Numark fires the first official volley…

…by releasing their new products on their website early.  LOTS of new goodies, but here are the highlights.

V7 Itch Controller

A chip off the ole NS7, the V7 is a single deck controller with pretty complete control capabilities, including FX, browsing, deck switching, and everything else you’re used to having with the NS7.

X7 Club Mixer

Styled to go between 2 V7s, this mixer has a USB hub with some interesting capabilities, including having multiple users connected at the same time.  It also sports FX, parametric EQs, and a sick new look.

NS7FX

Yup, it’s an NS7 with effects built in (instead of the clunky NSFX add-on)

Mixdeck

What looks like 2 NDX800s  decks glued to a mixer, this is a mobile DJ oriented pack with USB device capability, an iPod dock, and of course traditional CD playback.  It also acts as a controller for Traktor, so going fully digital isn’t out of the question.

NDX800

So you were asking in the above description “What the hell is an NDX800?”.  The 800 is Numark’s new tabletop CD player.  Like most of the newer players being introduced, this one includes the capability to mount USB devices, as well as act as a MIDI controller.  It also includes some effects.  Points deducted for having a cheap LCD display instead of going to VFD.  But overall a solid looking unit.

Find everything I’ve covered and more here…

http://www.numark.com/new_products

NAMM 2010 – Serato ScratchLive V2??

What’s this?  A YouTube video showing a new version of SSL that has expanded functionality?  Did I see 3 decks there (based on SL-3 connection)?  Wait..   what’s different about those sample banks?   “Home” screen looks a little different too.  And are those more effects as well?

Stay tuned for the skinny.  NAMM doesn’t officially start until tomorrow, but it looks like some folks just can’t wait to shower us with their 2010 goodness.

DJ Tech VTT-101 MIDI Controller

Check this out…

This is the DJ Tech VTT-101 MIDI controller.  It’s a basic platter controller with what looks like a 4 inch platter, crossfader, and basic transport controls.  No telling what the build quality is like, but I’m not prepared to dismiss it without getting my hands on it.

Looks like it might be a fun addition to a setup.  Just the thing to sit on either side of  an M-Audio X-Session Pro for a super cheap MIDI DJ solution that isn’t an all-in-one unit.

Anyone’s guess as to it’s price, but I’m going to give it a $99 ballpark.

Avatar 3D

Go see it.  No really.  Stop reading this and look for a showing in your area that’s in 3D and go see this movie.  it’s a blast to watch, the effects and animation are spectacular, and the use of 3D is masterful.  It was the best time I’ve had in a theater in a long time.

Traktor Pro 1.2.3 Update

Native Instruments has another update up their sleeve before we hit NAMM, and 1.2.3 adds some significant improvements by the looks of it.  They’ve added a sweet configuration tool for all of the NI controllers, direct support for their new X1 controller, some minor GUI mods, an improved Setup Wizard, and a freaky “per deck” pitch range configuration.  I haven’t examined the MIDI messages to see what’s new yet, but on first glance it looks like some messages have been added.

If you’re the guy that jumps on updates before they’ve been proven, fire up this bad boy now!  All the cool kids are doing it.

Remix Hotel DEAD?

I’m sure everyone knows by now that Penton Media let go of Remix Magazine in 2008, relegating it to an internet only item.  This is the way of print media I think, so while sad, is totally expected.  What I was NOT expecting, however, is the demise of Remix Hotel.  RH was a series of mostly educational get-togethers in various cities across the US sponsored by Remix and presided over by the likes of Joanne Zola.

Caught up now?  Well, don’t sweat it if not, because it looks like if RH isn’t dead, it’s certainly on the ropes.

I, for one, am sad that what has become an institution (especially at WMC) seems to be dead and gone.  I know some of the folks from remix have found new homes in the DJ business (waves at Markkus!).  Let’s hope that we continue to see Joanne and all the other faces we’ve come to know at Remix in other DJ related endeavors.  They will all certainly be missed at WMC this year.

I wonder if maybe Beatport is going to step in and fill some of those empty spots…

First Post!

Well, hello there.  I decided to give the website a little attention and a change of focus.  For now, this is a placeholder while I get my head around WordPress.  See you soon…