrimmar, Zangarmarsh U.S. Who: Any Horde DK that is free from Arthas or any other level 55 and above Horde character. What: After chatting it up with the WoW.com staffers, we will travel to the Gurubashi Arena and participate in some PvP games of my own devising. If you want to know why not EU or Alliance or any other question, it is probably answered in our FAQ. We hope to see you there!
Pioneer DJM-2000 digital mixer sports multitouch screen, per-frequency mixing delight
Ready to graduate from DJ Hero? Got a house payment handy? Then Pioneer would like to show you the way to the pros. Say hello to the DJM-2000, a four-channel digital mixer built around a 5.8-inch multitouch screen and sporting enough knobs, buttons and sliders for a NASA launch sequence. Designed to play nice with the matching CDJ-2000 players Pioneer released last year, the unit features an integrated audio effects suite with six dedicated processors and several intriguing modes for multitouch music control. While the mixer has the traditional crossfade slider that allows DJs to assign a certain percentage of the output to channels on the left and right, the DJM-2000 debuts with "frequency mix," a mode that lets DJs assign within seven narrow frequency bands as well by manipulating virtual sliders on the touchscreen, and a "sidechain remix" mode that uses the screen to apply custom effects in real time. Yeah, it's not as wild as some other touchscreen DJ rigs we've seen, but at least this one's for sale: Pioneer says the mixer will retail for $3000 this June. Droolworthy video demonstrations after the break.
It came from the Blog: Love is in the Blog snapshots
We had the loveliest time last Saturday at the Love is in the Blog event. First, many of the WoW.com staff mingled with the guildies at the court fountain in Silvermoon City. Then we ran around and did Love is in the Air quests. The staffers that showed up were: Elizabeth Harper Michael Sacco Lisa Poisso Allison Robert Matthew Rossi Chase Christian Christian Belt Rich Maloy Dawn Moore Anne Stickney Fox Van Allen Amy Schley Basil Berntsen Robin Torres (That's me!) It was such a success, that we plan on holding a mixer before the Lunar Festival event as well. Details for that coming soon. In the meantime, please enjoy the annotated snapshots in the gallery: %Gallery-85590%
Touchtable mixer takes conventional PMP design for a wiki-wiki-twist
Not that we haven't seen turntable capabilities shoved into production and concept devices alike before, but there's something curiously seductive about this one. Dreamed up by Sir Thomas Mascall, the Touchtable is a pocket-sized PMP that boasts a digit-friendly surface meant for scratching, mixing and all manners of interacting. Aside from playing back your favorite MP3s, this bugger can (in theory, anyway) also mix jams on the fly, cue outputs and even connect with a second Touchtable wirelessly in order to establish a more traditional DJ setup (at 1:8 scale). Plug it into a PC, and now you've got a MIDI controller. Pop that source link if you're looking for a few more images and details, and feel free to contact your local VC if interested in seeing this fast-tracked to the commercial realm.
Calrec's Apollo digital audio console is an OLED-laden beaut
We reckon a good 97% of you will never need an audio mixer of this magnitude, but regardless, Calrec's digital audio console is a behemoth of knobs and sliders that should be easy on the eyes for just about anyone. Shown off at last month's 2009 National Association of Broadcasters show, each control changes color to reflect the assigned function or group, and each has its own display for monitoring individual status. Above those rest large OLED displays and touchscreen monitors for even more feedback. Audiophiles can hit up the read link for all the specs, and be sure to check after the break for a full-sized shot. Now can someone figure out how to get Super Monkey Kong up and running on this thing? [Thanks, Tom]
Vivace portable music studio features multitouch interface, loads of style
It was not too long ago that we were lusting over OpenLabs' attempt to bring us a dedicated digital audio workstation as a single device, and now it looks like the ante's been upped yet again. Sure, the Vivace is but a mere concept at the moment, but designers Young-Shin Lee and Hae-Jin Jung clearly know what we want. This guy has the same form factor as a laptop, but instead of a keyboard features a second multi-touch display. On the downside, we can't imagine that playing a "keyboard" on a smooth surface would give one anywhere near the control of honest-to-goodness keys. But on the upside? This thing looks really, really sweet. Check out the gallery below for some more mouth-waterin' pics.[Via SlashGear]
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.
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.
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.
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]
Homebrew application Groovestep hopes you'll bust a beat [update]
Not to be outdone by Korg's upcoming DS-10, the fine folks behind Groovestep are currently developing a homebrew music application that has one thing over Korg's entry: it won't cost you any money. We like saving money!As you can see in the video above, the interface looks a bit less intuitive than Korg's, however the feature set in Groovestep closely resembles the DS-10's features. No word on a release date yet, but you can bet that once there is one, we'll be all over Groovestep.[Update: Groovestep developer Martin Robaszewski let us know that neither the release date nor the price of Groovestep have been decided. He's hoping for a retail release for the project.]
Bird Electronics unveils palm-sized DJ5 micro mixer
For the DJ looking to stuff his / her entire setup into an array of cargo pockets, we've found your mixer of choice. Bird Electronics' DJ5 is the likely successor to the overly simplistic DJ4 that we saw earlier this year, but this beauty packs a bit more functionality into a not-too-much larger package. Set to go on sale next week, the palm-sized unit features a pair of 3.5-millimeter input and output jacks, left / right headphone volume and a slide switch for Line 1 / Line 2 / Mix. Best of all, you can power this thing with just a trio of AA cells, so there's no need to fret if that AC plug is chillin' out on the opposite side of the room. Get set to mix things up real soon for ¥15,000 ($132), and click on through for a few more shots.[Via Impress]
Pacemaker DJing system gets demonstrated on video
Just months after catching wind of the Pacemaker handheld DJ system, the (lucky) folks over at Digital-Lifestyles managed to get their hands on a prototype unit and spend a few quality moments perusing its features. Interestingly, their unit did indeed sport a color display, but still retained the 120GB hard drive that was previously expected. 'Course, you're already well aware of what this thing can potentially do for you, so without further ado, be sure and check out the hands-on videos waiting after the break.Update: Aaaand we have a price. €520, about $700 US, shipping in December. More info here.
Denon launches USB / MIDI-equipped DN-HC4500 for digital DJs
It was close to this time last year when Denon unveiled the DN-HD2500, and now it's time for DJs the world over to get a glimpse of the DN-HC4500 Media Player and Controller. The unit itself is the firm's "first USB / MIDI audio interface designed exclusively for computer performance club and mobile DJs," and it plays nice with both Macs and PCs. Additionally, you'll find internal 24-bit processing, BU4500 drive support, a touch-sensitive jog disc, integrated displays, and a trial version of Reflex LE software. Word on the street tags this sucka with a pricetag close to £399 ($795), and while you won't be able to get your hands around it 'til next month, click on through for a few more looks.[Via TechDigest]
