DIIIRTY SOUNDS BLOG: January 2010

Allen & Heath XONE 4D usb DJ mixer/MIDI controller

As i wait patiently wait for Joel Zimmerman's friend confirmation.

lets review another piece of technology that i wish to own someday.

the almighty XONE 4D controller from Allen & Heath.

a mixer, a soundcard, and a midi controller all in one.

DJ Mixer:
4 multi-input stereo channels: RIAA preamps for turntables on 3 inputs, (channel 4 is Line/Line)
Soundcard output routing switches for each channel (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8)
3-band total kill EQ: 6dB to off
2 FX sends: pre/post selection (internal on FX2)
2 stereo returns
Headphone monitor with mix/cue control: 3.5mm and 1/4" sockets
2 analogue VCF filters low-pass, band-pass, high-pass (can be combined for more filter types), resonance frequency, and filter 'on' switch
Filter assignable LFO with depth control and brand-new editable fader step-filter function
Completely re-designed and functionally improved BPM detection circuit
Mic input: on XLR connector; gain control and 2-band EQ control available: routable straight to soundcard
Power supply: High performance internal switch-mode supply
RIAA: for three turntables (four via internal jumper link)
Dual rail VCA crossfader

USB 2.0 soundcard:
20 channel, 96 kHz, 24-bit soundcard connecting via wide-bandwidth USB 2.0 (480Mbit/s)
Uses 24-bit stereo analogue to digital converters and digital to analogue converters (not lower spec CODECs)
10 in/10 out (4 stereo in, optical in/4 stereo out, optical out)
No software configuration utility; all front panel switched
Soundcard inputs fed from Mic, FX2, FX1, Main Mix or from stereo channels 1-4
Sends: mix, FX, or individual analogue channels may be routed to PC or digital outputs
New record output: FX2 RCA outputs can be switched to an RCA record output
Drivers available for PC and Mac

MIDI Controller:
2 separate layers of MIDI controllers with control pickup algorithm ensuring a smooth transition between layers
227 MIDI control messages available from 105 separate MIDI controls
8 x 60mm linear faders
16 detented rotary pots
10 rotary encoders
50 switches
2 custom jog wheels with 4 micro switches
8 illuminated push switches
Allen & Heath Xone:4D is compatible with any PC software that has MIDI assignable functions: for instance, lighting controller or visual effects programs

at almost $3000 you're gonna get all you need in this controller.

probably the best drum machine ever made. the Korg EMX-1 is a synthesizer and a drum machine. with Twin Vacuum tubes for that excellent sound quality, built in sequencer, an auto BPM detector, and 200 preset sounds. this isnt your 1980's drum machine. this baby can satisfy your hard house needs. lets watch other people have fun on the EMX-1:

minimal techno:

dance party!

and RAVE!

pick this baby up at www.musiciansfriend.com today!

i totally saw one of these at Steve's music store for $195 and i didnt buy it! CDJ's are way to expensive. they may be an essential in DJing but they are also a choice. DJ's can use midi controllers controlling their favorite DAW program (Ableton, Reason, Traktor, etc.) but CDJ's can help incase you're playing a small club or some chicks party and all you have is cd's with all your material. so bring out the Numark CD player/mixer. All in 1 little combo. it aint bad looking either.

check out the specs:

2 independent CD player units
Full-buffered anti-shock
Seamless looping and stuttering
±16% pitch bend
3", 5", and CDR play capabilities
Pitch/jog wheel for setting cue points, adjusting tempo, and track sequence programming
Infinite full CD continuous play
Fader start
Relay play
Frame accurate search (1/75 sec-step)
Auto-dead space elimination with auto cue
Automatic CD tray protection
+10 tracks skip search
30 tracks programmable play
Digital output
External input for 2 phono or 3 line inputs
Master balanced and unbalanced outputs
Direct input for onboard CD units
EQs on main input channels
2 mic inputs with independent gain and EQ control
Crossfader to blend between 2 channels
Autostart of the CD units
3-band EQ for master output
Dual-band 12-segment LED output display Headphone output for 1/4" and 1/8" plugs

Ableton Live Intro

Ableton released live intro last year and i purchased it without reading any of the details about it. It was an impulsive purchase because it was $99 for a download and $139 for the box set. At the time i wasnt exactly new to Ableton. I tried out the free full version and was very impressed. but the price was unbelievably high. So purchasing Intro, which means "beginner", was a good way to get more into ableton and being able to save and export.

but there are reasons why this program, which is used by some of the best in the bizz, is only $99

with instruments that sound like crap, maximum 8 scenes, and maximum 12 effects. the only good thing about buying intro is being able to upgrade to live 8 for $340. instead of $700 so my advise is buy intro. save up and upgrade to 8 which has a TON of cool features

iPhone home screen

What's on my home screen?

4 different cameras:
One for a quick shot where I can touch the screen instead of the small button.

A zoom camera.

The regular iPhone camera.

And the HD camera for decent looking photography.

6 Internet based:
Safari.

My blog.

twitterriffic (follow me! >>>)

Blogpress.

google (i hate opening safari just to google something)

And of course... Facebook.

Notes (for extremely important reminders)

Maps(for when i go out finding new places)

The NLog synth for
Ideas on the go.

The Mario app is just to kill time. It features some of the old sounds from the first Mario game.

Korg Kaossilator PRO!

thats right ladies and gentlemen...the korg kaossilator PRO....more to come...

Apple introduces the iPad

whenever apple releases a new product people go CRAAAZY! like i did when i found out they have made the iPad.

and yes this is a real image. its just like an iPhone only you cant make calls.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

so its pretty much an iPod touch but the view is a lot bigger. check out the specs!

Size and weight
Height:
9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:
7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:
0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:
1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

Display
9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

Capacity
16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive

Input and Output
Dock connector
3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Built-in speakers
Microphone
SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only)

it should be out by late march of this year.

when i first saw this i was like O.M.G. i went nuts like a little kid watching a toy commercial

The Jazzmutant Lemur midi touch screen controller. seriously...what can i say about this controller except AWESOME!

I havent tried it out yet but from what i know there are buttons that are assignable. Everything you do on your midi controller you can do on this by touch. is it affordable? hell no. but is it worth it? hell yes. Musicians such as Daft Punk, Deadmau5 and Justice use these in their live shows.

if you have $1800CAD order one on their site and gimme a call so i can try it out myself. please!?

Korgs nano series has 3 controllers that are amazing on ableton live. I know cause I bought the korg nanokey which is a small midi keyboard controller with 25 keys, octave, and pitch buttons. It is USB powered so you don't have to plug in any more controllers. speaking of other controllers. The korg nano series also has the nanopad and the nanokontrol (more on those later on). Just plug and play! Where ever you are! Some dislikes I had about this keyboard was that the keys feel alot like using a kids toy because the feel of it is plastic. But at $49 CAD you might as well bring this on the bus instead of your 88 key midi controller. It can also be used as a loop trigger in ableton live. so whether you're producing some beats or you want to start a loop live then this controller can work for you. think of it as a Jazz Mutant Lemur controller (which i dream about everyday) without the screen and the coolness and the bill of $1800CAD.

Now on the to the other controllers... which also come in white (but the black is a lot nicer)

The NanoPad has 12 sensitive buttons and an X & Y pad. The controller also features 4 scenes so you can set up 4 different controls ( 4 x 12 = 48) 48 buttons all together! there are 3 other buttons that add extra effects.

The NanoKontrol has 9 faders, 9 knobs, and 18 buttons. plus 4 scenes. so lets do the math...

9 faders x 4 scenes = 36 faders
9 knobs x 4 scenes = 36 knobs
18 buttons x 4 scenes = 72 buttons

thats 144 assignable controls! and the transport buttons are also assignable. so thats 150 buttons! But of course there is still that one flaw. the feel of it is like plastic and can break if you step on it good. so dont get to pissed off if your mix doesn't sound diiirty. i was lucky enough to try on of these when i was starting out on ableton live and they work very well.

The korg nano series controllers are still the most affordable. from $49 to $59CAD you might as well pick one up to have fun with it. or even start a party on the subway!

Posted on BlogPress from my iPhone

Blogger on iPhone? Win!

never knew there would be a blogger app. Thank God! Now everytine I go to Moog audio in downtown Toronto and I see something totally awesome i'll post it

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

After getting the Hercules DJ steel controller i wondered if it was possible to use it on Ableton live. turns out you can but not all the knobs and buttons are assignable. well all the buttons and knobs and faders are assignable. even the 2 jog wheels are assignable. I was trying to assign the jog wheels so i can scroll through the scenes and loops but it doesn't work (boooo) but im sure there are other other effects that can be assigned to the jog wheels.

Hercules DJ console - Steel

A friend of mine told me he was using one of these controllers for his mixes (RMX). i was very interested in taking Ableton Live to a whole new level. so i came across the slightly cheaper version of this DJ controller.

The Hercules DJ steel controller is one of the best controllers out there for the pro DJ at the clubs, or even the beginner such as myself. The only limitation this controller has is its lack of an internal sound card. but at $299CAD it's worth a shot. The controller also comes with a Hercules carrying case and Virtual DJ 5 (Which has a lot more limitations that Traktor pro or other DJ softwares. i'll get to that later)

Specs taken from the Hercules website:

Dual mixing decks on a steel surface
Dual-deck DJ controller with equaliser and volume controls
Track reading controls (jog wheels, effects, pitch etc.)
Track mixing controls (cross-fader, volume faders, kill etc.)

A wide mixing deck designed for mixing without compromise
Size: 350 x 252 x 68 mm (13" x 9.7" x 2.6")
Ample space under the DJ’s fingers allows precise mixing.

Portable controller
Ideal for mobile DJing, the device connects to and is supplied through the computer’s USB port (whether PC or Mac, laptop or desktop)
Supplied with a carry bag, the controller can be carried over the shoulder.

Controls suited to every kind of mix
2 decks, 6 sliders, 13 rotary knobs and 46 push-buttons
Controls allow for easy mixing and offer access to advanced features

Dedicated software included
VirtualDJ DJC 5 version for PC & Mac, featuring a dedicated skin

and if you're wondering...yes, it does work with ableton. there are some bugs that can be fixed with midi mapping it yourself. If you're a MAC OS X user be alarmed that the driver for this controller is a bit tricky to find. it took me about an hour to look for it all over google and the Virtual DJ website but FEAR NOT! i will have a link that has the direct download to the MAX OS X driver.

So if you're a beginner DJ check this controller out. take a look at it in stores (i did about 20 times before financing it) watch a bunch of youtube videos and dont be afraid to ask questions.

here is a video that helped me out

i LOVE synthesizers. all the sounds and noises it makes. all the crazy effects that can be made with these crazy keyboards. But i've always had a problem. I would normally get an idea for a track or a loop while im in class, when im walking around downtown or when im on the bus going home. the NLog synthesizer for iPhone is one of the best synth apps that the iPhone has to offer. But dont pull out your credit cards yet because this app is free! finally a decent free synth app for iPhone. NLog has just released its 2.0 free version which features...