This sound is for the underground.

A 40 minute excursion into the underground with old-school ethic and new-school technology. One for the warehouse moments.

Track List (Respect is Due)

Nalepa – Seattle Flight
Cowboy Rhythmbox – Shake
Meat Beat Manifesto – Radio Babylon
D.H.S. – House of God (D.H.S. 20 Year Remix)
XXXY    – Werk
Bandshell – Rise Em
Tom Budden – Rock Tonight
Hot City – You & Me 4 Eva
Mike Huckaby – The Upstairs Lounge
Sascha Dive – Underground Railroad (Willie Graff & Tuccillo remix)
New York Transit Authority – Off The Traxx
Mosca – Eva Mendez
Pattern Select – Tale of the Tape
Tempted – Fack Tanto
Drums of Death – Tear The Box Apart
Teeth – Percolator Meme
Huxley – Let It Go
WAX – WAX 30003 A
AFTRPRTY – Smoke Machine

Novation MiniNova

Champion synth manufacturers Novation have recently announced a new synthesizer called MiniNova that takes their UltraNova synth’s sound engine and packages it in a smaller unit, aimed at electronic music producers who are looking for depth in a compact form.

Novation Strikes Back

2012 has been quite a solid year for synthesizers. With companies such as Moog, Arturia, Casio, and Dave Smith Instruments releasing new synths this year, it’s been a great time for hardware enthusiasts. Not to be outdone by the competition, esteemed synth manufacturers Novation have stepped into the ring with a new piece of gear called MiniNova that takes the best elements of their UltraNova synth and packages them into a smaller package with some new features. The result is a product that has obviously taken some visual cues (such as mini keys, a vocoder mic and wood panels) from Korg’s incredibly popular MicroKorg line, but with a sound and feature set that is uniquely Novation. As much as the synth looks like the MicroKorg, remember that Novation is the company who brought us the ubiquitous Bass Station in 1993, a pint-sized VA synth that completely changed the game with its portable size and deep sounds.

Novation MiniNova

The Novation MiniNova is a analog modeling synthesizer based on the sound engine found in the company’s flagship UltraNova synth. It features three oscillators, up to five effects, two filters, six envelopes, three LFOs, and 36 different wavetables. The instrument comes loaded with 256 factory patches and has room for an additional 128 user patches, all of which are found via the large “genre select” knob and a scroll wheel to cruise through the individual patches. A parameter matrix on the right side of the synth offers 24 variables for tweaking that can be accessed by four knobs and a switch at the far right. In the midst of this matrix is also a dedicated filter cutoff knob for instant access. The MiniNova has two quarter-inch outputs,  stereo headphones output, MIDI in/out, and XLR and jack inputs for routing sounds through the vocoder and on-board effects. Power can be supplied via USB or a through the included 9V DC power supply.

Novation Vocaltune

One new feature that Novation has introduced with the MiniNova is Vocaltune, an  effect that can tune your voice to the note being played on the synth in real-time. The synth also comes with an expressive new vocoder engine which can be fed by either the included gooseneck mic or the external input. Other performance features include a robust arpeggiator and the new Animate buttons which “let you apply up to eight deeply expressive modulations, with a hold button that latches any or all of the animations,” as Novation explain on their site. The Novation MiniNova drops in October 2012 with a suggested retail price of $629  and an expected $400 street price.

(Originally published on Dubspot.com)

Jesse Dean Designs: Custom Pro-Audio MODs – Maschine, MPC, Traktor, Technics, Pioneer +

“I call it functioning art. I look at a piece of gear and try to figure out what I can do to make it more ergonomic and pleasing to the eye. Most designs are inspired by the artist that contracts the modification.”

Jesse Dean Designs

Jesse Dean Graves is an artist, turntable technician and industrial designer who specializes in the customization of music gear such as Technics 1200s, Pioneer CDJs, Native Instruments’ Maschine, and just about anything else you want to bring him. He’s worked with heavyweights such as DJ Q-Bert, DJ Muggs (Soul Assassins), DJ Q-Ball (Bloodhound Gang), Chris Kilmore (Incubus), and DJ Scratch (EPMD). But you wouldn’t guess any of that by meeting him; his humble demeanor and obsession with deconstructing electronics and crafting new objects overshadows the impressive portfolio of work that you can find on his website and YouTube channel.

“Since I was a kid, I always ripped things apart to see how they worked,” he explains during a visit to his Lancaster, CA studio/workshop where there was  a buzz of creation happening. His assistant Brandon was working at a workbench of Maschine mods (one of his most popular products) while Jesse explained what sorts of customizations he does. “What I do mostly is Direct Image. That means, what you see…colors, textures, and feel. I do some mods to electronics too, depends on the gear,” he explains. “97% of the time I can find a way to do it. Turntables, microphones, keyboards, rack gear, guitar cabs, guitars, MPCs, Maschines, mixers, speakers, and much more.”

Some of Jesse’s recent projects include making the finish on a set of turntables look like a guitar, creating a custom skateboard for Pioneer, and installing Novation Dicer modules in a Technics turntable. Many of these projects seem to be inspired by the discovery and manipulation of new materials, as he explains: “I watch a lot of progress in different industries. Automotive performance, aerospace, and of course electronic automation. I try to use these technologies and materials in my designs. There are so many people studying and creating new materials and processes, I try to utilize this progress in the manufacturing of my designs.”

Technics 1200 Customizations

One of Jesse’s recent projects was a set of turntables created for Chris Kilmore of Incubus (see above video) that features wood paneling and the first modification to incorporate a pair of Novation Dicer units into the turntable chassis. Modifying 1200s was his first love and specialty, and he’s customized a number of them for aesthetic reasons as well as improved performance. “I love Technics turntables,” Jesse tells me when asked about how he found the path to customizing them. “I built a set of turntables for fun. They were a busted pair of 1200MK2s I had laying around. I stripped them down, powder coated the chassis, changed the LEDs, and engineered out a straight tone arm. They were pretty cool. I showed them to a friend, he asked if I could do something to his 1200s—it all started going from there.”

On the technical side, Jesse shows me a few modifications that aim to enhance the Technics 1200s’ functionality, including a straight, carbon-fiber tonearm. “Carbon fiber dose not transmit sound waves like metal alloys,” he explains. “Plus straight tonearms have a direct back pressure. Unlike the s-arm it pushes straight back. The s-arm pushes out when the record is pushed back. So I incorporated the two together to make a awesome performing scratch tone arm.”

Another mod he’s created is a new tonearm PCB board for Technics turntables. “I enhanced the original design to fit today’s wants and needs. For instance I made the zip tie mount more rugged so the board no longer breaks in this weak spot. And I built in internal grounding.” In addition to modifications, Jesse stresses the importance of maintenance. “Tuning is also very important and the right setup is critical. Tuning tables helped me come up and engineer products for better performance, such as different materials tonearms are made of and weighting for tracking on a record.”

NI Maschine Modifications

One of Jesse’s most popular products (and more affordable ones as well) are his wood panels, graphic overlays, and metal knobs for Native Instruments’ Maschine and X1 MIDI controllers. While these are somewhat simple modifications compared to some of the custom work that Jesse does, the upgraded knobs and wood panels do bring a touch of class to the devices. He also offers a wood stand that will combine the X1 and Maschine together in one stand, at the same height. The wood trim kit for Maschine costs $49.99, Maschine covers cost $15.99, and the Maschine knob kit is $34.99.

Lego CDJ 2000

One project that has gotten a lot of attention in the media (and tipped this author to his work) is Jesse’s Lego CDJ2000. As a final question during our visit, I had to ask how this came about. “I was at a event at ASTRO AVL in Glendale for a Pioneer DJ demo,” he explains. “After the show I asked the rep, how do I get hold of Pioneer parts to mod? He asked me what I wanted to do with them. I told him how I make custom turntables and other gear. By surprise he had seen my work before and asked me if I wanted to participate in the Pioneer DJ Art Mix? Wow what a honor…how I got the idea with the Legos was, I wondered what a 5-year-old DJ would rock out on. I loved and still love Legos. When the CDJ2000 came in the mail I geeked out like a 5-year-old!”

For more information on Jesse Dean Designs you can visit his website. Knobs, wood panels, and overlays for Maschine, the X1 (and other performance controllers) may be purchased through Tempo Records.

(Originally published on Dubspot.com)

Defy Gravity Summer Bumper: Drift To Center

Tracklist

Traxman – Itz Crack
Moodyman – Saturday At The Rock
Goth Trad – Anti Grid
Pachanga Boys – Time
Scuba – Adrenalin
Tennis – Make it Good (Larry Heard Mix)
Franck Roger & Terence Terry – Hustling Peoples
Laps – Joyful Process
Clayton Steele – Distorted Point of View
Dj Deeon – Where The Hoez (Uh Oh)
Boddika – Basement
Barem – Is (D’Julz Remix)
Jay Haze – Neighbor 2
Franck Roger – Bring it Back (Maya Jane Coles Remix)
The Grizzl & J. Phlip – Bakupgrl (Original Mix)
Renegade Soundwave – RSW
Cobblestone Jazz – Across The Nation
DJ Assault – Tear The Club Up
Drexciya – Bang Bang
Drexciya + Lamin Fofana – Unknown Journey II
D.S.R. – We’re Going Deep

Summer Heat: Dj Kid Ray – Styloid Process Mix

 

Summer heat from a good friend and sick selector from Beantown – DJ Kid Ray

Styloid Process – Tracklist
1. Little Helper 17-4 / Butane & Ryan Crosson
2. Anti Amid / D. Diggler
3. Stand Beside Me (Glimpse RMX) / Tom Demac
4. Estetico / London Ground
5. Deconditioned (Freaky Disco RMX) / Saytek & DZeta n’ Basile
6. Basic Tool / Trickski
7. Intelligence / Rick Wade
8. ibox / Roberto Clementi
9. Bounce 2 / Rene Breitbarth
10. Walkin Away / M.in feat. Chriss Vogt
11. Policrom / NTFO
12. Deo / Roman Flugel

Akai’s new iPad-based MPC Fly

Guest blogger Steven Williams got to look at the MPC Fly at Musikmesse and sent us his thoughts:

The new Akai MPC Fly combines two of the most iconic musical production tools of the last few decades, the MPC controller and the iPad. As you’ve probably noticed by the images, the two devices seamlessly combine to create a laptop style case that securely protects you’re iPad. But the Fly is much more than just a case; it has 16 genuine MPC velocity-sensitive pads in the familiar 4×4 layout and a four-track sequencer for beats on the go. The MPC Fly is built with the same quality as the rest of the MPC series but as it costs just £170, it needs to be integrated into a DAW or higher-end MPC unit to be used to its full potential. Ideally you make you’re beats on the go and then take you’re results back to the studio and optimise them. (Author’s note – its important that I stress it isn’t compatible with the 1st generation iPads so don’t make that mistake.)

With the introduction of the iPad you get the obvious benefit of a well-designed and integrated app and it looks like Akai have taken great time and effort in creating the application side of the Fly. Like I’ve mentioned, you can sequence 4 tracks at the same time and there’s an existing library of various drum sounds and samples that were at a higher quality than I was expecting. You can also adjust each sample’s velocity, length and tuning through what Akai’s renowned the 16 level mode.

I really like the Akai MPC Fly because it is targeted a larger audience but for various purposes. It could be a producer’s best friend and be used to fine-tune songs on the way to the studio or by you’re average guy in his room making tunes. You also get guaranteed quality with MPC and for £170 you can’t really go wrong.

DJ Vealchop (Los Angeles) Drops Some Tech/House Sickness on Directive Mix Vol. I

Recorded LIVE on 3-14-12 in the Dungeon Kitchen. Nothing but the raw mixing styles. Keeping it flavor. Two Technic 1200s, Pioneer DJM-800, 100% Vinyl Record Mix.

Karsten “Vealchop” Lesso is a staple of the Los Angeles nightlife collective, one of the dedicated DJs who can be found many nights of the week rocking house music to a Downtown crowd in clubs, bars, afterhours, and regegade jams on a regular basis. If you’re not careful you could take this dedication of craft and refined selection for granted. But don’t. Vealchop brings evolution to the game with a selection that rises above genres and continues to shake asses for heads on the real real.

Dj Vealchop –  Directive Mix Vol. I Tracklist

01. DHS – Attention Earth People – TinoCorp
02. Jens Bond – Pictures In The Dark – Highgrade
03. Hot Chip – No Fit State (Audion Remix) – EMI
04. Samim feat. Lil Dirty Ghetto Bastard – House Nation – Tuning Spork
05. Mitaka & The Little – Lifeguard – E:Minor
06. Lump – Save Me (Jay Haze Remix) – Futuredub
07. PhonoKemi – Smile – Highgrade
08. Resmann & Meinhardt – Chapeau – Upon You
09. Moodymann – JAN – KDJ
10. Heartthrob – Future’s Past – Minus
11. Interceptor – Together (S-Man’s Miami Mix) – Murk
12. Harry Axt – 2 Voices – Rompecabeza
13. Serafin – 36 Barner Oberland – Bruchstuecke
14. Phage & Dreier – Unseen – Highgrade
15. Lutzenkirchen – Monster In My House – Platform B
16. Guido Schneider – Earth Browser (Jambi’s Deconstructing Guido Mix) – Tuning Spork
17. Black Action Committee – Heaven – DNH
18. Masaya – El Choquero (Agnes Dub Mix) – Perspektiv
19. Eats Everything – Whatever Whatever – Dirty Bird
20. Virtual Boy – Long Distance Call – E:Minor
21. Kenny Hawkes – Ashley’s War Part 2 (Kenny’s Spacewalk Mix) – Paper
22. Voice Stealer – Evaluation – Subvert

Teenage Engineering Release OP1 Update (12616)

Teenage Engineering uploaded a nice gift for their user base yesterday with the release of a new operating system (OS#12616) that you can download from TE’s website. Below are some features that have been added/fixed:

– Tape import from external material now possible.
– Added MIDI Start and Stop.
– Added Finger key copy.
– Sequencers now respond to external MIDI notes.
– Battery indicator improved.
– Added MIDI indicators in the signal flow screen.
– Added Hi Res rec level control in tape screen with shift.
– Drum Sampler snapshot saving did not always function correctly. Fixed.
– What you hear downmix was not done correctly. Fixed.
– Ghost jumps backwards could sometime result in a gap in playback. Fixed.
– LFO did not update all graphics correctly. Fixed.

Amazing Machines Brings MIDI to the Korg Monotribe for $88US

The Korg Monotribe was 2011’s geek toy to have, an analog monophonic synth that squeals like a 303 with classic Korg MS-20 filters. It’s a fantastic machine and for $230 it’s one of the least expensive ways to get into subtractive synthesis.A recent update for the Monotribe brings new functionality and improved sequencing  to the device and Korg have recently announced a Mono Mania contest where you can win a 24-karat gold-plated Korg Monotribe (fresh!) But.. (and it’s a big but) the one drawback to this device is that is does not have MIDI capability built-in. This seems to have been a calculated choice as Korg seem to have built this device with modification in mind.

Part of the reason for the Monotribe’s popularity is the open-source attitude that Korg seems to have taken with this product. While opening the device will void your warranty, Korg have included notes on the inside of this product that actually illustrate solder points to MOD your Monotribe for further functionality. Now most of us (myself included) don’t own a soldering iron and haven’t the slightest idea of how to start tinkering with the electronic side of this device. But that’s where Amazing Machines comes in. This Brazilian company is offering a plug-and-play solution to MIDI for the Monotribe for $88US. Check out their site for more info and for a full breakdown of the process involved, Sonic Lab (below) has a nice video that shows what you’ll need to do to install this mod. Positively brilliant. Can’t wait to get our hands on one.

9-9-09 (An Oral History of Drum Machines)

This is a documentary celebrating the 25 year anniversary of the Roland TR909. In this documentary, narrated by Robbie Ryan, we traverse the history of the programmable drum machine from the CR78, TR808, TB303, TR909, and LinnDrum, with audio examples of each.