DJ

For just this month and next, Native Instruments will be providing all users with a significant discount on the Traktor Kontrol S2 two-deck controller. New customers can get the controller for $449, while existing users can get an e-voucher worth $120 toward any product at the NI Online Shop.  

Work your DJ sets all night long, without ear fatigue, in a pair of bright white isolating headphones like the Numark Electrowave isolating DJ headphones. Built specifically for DJs, the Electrowave dynamic stereo headphones feature a reliable, comfortable headband with equally comfy, high-end isolating ear cups.  

Party on with your iPad and the Numark iDJ Pro, a specially designed DJ controller which offers a traditional dual-platter setup, complete integration with Algoriddim's djay for iPad app, and more for iPad-owning DJs.  

Mobilize your mashups and mixes with the Mashup app from Waves Audio and Musicsoft Arts. With its advanced playback engine and effects, the app gives iPhone / iPad DJs the tools to scratch, time stretch, pitch shift, and manipulate tracks in their music library.  

Want a tiny mixer to go with your iPad? IK Multimedia announced the IRig Mix, a super compact, mobile DJ mixer with the same controls typically found on a professional, much larger DJ mixer (crossfader, cues, EQ and volume controls, and so forth). With the iRig Mix, you can use a traditional setup with two devices (one plugged into each of the independent channels), or a single iOS device to work on your mix.  

Scratch and spin from your iPhone with IK Multimedia DJ Rig, a double-deck DJ mixing app featuring looping, live recording features, automatic BPM detection, DJ effects, and much more.  

Map to Ableton Live with Novation Twitch Live Translator, a free application for the Twitch DJ controller that allows Twitch users to control the Live DAW by mapping the MIDI control data to Live's parameters.  

Good news for DJs: Warping Ableton's Warping Course for DJs using Ableton Live 8 is now available as an affordable, downloadable tutorial. In the past, this same course was only offered as a much higher-priced teacher-led class. Now DJs can download the course and learn how to warp their music in Live, on their own time.  

Check out the new Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 DJ performance system, now shipping. This integrated DJ system offers dual sample decks, comprehensive mixing and effect features, and much more in a compact setup.  

Numark introduced the N4, a portable four-channel DJ controller with a built-in mixer and audio interface plus four decks of software control. The new N4 comes with both Serato DJ Intro software and a 4-deck version of Virtual DJ LE.  

DJs will want to check out the upcoming Vestax VCI-400, a four-channel DJ MIDI controller with bundled software, due for release sometime this Winter. The controller sports an integrated audio interface plus typical Vestax features, such as high-resolution JOG wheels with torque and sensitivity control, a multi-mode transport section, and more.  

Pair the new Allen & Heath Xone:K2 controller with any DJ software and you've got a complete DJ setup. To begin shipping in January, the Xone:K2 is a professional, compact DJ MIDI / USB controller with 52 hardware controls providing up to 171 MIDI commands across 3 layers, plus the ability to link multiple units.  

Get a first look at Pioneer's new DDJ-ERGO, a compact mixing controller that works with Virtual DJ Limited Edition software by Atomix Productions (included) plus any other MIDI-compatible DJ software.  

Mixed In Key updated its like-named harmonic-mixing software, Mixed In Key, to version 5, providing it with a new key-detection algorithm and other new features to help DJs mix, create mashups, and play perfect DJ sets.  

Algoriddim announced that its Djay for iOS music app is now available in the new David Guetta Edition, featuring exclusive David Guetta bonus material including 12 signature synth samples and drum beats, and 5 of Guetta's electro tracks from the deluxe editions of his new album Nothing But the Beat.  

Explore the basic version of Serato's DJ mixing solutions via Serato DJ Intro, the latest DJ software to join Serato's current lineup including Scratch Live and Itch.  

Tote your DJ equipment in style with the new G-Club Control and G-Club Control 25 bags from Gator Cases. These new DJ controller bags are rugged yet lightweight, and large enough to hold a a laptop-based MIDI controller, laptop, and DJ-style headphones.  

Check out the new Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 DJ performance system. Due for release on October 4th, the integrated DJ system offers dual sample decks, comprehensive mixing and effect features, and much more in a compact setup.  

In Point Blank's new course, DJ Skills With Serato Scratch Live, DJ Blakey guides DJs through the complete process of using the Serato Scratch Live platform, from start to finish. Through this four-week online class, DJs will learn how to do everything within the platform, from setting up to mixing, adding FX, using external controllers, and more.  

If you have a newly registered Traktor Kontrol X1 controller, you can score a free upgrade from Traktor LE to Traktor Pro 2 via the Native Instruments Free Pro Upgrade special offer. The free upgrade, worth $139, provides access to four decks, sample decks and loop recorder, comprehensive loop and cue functions, and more.  

Itchy DJs may now update their Itch software to version 2.0, which provides the digital DJ software with a new interface design, multiple display modes, support for four decks, and more.  

We conclude our conversation with DJ / Producer Chrissy Murderbot by discussing — what else — the long-term viability of vinyl in the dance music world. The mere fact that we're STILL talking about vinyl's viability says at least something about the same, right?  

Mix it like you mean it with Numark's "nu" Mixdeck Express, a complete DJ system that lets DJs use multiple music sources, all from the same station. The Mixdeck Express comes with Virtual DJ software, two USB flash-drive ports, touch-sensitive platters, a three-channel mixer, built-in audio interface, and more.  

Mix music from any source -- whether it's computers, CDs, MP3 CDs, or whatever -- with Numark's NDX900, a combination USB DJ controller and MP3 / CD / USB player.  

After countless fruitless hours doing some internet-digging for the history of the Numark brand, we decided to just up and ask the brand itself. Not the actual brand, of course. There's people working at Numark — just people with no publicly available histories.  

The DJ / producer known as Chrissy Murderbot knows a thing or two about surviving as a DJ in the birthplace of house music — Chicago. In the week prior to his set at the 2011 Pitchfork Music Festival, Chrissy sat down with Owen to talk dance music business and culture.  

The 2011 pitchfork Music Festival is right around the corner, and we've got an exclusive interview with festival performer Chrissy Murderbot. The Chicago-based DJ, producer and label founder talks about the many changes in dance music culture and production since he started  

At the end of the week, you can beef up your DJ performance techniques by watching Point Blank Online's Ableton Live Performance Master Class: Cut-Up Tricks On The Fly. This Livestream session led by DJ Steve Travell (also known as Travski) will show you how to use a range of MIDI controllers to to mash and mangle audio loops and samples.  

If you recently bought and registered a Kontrol S4 DJ system, you should go to Native Instruments' Web site and download the free Scratch Upgrade Kit, which adds timecode control and other features to the Traktor Kontrol S4.  

The mini-sized Numark DJ2GO DJ controller makes instant DJ performance possible anywhere, offering a teeny footprint and compatibility with virtually any MIDI-capable DJ application. The DJ2GO is small enough to fit into your backpack, take with you to gigs and parties, and more. As a bonus, it comes with Virtual DJ software.