DJ Equipment

Rane announces SL 3 for Serato Scratch Live

Rane has announced the brand new SL 3 package for Serato Scratch Live, a long awaited update to the original SL 1 audio interface. Along with a new axillary input and output (which replaces a mic input) the new SL3 boasts 24 bit converters and high speed 2.0 USB. Read more

N.I. announces TRAKTOR DUO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO

New, affordable two-deck DJ solutions with MIDI and time-code control offer versatile feature set, based on acclaimed TRAKTOR PRO platform. Traktor Duo = An entry level package of Traktor Pro with limited features and without Timecode Control. Similiar to the Traktor LE offering. Read more

Denon DN-S3700

The DN-S3700 is a full on assault on the Pioneer CDJ range, for this old hack, it wins hands down. The platter alone would be enough for many DJs, but the enhanced loops and cues, USB support, database and ID3 tags with wave forms and MIDI makes the DN-S3700 a clear leader in the single CD deck market. When you factor in the size – designed to fill the same space that a CDJ takes – swapping out CDJs for a Denon is a no-brainer now. – Gizmo Read more

Rane announces TTM 56S

The TTM 56 has been the world’s most popular performance mixer for many years. The new TTM 56S improves with several new features: Internal Power Supply. All four inputs are now Phono/Line switchable. Both 1/4″ and 3.5 mm headphone jacks are now provided on the front. The Transform switches are now Kill switches. etc. Read more

WinMP3Packer: Convert VBR to CBR MP3

Most CDJ’s have problems with Variable Bit Rate (VBR). Most Denon MP3 players can’t set a MEMO, can’t Fast Search, can’t Quick Jump, and can’t see Time Remaining with a VBR file. Their is a neat and free software that converts all your VBR to Constant Bit Rate (CBR) without losing audio quality. It’s called WinMP3Packer 1.13 Read more

Stanton releases the DaScratch®, a.k.a. the SCS.3d

I still don’t understand this device. How do you know what your doing. For effects, it should work great. Read more

Got an OK mixer? Make it AMAZING!

The crossfader is at the very heart of the DJing experience. So why do so many mixers come with faders that feel like an afterthought? The feel of the crossfader is as important as any other feature of your mixer, so you deserve to have the best at your fingertips. The Audio Innovate innoFADER has been designed to completely change the way you feel about the crossfader. Having studied the habits and requirements of today’s DJs, the innoFADER offers unparalleled levels of quality and adjustability that you just don’t find in other crossfaders. So thanks to the innoFADER, you’ll no longer need to be less than satisfied with the stock fader in your mixer. Buy the innoFADER today and change your DJ life forever.

The innoFADER comes complete with a solid steel 8mm fader stem, designed to withstand even that hardest battering from a heavy handed scratch DJ. But thanks to specially designed polished Steel rails, the innoFADER runs as smooth as butter, responding to even the lightest touch. But that’s not all – if you prefer a little more resistance from your fader, the innoFADER has a special tension adjust control. It’s also been designed so that the tension adjust screw stays in place – no working its way free inside your fader.

Allen & Heath adds UV light effect with the new Xone4

ALLEN & HEATH LAUNCHES XONE:4D DJ CONTROLLER

Allen & Heath has selected the forthcoming Sound Recording Technology (SRT) show – part of the London International Music Show (LIMS) – to unveil the new Xone:4D performance DJ controller.

Evolved from the revolutionary Xone:3D, the Xone:4D has an enhanced feature set, combining a fully-featured, high specification professional analogue DJ mixer with 105 MIDI controls, and a new high-end 96 kHz/24bit 20-channel USB 2.0 soundcard.

The mixer section is based on the award-winning Xone:92 and features 4 triple-input stereo channels (soundcard, phono and line), 3 band total kill EQ, 2 stereo effects sends, 2 analogue VCF filters with LFO, VCA crossfader and dual-rail channel faders, DJ mic and cue monitoring system.

For the assignable LFO, a new editable step-filter function has been developed, encouraging creative combinations of the tempo-detecting BPM counter and tap tempo. Each MIDI fader becomes a filter cut-off frequency, enabling users to “draw” their own tempo-locked LFO waveform.

There is also a new 16-bit tempo detecting circuit, which constantly monitors the BPM and outputs a MIDI clock to help synchronize MIDI-controlled music replay software with external source programme material.

The stereo FX sends can be used with external equipment such as effects units and samplers and now both FX sends can be routed to the USB audio system and sent to the PC. Following customer feedback, the FX2 hardware output can be switched to act as a Main Mix record output.

There are two dedicated MIDI control strips comprising 8 60mm faders, 16 centre-detented rotary controls, 10 rotary encoders with push switches, 32 switches (8 illuminated), and 2 improved high quality custom jog wheels with 4 navigation switches. The Xone:4D’s MIDI sections now have a ‘shift’ function giving two layers of MIDI controls, allowing 227 mappable MIDI messages from the 105 MIDI controls on the front panel, and a fader pickup algorithm allows seamless movement between the layers.

The new Xone:4D

In addition, several mixer functions generate and respond to MIDI, and the BPM counter provides MIDI start/stop and clock. The Xone:4D provides full control of external MIDI devices including the most sophisticated DJ performance computer environments. Overlays are available to identify the control function for popular software applications.

A high performance 20-channel USB2.0 soundcard is built into the mixer, featuring 4 analogue stereo inputs and outputs, transmitting audio at up to 96kHz with 24 bit resolution. It uses USB to interface the mixer audio and MIDI to a PC where the sound may be manipulated in real time using any music software application. The soundcard also produces SPDIF, COAX and optical digital inputs and outputs. A low latency ASIO driver is provided for audio streaming between the 4D and PC. Each mixer channel has its own soundcard input routing switches allowing for complete flexibility on what gets sent to or from the PC.

The most noticeable visible change in the Xone:4D is the new style and colouring, developed in response to users’ requests for panels which are easier to read in low light. The white screening is in Ultra Violet sensitive paint, which glows when exposed to UV light.

“When we launched the Xone:3D in 2005, we were proud to offer the DJ community a pioneering and unique tool that integrates computer-based digital media into the traditional DJ workspace. The new Xone:4D is the culmination of over two years’ experience and feedback from DJ’s using the 3D, and includes technological developments that did not exist or were prohibitively expensive at the time of the original design,” comments Xone designer, Andy Rigby-Jones. “The Xone:4D will enable DJ’s to greatly extend the capability of their digital setup by, for example, running 4 simultaneous decks in Native Instruments’ Traktor, or by being able to achieve genuine multi-track recording of their sets in applications such as Ableton Live or ProTools.”

Allen & Heath will be exhibiting on Stand F58 at the SRT show.