New CD-less CDJs from Pioneer, Spotify’s passionate response to critics, free Aphex Twin downloads and an in-depth portrait of Todd Edwards.
Pioneer introduces the XDJ-1000. The first in a new line of USB-only, Rekordbox-ready players; the XDJ-1000 is Pioneer DJ’s first ever deck to feature a touchscreen, with a familiar club layout and a host of pro performance features. Available from late November 2014. Watch in action above.
Ableton offers holiday discounts on Live, Push, Pack and Max for Live. This holiday season, Ableton is offering discounts on its Push hardware instrument as well as on all software, including all versions and upgrades of Live, all Packs, and Max for Live. Offer available immediately online and at your local retailer from November 13th, 2014 to January 15th, 2015. For full info check out the details here.
Do DJs Have A Future On SoundCloud? Fader tells the SoundCloud story, highlighting recent copyright issues, which have resulted in each of the big three major labels taking a three to five percent stake in SoundCloud and a percentage of the platform’s future earnings. Read more here.
Further Richard D. James Insights. Aphex Twin shares a 21-track collection of unreleased material, which you can stream above, including dozens of studio experiments made about 12 years ago on his Buchla and Serge modular synths, early versions of Syro tunes and outtakes from his orchestral performances at the Barbican. Find another wealth of insight in the second part of his SYROBONKERS! interview with noyzelab here.
Todd Edwards Autobiography. The 41-year-old dance music deity on the music of his life: reacting to the sexuality of Prince and George Michael videos early on, collaborating with Daft Punk, and how Robyn helped him get through some of his darkest days – in Pitchfork‘s feature.
In Depth With Robert Hood. From his Detroit beginnings as part of Underground Resistance with Jeff Mills and Mad Mike Banks, to establishing his M-Plant label as an techno force, fabric‘s in-depth interview reveals the career and outlook of pioneering minimal innovator Robert Hood in his own words. Read more here.
Legendary Synthpop Duo Erasure Want To Feature Your Remix On Their New Single ‘Sacred’. The selected remix will be featured in a forthcoming release and win a copy of the limited edition vinyl. You have from now until the end of December to make your remix, with the winner announced in January ’15. To enter: Pull the project from Erasure’s official Blend profile or above, create your remix in your DAW of choice, save the project files in the [pulled] folder and publish the update to Blend. More info here.
“Council restrictions are killing UK’s nightlife.” As Brick Lane’s Vibe Bar closes, and with the closure of the nearby Joiners Arms imminent as its lease runs out and property developers move in, venue promoters around the country claim overzealous restrictions from councils are killing the £66bn night-time economy. The Guardian reports.
New UAD plugins. Universal Audio announces the release of UAD Software v7.11, featuring three new Direct Developer plug-ins — the Vertigo Sound VSM-3 Mix Satellite, Vertigo Sound VSC-2 Compressor, and the Massenburg DesignWorks MDWEQ5 for the UAD platform. Learn more here. The Manley Variable Mu plugin, co-developed with Manley Labs, is also now available. Learn more here.
Liine releases Lemur on Android. Coinciding with Lemur’s 10th birthday, Liine announces Lemur on Android. Lemur, one of the world’s best MIDI/OSC controller app, is now available for Android. Release includes recent fixes and feature updates from the iOS version. App available now on Google Play.
New Free Stereo Wideness Plugin. “With my new A1StereoControl plugin you will be able to expand or limit the stereo wideness of your tracks using only one single knob. This powerful technique can be used on single tracks or groups tracks while mixing or even on a master bus in final mastering situations.” Includes ‘Safe Bass’ and advanced panning features. Available for Windows and Mac – download here.
YouTube – Indie Labels Licence Deal. The launch of YouTube’s long-awaited subscription service, which will compete with Spotify, appears on the horizon as they strike a deal to license music from the thousands of independent record labels represented by the rights agency Merlin. Find out more here.
$2 Billion and Counting. “Piracy doesn’t pay artists a penny – nothing, zilch, zero. Spotify has paid more than two billion dollars to labels, publishers and collecting societies for distribution to songwriters and recording artists.” The Spotify team passionately defends their ongoing contribution to the music industry here.
Moog Discontinues The Slim Phatty. Moog Music announces the discontinuation of the Slim Phatty analogue synthesiser, the tabletop, poly-chainable ideation of the (also discontinued) Little Phatty.
Diynamic New Talent EP. After an summer that saw Diynamic release big hits from boss Solomun and hot talents Adriatique, as well as hold down their outdoor parties in Ibiza, the Hamburg house stable is unleashing a brand new series of four various artists EPs called Four To The Floor. Four EPs, each with four tracks by mostly fresh new talents from all over the world including France, India, Switzerland, Israel and more. Stream the promo minimix above.