Push by Ableton Live (And the Beat Goes On)

Welcome back fans and followers and first time readers this post is on the Ableton Push sequencer/drum machine/editing system. This is also another installment in my series on beat making equipment. In a previous post I introduced the Native Instruments component known as the "Maschine" and now we have a device that is raising a lot of comparison points which Ableton has aptly titled "Push" I have watched several of the vids that are out for this new product and quite frankly...none of them have convinced me that using this is easy. Not that the "Maschine" looks easy either but this goes way beyond not so user friendly. I like the demonstration that is shown in this video even though it still contains a lot of technical jargon about the unit, but not as much as some of the other videos; including the one that Ableton themselves have prepared for introduction of this item. I much prefer for someone to show what a product can do from a DJ standpoint rather than from a salesman postion. Until I ran across this video I didn't even know it had scratch capabilities (which is why I probably chose this video for my post) And performance is always what I look for when I introduce a product. The next time you're on Youtube surfing through videos check out some of the other videos they have for this product. You'll see that there are dozens of them out there. I even started to post the one that gives a direct comparison NI's Maschine but as I said it didn't have much of a performance value to it and it was mostly technical in content. I think if I had to choose between this and the Maschine, I would probably go with Maschine for it's more user friendly attributes and of course the cost! Both units seem like excellent investments in building your own studio but I don't think you would need both; one or the other should do. As with all the videos that I upload to these post there are more that you can watch at the end so u can form your own opinion on how helpful you think this product would be for whatever it is you're trying to do. If you didn't catch the post I did on the Native Instruments Maschine scroll back through my older post and you'll find it with a band doing an outstanding perfromance with it. I'm sure you will enjoy it! Well I hope you found this post and this product interesting and if you've already tested this product for yourself please post your own opinion on what you think! I'm sure my readers would love to hear from you and I always welcome any feedback you can offer on the products being introduced here. So that's about all I have for now. Hopefully it won't take me another six or seven months for you to hear from me again! So until next time........As always remember to "Stay In The Mix!"

Phona The 2012 DMC world Champions

Here are the 2012 DMC French Champions Phona! which is DJ Fong Fong and Planete Sauvage. As some of you might already know Fong Fong (the one on the right) is well known for DJaying in various costumes. I especially like the Homer Simpsom one and the mix he does with the simpson's theme music. I'm not too familiar with the other DJ on this video (Planete Sauvage) but he is definately on the same level with Fong Fong. This routine is a lot of fun to watch and the mix they're creating has an awesome beat! In fact; I'm thinking about recording it and using it at some parties...just to see how the crowd reacts to it. I thought that it was real creative on their part to each have one turntable hooked up to their own mixer and the middle turntable hooked up to both mixers so they could share the track being played! This is raw talent and what I've been saying true DJaying is all about! It doesn't get any better than this and I can see why these guys were chosen as the DMC Champions coming out of France. Which by the way is where another DMC World Champion hales from non other than the World Famous DJ Fly! whom you can also find on YouTube and in one of my earlier post. I also feature him on my web page. So sit back and relax and enjoy the fantastic skills of "PHONA" then hit me back with some of your comments on what you think about their performance. I'll get back to showcasing new products in the next post but that's about it for now. So as always remember to............."Stay In The Mix"

Denon DJ - SC3900 with UniqueSquared (Demo)

Greetings fans,followers and first time readers. I just got back from a cruise to sunny Jamaica where they greet you by saying "Respect" and anything you ask they say "No Problem" It was an amazing vacation and I didn't want it to end. But, I'm back and here I am to introduce you to another interesting product. Okay, so I know I told you that the next post would be about the Denon SC2000 but since I took so long to write again, Denon has sprung another new controller on me that has surpassed the SC2000. It's the new Denon DJ - SC3900 and it has a real turntable with real vinyl for scratching. This has gotta be the coolist thing I've seen in a while. This demonstration is by non-other than DJ UniqueSquared who not only gives a demo of the device but also presents an interesting overview. The Denon DJ - SC3900 is not one of my usual controllers to write about because it does not fall into the price range of the type of controllers I like to introduce. It runs about $1,000.00 for just one unit and I prefer to cater to an audience looking to get started at a more reasonable price. However, this is an impressive unit for DJ's and I have to point out the versatility that it has. It can be used with several devices (not just your laptop) it takes flashdrives, CD's and even iPods. It also includes it's own software for organizing and catagorizing your music. Like I said "It's expensive" but the versatility it has may be worth it to some of you. Oh yeah and before I forget, I met a couple of DJs on my vacation (one on the cruise ship and one in Fort Lauderdale) that told me they DJ for a living! How cool is that! both of them said they didn't do any other type of work for a living and that DJaying was their sole means of support. When I retire from my regular job I'd like to do the same thing! Especially someplace like Florida! So for now that's about it. I hope you enjoy the video and as I always say........... remember to "Stay In The Mix"

DJ Angelo on the Reloop Contour (This is WOW!)

Hey! what's up fellow DJ's, I don't know about you but we've been having a really hot summer here in Michigan! I've been keeping cool under the airconditioner and chillin out by the pool. But anyway, speaking of hot! Here's a video I ran across on a guy named DJ Angelo demonstrating the Reloop Contour. You can also find him doing a lot of other cool stuff at the website www.youtube.com/user/ReloopDJcom You can follow him by subscribeing to his post. I was really checking out some controllers by DENON when I ran across this on youtube. They have a few new products out also and I was looking to find someone demonstrating them. No luck with their latest controller the (DN-SC 2000) but they did have a few overviews on the product. I like the way it works and it only cost around $230.00 but I'll talk a little more about that at a later time. For now I want you to sit back and relax and check out the skills of DJ Anjelo! I'm also going to see if I can follow this website on Blogger! So stay cool for the Summer and keep those parties rockin! This is the best season for it! So I'll get back with you on that post about the Denon controller but that's all I have for this report. As always....Stay In The Mix!

Novation Twitch DJ Controller

Here we go again with another new DJ controller! This time it's the "Novation Twitch" DJ controller and look... No jog wheels! The last time I wrote a post on a product by this manufacturer it was on the "Slicer" by Novation (one of my earlier works) This controller also has some of the same effects found on the Slicer plus a whole lot more! Plus it incorporates "Serato Itch" software. Now if I said once, I may as well have said it a thousand times, that no matter how many gadgets and gimmicks a controller has on it....It will only sound as good as the person who uses it! And believe me when I tell you, this one has a lot of stuff for you to explore! I think I'm going to start posting a few instructional videos in the near future to help give some of you a head start on using some these new products when they first come out. Now the "Twitch" doesn't appear to be brand new because some of the videos I watched came out last year (I'm not sure of the exact date)but I can see that it's been around for a while now and lots of DJs have been trying it out and making videos with it. One DJ is even offering a training course on using it on his web site! (How cool is that?) But it still goes back to my saying that you have to practice to sound really good no matter what you're using! So if you intend to become a professional DJ some day or even if you just want this to be your hobby, You need to work hard at it to sharpen your skills and not look like a fool trying to be cool. As I mentioned in a previous post, technology is moving faster than the eye can see and if you're not keeping up you will get left behind. This piece of equipment is a fine example of what I mean. The cost factor for it is not bad her (under $400.00)but don't expect to just buy it and get right on it and sound like the DJ in this video, it's gonna take plenty of work and practicing before you"ll even come close to using it like that! So in the meantime, I"ll do my part to help my readers and followers by including some of those instructional videos I find out here to help get you started. I mean hey, we're all in this together! and I'd like to get back some replys that say thanks! your blog really helped me! That's what it was intended for! So for now that about it, but as always......remember to "Stay In The Mix"

The Numark NS6 (Winner by a Knock Out)

Hello again readers, If I sounded like I may have been "dissin" Numark when I wrote about the Pioneer DDJ-S1, I must say I truly apologize for that dis-service to Numark.

 As always, when someone comes along with a product to rival one of theirs they always come back with something to blow your mind and the new NS6 is a prime example. I knew that the NS6 was going to be a contender for the Pioneer DDJ-S1 but I gotta say, Numark is showing out like Mike Tyson in his prime!

In this video DJ Certa gives us a demonstration of what the NS6 is capable of doing and I have to say, they couldn't have come up with a more qualified electronic instrumentalist for the task! This is the kind of stuff that I love to talk about and showcase on my blog. Pure Talent! as I've quoted before "the product is only going to sound as good as the user" and I would love to see what this DJ does with the Pioneer controller! but I don't think it would come out any more amazing than this did.

 If I had to choose between the Numark NS6 with "Serato Itch" installed and the Pioneer DDJ-S1 with the same software, I think I would have to go with the Numark. The overview I watched on this product's performance was also interesting, but it didn't give me the full effect that I got from seeing a real DJ put the product to work.

 That's what makes a DJ a DJ! when you can take a few tools and make them work for you the way they were meant to be worked....that's what makes you stand apart from the ordinary! Not just anyone can blend rhythms and beats the way a true DJ can and you'll know when a person has that skill because it shows and you will definately feel it!

 This is why I chose this profession and throughout my career I've loved every minute of it! But you can't take any credit away from the product, Numark has put all the quality they're known for in this one too!

In my last post I touched on a few of the things that I've been working on to keep perpetuating my business and keeping up with new products is one of them. I try to keep new products in my inventory because I not only want to be familiar with them myself, but I want to have enough equipment available for my other DJs to use if need be. Plus, I need to be able to show my other DJs how to use the products that I want them to use. I think we're going to have a lot of fun with this one (once I get it!)

So keep hanging with me cause I got plenty more to show you in the days and weeks to come, but that's about it for now! So remember, as always...................."Stay In The Mix"

Akai XR20 (Drum Machine Meets Hip-Hop)

Sooo, this is my first post for 2012 and I can't believe that it's April already! It was my intention to have written on my blog before now but for some reason I just couldn't seem to get into the mood. Even though I don't have a lot of followers yet I still feel a certain obligation to the ones I do have to keep you posted with the latest news and views about whats happening on the national and international DJ scene. Well, my conscience has haunted me long enough so here I am with my latest story on beat making devices.

If you've been keeping up with my post you may recall an earlier one that I did on the Akai XR-20 Beat Production Center. As I mentioned in the other post, I own one myself and I'm still learning a lot about making beats! This device has a lot of videos you can watch on "YouTube" from tutorials to live demonstrations. The one I've chosen is from Winter Namm and it's being presented by one of the spokesperson's for Akai Professional. It's not the greatest demonstration of what the machine can do, but it has good video quality and as I said there are lots of videos you can watch when this one ends if you want to see more.

This is just another in the series of post I've been running on beat production equipment and creating your own studio at home. If you're clicking over from another web-site or hopefully "mine" I hope you take the time to click "follow" and scroll back and read some of my earlier post to help bring you up to speed.

 Some of the other sites you can find me on is "ReverbNation" and of cource "FaceBook" From my facebook page you can go in and look at a lot of the music I've been listening to on "Spotify" (a very cool app) that I found through facebook. And on ReverbNation you can go in and listen to some of my mixes. I'm slowly working on getting some mixes on ReverbNation that you can purchase and download. I plan to have other products you can purchase through my web-site http://www.mmcdjlive.com (i.e T-shirts, hats, coffee mugs etc.) coming up real soon!

So as you can see, I've been busy placing new irons in the fire for future reference and something that I hope will grow to become my legacy!. These are just a few ideas and plans that I don't mind sharing with my fellow D.Js out there! After all, that is the purpose of my blog.......to help inspire those that are following in this field! So that is about all I have for you for now, but keep in touch cause there'll be plenty more to come. So as always, remember to.............Stay In The Mix!