Aug192010
Twitter DJ is the latest brainwave from Richie Hawtin, that allows for real time broadcasting of all tracks played during a DJ set. Developed in-house by Bryan McDade at Hawtin’s Minus label, it works as a conduit between Traktor and the online messaging utility Twitter. Minus and Native Instruments worked closely together to optimize the Traktor software for this special use.
The Twitter DJ application utilizes feeds from an updated version of Traktor’s standard broadcasting technology to send 60 second updates during Hawtin’s set of what’s currently playing to a designated Twitter account, allowing anyone following the Twitter group to obtain a unique insight into how a DJ builds the atmosphere and dynamics of a set, track by track, and in real time. The track information is freely accessible from any Twitter configured personal mobile devices (even from the dance floor) and archived online on the Twitter page. This concept is also a significant step towards helping smaller independent record companies and artists to gain further recognition and free promotion when their releases are played as digital files.
However, the real potential comes to light when considering the benefits for performing rights societies: “By providing the necessary information to track what is really being played in clubs, the Twitter DJ application would not only drag the likes of GEMA, PRS and SOCAN kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but make sure the real artists get paid instead of performance payments simply being carved up between the Madonnas and U2s of the world.
The Twitter DJ application can be downloaded from Minus via twitter-dj.com together with the installation guide and instructional video.
Jan132010
With the list of IPhone applications getting steadily bigger, many of them with dubious usability (Lightsaber app anyone?) it is refreshing to come across one that can be genuinely useful to a music lover.
The Vinyl Searcher app does exactly what you’d expect it to; it searches for vinyl records and it couldn’t be easier to use. You can search by keywords such as the name of the artist you are looking for, the style of music you are after and can even search by record label. If you’re looking to narrow down your search to something specific you can combine keywords.
Imagine you are a DJ travelling to a gig, you can grab those hard to find records while travelling in the back of the car. The app is not designed to replace a website, simply to complement it. Sometimes it’s cool to get things done on the move. This allows you to do that and if you are a member you only have to remember your email address and password. Easy.
Should you be unable to find the record you’re looking for there will be suggestions for what you were looking for such as common misspellings.
This app isn’t designed with aging punk rockers in mind, whatever your music tastes might be from Grime to Psychedelic Trance, through Country all the way to Western , anything in between and out the other side, VinylSearcher.com has a very diverse library.
On top of finding records VinylSearcher.com will give you an idea of the price, image of record and instructions on how to purchase it and give you a few examples of other records you may like.
So ultimately what we have here is an app that helps you find rare vinyl records, price them and buy them what more could you ask for? (Except maybe Lightsaber whooshing noises.)
Try it in your browser: http://m.vinylsearcher.com
Mar152009
No, this is not a joke or a toy, this is the real deal. Now all you Apple iPhone lovers out there can throw your set together in the mix using this funky little app from iTM DJ.
The app is a digital DJ controller and will run with programmes such as Traktor, Serato or indeed and midi enabled application.
You get a 2 track mixer with faders, gain knob, headphone level, 4 eqs, 4 fx, loop and sync buttons, track control buttons plus a load panel for track selection.
Simply run the software (Mac and PC versions available) on your laptop, turn on Wifi in the app and also on the iPhone, create a wireless network between the two… and that’s it. The iTouchMIDI app will now appear as a MIDI interface in your DJ programme where it will receive MIDI messages wirelessly from the iPhone.
Technology. It’s mad isn’t it?
More info: http://www.djtechtools.com/2009/02/18/itm-djiphone-midi-for-djs/
Jan052009
I love great design. Not necessarily something that looks pretty, but something that functions really well at doing the job it is intended for. Ive recently come across a skin for the Apple iPhone that is both stylish and functional.
It is a silicone skin that fits over the top of any iPhone but is textured so as to allow visually impaired users the ability to access the iPhone in a much easier way. It is used in conjunction with a specific app that you install to the phone which allows special acessibility functions like ‘text to speech’ and ‘moon type tactile feedback’.
The engraved case incorporates bas-releif icons that correspond to the app and allow full functionaility (including finger-flick scrolling) of the iPhone.
Great stuff! Read the original post here: http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/12/01/this-iphone-is-touchier-than-most/
