In our quest to smoothly integrate laptops and controllers on stage we regularly bump up against ergonomic obstacles. It should feel totally natural and easy to use your digital gear live, but too often they sit awkwardly and at uncomfortable angles. In my regular practice and performance sessions, I have found that by angling my gear (both laptop and controller) I not only achieve a much more comfortable work flow, but also connect more with the audience by showing them the performance – not the back of my gear. Surprisingly, there was no simple and portable controller stand that would prop up my controllers on the market – so we went out and found the perfect one.

On the surface, Ableton Live’s drum racks seem to be surplus to a DJ’s requirements with clips being able to deal with everything we need. Look a little deeper, though, and that’s not the case; let’s look at where we can use drum racks to our advantage.

In the previous Windows optimization article we showed you a simple and temporary method to free up system resources and improve DJ software performance. In this article we guide you through the steps necessary to create a dual or multi-boot system, that can provide a clean and simple DJ system install for optimal performance without losing the other functions you might use your laptop for. Full tutorial after the jump!

Ever wondered what it would actually feel like to play in front of a stadium of screaming fans? Perhaps you just want too see if they were actually mixing live or if they were dropping a pre-recorded mix? How cool would it be if you could see everything the DJ is doing, from his or her view? After the jump, we take a look at how DJs are letting us see what they see.

One of the biggest announcements at BPM (and best kept secrets leading up to it) was Allen & Heath’s K2 audio interface and controller unit. I snuck Richard Brace, one of the main men behind the controller, away from the hustle and bustle to get the low down and a good feel for it; it didn’t take too much to realise that the K2 was one of the stars of the show for a few reasons.

Aftertouch is an increasingly common addition to MIDI controllers’ feature sets, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood – and thus ignored – features on the controllers that support it.

So, it’s that time of the year again, when DJ equipment manufacturers the world over head to ‘Brum’ to showcase the new toys we’ll all be dribbling over this christmas and pleading with Santa to bring us. Brad Cousins gives us his lowdown.

Vestax is back! After a solid year of limited traction in the DJ world and a lack-luster response to the VCI-100Mk2, Vestax comes back with a solid offering that should have plenty of you drooling. Its sexy, well built, full of great features and certainly “pro” quality. Can they make it in time and at a price you are willing to pay? We shall see! Check out lots of photos and an exclusive walkthrough video after the break.

We got word of a new software that will be announced shortly called “The One”. It’s a modular DJ software that is meant to be entirely customizable. I have no idea what company is behind it, but there are some interesting features they are claiming to support. Get on the early beta here. Full video after the break.

Allen and Heath announced today a new side car controller similar to the X1, featuring a built in sound card and internal links to combine multiple units. A blank canvas, the MIDI controller has no suggested purpose, so we are excited to hear how you might use the new Xone K2 from Allen and Heath.

Continuing with our pre-BPM launch coverage, we’re following the announcement of Pioneer’s entry into entry-level: the DDJ-ERGO-V. It’s yet another all-in-one two deck controller with a built in soundcard, and has a feature set that caters to, you guessed it, the beginner DJ. We’ve got the full details after the jump.

In a move that expands their software line up to three levels and squarely targets the Traktor LE market, Serato has released “DJ Intro” – a two deck software mirrored after Itch/Scratch that is designed to ship with OEM controllers like the VCI-100MK2, Numark Mix Track and several others. Loaded with the the basic essentials, this entry-level software comes paired with a low cost controller that is perfect until your little bro is ready to graduate up into the big leagues!