Viewing archive for the ‘Gizmos’ Category
546How I produced “Pro Nails”
Being on tour with Kid Sister has got me reminiscing on the songs we made together in the early days of Fool’s Gold, “Pro Nails” being the most known. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to 2006 when that song was first crafted and examine the DAW set-up that I was using.
I met Kid Sis in the summer of ’06 and pretty quickly we decided to work on some music together. I was itching to try some new sounds with my production. Up until then, every track I made was sample-based. I used to play samples (and often scratch them) straight from my DJ mixer into Protools, and then edit them into beats. If you listen to “Step Off” which was done just a few months prior, not only was the sample triggered off vinyl but even the drums were scratched — you can hear the different tones on consecutive kick drums, coming from the stab scratches on the record. I loved doing that type of beat but I could hardly play these songs in my sets. I wanted my tracks to reflect my DJ sets more, so I started experimenting with uptempo beats. This type of production would rely less on samples and edited audio, there would be more synths and programmed drums, and I didn’t like the way Protools handled MIDI at the time (I think this was on Protools 6 or 7). So I started looking for other DAW’s. After years of being bound to my record collection at home, I was also transitioning to a mobile set-up.
USB3 and Thunderbolt explained for DJs
Apple’s new generation of MacBook Pros boasts a new type of connection that looks and sounds more like an energy drink: Thunderbolt. Meanwhile, USB3 has quietly made its way into products. What do these two technologies really mean and how will it affect your life as a DJ? The always informative DJ TechTools website has a very thorough article on the matter. Check it out!
Alan Braxe on the SP-1200
Spotted this on the Holy Ghost! blog… pretty dope, Alan Braxe shows how he made “Intro (Running)” on the SP-1200 and the Alesis 3630 compressor. I have that compressor, I’ve never used it on anything.
X-Box Me
Shout to to Sam Bliss, a fan from Australia who sent me this Trizzy-fied X-Box avatar that he made. I’m pretty impressed! It has my bird-chest and narrow shoulder build… quite accurate! That beard is more DJ Drama than A-Trak though.
Through the synergy of blog comments: Tonetable
Andrew C’s comment the previous blog post brought my attention to this other iPhone app, Tonetable. This one plays the control tones of most DJ software so that you can use your iPhone to control (I’m guessing) Serato, Traktor, etc. I like the design on this one.
Scratch on your iPhone
It was only a matter of time before something like this came out.
I like the little crossfader. I also feel like this privileges people with tiny fingers, but such is life.
The app is called Baby Scratch, it’s free! I wonder if they made it free in light of sample copyrights.
Inside Soulwax’s live setup
Soulwax’s live show is one of the best in the biz. Seeing the amount of gear that they’re running on stage and just how precisely timed everything is, it comes across like it was programmed by a nuclear physicist. In this video, David Dewaele breaks down exactly how it works. They even control their own lights from Ableton!
Linos USB Vinyl Player
Linos is a portable USB record player designed by Charles Pyott. You just slide it onto vinyl, extend the little needle arm, plug the other end into the USB jack, and presto-blammo you got a portable vinyl listening device! The USB both powers the unit and allows you to plays the sounds through your laptop. Too bad you can’t buy it at stores, I gotta find me one of these things.
A Night At The (Synth) Museum
In Calgary we stopped at the little-known Cantos synth museum and… well… just watch it. It’s insane.
Special thanks to our gracious host Brendan.
Tutorial on NI Massive: wobble basslines
Last Wednesday I went to the Native Instruments office in LA for a tutorial on Maschine. While I was there I asked them to explain to me the true science behind Massive, a plug-in that I’ve used a bunch but never quite understood! I got the mathematics, and then my instructor told me that he made this hugely popular youtube clip explaining how to make wobble basslines. Sure enough here it is with 162K views. Watch and learn, kids! Wawawawooowawawooomp.
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- RT @ComplexMusic: This new @ONRABEATS song "L.O.V.E." is the perfect soundtrack for a hot summer evening in the city http://t.co/BBXZXdqn
- NYC catch me at Le Bain tonight djing @TheRealFafi 's book release party! #family
