DJ Times Magazine - GEAR REVIEWS

Gear Reviews
Published in the Sept 2003 issue of DJ Times Magazine

	Chauvet Lighting 3000 N. 29th Court Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 929-1115 www.chauvetlighting.com Chauvet’s addition to its Precision Series is the ZX-20 LQ, which can be used to produce a variety of textured effects. With its head on, the machine breaks the light source into 29 different beams projected in static, rotating or sound-activated mode. Chauvet’s ZX-30RG Precision rotating gobo scanner functions also as a non-scanning projector when its detachable head is removed; this unit comes with four rotating and interchangeable gobos including three commemorative ones: Happy Birthday, Congratulation and Happy Holidays. The fourth gobo is a star-shaped flower, reminiscent of a poinsettia. Four dichroic colored filters are also supplied. In addition, the ZX-5, ZX-10 and ZX-15 are moonflower effect lights in projection, scanning head and barrel effect respectively, and all feature a Euro-designed casing. Alongside them comes the FX-800 fog machine with an output of approximately 3,500 cubic feet per minute that comes with a wired remote, but can also be operated by a fog button mounted on the unit in the event the remote is forgotten or lost. Also new from Chauvet is the plug-n-play Corona fixture, featuring dual light sources that hit two dichroic mirrors to produce vivid beams. Beat-activated Corona sports two barrels spinning independently of each other for a display of ever-changing, colored beams.
	Gator Cases Inc. 3421 North Lakeview Drive, Ste 138 Tampa, FL 33618 (813) 221-4191 www.gatorcases.com Gator Cases has come up with a line of mixer bags that will accommodate nearly all mixers 18- x 18-inches and smaller; the G-Mix Bags consist of the G-Mix-B-1212 (12- x 12-inch), G-Mix-B-1515 (15- x 15-inch) and the G-Mix-B-1818 (18- x 18-inch). The deluxe padded universal mixer bags are perfect for travel or simply protecting the mixer at home. The exterior of the bags is constructed of 600-denier Polypropylene, while the interior of the case provides 5mm of spongy foam and is lined with protective Tricot. All the bags feature web handles and a shoulder strap. Dual exterior pockets have been included for extra storage, which is perfect for cables and accessories. The G-Mix Bag Series is perfect for compact mixers, drum machines and any other similar style products.
	TC Electronic 742-A Hampshire Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 373-1828 www.tcelectronic.com TC Works’ flagship audio processing application Spark XL has received another expansion of its feature set. Originally, Spark XL 2.7 became even more powerful with its direct CD-burning features from inside Spark XL’s Play List, fulfilling one of the major user requests; the new Version 2.8 delivers the Audio Units support. Apple Audio Units is a new Plug-In format exclusive to Mac OS X, and Spark XL is among the first applications to provide this feature. Aside from providing Audio Units compatibility for all included VST FX-Plug-Ins like Spark’s FXmachine processing matrix, Spark will also host Audio Units Plug-Ins. A new Loop Window provides Crossfade Looping, Loop Edit tools, a Set-tempo feature and key mapping information for samplers. Workflow has been improved by a new Overview File management and improved database handling in Spark’s Browser View. The Batch Converter is now ideal for processing complex libraries with nested folders by maintaining the original folder structure for the target files. Another major feature request has been fulfilled by providing completely user assignable key commands and support for long file names; Spark XL 2.8 exclusively supports OS X. Mac OS 9 is no longer supported.
	Promo Only, Inc. 257 South Lake Destiny Drive Orlando, FL 32810 (407) 331-3600 www.promoonly.com Promo Only announced the release of Hot Video Classics Best of 1990, the newest in its line of specialty DVD music video compilations. Hot Video Classics Best of 1990 rounds out the Promo Only line of Hot Video Classics to offer a complete collection of classic music videos available on DVD today. Featuring 36 digitally enhanced videos from the top of the 1990 charts, Hot Video Classics Best of 1990 features such titles and artists as “Roam,” The B-52s; “Opposites Attract,” Paula Abdul; “Black Velvet,” Alannah Myles; “Personal Jesus,” Depeche Mode and “Vogue,” Madonna. Other featured videos include: “The Humpty Dance,” Digital Underground; “Poison,” Bell Biv DeVoe; “Unskinny Bop,” Poison; “Janie’s Got A Gun,” Aerosmith and “Head Like A Hole,” Nine Inch Nails. Hot Video Classics (Best of 1990) is available to qualified Promo Only subscribers only.
	MBT Lighting and Sound P.O. Box 30819 Charleston, SC 29417 (800) 641-8392 www.mbtlighting.com MBT’s Smart Scan is an intelligent scanning light and features full DMX512 control of 12 colors and 14 gobo patterns. The Smart Scan uses five channels: pan, tilt, color wheel, gobo wheel and strobe function. Smart Scan is presented in full-color POP packaging including a 24-volt/250-watt ELC lamp and hanging bracket. The unit is also compatible with most standard DMX512 controllers.
	Gemini Sound Products 120 Clover Place Edison, NJ 08837 (732) 738-9006 www.geminidj.com The new Gemini GX speaker range includes the latest technology in lightweight ABS design. The GX-350 is a powered 12-inch two-way pushing out 200 watts RMS and 800 watts of peak power. This unit’s amp features an XLR input/output with a ¼-inch line output and a built-in mic mixer with one XLR mic and one RCA line input. The GX-300 is a non-powered version of the GX-350. Both models come with a 12-inch aluminum die-cast woofer and the horn has a compression driver with a 1.5-inch titanium diaphragm. The GX-450 is a powered 15-inch two-way pushing out 300 watts RMS and 1,000 watts of peak power. This unit’s amp features an XLR input/output with a ¼-inch line output and a built-in mic mixer with two XLR mics and one RCA line input. The GX-400 is a non-powered version of the GX-450. Both models come with a 15-inch aluminum die-cast woofer and the horn has a compression driver with a 1.75-inch titanium diaphragm. All four speakers come complete with handles for easy transportation and are packaged with a protective speaker bag and stand mounts so a user can turn the GX speakers into stage monitors.
	Disc Makers 7905 N. Route 130 Pennsauken, NJ 08110 (856) 663-9030 www.discmakers.com The Disc Makers MacElite systems are the industry’s first large capacity, high-throughput, unattended disc duplication and printing systems available for the Mac OS. The MacElites feature an easy-to-use interface that allows users to design disc label artwork, copy CDs and DVDs and archive images of frequently copied titles to their hard drive. The systems include a 2400-dpi inkjet disc printer, and are available in configurations ranging from one to four CD-R or DVD-R drives. Depending on the model selected, the MacElite comes equipped with a 125 or 200 disc input capacity. MacElite duplicators connect to a G4 Mac through firewire and are the only duplicators that are field-upgradeable to additional or faster drives.
	Cakewalk Inc. 51 Melcher Street Boston, MA 02210 (617) 423-9004 www.cakewalk.com Cakewalk is now shipping Image-Line’s FLStudio 4 Fruityloops edition and FLStudio 4 Producer Edition to music retail stores around the world. FLStudio 4 is the latest version of Fruityloops, a widely used electronic music creation tool. FLStudio combines loop generation, synth emulation and pattern-based sequencing. FLStudio 4 includes native sampling, Dreamstation DXi analog synth, plus seven additional synths, 31 audio effects, live performance mode, MIDI hardware control, MP3 encoding, audio output up to 96 kHz and an extensive library of 3,000 royalty-free samples and 300+ loops from which users can create an infinite number of new sounds. FLStudio4 supports DX, DXi, VST and VSTi plug-ins, and also runs as a DXi or VSTi directly within Cakewalk SONAR, Home Studio and Project5, as well as Cubase, ACID 4.0 and other compatible host applications. The FLStudio 4 Producer Edition is the premium-edition which includes all of the music creation tools found in the Fruityloops 4 Edition, plus digital audio recording (up to 999 tracks) and mixing, effects upon input while recording, a 64-channel mixer with per-track EQ, full re-routing and ASIO-in recording with realtime effects preview and an integrated wave editor for basic audio editing.
	American Audio 4295 Charter St. Los Angeles, CA 90058 www.americanaudio.us American Audio’s HTD 4.5 turntable drives its platter with 4.5 kilograms of torque. The HTD 4.5 turntable offers numerous club applications as well. Weighing 29 pounds, American Audio says the HTD 4.5 can withstand constant heavy use in nightclubs and dance halls. The HTD 4.5 has other features including Dual Stop & Start buttons, which allow it to be turned “battle style.” Other features include an “S” type tone arm and adjustable controls that allow for super fast or very slow starts and stops. A pitch slider with quartz lock ensures precision speed control at 33, 45 and 78 rpm. Pitch can be shifted to plus/minus 10-, 20- or 50-percent.
	Pioneer Electronics USA Inc. 2265 E. 220th St. Long Beach, CA 90810 (310) 952-2108 www.PioneerProDJ.com Pioneer has released the second generation of its digital turntable. The CDJ-1000MK2 offers improved sound quality, smoother jog dial and faster response. Taking from the original CDJ-1000, the MK2 builds on features such as Master Tempo and Cue/Loop Memory. Master Tempo locks the pitch of a track even when its speed is changed, allowing DJs to speed up or slow down the beat, without any difference to the vocals and instruments. Cue/Loop Memory allows a DJ to set a cue, hot-cue or loop point and then save it to the deck’s internal memory, or a removable MMC card (one 16MB card included free with every deck) where it can later be called up in a flash. Other new features include Delay-Free Scratching when cueing a song or jumping to a hot-cue; the memory build is instant so the user can start scratching immediately; a Cue Marker, which is set automatically within the center display to visually represent the cue point relative to the jog dial’s location, much like vinyl DJs use tape or pen to mark their sample start points; “Wide” Pitch Control, in which DJs can use the plus/minus 100-percent pitch control range to create new sound effects from opposite ends of the sound spectrum and also to BPM match completely different tracks, in addition to the plus/minus 6-, 10- and 16-percent pitch ranges; Full Feature Digital Out function, which ensures that all of the CDJ-1000MK2’s digital features are carried over to any connected digital environment, even scratching and master tempo and an extra bright display, which allows the DJ to see the track info more clearly and makes key features brighter.
	Martin Professional 700 Sawgrass Corporate Pkwy. Sunrise, FL 33325 (954) 858-1800 www.martinpro.com Magnum is a complete range of fog effect generators for the DJ and late-night venue operator, and Jem smoke has added to this line with the launch of the Magnum 950 and Magnum 550. The Magnum 950, the big brother to the Magnum 550, houses a 1,500-watt system and is supplied with remote control, 2.5 liter fluid container and fitted with the same overheat protection as models from Jem’s professional range. The Magnum 550 houses a 600-watt ECO-Mass Vaporizing System for even distribution of haze, with fast heat-up time and extended operation and is supplied with remote control and fitted with the same overheat protection as models from Jem’s professional range. The Magnum 550 should be used with either Jem’s Pro-Smoke Super (ZR Mix) or Economy DJ Mix fluids.
	MAGIX 1680 Michigan Avenue, Suite 900 Miami Beach, FL 33139 (661) 299-2361 www.magix.com The MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2004 is a music restoration tool for cleaning, restoring and burning vinyl, cassette, CD or MP3 music to CDs. MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2004 quickly removes hissing, crackling and scratches and from old recordings and makes it easy to add custom effects, record Internet radio or burn CDs with dimensional sound quality for a stereo surround-sound listening experience. Audio Cleaning Lab 2004 is fully automatic with four super-fast wizards to make digital remastering and CD creation a snap: a Cleaning Wizard for removing noise; a Sound Optimizing Wizard for correcting volume fluctuation, enhancing the sound and adding effects; a Track Creation Wizard for partitioning each track; and a Burn Wizard for CD mastering and burning. Simply connect your stereo system or VHS player to your PC soundcard to import music from LPs, cassettes, and soundtracks from home movies or drag and drop your digital audio files directly into the software–the automatic wizards will do the rest. Audio Cleaning Lab 2004 also features easy Internet radio recording with a programmable timer that ensures you’ll never miss a show, a full-featured music jukebox, track fading for creating transitions between songs, and an Object Editor for applying realtime, non-destructive mastering effects.
	Steinberg North America 9200 Eton Avenue Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 678-5100 www.steinberg.net In the latest 2.0 version, the Nuendo software delivers a complete media production system, designed with the needs of the user in mind and meeting the demands of working professionals in all genres of the audio industry. From input to final mix, Nuendo 2.0 is all about surround, with an advanced multi-channel architecture through the entire signal path. Every input, audio track, effect return, group and output now offers up to 12 discrete channels, ready for full-scale 5.1, 7.1, or even 10.2 productions. To make routing in the project even more transparent, Steinberg has developed a range of tools including a new way of organizing physical inputs and outputs and dedicated surround panning devices in all relevant points within the audio signal path. Several input and output busses can be utilized at the same time, with any type of configuration possible—mono, stereo or any of a wide range of surround formats—and any track can be routed to and from any of these buses.
	Sennheiser 1 Enterprise Drive Old Lyme, CT 06371 (860) 434-9190 www.sennheiserusa.com The HD 280 Silver headphone has distinctive silver earcups making them a lot easier to find in dark clubs. According to Sen-nheiser, the HD 280s form-fitting, ergonomically designed cir-cumaural earpieces remain comfortable for long periods of listening and can be rotated for flat mobility and space-saving transport. Single-sided coiled cable gives users flexibility on the job; easy replacement of all wearing parts promises long-life and functionality.
	Stanton Magnetics 3000 SW 42nd St Hollywood, FL 33312 (954) 689-8833 www.stantondj.com Stanton’s ST-150 (standard S-shaped tone arm) and STR8-150 (skip-proof straight tone arm) turntables offer construction designed to minimize feedback, high torque ratings and a stable platter and tone arm. Additional features include Key Correction, Reverse, up to 50-percent pitch adjustment and S/PDIF digital outputs. The stable platter can be sped up, slowed down or reversed with accuracy; DJs can customize the feel of either turntable using the Start and Brake Speed Adjustments. The ST-150 and STR8-150 can be mounted virtually anywhere without feedback. Both models feature three speeds (33, 45 and 78 RPM) for compatibility with all types of vinyl, plus Quartz lock for no speed variance. The pitch control is also flexible, with choices of up to plus/minus 8-, 25-, and 50-percent for a wider range of control. DJs will also appreciate Stanton’s Key Correction feature for maintaining pitch at various tempos and the Reverse function for creating wild effects. A S/PDIF digital output is provided for easy integration with digital mixers and recorders—great for sampling vinyl—while the analog output is selectable for phono or line. Other noteworthy features include a Motor Off function, removable target light and adjustable feet to accommodate virtually any DJ booth. Both models ship with all the necessary accessories like a removable headshell, slipmat, cables and a Stanton 680HP cartridge.