Native Instruments, the Love Hate Relationship

I use a lot of Native Instruments software, and have been using Traktor for some time now. I recently bought a Traktor Kontrol S4. Love it. Cant sing it's praises enough. But I soon discovered that finding a suitable case for it was turning into a second job. I've had one on backorder since February. It kept getting pushed back and pushed back. Now, on NI's site, it says "will start production again in MAY". That's total BS. Whatever their issues are with the cases what do they expect people to do? Carry a $1000.00 unit in a $2.00 box? Make it right NI!

Like L-L-L-L-Like A S4

After over 25 years on turntables, and then turntables with laptop and Traktor, I succumbed to both gear lust and the idea of a more creative DJ performance live, I got myself the Traktor Kontrol S4 from Native Instruments. This was spawned by one of my turntables getting dodgy, and my Pioneer mixer having a blown channel.

I love my turntables, and I have a brand new pair of 1200's in the box, never opened. But after seeing what the S4 could do and the fact it was totally integrated with what I was already used to with Traktor it was a no brainier. I will miss my turntables for now, but I am replacing it with excitement at what I will be able to do now.

To get a glimpse as to what I'm talking about peep these videos:

B R U N 0 M A R $ -- G R E N @ D E [STROBE GOES BOOM REMIX]

Unfortunately the powers that be for this song have issue with the free promotion even though it's not a bootleg and was released on Ultimix, so that's why the names cryptic.



PRODUCTION INFO:
For this mix, I didn't have access to an acapella or parts so I started with a WAV of the 2 track master, which was at 110.5 BPM. I bumped it up to 125 for the remix.

After lining it up in Ableton Live with a kick at 125, I started toying around with several ideas until I settled on the blueprint for the mix I ended up with. My main go to VST synths are LennarDigital Sylenth1 and Refx Nexus which I used multiple instances of for this mix, in addition to the Korg Legacy M1 for the famous organ bass sound.

I added some stock filters and EQ to the master track to knock out some of the low end which I would be replacing with my own bass and drums anyway and add some midrange to get the vocals to stand out more.

The bass is a combination of 2 organ (M1 and Sylenth1) and 1 saw with the filter down (Sylenth1).

The pads are 3 separate passes, 1 very muted almost electric piano sounding (Nexus), 1 analog and warm (Sylenth1) and another with a gated organ (Sylenth1)

There are also 2 other synth parts, orchestral strings which I doubled the parts from the original with (Nexus) and a Arpeggio to add something different (Sylenth1).

The drums are mostly from my library.

The Music Industry is Dead by Geoffrey Colon

Written by one of my oldest and bestest amigos.

The Music Industry is Dead

The Grammys show you how pompous and ass backwards the remnants of a once collossal industry is. First, there have been digital bandits since the late 90s ever since mp3 technology erupted. Secondly is a lot of music isn’t even represented at the Grammys. Most of DJ culture and electronic producers are too busy sweating in their bedroom studios to even bother. And every big pop song this year stole from this culture. I say stole because no one is “influenced” anymore. Because if they were they would be paying those producers big money to produce pop hits. But they don’t. They simply steal the inspiration. The big pundits will be hoping that the needle is moved this week with the sale of CDs or digital downloads. But most consumers when they hear something they enjoy will simply steal it just like these artists steal others ideas. We live in a borrowed culture. Ever since sampling culture took off and producers felt they didn’t need to clear a song’s publishing people simply felt it was okay to not pay for music. And thus, the once mighty industry is gone. Dead, over. No need for a marketing exec since anyone can upload their song to Soundcloud. If you have enough buzz on your music you an simply sell direct through iTunes, Spotify or a dozen niche stores and collect the money without a mob middleman. No one needs a Clive Davis as an A&R person anymore. You can crowdsource on your Facebook community what single you should release next. I remember when I worked at The Orchard (my last gig in the industry at a digital distribution company) that I pushed social networking techniques to help grow the company. The suits there opted for old media tactics and that’s exactly the attitude that has led to the industry’s demise. Lack of innovation kills every industry. Who wants to discover and buy music like it’s 1999 when it’s already 2011 and we’re discovering, consuming and sharing in ways that the turtle corporate suits can’t control? And what about the rest of the globe? They count too. The world can have its Bieber. I’ll stick with the bandit producers across the globe sweating it in their studios and doing it for real. Just like most real musicians have been doing without the need of an official industry ever since recorded music was invented. - G

Digital Dismay

It still fascinates me that DJs still spend time debating things like "Vinyl vs CDs" or "going digital versus playing vinyl".

As a lifetime vinyl junkie, I learned on vinyl and respect the art of vinyl and all the things that go with it like crate digging, the artwork, etc. I also realize that to me, vinyl meant more when the music on it meant more. Having classics on vinyl is beautiful, having the newest digital composition in any genre on vinyl doesn't hold the same mystique to me.

Going digital to me is not about economic benefit, convenience, or practicality. Firstly, it's about access and control. As a producer, I want to be able to manipulate audio as it suits me when I'm spinning. I spun vinyl for 20 years, and I don't scratch or do the crazy tricks that turntablist can do so it was pretty much mix, mix, mix, repeat. Traktor (what I use) gives me the ability to loop, manipulate, and effect audio in a way that you just couldn't do the traditional way. Secondly, having access to a vast collection of music in one easily searchable and accessible place makes life less stressful since I always had times when I had forgot or couldn't find a record. You still have to have the same DJ skills as with regular vinyl but you can take it much farther. It's not like you press a button and the computer mixes the playlist for you (although there are programs that will do that).

Annual Halloween Party

This Friday the 29th of October at AVA Lounge
in East Liberty (126 s. Highland Avenue)
$5.00 Cover
Cash Bar
Costume Mandatory

DJ Strobe & Jose Moran @ Ibiza - House Music Mondays

The weekend doesn't end on Sunday anymore! Join DJs Strobe & Jose Moran for some deep, funky and soulful new and classic house music every Monday. Great food as well with the kitchen open late. Tuesday will forgive you.

This weeks guest is Bob Teagarden

Hosted by Uncle Ray.
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The cover and the vibes are always free
21+ // 10-2am

Ibiza Tapas and Wine Bar 2224 E. Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA Right over the bridge in the South Side

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Here are some free deep & funky
house music sets for you recorded live at Ibiza Lounge in the Southside (right click and choose
"save as.." to DL)

Jose Moran//
http://stroboticrecordings.com/mixes/IbizaHouseMusicMondays-4-5-2010JoseMoranSet.mp3

DJ Strobe //
http://stroboticrecordings.com/mixes/Ibiza%205-24-2010%20-%20DJ%20Strobe%20Set.mp3

http://stroboticrecordings.com/mixes/DJ_Strobe-Connect_Part_1.mp3

DJ Strobe - Ritual Volume 1 - Deep Vibes.mp3//
http://www.sendspace.com/file/d00e44

Guests //

Brothamike:
http://stroboticrecordings.com/mixes/Ibiza_Mondays_Guest_Brothamike_8-30-2010.mp3

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CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES


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