NEW PRODUCTS
Feb 1, 2000 12:00 PM, John Krogh
DJS-24 PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED PHRASE SAMPLER
Next's DJS-24 sampler ($269) is a no-nonsense tabletop box aimed at those looking to add sampled beats and phrases to their live set. The sampler comes equipped with 2 MB of RAM (expandable to 8 MB for a total sampling time of 6.5 minutes), and four banks that can hold a maximum of 32 samples when fully expanded. It offers a number of "DJ" features such as automated seamless looping, +10% to +65% pitch control, reverse play mode, and forward and reverse direction scratching with cue point memory.
The jog-shuttle wheel lets you fine-tune the start and end points of your samples. You can even connect the DJS-24 to a Windows-based PC for storing and retrieving samples (software is included).
Two playback modes, Jingle Machine and Sequencer, let you trigger samples in real time, or string several together for continuous playback to create simple arrangements and repeating patterns.
Next/Stanton Magnestics (distributor); tel. (954) 929-8999; Web www.stantonmagnetics.com
Micro Sync Beat Xtractor BPM COUNTER AND AUDIO-TO-MIDI SYNCHRONIZER This channel changer look-alike from Red Sound uses the same bpm counter technology found in the company's popular Voyager 1 Beat Xtractor. Much more than a simple beat counter, however, the Micro Sync Beat Xtractor ($229) sends MIDI timing and playback information, letting you trigger MIDI sequencers and synchronize their playback to audio from a turntable or CD player. User controls include MIDI Start/Stop/Continue, tap tempo, and 4-way nudge for manually adjusting the bpm rate and/or synchronization lock point.
The bpm counter offers three selectable ranges: Lo (60 to 120 bpm), Mid (90 to 180 bpm), and Hi (115 to 230 bpm). Reportedly, the lock-in time is 2 to 4 seconds from the introduction of readable beat information and is accurate to 0.1 bpm. Power supply, audio input cables, and mounting kit are included. Red Sound/Stanton Magnetics (distributor); tel. (954) 929-8999; Web www.stantonmagnetics.com
Hip Hop and R&B Groove Library YAMAHA RM1X SEQUENCE REMIXER MIDI FILES Known for its collection of Standard MIDI File grooves, Keyfax has created a volume of MIDI files for Yamaha's RM1x remix sequencer in its native format (R1P). The Hip Hop and R&B Groove Library ($29.95) offers a range of preprogrammed beats and instrument parts that can be loaded directly into the RM1x-no file conversion needed. The library includes 25 hip-hop and R&B grooves ranging from 4 to 16 bars, drum and percussion patterns from former Tower of Power drummer Ron E. Beck, and bass, keys, guitar, synths, and special effects. In addition, 99 individual instrument phrases--guitar parts, drum loops, synth lines, and more--are included for chopping up and pasting into any pattern you like.
Keyfax; tel. (831) 460-0172; Web www.keyfax.com
Dream Station SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER AND STEP SEQUENCER Audio Simulation's Dream Station ($129) is an analog modeling software synthesizer for Windows 95/98 that includes a 32-track step-time sequencer, effects processor, and 8-channel mixer. The synthesizer features 96 oscillators organized into 32 voices, linear frequency modulation, ring modulation, hard sync, five filters (2-pole lowpass, bandpass, highpass, 4-pole lowpass, and formant), one LFO, and three ADSR envelope generators.
The built-in sequencer can be synchronized to MIDI Clock, so you can drive patterns from an external or software sequencer. You can also use the Dream Station as a sound module and play it from a MIDI keyboard. Every knob, switch, toggle, and slider can be controlled via MIDI. Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, and distortion. All effects are programmable, and as many as three different effects can be used simultaneously.
The mixer lets you group any number of Dream Station's synth voices to any of the eight channels, from which you can set pan position, volume, and effects send. Once you've programmed an arrangement, it can be bounced to disk as a stereo WAV file for importing into digital audio programs or recording directly to CD.
Discosoft VIRTUAL TURNTABLE SOFTWARE Who says you have to play vinyl to be a DJ? Not Sonic Labs. The company's Discosoft program ($599) lets you play digital audio files through your PC's sound card using a virtual two-turntable interface. With Discosoft, you can record music to your hard disk from any sound card and import audio CD tracks directly from your CD-ROM drive. After loading your computer with your favorite audio files, you can play them back in any order with turntable-like control over pitch and bpm. You can beat-match between tracks, and adjust tempos without changing the pitch of the audio. The program also displays useful track information such as artist, song and album titles, and remaining time, so you'll know when to cue and start another track. Discosoft can also operate in auto-mix mode, which will cue up and beat-match a user-programmed set list, keeping the music going while you get a drink (!).
Discosoft supports up to three sound cards for audio playback and can be controlled with an optional external jog-shuttle wheel control pad ($350) for mixing by hand. With two sound cards, you can choose to crossfade manually on an external mixer or use one output for the cueing and the other for the master program. With three sound cards, you can choose to crossfade the program on a single output, or mix it with two outputs on an external console as is usually done with classic turntables, while the third output is used for cueing.
Sonic Labs; tel. 39-800-440-555 or 39-0332-2425-18; Web www.discosoft.com
www.dancetech.com Ground zero for all things related to making dance music, including studio techniques, hardware- and software-specific forums, dance charts, club info, and a well-stocked classified ad section for buying and selling used gear.
www.113audio.com Mostly packed with audio links, 113 Audio serves up sets from hip-hop and drum 'n' bass DJs, interviews that address the origins and evolution of hip-hop, and, best of all, MP3 drum loops free for the downloading.
www.drummachine.com Online drum machine museum featuring pictures and downloadable audio examples of classic beatboxes like Roland's TR-808, as well as articles and discussion groups, classifieds, and user manuals for a number of discontinued units.
Got a question, comment, or Web site that you want to share with us? Let us know by sending an e-mail to remix@intertec.com.
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