By Full Compass LiveOur Picks of the Hottest Tech
2018 is in full swing. That means lots of new, hot and straight-up essential gearDefinition:
Musical or performance equipment. that’ll help you rock your gigs—both this season and beyond. Of course, the options can be overwhelming and the research is time-consuming. We’ve explored, tested and trialed on your behalf. Now, we’re boiling it down to the must-haves. Read on to learn what we feel is worth the investment and why.
Xone:Model 1 6-Channel Analog Mixer
Offering high-definition analogue quality for the hipster set, this DJ mixerDefinition:
A mixer oriented to smooth transitions between recordings (segue) and beat mixing. features a bevy of rarely seen innovations, coupled with singular design. Features not currently available on comparable devices include hybrid filter/swept bell EQ, a dual cueDefinition:
1. (verb) Monitoring and getting a program event ready to go, or direction to talent to commence a program or portion of a program. 2. (noun) A particular piece of music in a video, film, or TV score associated with a particular on-screen event. system, input pre-amplifierDefinition:
1. A device that increases the voltage or power of a signal. 2. In music performance, a device such as a guitar amplifier that includes speakers and controls to increase the sound level of acoustic or electric instruments. drive control, a fully balanced Tascam DB25 connector system and a dual mixerDefinition:
Combiner, controller, and router for multiple audio or video signals. linking system. Looking for the perks and performance of a top-tier studio console? This instrument packs in features like master EQ routing along high voltageDefinition:
Also called electro-motive Force (EMF). The "charge potential" or pressure of electrons that causes current to flow in a circuit. differential power rails, balanced mix buss and zero crossing detection for seamless filterDefinition:
1. (audio) A circuit that reduces certain frequencies, e.g., a low-pass or high-pass filter for audio. Cf. Equalizer. 2. (optics) reduces certain color wavelengths or polarizations..
Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 4-Channel DJ Controller
Offering a club-style layout in an ultra-portable package, Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-1000 affords a professional, four-channelDefinition:
1. In radio, television, citizen's band radio, and other wireless communications modes, a specific frequency for communication. 2. In mixers and video, an input or output signal path with controls. 3. In MIDI, one of 16 data paths. set-up at a price you can afford. This performance controllerDefinition:
1. A MIDI device (keyboard, guitar with appropriate interface, etc.) that alters parameters in a synthesizer or other MIDI sound generator. 2. A device (e.g., modulation wheel, pitch bender, ribbon controller, etc.) that varies some specific parameter in a synthesizer or other MIDI sound generator. has full-size jog wheels that mimic its flagship CDJ-2000NXS model, only here you can expect an upgraded, full-color LCDDefinition:
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): A display that uses fluid crystals that can block, reflect, or transmit light from a back illuminator, and uses very little power. display showcasing BPM, key, remaining time, the song’s waveformDefinition:
A graphic picture of a wave. and any set cue points. You’ll also find a button and knob layout akin to Pioneer’s other CDJs, so there’s no need to re-learn location and retrain muscle memory. Other features include two USBDefinition:
(Universal Serial Bus) A standard, bi-directional serial connection between computers and peripheral devices. ports that can be divvied up, an improved Magvel faderDefinition:
An audio control, rotary or linear, to control volume level. and built-in rekordbox dvs capability. All this, minus the heft of static models.
Reloop RP-7000 MK2 Direct Drive Pro Turntable
This next-gen turntableDefinition:
A motorized device for rotating a phonograph record, and may include a tonearm. caters to pro club DJs and turntablists with an extra-weighty, sturdy, high-rigidity body design, scratch-resistant silver metallic or black finish and killer dampingDefinition:
1. The control of a resonating device like a loudspeaker, or air in a room. Similar to a "shock absorber" on an automobile. 2. A parameter in reverbs that corresponds to the loss of high frequencies that occurs as reverb decays. Not "dampening" …ever!, isolation and sound. Other perks include a moveable LEDDefinition:
LED (Light-Emitting Diode): A semiconductor light generator used in displays, television, pointers and for general illumination. It is a low-power replacement for incandescent lamps. light to assist in dim environs; powerful, adjustable starting torque from 2.8 – 4.5 kg/cm; height-adjustable tone arm base; anti-skatingDefinition:
Compensating for a turntable's tonearm to skate towards the middle of the record. control; adjustable pitch controlDefinition:
A control for altering the speed of a tape recorder, cassette deck, turntable, or DJ controller, which therefore changes pitch. Usually this covers a limited range, such as ±5% to ±10%; a tone arm constructed from a light-weight, rigid, satin aluminum material; and optional groundDefinition:
A common zero-volt potential connection, commonly used for both electrical noise control and safety, and usually connected to the ground of the earth through a spike, plumbing, or electrical wiring that leads eventually to an earth connection. terminal for tricky club and studio settings.
Rane TWELVE Motorized Controller
Pure, powerful and easy to use, the Rane TWELVE is a must-have motorized DJDefinition:
DJ (Disk Jockey):
1. Traditionally applied to people who played recorded music on the radio or at events. 2. Artists who perform using any combination of pre-recorded music, samples, turntables, and musical instruments. control system minus temperamental needles and skipping tone arms. Keeping the familiar turntable layout and size intact, it features a precision, multi-function touch strip in place of the latter for seamless track searching and triggering cues. Featuring an all-metal body, it lets you scratchDefinition:
1. The DJ/turntablist technique of rotating a phonograph record backwards and forwards manually to create a musical effect. Commonly done, despite causing damage to the vinyl. 2. The same technique done with DJ controllers and digital DJ systems, which produces the same type of sound without causing damage to the source material. and play with the utmost creativity, backed by the precision, repeatability and durability of top-tier digitalDefinition:
A signal or data expressed as series of the digits 0 and 1, typically represented by values of a physical quantity such as voltage or magnetic polarization. solutions.
Pioneer DJ DJS-1000 Performance DJ Sampler
This standalone DJ samplerDefinition:
A device that records audio, and maps it across a controller like a keyboard or drum pad for playback manually, or from a computer. Commonly recorded sounds are musical instrument notes and sound effects. Sampler has also come to mean devices that don't necessarily record audio, but can load digital audio files for mapping and playback. lets you intuitively create unique sounds and phrases on the fly — as well as in advanceDefinition:
People or teams that travel ahead of a tour to arrange promotion.. Featuring a DJ-friendly interfaceDefinition:
A device that adds I/O capability to another device. Common would be a MIDI, audio or video interface for a computer to sequence and loopDefinition:
1. To re-record dialog over video. See ADR. 2. To replay a portion of audio or video content. 3. (sampling) To repeat a section of a waveform so that it can sustain indefinitely. 3. To repeat a phrase or section of sound multiple times within a composition or recording. samples, a full-color, seven-inch, touchscreen display, 16 tactile, multi-color performance pads, multi-color step input keys, a slew of inputs and outputs and high-performance features like liveDefinition:
Live broadcast of an event or program without substantial delay or editing. sampling, it’s the stuff of next-level sets.
Reloop TOUCH DJ Controller
Offering a seven-inch integrated touchscreen, the four-channel TOUCH DJ controllerDefinition:
An interface designed specifically for DJs (generally used in conjunction with a computer-based system) that often emulates how traditional DJs used dual turntables, where crossfading between them can provide for a continuous musical experience. from Reloop was developed in conjunction with VirtualDJ to provide plug-and-play performance with the functionality of (included) VirtualDJ 8 PRO. With real-time control of FXDefinition:
(Effects): Abbreviation for "effects," e.g., "special FX" or "FX chain." via the XY panel, simple track browsing, media library organization via drag-and-drop, eight RGBDefinition:
(Red Green Blue) The color space in computer graphics used to create color images on display screens. Mixing these three hues together in varying proportions creates different colors. The number of potential colors depends on the color depth. See Color Depth. performance pads below the fader-FX unit, and straightforward visualization of performance modes, it’s straight-up ready to rock. Plus, video mixing can be played back in full screen mode, offering unique visual support. Additionally, video clips can be assigned to both decks and monitored via the cue function.
Ortofon Concorde MKII Series Cartridges
The five re-engineered, no-fuss cartridges in the Concorde MKII series—including the MIX, DJ, CLUB, SCRATCH and DIGITAL—are designed specifically for the unique demands of modern turntable DJs. Each includes a replaceable reinforced finger lift, and broadened bodies for enhanced stability. The styli provide superior tactile feedbackDefinition:
1. A squealing, chirping, or ringing sound when a microphone feeding a loudspeaker picks up audio from that loudspeaker. Also called howlround. 2. The state where a device's output connects back to the input. when seating, while a cut-out area in the front allows for far more accurate needle drops.
Pioneer DJ RB-DMX1 Interface for rekordbox Lighting Mode
Syncing lights and music is a cinch with Pioneer DJ’s RB-DMX1, which lets you perform intuitive lighting patterns designed in rekordbox dj via a dedicatedDefinition:
Designed or used to do a specific task or set of tasks. interface. Create and save multiple configurations in lighting mode, and use this convertor to easily interface your PC or Mac to DMXDefinition:
DMX (Digital MultipleX): A method for controlling multiple channels of lighting or effects via a single data cable. DMX512 stands for controlling 512 channels digitally via a single cable. fixtures — no matter the size of the venue or theme at hand. Whether you seek automatically generated illuminations designed by algorithmDefinition:
A procedure a computer uses to solve a particular problem, or to produce a set of results based on data processed via this procedure. or custom patterns of your own choosing, its rekordbox dj performance software lets you syncDefinition:
To make two or more pieces of equipment or signals synchronize with each other. lighting sequences like a pro — right out of the box.
Korg KR-55 Pro Rhythm Machine
Achieve the perfect drum sound wherever you go with this multi-function, mixer/recorder functionality-equipped rhythm machine. Offering numerous rhythm patterns in a single, easy-to-use interface, it has an intuitive interface while mimicking the experience of having a pro drummer by your side. Offering a mix of input jacks, effects and an equalizer, you can jam as you're backed by live percussionists, all the while recording it on an SD card. Given it’s battery-powered, you’ll also enjoy complete mobility — be it at your desktop or a performance.
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Have questions? Need details? We’re here to help. Our experts are professional musicians, turntablists and DJs just like you.
