EKS XP5 + Traktor Pro

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?

Bad Bwoy Style – 2007 DJ Demo

I found another one of my older mixes! This time ’round from 2007. In this mix I decided to play many different styles; Minimal & Electro, Techno & IDM, some classics from different areas of the electronic-music spectrum and some leftfield tracks as well.

In the end I didn’t spread this mix since it contains a small error… One of the turntable ground wires slipped loose during play and a hum can be heard for about a second during The Hacker’s ‘Space Travel’. I remember my arm automatically leaping to the ground-cable to put it back in place!

Again, this mix is all vinyl and recorded using Audacity.

01 Jeff Bennett – reinforcing
02 Moguai – ataque
03 Argy – Unreliable virgin
04 Slam – We’re not here
05 Colorswitch – stuntman
06 the Hacker – space travel
07 Radio Slave – screaming hands (Wink’s acid interpretation)
08 Model8 – Lemon8
09 Literon – karma asound
10 Trickski – drakkar
11 the Hacker – it was tomorrow
12 Daft Punk – revolution 909
13 New Order – blue monday
14 Secret Cinema – timeless altitude
15 Leftfield – double flash
16 Mr Oizo – flat beat
17 Kraftwerk – home computer
18 Cybotron – clear
19 Hashim – al naafiysh
20 Squarepusher – my red hot car (girl)

PROWREC002 – JordyVision Featuring Son Of 8-Bits & Niki Brumas – Droomweg

Just four weeks after the first EP Prowess Records present their second release. This single by JordyVision called “Droomweg”, was co-produced by Son Of 8-Bits with vocals from Niki Brumas. Droomweg is Dutch for dream road and that’s exactly the vibe this danceable electro-house track is giving to the listener. It’s a journey expressed in sound starting with a high-speed train that progresses to it’s destination. That’s when the vocal kicks in it signals the start of a melodic, melancholic break that brings you along the dreamroad to another world, far away from here.

The song is already available on JordyVision’s Bandcamp site, and will be distributed to most well known MP3 stores in the weeks to follow. It can already be heard on the Facebook fanpage, Soundcloud and Myspace.

http://www.prowessrecords.com
http://jordyvision.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/JordyVision/137942579649

Summertime!

Summer holidays, finally!

After working my fingers to the bone for my study at the Academy of Pop-culture, I can finally get back to important things like making music. But, I didn’t work for nothing, as my own record-label; Prowess Records. Is almost done now. Yes, I’ve said it before, but this time it’s for real. Heck, we even got a designer working on our style! And hopefully I’ll be able to unveil it around the 1st of August.

The music I mentioned earlier is in a rather good state, expect some real bangers appearing as soon as the first release, Scheduled September. Of course I didn’t mark September for the first release by coincidence. Because this September I’ll be in Japan! Enjoying a different culture, networking and performing. During this trip, I’ll promote my label to the fullest and hope to visit many interesting places.

If you are a DJ and/or producer in Japan, please leave a comment. Also, you could contact me via e-mail or tweet @Sonof8Bits.