DJ effects & samplers

Portable sampler

Review: The Critter & Guitari Kaleidoloop is a social, portable sound collector. It's designed to be taken anywhere and everywhere to gather and manipulate all kinds of sounds. Record sounds from your kitchen, the recording studio, and campfire jam.

Use several Kaleidoloops to build up layers of sound, pass a sound from one to another and play with resonance, invent new musical games, practice speaking in reverse, alter playback speed and explore new harmonies, carry sounds around the room... the list is endless. Best of all the Kaleidoloop stores everything it records, so you have a rec rd of your sound journey.

The Kaleidoloop features simple controls for recording, navigating sounds, and altering playback speed and direction. The included microphone and built-in speaker make the perfect pair, with enough clarity and volume to recreate sounds with alarming realism. You can also remove the microphone and use the 1/4" input and output jacks instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR3wn2vT0dc&feature=player_embedded

Digital performance sampler and sequencer

Review: The Elektron Octatrack DPS-1 sampler is designed to revolutionise the concept of sampling.

The Elektron Octatrack DPS1 features a new improved version of the actual Elektron sequencer and a new audio engine. An intuitive user interface assists the user in the recording of source sound material, while the internal technology transforms loops into a format that the manufacturer describes as completely elastic.

The static nature of samples would appear to be a thing of the past as the Octatrack makes sure loops remain in sync no matter whether they are pitch shifted or if the tempo of the sequencer is changed. Single sounds can also be moulded into any shape or form.

The Elektron Octatrack features compact flash card compatibility, ensuring samples are constantly available and a USB port for convenient transfer between computer and Octatrack. The sampler also features an optical fader that can be assigned to any of the unit's control parameters, adding a wealth of live control possibilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXdelltcO98

A sample pad with real time control on the signature backlit XY pad

Review: The Kaoss Pad series of effects units is famed for its intuitive touch-pad interface. The flagship model KP3 that appeared in 2006 continues to be highly acclaimed by musicians and DJs around the world for its powerful, instantaneous effect programs and its wealth of sampling functionality.

The sounds that drive the dance and EDM music movements, and the effects used to create them, have evolved significantly over these past seven years. Enter the KP3+, the effects combinations that have become a staple in numerous genres and applications have been taken to a new and cutting-edge level. The KP3+ is a complete update for an effects unit that will generate the sounds of 2013 and beyond.The sounds that drive the dance and EDM music movements, and the effects used to create them, have evolved significantly over these past seven years. Enter the KP3+, the effects combinations that have become a staple in numerous genres and applications have been taken to a new and cutting-edge level. The KP3+ is a complete update for an effects unit that will generate the sounds of 2013 and beyond.

The intuitive design and amazing flexibility of the touchpad allows the Kaoss Pad 3+ users to easily control multiple effects and parameters by simply stroking, tapping, or rubbing the Kaoss touch pad with their finger. Using this remarkable design, you can easily control effects in complex ways that would be impossible on a conventional effect unit.

The KP3+ provides new effect programs that are worthy of its status as the flagship model of the Kaoss Pad series. The KP3+ contains a total of 150 programs. In addition to the 108 x effects carried over from the KP3, which include filters, spatial-type effects such as delay and reverb, a grain shifter that freezes tiny pieces of sound and repeats them, and a vocoder, there are 42 new or improved effects that represent today's dance music scene, including effects that were newly developed for the Kaoss Pad Quad, such as the Looper, Vinyl Break, and Ducking Compressor.

It's easy to obtain the scratch sound that's heard when you scratch a turntable, or use a record-stop effect. In addition to the basic Mod.1 Vinyl Break, the KP3+ also provides the new Mod.2 Break Reverb which adds reverb to the effect, and the LoP.2 Break Looper and LoP.8 Loop Breaker effects which combine the effect with a Looper.

You can use a side-chain effect to emphasize the backbeats of the kick. In addition to Mod.8 Ducking Compressor, there's a new rEV.1 Pump Reverb that adds a reverb effect. You can add a sense of breathing to your music by dynamically varying the reverberation in synchronization with the BPM.

For greater usability, the Looper effect has been modified to let you loop the sound starting from the instant you touch the touchpad. The existing programs have been significantly updated; for example, if you move your finger to change the number of beats in the loop, the timing of that change will automatically be quantized. There are also many new programs such as LoP.4 Freeze Looper, LoP.6 Shuttle Looper, and the LoP.7 Slice Looper that finely slices a phrase and loops the location that you choose.

New effects include dLY.2 Echo Break and rEV.3 Reverb Break, which mute the input sound and generate delay or reverb. These are ideal ways to create breaks in your DJ play. We've also enhanced the synth sound effects that are effective when used during a break, bringing them up to date for the evolving dance music scene. Newly added sounds include Syn.3 Pump Noise (noise without resonance, processed by a side-chain effect) as well as Syn.4 Lofi Synth and Syn.9 Resonator.

Other added effects include FL.16 Center Canceler for partial vocal cancellation, LFO.1 Jag Filter which uses a non-resonant filter to chop the sound, dLY.5 One Delay which shines on styles such as hip-hop, and Grn.6 Stutter Grain which alternately applies a grain shifter and a Looper. We completely rethought the X-axis and Y-axis parameter assignments and their polarity, and included flashy and glittering synth sounds as well as many more effects that will enhance the latest sounds of today's scene.

The KP3+ features enhanced sampling functionality that lets you perform using multiple effects and samples. Each of the 4 x sample banks can record a sample up to 13 seconds long, and play it either as a one-shot or loop. The KP3+ also has functions such as a start point adjustment that lets you create a half-beat shift to create doubled effects, a new slice function that edits the structure of a loop sample to instantly create completely new phrases, and a resampling function that lets you apply an effect to a sample and then re-sample the result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xxtRi4oSVmU

DJ effects with onboard MP3 playback

Review: Korg's Kaoss Pad Series products have become the must-have effect units on in every musician's rig, especially on the DJ scene. The original mini Kaoss PAD has earned enormous popularity for packing full-fledged effects into its compact body. Now, welcome the mini Kaoss Pad 2.

In addition to inheriting powerful effect programs from the Kaoss PAD KP3 and the Kaoss Pad Quad, the Kaoss Pad 2 provides an MP3 player with adjustable pitch, making the mini KAOSS Pad 2 unit ideal for creating DJ-style performances. Use it as a DJ playback device, or use it to process the entire output of your DJ rig with Korg's famous Kaoss effects. Instrumentalists, guitarists, sound designers and even just music fans will enjoy using the mini Kaoss Pad 2. The Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) display provides superb visibility. Add to that a touch slider for ease of use, microSD card data saving, plus a built-in speaker and mic. All of these features reflect the enhancements incorporated into the sleek and exciting mini Kaoss Pad 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2zKhIJaHj4M

Micro-Mode-Series analogue Juno-106 filterbox

Review: Micro-Mode-Series Analogue Juno-106 Filterbox.

What's in the box:

Manual German
Manual English.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNANgOrg5HM

Review: The RMX-1000 Remix Station is an innovative technologically advanced device for enhancing DJ performances with its ability to create and add a variety of new and unique remix effects, as well as rhythmic sampling capabilities. The RMX-1000 incorporates 4 remixing functions: Isolate FX, Scene FX, X-Pad FX and Release FX for simple musical arrangements with intuitive control, all accessible at the user's fingertips. The device includes Pioneer's remixbox editing software to enable users to customize almost every function and feature of the unit. The system can also act as a USB controller when used with the included VST/AU/Pro Tools RTAS RMX-1000 Plug-in software.

The compact and portable RMX-1000 allows users free control of musical developments with intuitive operation. 4 sections of the device are arranged with easy-to-control knobs and buttons that control multiple effect parameters. By combining the effects from each section, wider arrangements with greater individuality can be performed with ease.

Scene FX: In the Scene FX section, users can choose between five Build Up effects and five Break Down effects. The Build Up effects, consisting of BPF echo, echo, noise, spiral up and reverb up, add sounds, while Break Down effects, consisting of HPF echo , LPF echo, crush echo, spiral down and reverb down, cut sounds. A large knob increases or decreases the parameter of effects chosen by simply turning the knob. Two sub-parameters knobs are also available for additional changes to the effects being produced.

Isolate FX: The Isolate FX section, consisting of three individual knobs, processes the low, mid and high frequency bands of the music passing through. The section is loaded with three effects in addition to an Isolator, providing rhythm patterns, timbre, etc., letting users freely modify the output for the hi/mid/Low frequency bands. In addition to the Isolator, three additional effects in the section are available including including cut/add, trans/roll and gate/drive.

X-Pad FX: The device features a touch pad section called the X-PAD FX that enables users to develop and add new sounds not found in the original music. In addition to its four built-in audio samples, kick, snare, clapp and hi hat, other audio samples edited in Pioneer's remixbox software can be loaded using an SD card (not included) during DJ play.

Release FX: The system also includes a Release FX lever that allows you to re-set and override current music playing. Release FX can also be used to create the opposite effect: When the lever is released, all section effects are eliminated while the original music continues to play. Three types of Release FX are available including vinyl brake, echo, and back spin.

Customization Using Remixbox Software: The included remixbox software allows the user to customize various settings of the RMX-1000 on a computer, changing parameters such as volume output and values for different sections of the device. The customized settings can then be transferred using an SD card for use with other RMX-1000s.

Studio Music Production using Virtual Studio Technology/Audio Units/ Pro Tools RTAS Plug-in. By using the included RMX-1000Plugin VST/AU/Pro Tools RTAS plug-in software, users can create the same type of music production and effects while DJing on a computer. In addition, connecting the device to a computer enables it to act as a controller for music production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKXNNK92_Mg

Review: The Pioneer RMX1000 remix station takes a totally new direction to effectors and samplers, the RMX-1000 is a 3-in-1 system comprising editing software, innovative performance hardware and VST and AU plug-ins.

Technological innovation is in Pioneer's DNA. So only Pioneer could produce a remix station that not only manipulates the input sound, but also lets DJs produce new beats and sounds and trigger personalised samples on the fly. And, thanks to Pioneer's Quantize function, they'll always be in time with their sets.

The RMX-1000 serves up all the possibilities of studio effects and beatboxes, with the added physicality of pro-DJ equipment. Intuitive performance interfaces from Pioneer's flagship mixers and effectors - such as the DJM-2000's Isolator FX, the DJM-900nexus's X-Pad and the EFX-1000's multiple FX chaining - have been evolved and brought together into one unit.

Simplifying these concepts even further, the RMX-1000 uses intuitive DJ controls to manipulate several parameters in macro. Each effect has been designed to work in a totally unique way with the interface, for results previously only possible with hours of studio automation or robot-like performance skills.

While the unit is incredibly simple to operate, DJs can still create a totally unique sound with Pioneer's remixbox editing software. remixbox allows DJs to completely customise the RMX-1000 hardware to their own performance style and load it up with their own banks of samples.

And, by saving their settings to an SD card, DJs can effectively take their own personalised DJ rig with them wherever they perform. Plus, Pioneer plans to upload internationally renowned DJs' settings and samples to its website so DJs can give themselves a head start. The hardware offers 3 ways to access settings. Default activates Pioneer's intuitive factory settings. And User settings can be stored on the unit, or on an SD card to be taken along to the booth, DJs simply plug their SD card in to get immediate access to their personalised controls. And Pioneer plans to make settings from internationally renowned DJs such as Chuckie, Kissy Sell Out, Kutski, James Zabiela, Doorly and Laidback Luke available for DJs to download.

Using the RMX-1000 as a USB controller for the, included, RMX-1000 VST and AU plug-ins gives DJs the same hands-on feel they get with studio DJ mixes, saving them from hours of editing and breathing new life into studio productions. As the first VST/AU controller dedicated to the DJ industry, the RMX-1000 brings the operability of hardware into the recording studio. By just plugging the unit into a laptop, DJs and producers can use the RMX-1000's dedicated controls to manipulate the VST/AU's exciting features.

The ultimate multi-use unit, the RMX-1000 can be used with mixers, CDJs and laptops in the booth, or with a PC in the studio for recording and producing.

With fully customisable settings, the RMX-1000 offers the kind of flexibility never before seen in hardware. The control parameters can be completely modified using the remixbox software included.

Designed by Pioneer exclusively for the RMX-1000, the remixbox software allows DJs to prepare mind-blowing sets - while the hardware leaves plenty of room for spontaneity on the night.

And DJs can use the software to modify the unit's features and change its parameters for a truly personalised DJing experience. By hovering their mouse over the remixbox's virtual RMX-1000, DJs can edit features, change parameters or adjust effects on the hardware itself.

There's no need to fiddle around with the mouse and keyboard: just hit a button, twist a dial, or turn a knob, the RMX-1000 literally puts every effect right at producers' fingertips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv5Mz4PHZj4