Hardware

From a hardware standpoint the RMX-1000 is similar to Pioneer’s EFX series of effects units. It features a set of RCA and 1/8th inch connections on the back that enable you to insert effects into your mix with a unique array of controls on the front. The effects on the unit itself are separated into 4 distinct categories: Release, X-Pad, Isolator, and Scene. Each of the four categories has a set of controls tailored specifically for it. Whether you want to add samples into your mix, emphasis parts of a build up, or create killer breakdowns, there is an array of effects for you.

One of the cool things about the unit is that it features an SD card slot. This allows you to not only load your own samples into the unit, you can also save your custom settings. That means you can configure the unit to your liking at home, bring an SD card with you to your gig halfway across the globe, and have access to all your settings at your finger tips. Pioneer plans to release custom settings from DJs like Laidback Luke and James Zabiela, so you can mix and mash your tracks like the pros.

Software

As I mentioned before, the RMX-1000 isn’t just a new piece of hardware. With the hardware you have access to Pioneer’s new Remixbox software and a VST/AU plugin version of the hardware. Want to create your own custom settings for the various effects inside the unit? Then load up Remixbox and start creating your own presets. If you’re a DJ that uses a program like Ableton Live, or a producer using a DAW with VST/AU plugin support, you can use the RMX-1000 as a dedicated controller for the software version of the unit.

I want it! Tell me more.

The RMX-1000 is set to go on sale in May 2012 with a suggested price of $1000/£599/€699. For more info you can download the press release and watch Pioneer’s product intro video featuring Kutski, James Zabiela, and many more.

The fine folks over at Loopmasters have launched a brand new web-store devoted to plugins. It’s easy to search or browse for new plugins whether you’re looking for a new compressor or soft synth. Read the full press release for more information on Pluginboutique and how to get a free sample CD from Loopmasters.

The Pluginboutique (www.pluginboutique.com) is a brand new venture from the team at Loopmasters (www.loopmasters.com) which is dedicated to selling Instruments, Effects and Studio Tools from leading music software companies worldwide.

The website was designed from the ground up to provide a custom solution to sell downloadable products such as Soft Synths, Music Plugins, Studio Effects and Synth Presets – and launches with some great names already involved including Fxpansion, Ohm Force, Flux, PSP, D16, Sinevibes, Waves, Sonic Charge and G-Sonique alongside many others.

The website features product ratings, instant download and authorisation, a service to ensure all your plugins are up to date, one login to see all your plugins from different manufacturers, free plugins, trial versions, and a virtual cash scheme which rewards you with each purchase.

Matt Pelling, Director comments “With such a fantastic amount of Digital Music Software currently available, we felt we could use our experience and knowledge in this sector to create a great looking website where all the best products could be easily compared, so producers can research, purchase and download the best audio plugins for their projects, and start using them immediately”.

As an introductory offer all first time purchasers www.pluginboutique.com will get a Free Sample CD from Loopmasters sent to them. Plus until the end of March every additional £100 you spend entitles you to another free Sample CD. To claim your free samples simply leave a comment on the Pluginboutique facebook page with your order number and the type of music you produce – your mystery sample CD/s will arrive in the post!

Hi, this is Peter Morgan, creator of The DJ Podcast. I want to tell you about a semi-new feature to come to thedjpodcast.com. Whether your on the subway or lounging on the coach you can now enjoy our content wherever you are on your mobile device. If you’re visiting the site on a tablet like the ipad, you’ll get the exact same experience as if you were browsing on your PC – this includes the embedded video tutorials from Youtube.

If you’re on a smaller device, like a phone, you will get a mobile version of the site that saves you bandwidth and makes the browsing experience faster when you’re out and about. You can drilldown posts by category or tag as well as watch all of the embedded videos and leave your comments. If you don’t like the mobile theme you can always turn it off at the bottom of any page.

We’re trying to make the experience of browsing thedjpodcast.com better for everyone. So look us up on your mobile device and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

• Spin Out Records is holding a remix competition for Adam Shaw’s “Organyc”. The winner will receive a Vestax VCM-600. Entries must be submitted by October 1st 2009. Head over to Spin Out Record’s website for more info.
• Mixed in Key is holding a harmonic mixing DJ contest. Submit a 10-15 minute mix and you could win a new laptop, a complete Traktor Scratch Pro package, and a few other great prizes. Visit contest.mixedinkey.com for more info.
• Alex M.O.R.P.H. is holding a remix contest for his new track “Wanna Be”. Grab the remix pack over at TrackitDown and enter for your chance to have a track released on Vandit Records. You better act quickly, as the contest ends on September 28th.

While I have not tried Mixxx myself, it has a set of features to rival commercial software. Some of the notable features include:

• Vinyl Control support for timecode by Serato & Traktor
• MP3, OGG, Flac, and Wave playback
• Waveform summaries and Parallel waveform displays
• In-Software mix recording
• Multiple soundcard support

Visit Mixxx.org for more information and download version 1.7.0. Also be sure to check out version 1.8.0, which includes looping and better beat detection, when it is released in ~6 months.