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June 7th, 2013 Reviews

First Look: MetaBliss ID3 Tag Editor For Mac

by Phil Morse
MetaBliss

MetaBliss, new from Mixed In Key, is aiming to fill the gap for a decent ID3 tag editor for OSX.

Any DJ who’s ever switched from PC to Mac, and who has a decent-sized digital music collection, always ends up asking the same question at some point: “Is there not a decent ID3 tag editor for Mac?”

Until now, no. MetaBliss aims to fill that gap. From the makers of Mixed in Key, MetaBliss is a batch processing tag editor currently only for the Mac (a PC version is promised) that brings at least some of the features of much-loved PC staples like Mp3Tag to OSX.

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June 6th, 2013 Reviews

Reloop SHP-1 Pro Studio Headphones Review & Video

by Phil Morse
Reloop SHP-1 Studio Headphones

The Reloop SHP-1 studio headphones are the company’s first foray into this sector, and represent a promising start.

Reloop as a company has come a long way in recent years, and has released some pretty good DJ gear, especially recently. Now it’s turned its sights on the studio headphone market, with the release of the Reloop SHP-1 professional studio headphones.

Studio headphones need to firstly be comfortable, and secondly exhibit neutral, accurate sound, to enable producers to trust that what they’re hearing is what the audience will eventually hear. How well do these shape up? Let’s find out.

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June 5th, 2013 Reviews

Magma CTRL Cases Review & Video

by Phil Morse
Magma_CTRL_Case_XL

The Magma CTRL cases are lightweight, no-nonsense zipped protective sleeves for DJ controllers, and come in various sizes (this is the XL).

What do you do when you want to take your controller to a gig? Use a dedicated backpack? Shoehorn it into your laptop bag and hope the crossfader doesn’t get bent? Or even use a bulky flight case?

Whatever your choice, chances are that you don’t just tuck it under your arm and run out of the door. No, for all DJs who play in public on DJ controllers, having something to protect your controller to and from gig is important. And the Magma CTRL Cases offer a simple but novel take on that whole thing.

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June 4th, 2013 Reviews

Vestax HMX-05 DJ Headphones Review & Video

by Phil Morse
Vestax HMX-05

The Vestax HMX-05s are a simple, striking and practical design that are especially tempting when paired with Vestax’s own gear.

Looking for some Vestax headphones to match your Vestax DJ gear? The new Vestax HMX-05s are a smart, durable design with streetwise looks – and some decent DJ credentials tucked up their sleeve too.

They’re also practical, with a tangle-free detachable flat straight cable, a simple aesthetic, plus the ability to fold into their headband for easy stashing in your bag. Let’s take a closer look…

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June 3rd, 2013 Reviews

Cerwin Vega P1500X Powered PA Speakers Review & Video

by Phil Morse
Cerwin Vega P1500X

The Cerwin Vega P1500X is a powered PA speaker, marketed on its power and punch. We put it to the test…

Following on from our guide to PA systems, here is the first review of an actual system, and we’ve chosen the Cerwin Vega P-Series, of which we’re looking at the P1500X powered cabinets today (our review of the system complete with P1800SX sub-woofers is coming soon). We’re going to review this from the point of view of the DJ who will be carrying it to gigs, but also bear in mind that as this is above entry level in both power and quality, it could also equally be used in small venues as an installation system.

The “system” we’re reviewing here is two powered speakers, which bought as a pair would cost you just shy of US$1600. That’s a reasonably considerable investment, but as always you get what you pay for – which in this case is, as it turns out, a really good PA for your money. Read on for the details.

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May 27th, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: American DJ Mega Go Bar 50 LED Lighting Unit

by Terry 42
American DJ Mega Go Bar 50

Versatile, easy to use and cheap, the American DJ Mega Go Bar 50 has appeal for both beginners and pros.

With the advent of cheap, lightweight LED-based mobile lighting, more and more DJs (of all types) are deciding to take the plunge and add some lighting to their digital DJ set-ups.

Because of this, we’ll be carrying a little more content in this area from now on, starting today with a look at the American DJ Mega Go Bar 50 – a cheap, two-foot modern low-power lighting unit that generates next to no heat and yet give an impressive output from its 140 LEDs.

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May 23rd, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: Blue Mikey Digital for iPhone & iPad

by DJ Hombre
Blue Mikey Digital

The Blue Mikey is a small microphone for iOS that gives you stereo line input.

A while ago we were asked by a reader, “How can I record my DJ set on my iPhone?” The initial answer was that this is not possible (iOS devices don’t have a line input). Plus, we reasoned, dedicated audio recorders are coming down in price all the time, so why would you want to record on your iPhone or iPad?

But if it were possible then there are indeed advantages to recording your sets this way. One of the possible workarounds we identified in our first article was the Blue Mikey Digital which incorporates a stereo line input into the unit. It wasn’t available yet back then, but now we’ve been able to get our hands on one. Let’s take a look and see if this tiny little microphone/line input could be the answer…

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May 13th, 2013 Reviews

Confessions Of A First-Time Traktor User

by Phil Morse
Traktor

The tantalising possibility of preparing my music on my iOS device ready to DJ with on my laptop was one of the reasons I decided to switch to Traktor for a while in my professional DJ gigs.

OK, the title’s just a bit misleading. I’ve been using Traktor in my job as a DJ tech writer and editor for nearly ten years, ever since a UK magazine I worked for (IDJ) asked me to review some early controllers that used it.

But back then the software I finally personally settled on for my first forays into digital DJing wasn’t Traktor, but Virtual DJ (parallel waveforms, y’see). Later, I used Serato ITCH for all my personal DJing gigs. But a couple of things have recently persuaded me to switch to Traktor for a while in my own DJing – for the first time.

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May 6th, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Headphones

by Phil Morse
V-Moda Crossfade M-100

The V-Moda Crossfade M-100s build on the success of the LPs and LP2s, with some notable improvements, not least the ability to fold.

We like “lifestyle” headphones here – when they’re done right, that is. Digital DJing is a lifestyle in itself (you know, roll up, play anywhere using smart, compact gear, no need to use all that immovable, ancient old kit that everyone else still relies on if you don’t want to) – and we think everything, from your DJ bag to the music apps on your smartphone, can and should reinforce this ethos.

So V-Moda’s new Crossfade M-100 headphones on paper are ticking a lot of boxes for us. They’re extremely high quality. They look great. They fold into a tiny case small enough to clip on your belt. And they have a few digital-friendly features that mark them out from other headphones too. Definitely worth a closer look, then…

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May 2nd, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: Traktor DJ For iPhone

by Phil Morse
Traktor DJ

Is it really possible to have any fun DJing on a device as small as an iPhone? We actually think it is, and Traktor DJ for iPhone is another big step towards the doubters realising this…

Just like when Pioneer put a big red sync button on a CDJ, I have to say I loved it when Native Instruments, as one of the “big three” DJ software companies, put a version of its software on the iOS platform. While those of us who “get it” can argue with detractors till we’re blue in the face that it’s actually great fun to DJ on an iPad or iPhone, now we simply have to say: “Well, Native’s designers obviously think iOS is a good platform for DJing, to have come out with Traktor DJ!”

Traktor DJ for iPad rethought the way people might like to DJ on a touchscreen device. Only the rather esoteric DJ Player has had the balls to do this before. This redefining of the workflow put clear blue sky between Traktor DJ and its only volume competitor (also excellent, but in a different way) – djay from Algoriddim. And now with Traktor DJ for iPhone (US$4.99, available from the iTunes store now), Native Instruments has brought this thinking to a device you can hold in two hands as if it were a games controller.

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April 29th, 2013 Reviews

Review: Ninja Jamm App For iPhone

by DJ Hombre
Ninja Jamm for iOS

Coldcut’s iPhone remix app has finally arrived and offers the chance to remix your Ninja Tune favourites wherever you like…

Ninja Tune, the legendary label formed in London 1990 by sampler pioneers Coldcut and home to The Cinematic Orchestra, Bonobo, Roots Manuva, The Heavy, Wiley, Coldcut, Amon Tobin, Toddla T, Fink and many more, has released Ninja Jamm – an iOS remix, re-arrange, and re-mangle app.

How the app came to market is a story in itself (indeed, Matt Earp who was heavily involved in the development process, has written about it on CreateDigitalMusic) – but now it’s finally here, how does Ninja Jamm compare to other artist-based remix apps? Let’s find out…

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April 22nd, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: Reloop Jockey 3 Remix Traktor Controller

by Phil Morse
The Reloop Jockey 3 Remix is a new Traktor controller with its own take on effects mapping, standalone mixer, and comprehensive control across two track decks and two sample decks.

The Reloop Jockey 3 Remix is a new Traktor controller with its own take on effects mapping, standalone mixer, and comprehensive control across two track decks and two sample decks.

The Reloop Jockey 3 Remix is that rarest of things nowadays: A new DJ controller for Traktor made by someone other than Native Instruments itself.

In today’s review, we’ll look at the journey from Jockey 3 to Jockey 3 Remix, what this particular controller sets out to do differently to Native’s own controllers like the Kontrol S2 and Kontrol S4, and how well the Jockey 3 Remix ultimately succeeds as a Traktor controller.

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April 19th, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: DJ Player v6 for iPad & iPhone

by DJ Hombre
DJ Player on iDJ Pro

DJPlayer happily working in a Numark iDJ Pro, portrait mode being a new feature of v6.

In our last article about DJ Player (v5.8) I jokingly said that keeping up to date with versions of the app was becoming a full-time job – little did I know that only a week after that article I’d receive a beta version of the app, something which goes some way to proving this!

In case you didn’t know already, DJ Player is a universal DJ app for iOS and has been around for over four years, gradually building an established mass of DJs who use the app on a regular basis. It eschews the regular “DJ app” convention by moving far away from physical world replication (it doesn’t show spinning vinyl or jogwheels on screen). In fact, only as recent as update 5.8 did a small scrolling waveform window appear. iMect definitely does things its own way.

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March 28th, 2013 Reviews

MixVibes Says CrossDJ for iPad Has Best iOS Keylock: We Find Out

by DJ Hombre
MixVibes Cross DJ for iPad

CrossDJ for iPad now has keylock, and the makers are claiming it’s the best in the business. We decided to find out…

When we first reviewed CrossDJ for iPad by MixVibes in May last year, one of the biggest criticisms from your comments was the lack of keylock functionality. Maybe not surprising, as a few other DJ apps already had keylock on iOS in one guise or another, so expectations had been set high.

Well, the good news is that version 1.1.0 of CrossDJ for iPad now has the all-important keylock feature. Now, we could have just reported that and moved on. But the official wording from MixVibes makes a grand claim, that we thought we couldn’t just leave it at that…

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March 27th, 2013 Reviews

Gemini FirstMix Pro With CrossDJ LE 2 – Review & Video

by Phil Morse
Gemini FirstMix Pro

At only US$149 for a controller, with audio interface and software, is the Gemini FirstMix Pro about to become our lowest-priced recommended unit for beginners?

The Gemini FirstMix Pro has been around for a little while, but it’s just come of age. Because for the new lower price of just US$149, you get a DJ controller with all the essentials on it, plus decent DJ software – on paper, amazing value.

That’s a “proper” DJ controller (ie with decent-sized jogwheels, a sound card for your headphones and master output), and software that has everything you need to get going on it, including the ability to record your sets.

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March 14th, 2013 Reviews

Terminal Mix 4 With Serato DJ Talkthrough & Video

by Terry 42
Terminal Mix 4

Now you can upgrade Terminal Mix 4 (and Terminal Mix 2) to use Serato DJ software and thus utilise all four of those channels, we thought it was time to give it another look.

When Reloop released the Terminal Mix 2 and the Terminal Mix 4, it was yet another sign that Serato was planning what turned out to be Serato DJ software. After all, the Terminal Mix 4, especially, made little sense otherwise, as the supplied Serato software could only use two of its channels! Further to that, there were buttons that didn’t do stuff, and labels for non-functioning items. All of this gave the secret away somewhat.

Now that Serato DJ is with us, and the Terminal Mix 2 and Terminal Mix 4 are enabled to take the upgrade (plus, there’s a bundle on sale that actually includes Serato DJ in the box for the Terminal Mix 4, to save you upgrading the usually supplied Serato DJ Intro software), I thought I’d take a quick look at how the integration has worked, and what’s changed.

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March 7th, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: PDJ Handheld DJ Controller

by DJ Hombre
PDJ

The PDJ sports real hardware mixer controls and two touchscreens for ‘decks’. But can it challenge iOS in the handheld DJ controller domain?

PDJ Review: Not so long ago, the idea of DJing away from a power supply with a hand-held device would have seemed crazy. The Tonium Pacemaker made a brave attempt in 2008 to bring the concept of fun and portable DJing to the masses, but was discontinued after two years due to poor sales. At around the same time, DJ apps started to gain popularity on iOS devices and it’s been that way ever since: While iOS devices have their limitations (such as storage, limited connections and strict Apple guidelines), they’re nonetheless gradually gaining acceptance from the DJ community.

But a Korean company called JD Sound Inc believes it has a product to revive the concept of handheld DJing. Portable DJ (PDJ), the company believes, provides a compelling alternative to restrictive iOS hardware. Will this dedicated piece of hardware be capable enough to stand out against Apple devices and their relatively cheap (but increasingly complex and professional) apps? In this PDJ review, we find out…

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March 4th, 2013 Reviews

Reloop RHP-10 Flash Black DJ Headphones Review & Video

by Phil Morse
Reloop RHP-10

The Reloop RHP-10 Flash Black are a capable midrange DJ headphone that come in a number of fashion colours and do all the basics pretty well.

Reloop RHP-10 Review: Somewhere between the entry level and the “pro” grade lie mid-range DJ headphones. Offering isolation, volume and clarity that comes close to the best headphones, but normally lacking some of the more luxury features of such models, headphones at this level should be up to the job in the DJ booth, while not costing the same as true “pro” models.

The Reloop RHP-10s are a great example of this type of headphone. They’re funky looking yet clearly following the classic DJ headphone design. But do they make up for anything they may lack in design finesse with their design and performance? Our Reloop RHP-10 DJ headphones review reveals all…

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