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Designed as an ultimate DJ performance tool, the Denon DN-X1700 boasts standards of quality, control and performance exceeding anything that has gone before. Years of collaboration with top professional DJs around the world have gone into the development and engineering of this, the world’s best DJ mixer. Joining the DN-X1700, the Denon DN-S3700 is a direct drive, digital media turntable and USB / MIDI controller. A third generation product development, the DN-S3700 boasts performance standards and features that set it far apart from the CDJ crowd.

Distinguishing itself from all other flagship offerings in attention to layout, construction and component quality, absolutely nothing in the design of the DN-X1700 has been sacrificed to considerations of cost or mass production. At a glance this is a highly ergonomic 4-channel ‘industry standard’ size tabletop mixer. It’s spacious, highly tactile control layout features studio quality 60 mm Alps K Series channel faders and a 45 mm FLEX cross fader, large high quality rubberized control knobs with LED ring metering, a high visibility 3.5 inch TFT colour LCD display and extended 24 point LED channel and output metering. Headline performance features include exceptional signal processing technology, independent parametric 3-band EQ with Kill on every channel, two built-in independent and combinable EFX processors, two USB2.0 audio and MIDI control interfaces, and Matrix Input Assignment – with digital input and MIDI / USB audio.

Underneath the hood a 32-bit floating point DSP engine provides more processing power than any other DJ mixer. The very latest 32-bit digital analogue conversion technology delivers ultra wideband, high resolution sound at the audio output stage; not only a first for a DJ mixer, but making the DN-X1700 one of the best sounding pieces of digital audio equipment ever produced. Sound quality is paramount in the DN-X1700, and much of the component layout and quality that delivers it derives directly from Denon’s world acclaimed, top of the range AV product lines; with discrete series and switching power supplies for the analogue and digital signal paths respectively, custom made capacitors and an R-core low noise transformer. Vinyl signal quality is given special attention with a high grade phono FET equalizer circuit that features an 88 dB signal-to-noise ratio and performance specifications to complement the output of the very best cartridges. Attention to sound quality extends to the spec’ing of a low noise discrete microphone pre-amp and high power discrete headphone amplifier.

An extensive complement of inputs and outputs includes balanced master analogue outputs on XLR, booth outputs and EFX send and returns on ¼ inch jacks, balanced XLR and ¼ inch jack mic inputs, stereo recording outs and four (3.5 mm) Fader Starts. Digital audio inputs (four) and USB2.0 ports (two) enable direct digital connection of CD decks, laptops, MP3 players and the like – avoiding degradation of input signals by multiple analogue connections and soundcards of varying quality. An ASIO driver ensures low latency from PC soundcards. (USB audio I/O extends to 8 mono/ 4 stereo I/O, making the mixer an extremely high quality USB audio interface.)

Uniquely the DN-X1700 can ‘zone’ mixer and MIDI functions simultaneously, with the LED ring indicators switching colour to indicate mixer or MIDI operation; other mixers can only operate in one or other mode. With a discrete MIDI layer for each mixer channel, the possibilities for control of PC and Mac Audio / Video DJ software applications are extensive. Individual user settings – including for audio, system and MIDI settings – can be exported and imported in file format, and saved to a USB memory device, HDD, laptop, etc..

Working with vinyl, CD, or digital file libraries, performance and operation of the DN-X1700 is a dream; reflecting the wealth of experience and the extent of the R&D programme that has gone into its development.

The most conspicuous feature of the Denon DN-S3700 is its unique 9” direct drive real vinyl platter; complete with (replaceable) slipmat. Coupled with Denon’s proprietary High Torque Direct Drive Motor design, the platter brings unparalleled turntable simulation to CD, sound files and software control. As impressive in operation as it is in appearance, the design integrates an ultra high-resolution pulse sensor mechanism to accurately reproduce the subtlest and swiftest scratching movements possible with the human hand. Like a high performance turntable, the platter achieves instant full rotation speed with a powerful 2.5 kg/cm of start-up torque within 0.5 seconds. Platter speed can even be switched between 33 and 45 rpm!

As a controller, everything about the DN-S3700 is leading edge: its USB2.0 audio and MIDI capabilities; 3x BPM assisted auto loops with real-time length adjust and trim parameters; adjustable resolution pitch controller; visual waveform display; built-in EFX. In operation the platter additionally performs functions such as pitch bending, frame searching and quick file navigation from external USB devices. External USB device support gives access to and unparalleled control of portable music libraries stored on external jump drives, iPod®s, hard drives, laptops, etc., with support for mp3/wav libraries of up to 50,000 files. Files can be organised into playlists which can be accessed from a dedicated button. Digital files on external devices can access powerful on-board features such as Instant Start, seamless Looping, EFX, Scratching, easy File Searching and Next File Function with Cross Fade. USB connectivity additionally enables the player’s firmware to be upgraded.

Up to three “hot starts” can be made on the fly, which also double as auto loops; traditional A-B loops can be manually executed on the opposite side of the player. Built-in EFX with full parameter control includes a Dry/Wet mix control of five effects: Flanger, Filter (High-Mid-Low), Echo and Echo/Loop, as well as three platter effects, including Brake (adjustable in real-time), Dump (reverse sound without losing true forward time, like a radio edit), and Reverse. The 100mm pitch slider provides high pitch resolution at .02% for the 4% pitch range and .05% for the 10/16% pitch range; 24%/50%/100% ranges are also available.

The unique angled FL tube display gives a wealth of visual information. In conjunction with the acclaimed Denon DJ Music Manager software (included FOC) it displays highly refined search data enabling rapid navigation and tag editing through MP3/ WAV files. Music Manager software also displays visual waveform data and auto calculates BPM’s for music files; allowing the DN-S3700 to load perfectly locked BPM values for accurate Auto Beat Loops.

Not simply a USB/MIDI controller with a soundcard, the DN-S3700 is a true digital audio player, with discrete onboard power supply and the highest electronic specifications (including 24-bit DAC processing) and components to ensure best possible sound quality. The illuminated front loading slot-in CD mechanism is quick-loading and fast reading supporting a whole variety of compact disc media, including CD, CD-R, CD-RW and CD-TEXT. The USB audio interface includes 2-Channel Stereo output and low latency ASIO / OSX Core Audio support.

Denon DJ Europe Product Marketing Manager, David Morbey, commented: “These two new flagship products place Denon DJ firmly in pole position in the professional market sector. Together they herald a next generation product family, with forthcoming releases destined to reinforce the brand’s position still further.”

With the groundbreaking Lemur controller Jazzmutant have revolutionised the way in which performers can now interact with light, video and sound. The Lemur offers an unrivalled package of intuitive features beneath a futuristic multitouch-sensitive surface, and these have won it fans across the globe including the groundbreaking musicians Richie Hawtin, Björk and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

With the new version 2 firmware update, a host of new object features allows users to really interact with sound and manipulate it in real time like never before. Workflow improvements, scripting additions and other features allow the controller to be used better, faster and more in tune with some of the most popular software applications around with Ableton Live users, in particular, benefiting from some of the new features.

New v2 features in detail

• Breakpoint object – Offers total control of synthesiser or sampler envelopes with a multi-segment envelope editor to allow you to really get inside a sound, live on stage! Rather than assigning knobs to these sound shapers, jump right in and directly tweak an on-screen representation of the envelope. This familiar, visual interface allows you to see – and hear – exactly how you are changing the sound and you can easily add extra breakpoints with a simple double touch.

• Gesture object – This emulates a trackpad control with advanced gesture recognition and has three novel ways to interact with your sound. You can send different control messages to your computer simply by pinching, rotating or tracing your fingers. An example could be with surround sound: rotate to change the source position, pinch to change the source level, and trace to apply some filter to it. Total control in three steps!

• Alias – Now you can easily produce a copy or alias of a controller object that sends exactly the same information to your computer. This takes up less memory and is much less time consuming than setting up a new object with identical characteristics. Manipulating the original or its doppelganger can now control the same computer parameters but from different interface screens. Moving one will automatically update its “mirror image”.

• Tabbed Container – Containers are virtual panels that contain a selection of controls. Tabbed containers allow you to change the contents of this panel at the tap of a finger. Put all the controls you need for one part of your performance in one tab, then simply push the next tab to reveal a whole new bank with zero hassle. This feature allows you to greatly improve interface layouts.

• Mouse and keyboard control – Still finding yourself reaching over to the computer during your live show? Not any more! Now Lemur’s objects can be used to remotely control the mouse cursor or computer keyboard.

• Workflow improvements – Setting up your custom performance interface is a breeze with the improved and new-look Jazzeditor. Workflow improvements include the ability to simply drag objects from the new palette into the work area – any custom-made modules from your library will also appear here. It’s now no longer necessary to select a MIDI or OSC target for each parameter within an object – just choose a “parent” target and you’re done. There’s also a new ‘colour chooser’ to make your interfaces visually distinctive.

• Extended scripting abilities – A new multi-line script pane opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You can now modify the physical behaviour, appearance or size of an object in real time. Add a ball to a Multiball object by touching a pad, or zoom in on a fader for ultimate precision. These scripts can act locally or be received from the computer. For Ableton users that means it is now possible to receive clip names and colours and display them on the Lemur. Any changes in your Live set are automatically reflected on the Lemur. Now you can really put that computer behind you and concentrate on your performance!

The public beta of the v2 firmware update will launched at AES (October 3rd to 5th) with the full version released Q4 2008. The full update will be free.

If you don’t know what we’re talking about:

The Lemur is a top-of-the-range control surface for audio and media applications. Its major innovation is in its modular graphic interface concept and the exclusive multitouch sensor technology. The continuously growing palette of user-configurable graphic objects enables you to design made-to-measure interfaces by using the bundled JazzEditor. This endows the Lemur with the unique capacity to adapt to all of your projects and software applications; whether you need advanced control of sequencers, modular synthesisers, virtual instruments, VJ software, 3D animation tools or light control.

Comprising an iDR10 mix rack and iLive-80 control surface, the system was driven by Front of house man James Jewry audio for the 2-day event at Pafiliwnbont in Pontrhydfendigaid, which featured 10 top Welsh bands including Huw Chiswel, Sibrydion and Radio Luxemburg.

Audio Group’s director, Paul Adamson, said:

“We have been looking to purchase a digital audio system for some time and iLive’s audio quality and features make it very appealing. With everything on board, we don’t need to carry big outboard racks of EQ and FX processing.”

The iLive system was complemented by a Logic Systems VA Line Array at FOH and Logic LM20 monitors, with amplification from MC2.

James had this to say

“We reached sound checks in no time and as I hadn’t used the iLive before on location I was surprised at what was to follow; the audio is rich and detailed, all the onboard FX simulations are superb, and the features and flexibility of the system really impressed me. As soon as you select a channel everything is in front of you, unlike other digital desks where you have to navigate a little to find what you need. We especially liked the mute buttons, which are like Allen & Heath’s analogue boards.”

“If you’re thinking of buying a digital board and you dismiss iLive, to put it bluntly you’re either deaf or stupid. “It doesn’t sound like a digital board should, it just sounds awesome. Enough said,” concluded Jewry.

‘Have you seen the Dexter?.. It’s touch screen’.

The videos dotted around on Youtube and various blogs made us literally dribble with the excitement at the futuristic light show that is the touch-screen DAW of the now. It’s currently available for use with Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo and Logic Pro.

In the beginning…

On connection to your computer, the Dexter prompts the user to sync the unit via IP. Connect that up and your main user interface appears before you, and your trousers start to feel the cream.

The 8 channel strips in front of you consist of a meter/fader display a set of Mute, Solo, and Record buttons, which are toggled by one touch. The color of the channel indicates its current state with regards to the aforementioned touch controls.
Switching through the 64 channels is easy, via the 8X8 fader display above your main interface. From here you can choose which of the 64 channels you’d like to assign to which group (if you so choose), although as I’ll point out again later, you can’t save your stored groups. That sucks. As does this fact.

To control more than 64 channels, you have to access the DAW’s interface.

Touch the EQ symbol above each channel fader for a great parametric Q, which has all you need – Gain, Q and band selection. If you’re into EQ automation, you can freeze certain parameters in order to edit certain others, so in essence create a manual ‘Wah-Wah’ sound, and get it down to disk exactly how you want it. This is a very good inclusion.

The main benefit of the Dexter, as I’m sure you’ve read before, is that it is absolutely amazing for surround sound mixing, and this is where it’s true strengths lie – possible taking away hours of work (and doing a damn fine job).

Truly, this editing function is superb, allowing quick and easy experimentation for placing individual tracks anywhere in a 360 degree field. Similar to the EQ, you can then lock these tracks in place, but keep one paramater open, so move everything closer/further away’ from the central point.

If only that was an automated feature too…

I’m at a bit of a loss as to whether or not I like the Dexter or not. On the one hand, it’s an incredibly clever and impressive piece of kit which essentially brings up all your editable parameters onto its tablet form screen.

On the other hand, I somehow expected more to happen. Maybe I expected some built in effects, so that the unit had a character of its own, some reverbs, some compressors and gates to rival the big boys. A medium between your VST plugins and something by Focusrite, whilst offering the versatility of being, effectively, a touch screen monitor.

The bad news is, it isn’t. You can’t assign your variables from the unit, which means you’ll still be switching back to mouse and keyboard quite a bit.

Built in wireless mode would have been nice too, guys, especially for the price.

I’m told by Jazzmutant that there is a software upgrade being worked on right now to sort out the assignable parameters problem, which would go some way to making this unit a lot more popular, I’m sure.

Now, I should make it clear that apart from the aforementioned issues, there is not much that isn’t possible with this unit. But of course, it’s possible to do it without the unit as well

For instance, (told you I’d come back to this) – you can group your faders for more control on your overall sound, which is a nice little feature. Unfortunately, this isn’t storable (although, again, Jazzmutant is working on it with the software upgrade).

Now, another issue with this little baby is that Digidesign hasn’t allowed Jazzmutant access to it’s SDK, meaning that the controller isn’t supported by Pro-Tools. I can well understand that Digidesign consider the Dexter a threat to its own Pro-Tools supported hardware, and that’s just something everyone will have to live with, although I do feel that if Jazzmutant could focus on developing touch screen technology, it would open up the market an incredible amount.

In summary, the Dexter is a great piece of kit, despite my issues with it, and if the price was dramatically reduced, I would
certainly buy one.
Which brings me to this

I can’t help feeling the Dexter would be of more use in a live environment. Either way, though, I’m pleased to report that you can also install the Jazzmutant Lemur software onto the tablet (as well as!!). This is free, by the way, which does go an incredibly long way to making this unit worth the money.

If that wasn’t the case, I can’t forsee a great end to the review, as it’s the price as opposed to the yet-to-be-fully-developed
product which, for a while, made this unit a mystery to me.

But now you can throw the Lemur into the equation as well, so if you do some sums, the Dexter costs around $400.

Think about that, and you’ve got an amazing bargain on your hands (as long as both are of use to you). See, now I cannot find a single reason not to get one.

Damn you, Jazzmutant.

The company recently announced the acquisition of leading Southampton-based, AV and technical production company Lite Relief, as a new division within its business.

MCM’s client base boasts John Lewis, Royal Bank of Scotland, Warburtons and Mothercare. The acquisition of Lite Relief comes with a large store of AV equipment, warehouse space and an existing client portfolio including Southampton FC, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Hampshire Cricket Club.

Lite Relief has so far operated two distinct services:  Audio Visual and Technical Solutions to the corporate sector across the South Coast, as well as renting specialist and general AV equipment to local businesses and theatre companies.

MCM’s southern office will manage the entire AV, technical, design and production stock and be operationally managed by two newly created positions which will support all areas of the business – from corporate clients through to smaller, local businesses.

Neil Crespin, Managing Director of mcm Productions, said of the purchase:

 “Meeting the demands of delivering tangible and successful results for clients in an increasingly competitive market has never been more challenging.  Lite Relief has been a long term supplier to mcm, and this strategic acquisition strengthens our position in the market place at both a local, national and European level.”

In-House Audio Visual Technician wanted

From the Meetpie website:

Our client is a highly successful AV Company who are looking to recruit an experienced AV Technician in to an in-house role within a leading chain of city centre and country retreat hotels.

Each hotel has its own equipment geared towards business meetings and conferences, for which the Technician would be responsible for the onsite rigging, operating and de-rigging of all associated AV equipment.

Audio Visual Operations / Project Manager wanted.

Our client is an established and highly respected AV hire company who are looking to recruit an experienced senior AV professional to their growing team.  The business covers a wide range of corporate events ranging from road shows, conferences and product launches, to award ceremonies and corporate parties, for both corporate and agency clients.

 Operationally you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of a 20 strong technical team.  This will include staff recruitment and development, the management, purchasing and service of a large in-house equipment inventory, as well as the mentoring and overseeing all workflow through the department.

In addition you will still actively get involved as a Senior Project Manager on key large scale projects, handling all client contact, budgeting, logistics, and on-site management.  In short you will be responsible for making sure that all jobs get done on time, in budget, and to the client’s expectations.

Since then, I don’t think I’ve seen him NOT be online more than a couple of times, he’s been working almost 24/7 to bring his readers the latest news.

So I think it’s only fair that I just link over to some of his headlines and let the NAMM Vet himself tell you about the latest industry news.

Cheers Stiff!

____

Universal Audio partners with SPL, Empirical Labs and Valley People

UA reveals LA-610 Signature Edition – prestige tube recording channel

EastWest introduces Forbidden Planet

M-Audio introduces ProFire 2626

New Studiophile monitors from M-Audio

Spectrasonics previews flagship V.I. “Omnisphere” at NAMM 08

Complete Pro Tools “studios”

Digidesign D-Show 2.7 software upgrade

URS Classic Console Strip Pro v1.1 for Mac OSX PPC/ Intel

Overloud debuts TH1 Guitar Amp

Novation Nocturn features eight touch-sensitive rotary encoders, each equipped with a bright eleven-LED ring. These are accompanied by eight user-assignable illuminated buttons and a 45mm cross-fader. Also featured is a touch-sensitive rotary encoder that instantly takes control of whatever your mouse is focused on!

Novation says:

Little or no user setup is required, and plug-in control can be customized to be laid out just the way you like it, no matter what music software you use. Simply boot up the plug-in, and you’ll see at a glance how the parameters are automatically assigned to each of Nocturn’s controls. An instant click and control ‘learn’ function is also available for quick re-assigning of controls, or for creating your own controller map in seconds. Multiple page options mean that you can assign a potentially infinite number of parameters for each plug-in.

The combination of Automap Universal 2.0’s heads-up transparent control GUI and Nocturn’s touch-sensitive dials remove the pain inherent in controlling multiple instruments and effects, allowing you to jump instantly from one plug-in to the next; so you’re free to focus on what matter most – your music.