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Thursday, November 3, 2016

DJ Zo: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

DJ Zo
DJ Zo performs at Spam N Eggs in Los Angeles on Sept. 16, 2016. (source: Facebook)

From exclusive events at SoHo House to underground parties at The Line Hotel and Spam N Eggs, DJ Zo covers a lot of ground with his residencies. It seems like the Los Angeles party rocker and turntablist is always performing somewhere, including quarterly gigs in Asia. Zo is also a guest mixer on DJcityTV, where he hosts a monthly mix series. Below are his five must-have items that he always carries in his DJ bag.

DJ Zo's items

Serato 10" control vinyl

“Thank you to my boy Kutcorners for putting me on to these. I can’t use any other records now because these are way slippy! You can really throw the record for those New York-style spinback mix-outs when you combine these with Thud Rumble’s Butter Rugs or D-Styles’ Table Cloth slipmats.”

STOKYO Black Box cartridge case

“Big ups to Chuck from STOKYO for hooking this up. I also have Shure’s blue cartridge case (the old school version with all four needles on the bottom). I prefer the Black Box because it has a secret compartment for extra styluses, screws, needle brushes, and other things.”

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry enrollment

“These programs are a must if you fly often. With PreCheck, you don’t have to wait in the unbearable security line, take off your shoes, and take your laptop out of your bag. With Global Entry, you can skip the long customs line when returning to the US from abroad. Go straight to the computer, scan your card, and you’ll pass through customs in less than 20 minutes. You can apply online for both, but you’ll need to do in-person interviews at an airport (the interviews are more of a formality; the TSA doesn’t ask you anything substantial).”

Auxiliary cord

“I bring one so I can play requests from girls who come up to me and say, ‘can’t you just play it off my iPhone?’ I also love it when someone comes up and asks, ‘can you charge my phone?’ [jokes] With an AUX cord, you’re always prepared. You never know who’s going to come through the club with some heat straight from the studio.”

Mitchum deodorant

“I get funky on the stage: both on the decks and under my arms. Deodorant is necessary, especially if I’m doing back-to-back gigs or after hours events. I use Mitchum’s mountain air scent.”

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Follow DJ Zo on Facebook, Instagram, Mixcloud, and Twitter.

Related: Trayze: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

| DJ Culture
DJ Zo, Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag,
Thursday, November 3, 2016

DJcity UK’s Top 20 Most Downloaded Tracks of Oct. 2016

James Hype

uk20_201610_600

Below is a list of the most-downloaded tracks on DJcity UK during October 2016. This list contains many deep, future, and UK house tracks that may not be on other DJcity charts. To receive these updates via email, click here.

 
Related: DJcity UK Top 20 – Sept. 2016

| Charts
DJcity UK Top 20,
Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Using Serato DJ’s Beat Jump Feature for Blends

Serato DJ’s Beat Jump feature, which was introduced in version 1.7.4, enables DJs to jump forward and backward in tracks while staying in time. It gives DJs more time to mix, as they can skip straight to the track’s hook and other sections.

On this week’s episode of Tips and Tricks, Mojaxx shares a creative technique for using the feature for blends. Watch above.

Related: Using the ‘Silent Cue Point Start’ Technique in Serato DJ

| DJcityTV, Music Tech, Videos
Serato, Tips and Tricks,
Wednesday, November 2, 2016

MAG-LEV Audio Introduces the First Levitating Turntable

MAG-LEV Audio

MAG-LEV Audio

Slovenia-based company MAG-LEV Audio has created the very first levitating turntable.

According to the company, the device will provide a “better, newer way” to experience vinyl records by combining high-quality sound and innovative design.

The first model has a basic yet elegant design, equipped with orange lighting and a pre-fitted tonearm and cartridge.

The turntable’s semi-automatic system lifts the tonearm off the record after playback, which minimizes damage to the record and prolongs the life of the cartridge.

MAG-LEV Audio

When the turntable is turned off, a set of retractable “feet” rise to hold the platter in place. The feet automatically retract when the turntable is turned on.

The turntable doesn’t have a USB port, though, which makes it unusable for digital DJs. It’s unclear if MAG-LEV Audio has plans to develop a model with digital capabilities.

The turntable will be available in August 2017 in black, white, and imitation wood for $1,390, $1,490, and $1,490, respectively. However, the company is offering a discount to anyone who donates to its Kickstarter campaign, which is funding the project.

Learn more about the turntable on Kickstarter and watch a promo video below.

This article was written by Anthony Polis and Hugo Pacheco.

Related: Technics SL-1200G Now on Sale in the US

| Music Tech, Videos
MAG-LEV Audio,
Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Vice and Chef Roy Choi Go on a Taco Run

Vice recently went on a taco run with chef Roy Choi as part of the DJ’s Electric Taco series.

Choi is one of the founders of the food truck movement and the creator of the famed Los Angeles-based Korean taco truck, Kogi.

Watch above to see him tell the inspirational story of how he started Kogi.

Related: Vice and Former NBA Player Rick Fox Go on a Taco Run

| Videos
Electric Taco, Interview, Vice,
Tuesday, November 1, 2016

The Samples Behind Ghostface Killah’s ‘Ironman’ Album

Ghostface Killah

Los Angeles radio station Power 106 has returned with another episode of Wax Only, this time for the 20th anniversary of Ghostface Killah‘s 1996 album, Ironman.

Wax Only was created by Power’s Production Director Vin Rican to showcase classic hip-hop albums and the samples behind them.

Ironman was Ghostface’s debut solo album and is considered to be one of the best Wu-Tang Clan solo projects. It contained three singles: the Mary J. Blige-assisted “All That I Got Is You,” “Daytona 500,” and “Motherless Child.”

Watch Vinny break down the album’s samples above.

Related: The Samples Behind Ice Cube’s ‘Death Certificate’ Album

| DJ Culture, Videos
Ghostface Killah, Power 106, Wax Only,

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