Documentary

Friday, November 28, 2014

The Evolution of Pioneer DJ Mixers


 
Pioneer DJ is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a series of mini-documentaries. For part two of the series, Pioneer looks at the evolution of its mixers and FX controllers, starting with the DJM-500 and ending with the DJM-900NXS.
 
The nine minute video features commentary from legends DJ Jazzy Jeff, Laidback Luke, the Scratch Perverts, DJ Shadow, James Zabiela, Sander Kleinenberg, Carl Cox, Roger Sanchez and Paul Oakenfold.
 
Some of the video’s highlights include DJ Shadow’s recollection of being one of the first North American DJs to road test the DVJ-X1 in 2004. Another great part is when DJ Jazzy Jeff and Laidback Luke recall the release of the DJM-500 in 1995, which introduced built-in effects such as echo and delay.
 
Related: The Evolution of the Pioneer CDJ

| DJ Culture, Music Tech, Videos
Documentary, Pioneer DJ,
Saturday, November 15, 2014

Baauer Releases Free Sample Pack of Exotic Sounds

Baauer and Nick Hook
 
Last week, Red Bull TV premiered a fascinating documentary about Baauer’s journey around the world to find samples for his debut album. The 26-minute video, which also features DJ/producer Nick Hook, follows the artists as they travel to remote regions in the United Arab Emirates and Japan in search for inspiration and sounds.
 
In a generous move, Baauer has now released a free sample pack that includes nearly 200 sounds recorded throughout his journey. The collection includes samples of rare and exotic animals, instruments and more. Download it here.
 

“I learned how to make music and develop my style [by] pulling sounds from the Internet and manipulating them on the laptop … For the first time, I got to get outside and find sounds and record them. In that way, it completely changed the way I make music.”

 
Watch Baauer’s documentary Searching for Sound:
 

 
Related: Just Blaze and Baauer Discuss Collaborating

| Music Tech, Videos
Baauer, Documentary, Music Production, Nick Hook, Red Bull TV,
Saturday, November 1, 2014

Far East Movement Returns with New EP, ‘K-Town Riot’

Far East Movement
 
In 2010, electro-rap group Far East Movement broke into the mainstream with their platinum-selling “Like a G6” — the first-ever Billboard Hot 100 #1 by Asian-American artists. Proving not to be a one-hit wonder, the group continued their success with a follow-up album titled, Dirty Bass, which spawned four top 10 pop singles.
 
Now, the Los Angeles-based quartet is re-discovering their hometown roots with K-Town Riot — a new EP featuring rappers YG and Schoolboy Q and EDM heavyweight Sidney Samson. Although much of FM’s success has stemmed from a pan-global sound, the quintet’s latest project is inspired by Los Angeles’ diverse culture and the infamous 1992 riots which shaped the Koreatown community and the city as a whole.
 

“We want this EP to shine a light and soundtrack on the city. You don’t have to be Korean to be down . . . We kept the hard bass we’re known for and partnered with homies from all over the world to make music that neither of us are known for.” — FM’s Kev Nish

 
FM has also released a mini-documentary about the riots. The four-and-a-half-minute video features first-hand accounts, including commentary from celebrity chef Roy Choi:
 

 
Download:
The Illest Remix feat. Schoolboy Q
Bang It To the Curb feat. Sidney Samson
Grimey Thirsty feat. YG
Level (Palm Trees) feat. La’Reda & Sha Sha Jones
Up To No Good feat. Adrian Delgado
 
Related: FM & Sidney Samson Drop ‘Bang It to the Curb’ Video

| Tracks, Videos
Documentary, Far East Movement, Interview,
Friday, October 24, 2014

How A-Trak Became One of the World’s Most Respected DJs


 

“The reason I hustle this hard is because I love what I do. DJing is my cause. Literally, I’m an activist for DJing.”

 
Many of A-Trak’s fans are familiar with his beginnings as a turntablist and role as Kanye West’s tour DJ, but how did the Montreal native go from practicing after school to becoming one of the world’s most respected DJs and tastemakers?
 
During a visit to his Brooklyn home, VICE’s music site Noisey sat down with the legend to hear about his journey from bedroom scratch sessions to performing at festivals and launching Fool’s Gold Records. We’ve seen plenty of videos about A-Trak throughout the years but this is one of the most inspiring.
 
Related: A-Trak: ‘DJing is About Taking Risks’

| DJ Culture, Videos
A-Trak, Documentary, Interview,
Thursday, October 23, 2014

Rick Rubin Explains How He Launched Def Jam in a College Dorm Room

Rick Rubin
 
It’s Throwback Thursday and what better way to celebrate than with a video about the birth of hip-hop and Def Jam Recordings?
 
In a new documentary from Rolling Stone Films, Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin returns to the New York University dorm room where he founded the label 30 years ago.
 
The video features commentary from co-founder Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys, former Def Jam-head Lyor Cohen and others. It also contains early footage of DJ pioneers Afrika Bambaataa and Jazzy Jay.
 
One of the most interesting parts is when Rubin discusses how DJs and the music they playied at clubs inspired Def Jam’s innovative sound:
 

“I didn’t know anything about the music business, I didn’t know anything about contracts, I didn’t really know what a producer did. I just felt like it was possible to make a record that felt more like the club . . . The logo was a big ‘d’ and a big ‘j’ and it really was about the DJ’s place in hip-hop being in a way equal to that of the MC.”

 
After recounting the label history’s from its humble birth to its monumental rise, Rubin concludes with a timeless piece of advice:
 

“It’s what you can bring to it to make it special and beautiful and personal. Make it yours. That’s the thing that can change the world.”

 

 
Related: Legendary Publicist Bill Adler Talks Def Jam’s Golden Age

| Music Industry, Videos
Documentary, Interview, Rick Rubin,
Thursday, October 16, 2014

Watch the Trailer for Roland TR-808 Documentary


 
A documentary about the influential Roland TR-808 drum machine is coming to theaters in 2015. Titled “808,” the film features appearances and commentary from Diplo, Pharrell, David Guetta, Lil Jon, Rick Rubin, Afrika Bambaataa, Questlove, Fatboy Slim, Phil Collins, and more.
 
The 808 was a revolutionary machine popularized in the 1980s by hits such as Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock.” It’s impact has long been recognized and celebrated by artists, including Kanye West, who named his 2008 album after it.
 
“Making a documentary about a drum machine, a piece of electronic equipment, is an interesting challenge,” said director Alexander Dunn. “It has no voice of its own, so as a protagonist, it’s rather difficult to mold a story around. 808 has really been a journey of discovery for me. One that led myself and the team to meet over 50 musicians and artists from all around the world, hearing their personal stories about the 808 and the music they created using its iconic sounds. Those artists and musicians are the real protagonists of the film and the 808, in the hands of our contributors, would change music forever.”
 
Related: The Sample Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Juicy’

| Music Tech, Videos
Documentary, Music Production, Roland,

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