tecH awardS2013 Studio Production equiPment and live performer. Winner
Ableton Push
$599
HYPE Stunning and innovative in-key mode, best ‘beats’ mode on any hardware, unrivalled creative control of Live with fantastic construction.
GRIPE No audio editing
facilities, but that can all be done in the software.
Push is a great tool to enable quick and easy music production, and is so versatile that it easily lends itself to live performance as well.
TECH VERDICT 8.3/10
uAd 2 DsP
$899
HYPE Really does bring some of the world’s most expensive and sought-after kit to the reach of the normal studio user: amazing.
Only slight gripe is that it has to use a power supply — can’t be run off the computer’s own power.
GRIPE
The UAD 2 Satellite is a welcome addition to any studio set-up, be it portable or fixed. Perfect for DJs who play using computers and do a lot more than just mixing when performing.
TECH VERDICT9.2/10 nAtive
Wallet friendT ind eat heat cg u ese it se ge o thl telit es kit notch performance
lyh angs f areure rinh thp wit lhtlomuysf stile dasviertop for the studio
inStrumentS masChine mK ii $499
HYPE MPC-style pads, a killer sound
library and outstanding workflow make for a fantastic groove box.
GRIPE While the MK 2’s hardware has
seen some awesome upgrades the software side of things has seen little in the way of major improvements.
Native Instruments Maschine has a well-earned reputation for creating killer beats and inspiring creativity.
TECH VERDICT 8.5/10
Apogee Quartet
$1395
HYPE Some of the best audio converters and mic pre-amps we have ever heard in an ultra-slick package that oozes professional quality and class.
GRIPE The Quartet will only work on Mac and
A true professional level audio interface and speaker management system complete with a decent number of inputs, outputs and microphone pre-amps that will delight Apple aficionados.
TECH VERDICT9/10
iPad with PC users being left out in the cold.
novAtion bass station ii
$499
HYPE Fat sounds, full-sized keys, step sequencer and an arpeggiator make for fun times.
GRIPE We love everything about this
synth and won’t hear a bad word against it.
Novation’s classic Bass Station is reinvented for the 21st century in a way that does the legend justice.
TECH VERDICT 9/10
digital vinyl SyStem
The best bit of DJ kit for recreating that old school hands-on DJ experience.
mixvibe Cross PaCK 2
$250
HYPE A cheaper alternative option to get in on DVS action using Mix Vibes’ reliable Cross software with vinyl or CD timecode.
GRIPE Still not as detailed as some of the
nAtive
inStrumentS traKtor sCratCh a10 $499
HYPE A full-blown DVS system new and
improved with Version 2.5 Traktor gets remixed with brand-new Remix Decks, coloured waveforms and improved beat detection, masses of FX samplebanks, hot cues and loops.
GRIPE Still no support for VST plug-in
effects and this latest version is processor hungry enough to trip up older computers.
The new features and improvements to Native’s premium DJing software take Traktor to a whole new level that will excite existing Traktor users as well as tempting DJs to
Native’s premium DJing. TECH
VERDICT8.5/10
SerAto sCratCh Live
$699
decKAdAnce 2 $79
HYPE Optional DVS support, four decks, VST
plug-in support and killer new features like the Smartknobs will be very tempting indeed for DJs.
GRIPE The lack of two-way MIDI support to light up
LEDs on controllers will disappoint some.
Deckdance 2 has been updated to bring its features in line with the competition and also manages to add in new unique tricks of its own.
TECH VERDICT8.2/10
djmag.com 097
HYPE An excellent sound quality, fantastic back-to-basics DVS system that has many fans all over the world, this is all about DJing skill, and now the Bridge and SP6 sample player take it to a new level.
GRIPE Lack of auto sync or beat
matching.
Scratch Live takes the skills of DJing and puts them into the digital domain.
TECH VERDICT 9/10
The new version software gives Mixvibes Cross pro level performance with a huge feature
set and great value for money. TECH VERDICT8/10
big boys, but it is getting very close.
Winner
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