DJ Mag's November issue is out, and the results are in......... Armin Van Buuren beat out David Guetta, Tiësto, Deadmau5 and Above & Beyond for the top position in this year's list of the Top 100 Djs in the world, as compiled by DJ Mag.
For Van Buuren, it’s his fourth year at the top.
“It’s pretty obvious when you’ve been voted top for three years that at some point you have to come down,” says Van Buuren. “But, obviously, it’s a people’s vote, and I’m not going to lie and say I wouldn’t like to win it again.”
Check out the full list below. No woman on the list yet!
Vent your thoughts on this year’s list with comments!!!
The Vestax Pad-One is a new MIDI pad controller that can be used to control any kind of MIDI device, including syntehsizers, samplers, drum machines, and electronic drums.
Pricing and availability are TBA. Read on for more details, and to watch the demo.......... Features include:
12 velocity & pressure sensitive LED backlit pads
Individual LED colour for each bank
MIDI message for each pad can be selected with the Pad-One
Real time control XY touch pad
Solid aluminium die-casted robust chassis
Full control of ROLL button tempo with the TAP button
MIDI cable connection for control over various effect and sampler devices
If DJing is your thing, it might be worth checking this out.....
Mixxx is free, cross-platform DJ mixing software. It works with most standard DJ controllers, including the Hercules DJ Console MK2, RMX, and Stanton SCS.3d, but also has a MIDI learn feature, allowing you to use almost anything you like.
It also has support for Traktor Scratch, and FinalScratch vinyl, as well as Serato CD for control from CDJ units.
All in all, looks pretty promising. Head here to check out the rest of its features and to download..
Old-ish news now.. but still worth a mention, since the offer lasts until the end of June and is worth a saving of up to 139 Euros (£121). The offer adds free Traktor Duo or Traktor Pro software to any purchase from NI's range of DJ audio interfaces. This turns any Audio 2 DJ, Audio 4 DJ and Audio 8 DJ interface into a digital DJ system with studio-grade effects, syncing and looping functions, track management and advanced performance features........ For the Audio 2 DJ (compact) and Audio 4 DJ (robust) interfaces, the special offer adds Traktor Duo software that offers two full-featured decks, 6 effect tyles, Crate-Flick browsing, automatic beat-gridding, and more. Purchases of the 8-channel Audio 8 DJ interface include the 4-dck Traktor Pro software, which adds a comprehensive arsenal of EQ, filter and FX algorithms, quantised track navigation, full MIDI synchronisation, audio recording, +++
Users that take advantage of the special offer will receive an unlock code for Traktor Duo or Traktor Pro automatically after the online registration of the Traktor LE software that is included in the product package. Find out more about this offer here.
Mixr - the first ever professional DJ application for the iPhone and iPad. Casual and professional mixing all in one....... The multi-touch app features cross-fading, equalizing, cue, drag and drop tracks, and full effects such as delays and auto filter.
Here is a sneak preview:
No word on a release date yet, but stay tuned for more details on the developer's site.
Pioneer has announced a new DJ mixer, the DJM-2000.
The DJM-2000 is Pioneer's most powerful performance mixer and is designed to be the perfect match for CDJ-2000 digital decks. It features a 5.8-inch LCD multi-touch panel display, a first on a DJ mixer.
Other features include Beat Effects, Instrument FX, serious connectivity, a live sampler, USB audio interface, 3-band EQ, digital audio in and 3 different mixing modes.
All that comes at a price, though. The DJM-2000 is expected to be available in June 2010 with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (or just under £2,000).
Read on to find out more...
FEATURES:
Mixer Layout - the DJM-2000 inherits a larger foot print than its predecessors to accommodate a sectioned layout of features as well as cosmetically match the latest Pioneer CDJ series of digital media players. On the top centre section of the mixer resides its EFX capabilities to give DJs a bounty of digital effects. Located on each side of the middle section is its audio mixing controls for connection of up to 4 digital or USB sources. Across the middle section, Pioneer added new Instant Instrument FX functions which allow DJs to further alter and create more sound effects. And, at the bottom centre of the mixer is a large LCD touch display that provides DJs a window for remixing beats and adding effects with the ease of a simple touch of the screen.
Industry First Multi-Touch Panel - A first in the industry for audio mixers, the DJM-2000 incorporates a full-colour 5.8-inch LCD multi-touch panel for adding audio effects. Users can simultaneously manipulate the displayed controls on the panel by touching different areas of the screen. Three different performance modes are available, including: frequency mix, sidechain remix, and MIDI mode.
Evolved Beat Effects - A section of the mixer resides an Evolved Beat Effects adopted from earlier versions of the DJM series of mixers to generate a multitude of sound effects. Numerous for additional performance capabilities. Further manipulation of the sound effects can be made using the Effect Frequency knobs that changes the low, mid and high frequency bands of the music. Turns of the knobs enhances the effects to each frequency band, i.e. an echo added specifically to the vocals of the music or a doubling of the hi-hat rhythm, providing incredible performance options.
Instant Instrument FX - the INST FX provides 6 additional audio effects that include: Noise, HPF, LPF, Jet, Zip, and Crush. Each of the effects can be induced into the channel with a turn of the Filter knob. Additionally, the Parameter knob allows the effects to be fine tuned.
Pro DJ Link - When used specifically with Pioneer's CDJ-2000 (or even CDJ-900) turntables via Pro DJ Link, the DJM-2000 becomes an even more powerful musical tool. The mixer incorporates 4 Ethernet ports in the back of the unit allowing up to 4 of the most recent CDJ turntables to be connected (via LAN cables) while sharing only one music-filled SD card or USB storage device. In addition, up to 2 laptop computers pre-installed with Pioneer's music management software rekordbox can be interfaced with the DJM-2000 via LAN cables, in cases that 2 DJs are transitioning for their individual performances.
Live Sampler - A cool feature of the mixer is its Live Sampler capability which allows the sound from a microphone or from the MASTER output to be recorded directly into the mixer. The "sampled" sound can instantly be transferred via LAN cable to a CDJ-2000/900 for scratching.
Link Monitor - When linked with the CDJ-2000 player, the mixer informs the DJ of its connected status. The JOG rings of the turntable changes in colour based on the current on-air status or channel number connection, providing quick visual indications to the DJ.
USB interface - the DJM-2000 features a USB audio interface that allows direct computer connection without the need for an external sound card. Up to 4 audio sources can be assigned to each channel providing even more flexibility. For additional convenience, the MASTER output can be connected directly to a computer for recording of performances.
Sound Quality - Continuing the prestigious reputation of Pioneer mixers, the DJM-2000 provides excellent sound quality. By utilising balanced hybrid op-amp and a perfectly balanced output circuit in the analog processing stage, Pioneer managed to significantly decrease induced noise resulting in a dynamic range of 107dB with 0.004% THD for an extremely clean and powerful sound.
Quick reminder about the launch of the Ableton APC40 on Saturday the 6th of June, held by the London School of Sound in conjunction with Digital Village. I've had a quick play with it already, and it's very cool.
If you're hunting for this kind of thing, why not also take a look at the Livid Ohm 64? Also a pretty nice looking piece of gear, but won't hit the shops for a couple of weeks yet.
Prepare yourselves for the sound of hundreds of people saying "well, why don't you just do it for real?", with the release of DJ Hero from Activision. Before you totally dismiss it, it's got Jay-Z and Eminem involved, and you know it'll be fun.
That too serious for you? Then how does Lego Rock Band sound? (Yes, it's for real....)
