Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus

I’m sure Electronic Music DJs are going to pass out once they finally get their hands on Pioneer’s latest beast of a mixer. The DJM-900 Nexus is just outright sick!!! It’s been a while since their most popular DJM-800 had been updated; matter of fact it’s been 5 solid years, and the 900 Nexus literally takes “update” do a whole new level. I literally sat through the 14min video drooling all over my keyboard. Now if they could only get the faders from a Rane 56….hmmmmm.

Some notable features from Pioneer:

Sound Color FX
Engineered to bring studio quality sound and sequencer style tricks to the club, six new beefed-up effects turn creative vision into a reality at the twist of a dial. In addition to the essential FILTER and CRUSH, the DJM-900nexus boasts four new modern effects.
• The massively popular Noise from the DJM-2000 is added by popular demand.
• The brand new and seriously lush Space reverb brings high-pass and low-pass ambiance to every channel.
• The new Dub Echo also has high-pass and low-pass control over a new tape delay effect to twist with your mind as you slip the timing.
• The amazing Gate/Comp strips back your music to the peaks, or beefs it up to seamlessly blend drastically different productions together in the mix.

New High Quality Effects for a digital generation
These include Reverb, Spiral, Slip Roll, Melodic and Midi LFO.

Pro DJ Link functionality enhances performance
The DJM-900nexus joins the Pro DJ Link family with a LAN connection that brings three revolutionary new features: Now On Play, Beat Effects and Cue Link.

Fully TRAKTOR™ compatible for plug-and-play simplicity
TRAKTOR™ users can connect their PC to the mixer via a single USB port – conveniently located on top of the unit – to get direct input from Traktor’s 4 decks and enjoy all of its features.

And finally…one of the most anticipated changes to this mixer…

Overhauled Beat Effects add a whole new level of control
On top of the 6 super-easy Color FX on each channel, the channel-assignable Beat Effects bring a whole new level of control – making extreme processing more reliable and creative with instant results. Let’s start off with the new control interface:
• Rekordbox™ Quantize picks up Beatgrid data over the ProDJ Link. Simply connect the DJM-900nexus to the network and compatible CDJs send real-time BPM and beat position data to the effects, even as you adjust and bend the pitch in the mix!
• In addition to the Beat buttons that change the timing, the intuitive X-Pad is a touch-sensitive strip that simultaneously engages the Beat Effects, while adjusting things like the Reverb filter, Roll time, and Phaser LFO – using just one finger!
• Bringing a new approach to Filter, Phase and Flanger sweeps is a twin LFO. LFO1 is controlled by the Beat buttons, while LFO2 expresses further wobble factor using the X-Pad.

For more information: http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/content/press/news/djm-900.html

Better yet…check out this video and see for yourself how the Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus is going to change the mixing game.

The Crane Stand Reviewed by DJ Noumenon

What happens when you combine high quality aluminum, Aerospace technology, and a locking system that would require Hulk Hogan to unlock it? You’d get “simply the highest quality adjustable laptop stand” on the market. I present to you The Crane Stand. Back in 2007 designers Garrett Fitzpatrick and Rob Noble were discussing the lack of quality laptop stands on the market. After a series of sketches and brainstorm sessions, the two contacted Morgan Featherston, a master welder and craftsman, and came up with the concept of the Crane Stand.

In 2009, a new version of the stand was released and the DJ community was thrilled to finally see a stand that could with stand the wear and tear of the traveling DJ. This isn’t your typical stand folks. This all in one unit has no loose parts to it, can be set up in numerous standing positions, is super light weight – only weighing in at 3lbs, can hold CDJ’s, Keyboards, MIDI devices, projectors and all sizes of laptops. Let’s not forget that the stand can actually absorb bass rumble and has a Lifetime Warranty with it. I was fortunate enough to get in contact with Garrett Fitzpatrick and he sent me a stand to review.

I was floored when I got this stand. I honestly wasn’t expecting anything like this. I have used numerous stands in the past and I always found myself worrying about my laptop toppling over or the stand just folding in the middle of a set. All those worries were immediately tossed to the side once I set the stand up. Someone finally got this right! Don’t let the size scare you at all either. It is a bit bigger than most traditional stands but the way the stand is designed, you can adjust the height and “style” of stand to your liking. Once you have the right style for you, the locking mechanism on the top and bottom ensure that your stand and laptop will be 100% stationary. The stand folds up to approximately 1” thick and can be tossed into your DJ bag with no problems at all.

The Crane Stand is ready to go out of the bag. No assembly required and no user manuals that require “The Geek Squad” to decipher. The only minor flaw with the stand is the supporting leg. The stand will slide under most mixers but with a Rane I noticed that sliding the stand in closer caused the mixer to lift up a bit. A huge issue? Not at all. I simply took some adhesive foam blocks from a dj case and added a bit more height to the mixer and BANG…perfect fit. Don’t have access to something like that? No worries at all. Garrett and the guys at Crane have designed a new “leg” that can be replaced with the original one. The new accessory is called “Center-Stage” and allows the stand to sit perfectly under the mixer without the wobble.

With a retail price of $175 (10$ mail in rebate) The Crane Stand is a must have for DJs of all styles. Whether you are the at home DJ, club DJ, mobile DJ or studio DJ, this stand is definitely a must have for any setup.

www.thecranestand.com

Playing NYE night? If so, make sure to eat your Wheaties cause you are looking at an 8 hr set that night! Here are some quick tips on getting prepared to bring in the New Year.

* Make sure you have plenty of music of various genres. You’ll easily be able to rip through 80’s and Top 40 in no time. Make sure you have some House, Rock and some classic bangers to throw out once you have your crowd locked in.
* Choose your tracks wisely. Don’t drop gems too early and fizzle out once the clock strikes midnight.
* Take em on a Roller Coaster Ride. Don’t get stuck in the same energy level, bring it up, bring it down and back up. Keep the energy fluctuating but make sure you don’t lose that crowd.
* Once the clock strikes midnight…unleash the beast son! This is the highest point of your night, don’t hold back on your crowd. Unload the floor fillers and bangers!
* Keep the vibe right! Certain songs have certain energy behind them, try to keep the vibe positive and high.
* Make sure you have your bath-room break songs on standby.
* Drink Responsibly. It’s New Years, everyone is going to be partying, be careful and most importantly, be responsible.
* Last but not least…HAVE FUN!

Brought to you by DJ Noumenon

We would like to wish you a Happy New Year…see you in 2011!!!

Atlantic Jaxx Records decided it would be a swell idea to re-release a huge chunk of their back catalog of classic house records that date all the way back to 1994. Atlantic Jaxx was originally founded by the British Duo Basement Jaxx, whom as to date has released an insane number of songs that has helped evolve the genre. The first track that was released on the label, “Deep Inside Your Love”, was a 7 minute smoothed out vocal banger that literally blew the doors open for the duo and the label.

On the label’s site it states:
Atlantic Jaxx was the place where the first Basement Jaxx tracks appeared as well as the Jaxx turning their production skills to other artists such as Ronnie Richards &Corrinna Joseph. It also spawned Simon & Felix’s first chart hit, the timeless classic “Flylife” in 1995.

The Atlantic Jaxx catalog has been remastered and is also available as a digital download from iTunes and other sites. So if you are looking for some classic House tracks that are sure to have heads bugging out…make sure you head over to http://www.atlanticjaxx.net/traxx for more info.

Brought to you by DJ Noumenon

In the true spirit of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Prince’s 80’s classic “Purple Rain”, Kanye’s “short film-music video” for Runaway is actually rather impressive. Teaming up with veteran director Hype Williams – whom actually wrote the film and passed the directing job to Ye- the short-film features tracks from Kanye’s upcoming album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”. Add in my future ex-wife, Victoria’s Secret model Angel Selita Ebanks, and you have yourself 35mins of beautiful visuals and audio. Did I forget to mention Selita Ebanks is in it? The film can easily be seen as a sort of metaphorical journey into Kanye’s rise to fame and the hardships one endures. I must admit…this is a side of Kanye that I feel the world has been waiting to see. From the outbursts over Taylor Swift, to his overblown ego, “Runaway” has moments through out that actually have you feeling sorry for the guy.

Check out the 35 min video of “Runaway” by Kanye West.

Brought to you by DJ Noumenon