andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Turntables are becoming as much a part of a touring rock band these days as a guitar or the lead singer’s skinny blue jeans. But it’s still a novelty when someone actually knows how to use them.

Kid Koala is no rookie. After four solo albums all promoted with elaborate interactive tours, and opening slots for the likes of Radiohead, Bjork, RJD2, DJ Shadow and Beastie Boys (on their Hello Nasty tour, no less), the man knows his way around the booth.

By association, then, Kid Koala’s project called The Slew was a guaranteed success from the outset, despite the outlandish nature combining his fusion-jazz turntable leanings with a hard-rock rhythm section.

Making up The Slew is Wolfmother’s rhythm section (bassist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett), as well as Koala’s frequent collaborator Dynomite Dan (Dylan Frombach), under the studio direction of Mario Caldato Jr. (who produces the Beastie Boys).

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The mastermind behind Sexy Chick and countless other hits, David Guetta is DJ royalty. And you would think with all his success he would have an ego. Truth is – not really! A very approachable guy and we are grateful to have been able to sit down with him.

DJ AM, also known as Adam Goldstein, was found dead in his NYC apartment earlier today, according to TMZ. Early reports say that drug paraphernalia was found around his body when he was discovered. Last year, Goldstein and Travis Barker survived a plane crash that killed four others on board.

Once the news broke about his death, Shanna Moakler tweeted “My deepest condolences for DJ AM, you were a great artist and will be severely missed. My thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends.”

Story developing…

A new hip-hop music game is set for release this upcoming summer. “Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” is an interactive video game in which the player is the DJ spinning the hip-hop tracks.

The setlist for the music game will include songs from Kanye West, Beastie Boys, The Black Eyed Peas, Eric B. and Rakim, Run DMN, Nelly, The Gorillaz and more, reports MTV News.

“Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” is slated for release this summer on “next-generation” consoles. The full press release, as posted on mtvnews.com, says that the game is an interactive experience for fans of hip-hop. It was developed by 7 Studios and features “60 original and licensed tracks from the most popular hip-hop and R&B artists”.

The press release also included the setlist, which includes:


· Flashing Lights- Kanye West

· Intergalactic- Beastie Boys
· Let’s Get it Started- The Black Eyed Peas

·Slacker- Tech N9ne

·Don’t Sweat the Technique – Eric B. and Rakim

Additional music from artists:


· Run DMC
· The Gorillaz

· Nelly
· Deltron 3030

It went on to say that, in addition to a heavy-hitting setlist, “Scratch: The Ultimate DJ” features distinctive urban environments, an array of customizable DJ personalities and a turntable style controller created by Numark, one of the leading manufacturers of DJ equipment. For more information on this innovative video game, visit the official website at www.scratchvideogame.com.

Stanton DJ, a professional DJ-standard audio products designer and manufacturer, introduced Friday the DaScratch. The DaScratch is the company’s newest addition to the SC System controller line.

The Da Scratch features a USB-MIDI controller that features fast response, easy customization, and is small and portable. DaScratch also features Stanton’s new StanTouch technology, which allows DJs to use conventional performance motions and gestures on a touch-pad style surface. The StanTouch interface is responsive to scratching, scrubbing, and navigating through digital audio files. The device also has buttons, triggers and virtual faders that can control samples, pitch, effects, and cue and loop points.

DaScratch also features DaRouter software, which allows for customized support and control over must DJ, DAW, and audio applications. The software also allows for two-way user feedback by illuminating LEDs to indicate the status of button, triggers, virtual faders, and transport controls.

The DaScratch is compatible with Windows XP, Vista or Mac OSX, and features a USB connection. The devices is retailing for approximately $300.

MegaSeg is a Mac based music mixing program with many practical features, perfectly suited for the mobile DJ. Fidelity Media Inc. has made a software program that is easy to use and very reliable. The company’s vision is ‘to simplify music mixing and library management for mobile DJ’s, radio stations, and other music related industries’.

When MegaSeg was initially introduced about 10 years ago, music mixing programs for the Mac were few and far between. Since the earliest version, the look and feel of Megaseg has basically remained consistent without any major visual modifications. Fidelity Music Inc. offers fine support and has steadily provided registered users with regular MegaSeg updates when needed.

MegaSeg is fully compatible with the latest Mac OS Leopard and is a Universal Binary, running equally well on Power PC or Intel Processors, on the Mac. The program is very stable, and I have never experienced a problem during testing or while ‘gigging’ using current version 4.1 READ MORE »

Stanton DJ, a design and manufacturer of professional audio products for club and mobile DJs and turntablists, has launched the new T.90 USB High-Torque Turntable, for today’s professional or home digital DJ.

The Stanton T.90 USB is a professional quality turntable with high-torque direct drive motor and a USB output, combining the latest digital technology and Stanton design. With Key Lock built-in, DJs can adjust the tempo of a record without affecting pitch, and USB and S/PDIF digital outputs make the T.90 USB a vinyl archiving tool as well.

Technical Specifications and Key Features

• High-torque direct drive motor
• USB and S/P DIF output for convenient transfer of music from the turntable to a computer or CD Recorder
• S-Shaped tone arm for superior tracking when scratching
• Unique digital feature like Key Lock (Master Tempo) to adjust the tempo of a record without affecting pitch
• 2 Start/Stop switches for mix or battle setup
• 3 playback speeds (33, 45, 78 RPM), plus Quartz Lock and target light
• Pitch control slider with selectable range (+ / – 8%, 12%)
• Includes Stanton 500B cartridge, slip mat and cloth dust cover
• Includes software to convert records into digital recordings or CDs, edit MP3, and WAV audio files

For more information on Stanton DJ and to view the company’s complete catalog, visit www.stantondj.com

For the new era of “laptop DJs”, comes a neatly designed lapton stand.

Stanton DJ, a designer and manufacturer of professional audio products for club and mobile DJs and turntablists, introduces the ÜBERSTAND laptop stand, a tool for the traveling laptop DJ or musician.

Most DJ booths and performance venues were not designed to accommodate a laptop, which creates hassles for the DJ in many places. The Stanton ÜBERSTAND accomodates this issue. Folded, the ÜBERSTAND is also designed to be a travel companion for a laptop. Unfolded, it elevates a laptop above the workspace while providing a specially crafted shelf for the Stanton ScratchAmp or any other external hard-drive.

Specifications…

Stable, rugged laptop stand for use by DJs and musicians
Folds flat into a 12” zippered bag (included)
Metal – aircraft grade – aluminum and stainless steel
Lightweight and small form factor when folded
Adjustable shelf to store Final Scratch ScratchAmp or external hard-drive
Reusable plastic ties and Velcro

The ÜBERSTAND will retail for $79.99.

For more information on the ÜBERSTAND visit www.stantondj.com