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Richie Hawtin Announces New Project with Allen & Heath and Audiotonix

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It’s been a busy 2016 for Richie Hawtin already, with DJ sets at BPM and Los Angeles, along with the news that ENTER will not return to Ibiza this summer. The technology aficionado continues to make headlines with the announcement of ‘Play Differently‘ – a collaborative partnership with Allen & Heath and Audiotonix.

The news was announced at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, with Hawtin stating that “the ethos of Play Differently is to create products that will magnify the individuality and expand the creativity of today’s generation of electronic music artists, producers and DJs . We hope to encourage and inspire creatives to PLAY differently.”

Play Differently has apparently been in development for two years, and with gear mogul Allen & Heath in the mix (no pun intended), Play Differently will certainly be one of the major talking points of NAMM. Stay up to date with more information as more is revealed regarding the vague, yet exciting concept from Richie Hawtin.

Connect with Richie Hawtin on Twitter and Facebook

PLAYDIFFERENT

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Guitar Center and Employees Enter Labor Dispute

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Guitar Center has always been a major player in the pro audio retail game. Many DJ/Producers (like myself) frequent the stores for all of their audio needs, often spending hours trying out gear and chatting with the employees. Understandably, consumers are thinking about the gear they would like to purchase, rather than the inner workings of the company, because, let’s face it, jamming on the newest Roland or Korg synth is exponentially more exciting (for most of us) than corporate structures, employee benefits, and labor disputes. However, we must keep in mind just how much goes in to keeping a corporation of this magnitude running smoothly; this is largely thanks to a phenomenal staff of employees who, it turns out, have long been entangled in a legal push-pull with the company. Read more

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NAMM 2016: Pioneer CDJ-2000NX2 and DJM-900NX2

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Just in time for NAMM 2016, Pioneer has taken a giant leap forward with updated versions of its two quintessential pieces of hardware, the CDJ-2000NXS and the DJM-900.

The CDJ-2000NXS makes a “giant leap forward,” outdoing its predecessor (CDJ-2000NXS) with an even bigger multicolor touchscreen, featuring a QWERTY keyboard and filterable searches to help find your next track more easily. Additionally, the unit includes two quad banks and a built-in 24-bit/96kHZ interface.

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The DJM-900NXS2, successor to both the DJM-900NXS and DJM-900, is Pioneer’s first-ever 64-bit mixer, and reportedly delivers a “warmer, more nuanced sound.” In addition to new, adjusted EQ and fader curves, the DJM900NXS2 also features enhanced controls for FX, an independent send/return, two USB inputs, and four phono jacks.

 

The DJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2 will be available beginning in February for  £1,699/€2,299 (2,900 USD) each. For more info, visit Pioneer DJ. 

CDJ-2000NXS2 new features

  • 96 kHz/24-bit sound card
  • FLAC and ALAC support
  • 32-bit D/A converter
  • Full-colour touch screen with Qwerty keyboard, Track Filter search, Needle Countdown multicoloured wave display and Wave Zoom
  • 2 banks of 4 colour-coded Hot Cues
  • MIDI controller interface to connect to the DDJ-SP1
  • Fractional beat Quantize
  • Pro DJ Link
  • Improved beat grids
  • More detailed Phase Meter
  • Colour-coded Memory Cues
  • Supports rekordbox dj HID control
  • Lever for Slip Reverse, Forward and Reverse

DJM-900NXS2 new features

  • 64-bit mixing processor
  • 96 kHz/24-bit sound card
  • Improved EQ and fader curves
  • More accurate clip indicator
  • 6 Sound Colour FX with a new parameter knob
  • 14 Beat FX with a bigger X-Pad and OLED screen
  • Separate Send/Return to connect external hardware and software
  • 2 USB ports and top-loaded input switch
  • DVS control
  • 4 phono inputs
  • Pro DJ Link via LAN or USB
  • Magvel Fader
  • 2 headphone jacks: ÂŒ-inch stereo and 3.5mm MiniPin
  • Gold Plated RCAs
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Return Of The Technics: SL-1200G

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The Technics SL-1200 (discontinued) is the undisputed heavyweight turntable champion, cherished and sought after by vinyl DJs of all ages and genres. For the 50th anniversary of Technics, the company (a subsidiary of Panasonic) will be releasing a pair of “Grand Class” models, engineered with the audiophile in mind: the SL-1200G, which features an aluminum exterior, and the limited anniversary edition SL-1200GAE, housed in a gorgeous magnesium casing. Unfortunately, Technics will only be producing the latter model in a one-time run of 1,200. (See what they did there?)

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In addition to beautiful exterior casing, these new, turntables include a three-layered turntable and high-dampening tonearm, two features that audiophiles old and young will get especially excited about. They even added a brand-new direct-drive system, controlled by microprocessor, to eliminate “cogging,” which they explain in-depth in their press release:

“Vinyl record sales have been booming lately, so it’s not at all surprising that Technics is capitalizing on the SL-1200’s mystique here — we’re actually expecting to see a few high-end turntables at CES 2016. No word on pricing, but expect these to be crazy expensive when the 1200GAE arrives in summer and the 1200G hits late in the year. (Also, 50 years’ worth of SL-1200s are also available on eBay and Craigslist in virtually every city in the world, if you’re that impatient.)”

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Thick Analog Tones From Roland’s New System-500

We first got wind of Roland’s System-1M modular synth at this year’s Musikmesse, and even saw some demo prototypes of the System5500, but we haven’t heard anything about the latter until now. Roland is notorious for slowly teasing us with details regarding upcoming gear releases, so it’s definitely been a long time coming. Based on the iconic System-100M, the brand new 500 series has received a major overhaul, fitting in a sleek and sexy Eurorack format. However, while the AIRA series (including TR-8 and System-100M) are digitally modelled on analog gear, the 500 series is, in fact, fully analog. For the initial launch, we’re looking at five modules, including the 512 dual VCO, 521 dual VCF, 530 dual VCA, 540 Envelope/LFO, and 572 Phase shifter/Delay/LFO. It’s a lot of gear, but the tones you can get from a proper analog modular system are truly unreal. Scroll down for detailed explanations of each module.

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System-500 512

For starters, we have the 512 dual VCO; as the name tells us, consists of two voltage-controlled oscilators, each of which can be set to pulse, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms. Pulse width can be manipulated by panel control or even CV modulation. The oscillators’ frequencies can also be synced with each other in one of two modes (weak or strong) to acheive a classic ‘sync’ sound.

For full specs and more info, visit the 512 product page.

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System-500 521

Second in the series is the 521 dual VCF module, featuring two separate low-pass filters, each with its own frequency cutoff and resonance controls. Each filter also includes a high-pass filter with a fixed frequency (although there are two switchable cutoff points)

For full specs and more info, visit the 521 product page.

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System-500 530

The 530 dual VCA module handles the amplification in your signal chain; each amp mixes three audio sources, and each source has three CV controls available. Finally, the 530 has an enormously useful switch to select between linear and exponential response settings.

Amplification duties are taken care of with the 530 dual VCA module, with each amp mixing three audio signals and three CV controls for each signal. The 530 also features a selector switch for linear or exponential response modes.

For full specs and more info, visit the 530 product page.

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System-500 540

The 540 is the next step in the signal chain, featuring a dual envelope generator and LFO, featuring two independent sets of ADSR controls. The sections can be triggered internally, externally, or even manually (separately for each envelope), and the output can even be inverted.

For full specs and more info, visit the 540 product page.

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System-500 572

Last, but certainly not least, we arrive at the 572, which features a five-stage phase shifter, analog delay, a control voltage gate decay, and an LFO. The phase shifter includes frequency and resonance controls, and the delay section allows you to set the delay time and feedback. Both the delay and phase shifter allow for modulation via the internal LFO or even external CV signals. Finally, the unit features dry/wet controls, which can be controlled on the front panel, or, (you guessed it) CV control.

For full specs and more info, visit the 572 product page.

 

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SYR-E84 Eurorack Case

Now that we’ve gone over all five module units, it’s important to remember that we’re going to need a nice rack to put them in. Well, I suppose you could have them sprawled out across the room, but what fun is that? The best option seems to be the SYR-E84 Eurorack case, a rugged and portable rack with a high-current power supply. Although it’s truly perfect for mobile producers or live electronic music performers, we’re fairly certain that SYR-E84 find its way into the hands of producers of all ability levels.

From more information and full specifications on the SYR-E84 check out the product page.

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Roland Teases New “Boutique” Synths

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Roland, one of the world’s most beloved producer of synthesizers, drum machines (including the iconic 808 and 909), and other audio gear, is notorious for slowly teasing us with vague announcements regarding upcoming products. They continue to push the envelope this day, venturing far outside the realm of traditional gear.

Most recently, they have released a video announcing “Boutique,” with little information other than short references to classic synthesizers such as the Jupiter-8 (1981), the JX-3P (1983), and the Juno-106 (1984). One can only imagine what to expect out of this new product, but the gear community will eagerly await for more news.

Stay up to date as Roland plans to unveil new information regarding the “Botique” synth line.

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Gear Maintenance – Learn To Protect Your Equipment

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Maintenance is often overlooked in the blogosphere; many people watch tutorials and reviews, but there seems to be a lack of information regarding proper maintenance and care within this world. We have compiled a list of tips and suggestions for DJs/performers, producers, engineers, and even just the average listener. Read more