Numark have today announced that they have officially released the Numark V7 in the UK.

Numark V7 is the turntable for today’s DJ. Numark V7 delivers outstanding feel and unprecedented power in a single-platter digital DJ controller. Numark V7 is based around the acclaimed adjustable torque, motorized-platter design from Numark’s NS7 and delivers a host of professional features including real vinyl and a slipmat that analog turntablists will love, plus turntable control at ten times the resolution of standard MIDI, mouse-less library navigation, and Strip Search virtual-needle drop. Numark V7’s link function enables you to combine two Numark V7s with your choice of any mixer and your Mac or PC for a completely customizable, totally seamless performance environment.

Numark V7 includes a professional 24-bit audio interface and contains premium faders, knobs, and buttons including controls for selecting tracks and blending audio effects in the included Serato ITCH software.

• High-resolution turntable software controller
• Direct-drive, motorized turntable platter with high and low-torque settings
• Includes Serato ITCH software, compatible with Serato Scratch LIVE libraries
• Works with all DJ mixers for custom system configuration
• Extensive loop, cue, and track-access controls
• Strip Search virtual needle-drop control
• Complete effects controls for audio manipulation
• Premium, rugged, all-metal construction with high-end knobs and buttons
• Audiophile-grade audio circuitry with line inputs, system and cue outs
• Industry-first handoff between two DJs using two different computers for up to four virtual decks
• Link two V7s together or use a single unit to control two decks

This Page: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/04/numark-v7-released/

The ever evolving Denon DJ have been showing off their new line of mixers at Musikmesse 2010 and with that came the mid-budget Denon DN-X1600.

Built with the quality Denon powder-coated feel that we’re all used to this new mixer has been welcomed by Denon fans who are calling it “well overdue”.

Over the last few years Denon have released a few mixers which either lacked specification or were simply priced too high with not enough specification and subsiquently priced themselves out of the market.

Now, with the Denon DN-X1600, Denon have come back with what looks like a promising turn around.

As well as it’s sexy Denon design and powder-coat finish, the Denon DNX1600 also features mini control. We managed to tarck down this demo video courtesy of agiprodj:

References:

• Denon DN-X1600 @ Skratchworx
• Denon DN-X1600 @ DenonDJ.com
• Denon DN-X1600 @ discostudio.co.uk
• Denon DN-X1600 Press Release @ create-music.net

This page: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/03/new-denon-dnx1600-released/

So after the Behringer DX1000 was discontinued we honestly thought that this would be the end to Behringer’s bad attempts at creating low quality installation mixers…

Today, however, we learn that Behringer have given it another go with a new mixer that Behringer expect will be a popular club installation mixer. Now with the Formula Sound FSM-600 being at the top of every installer’s list as the industry standard mixer, there is indeed a gap in the market for a cheaper alternative  for those clubs that simply can’t afford a top-end mixer, but would a Behringer mixer ever be considered?

Well we do often hear of clubs and bars having the Behringer DCX2496 Ultradrive speaker management system installed in favour of a more reliable (and expensive) BSS Minidrive, so we are keeping an open mind for now.

So here is the Behringer DX2000USB Installation DJ Mixer:

Back Panel Image:

The Behringer DX2000USB does seem to have everything an installation mixer should have including balanced outputs. A seemingly robust appearance and fully rackmountable. Balanced microphone inputs. Full eq. on every channel.

Only time will tell if this rackmountable installation mixer can make it into some lower budget installations but from first impressions, it does look pretty promising.

Full UK retail price is estimated to be around £325 including VAT.

Link to this page: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/03/behringer-dx2000usb-dj-mixer-released/

So after reading many posts in the DJ blogosphere we came accross news that Pioneer have been showing off their new entry-level cd/media player, the Pioneer CDJ-350. As you can see from the image below, the CDJ-350 has been designed alongside an equally well-designed 2 channel DJ mixer, that Pioneer have typically called DJM-350.

The new entry level player is a great leap forward for Pioneer, as it’s not just a CD/MP3 CD player, it plays MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF directly from your USB card.

It does not, however, have Pioneer’s cat-5 link that the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 have.

On the up side though it does have a USB port which allows it to work with midi controllable software such as Pioneer’s Rekordbox™ software.

Pioneer say:

The CDJ-350 will allow users to create DJ performances with various digital music files including MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF files that are stored on different forms of media, including USB mass storage device class products or CD-R/RW discs. The media player also includes Pioneer’s proprietary music management software, rekordbox™, making it possible to manage music files on a computer for quick song selection when played back on compatible Pioneer players.

Specifications look like this:

• Playable Media: Music CDs, CD-R/RW, USB devices (flash memory/HDD, etc.)
• Playable Files: MP3, AAC, WAV (44.1 kHz/16bit), AIFF (44.1 kHz/16bit)
• File formats compatible with USB storage: FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, HFS
• Weight: 5lbs
• Dimensions: 8.66in(W) x 11.36in(D) x 4.21in(H)
• Frequency Response: 4Hz to 20kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.006% or less
• Power source: AC 120V (60Hz)
• Audio output voltage: 2.0V
• USB Ports: USB A Port x 1, USB B Port x1
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 115 dB (JEITA)

So there you have it – another cd player from Pioneer for 2010.

Permalink: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/03/pioneer-cdj350-pioneer-djm350-sneak-peak/

Today Hercules have announced the release of their latest DJ Console, Hercules DJ Console Mk4.

From Hercules, “The Hercules DJ Console Mk4 is the most portable and most compact 2-deck DJ controller with built-in audio for PC and Mac®: just 26.5 x 18.7cm in size (10.4″ x 7.3″) and weighing in at a mere 1.15kg (3.3lb), DJ Console Mk4 is the ideal controller for mobile DJs, wherever they are mixing.”

The DJ Console Mk4 has two stereo outputs, one for mixing and the other for previewing tracks. All rca (phono) outputs enable the unit to be easity integgrated into any home or professional DJ environment.

With the DJ Console Mk4, DJs can integrate analog audio into their digital mix and switch between mixing on their computer and mixing with standard DJ decks (CD or vinyl). Using DJ Console Mk4 and the included VirtualDJ® software, DJs can manipulate external audio sources just as they would with an analog mixing setup (the cross fader, volume faders and EQ knobs control mixing between the two external decks).

Overview of Hercules DJ Console Mk4 features:

• 2-deck mixer: mix digital audio files on PC and Mac®
• The console features a compact design, powered by the USB port, and has been created for mobile DJing
• Includes a built-in, high-performance audio interface:
  • 2 stereo outputs to play the mix on active speakers, a PA system, a hi-fi system or a mixer.
  • 2 stereo inputs (with 4 levels: Phono / standard line level / professional line level / boosted line level) to connect any external audio sources: MP3 players, CD mixing decks, vinyl turntables and more.
  • Headphone output (for previewing tracks).
  • Microphone input (with talk-over function).
• Well-spaced controls for precise mixing: 2 jog wheels, one cross fader, 2 volume faders, 2 pitch encoder knobs, 6 EQ knobs and 36 buttons.
• Intuitive to use: includes functions for synchronizing tracks, automatic loops, adding multiple effects, and recording mixes.
• Includes the VirtualDJ® DJC Edition mixing software.
• Comes with a protective cover, a shoulder strap for easy transportation, and a sub-skin featuring a printed graphic (which can be placed underneath the rigid transparent skin installed on its top panel, to customize the console with an eye-catching design).

Minimum system requirements:

PC: 1.5GHz processor or higher, 1GB of RAM, Windows® 7 / XP / Vista (32/64-bit), USB port, stereo speakers and/or headphones.
Mac®: 1.5GHz processor or higher, 1GB of RAM, Mac OS® 10.4 / 10.5 / 10.6, USB port, stereo speakers and/or headphones.

This page: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/03/hercules-dj-console-mk4-released/

Panasonic (the manufacturer of Technics) have announced that production of the world famous Technics SL-1200 and Technics SL-1210 DJ turntables stopped at the end of February 2010.

The relvelation from Panasonic marks the end of an era but it’s not as if we didn’t see it coming.

Let’s be honest now, since the release of the Pioneer CDJ-1000, over a decade ago, sales on Technics turntables sales have been lost to the ever evolving digital DJ revolution.

Technics SL-1200 series turntables have been the industry standard for over 35 years and the SL-1200 is synonymous with the DJ culture. It has been released and re-released, and re-released, over 9 times with different models.

Numerous other turntable manufacturers have tried to compete with this deck; and most have very much copied it’s user friendly, ergonomic layout; but above all, the Technics SL-1200 & Technics SL-1210 remained the undisputed number one DJ turntable in clubs and bedrooms accross the globe.

The Technics SL-1200 has been featured in the London Museum of Science and Technology and is described as a major stepping stone in how music is played and presented in modern society.

Many would agree that without the Technics SL1200 music would not be played as we currently know it and the modern cd “decks” such as those manufactured by Pioneer and Denon would not look the way they do.

See the history of the Technics SL1200 from these sources here:

• Technics SL1200 & SL1210 @ eDJ Gear
• Technics SL1200 @ Wikipedia