Got an iPad and trying to figure out how to complement your DJ set rather than use it to DJ? There have been a lot of articles written (including one on this site) about using your iPad for digital DJing. While some of the apps that exist out there are pretty impressive (Mixr and djay are my favorite so far) most of them assume that you are going to use your iPad to control your whole set. While the portability and ease of use of this type of setup likely can’t be topped, if you already have a killer setup you probably want to use additional hardware to enhance your existing setup instead of replace it.
Archive for January, 2011
DJTT Survey Results and S4 Winner Announced
Some of you are probably wondering, who exactly are my fellow DJs that visit this blog? To be honest, with all the crazy growth we have seen lately, I started to wonder the same thing. Rather than make assumptions, we created a comprehensive survey two weeks ago and nearly 2,000 people responded. The goal was to find out exactly what gear you are using and what topics everyone is most interested in reading. The results are fascinating and have already changed the way we do things around here. Since DJTT is all about sharing, we have posted some of the more relevant results below for your reading enjoyment.
Continue reading DJTT Survey Results and S4 Winner Announced
Battle of the 1s and 0s. Traktor Vs Ableton Vs Serato
It’s tough to compare digital DJ equipment nowadays – wildly different feature sets, approaches and, of course, price tags, mean that one man’s trash really can be another’s treasure. Let’s take a look at four of the big ones and try to figure out your ideal partner.
Continue reading Battle of the 1s and 0s. Traktor Vs Ableton Vs Serato
Exercise Your Name: How To Make A DJ Drop
If you are reading this, chances are you are a practicing DJ or controllerist, and aspire to perfect your craft every day. Heck, even the pros are trying to get better every day. So here’s an easy-to-make weapon for your DJ toolbox that will help you stand out from other performers: Great DJ Name Drops.
Digital Insurance For Your DJ Set
What would happen if your computer crashed or got stolen today? How many songs, cue points, beat grids, and other data would be lost forever? Now imagine that you have a gig tonight and your computer goes completely haywire. This is exactly what happened to Skrillex last night at the Majestic Theatre in Madison, WI where he had unfortunate hard drive failure that prevented him from performing at his sold-out show.
Best DJ Products of NAMM 2011- The NAMMIES
Now that the dust has settled from last week’s breakneck NAMM coverage, it’s time to reflect on what we learned and delve a little deeper into the gear. In last Friday’s first NAMM post we put together a master list of new DJ products; however, we have now whittled the list down to showcase the new technology that shows real promise, offers great value, or is very innovative. Continue reading on for my personal take on the best new DJ products from NAMM 2011 and the first annual “NAMMies”, a tongue in cheek award for new and interesting DJ gear.
Cool Gear @ NAMM: iZotope Stutter Edit
EDM has been bathed in stutter edits for years. Ever since Aphex Twin, glitches and stutters have been the preferred form of interrupting a musical flow for artistic and rhythmic effect. It’s not only easy to do, but really fun when connected to a MIDI controller for instant cut up mayhem. Renowned electronic producer and composer BT has been working on designing his own personal glitch edit hardware and software for years, in what one could say is his quest to find the perfect glitch. He may have struck gold by joining forces with iZotope and producing “Stutter Edit”, a brand new plug-in that is giving DJs more musical destruction power per square inch than a military salvo.
Cool Gear @ NAMM 2011: Kitara
The Kitara looks very familiar to anyone who has watched the original YouTube video of inventor Michael Zarimis rocking out on very early prototype of the device that is now being mass-produced. MISA Digital Instruments is boldly asserting that the Kitara is the the next major paradigm shift in guitars, and from what we saw at NAMM, we’re prepared to believe them. What’s interesting to DJs is why the Kitara might be a instrument that fits nicely into a DJ set for those looking to put more of a performance in their shows.
Richie Hawtin Interview – 10th Anniversary of DVS
On Saturday, we bumped into the prolific Mr. Hawtin, a digital DJ pioneer and the guy who originally paved a road for much of our work today. Ironically, January 2011 is the 10-year anniversary of the ground breaking announcement that really kicked off the digital DJ movement. Final Scratch 1, co-developed by John Aqcuaviva and Richie Hawtin. We took a few minutes to talk to Richie on camera, and he got into the above interesting conversation with Ean about the anniversary of DVS, what’s next for him and what’s next for the DJ world.
Check back in with us over the coming days as our team continues to compile video, photos and data into a series of articles on our favorite moments from NAMM.
Fresh DJ Gear at NAMM 2011: A Master List
Since January is upon us, that can only mean one thing: Winter NAMM and a fresh batch of DJ technology guaranteed to produce buyer’s remorse and gear envy. We’ve got a crack team of writers and photographers embedded deep in the belly of NAMM working hard to bring you details on all the gear, including what’s good, and what’s not.
DDJ-S1 and DDJ-T1: the full scoop
Jumping on the momentum that yesterday’s leak produced, the full details and official announcements have come from the Pioneer, Serato Audio, and Traktor camps. Our complete lack of factual information has been remedied: the Pioneer DDJ-T1 will arrive in February 2011 with a price tag of $1299/£899, while the DDJ-S1 will be released in March for a heavier $1599 / £1099. We’ve got all of the solid facts and specifications, along with better pictures of these new controllers – keep reading.
NI Teases us with New Software and Sound Cards
This brand new video is the latest installment in NI’s teaser campaign. It shows off some upcoming products, namely a new Traktor Software and some mysterious hardware but does not reveal what they actually are. Continue reading for some close ups.
Continue reading NI Teases us with New Software and Sound Cards
