skratchworx - Number 1 for DJ news and reviews!

DJWORX - the new skratchworx

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 05:23:42 PDT

So the change is complete - if it wasn't made clear, DJWORX is the new skratchworx. The all new site is alive and ready for your viewing pleasure.

The New Skratchworx is here

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:47:40 PDT

Today, I'd like to talk to you about something that I've been looking forward to for a very long time - 3 years in fact. But now I can finally share the next generation of skratchworx.

OFFICIAL: Traktor Kontrol F1 and Pro V2.5

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:00:01 PDT

Finally it's here - the much teased, misnamed and misunderstood Traktor Kontrol F1. This is a time when a new workflow demands new hardware, as well as new software to deal with it. So this is as much about the new Remix decks workflow as it is the accompanying hardware.

UPDATE: Win one on Twitter!

Denon Demo: DJ Switch on the 3900s

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:25:36 PST

Having become the poster boy for Denon's new Denon DJ SC3900 deck, I guess it's time to show why DJ Switch has put his name to non-analogue technology. In this new video, he puts out a solid performance using the Denon X1600 mixer and controlling Serato Scratch Live in hybrid mode. But there's more to this video than meets the eye.

Serato Video - now in public beta

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:25:18 PST

Video is about to be the next big thing. Most software vendors have been handling the moving medium for some time now, but Serato have now made their Video-SL plugin cross-platform i.e. SSL and ITCH, and called it Serato Video. We saw it briefly at NAMM, but now you can try it for yourself - Serato Video is now in public beta.

NEW: Midi Fighter 3D

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:13:17 PST

While DJs who use controllers are often referred to as controllerists, or indeed class them selves as controllerists, the vast majority actually aren't. But Ean Golden is, and that's where he blazes a trail with his DJ Tech Tools company, by making hardware that has a specific need for a particular niche group of DJs and performers. The arcade button laden Midi Fighter Classic now gets a major upgrade - not just RGB buttons, but also with motion sensors. Say hello to the Midi Fighter 3D.

EXCLUSIVE: Pioneer DJM-850 First Look

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:32:32 PST

Updates have been slow round these parts for a while. But that's changing. But this week saw a breaking product with a first look the very next day. But today, we've topped that - the DJM-850 was announced this morning, and bugger me if Andrew Unsworth hasn't stunned me into silence (doesn't happen often) and scored himself a unit for review already. This is not that review, but is instead a quick but exclusive first look.

NEW: Pioneer DJM-850 mixer

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:19:17 PST

In a rapidly evolving market, the notion of standards is rapidly disappearing. But there are a few left, one of which is the Pioneer DJM-800 (notably missing from the website menu now) mixer. But steadily that is being supplanted by their technology laden 900Nexus mixer. But Pioneer haven't forgotten the venerable (in modern terms) 800 workhorse and have brought forth the DJM-850 for your consideration.

FIRST LOOK: The Denon DJ SC3900 in the worxlab

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:12:54 PST

Yesterday saw the poorly draped covers properly pulled off the Denon DJ SC3900. This one has had more pre-release leaks and sneak peeks than just about anything in recent memory. But enough press teasing and game playing - I've had one for a few days, and for this all too brief time have been prodding it into submission. What follows is not a review, but more of an overview, with my eye lingering on the new gubbins.

FULL DETAILS: Denon DJ SC3900

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:35:39 PST

After merciless teasing, Denon have finally unveiled their flagship media player the Denon DJ SC3900. Yes, it's like Groundhog Day from a media point of view, but now you get all the detail - the Engine software, the link workflow, and the iPad link too.

NEW: Reloop Terminal Mix 2 Controller

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:26:24 PST

Remember the times before the mass hysteria of 4 channel controllers? Back in the day, we had what were called 2 channel controllers, units that perfectly suited the needs of most DJs without feeding their hunger for more shiny that would most probably sit half used with 2 channels needing constant dusting. And while Reloop have already brought forth their own 4 channel boxes recently, hot on the heels of the last one comes a 2 channel version. Behold the Terminal Mix 2, a controller that makes sense of Serato DJ Intro.

REVIEW: Behringer DDM4000 Mixer

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:58:20 PST

In an ideal world, we'd be all over every single new product release with a team of eager review geeks hankering to lay paws upon the stream of shiny glittery boxes that are released with an unending frequency. Sadly that time is not upon us just yet, so I'm still posting things that should have raised their head a long time ago. One such piece of work is a review for Behringer's DDM4000 mixer - a pretty unique product with a feature set that doesn't match up with the previous offerings of the brand.

EXCLUSIVE: Denon DJ SC3900 Confirmed

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:52:44 PST

A little while ago, Denon had a little too much leakage and were more or less inadvertently outed by a tradeshow banner showing what was thought to be the followup to their DN-S3700. A shaky video followed, but now we can exclusively give you a little more info on the heavily rumoured but now confirmed Denon DJ SC3900.

Mash up with Mashup

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:57:28 PST

One of the advantages of the digital age, is the ability to chuck together mixes in a matter of minutes. Gone are the days of slaving over the cassette deck (look it up) hoping for one take wonders. And Mixed In Key, purveyors of harmonic mixing software of the same name, now bring you Mashup - it's on-screen mixing at it's most basic level.

REVIEW: Numark Red Wave Headphones

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:49:24 PST

The list of headphones checked out on skratchworx continues to grow. I'd say that we already have the most comprehensive list going, but I just want to keep adding to it. This time, it's the distinctive Numark Red Waves - the've been out for a bit, but seem to be gathering a lot of praise. So it seems about time to take a look.

NAMM 2012: American Audio VMS Touch

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:39:31 PST

American Audio's DJ profile has raised in the last few years. The VMS4 was the first 4 channel MIDI controller to hit our consciousness, and has subsequently spawned a 2 channel VMS2 variant. But at NAMM 2012, they showcased a trend bucking proposition - the VMS Touch - a trend bucking part conventional/part touch MIDI controller.

NAMM 2012: The One video

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:22:25 PST

Back at BPM, we broke news of EKS's foray into the software world. The spinoff company - Audio Artery - decided to properly break cover at NAMM 2012 and give live demos of their new "The One" software. We were on hand, along with much show noise and a shiny screen to capture The One in all its singular and modular glory.

REVIEW: UDG SlingBag Trolley Set Deluxe

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:10:16 PST

Despite the hysteria exhibited in some parts, people need more than a pocket to carry their DJ life around. But digital DJing has seen that DJ life be more taxi or flight based than battered white van. Thus luggage is more important than ever, and UDG have been a leading exponent in this field for years. They sent me a SlingBag Trolley Set Deluxe for review, so I dutifully loaded it up and bashed it around the office for a while, and then sent it out to the lucky winner in the 12 days of Skratchmas.

Innofader goes plug n play

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:38:18 PST

Audio Innovate's Elliot Marx has a mission, and that is to make his ever popular Innofader fit everything from old school Bozaks to new school Kenwoods. But in doing so, he's made what should be a straightforward installation appear less than a plug and play affair. So having examined what are the most popular installs, he's radically simplified the classic Innofader, and distilled it into a new product. No, I'm not talking about the mini Innofader that we broke a few weeks ago - this is the Innofader PNP.

PRICE DROP: Traktor Kontrol S2

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:01:52 PST

Hear ye hear ye hear ye. Native Instruments, despite me already announcing it on Facebook, would have it know that they're doing one of their fire sales. This one is a serious slice off of the retail price of the only recently announced Traktor Kontrol S2. Just a few months in and £150 off? What's that all about?

NAMM 2012: Serato Video demo

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:49:49 PST

While I have a heap of NAMM footage to get through, I'm actually tired of seeing the same video that 10 other people shot. So I'm cherry picking the things that I don't think you'll see elsewhere. Just before NAMM, Serato announced Serato Video - the cross platform (well ITCH and SSL) plugin that brings video to ITCH controllers. Aroha from Serato braved the loud NAMM show floor to give us a quick walkthrough the real basics.

NAMM 2012: QuNeo Controller

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:37:06 PST

In an industry that seems constantly drifting toward more of the same, it takes some effort to dig in and find unique and useful controllers. The difficulty of further perfecting the workflow around two decks and a mixer is being realized by bother manufacturers and consumers as more modular setups and touch based controllers enter the market. While neither of those options have been perfected, they are being toyed with in more interesting ways than the past few years have shown us.

The interesting thing to me about DJing these days is the ability to craft my own workflow. It is, in fact, what I spend the majority of my time focusing on when I get a new controller or software. Molding a new method with a standardized set of decks (two platters, two or four faders, and a bunch of buttons and knobs) can be interesting, but eventually they all just seem to feel the same. Enter the QuNeo.

NAMM 2012: Rane Sixty-One and Two demo

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:09:01 PST

One of the heavily rumoured and accidentally leaked launched at NAMM 2012 were the new Rane mixers. Yes mixers plural as the baby Sixty-One and Sixty-Two 2 channel mixers were properly uncovered, rather than accidentally appearing on Instagram. We surrounded DJ Big Wiz as he gave us a complete walkthrough both mixers. Video after the jump.

NAMM 2012: Akai MPC Fly app video demo

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:03:53 PST

Numark and Akai seem to have finally got that the iPad is a useful tool for DJing, provided it has some matching hardware. We've seen the iDJ Pro earlier this week, but the Akai MPC Fly was finally seen at NAMM. I was simply a non-functioning prototype kept in a glass cage, but we happened to be in the right place at the right time to get a demo of the actual app from the developers at Retronyms.

The deX-Factor?

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:53:57 PST

I know I have a heap of NAMM stuff to get through, but taxes come first. This story however is just too hot to miss. You know that Simon Cowell? Well he's decided to turn his attention from singers, acrobats and dancing dogs and try to find the next logical star. Yes, he's on the lookout for DJs. God help us.

Controllerism loves skratchworx

gizmo@skratchworx.com (Gizmo) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:20:07 PST

It has become a bit of a tradition to nicely ask or give no choice to DJ VIPs to pose with the the famous, if not legendary skratchworx picture disk. This year was no exception when I crossed paths with the king and crown prince of the controllerism scene. Moldover is the acknowledged godfather and inventor of the name, and Ean Golden carries the torch for the growing scene.