In the light of Bento San’s excellent Mapulator patch for Max for Live, many of you will be looking just that little bit harder at Ableton Live and what it can do for you. If your interest was piqued but you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into Max for Live yet, today’s article will be right up your street as we take a look at how Live’s audio effects rack can be used powerfully and how to add randomization to an Ableton DJ set.
Off-the-shelf DJ controllers have come a long way in the past few years, but they’re still lacking that certain something. The whole digital DJing movement was founded on a DIY approach way before manufacturers started seeing dollar signs in the eyes of a burgeoning market, and there’s nothing quite like that personal touch. Not everyone’s a ‘ground up’ kinda guy though, so what’s the middle ground?
It’s been almost two and a half years since the last DJ TechTools key detection software comparison. Times have changed and the software has moved on, so we took a fresh look at the capabilities of Mixed in Key, Rapid Evolution, and Beatunes- and we also discuss whys and wherefores of musical key, too. Ready to see which software won this time?
The Smithson Martin KS1974 is one of the more interesting products at this year’s NAMM show, because it’s a really laterally thought out product. What the guys at Smithson Martin are doing is bringing touch capability to your workflow without having to make any sacrifices to the raw power of your existing software setup. We had a chance to take an in-depth look, and a video overview and interview with Alan Smithson himself- click through to watch! Continue reading Exclusive In Depth Look: Smithson Martin KS-1974
Rane and Serato have worked tightly together for eight years pioneering practical DVS systems. The TTM57 is definitely showing its age, though, and has now received a modern update. There are 2 models of mixers: The Rane 61 and the Rane 62 depending on what your flavor of mixer is.
One of the fondest memories of DJs who’ve been around since the pre-digital watershed is finding new music. When vinyl was still king it was an adventure to head to the record store, don some headphones and put the new records on the shop’s player – a ‘no scratching or back-cueing’ sign never too far away – or get lost in endless crates at a record fair, searching for that one gem. Of course, if you had a record, nobody else had it; your vinyl collection was your musical identity. Now that everything’s a click away and musical identity theft is the new crime du jour, how do we get some of that individuality back? Continue reading Digging’s Not Dead: Expand Your Unique Library With Sampling
This week we’ve got some cool tips for all you Ableton Live users; if you’ve been wanting to get a little deeper below the surface and find out how you can really customise Live into the rig of your dreams then you really should know how you can manipulate the Launch Properties of the clips you use, including Follow Actions. Continue reading Ableton Live Tips: Launch Properties and Follow Actions
Last week we looked at ten ways to get into digital DJ software for less than $100. Let’s take it to the next logical step and add some cost effective hardware controls to the software and really get into DJing on the computer. Today Ean and Chris will go through the best options for purchasing controllers from $50-$500, and look for the best value.
When it comes to DJing, controllerism, turntablism and the like, all too often we think of things from a purely club based angle when there’s rich potential for many techniques in the context of routine based DJing. Making your own showcases with a looper is just one of those techniques… Continue reading Going Loopy: Creating Loop Routines in Traktor
Pioneer’s latest controller is a departure from the strategy that they’ve adopted over the past 18 months, namely of putting big ticket prices on their first forays into controller and computer based DJ gear. The DDJ Ergo isn’t a budget priced controller, but it’s definitely in the realms of purchasing possibility for many first time buyers. Let’s see how Pioneer have managed to do it…
Okay, if one was better than the other, top flight mixers would only have one – right? Yet it tends to be the cream of the crop that feature both. Why is this, and when should you be using which?
Native Instruments had a bit of a sleeper hit with Maschine. It started off slowly but in the two and a half years since its release it’s managed to cause quite a stir. Now, Maschine Mikro is the new kid on the block; is a cut down version of the beat making machine a DJs dream? Continue reading Review: Native Instruments Maschine Mikro
is there any way to duplicate some of the effects that Hawtin, Carola and Dubfire use in their sets with just traktror&S4? most specifically the... […]
Anyone know of any really sturdy "laptop" stands. A stand that I can tilt the face downward a bit so I don't have to lean over and one that I can... […]
I have just bought my self a single Technics 1210 Mk II turntable. I am looking to use this deck to record my vinyl onto my HDD and potentially in... […]
