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Traktor Pro 2.5 now available

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Announced last month, Native Instruments' Traktor Pro 2.5 DJ software has now gone on sale. This adds Remix Decks, each of which has 64 slots and can contain loops, one-shot samples and complete tracks.

There's also compatibility with the new Traktor Kontrol F1, which is designed specifically to take advantage of the Remix Decks.

The upgrade to Traktor Pro 2.5 is free for owners of Traktor Pro 2. The full version costs $89/€79.

Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2.5 press release

Native Instruments today announced the availability of TRAKTOR PRO 2.5. This latest version introduces the innovative Remix Decks™, giving access to a powerful loop suite made up of 64 slots, each able to hold loops, one-shot samples or even tracks.

DJs can control up to four Remix Decks™ at once and save their work as an entire Remix Set™. To help DJs get started with the new technology, Native Instruments are giving away a selection of Remix Sets™, many of which were prepared by renowned artists. The free content, which amounts to 1.4 GB in total and covers a diverse selection of genres, is available to all users once they register TRAKTOR PRO 2.5.

Users of any TRAKTOR Generation 2 product will receive a free upgrade to the new 2.5 version. It also comes bundled with any TRAKTOR hardware, including TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 – set to hit stores worldwide on May 30th.

TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 was designed specifically to control the Remix Decks™ and provides full and tactile control over the new feature, benefiting from seamless bi-directional software-hardware integration and offering full visual feedback through the multi-colored LED pads.

Traktor Pro 2.5 can also be bought individually from the NI Online Shop, and costs $89 / 79 € / 7800 YEN. All owners of TRAKTOR PRO 2, TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2, TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 and TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 will receive TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 as a free update.

A brand-new TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 performance video with techno explorer Stewart Walker is now available at YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N0Mt6eLHes

Additional information on TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 and KONTROL F1 is available at www.native-instruments.com/traktor

Interview: Visionquest

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:57:00 GMT

We caught up with one half of Visionquest, Ryan Crosson (left) and Seth Troxler (right), before their incredible 10 hour set at the Village Underground in East London last week.

With a new focus on the Visionquest label, Troxler's skyrocketing DJ status and Crosson's plan to move permanently to London to set up his studio, it's a busy 2012 for the Detroit collective.

So you all met in Detroit?

Ryan Crosson: "Yeah, we all came together from different places surrounding Detroit."

Seth Troxler: "Yeah, Ryan was actually my first customer at the record store. We all met at record stores and raves."

ST: "I think Ryan started making music first."

RC: "Well, it was sort of at the same time as we were learning from this crew of DJs called Beretta Music and these guys Brian Kage and Luke Hess showed us Reason and Ableton basics to get us going."

ST: "I remember that Ryan started pushing me to move on these ideas."

"I don't think we're really associated with a Detroit sound, even though we come from there."

Did you get into a competitive situation with each other?

RC: "Of course, but it's cool, it helps you push each other for better and better stuff. It's the same when DJing, if someone plays a cool track then you want to play a better track. It still happens now with production tricks too. If Seth learns a new trick then I need to know it too so I can apply the same thing in my own way and vice versa.

"Even before we became Visionquest and were just doing our own solo stuff, we used to listen to all this amazing music in my basement and try and figure out what made these tracks so awesome. We had all these names for the elements that seemed to go into these tracks. Like they had to have the 'dust under the rug' sound and 'slap your girlfriend drums' and..."

ST: [Laughs] "Yeah! And the 'cool chords', the 'LA pad'."

So were these preset sounds and such?

RC: "No, they were more like ideas. So 'cool chords' were the main hook and the 'LA pad' was like the transition."

ST: "Yeah that could either be like the Sunset Strip and you living all your dreams or the dark boulevard of broken dreams."

So you broke elements of tracks down into micro-narratives?

RC: "Yeah, it was a way to give adjectives to all these moments in the music that we heard in other people's tracks."

ST: "So, 'the rug' was a reference to The Big Lebowski as it was a musical element that tied the rest of the track together."

RC: "We didn't know our head from our ass at that point when it came to music production so it was a way to join all these dots."

ST: "It was years ago now, but I think we had like seven elements and we'd always be like, 'damn, we're missing the LA pad'."

"I think it's our attitude that is more Detroit than our music."

RC: "I don't think we're really associated with a Detroit sound, even though we come from there. I mean look at Matthew Dear, he's from Detroit but he's not associated with that Detroit sound. As a Detroit generation in electronic music, we've kind of skipped over it."

ST: "Yeah, I mean we were more influenced by the European sound of people like Richie Hawtin than the older Detroit guys. I think it's our attitude that is more Detroit than our music."

Do you play or are you programmers?

RC: "Lee is the most musical of the group. But really it's just programming most of the time, or editing little moments."

ST: "Trial and error man, I mean I have brief moments of genius when I'm playing keyboards that I can never repeat!" [Laughs]

So right now, Visionquest is a DJ group. Are there plans to make a full electronic live show?

RC: "Yes, but I think in the past we've been held back because we've thought too big, too soon instead of taking baby steps towards a show. I feel like we need to add analogue gear and have the Visionquest show as an environment. We've been thinking this sort of tunnel; or a worm hole."

"Ableton is our main guy for software, but we also like Waves and the Soundtoys plug-ins"

ST: "Just something that is new and has its own environment and can make the impact that we want. Everyone can be a DJ and even be a DJ with some visuals behind them from a projector, so it's really necessary to step up further."

RC: "People need to walk out of a show and be like 'what the fuck just happened!' you know?"

So run us through some of the Visonquest studio gear?

RC: "Well the essentials are the SE1X, the Jupiter-8 and the Harmonizer. Lee and I live and die by the Roland Juno synth. Ableton is our main guy for software, but we also like Waves and the Soundtoys plug-ins. We have Maschine for a bit of drums too."

ST: "I have just bought the Dave Smith Tempest too."

RC: "You have? Awesome!"

SC: "I haven't had chance to even open it yet, it's still in the packaging at home. The Linn Drum is my favourite drum machine of all time so I had to try one of these."

RC: "I really want to get the Rhizome thing, but I haven't had chance to trial it yet."

ST: "We used to use the PSP plug-ins a lot but not so much any more."

How would you describe everyone's functions in the group?

RC: "Well I guess Lee is the most musical so he often comes with the melodies, but because of the music side he can sometimes follow the rules too much.

"I'm very good at building blocks and putting in those layers that sort of suck everything together."

ST: "A lot of the time I get the deals and bring in the remixes. But Ryan and Lee are the real super-technical guys. I'm not the most technical guy really.

"Shaun is really good at sequencing things up and has a real knack for knowing when things need to happen and Seth has that too."

RC: "With Seth, he brings a lot of intangibles and I think he still is a dreamer and brings these magnificent, vivacious and colourful ideas to the table. His ideas are wide and encompassing and Lee and I might go in and tighten things up. But overall it's pretty difficult to say who's doing what on a regular basis as it never works like that."

ST: "I just don't get to be in the studio that much any more so I need to get back to it. But two years ago when my DJ career really took off it meant that I didn't have so much time in the studio. Ryan is in the studio every day where as I'm in there maybe once a month."

Isn't your production work like a flyer for your DJ gigs though?

ST: "I think at first it was but then it gets to a certain point where it's less important. I'm a DJ who makes songs occasionally. Plus, life happens too."

So there is a lot of pressure to keep up with lots of gigs and productions?

ST: "Yeah, you hear people saying; 'what happened to this producer or this DJ?' Then it turns out they got married or had kids - y'know, life stuff. You have to do actual life stuff too."

ST: "We've been putting so much into the label at the moment. Ee've got a great new album from this band Footprintz who are crazy studio rats. We'll be doing a few label concept parties this summer and our own solo stuff."

RC: "We've got some stuff lined up at DC10 in Ibiza this summer and yeah, the main focus is the Visionquest label."

www.vquest.tv

Google transforms its logo into a playable Minimoog

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:33:00 GMT

To mark what would have been the 78th birthday of the late synth pioneer Bob Moog, Google has turned its logo into a playable Minimoog.

Head over to the Google homepage, and you'll find a cartoon Minimoog-style synth, complete with playable keys, two tweakable oscillators, plus working filter and envelope sections. It's even plugged into a four-track recorder.

15 years ago a Moog on your computer seemed unthinkable, today you have one in your web browser - which is all pretty cool.

VIDEO: Denon 'Project 29' teaser

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:56:00 GMT

Once the king of the CD player in the DJ booth, Denon has struggled to grab the CDJ market back from the omnipresent Pioneer. However, the company is constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of DJ tech with new hardware players, controllers and software.

Could this teaser video reveal a product that finally gives them the edge and makes DJs want Denon in the booth once more? Let battle commence!

MusicRadar Deals Of The Week

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:19:00 GMT

Killer guitar, tech, amp or drum bargains from our recommended retailers

Me in my studio: Ben Coda

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:20:00 GMT

DJ, producer and remixer Ben Coda is now firmly established as on the UK dance music scene blending his take on techno and techno which has also picked up his fair share of worldwide support.

His progressive edge crosses the frontiers of tough beats and rolling basslines which contract with soaring melodies. When not traveling to gigs or in the studio Ben promotes his up and coming London 'Motek 'club night and produces a monthly show on Proton Radio. After the jump, he takes us on a trip around his studio.

Donna Summer dies at 63

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:13:00 GMT

It is being reported that Donna Summer, often referred to as the Queen Of Disco, died this morning after a battle with cancer.

Celebrity news site TMZ is reporting that five-time Grammy winner Summer passed away today (17 May) in Florida. At the time of writing, this is yet to be officially confirmed by a spokesperson.

Summer is probably best known for her work with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Their tracks, including I Feel Love and Love To Love You Baby, are widely regarded as having had a huge influence on house and modern dance music.

Me in my studio: Submotion Orchestra

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:58:00 GMT

This Leeds based seven piece are well-known for their unique form of live Dubstep, incorporating deep bass-driven grooves and warm textures in their progressive take on the genre.

Meet the band members and take a look around the studios and gear that make the music in our exclusive gallery. The band,from Left to Right: Thomas Evans (Drums), Tarrek Modi (Keyboards), Christopher Hargreaves (Bass), Daniel Templeman (Percussion), Ruby Wood (Vocals), Simon Beddoe (Trumpet + Laptop), Dominic Howard (Engineer)

DJ /Rupture releases his free Sufi Plug-Ins for Ableton Live

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:12:00 GMT

New York-based producer, DJ and journalist Jace Clayton - better known as DJ /Rupture - has released his free-download Sufi Plug-Ins suite, comprising seven Max For Live devices inspired by 'non-western and poetic notions of sound'.

Check out the video above, introducing the project and the individual plug-ins, which include several synthesisers, a drone machine, a clapping drum machine and a unique, culturally-derived plug-in called Devotion.

Clayton explains on his mudd up! blog: "Sufi Plug-Ins v1.0 is a suite of seven free audio tools for Ableton (Max for Live), including four distinct synthesizers hardwired to North African & Arabic maqam scales with quartertone tuning built-in, a device called Devotion which lowers your computer's volume 5 times a day during call to prayer (presets include Agnostic, Fervent, Devout), and a drone machine. The interface is written in the Berber language of Tamazigh, using their neo-Tifinaght script. Roll-over info texts provide fragments of Sufi poetry (plus a little Jean Toomer)."

Clayton points out that he plans to seek requests for further devices from the group of music students he's currently teaching in Cairo.

Find out more and get the downloads.

Livetronica Studio: A new live performance DAW?

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:59:00 GMT

In the video above, Stagecraft Software shows off its new software Livetronica Studio. This new DAW is still in development, but is based on the idea of bundling a looper, timecode vinyl control and a DJing application into one.

Livetronica will also happily host VST or AU effects and instruments and looks to have to have an incredibly flexible interface. With programs like Bitwig Studio, the new version of NI's Traktor and now Livetronica springing up, should the crew at Ableton HQ be getting worried?

Click here for a gallery of Stagecraft Software Livetronica Studio screenshots

Sebastian Ingrosso and Alesso to host 'Spotify house party'

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:16:00 GMT

In what's being billed as a Spotify first, Swedish House Mafia's Sebastian Ingrosso and producer/DJ Alesso are set to play a live DJ set on the platform via its Soundrop app.

Kicking off at 19.00 BST on 1 June, this will involve the two DJs sharing some of their favourite songs in a special room within Soundrop. The set will include their new single Calling (Lose My Mind), which will be released on 27 May.

Fans will be able to vote on which tracks should be played next, while Ingrosso and Alesso will be chatting to the crowd, too.

Commenting on the house party, Sebastian Ingrosso says: "We're really excited to be giving all of our fans the chance to hang out with us and listen to some cool music in Spotify."

"We hope that our fans will kick their evening off with us, and then continue all night long," Alesso adds.

You can join the event on Facebook now.

VIDEO: Korg Mini KP 2 and Kaossilator 2 reviewed

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:10:00 GMT

Watch the video above to see and hear Korg's updated Kaoss series in action. Dan 'JD73' Goldman puts the new Korg Mini Kaoss Pad 2 through its paces and checks out the sounds on the highly infectious Kaossilator 2.

Find out if they're real pocket powerhouses or just the ultimate music-geek toys.

Loopmasters adds new DJ Mixtools titles

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:52:00 GMT

PRESS RELEASE: DJ Mixtools from Loopmasters is a concept for forward-thinking DJs and live artists. Imagine buying a track but then being able to separate that track into its key elements and having royalty-free access to remix, effect, chop and loop the parts in your own individual style to create an exciting and refreshing new mix.

Here are the latest titles to be added to this growing series.

DJ Mixtools 27 - Mix FX Vol 2

MIX FX V2 is a great collection of DJ FX, Long Evolving Gated Effects, Builds, Rises, Booms, Crashes, Deep Chords, Echo FX and Impacts which Producers and DJs alike will find invaluable in the Mix, or to make tracks with in the studio.

These Sound FX are designed to work perfectly in sync with your tunes and will compliment House, Techno, Tech House, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Cinematic and Down tempo Styles.

Mix FX V2 includes 600Mb of 24Bit Content produced by Dom Kane and has 125 Loops including 47 Long Samples including 28 16 bar risers, and 17 32 bar risers. There are 19 spectacular Crash FX, and 24 Fx one shots including Bombs, Noises, Sweeps and Stabs.

Mix FX2 is the perfect addition to your DJ or production sound collection, providing additional dynamics to your performance and complimenting other Mixtools titles.

Producers will also love the versatility of this pack when creating tracks from scratch. Only the very best studio equipment and technologies have been used in the making of this package.

DJ Mix Tools 28 - Progressive Tech House Vol2

PROGRESSIVE TECH HOUSE 2 is a fresh collection of broken tracks which are inspired by artists such as MARK KNIGHT, DEADMAU5, D.RAMIREZ, PRYDA, DANIEL PORTMAN and DINKA.

Loopmasters producer DJ Re-Zone who is known internationally for his fantastic sounding and technical productions has created a unique and exclusive collection of PROGRESSIVE TECH HOUSE tracks which are broken down into progressive stems allowing you to mix, remix, loop and add that ultra-cool groove element to your set, or studio productions.

If you are a fan of labels like TOOLROOM, ANJUNA DEEP, SPINNIN', Cr2, IBOGA, BAROQUE and PINKSTAR then these tools are for you. Offering new and exciting possibilities for studio production and live performance, these tools give a DJ the ability to essentially remix live and essentially raises the bar for tools a DJ has at his disposal to work a crowd. Producers will also find these long evolving loops and bonus one shots invaluable in their studios to create new tracks and form the basis for remixes and new music.

DJ Mix Tools 29 Builds And Breakdown FX Vol.2

PROGRESSIVE TECH HOUSE V2 includes 4 Fully Mixed tracks and 60 long evolving stems, plus 17 Bonus Sounds to complement the packs - all at 127 Bpm in the Key of E

BUILD & BREAKDOWN FX V2 is an exclusive collection of brand new build and breakdown FX for progressive DJs and producers looking for the transitional sounds to complement their live sets or productions. Created to complement the existing DJ Mixtools packs, and useful for styles from House through Dubstep, Drum and Bass, Trance and Minimal, you can elevate the mix, drop out, breakdown and rebuild your tracks with these superb samples from Marc Adamo.

The 89 samples in this collection include 5 Clap Loops, 9 Cymbal Builds and Fx, 9 Atmospheric sound Beds, 4 Impact Shots, 4 Kick Drum Builds, 7 Mixed Drum Builds, 8 Noise Fx Loops, 19 Rise FX and Synth 24 Builds.

If you like deep, futuristic dance floor sounds and are looking for a great pack of add on DJ Tools or transitional FX to complement your set – then this pack from Loopmasters DJ Mixtools series has your name all over it!

Check the demo to see what can be done with the sounds in this pack – then add your imagination and start tweaking!

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Information taken from official press release, for more visit Loopmasters

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Interview: Marco Lys on production, gear and breaking through

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:40:00 GMT

With over 20 years in the business, Marco Lys has produced and remixed for some of the worlds most respects dance labels. Collaborations with Chris Lake, MIchael Gray,My Digital Enemy and Filo & Peri to name just a few, have seen the release of floor-filling club singles and DJ bookings at the worlds most prestigious clubs.

We caught up with Lys to find out about how he produces his tracks and his thoughts on making a career out of dance music.

Tell us a bit about how you produce? Are you one of those guys cooped up alone in the spare bedroom or are you a collaborator?
"I mostly produce on Cubase and I've used it since 1991 when it was on Atari 1040 ST, which is still proudly somewhere in my studio! I also sometimes use Ableton and Logic.

"In the last few years it seems like you have to be very commercial or very underground to get credibility..."

"I'm used to working both ways but collaborations are more interesting. Working alone is good when I want to concentrate on details, whilecollaboration is a good alchemy, the result isalways unexpected! Working with producers like Chris Lake, Alex Kenji, Michael Gray, Prok & Fitch, Paul Strive and Nelski is very inspiring and funny too, we have the opportunities to share tricks and ideas, it really works!"

How does a track usually start, what generally inspires the music making process? A Sample? A new bit of gear or something else?
"It always starts from the kick. Then it depends; sometimes I have a sample I want to use, sometimes a new inspiring sound or a new soft-synth to test."

What are your favorite tools in the studio?
"I can't work without my favourite tool: Penguin Audio Meter, it's the best spectrum analyzer I know. It's a really shame it's only for PC and doesn't work on Win7. In fact, this is the main reason I haven't moved from Cubase 5 to 6 yet."

What are your thoughts on the current hole appearing in the middle of dance music, it seems to us like you're either Guetta or SHM or you're on the underground, almost. The mid-level DJ seems to not exist anymore?
"I totally agree with you. In the last few years it seems like you have to be very commercial or very underground to get credibility to a relative audience. Personally I consider myself on the second one side even if I don't like being too much aimed at the underground."

Have you changed the way you make music dramatically because of technology?
"Well, in a certain way it's like I got back to my roots when I was used to produce my demos with an Amiga 500 and all the sounds were in the box. Anyway the answer is yes.

"There is some hardware gear in my studio I'm not using anymore, I don't remember when was the last time I've turned my Akai sampler on! About 10 years ago, I used to send some groups to different soundcard outputs and mix them on my Mackie 1402, using hardware effects, expanders and so on.

"Now every sound is coming out from my computer, the plug-ins are so good that I don't need external stuff, except for some cool strings or pads I still record from my Roland JV1010, the mixing process is all internal.

"Mainstream music is getting harder and more tech-orientated."

"Another thing I've changed is the sound design; when I was just having 1 or 2 synths I was used to squeeze them creating new sounds, I could spend days experimenting with them. Nowadays there is so much stuff that if you don't like a sound you just have to move to another preset or to different VST and move a few knobs to get that sound. It's good but for some reason, I miss the old way."

What about DJing, what gear do you take to the booth? What's on your tech rider?
"I'm quite a classic DJ at the moment, that's maybe because I come from the vinyl era, I still haven't moved to laptop or USB sticks, maybe soon on that last one. I still prefer to burn CDs and print the labels, it's a more visual way to work for me. My tech rider is CDJ 2000s and Pioneer DJM 900 mixer; it's the best combo for me."

Ever had any embarrassing technical failures? Tell us about how you solved them!
"Luckily I haven't had so many! I think the classic one is to press 'cue' on the running CDJ and after a long time it finally happened at my gig at SET in Miami, the funny thing it happened few days after an interview asking me about the same thing! I've solved pressing cue again like a 1/8 drum roll at same tempo of the other track tempo I was listening on the headphones and then drop the new one, not a big mix, but I got out well from the mistake!"

How do you find new music now, is there more pressure to be different because there's so much access to new music online?
"The overall production quality is better than 10 or more years ago, software is better, YouTube and dedicated forums give you easy access to tutorials and so on. It's easy to learn how to use a compressor or an EQ now.

"There's loads of new music everyday and now a track becomes old after only few weeks. This means that like never before you need to produce stand-out music if you don't want to get lost in the sea of other releases."

Where do you see the future of club music going? It seems like the mainstream is getting tougher and tougher sonically.
"Good question; and I think you are right, mainstream music is getting harder and more tech-orientated."

What does the rest of 2012 hold for you? What do you hope to achieve this year? Is it possible to be a career focused DJ or do you have to take things as they come?
"I will spend this year producing new tracks alone and doing new collaborations, I have to work hard to build up my profile to achieve an even bigger audience. It's very important to get new gigs to do this.

"I think it's possible to be a career focused DJ but you have to take things as they come at the same time or it could be very frustrating because of the sacrifices you have to do, especially in the early stages."

Words of advice for anyone trying to break as a DJ and producer? How do you set yourself apart?
"First of all listen as much music as you can, in every style. It's very important to get inspiration. Be very curious on how things work, learn production techniques, music theory and so on. Just experiment! Most important thing is to get your own sound - hopefully a cool one!"

Catch up with what Marco Lys is up to on his Facebook and Twitter pages

VIDEO: Chocolate Puma's gear collection

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:02:00 GMT

Cubase on a floppy disk! Roland TR-909 stashed in a box! Old samplers and more! Take a look at the video above to see the dutch duo of Gaston 'Dobre' Steenkist and René 'DJ Zki' Horst tour you around their attic of old equipment. You can also take a look around the studio they use right now in our previous feature here: In Pictures: Chocolate Puma's studio

Plus, if you're a fan of the Puma and want to steal their sound, it might be worth reading their brilliant Buss mixing tips feature.

VIDEO: Kris Menace studio tour

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:40:00 GMT

In the video above, Kris Menace shows you around his brand new studio. Watch as he gives you an insight in to why he uses the gear he does, which kit makes his hits and why he chooses a unique Panasonic digital mixer at the heart of his studio.

COMPETITION: Win a pair of weekend GlobalGathering tickets

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:55:00 GMT

The 2012 edition of GlobalGathering, one of the biggest dates in the UK's dance music calendar, is set take place near Stratford-Upon-Avon on 27 and 28 July.

To celebrate the rapid approach of this year's festival season, we've a pair of weekend tickets to the event to give away to one lucky winner. Check out the description of this year's festival from the team behind it:

"GlobalGathering is the UK's most diverse and progressive electronic music festival returns to Long Marston Airfield, Stratford Upon Avon on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 July featuring headline performances from Tinie Tempah, Chase & Status, Armin van Buuren, Skrillex, Friendly Fires, Nero, Annie Mac, Sub Focus, Magnetic Man, Boy Better Know and many more promising to make the 2012 festival the highlight of the summer for dance music fans.

"2012 boasts the festival's most exciting line-up to date, with numerous spectacular live acts and DJs that span the entire electronic music spectrum, as well as a series of brand new arenas from some of the world's most exciting promoters. From stadium straddling stars to industry insiders' tips and the latest breaking acts, the festival team promise more live shows, epic productions, and groundbreaking arenas than ever before."

For full details on GlobalGathering 2012 visit their website.

Find out more about all of this summer's festival action via the MusicRadar 2012 festival guide.

The competition

To be in with a chance of winning one pair of weekend camping tickets to Global Gathering 2012, simply answer the following question:

Who is set to headline the Rinse stage at this year's GlobalGathering?

A. Iron Man
B. Magnetic Man
C. Manfred Mann

Enter here

Musicians react to the death of Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys

Sat, 05 May 2012 11:52:00 GMT

As news broke of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch's death yesterday (4 May), fellow artists were quick to pay tribute to the pioneering musician who fused hip-hop with punk rock.

"Adam Yauch brought a lot of positivity into the world and I think it's obvious to anyone how big of an influence the Beastie Boys were on me and so many others." Eminem said in a statement. "They are trailblazers and pioneers and Adam will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mike D., and Ad-Rock."

"My condolences to Adams family, The Beastie Boys, their team, and their millions of fans," said LL Cool J. "It's deeply painful to lose someone we grew up with. It seems like just yesterday they helped me break into the business. It hurts man. We must preserve his legacy by continuing to represent the culture he loved so much. May GOD bless your soul MCA. PS. Thank You."

Chuck D wrote, "Last night, I took a 14 hour flight to Sydney, Australia from LA, embarking on PE's 80th tour in 25 years. I just landed to 65 texts with the news. Adam and the Boys put us on out first tour 25 years and 79 tours ago. They were essential to our beginning, middle and today. Adam especially was unbelievable in our support from then 'til now, even allowing me to induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I consider myself a strong man and my father says be prepared to lose many in your post-50 path of life. Still, I'm a bit teary-eyed leaving this plane."

Other musicians took to Facebook and Twitter. Here are some of their words:

"Rip dear Adam Yauch. Words can't express the sadness and loss. Ur humor, talent & gentle soul are just irreplacable. Be at peace brother." - Tom Morello

"Sad news about Adam Yauch's passing,a man of dignity + spiritual conviction. I always had great respect for him in times we met and talked." - Billy Corgan

"R.I.P. Adam Yauch" - Joe Satriani

"47 is too young. Brutal. Sad." - Vernon Reid

"Shocked and sad to hear about Adam Yauch. Didn't know him...wish I had. Big fan of his. RIP MCA." - Josh Freese

"Prayers and all the love I could ever muster for Adam Yauch. What a beautiful man. God bless his beautiful soul. A class act all the way." - Flea

Above: the video for Make Some Noise, directed by Adam Yauch, featuring Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood and Danny McBride portraying the Beastie Boys.

"R I P Adam... I'm devastated. Praying for Adam Yauch's family from the legendary Beastie Boys. Youll be missed!" - Rev. Run from Run-DMC

"RIPMCA the First Tape I ever bought as a kid was The Beastie Boys , Stank ya for the inspiration." - Big Boi of OutKast

"Lollapalooza '94, talked to Yauch almost everyday. He was full of wisdom and encouragement for a freaked out kid like I was. Thank you MCA." - Billie Joe Armstrong

"RIP Beastie's MCA." - Bumblefoot, Guns N' Roses

"Sad day. MCA was fucking awesome. RIP man. We'll miss you very much." - Slash

"Rest in peace MCA. You are a legend. No sleep 'till Brooklyn." - Lenny Kravitz

"Thank you for 'Sabotage' bass riff and many other great grooves. Adam also worked for justice and peace consciousness." - Krist Novoselic

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, aka MCA, dies

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:34:00 GMT

The website of Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons is reporting that Adam Yauch, the Beastie Boys' MCA, has died.

At the time of writing no official confirmation of cause of death is available but Yauch, 47, had been battling cancer since 2009.

He denied reports he had beaten the disease in 2011, saying he was 'optimistic and hoping to be cancer free in the near future.'

The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame just two weeks ago. Yauch is survived by his wife and daughter.

BIMM announce Peter Grant Memorial Scholarship

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:17:00 GMT

BIMM Principal Vaseema Hamilton explains, "BIMM have created this scholarship in memory of the one of the most influential figures of the modern music industry."

The scholarship will be linked to the Music Industry Management BAHons qualification being run at BIMM Bristol from September 2012. This course as with all BIMM programmes is vocational and designed to act as a springboard into employment.

Mark Clayden BIMM Bristol College Manager explains, "We have designed the Music Industry Management BAHons to support up and coming young professionals eager to make their mark in the music industry. Training students in all areas of this ever changing industry including: Live Event Management, Retail, Promotion, Record Labels, A&R, Working With Musicians, Finances and Music Law."

Touched and honoured

Peter Grant's daughter, Helen Grant, added, "My father would have been both touched and honoured that this scholarship has been created in his name. He was a great inspiration to many people in the business, not only on the management front, but in the way he looked after his artists in his own, infamous way! A charismatic personality coupled with great humor, means he is never far away. This is a long overdue accolade. Never forgotten"

Peter Grant, best known as the manager of Led Zeppelin, also worked closely with Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, the Animals and the Yardbirds, to name a few. In 1996, The Music Managers Forum (MMF) award for outstanding achievement in management was renamed the Peter Grant Award, in his honour.

The Peter Grant Memorial Scholarship will cover approx £16,000 of course fees across the three year undergraduate programme.

To find out how to apply for The Peter Grant Memorial Scholarship call 0844 2 646 666, email info@bimm.co.ukor visit www.bimm.co.uk/bristol

In pictures: Dom Kane's Cardiff studio

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:20:00 GMT

Since the early '90s, Dom Kane has been obsessed withmusic production and DJing. He started out playing illegal raves at the age of 14, and quickly made a name for himself both as a DJ, with a residency at Ministry of Sound, and as a producer – he's one of the original sample content creators.

Having seen his booth morph from vinyl, through CDJs to laptop DJing, and his studio grow from basic MIDI software to the endless options of Ableton Live, Dom has witnessed 20 years of technical trends. After testing software for FXpansion and Steve Duda, he's now set up his own sample company and is about to launch his debut album. So, there couldn't be a better time to have nosey around his music making facility.

Me in my studio: Marc Romboy

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:45:00 GMT

With over a decade in the music biz, Romboy is the producer/DJ famed for deep, engaging house and techno. Since 2004 Romboy has headed up his own label, Systematic Recordings putting out artists such as Ripperton and Robert Babicz.

We knew he was a fan of analogue when we heard his growling basslines, evolving envelopes and filters. So, we thought it was worth asking for a tour of his studio to find out more.

Record Store Day 2012: 20 essential purchases

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:35:00 GMT

This Saturday, 21 April is international Record Store Day. For the uninitiated, Record Store Day is an annual event devised in 2007 to celebrate independent record shops and provide a shot-in-the-arm for the non-digital music buying industry.

In 2012 the day connects over 700 record shops worldwide, to stock a selection of special and limited-edition releases from a wide-range of artists, as well as play host to events, instore gigs and meet-and-greets.

Here MusicRadar's Si Truss and Matthew Parker pick the 20 essential releases they'll be queuing up for come Saturday morning.

To find participating stores and check out the full list of releases and events, visit the Record Store Day site.

Me in my studio: Mumbai Science

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:05:00 GMT

Mumbai Science, are a Belgian DJ/Producer duo that are no longer considered strangers to the scene. As one of the pioneers of the emerging genre that is Future Techno, the duo adopts a sound that melts contemporary electro-synths with a vintage techno feel.

Over the past three months, the duo released the 'Unified Theory'; a trilogy of EPs which feel like Mumbai Science on an LSD trip through dance history - a perfect opportunity to take a peek at their studio then!

Native Instruments announces Mostly Robot, hi-tech supergroup

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:05:00 GMT

The term 'supergroup' usually conjures up images of a collection of egocentric guitarists, bass players and drummers, but Mostly Robot is a high-calibre collective with a difference. Brought together by Native Instruments, it features acclaimed hi-tech musicians Jamie Lidell, Tim Exile, Jeremy Ellis, Mr Jimmy and DJ Shiftee.

Mostly Robot are set to perform at Sónar Barcelona 2012 and will make use of a range of NI software and hardware. This is very much a live performance outfit; the musicians are keen to follow the tradition of jazz players and will improvise on stage with no MIDI clock or prepared grid.

There's a visual element, too; this will be provided by Berlin design collective Pfadfinderei. Using the note events, controller data and audio material generated during the live show, the visuals will develop in real time onscreen so that the audience can keep in touch with what the band are up to.

It all sounds like a lot of fun, frankly - find out more on the Native Instruments website.