The Novation Twitch was the pioneer controller not to be built by Pioneer. Thanks to the general opinion amongst DJ’s that technology within in the industry is simply going round in circles, it was a refreshing change to see a new twist, experimental as it may be. It is targeted at the DJ that likes to mash, chop and change rather than the more conventional CDJ and Vinyl mixing. The Twitch is a DJ Controller designed to be used with Serato’s Itch DJ Software, although it is compatible with other …

Taku Takahashi demonstrates just how powerful this seemingly innocent little device is, with this performance with the RMX-1000 new Pioneer Remix Station.
☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo) 「Acid 02」

Have a quick glimpse at SKANNER XT – a raucous and exciting synth from the creators of REAKTOR. Part sampler, part synth, SKANNER XT offers a broad range of sounds – from big and nasty basses to celestial pads and intriguing, morphing soundscapes.
All synth-sounds are created with SKANNER XT, drums are made with MASCHINE.

The Pioneer RMX-1000 Remix Station was one of the most exciting products to be released at this year’s Musikmesse, amongst the DJ’s at least. As its name suggests, it’s the latest innovative new tool released by DJ giants Pioneer and is arguably the most experimental unit ever considering its relatively new ground. In some ways continues on from the EFX-1000 effects unit, but has taken a slightly different direction towards today’s Digital Djing. With more and more demand for live remixes and mash-ups using samples and loops, it is perfectly …

SOL REPUBLIC was generous enough to send us two pairs of their ‘Tracks HD’ headphones; one to try out and one to give away. It couldn’t have come at a better time because I just busted my new pair of Pioneer HDJ1000s, and had resorted to mixing with an old pair of Sonys I got at K-Mart so you can imagine how stoked I was to receive this package.
Headphones have always been like sunglasses to me. Every time I buy an expensive pair I either lose or break …

Native Instruments have announced an exciting new addition to their Traktor range.
Launching alongside Traktor 2.5, the Kontrol F1 is a pad-based, USB-powered hardware controller built to control new advanced Remix Decks in the updated mixing software.
Featuring 16 multi-colored touch-sensitive LED pads, an advanced global control section as well as an ergonomic mixer section including four volume faders and dedicated filter knobs, the F1 allows users to switch between up to 64 tracks, loops and one-shot samples on each deck.
Compatible with stand alone DJ mixers as well as Native’s own S4 …

Ean Golden has uploaded a demonstration video for his signature edition of the VCI-400. The controller features an exclusive DJ TechTools black matte finish, signature blue Dj TechTools filters, black Chroma caps, cutting-edge DJTT Midi mapping with Instant Gratification, Jog FX, Grid, and Slicer features, and exclusive firmware that enables features such as the “Slicer.”

$1,099 is a bit steep as you can get very similar features from the Denon MC6000 for $750, but the VCI-400 looks like a very promising little controller with a lot to offer.
Available now at the …

Tutorial videos such as this can be a little controversial, but I think it’s clear that something such as this is for educational and demonstrative purposes only. No producer in their right mind would use these exact synth settings and release a song – at least I hope anyway. Producers that rip off the sound of others are the cancer to this genre.
But if you’re curious just how Avicii wrote the intro to his infamous hit Levels, then watch the video below.

Often times new producers have gained their first buzz by posting their own fresh remixes of well-known tracks on soundcloud or YouTube, a la Madeon or Zedd.
Welcome to Beatport’s Play (play.beatport.com).  Beatport has begun to streamline this process, working with popular artists to provide “stems,” from their tracks, holding remix contests. Play could easily become a highly successful venture, and become the leading platform for the publication of remixes.
Beatplay’s main concept is to hold remix contests for budding producers and give them a legal and accessible way of sharing their …

On the NAMM 2012 floor at the Numark booth, DJ Tech Tools took quick looks at both the new metal-plated 4Trak controller for Traktor, and an early prototype of the MPCDJ designed in collaboration with engineers from Akai.