The 2013 title has been taken by a British DJ! Congratulations to Jon1st – The NEW DMC Online Champion! Runner up goes to DJ Vekked (Canada) and Third place goes to Ritchie Ruftone. Well done to all DJs that took part in this years DMC Online competition!
Jon1st will be one of a hundred DJs gathered in London on Saturday 5th October for the DMC World DJ Championships 2013 (font: dmconline.com)
We always love a nice, clean, and crisp scratching performance and the peeps over at Studio Scratches seem to always get it right. Check out this new turntablist performance (or practice video as they call it) which is labeled Studio Scratches Glow In The Dark Cuts. They note that the audio is raw – straight out the speakers and picked up by the camera mic, so not the best quality but its all live and direct with no type of editing trickery…Watch the video after the jump.
It’ s time to have a walkthrough with Ean Golden, the most famous “Controllerist” playng with Brand new Traktor Z2 2+2 channel mixer. Then check out the press release that marks the official release of the Traktor Kontrol Z2 to the masses straight from NI’s mouth!
TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2’s aircraft-grade aluminum chassis forms the foundation of the KONTROL Z2’s state-of-the-art design. Two stand-alone channels are each equipped with premium Innofaders™ and dedicated EQ and filter knobs. The KONTROL Z2’s installation height is optimized for integration into standard club setups for the best possible ergonomics during performance. Club sound systems receive pristine audio thanks to 24-bit Cirrus Logic converters and balanced XLR outputs while a separate booth output and microphone input ensure accurate monitoring inside the DJ booth.
The KONTROL Z2’s 2+2 design unites analog and digital DJing techniques. Rear panel inputs provide connectivity for both turntables and CDJs, offering connectivity for both purely analog as well as timecode-based setups. Multi-colored LED cue point controls placed next to the KONTROL Z2’s intuitive master section and two additional TRAKTOR Remix Deck™ rotary knobs provide side-by-side control of TRAKTOR PRO software and analog sources, and a built-in USB hub allows direct connectivity to controller hardware. With TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2, DJs now have access to all aspects of their workflows with one powerful command center.
Purchase of TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 includes download of TRAKTOR PRO 2.6 – the latest version of NI’s flagship DJ software. The KONTROL Z2 integrates perfectly with the new features in the 2.6 update including the new Flux Mode and Macro FX. Flux Mode tracks the time during complicated scratch and effect performances, allowing for creative loop rolls or effects while returning the song accurately to the beat.
The 11 Macro FX – specifically created for TRAKTOR – have been designed according to classic DJ workflows, and condense complex effect performances onto a single control knob on the hardware. Wormhole, Bass-o-Matic, and Zzzurp give DJs new ways to create exciting buildups and breakdowns. Flight Test, LaserSlicer, and Event Horizon offer DJs extra impact for punch-ins, and mixing effects such as Polar Wind, Dark Matter, and Strrretch give DJs more expressive control over track transitions.
TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 also includes TRAKTOR SCRATCH timecode vinyl and CDs* – rounding out this powerful control mixer with scratch capability. The KONTROL Z2 package is designed to provide options for all popular club workflows, setups, and controller configurations.
TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 is now available at retailers worldwide and at the NI Online Shop.
All of the new functions that Native Instruments teased with the new Traktor Kontrol Z2 mixer is now available for free download to existing Traktor Pro users in the form of a 2.6 update. The new features include Macro FX which lets you combine multiple effects into one powerful effect and the new FLUX mode which is basically the same as the Pioneer or Denon “slip-mode”.
There’s plenty more going on under the hood including full compatibility with the Kontrol Z2 mixer, post-fader effects, and HID support for the new CDJ-2000 nexus. Check out the list of upgrades below, then head on over to your NI Service Center to download your upgrade as soon as possible. Stay tuned on DJ Battle for the brand new Z2 mixer review
NEW IN TRAKTOR PRO 2.6: FLUX MODE AND MACRO FX
-TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 integration
-11 new “MacroFX” single-knob combination effects
-Flux Mode” retains song position during HotCues, Beatjumps, Loops etc.
-Post-Fader mode for FX Units
-Factory Map Override option for individual Controllers in Controller Manager
-New gain system with independent Channel Gain knobs and Auto-Gain knobs
-New “Z ISO” EQ and “Z” filter models as featured on Z2 mixer
-Z ISO EQ is now full kill at the left end of knobs path
-New “QuickSnap” behavior for the EQ and Filter controls
-New Transport Preference prevents Remix Decks from becoming Tempo Masters
-New Transport Preference limits Tempo Master to On-Air Decks to become Tempo Masters
-HID support for Pioneer CDJ 2000nexus (SLIP button is mapped to FLUX mode)
-Minor gain-staging adjustments for Live Input Deck
-Various other fixes and improvements
Click Here for a full breakdown of the Macro FX on the NI website.
The new four-channel professional grade Pioneer mixer that is meant to be the successor to the extremely popular DJM-800 is finally here. The new Pioneer DJM-850 brings many new upgrades to the table over the original including a few welcomed surprises as well. The DJM-850 is aimed at bringing the professional-grade studio and club installation mixers right at home (or on the road) for DJ’s everywhere. Considering all that you are getting with the DJM-850, the price is right and very competitive with the other similar mixers on the market.
The Pioneer DJM-850 is built like a TANK in every sense of the word. The completely steel chassis is made of thick metal and it is one of the heaviest DJ mixers that I have ever held. Everything just feels super-sturdy and this mixer will definitely last through the ages. All of the knobs have a metal stem underneath for added rigidity. The EQ knobs are all rubberized while the rest of the knobs for Trim, Mic control, Cue control, and Volume controls are all harder plastic. All of the buttons for CUE, Fader Start, and Effects have a backlit to them and are made up of hard plastic. There are sturdy in-set switches that control the fader functions while the metal stem style toggle switches at the top are to switch between the different input options for each channel. The front of the mixer is completely blank so that the DJ can leave the mixer “installed” without making adjustments (or plugging in headphones) on the front. The single quarter-inch headphone output is on the bottom-left of the top panel with the Cue volume and Cue/Master Mix knobs right above. The MIC 1 input and USB connection are all on the top panel of the mixer as well.
The Pioneer DJM-850 mixer is also Traktor Scratch Certified. This means that DJ’s can plug in up to four different timecode style decks (CD decks/Vinyl decks) for full Digital Vinyl System playback using Traktor Pro without the need for an additional Traktor style DJ soundcard. It’s almost like having a full featured Traktor Audio 10 interface built right into the mixer. All the DJ must do is purchase the Traktor Scratch upgrade package in order to get the necessary Timecode CD’s and Vinyl to start mixing digital music from your computer directly onto your CD style decks or vinyl turntables. DJ’s can also use the mixer to spin using all four virtual decks with no external decks at all. All of the mixing functions, effects, and sound will still be active and it gives DJ’s a more hands-on approach to mixing than with simply using a computer
In conclusion, the Pioneer DJM-850 is one of the best four channel DJ mixers on the market today. The build quality and sound quality are basically second to none. The DJM-850 is Traktor Scratch Certified and can work with up to four external DVS-timecode decks and Traktor Pro right out of the box. There is a very extensive effects section with the addition of the cool Sound Color Effects and solid EQ controls. The crossfader is scratch-worthy and the linefaders are perfect for mixing. To top it all off, there are a bunch of input and output options to suit almost every DJ’s needs. The only real negative I could find with this mixer would apply only to Pioneer CDJ-900 and CDJ-2000 users who use the Rekordbox software to manage their music. The DJM-850 is not compatible with the Pioneer Rekordbox meaning that it cannot sync the BPM and other information with the digital decks. Other than this minor gripe, the DJM-850 is a fantastic four-channel mixer and perfect for any DJ who wants Professional-Club-Standard gear right at home (or on the road) at their fingertips.
Pro’s:
-Super-Strong and Sturdy Build Quality Throughout (Club Standard)
-Traktor Scratch Certified for All 4-channels of DVS Timecode Playback/Support
-Excellent Studio-Grade Sound Quality & Soundcard
-Extensive Effects Section with LED Readout PLUS Sound Color Effects
-Lots of Input/Output Options
Con’s:
-Not compatible with Pioneer Rekordbox Software
“MUSIC SCRATCH” presents the work of artists and provides audible and visual immersion in the heart of “turntablism”, unknown to the general public is technically the most advanced musical trends of the last thirty years. Transcends the conventional musical rules and fascinating for its permanent originality, especially by the use of traditional vinyl and turntables.
“MUSIC SCRATCH” presenta il lavoro di artisti e offre una immersione acustica e visiva nel cuore del “turntablism”, sconosciuto al grande pubblico è tecnicamente la tendenza più avanzata musicale degli ultimi trent’anni. Trascende dalle convenzionali regole musicali e affascina per la sua permanente originalità, sopratutto nell’ uso del vinile e dei tradizionali giradischi.
You’ ve been using them thousand times…You loved them, and hated sometimes. They’ re now an exception compared with cd player and digital…But…How they’ re made? Let’ s discover it in this interesting video. Enjoy.