http://www.lightsounds.com.au/latest_news/deal-of-the-week-colbank40-august-12th

Stop flooding my record collection is a charity exhibition where artists have created new covers for a jazz records salvaged from the Brisbane floods. Join us at Smiley McSlidey (124 Nicholson St, Brunswick East) from 6pm on Friday 6 May to add a special record to your collection and contribute to a great cause.

The space will also be open Saturday and Sunday 9-4.

All proceeds to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal. for more info visit
http://www.sfmrc.observatoriumbooks.com/

There are now so many different DJ products on the market for interfacing with computer software, and while many seem to be just an answer to market demand, some go that extra step and give the users features they can utilise to improve their performance. The American Audio VMS4 is one of those products. This unit manages to give the DJ more options and flexibility than just about anything else on the market. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

UNIVERSAL CONTROL

The VMS4 is a DJ controller designed to integrate with any software, and in doing so make it possible for the user to set it up to their liking. It comes with all the features you would expect from such a unit; tempo control faders, volume faders, cross-faders, jog wheels and rotary controls for gain, as well as high, mid and low EQ. But it also gives you more where other units leave you wanting. All four channels have their own gain, EQ and volume controls, so there is no need to switch between two sets. The front panel gives you all sorts of options, such as cross fader curve adjustment and channel assignment, headphone cue, mix and volume controls, and also gain and EQ controls for the two microphone inputs supplied.

NOT JUST A MIDI CONTROLLER

The VMS4 goes one step further than being just a controller for your software. It is actually an analogue mixer with two microphone inputs as well as both line and phono inputs for each of the four audio channels. As this is combined with the USB interface for MIDI control, the VMS4 also acts as an audio interface for your computer, giving you 16-bit 44.1 kHz audio transfer via USB. That means you can use it to record mixes from analogue devices, use it to control your DJ software or, in the unwanted event that your computer should crash mid set (which they so often can), it will operate as a traditional DJ mixer for other audio sources. Not to mention you can have two vocal signals running along with your mix from the microphone inputs.

MIDI MAD

The VMS4 gives you complete control with whatever software package you choose to run with it, whether it be the bundled Virtual DJ LE or any other software with MIDI learn capabilities. With 62 assignable MIDI buttons, four assignable rotary encoders, 34 assignable rotary controllers and five assignable linear fader controllers, there is not much within your software that will require you to go to the mouse. And even if you do, there is a mouse touch pad built into the centre of the console. So, plug it in and let the computer do the processing. You get to control the VMS4. That’s where the fun begins.

By Rob Gee
via Mixdown.com.au

The event was supported by worldwide acclaimed DJ Zebra, who after the performance said “VFX CONTROL is a blast! I’ve only a few days into using VFX CONTROL, and am already able to bring all the visual inspirations I have collected over the past few years into my [Video DJ] set!” 

VFX CONTROL enables you to mix, scratch, cross fade and synchronize your multimedia files through the intuitive interface of a classic DJ booth: 2 channels and a central mixer. The package is an all-in-one turnkey solution including VFX software and an Audio/MIDI controller unit. 

The supplied MIDI controller is designed to offer a mouse free performance. It is light and mobile and easily fits in installations such as bars, clubs or restaurants with a nineteen inch rack design. 

MixVibes was founded in 2003 by Eric Guez in Paris, France. Spending all its time on research and getting feedback from musicians around the globe the company prides itself on the revolutionary products such as CROSS PACK and DVS ULTIMATE which is also available.

We can officially confirm that the rumours are true. The Technics Analogue Turntables are now an extinct species. Whilst many speculated about this happening, reality hit when we received a break-up style letter from Paul Reid, director, himself.

It read:

“Thank you for your support of Technics Analogue Turntables over the past years. Due to the decline in global demand over the past decade, we wish to advise you that Panasonic has ceased production of Technics Analogue Turntables.

As a result we wish to advise you that Panasonic Australia will no longer be in a position to supply product to you effective immediately.”

To bring the point home the letter also confirmed that no backorders will be supplied. 

So this is goodbye. Thank you. We will always remember the good times!

Beats, freaks, Halloween and the KOMPAKT kingpin himself on Sydney harbour: what more could you ask for, cretin?

Just in case Subsonic and Chemistry have added some extra excess to the mix for this bash. First off, this is a themed, dress-up event. Properly themed. No half-assed costumes will be accepted… go all out or cart your sorry half-ass out to the X for a generic night out, as there will be nuthin’ normal about this bash. The theme? ROCKnROLL ZOMBIES & CRACK WHORES FROM OUTER SPACE.

Sasha Mukhin caught up with Chemistry’s Jordan Deck to chat about what floats his boat.

What makes you smile?
A combination of good music and good people in the one place.

What makes you frown?
Intolerant people.

What makes you feel alive?
Swimming in the Ocean.

Who is your greatest teacher?
My Grandma.

What does heaven look like?
Kind of like something out of a Joni Mitchell song called the Circle game “And the children they go round and round and the painted ponies go up and down” Kids running free in grassy fields and riding horse carousels.

What sort of set up do you use on the cruise?
Their will be 3 levels of music with turbo sound on the two main floors and a smaller system on the top deck. We defiantly don’t mind splurging on sound as we consider one of the most important elements of the party.

Do you hire or own your equipment?
That’s a secret…

What does the future hold?
More Parties outside of the clubs….Boats, Warehouses, wharfs etc. People let their hair down a little when there are no security guards breathing dow their necks. When people feel free that’s when a real party can take shape.

For your chance to WIN a double pass to this event simply tell us what floats your boat? (Emalil: sasha@lightsounds.com.au)

For more information about the event check out the Facebook page or for any equipment requirements check out www.lightsounds.com.au.

Sasha Mukhin caught up with Ben Peterson, new owner of Tone, to check out the outlook for the near future as well as Jimmy Polar to chat about the lighting and sound deck out.

Sasha : Why did you decide to buy Mars Lounge?
Ben : Sydney needs more quality entertainment options, we are renovating the space to become a live performance space with a large stage, world class PA and lighting.

Sasha : What is your favourite feature of the venue?
Ben : One hundred year old timberwork throughout the venue.

Sasha : What have you been doing differently since you bought the venue?
Ben : Built a stage, all new furniture, World Class sound and lighting, totally new entertainment program including live music and performance including burlesque, art shows and much much more.

Sasha : What is your future plan for the club?
Ben : To be Sydney’s premier 300 person live music venue.

Sasha : What can we expect from Tone in the near future?
Ben : Lots of internationals, album launches and special events coming up. Check out www.tone.net.au.

Sasha : Anything else you would like to ad?
Ben : Everyone who mentions this article and buys a drink at our venue gets any meal from our menu for half price for the month of October 2010. (One per person per day)

Sasha : Jimmy, tell us a little about the venue sound and lighting gear around here.
Jimmy : This is a multi format venue, it can host an incredible array of performances from dance parties, to hip hop mc battles to live funk, soul, jazz and electronic performances. The stage has three fold back sends with large front of house (F.O.H) full range boxes. There are also several wedge shape vocal boxes for sweet fold back on stage.
The main club system is custom built and flown. Passive three way QMX mid/high boxes are flown directly over the front of the stage and four double 15” subs are built in under the stage. The rig is driven by hand built Australian monitor Mosfet amplifiers, 3800W on each of the subs and 3200W to the mid high boxes. At this point the crossover is being handled by a DBX system processer but they are beginning to experiment with analogue components, URE filter networks and old style soft and warm stereo compression from a 1970s URE replica Rane rotary DJ mixer. Opting for a recording style F.O.H. console for some future development in the area of live recordings they chose a mid budget Soundcraft Ghost with nice preamps and versatility.
The main mix is picked up by a pair of BSS 31 band graphics with nice filters and adjustable notch. The DJ equipment consists of a pair of Technics turntables, Pioneer CDJ1000 and DJM800 mixer. The lighting is an American DJ Triphase, four Lightmotion LED Parcans, and Lightmotion Sputnik moving head. On special occasions they also bring out the Antari smoke and Lightmotion bubble machine.

Sasha : Thank you Ben and Jimmy.

The new catalogue boasts high-end brand names such as PR Lighting, Antari, Elation, Amercian DJ, B-52 and SoundKing with an image of every product with its description, model and technical information.

Recently Industry Gear have become partners with The International Audio Group, the fastest growing Audio/Visual specialist manufacturer in the world so expect to see Warfedale Pro, FAL Lighting, Quad, Surge-X and Albion in these pages.

“We are very excited about becoming business partners with The International Audio Group” Rick Chisholm, owner of Industry Gear, said. “This will enable us to grow our product range into stocking some of the most respected brands in the professional audio & lighting worlds for our customers.”

The catalogue is formatted for easy product look up, and is divided into two parts: audio and lighting. The audio section boasts seventeen parts some of which include: PA Systems, DJ equipment and Jukeboxes. Some of the products in the lighting section include: Stage Lighting, Mirror Balls, Disco Lighting and LED Lighting.

The last catalogue launched by Industry Gear was in August 2009. To download an online version of the new catalogue please visit  

www.issuu.com/industrygear/docs/industrygear_2011_lighting and www.issuu.com/industrygear/docs/industrygear_2011_audio.

Why is it important to consider user-friendly features?
“Obviously performance features come first, because that’s what mobile entertainers are – performers. But you have to look at the user-friendly features of gear too. If a piece of equipment is difficult to use, or menu displays on it are hard to see, or settings are hard to change, or there are any one of a number of other nagging little things that annoy you, it’s going to create stress and make you uncomfortable, which ultimately is going to take away from your performance. So you have to look at what I call the ‘comfort factor,’ of gear. The more comfortable it makes you feel , the better you’re going to perform.”

Does American Audio incorporate this philosophy into the design of its products?
“Absolutely – we’re a company of DJs and mobile entertainers, so we know what it’s like on the front line so to speak. We appreciate how a lot of little things can add up to make you feel better or worse when you’re performing. So we design all of our products with this real world use factor in mind.”

But this doesn’t take the place of performance features?
“No, not at all; in fact it enhances performance features by making them easier to use.”

Do you have any examples of comfort features in American Audio gear?
“There are many, every product we make has them. For example, our Radius 3000 has buttons and controls that are intuitively placed, track knobs that make it easy to find tracks or files and a super bright VFT with two lines of text. Taken together, these features make the product much more user-friendly.”

Why does moving the buttons to the front make such a big difference?
“Because, it’s much easier to change your input sensitivity, your mode or your filter from the front of the unit than the back when you’re in a dark club environment. We also made the menu large and bright, so even in the trickiest environment it’s easy to see what’s going on with your amp – and it’s also easier to make changes on the fly this way.”

Why do you think American Audio has distinguished its products with so many user friendly features that aren’t often found in other products?
“I suppose it’s because rather than being strictly product driven, we’re customer service driven. Sure we work hard to come out with the most advanced products in our price range, but we never forget who we’re developing these products for – our customers. We don’t operate in an ivory tower, we live in our customers’ world.”