Is Tonium’s Pacemaker a Heart Stopper?
August 13, 2008
A few days ago someone handed me a late pass on this nifty little MP3 gizmo that called itself a Pacemaker: A pocket-sized DJ system. I’ve a born skeptic about anything that tries to mimic what a real DJ does so I went scouring the web for other people’s thoughts on the $800 MP3 player/mixer. [Read more]
GOTTA HAVE IT: BEATS BY DR. DRE
July 23, 2008
These headphones will not make your beats sound like Dr. Dre’s but they’ll sound better than anything you’ve heard before.
FL Studio 8 is Imageline’s Top Banana
March 26, 2008
FL Studio (formerly knowns as Fruity Loops) just got an upgrade. The “studio in a box” software popularized by 9th Wonder, Khrysis and many other producers, is large and in charge for ‘08.
In version 8, particular emphasis has been given to improved workflow through enhanced interface design. FL8 includes 13 virtual synthesizers covering acoustic/synthetic bass, electric guitar and plucked string simulation, sampler tools including piano, general sample playback, and beat-slicing, and a range of synthesis techniques (subtractive, modelling, FM, granular and additive).With its newest addition, FL Synthmaker - a fully modular environment, you can create & share your own FL instruments, effects & dashboards without the need to write basic code.
Also, FL8 now supports Track-based sequencing, Pattern Clips present sequence data as Audio and/or Automation Clips. Slicex, is their powerhouse drumloop slicer & re-arranging tool but you STILL have to buy Sytrus separately.
Click here for a complete list of the additions and bug fixes to FL 8.
The Nodfactor team has just downloaded our upgrade from FL 7 Producer Edition, so we’ll be back with a detailed review of FL 8 after we’ve had time to play with it.
5000 Whats???: AKAI’s Latest MPC
March 5, 2008
Six years after dropping the MPC 4000 and months after the portable MPC 500, AKAI Professional has unleashed a new beast. Featuring a 20-voice, 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with arpeggiator and a new larger (240 x 128 display) the MPC 5000 is the most advanced of the legendary MPC production tools.
In addition, the MPC5000 features a 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory - expandable up to 192MB. The display is twice the size of the MPC2500 and MPC1000 so waveforms appear crystal-clear. Integrated Chop Shop 2.0 now supports stereo chops and Patched Phrases. The MPC5000 is also the first MPC to include Random and Cycle sample playback in addition to velocity Zone Play. A turntable preamp is also included.
The MPC5000’s virtual analog synth eliminates need for external analog synth modules or buggy software based synthesizers. The new 8-track direct to disk recorder lets you produce your whole song in the MPC and then mix it down with the internal sequenced programs and any input thru material. Add the optional CD/DVD drive and you can then burn an audio or data CD or your mix. Over 650MB of premium-quality sounds from Loopmasters are included to get you up and running with pro-quality production in seconds.
For more info visit http://www.akaipro.com