DJ Mastermind

On March 31, 2011, in DJ Portfolios, Featured, Professional DJs & Emcees, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

DJ Mastermind

DJ Mastermind graduated from Playaz Universe Dj Academy back in year 2004, was abroad away for further studies & now freshly joining the clubbing circuit, DJ MASTERMIND is not a new comer. Backed with his turntablism scratching, juggling skills and essential music selection, his public relation methods with clientele has made him stand on his own class. The music he plays is not calm and composed like his true being.

An avid Top 40′sand classic hiphop music lover, DJ MASTERMIND is ready to give their competition a run for their money. He also plays the key role in every showcase of rapper Balan Kashmir since 2009. Planning the impact of live showmanship gives him the upper hand in knowing how to work a crowd throughout the night.

DJ Mastermind also lend his midas touch to artistes like Sasi The Don, Reshmonu, Kraft, Rabbit(tamil act) and Diwan(tamil act) onstage.The experience and the youth in them speaks through the music. With a strong following him since he began the journey as, DJ MASTERMIND will surely bring the noise and make the clubbers beg for more. You be warned, as this partner ready to lift up the playing field.

 


You’ve seen the teaser videos, you’ve heard the rumors, you’ve read the debates, and now all the secrets have been revealed! To celebrate Traktor’s 10-year anniversary, Native Instruments has just unleashed the next Generation of Traktor Products, and the next generation of the leading digital vinyl system in the world, Traktor Scratch Pro 2!

The Next Generation Traktor Scratch Software

Along with the new Traktor Pro 2, Traktor Duo 2Traktor Scratch Duo 2, and Traktor Scratch Pro 2 software, Native Instruments have also just released the next generation of their Audio Interface family, the Traktor Audio 2, Traktor Audio 6 and the Traktor Audio 10. Lets have a look at them…

The Next Generation Traktor Audio Interface


As DJing is evolving more rapidly than ever, Native Instruments is continuing to stay ahead of the times with their new Hardware and Software. Now with their new Audio Interfaces and software, the creative possibilities are endless.

The Next Generation Traktor Scratch PRO2


Let’s take a look at what’s new in Traktor 2!

New Waveforms – One of the major goals in Traktor 2 was to make the Decks in Traktor more visible when performing on stage. Traktor 2 has adopted a new waveform technology called “TruWave” which gives you more high-resolution waveforms, and also gives you a deeper insight into the spectral qualities of the music, allowing you to “see into the music” more.

There are now four new waveforms in Traktor 2 that you can choose from. Each of these waveforms can be zoomed in on at sample level allowing you to set sample accurate beat grid markers and cue points.
I’ve found that through training some of the Traktor Endorsed artists, every artist has their own personal favorite waveform they like to use. Here are the different waveforms and a little bit about the advantages to using each of these waveforms.

Spectrum – The spectrum waveforms will give you a detailed colorful overview of your tracks, and will show you what frequencies are in the track and highlight any percussive elements and other sonic frequencies as well. The spectrum waveforms are similar to Serato Scratch Live’s colored waveforms but are much more detailed. I’ve found Spectrum to be a favorite among the Hip Hop artists. This is the waveform of choice for DJ Skribble.


Infrared – Infrared has been one of my personal favorites. With its Toxic orange glow, this looks amazing on stage. This is my waveform of choice when using two decks.

X-Ray – X-Ray comes from the Traktor S4 software, and is a black and white waveform. Out of the Artists I’ve worked with, this is a favorite waveform of The Martinez Brothers since it gives more of a simple “old school” feel to the waveforms.

Ultraviolet – This is becoming my new favorite waveform when using four decks, and is also the waveform of choice for David Morales. Ultraviolet is great for doing 4 deck mixing since there’s not too many crazy colors but you can still see what’s happening in the track since this mode still shows the frequencies clearly. Here is a 4 deck view using Ultraviolet waveforms.

You might notice that in this picture, below the decks you don’t see many controls. This is because there is now a new waveform view called “Essential” view, which only shows the basic controls such as Play, Cue/Cup (or Absolute / Relative Mode) and Loop Length. This is great for DJs who like to keep it simple, or for DJs who know what’s going on in the software based on their MIDI controller and don’t need to see everything in the software. There are also some other new Deck Views that are worth noting:

Micro – Only the “Stripe” is showing (Similar to a CDJ waveform display)

Small – Only the looping buttons and play button are showing, along with a bigger overview of the waveform.

Full – Both waveforms are shown, showing the overview of the track (aka the “Stripe”) and the more zoomed in version of the waveform is showing, showing a zoomed in view of where you are in the track. Also the loop buttons and transport buttons (play / cue / cup / absolute mode / relative mode) are shown.

Advanced – This shows everything that is shown in Full mode, except the “Advanced” panel has been added which gives you more control over your cue points, loop manipulation, and has a beatgridding section as well.

Another cool feature in Traktor 2 is the different “Grid Modes”. The Grid lines in Traktor are the white lines that show every beat or transient (kicks, snares etc) in the track. You can choose if you want to see these lines or not. There are three different Grid Modes: Full, Dim, Ticks and Invisible. Here is a picture of the “Tick” mode.

Another improvement in regards to cue points is the option to “Store Beatmarker as Hotcue.” A lot of Traktor artists that I train do beatgrids and load markers for every track they play. The problem is that a lot of the time, the beatmarker and load marker usually fall on the same beat.

With the “Store Beatmarker as Hotcue” turned off, the beatmarker no longer takes up an extra hotcue slot, so you can have a beat marker and load marker or cue point all on the same beat without taking up two hotcue slots in your cue section.

Another new edition to the Decks in Traktor Scratch Pro 2 is the new “Scope Views.” The “Scope” is where you can see a visual picture of the timecode signal coming from your turntable or CDJ. It is very handy for troubleshooting since it will tell you if you if an RCA cable isn’t plugged in, if your needle is dusty, or if you are in the wrong input mode in the Traktor software. The new Scope in Traktor 2 is a lot cooler looking than its predecessor. Here is a look at the new scopes.

You can additionally minimize the scope by clicking on the little arrow inside the scope record to show more of the waveform.

One of my favorite new features, and probably the most significant update in Traktor Pro 2 is the new syncing ability when using timecode. In previous versions of Traktor it was not possible to keep sync on permanently when using timecode CDs on Vinyl due to the nature of a turntables constantly fluctuating in pitch. Traktor now has a new “Soft-Sync” feature that allows you to keep sync permanently on when using timecode, and Traktor will keep the BPM’s permanently Sync’d for all of the decks without syncing the phase.

With the new Audio 10 DJ, which has 4 phono preamps, you can now mix 4 Traktor Decks using 4 Turntables and play all 4 turntables in perfect sync all night without even having to set beatgrids for your tracks! You would simply turn the sync button on for all 4 decks and the BPM’s would be matched automatically for you all night. All you would have to do is nudge the platter of the turntable until the beats are locked and they will never go off beat!
Another handy feature as far as the Syncing goes, is the option to “Sync Phase when exiting loop.” This comes in handy if you are using small loops that are under 1 beat in length. When you are looping at these small lengths, the deck might temporarily go out of sync, but as soon as you turn the loop off, this setting will turn the sync back on, and everything will re-allign.

One thing that might have thrown Traktor users for a loop (no pun intended) when Traktor S4 was released was the new Sample Decks and Loop Recorder. One question on the mind of all Traktor users was “If I don’t have the Traktor S4 hardware and software, when will I be able to use the loop recorder and sample decks? Well, now your prayers have all been answered! Traktor 2 now features the powerful new Sample Decks and Loop Recorder. There is actually a very cool sample deck mapping for the Traktor Kontrol X1 that you can download here => http://djendo.com/Traktor2/

Here are some tutorials on how to use the Sample Decks and Loop Recorder:

Traktor Scratch PRO2 Sample Decks & Effects

Traktor Scratch PRO2 Snap, Quantize & Loop Recorder

In Traktor 2, you can turn any of the 4 decks into Sample Decks or even use them as “Live Inputs,” which allows you to play actual CDs or Vinyl records through that Deck. To do this, you would just click on the letter inside the deck and use the drop down menu and choose what kind of deck you want to use, and if that deck is going to be controlled by timecode or not.

Speaking of Routing Audio, one of my favorite features is that you can now combine multiple decks into one output. So for example, you could run the Preview Deck through the same channel as Deck D. This is useful if you want to use the preview Deck but also want to have the option to use a 4th deck out of the same channel.

Last but not least, Traktor 2 comes with 4 new effects to allow you to tweak your tracks out to the max! The new effects are Tape Delay, Ramp Delay, Bouncer and Auto Bouncer.

The Next Generation Traktor Scratch will be launched on APRIL 1 , 2011

Source: http://www.djtechtools.com

 

DJ D.Dev

On March 28, 2011, in DJ Portfolios, Featured, Professional DJs & Emcees, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

DJ D.Dev

 

DJ D.Dev brings more than 5 years of experience grooving the dance floors from North to South Malaysia. His good sense of humor and the ability to mix old to new skool music has landed him spinning in various clubs in Malaysia and across South East Asia. He is part of the Northern DJs and Bollymix sound crew where he has remixed and produced multiple bollywood songs. His professional experience includes annual dinners, street party, corporate functions, private functions and road shows. He is able to hype the crowd with his good charm and one of a kind voice which is very rare to find. His experience in professional clubs extends from Iguana, Absolute Chemistry, Green Bar, Hi Spiritz, Havana, Lava, XClub, Long Bar, The Library, G Spot, Voodo Penang, Mardi Gras, Market Place, Joma Dance Club, Texas City, Yes Club, IP Man, Yoes Club to name a few.

For DJ D.Dev, it’s HYPING the crowd the matters most.

 

DJ Spexx

On March 25, 2011, in DJ Portfolios, Featured, Professional DJs & Emcees, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

DJ Spexx

Rubern Naidu aka Dj Spexx was born and raised in Selangor, Malaysia. His passion in the art of music has driven him upwards to become a DJ.  Being blessed into the entertainment field at the age of 14 with his flow style of dance and emcee. Carried away by the twist and turns of music leads him to learn more about the art of mixing and turntablism. Growing up in a background

of RnB lovers made it easier for him to gain knowledge on his choice of genre. First started playing at private parties until when he was 18 years he professionally started freelancing for event companies. Getting constant jobs from event companies made him to learn more genres to cater different type of crowds and also gave him the ability to read the crowd. He started off by majoring in RnB and now plays house, electro and retro. Playing for so many events, private parties, proms and so on have given him tons of exposure. Few years down the road in this industry have eventually made him to get into the club scene. Slowly building up his reputation and name in the club scene with the help of his partner deejays from different academy. Dj Spexx’s always believes in playing music of the crowds choice and not own choice because hundreds of party people is nothing against one but at the same time, without giving out typical sets of music, he loves experimenting new music now and then in his sets to give new experience to the crowd. Besides that, Spexx edits original tracks with his own twist to make it unique from others.

With Spexx, it is always a SPEXX-TACK-CULAR night!

 

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable

This professional stereo turntable features a high-torque direct-drive motor for quick start-ups and a USB output that connects directly to your computer. Other features include: forward and reverse play capability; cast aluminum platter with slip mat and a start/stop butt…on; three speeds 33/45/78; selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock and pitch change slider control with +/-10% or +/-20% adjustment ranges; and removable hinged dust cover. A selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier allows the turntable to plug directly to components with no dedicated turntable input. A USB cable and adapter cables are included along with Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software to digitize your LPs.

AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable

* USB output—connects directly to your computer for plug-&-play use
* Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software digitizes your LPs
* Direct drive high-torque motor
* Selectable 33/45/78 RPM speeds
* Professional cast aluminum platter with slip mat
* Balanced tone arm with soft damping control
* Switchable built-in pre-amplifier with line-level RCA output cables
* Stroboscopic platter speed indicator

Specifications

* Forward and reverse play
* Type: 3-speed, fully manual operation
* Motor: DC motor
* Drive Method Direct Drive: Direct drive
* Speeds: 33-1/3 RPM, 45 RPM, 78 RPM
* Pitch Variation: +/-10% or +/-20%
* Turntable Platter: Die-cast aluminum
* Starting Torque: >1.6 kgf-cm
* Braking System: Electronic brake
* Wow and Flutter: <0.2% WRMS (33 RPM)
* Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >50 dB
* Output Level Pre-amp: “PHONO”: 2.5 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec Pre-amp “LINE”: 150 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
* Phono Pre-Amp Gain: 36 dB nominal, RIAA equalized
* USB Function: A/D, D/A – 16 bit 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz USB selectable;
Computer interface – USB 1.1 Compliant Windows XP, Vista or MAC OSX
* Power Supply Requirements: 115/230V AC, 60/50 Hz
* Power Consumption: 11W
* Dimensions: 450.0 mm (17.72″) W x 352.0 mm (13.86″) D x 157.0 mm (6.1″) H
* Weight: 10.7 kg (23.5 lbs.)
* Accessories Included: AC line cord; dual RCA (female) to 3.5 mm (1/8″) mini-plug (male) stereo adapter cable; dual RCA (female) to 3.5 mm (1/8″) mini-plug (female) stereo adapter cable; 45 RPM adapter; USB cable; recording software

Includes

* Direct Drive Professional Stereo USB turntable
* Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software
* USB cable
* Adapter cables

System requirements

* PC or Mac with an available USB port (USB1.1 or higher)
* CD-R or CD-RW writer for burning CDs & installation
* Includes Audacity software for PC & Mac users.  Audacity requires Mac running OS X 10.1 or later or PC running Windows (98 and above)

Buy Now! or View!

 

Albert Ng

On March 1, 2011, in Emcee Portfolios, Professional DJs & Emcees, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

Albert Ng

He has worked in the entertainment industry for many years. He is versatile, speaks fluent English and interacts easily with any type of crowd from any given background. His distinct voice and vibrant personality, coupled with his sense of humor and cheerful disposition are sure to light up any occasion.

He has scripted, produced and hosted shows on Radio 4 and Time Highway Radio (THR.fm). Currently, he is heard on The English Service of The Voice of Malaysia. He has travelled to the USA in 1999 and 2000 to provide ‘live’ and recorded reporting on The Grammy which included interviewing artistes and fans alike.

Besides being invited by KDU to talk on A Career in Radio Broadcasting to its Mass Communications students, he has also been selected by the United States Information Agency for The Voice Of America, being one of only two candidates from Malaysia, to attend The Asian Management Broadcast Program in Washington D.C.

Late 2005, he went on a food familiarization trip to Hong Kong at the invitation of The Hong Kong Tourism Board. The job was to talk about the food experience plus interviewing Malaysian/Hong Kong chefs and related people in the industry. This was followed by an emcee stint to promote Discover Hong Kong Year 2006 at 1 Utama.

He is a professional Master Of Ceremonies, having emceed various events like corporate functions, annual/gala dinners, conferences, seminars, signing ceremonies, product/service launches, sales conventions, theme parties, concerts and events at hotels/shopping malls.

 

TRAKTOR AUDIO 10

On February 17, 2011, in Featured, Products, Traktor Audio 10, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

TRAKTOR AUDIO 10


The Beating Heart of Sound

This powerhouse unit sets the new benchmark for DJ audio interfaces. The successor of the highly acclaimed AUDIO 8 DJ has been carefully refined, now achieving a new level in connectivity and performance. With ten inputs, ten outputs, four phono preamps, MIDI I/O and mic input, TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 will satisfy even the most demanding DJs.

This premium DJ audio interface is built on the established and award-winning design of NI audio and hardware gear: Extra-robust metal casing, high-end Cirrus-Logic® AD/DA converters, brand-new chip technology and completely revised driver architecture ensure top sound quality and low latency for professional use on stage and in the studio.

Ultimate Connectivity

Even when routing four separate stereo outputs to a 4-channel mixer, there’s still an additional output for various purposes. The additional stereo input makes working with a send FX chain on your external mixer easy: Use each TRAKTOR effect like it was a separate FX unit in your studio. Furthermore, the extra inputs and outputs offer yet more flexibility if you’re DJing with TRAKTOR’s Sample Decks and Loop Recorder.

The built in MIDI interface makes it possible to tempo-sync other music equipment like external drum machines, synthesizers or another computer with the tempo of your tracks. And thanks to its 4 phono preamps, TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 allows to connect four turntables simultaneously.


Installation Friendly

Besides premium sound quality, low-latency and ultimate connectivity, this interface also boasts many other advanced features specifically designed for club use:

The convenient status LEDs on the upper panel give instant visual feedback on input and output activity, so you know if your setup is hooked up and working correctly. Now it’s also possible to run the TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 via its power supply only, as a Direct Thru unit. This means the soundcard is capable of passing through a signal from other equipment (turntables / CD players) without being connected to your computer – so switching between DJs or different setups is finally made simple – perfect for permanent club installations.

Included Software

TRAKTOR LE 2
This DJ software provides two playback decks to spin tracks directly from your hard drive, with full iTunes® integration and iPod® compatibility.

The new TruWave colored waveforms and amazing beat-sync functions make it simple to use the advanced looping, cueing and effects – so go beyond ordinary mixing.

Buy Now! or View!

 

TRAKTOR AUDIO 6

On February 17, 2011, in Featured, Products, Traktor Audio 6, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

TRAKTOR AUDIO 6

Six of the Best

Get ready to unleash the full sonic potential of your tracks with TRAKTOR AUDIO 6, the high-gain audio interface for DJs who demand premium sound quality and extra-loud output. TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 boasts six inputs and six outputs and is destined to be the centerpiece of your live or studio setup.

This premium DJ audio interface is built on the established and award-winning design of NI audio and hardware gear: Extra-robust metal casing, high-end Cirrus-Logic® AD/DA converters, brand-new chip technology and completely revised driver architecture ensure top sound quality and low latency for professional use on stage and in the studio.

Full Flexibility

Connect up to three stereo sources simultaneously. The two included phono preamps allow the connection of two turntables so you can digitize your vinyl collection in highest quality or record other external audio sources.

Even with two stereo channels routed to your external DJ mixer, the convenient front stereo input and output is perfectly tailored for DJs who wish to use TRAKTOR effects as send and return FX units on their mixer. In addition, they offer extra flexibility if you’re DJing with TRAKTOR’s Sample Decks and Loop Recorder.

Installation Friendly

Besides premium sound quality, low latency and ultimate connectivity, this interface also boasts many other advanced features specifically designed for club use:

The convenient status LEDs on the upper panel give instant visual feedback on input and output activity, so you know if your setup is hooked up and working correctly. Now it’s also possible to run the TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 via its power supply only, as a “Direct Thru” unit. This means the soundcard is capable of passing through a signal from other equipment (turntables / CD players) without being connected to your computer – so switching between DJs or different setups is finally made simple – perfect for permanent club installations.

Included Software:

TRAKTOR LE 2
This DJ software provides two playback decks to spin tracks directly from your hard drive, with full iTunes® integration and iPod® compatibility.

The new TruWave colored waveforms and amazing beat-sync functions make it simple to use the advanced looping, cueing and effects – so go beyond ordinary mixing.

Buy Now! or View!

 

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2

On February 17, 2011, in Featured, Products, Traktor Scratch PRO 2, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2

Professional Digital Vinyl System

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 lets you spin digital files on four track decks using super-tight vinyl and CD control. The next generation of the award-winning digital vinyl system is easier to use than ever. Set it up in seconds thanks to the included TRAKTOR AUDIO 10.

The TruWave hi-res colored waveforms and new, simplified user interface give you a new perspective on your mix and allow for instant creativity with the Sample Decks, Loop Recorder and studio-quality effects.

Now withTRAKTOR 2 Technology Inside, you’ll get a DJ product guaranteed to be intuitive, creative and addictive!

Pure & Simple

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 features an intuitive software interface, as well as TruWave frequency-specific colored waveforms for a new experience in mixing.

Thanks to Auto Detection and configuration for NI audio interfaces, you can set up in seconds, while TRAKTOR AUDIO 10’s Direct Thru function makes switching DJs in the club a breeze. The SoftSync feature adds a new level of tempo-awareness to TRAKTOR SCRATCH that expands your mixing options when using vinyl control.

Raw Power

Powering this premium system is the ultimate DJ audio interface. TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 features ten inputs and ten outputs for ultimate connectivity, Cirrus Logic® converters for supreme audio quality, and low latency drivers. Its robust build, punchy outputs, club-readable LEDs and slim profile make it the interface of choice for the world’s biggest DJs.

Connect up to four turntables via the four stereo phono preamps, and spin super-precise 2kHz control signal on 120g vinyl – it feels just like your digital track was cut to a 12-inch.

Creative Tools

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 offers an incredible range of creative options to define your individual sound. The intuitive looping and cueing functions have been enhanced with the addition of Sample Decks, making live remixing and re-editing a cinch. Grab and layer your own loops, use the library of included loop content or fire off one-shot samples such as the included scratch sounds. Record from any channel via the Loop Recorder and add dynamic layers to dramatically heighten your mix.

Use the expanded effects section like an external effects unit and even sync up with gear such as MASCHINE to create powerful set ups for stage and studio.

Buy Now! or View!

 

Traktor Scratch DUO 2

On February 17, 2011, in Featured, Products, Traktor Scratch DUO 2, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

Traktor Scratch DUO 2

Get in the Mix
TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2 is the straight-up digital vinyl system for spinning MP3s using super-tight vinyl and CD control. With two track decks and additional Sample Decks, it’s super easy-to-use right out of the box. TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2 is designed for DJs who need rock-solid performance, amazing audio quality and a focused set of features that make using loops, samples and effects a no-brainer.

With the included TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 interface, timecode vinyl / CDs and the next generation of TRAKTOR software, TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2 means pro credentials at a very attractive price.

Now with TRAKTOR 2 Technology Inside, you’ll get a DJ product guaranteed to be intuitive, creative and addictive!

Easy Does It

It’s never been easier to spin digital files. Hook up the system in seconds thanks to the plug & play hardware and software integration. The software interface now features an easy on the eye Essential View, focusing on the important elements. Innovative TruWave colored waveforms let you see your tracks like never before.

With full iTunes® integration, iPod® compatibility and Crate Flick cover art browsing, selecting your tracks is a cinch. The included SoftSync feature gives you optional help in beat-matching.

If you’re coming from a purely vinyl set-up, the first thing you’ll notice about TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2 is the super-precise 2kHz control signal and 120g timecode vinyl – it feels like each MP3 is cut into the wax.

Pure Quality

Small enough to fit in any booth, TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 guarantees supreme audio quality – its punchy outputs will rock the biggest clubs while the handy LEDs let you know exactly what’s going on. The Direct Thru feature makes swapping DJs and systems effortless.

Shape Your Style

TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2 offers an advanced selection of creative features for developing and defining your own trademark sound. Super-intuitive looping and cueing functions have been further enhanced with the addition of Sample Decks for integrating loops and one-shot samples into your sets.

Store your favorite loops in the library, along with the included loop content, and open up another dimension in creative DJing – easily remix and re-edit tracks on the fly.

Use the exclusive scratch sounds to spice up your routine and rock the six studio-quality effects which, thanks to the additional ins and outs on the audio interface, you can route like an external effects box.

Buy Now! or View!