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THE hot new product when it comes to providing an all-in-one Digital DJ solution.
The VCI-300 is a dedicated USB MIDI controller for the included Serato DJ software. It also comes with a built in audio interface with standard 4in/4out and headphone connection, which means all you need for DJing is the VCI-300, a laptop and a set of headphones.
New features such as the [Emergency Thru Switch] offers an option of using the VCI-300 with the provided ITCH software or without the computer connected if you simply want to play music from your external CD or MP3 player. Another is the new weight reduced JOG wheel and the adjustable JOG wheel torque mechanism to avoid vibration from low frequency feedback.
The VCI-300 can control more than 90 parameters and functions of the included Serato software with high resolution MIDI signals sent via USB. The pulse resolution of the JOG wheel and pitch control fader is 4 times higher than the VCI-100 and provides precise control of each function. The pitch control fader also shares the same high quality fader parts of the input fader for advanced operability.
If you're an audio/visual type person, click the link below, watch a (qiwi?) man that made the hardware talk about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfaHVmYA5Rg&feature=related
Thanks,
Matt. Spank!
ABSOLUT 15 is a competition that sees entrants slugging it out with their favourite tracklist in a bid to get the crowd moving in a 15-minute set - whoever gets the biggest and best crowd response takes top honors. The overall winner scores $1000, which is donated to their charity of choice, a case of ABSOLUT vodka and a wardrobe from Australian label, Another Boy.
To be in the running all you need to do go to this URL
http://www.yenmag.net/events/22/
follow the links and e-mail your back-to-back 15 minute playlist, along with your full contact details. Your entry will be considered by the ABSOLUT 15 judging panel - and if you make the cut you win a spot to play in Sydney, as well as a slew of goodies.
Good hunting.
Matt. Spank! Records.
It seems like everybody these days is having a crack at packing as many features as possible into as small a synthesizer as possible for somewhere between the $500-$1000 mark. This week's pick is Novation's Analog Modelling Synthesizer/Midi Controller combination, the Novation XIO25.
The Xio features a mono-timbral Novation synth engine with 10-voice polyphony, with 3 oscillators (17 waveforms each), 1 Filter (varying types), 2 LFOs (32 waveforms each), an arpeggiator and a multi-effects board.
The Xio features 200 onboard patches and filter distortion that can be applied to any of these presets. Furthermore, 60 of the onboard sounds come from internationally acclaimed artists and producers from a variety of musical genres, namely James Zabiela, Ferry Corsten, Rennie Pilgrem, Roots Manuva, Shimon and Skeewiff.
An ultra-low latency 2 In/2 Out audio interface for high quality recording and playback is also included. This allows you to record a microphone with phantom power, as well as simultaneously stream the onboard synth audio directly to the sequencer via the USB cable. Equally though, a guitar can be plugged straight into the Jack input for DI recording, as well as simultaneously mic'd, and recorded with outstanding results.
In addition to synthesizing and audio/MIDI interfacing, the keyboard is also a comprehensive control surface with 11 knobs and buttons (doubled to 22 by a Group A/B switch), plus the freely assignable Xpression pad and stick. All of these controls are pre-programmed in 16 onboard Templates, so that the Xio can instantly control many software applications straight out the box. Add to this many more Templates online, a free Template Editor software application and hybrid modes for simultaneous synthesizing and MIDI controlling, and you have an extremely versatile package for producing or performing.
Interesting to note is that the Synthesizers will operate on 6AA batteries, making it possibly the only analogue modelling synthesizers on the market that operates without an external power supply.
Thanks.
Matt. Spank!
Introducing new to Spank the Korg MicroX Compact analogue modeling Synthesizer - Korg's most portable all-in-one synthesizing unit designed to fit home studios or in any live environment where space is in issue. Also from Korg back in store this week we have the Kontrol 49 and the MicroKontrol Korg MIDI controllers.
The Korg MicroX music synthesizer is packed with a full complement of sounds generated by the acclaimed HI synthesis system featured on the world-famous TRITON series. Taking full advantage of this rich array of synthesis power, there are 640 programs created by Korg’s renowned team of sound designers, covering all musical styles including dance, electronica as well as more traditional needs. In addition, you can combine up to eight of these programs into a combination to create even richer and more complex tones, with 384 combinations preloaded.
The Kontrol49 is equipped with 40 assignable control elements – including the new Vector Joystick – the Kontrol49 provides the musical dexterity for working with soft-synths, MIDI modules, or any digital audio workstation. The 49 keys are not only full-sized, they feature the same great touch and feel proven in Korg’s professional workstation instruments. Eight velocity curves let you tailor the response to your own playing, or to a specific application. Octave shift buttons provide full access to the entire 128 note range.
Moving beyond tradition keyboard control, the Kontrol49 is distinguished by the addition of sixteen illuminated and velocity sensitive trigger pads. These pads can perform any MIDI function from triggering loops and samples, selecting sounds, toggling or switching parameters, sending MIDI messages, to acting as transport controls for your computer-based sequencer.
The microKontrol includes a three-octave keyboard (37-note mini keyboard), eight encoders, eight sliders, and sixteen trigger pads that you can use to control your favorite soft synths, DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), or other musical tools such as external MIDI sound modules.
Thanks,
Matt. Spank!
Looking for a self contained, analogue unit to add personalized samples, beats or production touches to your live set? How about a portable production/recording unit that syncs up perfectly with your home MPC set-up?
Versatile enough to meet the demands of both producers & DJ's, new to the store are the Akai XR20 & MPC500. These two units allow you to record, sample and arrange your compositions wherever you are, with completely self-contained memory & playback functionality to capture your music where-so-ever the inspiration may strike.
Both units can also function as a DJ sampler or beat production studio. Wired into a live mixer set-up, these drum machines can sample and playback multiple loops in real time, ideal for DJs looking to get more adventurous with live mash-ups or more complex mixing.
Working as a electronic beat sampler, you can add your own drum & percussion sounds to a live performance, choosing from either the built-in drum samples included with the product or your own samples recorded into the unit. Utilizing this feature you can add new grooves to your live DJ set by playing along in real time or sync-ing up pre-recorded loops.
Thanks Matt.
Spank!
The Motu Ultralite-mk3 is a very versatile product. Not only does it function as a high quality digital recording sound card with 10 separate inputs and 14 separate outputs, it also includes inbuilt hardware DSP-driven effects processing to inputs, outputs, and busses independent of your host computer to function as a rack mixing unit as part of a live rig.
Utilizing the CueMix FX software tailored for operation with the unit, preset mixes used for recording can be applied and saved to the sound card, with the backlit front panel used to adjust compression, parametric EQ, track levels, dry/wet mixes and reverb on the fly in a live environment. This allows you to take the sound card with you, independent of the computer and still re-create your recorded mixing levels for a live show.
Connect all of your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors and MIDI devices and the Motu Ultralite operates just as any other USB/Firewire sound card does. The inbuilt effects unit allows you to add Classic Reverb with lengths up to 60 seconds. Further sculpt your sound with 7-band parametric EQ featuring filter types carefully modelled after British analog console EQs. Choose between two forms of compression: a conventional compressor and the Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor that provides vintage, musical automatic gain control. All these effects are applied at the hardware level, reducing the strain on CPU.
Arriving in store soon, be sure to check out the Motu Ultralite-mk3 Audio Interface as an addition to your home studio or live rig set-up.
Thanks.
Matt.
Spank!
KRK have released the second generation of their highly popular Rokit line of monitoring speakers, refining a number of design points to hopefully provide an even clearer monitoring experience at very reasonable price.
First off the new Rokits look different, with a more rounded wooden body much closer in appearance to their big daddies, the KrK V series. Traditional rectangular speakers with square or slightly rounded edges suffer from diffraction as sounds leaving the edge of the cabinet are reflected back into the original sound field, and at different time intervals. This phase distortion creates a "narrow" or boxy" sound. The Rokit Generation 2 Series eliminates this issue with radically engineered curved surfaces, so diffraction is virtually eliminated. Simply put, you'll get better sound in a wider area.
The changes are not however, merely cosmetic. The generation 2 Rokits include re-designs of both the Rokit tweeter and the woofer to attain improved top end frequency response, increased articulation, better imaging, faster attack times and less distortion. The 1" Neodymium Soft Dome tweeter is more natural and less harsh than metal-domed tweeters, resulting in reduced ear fatigue and more natural mixes. The Glass Aramid Composite Cone Woofer maximizes excursion performance without compromising reliability and minimizes distortion.
The first generation speakers where already a great monitoring speaker for a relative pittance and with the improvements made in this re-release KRK have again raised the bar in what home producers & studios can hope for in a price conscious speaker.
Thanks.
Matt. Spank!
As previously mentioned, now in store (and in my hands)!
Numark PT-01 series turntable now with USB functionality.
Included with the turntable is 'EZ Vinyl Converter' to import your vinyl recordings onto your computer, sending them directly to your iTunes music library and automatically separating them into tracks.
Also included is the Audacity wav editing suite to reduce clicks, pops, noise or edit samples out of your imported audio files.
PT-01 USB also includes an RCA input so you can connect other sound sources, even analogue tape decks so you can convert them to digital files aswell!
R.R.P. $239
Matt. Spank!
Compact, durable and easy to operate. All you could ask for in a portable turntable. Ideal for travelling or as a spare turntable for around the house. Easy RCA out jack into a sound-card to record your vinyl into a digital format.
R.R.P. for $259
Thanks,
Matt Spank!.
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