Another month has passed already as we find ourselves in April. Where has the time gone!? This month saw a few changes to lockdown rules across the UK, including the opening up of outdoor spaces, including pub gardens. We know some fellow DJs have been able to provide their services once again. Long overdue but awesome to see! Nightclubs have a little way to go yet, but here’s hoping it won’t be too much longer.
April 2021 has been a very busy month for brands within the DJ and Music Production industry. Here we’ll give you a little low down on what’s been happening.
New Releases
First, let’s start with new product releases. Because of the ever-changing rules and conditions globally, it has been slightly challenging for brands to continue with their releases of new products. It has also sadly meant there have been delays with shipping and getting stock to the UK. The wait will be worth it but, in the meantime, you’ll have to hang in there.
Okay, let’s start with Denon DJ. There has been a rumour going around for a few weeks now of a new ‘screenless’ controller. This was sparked by some eagle-eyed viewers noticing the setup through a video Laidback Luke posted a few weeks ago. It appears earlier this week another, far clearer video has been circulating from DJ Pierre, with none other than the same ‘screenless’ DJ controllers in action. There is much speculation, but it appears they are being used as sub-controllers within a Denon DJ PRIME setup. Have you seen any of the videos? What are your thoughts? Is there something on the horizon? Watch this space!
Next up is the Reloop Ready, which is a new portable DJ Controller launched this month. It is a 2-channel DJ controller complete with touch-sensitive jog wheels, sixteen multi-coloured performance pads and a copy of Serato DJ Lite software, which includes streaming capabilities.
It may be compact, but it has all of the top features you can expect from a controller, including USB bus-powered, a headphone cue section, and other flexible outputs/inputs. The Ready even has the capability to be used with mobile devices!
For Technics vinyl enthusiasts, something very exciting is landing in stores the next few weeks… the SL-1200MK7 in silver. The sleek silver unit features a coreless direct-drive system using a slow-turning motor which offers precision, power, and high performance. There is also an aluminium diecast turntable platter, a universal static-balance S-shape tonearm, a Phono (pin jack) output, an Earth Terminal, and a bright, long-life white LED stylus illuminator. New functions are available such as torque and brake speed adjustment, Pitch Control and Reverse Play. All of the above is housed within a highly robust and very low vibration aluminium die-cast chassis.
Industry news
Several well-known brands within the music industry have teamed up to create the Electronic Music Inclusion Initiative (EMII). The aim is to use the data provided at the source to create more inclusive environments. The initiative will be divided into phases, and a series of questionnaires will be available for individuals to voice their experiences. The brands taking part are Pioneer DJ, Beatport, Sentric Music Group, AFEM, RA, IMS, Mixmag, Women in CTRL and InChrous.
There have been a couple of updates worth mentioning that include the Novation Launchkey MK3 Firmware update and Novation Circuit update. Each of the updates brings new components as well as enhancing pre-existing ones. As a quick overview, Launchkey Mini MK3 and Launchkey MK3 keyboard controllers can now benefit from Strum Mode, and Novation Circuit users can benefit from extended sample time. More in-depth information can be sought through the correlated blog posts.
Numark Mix Academy has returned for its second season. With it, it brings a new and informative series on mixing music from leading streaming services, along with becoming a master of scratching on the Numark Scratch DJ Mixer.
Pioneer DJ has released a convenient set of video tutorials to showcase many key features of the CDJ-3000 professional DJ Multi-player. We detailed further about the CDJ-3000 tutorials in one of our latest blog articles.
Offers and Promo’s
For a short period, you can get your hands on a pair of AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones for £149 (usually £169) and a free pouch. Be quick with this offer, though, as we believe you only have until the end of April to take advantage.
For all you music producers, here are a few offers that might take your fancy…
From the 20th of April 2021 through to the 11th of May 2021, you can get 50% off Serato Sample. The VST works with many DAWs, including Ableton, FL Studio, Maschine and Logic. Serato Sample is fast, intuitive, uses Serato’s well-known Pitch ‘n Time algorithm, auto-sync option and comes with 32 pre-loaded samples available at the click of a button.
Native Instruments have released an outstanding offer available now right through to 11th May for new Maschine Hardware customers. With each purchase of either the Maschine Mikro, Maschine MK3 or Maschine+, the purchaser will receive up to six Expansions free, worth up to £264.
Focusrite team up with an industry-leading audio and plugin creator every two months to bring its members' exclusive offers, and this month is no exception. Focusrite Plug-in Collective has partnered with Italian developer Acustica Audio to bring its members their latest offer. From now until the 27th of May, all collective members have access to download Acustica Audio’s Cream2 plugin for free.
Any other news
This seems to be a busier month compared to the last couple, unsurprisingly. We anticipate there being even more industry news next month as the UK starts the slow and cautious road to recovery.
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