TECHNEWS words: MICK WILSON
TECH TALK — OLIVIER GIACOMOTTO Definitive co-boss talks studio gear and producing for film. p.138
IN THE STUDIO We sit down with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff. p.141
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Two top tech giants have come together to create the formidable Radius 2 mixer… JAM HOT? asterSounds is one of comes with a CV to die for in terms of and home set-ups are all benefiting Getting to grips with Native those cool companies that mixer design. He was responsible for from the delights of high definition makes bespoke bits of engineering Richie Hawtin’s recently audio. DJs and music lovers are Instruments’ Maschine Jam. kit to aid in the practice launched PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 now looking at the equipment side p.140 M of listening to good music with the DJ production mixer, as well as being of things in order to complete the best gear possible. It goes to great head designer for Allen & Heath’s high definition audio signal chain. lengths to ensure that when it delivers Xone range of mixers for over fifteen Media players are now coming with a product, it will give the user the years — thought that would grab your technology that delivers the purest highest standard in audio quality. The attention! sound, with vinyl and analogue lovers company explores every avenue in The union (excuse the pun) of these still benefiting from the warmth order to achieve this goal. One such two companies is what some would that come with these standards. avenue of exploration is teaming up term a thing of beauty. The Radius However, some of the mixers on the with another company who share 2 is a rotary mixer with the prime market haven’t quite caught up with the same passion. Union Audio is a emphasis on quality of sound. this trend in quality audio delivery, HERE WE GO name that might not be familiar to With the advancement of audio and this is an area where we are now most, but the owner Andy Rigby Jones technology, clubs, venues, installs seeing a shift in the marketplace. Pioneer go small with the new WeGO4 controller. p.143
TECH PRODUCER Handy hints, top tech, ghost writing and more... p.146
134 djmag.com TECH NEWS SOUNDBYTES STUDIO ESSENTIALS Sandy Turnbull is a rare breed of artist who skilfully jumps from jacking to deep house, and from soulful to disco. His new record, the ‘Make Me Cry’ EP, is out now on Galleria Records. Here’s his most indispensable gear...
CUTTING BACK THE WIRES AIAIAI is back with a new Rotary mixers are renowned great home listening audio addition to its popular for this type of sound, and splitter. The vinyl reproduction TMA-2 modular headphone it is with that mindset that was a beautiful, silky affair. system. The H05 is a new MasterSounds and Union Switching between our digital Bluetooth headband that Audio have developed the source (computer with no allows the TMAs to be used Radius 2, a compact two- sound card, streaming Spotify wirelessly. The H05 adds channel mixer that does away from the headphone socket) it wireless functionality to with inbuilt FX and trickery to has to be said that there was any configuration of AIAIAI concentrate on the delivery of a marked improvement with modular headphone system. clean, pure, dynamic sound. the sound coming through Anyone that owns a set of the mixer into the powered TMA-2s can upgrade at a Roland TR-8 The Radius 2 is made to order, monitors that we were using relatively lower cost than “This has been my favourite drum machine hand-built and tested by for this particular digital having to pay for a complete for a while. I like to use it live within my DJ Andy at the factory before comparison. new pair of phones. sets. Whilst it’s really hands-on and easy to being shipped to its new • aiaiai.dk get going, you can get really creative lucky owner. As Andy puts it, While the mixer delivers a outside the standard features. The original “The heart of the Radius 2 is great sound, it also looks 808 and 909 sounds are great, but I feel a carefully designed audio good, with its vintage style they have been rinsed over the years. I’ve signal path, marrying classic VU meters and retro-style been using the expansion with the 707 and analogue circuitry to the latest knobs. It comes in two colour 727 more recently.” high performance components ways, black or silver. We and design techniques, all of couldn’t decide which one Ableton Live which contribute to the superb we preferred, as they both “Although I originally learnt production transparency of the mixer”. look really cool. There are two using Logic, I tried Ableton for the ease of DJ Mag can attest to that. variations of the Radius 2: the warping, and since, my workflow has been We managed to get hands-on standard at £1200 and higher GOLDEN ARQ quicker, especially using the more recent with a preproduction model specced version at £1350, The ZOOM ARQ is an all-in- versions. I have it on my studio computer of the mixer, and can honestly which can be ordered via the one production and live and my laptop in case I want to make an say that the sound quality MasterSounds website. performance instrument edit before a gig. I’ll sometimes bounce the from it was truly exceptional. which includes an integrated stems and mix down the track on Logic or We hooked it up to a club drum machine, sequencer, Pro Tools.” standard CDJ2000 Nexus 2 synthesiser, looper and MIDI set-up and were amazed at the controller, with a built-in Soundtoys detail of sound. VERDICT accelerometer. With its “After trying a couple of the plug-ins, I Using it was a joy. Its basic wireless detachable Bluetooth invested in the full bundle. I’ve been two channels made for easy BUILD QUALITY 9.0 Ring Controller, users are impressed with every single one. The ones I mixing: operation of the mixer EASE OF USE 10 not restricted to being in use the most are EchoBoy, Decapitator and doesn’t take a science degree. FEATURES 9.0 one place and can freely Panman. I can only compare Soundtoys to The inclusion of high-pass VALUE FOR MONEY 8.0 move around during their other plug-ins as I’ve never owned the filters on the two channels SOUND QUALITY 9.0 performances. hardware, and I haven’t found anything helps to colour the sound • £474 zoom-uk.com that can rival them yet.” when in the mix, though the HYPE A truly great-sounding mixer that Native Instruments Maschine Radius 2 doesn’t have channel takes a different approach to specific EQ. It does come with what is currently out there. “I’m still using the first generation of a master channel EQ/Isolator, Maschine — it’s perfect for being creative as well as separate master GRIPE and hands-on. I was using it mainly as a step and booth outs and AUX They won’t give us one for free! sequencer with its extensive library, but in sends and returns, so that if the last 18 months I started looking at it desired, external effects can The perfect addition to any DJ’s DRUM BEATS more as a sampler. I’ll sometimes take it on be utilised. set-up, especially those with a Acidlab’s new drum machine the road and jam when jetlag has kicked in.” We also tried it out hooked up nose for quality. The Detroit is a recreation of to a turntable and external Roland’s legendary TR-909. Mackie HR824 digital audio device, the type It’s an analogue unit based on “I’ve been using these monitors since of set-up that is now often 9/10 the original’s circuitry, with production college. While I still use other seen in living rooms. With additional sound-parameters. monitors for reference purposes, I prefer this type of set-up we weren’t Acidlab is not new to Roland the Mackie 824s for the smooth and well- really looking at the DJing PRICE recreations, with the Miami balanced sound. I’ve not found anything side of things, but solely at £1200-1350 and the Bassline 3 making up with a better bass range that doesn’t have the relationship of the sound part of its product line-up. a sub, whilst still having a clear midrange between the two sources, as CONTACT • acidlab.de and bright top end.” the Radius 2 does make for a mastersounds.co.uk
djmag.com 135 TECH NEWS
APP REVIEW SOUNDBYTES APP: REMIXLIVE VERDICT DEVELOPER: MIXVIBES FORMAT: ANDROID PRICE: FREE 8/10 RemixLive for Android is a grid- based loop player that has been optimised for Android OS and feels as stable and useable as the iOS version. It’s quick and responsive, BLOCK PARTY bringing users all the features ROLI BLOCKS is a new that are available in the original modular music system iOS version to their fingertips. comprised of three core THERE IS NO DENYING it. DJ apps The app is really useful for ‘block units’. The Lightpad for the Android platform are few sketching out ideas or just simply Block features a tactile, and far between, especially when having a bit of fun with samples glowing surface that lets you consider what is on offer for and loops. Features include a full- musicians shape sounds ODDKIDOUT the iOS crew. Android is the most fledged mixer, professional audio through presses, glides, CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT used mobile device operating effects, powerful time-stretching and other natural gestures, system, but seems to fall behind capabilities, a sample editor while the Live Block and MASCHINE in terms of what manufacturers and the possibility to record live Loop Block have controls Emerging Philadelphia artist and drum supremo are releasing when it comes to audio, making RemixLive quite that make it even easier to OddKidOut can’t live without his Maschine... DJ and production apps. Whilst a powerful music creation tool perform and produce in real there are music apps out there for Android devices. The app is time. BLOCKS is powered by “Native Instruments Maschine is a MIDI controller for Android, the tastier ones free with in-app purchases. Users ROLI’s free NOISE app. that I can’t live without. Being a drummer, I like seem to focus around iPad and can purchase additional sound • roli.com to create rhythms live and on the spot. What’s so iPhone users. However, Mixvibes packs and FX from the store to great about Maschine is that I can set it to MIDI are bucking the trend and have add to the basic app, and build mode, hit record, and map out a beat in real time released an Android specific up a rather decent music creation directly into my DAW. This process helps humanise version of their RemixLive app. suite. my drums so that they don’t sound quantised and robotic. It’s also great for adding stuttering hi-hats, as the note repeat function can easily send your sound into 8th, 16th or even 32nd notes. “The Maschine is also really powerful when creating SPACE ODYSSEI melodies. You can easily search through your Native Instruments sound bank and drop individual sounds into certain pads on the grid. This is really helpful when you want to formulate chord progressions. Or you could drag the same sound STEM CELLS into all 16 slots and manipulate each one to create DJs looking for those a diverse melody. Also, being able to EQ individual ’80s classics can now get sounds and the entire group is key to enhancing versions that are STEM sounds that are both linear and unexciting. enabled to utilise Native “Sampling on the Maschine is also a breeze. When Instruments’ STEM format. I do sample, I load up a vinyl on my turntable and The first in the range is record the audio into my Maschine. It’s super easy ‘’80s Covers’, available for to cut and chop on the Maschine with the knobs download from the Beatport on the top of the device, and you can watch your online store with more to work right in front of you on the LED screen. This follow. ‘’80s Vol 2’ and ‘’90s enables you to stay solely inside the Maschine, and KORG RECENTLY released an original as closely as possible. Vol 1 and 2’ are about to be not have to reference back to your computer, which iOS version of the Arp Odyssey It’s also been given numerous released. The covers are of could slow your work flow. for iPad and iPhone. The new enhancements that are an extremely high quality, “All in all, the Maschine is the most powerful item Odyssei App uses Korg’s circuit possible only with software, and in some instances hard in my arsenal for production, and I use all of its modelling technology to including polyphony and built- to differentiate from the features for any type of music that I’m making.” reproduce the classic analogue in effects. originals. feeling and sound of the • korg.com • £6.38 swanmusic.co.uk
DESKTOP GLORY PIONEER DJ has added the on space but still need to have compact DM-40 desktop monitors excellent audio quality. The to its range of DJ/production DM-40 benefit from technology speakers. The 4” drivers and taken straight out of Pioneer small nature of these speakers DJ’s S-DJX and Pro Audio speaker make for the perfect option range. for DJs who are compromised • £189 pioneerdj.com
136 djmag.com FABRIC’s NEW SOUND
pioneerproaudio.com | #madeintheuk | Pioneerproaudio
Untitled-1 1 13/12/2016 14:34 PIONEER_PRO_AUDIO_FABRIC_CONSUMER.indd 1 09/12/2016 13:09 TECH NEWSNEWS
TECH TALK Olivier Giacomotto makes cool dance music with a distinctive sound, often musical in nature while still holding that dancefloor-driven club edge. He has released on Get Physical, Tronic, Suara, Noir, Plus 8, Great Stuff and Knee Deep in Sound plus delivered remixes for Suara and Definitive Recordings, a label he runs with John Acquaviva. Now he has provided the soundtrack to Acquaviva’s Red Man film, taking him into new territory with his music production. DJ Mag Tech caught up with Olivier to discuss the technical side of his career…
What was the first bit of kit that you bought? funky by having a hi-hat every eighth of a bar, and hours or three months, it really depends on the “I was 18-years-old when I bought my first very often a clap instead of a snare, or both once in project, the deadline… Sometimes when I’m stuck, synthesizer, a Roland JV-1080. A very solid and a while, it depends on the final colour and impact I just let the project settle for two or three weeks, versatile rack synth. In 1994 I had no idea of the I want to give to the track. Claps are moved a few then come back to it with a fresh ear. It worked like style of music I wanted to produce, so I relied on milliseconds before the beat, and I always apply the this with my track ‘Bipolar Star’.” that famous brand thinking it would have the widest right amount of drive/distortion for more grip.” range of sound for all kinds of electronic music. I Did you approach making the music for The Red kept it for 12 years and then sold it to a friend.” What piece of kit can you not live without? Man in a different way to your dancefloor tracks? “There are a few, but I would put Native’s Monark “Definitely, making music for image is totally Can you give us a break down of your studio? in the first place, then Lennar Digital Sylenth, then different to making tech house for the dancefloor. “My studio today is very simple. A small room with Arturia ARP2600, these are great synths, there is There is no DJ-friendly format, and the goal is to a good acoustic treatment, a MacBook Pro, an always one of those three synths in every track I emphasise the feelings that are already in the movie RME Fireface 800 soundcard, a pair of Event Opal produce.” scene.” monitors, a Subpac, Logic Pro X and a wide range of plug-ins and soft synths.” So you use a lot of virtual synths in your What was the production process involved in productions? producing the score? What is your go-to piece of kit for creating your “I use only software, mainly because I want to “I had a series of long talks with the director Jimmie rolling basslines? be able to produce everywhere, on a plane, on Gonzales who tried to make me understand his “The soft synth I use a lot lately is Native a train, in a hotel… but a lot of people ask me vision: he wanted something dark, druggy, haunted Instruments’ Monark, it’s a very powerful emulation what hardware I use, because when they listen to and scary, so I had to do a lot of research about the of the Minimoog. Sounds that come out of it have an my tracks they believe it’s made with hardware. impact of audio frequencies on the brain in order immediate richness and very solid body.” Nowadays software has reached such a level of to find sounds that create tension, dizziness, fear performance that it’s hard to tell the difference.” and even panic. Then Jimmie sent me each scene, I How do you create your killer drum tracks, do you sent them back for him to check, then we did a few sample loops or programme your drums? Some people kick up a fuss about this… back and forths in order to be fully satisfied by the “For drum tracks I have different solutions. The “I really don’t care if someone uses hardware result.” offer of samples is huge, there are many great or software, the result is more important than sample banks like Sample Magic and Vengeance. anything. Ideas will make the difference in How did you find creating music for a movie Regarding plug-ins, Arturia’s Spark is great if achieving a great-sounding synth.” compared to making dance music? you need that vintage drum sound. I also use VPS “Music for the dancefloor is something I’ve done Metrum to build great kicks from scratch. The kick What processes do you use in your productions? for 15 years, so making a soundtrack took me out of drum is very important, most of the time it’s the “The rule is that there is no rule. I can start with a my comfort zone, it was a truly fresh and inspiring cornerstone of my drum tracks. It always drives vocal, a synth sound, an arpeggiator, or simply with experience, it expanded my brain and my field of the other elements. I try to keep things sexy and a good bassline. Then I can make a track in three ideas. I’d love to do it again once in a while.”
138 djmag.com GET YOUR MIX ON
Industry first Hybrid Design to work plug ‚n‘ play with SeratoDJ (full version included) and djay PRO n Multi-Platform support for iOS/Android/PC/Mac n First, integrated docking station that holds up to an iPad PRO (12.9“) n 8 colour-coded performance modes including brand new Pitch Play n Unique Macro FX Mode: Combine any Effect with the Sound Filter on each Channel n Dedicated LOOP Control Section with Length Indication LED-Bar n Large Aluminium Jog Wheels with LED illumination (Virtual Needle & Track Elapse) n Mix millions of tracks instantly with award-winning DJAY 2 and Spotify integration n Power House Interface with multiple In- & Outputs (XLR Master, 1/4 Jack Booth, 2x RCA Out, Mic, 2x Headphones)
INCL. FULL VERSION PLUG ‚N‘ PLAY
DISTRIBUTED IN THE UK BY WWW.HENLEYPRO.CO.UK
Untitled-1 1 11/11/2016 17:00 A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WE WORKED WITH THIS YEAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AGAIN IN 2017
PRODUCTION MANAGMENT • LOGISTICS • CREATIVE DESIGN • 3D REALISATION • VISUAL CONTENT CREATION SPECIAL EFFECTS • INSTALLATIONS • LASERS • LED SCREENS • STAGE LIGHTING • EVENT AUDIO PROJECTION MAPPING • BRANDING • LIGHT BOXES
madeupltd.com
Untitled-1 1 14/12/2016 17:30 TECH
In the studio with Jazzy Jeff Words: CHARLOTTE INA STERLAND
SUMMER TIME Multi Grammy Award-winning hip-hop legend Jazzy Jeff, who shot to prominence for his work back in the day with the Fresh Prince, aka Will Smith, talks to DJ Mag Tech about his modus operandi these days and what sort of DJ he considers himself... J Jazzy Jeff needs little introduction. make’, and then figuring out if I could get a four- What is your preferred method of working today As a DJ or a producer, his early work bar take recorded instead of a two-bar take. Then — hardware or software? with The Fresh Prince and his individual to start making demos, from four-track to eight- “I don’t necessarily have a favourite option. I D material has won him numerous chart track to sixteen-track recordings. I tell people mean, Ableton Live is definitely the brains of and dancefloor success all over the world — and that this journey is what made me versed in the the operation, but I’ve gotten to the point now on top of that, his DJing sets are a thing of studio.” where I’m trying to blend both worlds together, legend. you know? Coming from the analogue world, and DJ Mag Tech was lucky enough to get some personal one-on-one time with the legendary DJ at last year’s Loop event in Berlin. We managed to sit him down in a room for this exclusive interview before he ran off to catch Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry play the closing set...
How did you start in production and making records? “I started with a Mattel Synsonic drum machine. It was almost like a toy but it was an actual drum machine. I just started with that, making beats and just working my way up. I started to hear about some of the other makes of drum machines, and I eventually saved up enough money and bought a Roland TR-606. “For me, it always started from trying to make beats, and then from making beats to, ‘OK, I can add musical elements on top of the beats that I
djmag.com 141 TECH
fit in any scenario, or work myself into a great position out of bad ones.”
Have you thought about combining what you do in the studio with your DJing? “My production brain and my DJ brain don’t go together sometimes. It would be magical if they did, I have to make a concerted effort to get them to. I would love to put my production into my DJ set, with Ableton and Push and have this mad scientist thing going on onstage. “Now, with the technology, this stuff is starting to fit. At the end of the day I think I would love to bring my production aspect into my DJing.”
So production and performance are separate facets that you utilise? “Yeah. It shouldn’t necessarily be, but I make it like that. It’s funny, I had someone tell me, ‘How come you don’t use your studio to make edits that you can then DJ with?’ It’s the simplest logic in the world and it’s incredible and I’m like, ‘I don’t know!’ Why doesn’t my brain go there? When I actually do it, it makes sense.”
Let’s talk about sampling — it seems to be a major element in your productions... “It’s always been like that. I wasn’t as much in the acoustic world as I wanted to be. I think that making beats and sampling stuff, sampling acoustic instruments was just what I did. I would tell people that the whole point of sampling is that you would take a piece of music and you’re taking maybe four bars of magic that maybe five guys in the studio created and you’re looping living inside the box, I’ve got all my Ableton completely switch it up and I’m going to add it over and over again, and it’s so great that it stuff but then I have a bunch of vintage synths these tracks in to the mix’. doesn’t matter how many times you play it, it and stuff like that.” “One of the blessings for me of DJing is the mesmerises you.” element of surprise. You dictate the direction In terms of your collection, what is your that everyone wants to go, and sometimes you But you’re not adverse to using ‘real’ favourite piece? realise — on the fly — that you made a mistake, musicians when it comes to making music? “My favourite is my vintage Rhodes Suitcase 73. and the ability to correct it sometimes makes for “Yeah, you know, we used to have these jam I had three, and each had a couple of broken the most incredible night.” sessions every Sunday. Some of the most keys. I found out that one of the main guys who incredible musicians in Philly would come down refurbishes keyboards, especially Rhodes, lives Do you think the fact that you came through and I would get everyone to write down their not far from me. I gave them to him and he said, hip-hop had anything to do with that? name, the instrument that they played and ‘You have a very vintage year of the Suitcase’, “I didn’t start off with hip-hop. I started off pre their phone number and I would just sit in the and he recommended I get that one fixed. And hip-hop — I started playing funk and soul and sessions and take mental notes. You start to he fixed it. The whole thing is almost brand new, rock, and then came into hip-hop. I don’t think develop a database of people and you know who it sounds amazing. That’s the prized possession I ever — as much as I was a hip-hop artist — they are and what they do — like he’s in the — I have a little cloth on it that I use every day considered myself a hip-hop DJ. I made hip-hop pocket, he’s all over the place, he’s great, and and polish it. It’s absolutely amazing.” records, but this also gave me a great advantage, then when it came time to making records, you the Swiss army knife. I’d like to feel that I can would just get on the phone and bring them in.” DJing has changed, and what started out as a more technical innovation has become more like button-pressing. What are your thoughts on this? “Um, I’m not one of those people that criticises any DJ for their approach or how they do things. If they have one fan, it’s worth it. It’s not for me to criticise or say I don’t like what they do. I don’t eat cheese. I don’t hate on everybody who eats pizza. It might just not be for me.”
When you started out as a DJ, trying out new things, what excited you most about what you were doing? “I think spontaneity. I think the thing that a lot of the DJs don’t have today is the ability to improvise on the spot. Switching-up tracks that will work ten times better for that particular floor — they can’t automatically change. They play as if their sets are pre-recorded, set in stone to the point that they cannot get out of it. If it doesn’t work, they’ve got to ride with it. I love the spontaneity of saying, ‘This crowd is a little more energetic than I anticipated and I think I can push them a little harder, so I’m going to
142 djmag.com LOOPMASTERS.COM SAVE 10% GREAT SOUNDS. SERIOUS INSPIRATION. Quote code DJMAG10
A lethal collection of hi-octane samples from the legendary pioneer of sound, Tom Green aka Rockwell. Packed with the production clarity and quality you know and love, with adrenaline-fuelled Drums, hard-hitting Synths, incisive Percussion and subwoofer destroying Bass! If you want to hear what the future of electronic music sounds like….this is it. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT...
THE SAMPLE BOUTIQUE THE PLACE FOR MUSIC PLUGINS
WOW! SPECIAL CUSTOM MUSICIANS EARPLUGS OFFER
FOR DJ MAG READERS ONLY
PROTECT £150 custom musicians earplugs for DJ Mag readers only. YOUR Just quote ‘DJ Mag’ when you call HEARING
IEM’s – We’re endorsed by all main suppliers COME TO US FOR ALL ENHANCE YOUR HEARING NEEDS
THE Call 020 7486 1053 or e-mail SOUND [email protected]
Serving the entertainment industry for 25 years
Untitled-1 1 14/12/2016 12:11 TECH Native Instruments: Maschine JAM Words: MICK WILSON
JAM HOT? Is Native Instruments’ new software controller Maschine Jam hot stuff?
ative Instruments has a It’s all about getting hands-on, and manner, we have to point out that it loyal following when it getting quick results. isn’t a substitute for accurate piano- comes to its Maschine style (or even pad-style) key entry. VERDICT N range of hardware and SLIP ‘N’ SLIDE But it’s still handy and a lot of fun. software products. The two combine Unpacking Native’s Maschine Jam This element of Maschine Jam is BUILD QUALITY 9.0 to make a powerful performance unveils a well-built piece of kit. one of the areas that makes it stand EASE OF USE 9.0 and creative instrument. The three The casing of the Jam, whilst being out from what Ableton’s Push or FEATURES 8.0 existing products in the range — of a plastic build, has the feel of a Novation’s Launchpad do, though VALUE FOR MONEY 8.0 Maschine Studio, Maschine Micro, metallic unit. There is a weighty feel each of the aforementioned have SOUND QUALITY N /A and the original Maschine — have despite its compact size, which gives other defined features that are not been a staple for dance music it an air of quality. The rubberised implemented in the Jam. HYPE producers since their launch. Now buttons that make up the grid section FX parameters can be manipulated via A really fun compact controller NI has added another device to the have a nice firm action and click feel. the touch-strips, too. Users can load that offers producers a new way of laying down their tracks family. The solo rotary dial used for scrolling up one of eight FX and have control using Maschine software. Maschine Jam is a new grid-based through sounds, FX and menus also over the parameters, making for controller, looking a little like a follows suit. Making up the rest of the some quick, on-the-fly adjustments, GRIPE cross between Ableton’s Push and control section are eight touch-strip in keeping with the theme of fast No inbuilt screens, and the Novation’s Launchpad controllers. sliders. Native refer to the touch- editing and performance. It’s that pads are not touch-sensitive. It’s been designed to sit and work strips as ‘Smart Strips’ and they can jamming vibe that NI wants to get smoothly with the existing Maschine be used in a variety of ways. Users across with this new controller. Native Instruments’ Maschine line-up, and more importantly can press them to play notes on plug- Jam is a great new addition to the Maschine family. work alone, offering a fresh way in instruments, a novel approach As mentioned, the grid-based to perform and produce using the to dropping musical elements into element of Maschine Jam differs to current Maschine software. It’s the Maschine productions. Users slide the usual use that some producers first time that Native has taken a step their fingers up and down the strips, will be accustomed to. Whereas 8.5/10 into the grid controller-style set- which are locked into a specific key. with Push and Launchpad, and even up, shifting the focus slightly away This activates notes in relation to Native’s original Maschines, the from the MPC style of programming the key and the scale, which can grid section and the touch-sensitive PRICE that the original hardware favoured. make for some really interesting pads are for tactile input of musical £319 Instead, it focuses on a speedier, results, especially when used in a elements, as well as launching more fluid way of creating beats, performance. samples and clips. The 8x8 grid found CONTACT basslines and other musical Whilst DJ Mag thoroughly enjoyed on Jam is not touch-sensitive and is native-instruments.com elements. Hence the name Jam. messing around with it in this used in a different way. Primarily, it
144 djmag.com TECH
is manipulated in conjunction with selection of input methods on offer, it certainly does suggest it’s an keyboards into the mix to take it the step sequencer for building with the emphasis on the quick instrument in its own right — and even further. We messed around up tracks and productions via the sketch vibe. not a controller. Creative flow, with this a bit whilst working out Maschine software. Native refer jamming, and performing live — it this review and in the short time to their grid section as a click-pad BOX-TICKING EXERCISE ticks all those boxes. that we explored this avenue, we matrix and indeed it can trigger One thing to note about this newest have to say, it is a very powerful samples in a clip-style way, but Maschine offering is that it doesn’t Not only that, now that Native has combination indeed. that’s not the only use of it. have an inbuilt screen for viewing made its Maschine and Traktor Another function of the click-pad information. Users will have to software Link-enabled (Link is Maschine Jam comes with the matrix is Keyboard Mode. As with rely on their computer screens, Ableton’s open source protocol Maschine 2 software and with a the touch-strips, producers can or the handy and informative LED for connecting devices to play in version of Komplete 11, Komplete select key and chord values and lights that adorn the unit for visual time), DJs can really up the ante Select, which offers brand new use the grid to explore the melodic feedback. DJ Mag Tech found that with their performances, creating users a strong arsenal of sounds to side of their productions, pushing once all the elements are lined a fluid live set-up to experiment get started with. down on the buttons to trigger a up and ready to go, not having a with performance, using STEMs NI also points out that Maschine note. Engaging the arpeggiator screen on the unit doesn’t feel like as backing tracks. They can push Jam makes for the perfect button allows for some real complex a hindrance. It gets easy to totally the creative angle of a DJ/live set/ companion to its existing Maschine melodies and works really well. lose one’s self in the moment, and performance whilst incorporating range, and when used together Piano roll mode allows another way the hours soon start to wile away. Maschine Jam, performing track makes for a very strong production of inputting notes. There is a varied Maschine Jam is fun, it’s fast and arrangements and then connecting suite.
djmag.com 145 Untitled-1 1 20/04/2015 16:58 TECH Pioneer DJ WeGO4 Words: CHARLOTTE INA STERLAND VERDICT
BUILD QUALITY 9.0 EASE OF USE 9.0 FEATURES 8.0 VALUE FOR MONEY 8.0 SOUND QUALITY 8.0 HYPE Really portable, looks good and isn’t over-complicated. Great for a well-planned set, and good for newbies wanting an introduction into DJing, as well as for established DJs. GRIPE Doesn’t have some features a that a larger controller might.
The WeGO4 is Pioneer DJ’s excellent latest release. The simple interface and quality controls make the device a great controller for DJs at any level. It’s portable, elegant and simple to use, adding to the fun factor while in the mix.
HERE WE GO AGAIN 8.5/10 Pioneer DJ’s WeGO4 is the latest compact DJ controller to join the party. PRICE DJ Mag Tech takes a look… £249 he DDJ-WeGO4 is the we were ready to start mixing, loading and they feel nice to use. What the newest edition to Pioneer tracks and playing them. We loved the controller lacks in weight, it gains in CONTACT DJ’s affordable, entry- look and feel of the WeGO4 — the cool, portability, which is a definite priority pioneerdj.com T level DJ controller range. understated compact styling of it — but for many people. It comes with all the usual frills that at the same time the practical nature Playing with the loop mode is one of device. The two headphone inputs are will keep beginner DJs happy, but can of the controller, with many of the the more fun features of the controller. found at the side of the unit, one for also be used by more experienced essential buttons used for performing On the device there are three loop mini jack and the other for a standard jocks. Available in a range of colours placed around the jog-wheels on the length buttons, set to 1/2, 1 and 2x jack. (for the fashion conscious amongst unit. The WeGO4 allows for some real bars, which is enough to get some The only real problem with the device us), it’s a load of fun to use, and the DJ mixing, rather than just playback good looping going. The four slots is that there are no volume level clear, uncluttered layout makes it an button-pressing. It focuses the user on available for hot cues and samples is indicators built into it — there are appealing option for any DJ. certain functions, rather than throwing straightforward enough and allows no visual references to the volume up so many options that would initially for enough material to be loaded and of your tracks. This said, as long as Our first thought when looking at this be intimidating to new DJs. prepared prior to and during your sets. you’re attentive with the up-faders and product is that the controller comes keeping an eye on the software, this in at an affordable £249. In keeping With four cue buttons, three effects The WeGO4 doesn’t have waveform should be fine. with the previous variants of the buttons, Pad FX, sampler and Loop viewing screens built into the device, WeGO family, it’s smaller than many options on each of the decks, there is but this isn’t a problem if you’re using This controller is good for exploring the of the other two-deck mixer-style plenty of room for creative mixing, and your iPad or iPhone as this sits nicely intricacies of the art of creative mixing. controllers in the market-place; both there is much more mix trickery to be on top of the controller in the provided It has on offer all the tools needed by of these factors will appeal to DJs who done using the filter knobs as well (the docking bay. This integration of the DJs for looping, sample playback, FX need something ultra-portable and filter can also be exchanged for another iPad/iPhone into the kit is great for et al. — albeit via the software. It is inexpensive. However, sound quality effect by going into the software those that will want to use their iOS versatile and can be tailored to your and usability are always a priority, so settings — Rekordbox DJ). device for DJing, and for those using specific DJing needs, depending on DJ Mag Tech wanted to see if the WeGO4 The jog-wheels have a decent firm their laptops they can easily refer to the your software of choice. It’s a great tool was the right bit of kit for the job. feel to them, as do the rest of the screen of the computer for reference. for beginner DJs, and could be used We tested the device with Pioneer’s controller’s knobs and buttons. And The inclusion of a microphone input for most DJ sets, although it might not Rekordbox DJ software, but it can there are also LEDs built into the jogs to at the back of the controller is useful challenge the real pros quite enough. also be used with Pioneer DJ’s new monitor track progress. for DJs of a mobile persuasion (or This is a controller worth having for WeDJ app, iPad Algoriddim’s djay 2, The tempo sliders are easy to control, future EDM stars). Alongside this a DJ at any level, from beginners as well as Virtual DJ LE 8 — which is giving DJs the chance to sack-off are the RCA Phono output, USB and branching into the world of DJing to free to download. Once the software is auto-sync and get busy in the mix. DJs power connecters, as well as a socket seasoned veterans alike. It is fun, and installed and the controller plugged in can quickly get used to the controls, for connecting and powering your iOS its simplicity makes it a joy to use.
djmag.com 147 TECH JBL EON 615 Speakers VERDICT Words: MICK WILSON BUILD QUALITY 9.0 EASE OF USE 9.0 FEATURES 9.0 VALUE FOR MONEY 9.0 SOUND QUALITY 9.0 HYPE The EON 615s kick out a great sound, and come with some excellent features at a price that is killer. GRIPE Would prefer metal knobs on the back.
An excellent speaker for anyone needing a powerful yet refined speaker solution for live PA applications. They work well for DJs as well as live acts.
9.0/10
PRICE £459 SPEAKERS CORNER CONTACT DJ Mag Tech checked out JBL’s redesigned EON 615 multi-purpose speaker… jblpro.com
hen Work Bar in sound around the low frequencies. wanted to use them for. They’re rock! The EONs produce enough London was looking The look of the speakers also sat sturdy and have a really useful energy to make you feel like you’re for a set of speakers well with the Groovebox crew. The control section at the back of in an arena. However, in such a small W for a new live night, all-black design worked well with the them, which opens up a wealth of format that you could tuck them into Groovebox — an occasional series venue space — a small basement- connection and user options.” the corner somewhere and they’d of live music events — it had to style affair, dark and grungy (in a be unnoticed. They are the perfect make sure that a set criteria was good atmospheric way) that lends How are they set up in the venue? choice, in my opinion, for any venue met. It needed to be a system itself nicely to live electronic music “We have used them as foldback that needs a good system that can that could integrate well with the events. speakers for the artists, as well as handle bands and/or any other live Pioneer Pro Audio house install, We threw a few questions at the adding them to our in-house system. sound application. Definitely would deliver a great sound in a small Groovebox Event Manager, Nathaniel We use them specifically for our recommend the EON 615 speakers, space but also be portable enough Brown, who has used the EONs on a Groovebox live events, due to their and would use them personally to be moved and used in a variety number of occasions. We asked him power-to-size ratio and simplicity of setting up other venues.” of live performance situations. They what he likes about them and why connection. There is also the option decided to investigate JBLs EON 615 they are a good fit for the Groovebox to set them up over Bluetooth, with All in all, the JBL EON 615 speakers as a possible option. live nights... an app that allows you to control are an extremely good proposition elements of the speaker set-up.” for any venue looking for a system The EON 615 is a 15-inch two-way What is it about the JBL speakers that can deliver a punchy, accurate multi-purpose self-powered speaker that you like? Would you recommend these sound. They worked perfectly in this comprising of a 15-inch bass “The JBL speakers are from a credible speakers to other small/medium- test run, and more importantly they driver for the lows and a one-inch speaker company within the live size venues looking for a solution were equally well received by the compression driver taking care of PA industry. I knew there would be for live music? bands, artists and paying patrons the high frequencies. It’s powered no issues in terms of performance. “Yes, I would in a heartbeat. They who’ve experienced them. by a 1000W Peak Power D Class amp, Hence why I was happy to source which has enough grunt to really these speakers for the bar. The set- throw out a pure thumping sound. up was simple, just plug in, power up There are three variants in the range and away you go, which is useful for EON 610 and 612, with 10-inch when time is against you. and 12-inch drivers respectively “That’s the benefit of having self- (all three share the same one-inch powered speakers. In terms of compression driver for the tops). The sound, they really do punch without moulded polycarbonate body and having to drive the gain input too the build of the speakers means that much, whilst delivering a crisp, clear they could easily take a pounding, sound, which is important. In fact, the sort of abuse that comes with the sound quality is where the EONs setting up portable installs for excel. They are very clear and truly live gigs. The build of the speaker transparent — with a controlled low- also helps to provide good audio end and evenly balanced between delivery, with the materials used all frequency bands. This made them and the design of the cabinets being perfect for our needs and uses.” employed to help with optimum sound reproduction. There are some What is the build quality like on pretty cool design features built the JBLs? into the cabinets like JBL’s unique “As a speaker, these things are waveguide, which helps to focus the perfect for the application we
148 djmag.com Untitled-1 1 20/04/2015 16:58 Welcome to Plug-in PRODUCER Corner, our monthly TECH Words: MICK WILSON exposé of some of the best plug-ins around for We reveal some handy tips and tricks to help you on the creating electronic music... road to wicked productions... sponsored by
MANUFACTURER : HEAVYOCITY PLUG-IN : PUNISH FORMAT: AU / VST / AAX PRICE : £199
AWARD-WINNING virtual instrument manufacturer, Heavyocity, have recently made their first foray into the effects plug-in market with their new dynamic FX plug-in, PUNISH. Modelled on Heavyocity’s custom analogue signal chains, PUNISH utilises compression, saturation, EQ, transients and limiting to create a number of audio effects ranging from warm and subtle to overdriven and extremely heavy. Within PUNISH, users are able to access three different styles of compression and saturation (Vintage, Modern and Tube) — known as models. These offer smooth buss compression to thick tube saturation. Each of these models differs in style and CONSISTENT APPROACH dynamic range, bringing their own distinct GERMAN TECHNO DJ/producer Ray best. For example, if a melodic machine has its limits. I used to do character and colour to your signal chain. Kajioka drops some hints and tips sequence like a chord, lead, that when I only had keyboards in There is also a selection of transient on how he got the killer sound on bassline or whatever crosses my my earlier days. controls, which allow users to control the his new LP, ‘Consistency’, on the mind, I will most of the time head “While on the road, I always have attack, hold, sustain and output gain of Kanzleramt label... to my Nord Lead 2 or Korg MS-20, as this little portable USB-keyboard the effect. This helps bring back stronger these are the most straightforward connected to Ableton Live on my transients into the signal after saturating “I don’t really follow a plan or ritual of my synths when I’m in the studio. laptop, where I’m able to do all your sound. The EQ module gives basic when I start a day in the studio. I “For beats, I will most often use that. And if I don’t have any of my control over high and low frequencies, rather let things happen as they the drum machines that are in my gear around me, I usually keep but also allows the EQ to be applied come along and start making studio: Roland TR-8, Korg ER-1, ideas memorized in my head by before or after compression, saturation music instantly, like I did with my Korg ESX-1. But sometimes I just making noises — like beat-boxing, and transient. A simple limiter at the end ‘Chair Encounters Keyboard’, which like to grab a midi-keyboard to humming or jingling on objects — of the chain ensures no clipping occurs, happened quite naturally in the create drum patterns with, instead wherever I am, and repeat them with soft clip amount and release time truest sense of the word. of using my drum machines. This frequently so I can remember and controls being present. It may all sound a “Intuitively, I play the instruments allows me to play rhythms in use them when I return into the bit technical, but the beauty of PUNISH is that I feel will translate an idea a special way, whereas a drum studio.” that it is simple to use — especially with its quick and intuitive GUI. The most obvious control on PUNISH is the SAMPLE TANK: central ‘PUNISH’ knob. This control allows LOOPMASTERS PRESENTS ‘ROCKWELL: UK DRUM & BASS’ the user to modulate all of the parameters LOOPMASTERS’ ARTIST series of sample packs have quickly; you are able to easily control the been widely used within the dance music community effect of this knob by clicking ‘edit’ and and provide a great resource for producers of all setting the halo values. abilities. The latest in their line of artist-led packs The plug-in also includes over 90 expertly- features none other than drum & bass guru, Rockwell. crafted presets grouped into categories, ‘Rockwell UK Drum & Bass’ is a heavy collection of hi-octane allowing users to find their desired sound. samples from one of the UK’s most pioneering drum & bass Whether you’re looking to add subtle producers, offering a glimpse into the type of sounds that and warm or heavy and driven sounds, he uses in his productions. Followers of the drum & bass PUNISH is a powerful and versatile scene will be familiar with his ‘Aria’ and ‘Noir’ EPs, as well dynamic processor which will inject as his debut album — the acclaimed ‘Obsolete Medium’ — some real character and edge into your which dropped in 2015, plus his latest release, the ‘Chorus mix and instrumental tracks. PUNISH is Of Disapproval’ EP. available as Audio Unit, VST or AAX at The pack features a wealth of hard-hitting samples from pluginboutique.com “adrenaline-fuelled drums, hard-hitting synths, incisive percussion and subwoofer-destroying bass” (as the blurb puts it), from 140-175bpm with wide-ranging elements suitable for grime, techno, drum & bass, jungle and more. All the perfect ingredients to create some pretty devastating bass-inspired tracks. The new pack is available for either desktop or iOS users as a multiplatform release. iOS It’s a new initiative from Loopmasters that sees their packs released simultaneously £5.99 on desktop and iOS formats. The desktop release is available at loopmasters.com. The iOS release is available in the AudioCopy Content Store. This is a great idea, as so many DESKTOP apps now offer the user the ability to purchase and import packs directly to the apps. £39.99 Plug-in Corner is sponsored by pluginboutique.com, your login for plug-ins!
150 djmag.com TECH PRODUCER
SUMMARY HYPE An interesting idea and resource that has many levels and can be very useful to new producers. GRIPE Could be used negatively.
A service that can be used in so many ways and on so many levels. Some people will love it and others will not, and it certainly continues the debate on ghost production. GHOST IN THE MACHINE Is the ‘ghost writing’ service We Make Dance Music a dance music saint or sinner? WE MAKE DANCE MUSIC is an interesting concept wide range of electronic dance music genres — too creators are then compensated for the time, work that seems to cover a few bases. From the initial many to list here, but practically every popular style and effort they have put into creating something. exploration of their website it would appear that it is covered. There are four featured producers on the This is definitely a plus-point — it can see your hard is a souped-up sample library portal where DJs and site who provide the content and also their services. work recognised in a financial capacity, and is most producers can sign up and enjoy what’s on offer. But Mikas, one of the producers, is also the founder of definitely welcomed. as we sift through, we start to realise there is more the company, and has had 20 years of experience in However, there is a dark side to this service. While going on than initially meets the eye… the dance music industry. As WMDM also promotes this can be a useful resource to producers and Let’s break it down. We Make Dance Music is a a community-type vibe, there are other producers artists, it can also be something that is negative two-way service that offers producers a number of who make their work and services available. As you to the production community, in DJ Mag Tech’s resources for making music or selling their services, explore the site and options, it details who exactly is opinion. Making tracks isn’t a domain for everyone; albeit via the format that the website employs. behind each project. not everyone can be an elite athlete (even if they Initially, anyone can go onto the site and take The complete track templates come in Logic, Ableton, wanted to be), and not everyone can be a superstar advantage of what’s on offer. We Make Dance Music Cubase or FL Studio formats, which users can DJ/producer — that’s just the way life is. If there is a sell templates, sounds, complete projects, music and download and start using straight away in their DAW service that means, as the producer/artist, the work their own services. These can be everything from of choice. The pricing structure varies, dependent gets done for you, then a key point is missing. Making mastering to creating complete tracks for you — as on what you are after, with samples and templates music is about moments, experiences, feelings, per a ghost writer session. beginning around £17, whereas full ghost-written expression, captured by you the artist and relayed to production can be between £600 and £1400. the listener/music fan. If this is being done for you, The guys behind WMDM are keen to point out that then there is something being lost. the service can be educational as well, as the WMDM is a complex venture as some of the services Production isn’t easy and you have to earn your templates on offer give producers a way to learn and it offers are akin to a production music company stripes, learn your craft. If you use a service such as understand how a project is built up. There are also who make incidental music for film, TV, commercial this to aid you on this path, then hats off. However, quick tutorial videos that go with this side of the and media projects and not just for the dancefloors. if you want to take a shortcut that sees your tracks service. As mentioned, there are other options that We Make Dance Music also allows producers to being completely made by others, then we would can be explored — right up to delivery of a full track. upload their own samples and projects onto the site, question your suitability for this fantastic scene we The way the finished tracks can be used is dependent where anyone can then purchase these to use. The share. wemakedancemusic.com on how the consumer licenses them from WMDM. This is all facilitated by the WMDM licensing system. A Regular License is used for learning, where the users can add some of their own elements — these can then PRODUCER TIPS: ANTON BASS be used for non-profit media campaigns and so on. “Vocal production is an extension of A Commercial License allows for use in apps, videos songwriting; an opportunity for additional and compilations, and comes with project files, .wav creativity. For Sylvia Tosun’s signature and MP3 files included. An Exclusive Full License, sound we use Blue’s Dragonfly microphone meanwhile, is sold only once to a single user or recording through UAD’s Apollo, carefully company/label who can then resell, license, register dialled-in API Vision Channel Strip and copyright and use the product as their own — this is Tube-Tech compressor. Manually cleaning where the ghost written element comes into it. up ALL vocal takes is tedious, but With some of the license structures, credit has to be crucial! Remove ALL background noise, given to the actual WMDM producer, whereas with the reduce breaths to compensate when Full License you can register the works as your own. applying additional compression, remove There is a list of uses and restrictions to each license diphthongs on layers of background vocals that can be viewed on WMDM website. and utilise a De-esser without overdoing it. The tracks, samples and templates on offer cover a Then the fun begins!”
djmag.com 151
557 557 558 558
FREE! DOWNLOAD DAVIDE SQUILLACE’S 4X4 FESTIVAL MIX DJMAG.COM FREE! DOWNLOAD DENNIS FERRER’S HOUSE EVOLUTION MIX DJMAG.COM DJMAG.COM 556 * CLUBS * TECHNOLOGY * MUSIC *
DJMAG.COM THE PLANETS ALIGN FOR
THE GLOBAL VOICE OF DANCE MUSIC THE GLOBAL VOICE OF DANCE MUSIC DJMAG.COM DJMAG.COM
THE GLOBAL VOICE OF DANCE MUSIC DJMAG.COM PAN-POT TECHNO’S PITCH-BLACK TAG-TEAM
FREE MAG OWNLOA CAR MI E BY BERLIN
VINYL ON
* MUSIC MUSIC
ANDR GALLU I * MUSIC
NE HYPE * CLUBS CLUBS
THE EARLY GURNING CENTRE
CHARTS * CLUBS
NORTHERN DISCO * LEE FOSS TECHNOLOGY LIGHTS * IN THE TECHNOLOGY SUPER HOUSE 25 THE STORY OF SNOOKER NORWAY S ANCE HOT SEAT SUPERSTARS STAR DJ SCENE ANDHIM STEVE DAVIS YEARS SETH TROXLER
562 561 561
IN THE *
SET FOR BMC GOLD PANDA’S TWENTY-FIVE
* HOT SEAT
HAT S GOING ON FREE DOWNLOAD CARD: EXCLUSIVE MARTINEZ JAPANESE BROTHERS SEXY TECH/HOUSE MIX
DJMAG.COM ITH THE AUSSIE GAME CHANGER OBSESSION DJMAG.COM DRUM & BASS SPECIAL! 27-PAGES OF JUNGLIST GOODNESS! LOCKOUT LA S RAFTWER S BEST OF PIONEERS COMPUTER WORL MALA DISCO SONAR WE CELEBRATE OUR THE S Y S THE BARCELONA LIMIT FOR CLAUDE IN PERU INFERNO SILVER ANNIVERSARY CIRCLE SKY VONSTROKE WHALE OF GREEN VELVET IBIZA THE TOP 100 MOST A TIME NE GRIME GET REAL ON TOUR IMPORTANT DISCO WIN! REVIE S PAGE YOUR GUIDE MOBY’S NE TO THIS RECORDS EVER! TICKETS TO NEW BOOK GREG ILSON S LONDON’S LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC! DISCOTHE UE SEASON’S ARCHIVES LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC!SW4 DJMAG.COM TEKLIFE HIGHLIGHTS DOM & ROLAND DJMAG.COM FESTIVAL TOP 100 CLUBS SPECIAL! A SAGITTARIUN S ONE MAN & CREW GALACTIC TRIP HIS SAMPLER LIVE ON
DJ RASHAD’S
No. 558 Plus GOING OFF LIKE No. 557 FOOTWORK Our guide to CRISTOPH! THE LEGACY
June 2016 clubs, panels,Sasha, Sh*t Robot, Kowton, Snuffo, May 2016 CONTINUED No. 556 DJ HARVEYWIDESCREEN Pigtech & Dan,& more Zibra, Joachim Garraud and more… The enigma. No.556 April 2016 £4.95 THREE’S COMPANY DRUM &No.558 BASS June 2016 £4.95OF
No.557 May 2016 £4.95
April 2016
ELI ESCOBAR
Tricka MANDAR’S £4.95 198 £4.95 Up close & personal. Technology
* IN PURSUIT OF *
MUSIC TUNES FRENCH-FLAVOURED Ade Playground Reviewed HOUSE GROOVES MUSIC HAPPINESS And Beyond FULL FAT FESTIVAL GUIDE + DAVID MORALES + LARRY LEVAN + MARK MOORE + ROBERT HOOD £4.95 CASSETTEBOY + LONE + HALFTIME DRUM & BASS + DAVID GUETTA + JUSTIN MARTIN + TIM GREEN + COLDCUT
* HALFTIME DRUM & BASS + DAVID GUETTA + PLUS: ROGER SANCHEZ + CALYX & TEEBEE + PAUL McCARTNEY’S SECRET ELECTRONIC ALBUMS & TONS MORE * THE FULL RESULTS RUNDOWN CLUBS
: MARKUS SCHULZ + MARQUIS HAWKES + JACKY + JANE FITZ + OSCAR CLUBS G + MAGDALENA + DOORLY Ferry Corsten PLUS JANE FITZ + OSCAR G + MAGDALENA + DOORLY 18/03/2016 15:00 DOWNLOAD On The Growth Of HOW DOES HAVING HIGH
* The Dutch Scene CONTENT BY KIDS EFFECT YOUR *
TECHNOLOGY rough cover.indd 1 TECHNOLOGY 12/05/2016 16:14 JEWELZ & SPARKS, Double Dutch DJ CAREER? cover.indd 1 The Dynamic Duo Of DANNY AVILA Steffi & Martyn AND TUJAMO
* CONTRAST *
Dekmantel Label & Festivals Futurist In Perfect Harmony HAS D&B COMMERCIALISATION GONE TOO FAR? Dutch & Bass Techno Maestro Holland’s SIGMA, GOLDIE, GROOVERIDER, D&B Scene FRICTION & MORE EXPLORE
Explored 564
554 554 VOTE NOW! Plus All The Top DOWNLOAD A GROOVY MINIMALISTIC TECHNO MIX BY BAREM 555 DOWNLOAD A GROOVY MINIMALISTIC TECHNO HOSPITALITY MIXIN THE BY PARK BAREM
DJMAG.COM DJMAG.COM * Ade Parties & MUSIC * DJMAG.COM * * CLUBS * TECHNOLOGY Panels UK’S FIRST D&B FEST * FREE! MUSIC CLUBS * TECHNOLOGY * Richie DJ MAG DOWNLOAD CARD! *
DJMAG.COM * BIGCITYBEATS D&B IN AMERICA THAT WAS THE WORLD CLUB MIAMI DOME
SPECIAL! — F*** YEAH! YEAR THAT WAS MIX BY No. 562 No. 561 THE TRACKS, ALBUMS, ALL THE ROBIN SCHULZ
Hawtin EXIT RECORDS COMPS & NEWS October 2016 Gears Up For Ade 2016 September NOMINEES JOSH WINK, NICK CURLY, R3HAB, TRUE TO THE CRAFT OF 2016 PROFILED ELI & FUR AND MORE ROCK LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC! DJMAG.COM DJ MAG’S POOL PARTY AT THE No.562 October 2016 £4.95 THE GLOBAL VOICE OF DANCE MUSIC
SURFCOMBER 10 WE CZECH OUT DJMAG.COM
THE GLOBAL VOICE O DANCE MUSIC £4.95 LET IT ROLL & BEATS EVOLUTIONAMSTERDAM DJMAG.COM HIGH FOCUS’ £4.95 DAMIAN LAZARUS VS FELIX DA DANCE EVENT No.561 September 2016 £4.95 UNDERWORLD HOUSECAT, CLAUDE VONSTROKE HIGH-DEF HIP-HOP THE PANELS, THE FACE A SHINING VS JUSTIN MARTIN & DUSKY VS FUTURE DAVID HOLMES,JACKMASTER DARREN EMERSON, RIVA STARR, EMANUEL SATIE, PHIL KIERAN, MARKUS SCHULZ, PARTIES! WOMEN PLUS: DETROIT SWINDLE, MR OIZO, PETER HOOK, ENRICO SANGIULIANO, HECTOR CUOTO, LISBON KID… OCTAVE ONE, MACHINEDRUM, HERVÉ, THOMAS GANDEY, BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB, DVBBS DO THE PLUS: FELIX DICKINSON, RECLOOSE, REBOOT, DE SLUWE VOS, SECRET CINEMA, SILKY… THE LIFE & DOWNLOAD CARD GO-TO HOUSE DIVA SOUNDS OF 20/09/2016 10:48 IN DANCE cover1.indd 1 JOCELYN BROWN DEFECTED MOODYMANN PLUS: cover1.indd 1 500 HOUSE BOMBS ULTRA & OTHER SPEAKS! MUSIC 12/08/2016 14:00 THE WONDERFUL * & COUNTING
PARTY LISTINGS MUSIC
THING ABOUT FACE VIRTUAL MY KISS
TIGA SPECIAL! *
THE CIRCLE OF EXPRESSION / DISC OF DESPAIR
CLUBS ON THE FULL CYCLE ROAD WITH SHE BANGS THE DRUMS
WITH * FEMALE ELECTRONIC MUSIC
TECHNOLOGY SONNY RONI SIZE FODERA PIONEERS CHANGING THE TRACK
SEXISM IN THE INDUSTRY *
DECK SISTERS NYC’S DISCWOMAN COLLECTIVE NICOLE MOUDABER HANNAH WANTS STEVE FRANCESCA LOMBARDO STUDIO SCIENCE WITH
560 560 HARM ELLEN ALLIEN COCO COLE DISCLOSURE MINIMISATION THE TECH-HOUSE 559 * FREE! DOWNLOAD ‘THEJUST SAY SOUND OF PUNKS’ MIX BY STANTON WARRIORS AND MORE... DJMAG.COM DJMAG.COM KNOW! * FREE! DOWNLOAD A SPECIAL SPACE IBIZA MIX BY TALE OF US A-TRAK ENIGMA TELLSDJMAG.COM ALL AOKI IN THE HOT SEAT ON THE INSIDE THE can he have his ROAD WITH DUSKY THE RETURN OF MUSICAL MINDS OF ALAN ARE LIVE BEAT KING ITALOJOHNSON & eat it? FITZPATRICK & KICKING DJ SHADOW cake & eat it? No. 564 BASS IS THE PLACE MARSHALL DINNER WITH THE UNDERGROUND
JEFFERSON December 2016 BASS MUSIC SOUND ON ‘MOVE ON TOUR WITH KRANKBROTHER LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC! FRENCH HOUSE DON
YOUR BODY’ No. 554 PLUS DJMAG.COM SANTÉ & LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC! LOUISAHHH!!! FRED FALKE
No. 555 RADIO SLAVE, DJMAG.COM GAME CHANGER
DAVE ANGEL, MODERAT SIDNEY RETURNS February 2016 AIR’S ‘MOON SAFARI’ MUD, MUSIC & MADNESS CHARLES No.564 December 2016 £4.95 TECHNO’S NEXT SUPERSTAR ITAL TEK, AVOIDING £4.95 REVISITED March 2016 EXTREMES IN ARGENTINA MUTINY’S SPENCER PARKER, SIX-PAGE BOUNTIFUL BEATS CASSY, GLASTO VOTING NOW OPEN! PICTURES IN KARIZMA, SYNTHESIS NETSKY
DINAMO AZARI, EXTRAVAGANZA!No.555 M 2016 £4.95 HANDS-ON IN THE No.554 February 2016 £4.95
DARK0, RICHY AHMED, MATTHIAS TANZMANN, PETE TONG, MARK ARCHER (ALTERN 8), ART DEPARTMENT, Plus
£4.95
£4.95 1 184 BMC, 1 PLUS: KARL HYDE (UNDERWORLD),FACTORY NAO, DIZZEE RASCAL, GUTI, CAUSE WITH & AFFECT MODULAR AND LOTS MORE... Jesse Rose, Blapps Posse, Walker & Rice, HOT Moomin, SEAT LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY TUNES FLOOR TECHNO Rhythm Masters, Citizenn, Sonny Fodera, Bontan... TUNES & LOADS MORE Reviewed ARTFUL FUTURE Reviewed FICTION BANDS BREAKS -NOT- BANDS
* -NOT- MUSIC cover.indd 1 19/02/2016 13:21 EZ * MUSIC * CLUBS * TECHNOLOGY * BREAKS METRONOMY, 15/01/2016 14:52 cover.indd 1 THE FINAL FRONTIER: BELIEVE THE HYTE ON ARE THE DECKS DEATH IN VEGAS
* CARL COX & OTHER
CLUBS IBIZA TECHNO TITANS BREAKBEATS & BEYOND THE DJs REMINISCE MAKING A WIZARD’S CHRIS LIEBING COMEBACK? SLEEVE
* LOCO DICE TECHNOLOGY & PAN-POT THE FRENCH RENAISSANCE THE PARISIAN
* HANGING GROOVE HOUSE
AT BLOCK9 SCENE GOES 552
547 WITH SAN GLOBAL
548 Jeremy Olander
Bjork Danny Howard * MUSIC * DJMAG.COM Yuksek * Mr BeatnickFRAN CREW* FREE! * * CLUBS * TECHNOLOGY Georgia * The Black Dog * DJ MAG DOWNLOAD CARD! * DJMAG.COM FREE! DAVE BEER DJ MAG DOWNLOAD CARD! HONEY FREE! DJMAG.COM SOUNDSYSTEM TO OPEN JAVI BORA & DJ MAG DOWNLOAD CARD! DETROIT CHURCH!JOSE DE DIVINA PAN -POT’S BEAM IN FROM TECHNO SWINDLE’S SPACE DISCO-FLECKED TREK BEATS JOSEPH THE GAY DNA OF HOUSE MUSIC: LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC! TOP 100 DJMAG.COM 13-PAGE THE GLOBAL VOICE OF DANCE MUSIC DJS 2015 DJMAG.COM LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC! SPECIAL LAUNCHES! DJMAG.COM No. 560 CAPRIATI CLUBBERS’24-HOUR GARAGE
DETROIT BEST OF No. 559 GUIDE TO
August 2016 MATRIXXMAN’S : TRANSPORTING FUTURISTIC VIBE A TASTEMOVEMENT VOTING IS GO! GLASTONBURY DON ROLLSBRITISH DEEP ADVENTURES NOMINATIONS No.559 July 2016 £4.95 IN TECHNO July 2016 CULTURE ANNOUNCED! PERU’S SOUL No.560 August 2016 £4.95 SHOCK!
OF PARADISE TO SW4
£4.95 THRIVING THE LEGACY
ELECTRONIC £4.95 HOW WAS IT SCENE BICEP’S OF THE ARCHES FOR YOU? MUSCLE IN GLASGOW THE TUNES, TIMO MAAS, SIMON SHACKLETON, WILL SAUL, LEEROYMEMORY THORNHILL, QUANTIC, ROUTE 94,
GILLES PETERSON, FUNKINEVEN, LAUREN JAPAN HAUNTING LAMB, LANE, GINGER HOT RICK WADE, BLOODY MARY, SASCHA DIVE, : 2 BAD MICE, GERD JANSON, TUJAMO, ALEXIS RAPHAEL, WILL CLARKE, KRIS DAVIS, HITO... ALBUMS & PLUS : JAMAICAWHO’S SUK, AFRAID JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE, JIMPSTER, CHRISSY & HAWLEY, SCAR & LOTS MORE MOBILEE DISCO SEVEN PLUS DAVIS JR: CHE LA FESTA ABBIA INIZIO! MINIMAL OF CLAUDE NEWS OF 2015 17/06/2016 15:54 cover1.indd 1 OUTSIDE THE BOX MAESTROS: VONSTROKE’S SHLOMI ABER, 15/07/2016 14:54 cover2.indd 1 GAME-CHANGING ROOTS MANUVA OLIVER TUNE? IN THE DANNY DAZE HUNTEMANN ED RUSH HOT SEAT PICKS HIS & POPOF TOP TUNES & OPTICAL’S POWELL’S THE RETURN OF LANGUAGE LEFTFIELD, PROG OF VIRUS BUZZY NOISE CHEMICAL IS BACK! BROTHERS PROPER BO! 20 MAGIC AND CRAIG DAVID FAITHLESS FAITHLESS IN THE MOMENTS HOT SEAT DJ MARKY’S ANJA AUNTIE FLO’S FAMILY AFFAIR GLOBAL GROOVE JULIO ADE — THE BASHMORE SCHNEIDER’S PARTIES, THE KEEPS IT FRESH ITALIAN DJ MAG PANELS LAUNCHES KERRI KÖLSCH GETS THE TECHNO TITAN SAVE OUR WHAT ARE YOU FEELS HEART CLUBS DOING FOR CAMPAIGN No. 552 NEW YEAR?
No.
No. BEARDYMAN’S 548 August 2015
December 2015 CHANDLER INFINITE 547 July 2015 MARCO POSSIBILITIES SOUL RENAISSANCE HOUSE MAESTRO No.548 August 2015 £4.95 No.547 July 2015 £4.95 172 No.552 December 2015 £4.95
Plus 172 Plus
£4.95
TUNES 12
£4.95 £4.95 184 S-Express, Gareth Whitehead, Maribou State, CAROLA Reviewed James Lavelle, Rockwell, Oliver Huntemann, Mike Dunn, TUNES Riva Starr, Ricardo Tobar, Weiss and more... Reviewed Jacques Renault, Kiwi... TUNES SET TO ROCK SW4 Reviewed
17/07/2015 15:41
12/06/2015 13:47 cover.indd 1 cover.indd 1 cover1_1.indd 1 13/11/2015 14:10
Untitled-1 1 14/12/2016 12:03 LIVING & BREATHING DANCE MUSIC
SUBSCRIBE! * 12 ISSUES DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR * SAVE OVER 50% * ACCESS TO THE PDF (WORTH £20) * CHOICE OF CDs & GIFTs * JUST £38.20 + SHIPPING
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE www.djmag.com/sub EMAIL [email protected] TELEPHONE +44 20 8545 0955 ONLY £38.20 + SHIPPING
Untitled-1 1 14/12/2016 12:04 Lucky Seven Just Be (Bushwacka) Words: HELENE STOKES Matthew B, also known as Bushwacka! is settling in nicely dancefloor-friendly tracks are being steadily released via with his Just Be moniker after moving to Ibiza three years Crosstown Rebels and Get Physical. His sets at Sankeys, ago. “I wouldn’t swap it for London anymore, I feel like Carl Cox’s night and Space Closing had him playing acid I’m out of the rat race. I’ve got fresh air here and not house gems from his treasure trove of music. Then really any traffic. Lots of sunny days and lots of nature.” there’s the matter re-issuing the back catalogues of his And lots of time to get creative too, which is precisely labels Plank and Oblong. “It was a really important ten what he’s been doing while collaborating with singer years of my life putting music out on those labels and a Jessie Monroe. A new album is being worked on and very experimental time as well.”
The track that reminds you of your used listen to it over and over again “I’m really excited because none of that music came childhood… balling my eyes out.” “The first thing that comes straight to out in digital format when it was released, so there’s mind is a track called ‘Goodbye What’s an album that you’re currently whole new generations of electronic music lovers and Stranger’ by Supertramp. It was off an into? clubbers that may well not have had access to that album that my parents were listening to “It’s the De La Soul album ‘Anonymous music or even heard it.” a lot when I was growing up. I always Nobody’, I think it’s genius. It’s got remember really loving the track, the loads of collaborations on it. I way that it was really dynamic and discovered that they crowdfunded this started off really gentle with the piano album, they put it out there and they and the guy singing and then it turning got their fans to fund the recording of into a more epic rock track with mad the album. They got three million solos at the end. Every time I hear it it dollars together and put it together. reminds me of being very young.” There’s collaborations on there with everyone from David Byrne to Snoop The first record that you ever bought? Dogg to Usher, Jill Scott, to Damon “I’ve actually got it in my hand, it’s a 7” Albarn. I think it’s an incredible piece of of Shakin Stevens’ ‘This Old House’. It work. It’s got every element of what I was my first record, I was very young, love about a great album. There’s so and I also bought a cassette album by much going on in this album and it kind Adam & The Ants, which was the first of goes a bit rocky and a bit nuts in the album I bought. I bought them in middle. It’s a serious, serious piece of Harrods. My father was a surgeon and work.” he’d operated on one of the Princes of Jordan, and as a present for doing the The record in your collection that you operation the King of Jordan had sent most treasure? him a gift of some vouchers for Harrods. “It’s a Depeche Mode 12” of ‘Everything I think they bought the tape deck at the Counts’ from back in the ‘80s. I got it same time that I bought the cassette, signed by the band backstage at their and I bought this 7” record in there.” concert in Wembley. My father’s bosses’ secretary was Alan Wilder’s mum and What do you listen to that isn’t dance he’s not in the band now but back then music? he was, and he managed to get us back “Most of the music that I listen to these stage passes and I went there with my days isn’t dance music. Upstairs in my best friend from school, and took the living room where my decks are, I’ve got record with me and got it signed. We a lot of records that I’ve bought from got our photos taken which was random shops from England and stuff hilarious. I’ve got so many great records online as well. I’ve been buying some but having one that’s been signed by old albums and some old classic albums, my heroes probably makes it the most and I’ve also been delving deep into the treasured. Saying that I’ve got no idea rare groove, funk and psychedelic areas. where it is.” I’ve been listening to either some old jazz, things like Nina Simone, or I’ve Your all-time favourite been listening to some quite rare funk track of all time? stuff. A bit of Radiohead, a bit of dub, “I think it’s Chaka Khan and on a newer tip I’ve been listening to ‘Ain’t Nobody’. the new De La Soul.” Whenever I listen to that track I think everything The track that’s guaranteed to make about it is just perfect. you cry? Her voice, the song, the “I’ll tell you the track that used to make melody, the hook lines, me cry, because nothing seems to make the amount of power me cry these days unfortunately; Prince and emotion in it. It’s ‘Purple Rain’ was the one that used to just so real and it’s just get me when I was a teenager, because I so powerful, it’s remember dancing, slow dancing, with incredible. I’ll always be my first girlfriend to that track in a in massive awe of that school disco. And then when we split I track.
154 djmag.com HDJ-2000MK2 FINE TUNED
PRODUCE DEEP BASS AND CRISP TREBLES
IMPROVED SOUND ISOLATION
LIGHTWEIGHT YET ROBUST BUILD
MEMORY FOAM PADS AND ROTATABLE HOUSINGS
PIONEERDJ.COM
Untitled-1 1 13/12/2016 14:35 PEE_PROJECT HEADPHONES_WINTER2016_2.indd 6 07/12/2016 13:31 Untitled-1 1 13/12/2016 14:24