GEAR + TECH
Pioneer Raises the Bar for Affordable Quality Headphones with HDJ-CUE1
There’s a reason Pioneer DJ has become the industry standard for all things DJ-related over the years. The brand is no stranger to impressive craftsmanship, durability, and of course, quality audio. Pioneer DJ has now just released its brand new headphone model, the HDJ-CUE1, raising the bar for entry-level headphone models that don’t skimp on sound quality. Pioneer DJ’s latest headphone model comes at the most affordable price yet for the brand’s headphone models, but that doesn’t mean quality is sacrificed. In fact, the HDJ-CUE1’s specialist sound tuning is directly adopted from the HDJ-X5, ensuring that users are treated to top-notch sound at a professional level. Low frequencies come through the dynamic drivers with impeccable clarity, so that t...
deadmau5 to Launch mau5trap.tv Streaming Platform with Exclusive Set from TESTPILOT Alias
As deadmau5 continues to test the waters of the drive-in rave scene, the venerated DJ and producer is now steering into the virtual concert space with the launch of his own livestreaming platform, mau5trap.tv. The live music streaming landscape in the US has only become more robust with each passing week as the country struggles to reduce the impact of COVID-19. With no nightclubs or festivals to turn to, what started out as a pie-in-the-sky idea has now mutated into the new norm, as legions of music producers and DJs have opted to funnel their sound into the blue light of user’s devices in the absence of tours. The lingering question, though, is how to monetize the streams beyond simple advertising campaigns. The launch of mau5trap.tv will be commemorated by a can’t-...
Algoriddim Launches the Revolutionary Neural Mix Pro for Mac
Back in June, esteemed software company Algoriddim launched its djay Pro AI system with Neural Mix AI technology for iPad, iPhone, and MacBook, signaling the possible start of the next big paradigm shift within the world of DJing. Now, Algoriddim is raising the bar, entering the second phase of its music software revolution and breaking ground for music producers with the release of Neural Mix Pro. Neural Mix Pro is an AI-powered music player and editor that allows producers, DJs, and musicians alike to extract any single part of any song in their library. The Neural Mix AI software leverages Apple’s Core ML technology to separate vocals, drums, and instruments in real-time, creating studio-quality stems that are ready for live editing or remixing. An advanced offline ...
AIAIAI’s Sustainably Produced TMA-2 Modular Headphone System Does Not Compromise Sound Quality
In May, esteemed audio design brand AIAIAI announced that it would be reducing its carbon footprint by utilizing high-grade recycled plastics in its products and packaging. Going green is something that every brand can get behind, but it can sometimes result in a downgrade in terms of product quality. So how do AIAIAI’s customizable TMA-2 headphones hold up after the green shift? The answer is quite simple—the TMA-2 headphone is better than ever, and remains a leading top-shelf selection for the purposes of DJing, music production, and casual listening alike. Premade TMA-2 models vary widely to cater to the user’s individual preferences, and include wireless and comfort-based models. But AIAIAI lets the user remain in control with the modular headphone system, a...
Dive Into Disclosure’s Dazzling Minecraft Map, Designed to Mirror Their New Album “Energy”
With no festivals or clubs to conjure the magic of their new album thanks to the unwavering wrath of COVID-19, Disclosure have ventured into the capacious world of Minecraft to activate the forthcoming record, Energy. With the help of design collective Blockworks, the barnstorming electronic music tandem unveiled the “ENERGY Minecraft Experience” today, revealing an expansive world within the wildly popular sandbox video game. Designed to animate the kinetic sound of the duo’s highly anticipated third studio album—their first in 5 years—the digital landscape is a dazzling actualization not only of their Grammy Award-nominated sonic flair, but also their dedication to environmental preservation. Disclosure After the album official drops this Friday, August 2...
Ableton Scraps 2021 Loop Summit Due to “Unmanageable Doubt” Casted by COVID-19
Music festivals aren’t the only major events to feel the wrath of COVID-19 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Venerated German music software company Ableton, the developer of the most ubiquitous digital audio workstation on the planet, has cashed in its chips and cancelled its in-person 2021 Loop Summit, citing fears of COVID-19. “We have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Loop Summit in 2021,” Ableton said in a statement. “It is increasingly clear that we cannot guarantee the level of health and safety that our event demands. In addition to the welfare risk, the ongoing global pandemic has continued to cast unmanageable doubt over all aspects of our event planning. Uncertainty in future travel and event restrictions has made it impo...
Spotify Signs Deal to Be Exclusive Audio Streaming Partner for Global “League of Legends” Esports Events
Spotify and Riot Games have joined forces to spawn quite a formidable tandem in the EDM and gaming crossover space. The streaming behemoth has signed an exclusive deal with Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, to become the official audio streaming partner for the game’s Esports global events. The momentous partnership kicks off ahead of the game’s 2020 World Championship on September 25th and will also encompass the Mid-Season Invitational and All-Star Event. The Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game remains the most popular Esport in the world. In 2019 alone, massive tournaments were held in over 37 different cities across five continents, amassing a record-breaking viewership of 21.8 million average minute audience. Moreover, the official Leag...
Quadrivium, a Synth Controlled with Data from the Moon, is Out of This World
Modern producers know that the modular synthesizer plugins of the world today can create some pretty far-out sounds. Perhaps no one knows better than Giorgio Sancristoforo, the mastermind behind synth plugins such as Decoder/Encoder and Substantia. The creator is now putting forth his latest work, Quadrivium, and it might just be his most stellar offering to date. Quadrivium’s modulation is driven by data from the moons of our solar system’s gas giant planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Parameters within the synth, like the filter cutoff, ring modulator, reverb, and tape stop can be modulated using the data, providing some very unique and interesting sounds. Sancristoforo says that the data collected from the moons will span a ten-year period—from 2020 to...
Virtual DJ Launches 2021 Version with Game-Changing New Technology
Since launching in 2003, Virtual DJ has gone on to become one of the most useful resources for those looking to enter into the world of DJing without shelling out hundreds of dollars on equipment. The free-to-use software equipment is now revamping its functionality for 2021, introducing a new installment that will improve upon the quality of its real-time stem separation technology. Now, users can mix in various components of their tracks such as vocals, instruments, kicks, and hi-hats in real-time, allowing for live mashups and seamless transitions. With the use of ModernEQs and new Stem pads and waveforms, users will have access to a comprehensive and user-friendly interface to view and manipulate tracks. “The release of this new technology has really put us in the spotlight...
Zedd Unveils Immersive Snapchat Lens for Hit Single “Funny”
Following the release of his latest radio hit, Zedd is keeping his foot on the promo pedal with the release of a themed Snapchat lens. The venerated DJ and producer took to social media to show off the new filter for “Funny,” his breezy dance pop collaboration with Jasmine Thompson. The lens offers an immersive glimpse into the single’s kaleidoscopic visual features, which were also recently gamified in Minecraft by a popular YouTuber named DoodleChaos. Following the July 2020 release of “Funny,” Thompson shared the story behind the “life-changing” single, saying that her producers sent an early demo to Zedd without her knowledge before the Grammy winner fell in love with it. He put his own twist on the tune, and before she knew it, the duo ha...
Afrojack and Sprayground Partner for New Backpack Designed for Touring DJs
Afrojack joined forces with Sprayground for a new backpack featuring their signature shark mouth. In 2019, Afrojack teamed up with the streetwear brand Sprayground for a collaborative backpack. Donning the brand’s iconic shark mouth design, the white leather backpack was a hit and sold out in a few hours. Luckily for those who couldn’t get one the first time or prefer darker shades of apparel, they’ve now joined forces again on another backpack. Designed for touring DJs, the shark print is featured on black vegan leather as opposed to the white coloring in the past iteration. In an effort to make the backpack both stylish and functional, they’ve included a dedicated compartment for a laptop. Inspired by Afrojack’s shoe collection, the company has stated that t...
Roland Celebrates 40 Years of TR-808 with Mini-Documentary and Free DAW Plugin
In addition to the interesting history lesson published by Roland, fans can try out a digital version of the machine on their favorite DAW. Roland Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electronic musical instruments and software, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of its signature devices, the TR-808. A backbone in the worlds of hip-hop and electronic music, the drum machine was used in many of the genres’ most iconic works. On their website, they uploaded a detailed infographic page showing off the history of the device, some famous users and works, and how it’s now integrated into DAWs in the present day. The list of TR-808 users is immense. Notable names include Marvin Gaye, Kayne West, Beastie Boys, Aphex Twin, Daft Pu...
