This winter I found a sweet deal for 2 EKS XP5’s, this summer I scored a sweet deal at Native Instruments for Traktor Pro.
Sure, EKS’ MIDI driven DJ-controllers the XP5 and XP10 have been around for a while, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting them. I’ve been wanting a few of them ever since their release years ago, and recently I was able to buy them for a very nice price! (Thanks, internet.) Last month was Native Instruments’ “kickstart your summer”, which meant I could upgrade my Traktor DJ Studio 3 to Pro for next to nothing. 50% off for LE users, 65% for users of (the full) DJ Studio 1, 2 or 3.
I use my EKS XP5 controllers in two configurations, internal mixing using Traktor Pro and my M-audio X-Session-Pro for mixing and effects, and external mixing using Traktor Pro and a DJ mixer like one of the Pioneer DJM series and a KORG Nanokontrol for effects. Though, I prefer the second set-up; mixing externally, for it’s sound quality (endless debate about this subject, here), the feel of real hardware and the use of the mixer’s own built-in sound-effects. The effects supplied by the mixer itself also make up great for the lack of master effects in Traktor DJ Studio & Traktor Pro. EKS and Traktor Pro supply their one midi-configurations for the EKS XP5 (and XP10) for single or multiple XP controllers, but I prefer using yet another set-up by a Native Instruments forum user called lourma. I then edited the button-layout to match my demands and make it work like it did when I was using it to control Traktor DJ Studio 3.
The wheel to nudge and scratch the track works brilliantly in combination with Traktor’s midi capabilities. Allowing for all kinds of functions to be assigned to it using midi-pages like, effects, setting a high or low sensitivity for slight nudges or a hard backspin, and of course choosing the tracks from your library of music. I set loops using the controller and jump around the tracks using nothing but the XP5’s. Change the pitch, apply effects, it’s all possible combing Traktor Pro and the EKS XP5’s. However, the device does have it’s drawbacks. The buttons are a bit hard. But they don’t take much effort to be pressed, which makes up it. The controller is pretty lightweight, making it a no-go for a DJ who likes to play his or her tunes vigorously. All round it’s a bit on the small and light side of things, making it look less impressive than it really is. And last of all, the supplied USB cables are not the best around, one of them breaking after only a few months of use and only a few gigs where I used them. Not the biggest of issues, but having the cable break in the middle of my performance was very frustrating. (Which taught me the following, A-L-W-A-Y-S bring a spare pair of USB cables type A – B, male – male.)
The last months I’ve been using the XP5 controllers and Traktor many times for practice and gigs and they will be my main weapons of choice the following months during my performances in Japan. For now I can say that the combination of these machines and Traktor DJ Studio (3) or Traktor Pro produces a mixing powerhouse. Traktor has grew a lot in the transition from DJ Studio 3 to Traktor Pro in departments like effects and looks. The layout feels more intuitive and looks more tidy. Though I’d wish for the controllers to be a little bit more big and heavier. Not that I use them heavy-handedly, but because they look so fragile because of it. I’m guessing the Otus made up for this, but I’m not using the Otus, I’m using the way cheaper white XP5, two of em in fact. Which brings me to my final-final thought: Modding it, or building a heavy flight case to make up for the lack of weight. Browsing the web I found out that modding the device isn’t easy, which leaves me with finding or building flight cases for the devices. Anyone know any good ones?
The latest Offaudio release coincides with the newest version of the website; Offaudio 5.0
I’ve got the scoop on this one! Before the launch tomorrow (it’s out now), this is the only place where you’ll be able to hear this release. I’ll add a download link tomorrow after the release. (Done, check the player.)
Dessben, ruler and overlord of the dark techno force that is Offaudio. I found the label through research for my own label Prowess Records, trying to find out how other net-labels operate. I listened to over 20 gigs of music while looking for deeper meaning behind the Creative Common licenses. Offaudio delivered, and I’ve been following their releases ever since.
Tech-step is the name of the style Dessben chose for his latest EP. I would have called it off-beat techno, something I haven’t heard in a long time. But, the influences from dub-step are obviously present and sets the EP apart from most ‘off-beat techno’ I played before. The dark brooding sound of filtered saws and looming deep basslines to drag you further into the experience combined with sound-effects and breaks remind me of Leftfield, experimental producers from the UK who combined techno, dub, and breaks into their own sound.
Though I’m not a dub-step enthusiast, I, for one, welcome this new tech-step sound into the evolutional gene-pool that is electronic music and it’s plethora of sub-genres. Where D’n'B listeners looked back for new inspiration and found it in dub-reggae, this, to me, feels like taking the concept and looking back to the break-beat oriented sound of Electro-funk from Detroid. It’s more like the former rather than the latter, but it gives an industrial feel which I haven’t heard in techno for quite a while. I’m loving the rhythmic beats and basslines and with 8 tracks on the EP, I feel spoiled. Gimme moar!
And if an exclusive review wasn’t enough, Dessben was so kind to give me a first look at the new design of the Offaudio website. Version 5.0 of the site is going to be unveiled to the public tomorrow (along with the new release) and it’s looking slick. Very clean, useful and still good to look at.
The new website and EP will be launched tomorrow, Wednesday the 30th of June, 2010.
The Netherlands, Utrecht (June 28th, 2010). Starting July the 8th, and all the way through till September, JordyVision (also known as Son of 8-Bits) starts a self-powered and improvised DJ tour in Japan. And with four DJ performances already planned things are looking up for the do-it-yourself DJ, producer and co-owner of electronic-music label Prowess Records.
His adventure starts in Kobe, where he’ll play four sets at three different venues. The names of these clubs are as of yet unknown, but will be announced soon on JordyVision’s website, Twitter, and Facebook pages as well as other social-networking websites. Along with these events he will also try to find his way into the clubs in Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and any other places friendly to House and Techno music.
To stay informed on all the latest news follow JordyVision on Twitter or read his blog, where the latest gigs and information will be announced. After the adventure in Japan, a detailed report will be writen about his experiences. Ditto-Music, distributor of digital music, will publish this report on their website as a source of information and inspiration for DJ’s, bands or other music related live-performers who are looking for ways to play in Japan.
Japan’s best kidding DJ’s deliver a new mixtape. But this time they are dead serious!
Usually The めがね〜ず make mixes for fun. But both members of the DJ duo are big fans of Techno. And thus they decided it was time for a demonstration of their favorite Techno classics.
01. Captain Funk – O.Y.M. (Christopher Just Remix)
02. Buy Now – For Sale (Felix Da Housecat With Fan-ky Reredub Edit)
03. Bam Bam – Give It To Me
04. Motor – Flashback
05. Hardfloor – Acperience 5
06. Underworld – Kittens
07. Safri Duo – Rise
08. Orbital – Halcyon & On & On
09. Joey Beltram – Drome
10. The Stone Roses – Waterfall (Paul Oakenfold & Steve Osbourne Remix)
11. Phenomania – Strings Of Love
12. Karafuto – Shadow
13. Lo-Fi-Fnk – Marchin’ In
14. René et Gaston – Conte de Fées
15. Kleerup – Until We Bleed (With Lykke Li)
16. Cortney Tidwell – Don’t Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up (Ewan Pearson Remix)
17. Pogo – Under A Spell
18. Fuck Buttons – Olympians
19. CoCoRosie – God Has a Voice, She Speaks Through Me
20. Kaito – We Are Living Here
21. Radiohead – Motion Picture Soundtrack
To be honest, I was very surprised! Usually blending together a selection of cool, fun and beautiful tracks, but just for fun without much need for skill. This time round it’s a serious mixtape with some cool surprises up it’s sleeve. I’m proud of my students, hehehe!
Inside scoop! Megane~zu will drop another mixtape soon, featuring your truly… Stay tuned..
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Lovely Leonie
Sure, EKS’ MIDI driven DJ-controllers the XP5 and XP10 have been around for a while, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting them. I’ve been wanting a few of them ever since their release years ago, and recently I was able to buy them for a very nice price! (Thanks, internet.) Last month was Native Instruments’ “kickstart your summer”, which meant I could upgrade my Traktor DJ Studio 3 to Pro for next to nothing. 50% off for LE users, 65% for users of (the full) DJ Studio 1, 2 or 3.
Software & Hardware | Son of 8-Bits | 
07/07/2010 00:38 | 
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Dessben, ruler and overlord of the dark techno force that is 
Japan’s best kidding DJ’s deliver a new mixtape. But this time they are dead serious!
