Music Tech

As with any modern digital DJ device, it’s important to keep up with firmware updates. On this episode of Tips and Tricks, DJcityTV’s Mojaxx takes a quick look at the beta firmware update for Rane’s SEVENTY-TWO mixer. The update was recently released in conjunction with the public beta of Serato DJ Pro 2.1.

Related: First Look: Serato DJ Pro 2.1 Beta With TIDAL Integration

Following their announcement last week, Serato has released the Serato DJ Pro 2.1 Public Beta. This version sees the return of music streaming to the software, among other additions.

With the update, TIDAL subscribers are able to play songs from their playlists within Serato. This feature also works with the Serato DJ Lite 1.1 Public Beta.

Another notable feature in this beta is the Serato Play expansion pack. This builds off of the practice mode feature by enabling control over four virtual decks with pitch sliders, faders, and effects using keyboard shortcuts in place of hardware.

Watch Mojaxx‘s first look at the Serato DJ Pro 2.1 Public Beta above.

Related: Serato to Launch Streaming Integrations With SoundCloud and TIDAL

With all the record pools and digital music services available today, it’s tempting to download as much music as possible. But as your music library grows larger, it can become more difficult to find tracks.

On this episode of DJcityTV’s Share The Knowledge, DJ TLM talks about how you can organize your library.

Related: DJ TLM: DJs Should Learn How to Play Longer Sets

Released in 2016, the TORAIZ SP-16 is a sampler and step sequencer by Pioneer DJ that can be used for music production or as a stand-alone device for DJ sets. Designed in collaboration with Dave Smith Instruments, it is Pioneer DJ’s first piece of music production equipment.

On this week’s episode of Consejos y Trucos, DJcity Latino‘s Luis Martinez gives an in-depth review of the SP-16 to examine its many capabilities.

Watch it above.

Spanish translation (traducción en español):

Lanzado en 2016, el TORAIZ SP-16 es un sampler y secuenciador por Pioneer DJ que se puede usar para producción musical o como dispositivo independiente para sets de DJ. Diseñado en colaboración con Dave Smith Instruments, fue el primer equipo de producción musical de Pioneer DJ.

En este episodio de Consejos y Trucos de DJcity Latino, Luis Martínez nos da una revisión del SP-16 para examinar su versatilidad.

Míralo arriba.

Related: Consejos y Trucos: Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 Review

Veteran rapper and songwriter Mad Skillz has had a versatile career. His debut album, released in 1995, contained underground classics like “The Nod Factor” and “Move Ya Body.”

In 2000, Skillz dropped an album for the legendary indie hip-hop label, Rawkus Records. The project featured the likes of Missy Elliot and CeeLo. By that time, Skillz had also been working as a ghostwriter, penning tracks for stars like Diddy and Will Smith.

Most recently, Skillz has toured the world as DJ Jazzy Jeff‘s MC and also as a solo DJ. Check out his must-have travel items below, and download his latest single “In a Minute” on DJcity.

Portable Phone Charger

“This is a must-have whenever I travel. It’s a no-brainer.”

Backup Hard Drive

“I have a drive that I back up with Carbon Copy Cloner so if I ever have a computer problem I can plug the drive into any computer and still play a set. And not only will I have all my music on the computer I’m playing with, but it will also look exactly like mine.”

Journal Book

“I’m old school in this manner: sometimes I actually like to write things down that come to me. I could put them in my notes on my phone, but there’s just something about seeing them in my actual handwriting. It’s everything from mix ideas, transitions, bookings, and things I have planned.”

GoPro HERO3+

“I like to capture moments and not be intrusive at the same time. The GoPro HERO3+ has never let me down for pictures and video.”

Serato 10″ Control Vinyl

“They just work for me. They’re lighter, and they fit in my bag better than the 12 inches. They also stand up to normal wear and tear. I love them.”

Follow Mad Skillz on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: A-Trak: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

On this week’s episode of Consejos y Trucos, Luis Martinez reviews Pioneer DJ’s rekordbox controller, the DDJ-1000. Watch it above.

Follow DJcity Latino on Instagram.

Spanish translation (traducción en español):

En este episodio de Consejos y Trucos, Luis Martínez revisa el controlador DDJ-1000 de Pioneer DJ para rekorbox DJ. Mira el video arriba.

Sigue a DJcity Latino en Instagram.

Related: Consejos y Trucos: Denon DJ SC5000 Prime Player Review

Music streaming services SoundCloud and TIDAL will be integrated into an upcoming release of Serato DJ Pro and Serato DJ Lite, the company has announced.

The streaming tracks will appear in Serato just like regular music files. Additionally, saved playlists on the streaming platforms will automatically appear in the Serato DJ library.

To make use of the integration, DJs will need a subscription to both or either of the streaming services.

SoundCloud offers its Go+ subscription for $9.99 a month, while TIDAL has two tiers of membership: Premium and HiFi at $9.99 and $19.99 a month, respectively. Both platforms also offer 30-day trials.

More details about Serato’s integration with SoundCloud and TIDAL will be announced later.

Related: Serato Releases Serato DJ Pro

Mojaxx is always looking for ways to make his sets sound different from the next DJ, and Eventide’s H9 Harmonizer effects pedal does just that.

A respected brand in the world of effects, Eventide made its name in the ’70s with studio equipment. Its gear has been used by legendary musicians likes of Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, and Eno.

Its H9 Harmonizer was designed for guitar and synth players. However, as Mo points out, there have always been DJs who look for ways to bring studio-quality effects to the booth.

Watch his review above on this week’s Tips and Tricks.

After reviewing Denon DJ’s X1800 Prime mixer last week, Luis Martinez now takes a closer look at the company’s SC5000 media player.

Watch his review above on this week’s episode of Consejos y Trucos.

Spanish translation (traducción en español):

Después de revisar el X1800 Prime mixer de Denon DJ la semana pasada, Luis Martínez ahora analiza de cerca el SC5000 media player de la compañía.

Mira su review arriba en el episodio de esta semana de Consejos y Trucos.

Related: Consejos y Trucos: Denon DJ X1800 Prime Mixer Review

Back in June, Mojaxx provided an exclusive preview of Allen & Heath’s Xone:96 mixer. Now, after spending a couple of weeks with a production unit, Mo delivers his verdict.

Watch on this week’s Tips and Tricks.

Related: Review: Rane SEVENTY-TWO Mixer