http://www.bpmmag.co.za

For trade enquiries or to find your nearest dealer call Pro Audio - SA (011) 822-1430 | sales@proaudio.co.za | www.proaudio.co.za

ALL ABOUT THE BEATS THE PEOPLE & THE MUSIC

MAY/JUN ‘12EDITION 61

3 | BPM

contENts

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Latest in DJ, Music and Production Gear

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EDITORS NOTE & INFO

COVER FEATURE - AKAI MPK49

COVER FEATURE - AKAI MPK49

DJ GEAR: NUMARK N4 CONTROLLER

STUDIO REVIEW: GEMINI SR SERIES STUDIO MONITORS

GEAR: SAMSON AURO D12 LOUDSPEAKERS

GEAR NEWS

GEAR NEWS

STUDIO REVIEW: EOWAVE DOMINO ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE FUTURE OF SOUND: NATIVE INSTRUMENTS

PRODUCTION TIPS WITH JON SHAW

TUTORIAL: ABLETON TUTORIAL

EDUCATION: WRITING YOUR AUDIENCE?

EDUCATION: WRITING YOUR AUDIENCE?

EDITOR’S NOTEf you read my Ed note in the lifestyle section Domino and put forward a good case in favour of you’ll see that I’ve given DJs a bit of a hard time hardware instead of just plugins in your studio.about calling themselves musicians. Well here’s It’s not all studio gear though! Numark have another your chance to get halfway there to at least new DJ controller on the market and we gave it a good becoming an Electronic Music Producer (if you working over to which it stood up quite admirably. are not one already) with some of the cool We also look at Samson’s all new Auro series of studio gear we’ve collected for review ahead of loudspeakers - a fantastically compact range that packs a winter, which is always a good time to spend in heck of a punch at a price that will knock you out! the studio making those gnarly beats. And lastly, aside from our wonderful tutorial pieces, I

Take for instance our cover feature – the awesome also had the chance to meet with Native Instruments’ Akai MPK49 midi controller – the perfect instrument to communications manager, Tobias Thon, whilst he was not only use for composing your midi arrangements, but holidaying in South Africa. He certainly left an indelible also for programming drums with the built-in drum pads. impression on me. You can read about this and more on Seasoned producer - and a seasoned user of Akai NI on Pg 16.products, specifically the APC40 - Fletcher Beadon looks Enjoy and keep those beats blasting!long and hard at the unit.

Looking for a set of studio monitors that won’t break DAVE MACthe bank? Gemini have entered the fray with their eye-catching new SR series and ESP resident DJ (and producer), Dave Skinz, checks out the 8-inch derivative. Don’t forget to visit www.bpmmag.co.za for daily gear

We also played around with a wonderfully cool news.boutique analogue synthesizer called the Eowave

Editor-in-Chief

By Fletcher Beadon

4 | BPM

STUDIO

AKAI MPK49 Performance Controller “As someone who normally uses a shorter keyboard in the studio it felt luxurious to play on this 49 key model.”

Anatomy A Closer look...

sound modules. Strangely, if you would like to use the MPK49 without a computer, you would need to go out and purchase a 6V power adaptor, something not mentioned in the manual.

The drum pads proved to be a bit of a dilemma for me. The Akai website, and indeed both the local distributor’s drum expert and technician all assured me that the MPC-style pads on the controller use the same contact membrane technology as that of Akai’s highly respected MPC series, albeit made from a different rubber. For those not familiar, Akai in fact made its name with the MPC, the drum sampler of choice for hip hop

Straight out the box I liked this big The unit has a sturdy build, although producers since the late 1980s. What

and weighty controller keyboard. It is at the end of the day it is all plastic you do get is four different velocity

USB bus powered so the lights came and won’t survive fire or heavy rock curves available from the global

on and it was working with Ableton in ‘n roll abuse. Get a board bag if preferences, however I found them a

seconds. I selected the MPK49 as a you’re going to take it out to party. bit stiff for subtle velocity detection

control surface from the MIDI The keys are semi-weighted and and actually banged them quite hard

preferences page and everything don’t feel cheap like many other to achieve close to 127 velocity. This

was mapped and ready to go. controllers on the market. They seem may just be my demo model (it is

a little stiff for my personal taste, Just for the sake of clarity, the brand new) so my suggestion is to

although admittedly I do play with a MPK49 is not a synthesizer, it has no test this to see if it is to your liking.

stylish one finger technique (left and onboard sounds. It is just a giant Something else to take note is

right hand), so I won’t deduct any MIDI instrument to control soft-that the MPK25 and MPK49 both

points for that. As someone who synths and effects inside your have a drum pad layout of 3 across

normally uses a shorter keyboard in sequencer. So the power of a and 4 up. Most software and

the studio it felt luxurious to play on controller like this can only be hardware uses a 4 x 4 grid layout so

this 49 key model.realized if you have spent time you’ll find yourself needing to trigger

building a library of instruments in For the serious keyboard players the missing notes on the keyboard;

your sequencer software. If you out there, it has input on the rear for a not ideal. If this is an issue I

haven’t, then mileage may vary. foot pedal, an expression pedals and recommend looking at the MPK61 or

MIDI input and output to send and Theoretically the MPK49 is all the MPK88, both of which have 4 across

receive information between other control you could possibly desire: a and 4 up.

49 key semi-weighted keyboard, big rubbery pitch and modulation wheels, 12 MPC-style drum pads, 8 long faders, 8 infinite rotary knobs and 8 buttons all on one control surface. I use at least three pieces of MIDI gear in my studio to achieve the same results.

So let’s take a tour through the features and see how the MPK49 measures up in a studio session.

SA Distributor: Musical Distributors | www.musicaldistributors.co.za Expect to pay: MPK25: R 3,795.00 | MPK49: R 5,895.00 |

MPK61: R 7,995.00 | MPK88: R 11,995.00

5 | BPM

STUDIO

Get the free mobile app for your phone

http:/ /gettag.mobi

One of the redeeming features of the Ableton functions to the knobs, drum pads is they can be played buttons and sliders. I simply clicked

The MPK49 comes with a copy of the using different velocity modes: on MIDI learn mode in the software,

Ableton Live 8 Lite. Basically it’s a variable velocity, at full 127 velocity, moved the hardware and was ready

hobbled version of the software, but or in 12-step mode, where the last to tweak to my nerdy heart’s delight.

you can upgrade to the full version at note played is mapped out over the Natively, the 8 sliders control

a 33% discount. The included CD 12 pads at incremental velocity volume, the 8 rotary knobs control

also contains the VYZEX editing levels – I found this useful for the macros of any selected channel

software and a user manual that programming drums with very and the buttons toggle record arm on

makes it seem like an impossibly precise velocity control e.g. hi hat and off. These can easily be re-

complex space ship flight panel. patterns. assigned using the MIDI learn mode,

Why do user manuals seem like they Enough about the bloody drum but why bother when you have 3

are written by a depressed German pads, the big rubber pitch and banks in total x 8 knobs, buttons and

scientist and then translated into modulation wheels hang out in the sliders. Even I thought that was a

English via Japanese?left corner and light up in the dark. little over the top control.

So to sum up this big monster Very cool, I had lots of fun with these, Other features I enjoyed were

controller keyboard: AKAI has built but I’m that kind of guy. the no-fuss, intuitive LED interface.

i tsel f a name for hi -qual i ty The MPK49 has got a very nifty Unlike some other brands out there,

performance hardware and this is no performance mode that allows you no parameters were ever more than

exception. Apart from the layout of to lock to your sequencer’s tempo a click or two beneath the surface.

the drum pads and a few other and play with the in-built arpeggiator. I managed to whip up about 20

design quirks, I would be very happy It has fully tweakable arp modes, cool MIDI clips in Ableton using

to have the MPK49 as the master range, gate and swing. The drum instruments, drum racks and

controller sitting in my studio or pads have their own note repeat samplers I had in my library. Overall I

running a live show on stage. Is it mode that is a similar kind of thing. found myself using the MPK49 to

worth the R 5,895.00 price tag? Well, The combination of these two control multiple functions, rather

that’s for you to decide so go try one features will allow somebody with than clicking with the mouse. So if

out.the rhythm of a white man like me to you’re looking for a MIDI controller whip up some very musical keyboard to create and tweak lots of

Learn how to set up an Akai Pro sounding chords, melodies and parts quickly, this is a sound bet and a MPK49 or MPD MIDI Controller in rhythms in no time at all. solid workhorse (to mix a metaphor Ableton Live Lite by scanning this

One of my favourite parts of or two).TAG on your Smartphone.

playing with the MPK49 was assigning all sorts of things in

Verdict

Anatomy

Verdict

In Use

included in the package. Typically I opted for Serato first to test the unit (what is it about Virtual DJ’s rep?) but was not impressed with its very, very limited feature set.

Firstly it offers only 2 decks – not too much of an issue I guess as most DJs only use 2 decks, but other limitations I can’t get my head around include no cue points and no history! Oh, and you cannot widen or shorten loops with Serato DJ Intro either.

So whilst Virtual DJ may not score as high on the ‘coolness’ barometer, if I owned one of these units it’s certainly the program I’d use. Aside from 4-deck control plus Timecode capabilities, you also have full use of looping (a slightly clunky combination of shift-key and loop buttons is required to shorten or lengthen loops), video capabilities and an upgrade path to Virtual DJ Pro which will offer you full-screen video mixing too.

There is no current upgrade path from Serato’s DJ Intro. Both do have their pros and cons though. For example if you’re partial to a bit of scratching this is all but useless with Virtual DJ (jog-wheels way too sensitive) but works quite well

with DJ Intro. The hardware Numark seem to release a new controller

works great though and very often and currently their website is auto -mapped to boasts no less than 16 variants on this function seamlessly theme. Clearly they intend covering every with both applications. possible type imaginable!One may not enjoy The N4 fits neatly between the NS6 using the shift button for [Numark’s pro-level 4-deck controller] and some functions ( in the company’s Mixtrack Pro, their entry-Virtual DJ) but other level 2-channel controller. If the three were than that it is a unit that is siblings the N4 is the typical middle child; it feature-packed and may struggle to differentiate itself from its boasts an intuit ive bigger brother or smaller sister!layout. It feels nice and Size-wise it also fits snugly between

other words if you connect CD-players or solid in use and that’s important.the two aforementioned devices and turntables you can use the N4 as a

unpacking reveals a well-built and solid conventional DJ setup. Of course the

machine. The shiny fascia will need beauty of this is that you can combine both

looking after when transporting though to Not quite the entry-level Mixtrack Pro and digital DJing and conventional. avoid nasty scratches but overall it looks definitely not aimed at the high-end club An added feature is that with the use pretty good in a ‘semi-pro’ kind of way. DJ the NS6 targets, the N4 is a genuine of Timecode vinyl or CDs you can also use

Included in the box is a power adaptor mid-market unit that should find its way said devices to control the software in and discs with Serato DJ Intro and Virtual into a lot of recreational DJs and mobile DJ Serato. General ergonomics are pretty DJ LE. On the rear of the unit you will find setups. Build quality and a sense of solidity standard – I do like the way the loop, FX XLR master outputs (impressive) as well as are certainly in its favour and the feature-and general master section is neatly RCA outs, RCA booth outputs and dual set cannot be ignored. tucked away at the top of the unit with a pairs of RCA inputs for line-in which also For example mobile DJs currently nice silver facia. caters for turntables via the phono switch. using a conventional rig of CDs and a mixer Other notable buttons not seen on too

Naturally there is also a phono will find this unit offers some enticing many units are the 4 Video fade buttons for ground connector. The N4 also offers two options with the built-in mixer and use with Virtual DJ.mic inputs with a shared 2-band EQ and Timecode capabilities. both mini and ¼ inch headphone jacks. Video integration (albeit limited) is Headphone sound quality is decent and also another genuine plus for those thankfully loud enough. The N4 is designed for use with Serato DJ hosting their own parties or doing mobile

The jog-wheels are identical to the Intro or Virtual DJ LE, both of which are DJ work. Mixtrack Pro but the 4 channel layout, the loops, cues, FX buttons and transport section remind me of the Numark NS6. The mixer is a proper built-in mixer. In

Numark N4By Dave Mac

6 | BPM

DJ GEAR

SA Distributor: Viva Afrika | Tel: 021 250-3280 Suggested Retail Price: R 5,358.00 incl. VAT

“...the N4 is the typical middle child; it may struggle to differentiate itself from its bigger brother or smaller sister!”

R

FOUR DECKS OF CONTROL.ARE YOU READY?Featuring four decks of software control plus a built-in mixer that can be used with or without a computer, N4 is designed for DJs who want powerful capability in a lightweight, portable package. N4 is a complete DJ controller that has everything you need to perform at your highest level: large, touch-sensitive platters, four decks of software control with loop and effects controls, a built-in USB audio interface and a comprehensive mixer section with EQ and gain controls. N4 comes with both Serato DJ Intro software and a four-deck version of Virtual DJ LE.

Built-In Mixer | Timecode Capability | Essential Elements | USB Audio Interface

www,hybrid.co.za | Tel: (011) 250 3280

Trade Enquiries or to find your closest retailer call: luis@hybrid.co.za | marco@hybrid.co.za | bernard@hybrid.co.za

www.numark.com

R 5,358.00

Price is recommended retail incl. 14% VAT

* laptop not included

GEMINI SR RANGE OF STUDIO MONITORS

By Dave Skinz

Red hot and ready to rock.

8 | BPM

STUDIO GEAR

Price: VariousSupplier: Audiosure Tel: (011) 790-4600

Web: www.audiosure.co.zawww.geminidj.com

What Is It?

Who Should Own One?

The Verdict.

By now a lot of people out there should be familiar with the Gemini brand, and I’m sure at one point most, if not all of us, have owned or played on one of their mixers. The old trusty 626 springs to mind, and I myself still have a working Executioner 10.

I've always had respect for the products that the folks down at Gemini offer. They understand their segment of the market and they supply cheap and reliable DJ products that give first-time and budget buyers a real insiders feel of what DJ gear is, and how it should run.

With that premise in mind, Gemini have stepped up to the studio plate and d e l i v e r e d a r a n g e o f dedicated monitors for all those burgeoning studios. There are four models in the range which cover pretty much all the bases when it comes to setting up your audio workspace.

The range starts with the SR-5, an active 5” that has 75W of bi-amped power, then the SR-6 a 6.5” model with 90W of bi- allowing you to decide which frequencies amped power, followed by the SR-8 with you want to keep for the subs and which to 125W of bi-amped power, and rounded off send to the monitors. This ability to adjust with the SR-10, a 10” subwoofer with your calibrations is both easy and minutes of them arriving in my store I had 175W of power on tap. All of the monitors extremely useful. The sub itself has a someone wanting to take them home. use woven glass aramid composite frequency response of 35Hz to 200Hz to The setup was quick and easy, and woofers for tight, accurate low-end guarantee an accurate, well-balanced low with three choices of signal connection response and the enclosures are rounded end. you are sure to have the right cable to get and magnetically shielded with a front- them going. The HF can be adjusted for firing port for crisper lows. your monitoring position, but with the

The SR-5, 6 and 8 all utilize a 1-inch front-firing ports you can run them quite Well Gemini seems to have tuned these neodymium driver on its soft-dome close the walls without disrupting the bass monitors to be punchy but flat so they tweeter. This recessed high frequency too much. would be well suited for studio and/or DJ driver also employs a purposeful I was impressed with the SR-8's; I work. They will integrate nicely into any waveguide that directs sound away from used a couple of my reference tracks and I starter studio or for those guys that want to the cabinet, so your high frequencies are was surprised at the detail they exhibited. practice at home without upsetting the reproduced with precision and little You could really get your head into the mix neighbours, and the product range is diffraction. There are controls on the 5, 6 and I could hear reverbs, delays and detail comprehensive to ensure you have the and 8's just to tighten up the top end and to in the audio. The SR-8's also seem quite perfect set-up for your space. Bigger adapt the HF for your monitoring position punchy in the mids with a clear bass rooms would do well with a set of the SR-and all of the Gemini SR's have XLR and response. The SR-10 would have been 8's, while the more compact studio could TRS inputs. overkill with the SR-8's but I’m sure the SR-use a set of SR-5's or SR-6's with the SR-10 The SR-10 provides stereo controls 5 and SR-6 will be a good fit. sub if you really want to make sure that for volume and crossover frequency To my mind the Gemini SR's will be a your low end presence is enforced. which can be adjusted from 40Hz to 180Hz, great choice for starter studios or DJ

workspaces and for the price should be more than capable of handling your

I can certainly admit a musical and studio needs when you first fondness for the racy get going. red cone, red backlit Gemini logo, and sleek black cabinet. I had the first pair of the SR-8's in the country on demo for the test and within 15

By Dave Skinz

9 | BPM

PRO AUDIO

Price: R 3,795 per speaker Supplier: AudiosureTel: (011) 790 4600

Web: www.audiosure.co.zawww.samsontech.com

SAMSON AURO D412 Active 12” Speaker

Portable, practical and powerful!

The Verdict.

What Is It?

Who Should Own One?

enough to keep in the boot of your car just as a back-up option.

Another consideration would be for presentations, practice spaces and for travelling fitness instructors who need something lightweight but with a bit of punch.

The Samson Auro D412 measures in at 356 x 275 x 546mm and when I first got the box I had to check them again because they looked like a set of 10s!

But sure enough, after lifting up the weighty cabinets out the packaging I was reassured that I indeed had the correct models. That's one of the best things about the D412, they really are ridiculously small for the volume of music they can put out, and they have been tuned to be flat in their frequency response, so they sound great on a whole stack of music from live, to electronic to dance. They will be fantastic booth and stage monitors and should be well suited to small shows and PA work.

My only real hang-up with the D412 is with the control panel on the back. The rotary controls for your EQ's and level control are small and dinky but to be fair they are safely recessed behind the plastic frame of the speaker.

Also you have two sets of inputs but they cannot be used at the same time so that’s a little limiting. But those small issues aside the Auro D412 is a superb piece of kit that could give years of loyal service to anyone looking to get themselves a compact system or monitor. or XLR inputs at a time. Right below your

input section is the XLR line output to let The Samson Auro D412 is a 2-way active

you link up more active cabinets and there loudspeaker with about 250W of

is a green power light and red peak light programmable power, peaking at around

located on the back-panel of the D412 the 400W mark through a bi-amplified

where you can actually see and keep an system. The speaker is optically limited to

eye on it. Power input is via a standard ensure that they are not going to be

kettle cord connection and there is a user overdriven and there is a multi-band

serviceable fuse underneath your power processor as well as an internal 24

on and off switch. dB/octave time aligned electronic

All of the Samson Auro cabinets are crossover to tighten up the output.

fitted with a standard 1 3/8-inch (35mm) The Auro D412s are extremely

speaker stand receptacle and have two compact when comparing them to other

fitted handle's to cart them around, as well 12” speakers on the market and while the

a single fly point on the top if you feel you versatile speaker housing is of a

want to suspend them. lightweight polypropylene plastic they still tip the scales at 16.25 kg each. I say the housing is clever because the Auro D range is cleverly designed to run at either The Samson Auro D412s would be a 30 or 45 degree monitor angles for near perfect fit for mobile companies who are and far field coverage on small or larger looking for a compact system that punches stage spaces. way above its size, and coupling the D412s

Samson have provided a two band with an active sub will really enhance the shelving EQ and a strange level control experience especially if you are looking at rotary which handles both your line and outdoor or medium indoor venues. Musos mic in. Just remember that for the level and DJs would also be advised to check control the 12 o'clock position is the 0db out the Auro 412D for use as a small PA or max mark for both the line and mic input so doubling back as a really decent set of you will only be able to use one of the TRS monitors. They are certainly compact

Viva Afrika awarded two new agencies for Africa

10 | BPM

GEAR & INDUSTRY NEWS

AVID Appoints New Pro Audio Distributor for South Africa

SA Distributor: Viva Afrika(011) 250-3280

SA Distributor:

(011) 312-1846 | www.segma.co.za Segma

Viva Afrika Sound and Light (PTY) LTD announced recently that the company has been awarded the exclusive distribution rights for Beyma loudspeakers in Sub-Sahara Africa. Viva Afrika is one of the fastest growing professional audio and lighting distributors in South Africa with a portfolio of brands that include: Numark DJ products, Audiocenter loudspeakers, Real loudspeakers, Hybrid, Hybrid+ and dB Technologies. Says director, Bernard Pienaar (pictured); “Beyma Components fit in perfectly with our company vision: to offer high quality European components at competitive pricing to the South African market. Viva Afrika and its team are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Beyma.”Indeed Musikmesse proved good for business for the company who will be celebrating 25 years of pro-audio next year. They have also landed the agency for dB Technologies, a brand that has itself been in production for 25 years having gained substantial recognition for their technological innovations, as well as their inherent standard of quality.

Avid®, the leading provider and manufacturer of audio and video solutions, announced that SEGMA, based in South Africa, has signed an agreement to sell its professional audio product range.“In alignment with the Avid market strategy we are delighted to appoint SEGMA as our distributor in South Africa for Avid’s pro audio product line comprising the award winning Avid Pro Tools HD series interfaces, Pro Tools|HD Native, Pro Tools|HDX, and the digital console ICON”, says Nadiyam Ravisankar, Audio Sales Manager|Emerging Markets at Avid. “We look forward to building on the existing client base and adding more users who will benefit from ready stock and pre/post-sales support of the highest order that Avid is known for. SEGMA South Africa has the right strategies and is well positioned to support the Avid brand. We are glad to be able to strengthen our relationship and will continue to work closely together to offer complete solutions to the customers in the pro audio segment." Maldwyn Greenwood, CEO, and Johan van der Colff, CFO at SEGMA South Africa, both agree, ‘’It’s with great pleasure that we take on the Avid Pro Audio distribution for South Africa and we are looking forward to taking the brand to new levels within the local Pro Audio market. Pro Tools has always been on the leading edge with outstanding products and innovative workflow solutions and working together with our local sales partners and retailers we want to put the Avid products right on the "doorstep" of each and every potential user. With the new product range from Avid there is now a solution for every need and we plan on making this more accessible than ever before. With international pricing structures being implemented, the South African music industry will now have access to the world's leading brand at prices that fits their budgets.’’

SA Distributor: Tuerk Music Technologies (011) 792-8402 | www.tuerkmusic.co.za

Jem Compact Hazer Pro™11 | BPM

GEAR & INDUSTRY NEWS

Reloop RHP-20

Traktor Kontrol F1 - 'The world's first remix decks'

SA Distributor: Tradelius (031) 502-3080 | www.tradelius.co.za

TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 has landed – the same day TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 hits the stores worldwide. TRAKTOR PRO isn’t the only thing receiving the remix treatment – the entire TRAKTOR family is set to raise the bar once again. If you’re already a TRAKTOR user or thinking of becoming one, there’s great news for everybody. If you currently use PRO 2 or DUO 2, you’ll receive a free update to the flagship TRAKTOR PRO 2.5, complete with the innovative new Remix Decks™. From now, all TRAKTOR hardware comes with TRAKTOR PRO 2 included and a free update to 2.5. TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 is the definitive hardware for controlling the powerful Remix Decks™ in TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 – the flagship DJ software included with the F1. Finally, you can launch clips in a perfectly intuitive, DJ-centric way – control Remix Decks just like regular track decks, switching between up to 64 tracks, loops and one-shot samples on each deck. With your signature sound at your fingertips, it’s time to blur the line between DJing and live performance.

ensures smooth haze distribution while a unique mixing channel allows the haze to optimize before being expelled. An Eco mode extends run times and improves fluid economy while a Silent mode slows the fan speed for operation in noise-sensitive environments. Fluid consumption is astonishingly economical due to a specially formulated K Plus haze fluid that extends hang time and leaves no residue on fixtures. Designed for easy serviceability, the Jem Compact Hazer Pro is also simple to use via an on-board digital display and standard DMX control with digital remote option. Haze level and fan speed are variably controllable while maintaining continuous output. Haze levels are easy to pre-set and setting timed programs is straightforward as well.

FEATURES:! Finest haze production in its class! Small particle, even haze

The perfect haze solution for any application! ! Continuous outputThe Jem Compact Hazer Pro is a versatile new haze machine ! 1 minute heat up timefrom Martin Professional designed for the highly demanding ! Water-based fluid with long hang timeprofessional market. Its ability to produce exceptionally fine ! Low fluid consumption: 95 ml/h maxatmospheric haze in a short period of time makes it an ideal ! Low noisechoice for rental houses, shows, theatres, TV studios, clubs, ! Lightweightbars, cruise ships, theme parks and much more. ! Optical Density Timer Control system (ODTC) Robust yet small and lightweight, the Jem Compact Hazer Pro is capable of dispersing an even haze with superior optical clarity and reflectivity, the perfect haze for highlighting today’s highly defined light beams. A high-quality air pump system

SA Distributor: Electrosonic (011) 770-9800 | www.electrosonic.co.za

With the RHP-20, Reloop introduces aluminum and a hard rubber head band that premium DJ headphones with scene withstands wear and tear. The design is stealing, state-of-the-art aesthetics and elite lightweight, and the ear cups are carefully sound design that is acoustically balanced crafted to surround the ears in comfort with for professional use. Engineered with memory foam padding covered in fine exceptionally high audio output for a club protein leather, so there is no pinching or setting and clear frequency separation with fatigue... even on a long night. A trendsetter the ideal balance of mids, highs and bass, with pristine audio quality and robust these innovative headphones are perfect construction, the RHP-20 sets a new for the DJ booth or the studio. Equipped standard for the professional DJ with a rotat ing ear cup for on- headphones.shoulder/single-ear monitoring, the RHP-20 is rugged and ready for continuous operation in even the most challenging environment with a sturdy hinge and folding mechanism made of high-quality

For trade enquiries or to find your closest retailer call (011) 250 3280 | luis@hybrid.co.za | marco@hybrid.co.za | bernard@hybrid.co.za

www.hybrid.co.za

M8 M6USB

R 2,417.00 R 3,750.00

.................

............................

VERSATILE MIXING WITH COMPUTER INTEGRATIONFOUR CHANNELS TO MIX, MATCH AND EFFECT ALL YOUR MUSIC

+ Four channel DJ mixer+ Top Panel RCA input for

portable MP3 Players+ Beatkeeper™ BPM

detection to create precise mixes between songs

+ Beat-synced effects Including:- Delay- Filter,- Flanger

+ Four input channels, each with gain, three-band EQ and LED metering

+ USB computer connection or playing and recordingwith Mac or PC

+ Play music from music-player software

+ Record your mix to your computer

Prices are recommended retail incl. 14% VAT

www.numark.com

M2 M4

R 1,342.00 R 1,742.00

........................

PURE PROFESSIONAL POWER

BONUS INPUTS FOR TOTAL PERFORMANCE

+ Two-channel tabletop DJ mixer+ Inputs: two phono/line

switchable (RCA), two line (RCA), mic (1/4")

+ Outputs: Master (RCA), Record (RCA),headphone (1/4" stereo)

+ Three-band EQ and gain on each channel

+ Three-channel tabletop mixer+ Inputs: two phono/line

switchable (RCA), four line (RCA), mic (1/4")

+ Outputs: Master (RCA),Record (RCA), headphone (1/4" stereo)

+ Steep three-band EQ/rotary kills on each channel

DJ MIXERS

14 | BPM

DJ GEAR

Eowave Domino Analog Synthesizer

BPM Reports

Price: R 2,799.00Supplier: Benjamin Studios

Tel: 076 984-6691Web: www.benjaminstudio.co.za

Anatomy

Verdict

In Use

sequencer. That kept me amused for at least 20 minutes.

The Envelope section is a simple attack, decay/sustain, release affair. Not much I can say about that other than it works well and makes me do funny things with my face while I tweak the controls.

There are a few tricks beneath the simple surface of the Domino. One of them is that you can activate a little internal

remedy to this modern problem of arpeggiator using MIDI CC’s 4, 5 & 6. CC4 everyone sounding the same. A cute touch sets the different arp modes. CC5 turns the For anybody who has had the pleasure of in the 2 page user manual is some arpeggiator on and switches between playing with some classic 1970's or 80's diagrams of the Domino to mark your octaves, CC6 turns latch mode on or off. analogue synthesizers, you will know the settings and “save” your presets. Sounds so dry, but so enjoyable to jam feeling of how much fun a synth can be to

The Oscillator could not be simpler, it with. play with. All those knobs. So responsive creates continuous square and saw waves Also underneath the hood, the Glide to tweaking. And yet on the verge of all which can be mixed together. The LFO can mode is activated whenever notes are getting totally out of control. For those who control pitch modulation and/or pulse played legato, or controlled more want the pleasure of the MS10 and the width modulation to create very rich precisely using CC1 and CC2. The Accent TB303 combined with the perks of MIDI, sounding waveforms from straightforward kicks in with any MIDI note values over 120. you might want to take a little peak inside components. Warning: sounds exactly like the TB303 the Eowave Domino.

The Filter is a very phat and squelchy when played in this manner which might The architecture is quite simple. You 24dB low pass filter, with a delicious lead to all sorts of complicated after-already know and understand it if you've sounding resonance. My first step is effects. worked with any subtractive synthesizer: always to assign filter cutoff to LFO, and The final feature is an Audio Input An Oscillator, passing through a Filter, this is a knob tweak away. Now I’m which allows you to use the Domino as an which is modulated by an LFO and an wobbling away to my heart’s content. The external effects unit.Envelope. Sounds so nice and clean, so Envelope gives the Filter some added

German. But the Eowave Domino is character. More smiles.

French. This little Domino is dirty. The LFO is always the heart of any

So why would you want to buy this little synth for me, and the Domino creates box full of analogue joy rather than use a magic from two simple knobs. The first free VST which supposedly does the same controls the LFO speed which can lock to

Once you've plugged in the power supply, thing and probably more? your sequencer clock, the second allows MIDI in (it has no keyboard) and the audio Well, playing around with the Domino you to choose from 8 waveform shapes: output, its hands on fun time. Wow, send for a while will certainly give you some triangle, saw, inverse saw, square, this baby some MIDI and she instantly answers. Which are that this does NOT random, noise, staircase, and modwheel. starts purring pure analogue. Even asks to sound the same as any virtual instrument I In the last mode, the modwheel of your be warmed up for half an hour so that the have ever played. It’s distinctly more alive midi keyboard can be used as an 8 step oscillators are HOT when you start and for lack of a better word, playing. squelchy.

The first thing you’ll notice And secondly the thing is is that there is no little LED covered in knobs which do display telling you what’s exactly what they say on the happening. The knobs are all box. Yes you could build there is. There is no way to save yourself a little control surface presets; it’s all happening live that exactly mimics the underneath your fingers. behaviour, then I would refer Personally, I love this feature. I you back to point 1. This think synth presets are a Domino is above all an disease in modern music. Well, instrument, and it sure is fun to here is a good analogue play.

16 | BPM

SPECIAL FEATURE

15 Years of NATIVE INSTRUMENTS and the job of communication

The Future of Sound

By Dave Mac

In 2011 leading software and indeed the software has music technology company, come since then. Native Instruments, turned 15 The brainchild of years old. Now it may seem a one Stephan Schmitt, a little strange that we’re talking hardware engineer and about this 6 months later when musician, he was a the net was awash with this synthes izer p layer news back in October 2011, looking for a less bulky i n c l u d i n g o u r o w n and indeed less pricey

BPMMAG.co.za, but what has spurned way to perform his this feature is that I eventually got music. Together with around to reading the NI Anniversary programmer, Volker book called The Future of Sound: 15 Hinz he developed the Years of Native Instruments only concept of the first recently and well... I AM the Editor so m o d u l a r s o f t w a r e sometimes I get to do as I please! This synthesizer; Generator. and the fact that I had the opportunity to Schmitt, by the way, has meet with Nat ive Instruments’ gone on to bu i ld ‘Corporate Communications Manager,’ Reaktor and many of Tobias Thon whilst he was on holiday the other soft-synth here from Berlin. products that NI boasts

in its collection.

scene is all about. Belying his title as ‘Corporate’ “Well,” I exclaim, “then you’re Communications Manager about which

meeting with the right person!” as I go The 90-page soft cover book offers an we both share a chuckle and he swears on to give him a brief SA Music 101 impressive account of the history of he’ll look into the use of ‘corporate’ in his lesson on the complexities of our music Native Instruments, their products and title, Tobias is a super laid back and very production scene throughout the the infrastructure of the company. It’s an cool dude. Over coffee he is quick to add country. He tells me that his main interesting read, certainly if you are a big that this was actually a well-deserved concern is that back in Germany all they fan of the company, as I am sure many holiday with a very relaxed eye on what see are numbers and sales figures and are, although I am rather bemused at the South Africa and its burgeoning music

that his objective was to see the 15 dollar price tag since the book people behind the numbers... quite naturally focuses most of its understand the country better and effort on promoting the company get a feel for what’s happening on this and its products. side of the world on a social level. But I have to admit it is actually

“I’ll be back in October,” he tells quite interesting to read about how me over a mid-morning breakfast, Traktor came about, the concept “ a n d t h e n I w a n t t o s t a r t behind Maschine and the history implementing some of the ideas behind NI ’s Komplete synth we’ve been discussing.” For now packages etc., not to mention the those ideas will remain top-secret, history behind the formation of the suffice to say that if his long term company itself.project pans out, it’ll certainly have For example did you know that made his visits here worthwhile.the program Generator was the

As I wish him a safe journey back forerunner to Native Instruments to Berlin I find myself thinking ‘wow I GmbH being established as a wish guys like this would come out company and was first shown off at and see what we’re up to musically in Musikmesse Frankfurt in 1996? As SA more often,’ ‘cos you know it and I the name suggests, Generator was know – SA Dance music rocks!capable of generating sound... but in

Oh and if you can, try get your real time on the first Pentium hands on a copy of the NI book. It’s processors! way cool checking out their products, Today that just seems laughable new and old.but in fact it’s a timely reminder of

how far computer processing and

Communication

The Book

Native Instruments’ Tobias Thon looking relaxed in Cape Town

TUTORIAL By Jonathan G Shaw

18 | BPM PRODUCTION TIPS

Jonathan Shaw is a professional record producer who has worked with a multitude of artists and record labels in a freelance capacity. Outside this, he lectures music business at the University of the Witwatersrand and provides business consultation to the music industry. jshaw@smstudios.co.za

Tricks from the Pro's 12:

A CRISPY SIDE OF VOCAL CHORD

Alot of new producers are which clear out all room reflection that all use at some stage), but your small, working “in the box” may leak onto the mic. If you don’t 2-mic-input mixers are often just too these days with virtually have a booth, your next bet is to hang thin sounding to pull off a pro-the only thing recorded up some blankets around a metre all sounding vocal. being the vocals. To get round from the singer – perhaps using This is where your tube pre-amps, the best vocal sound on a corner of the room or a cupboard. optical compressors and analogue a small setup, it ’s This should sufficiently dampen the equalisation make a real difference. important to understand room sound on the mic. You could also You can also pick up an introductory h o w t o u s e y o u r invest in an SE Reflection Filter which pre-amp for around R3000 but your

equipment properly to get a vocal fits around the mic to filter out room pro amps often cost the same as the sound that stands up there alongside a reverb. The less room in your vocal mics mentioned above. My low cost larger studio set up. signal, the clearer it is. It is easy to filter solution for you would be to get a tape

Firstly, the most important aspect upper frequencies, say from 1 kHz up, emulator and other “vintage sound” of capturing vocals is the singer but it’s those pesky lows which can plug-ins and run that on the vocal while themselves. They have to have all the muffle the vocal. mixing.usual skills of being able to pitch Your last piece of hardware that correctly and to phrase in time with the makes an incredible difference is the music. There is no replacement for pre-amp you use to record. Yes, all Play long and prosper! singing lessons. If they can’t get to a your basic mixers have some form of Resistance to better sound is futile!teacher, then I suggest singing through pre-amplification (that ‘gain’ knob we some chromatic intervals every day to improve their pitching and range.

The other thing that is paramount is the microphone you record with. Yes, professional vocals are recorded on a piece of engineering more expensive than your average car, and for good reason. But otherwise, I would recommend an entry level condenser microphone which goes for around R3000 with that all-important pop filter. Depending on the song, the singer should be about two fists from the diaphragm but if its hip hop, the rapper could be as close as almost touching the mic. Be careful of the singer bumping and blowing on the mic as this can just ruin a vocal take.

Thirdly, professional vocals are recorded in acoustically treated rooms

Here are 5 free VST plugins for Mac OSX (and PC). They can be used in any music production program that supports VST, but since this is a tutorial dedicated to Ableton Live, these are of course geared towards electronic music production.

1. Audio Damage Fuzz Plus

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Audio Damage make some amazingly high quality VST plugins. It’s no surprise then, that even their free plugin selection is top notch. My favourite out of the batch is their version of a simple vintage fuzz pedal.)Features:

Fuzz knob: This controls, as you might imagine, exactly how much fuzz is applied to the signal.Tone knob: This controls the brightness of the distorted signal.Output knob: This is the output volume of the device, when it is active.Bypass button: This works just like the switch on a stomp box. When the orange light is lit, you’re in the money. When it’s not, the input is passed directly to the output. This can be automated for a slightly different vibe than automating the effect bypass of your host.

Download Audio Damage’s Fuzz Plus on: http://www.audiodamage.com/downloads

Audio Damage Fuzz Plus

Frohmage

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5.From Ohm Force, another great plugin creator, comes one of the best sounding filters I have ever tried. Lay this on top of a synth or drum part and you will get some truly inspiring sounds. Again, this one requires an account, but it’s well worth signing up for.Features:

Highly resonant low-pass filter.Cutoff frequency unit selection: Hz or musical note.Up to 15 additional bands, harmonically distributed.Delay on each band for unique phaser effects.Distortion stage, with two routing schemes.Very fine MIDI control (PRN and NPRN sent or recorded by Frohmage are 14-bit accurate).Low CPU load.

Download Frohmage on: www.ohmforce.com

Frohmage

Please share any of your favourite free Mac OS X plugins you like to use in Ableton Live on our Facebook wall.

4. Da Hornet

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A soft synth that has its roots strongly tied to the analog world. This is a stripped down bare bones sound machine that can get quite nasty (especially if coupled with the Fuzz Pedal mentioned above). Hours of fun with only a few knobs.General Features:

16 Voices4 VCAs1 Filter

Download the Da Hornet on: www.dashsignature.com

Da Hornet

King Dubby

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3.For all of you lo-fi freaks out there. This emulates the classic dub delay sounds. Using analog tape delay as its main inspiration, it has an amazing User Interface and a screaming sound that makes it a unique, simple and elegant plugin you definitely want to have in your Ableton Live set up.

Delay time: automatically synchronized with your song’s tempo and allows a delay time of up to 1 bar (with a maximum of 4 seconds) in 96 discrete steps.Delay feedback: controls the amount of signal which will be re-injected in the delay unit. The higher this control is set, the longer the echoes will take to decay. In conjunction with other settings, it can also create some cool Larsen effect!Delay degradation: mixes the clean digital delay with the more vintage tape delay channel. When you increase its value your echoes will be fully passed through the degradation filter, which is controled by the next section.

Download King Dubby on: www.lowcoders.fr/downloadRelease.php?name=KD.dmg

King Dubby

Sample Tank Free

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2.It’s nice seeing even the bigger companies joining in on the freebies. Sample Tank is IK Multimedia’s renowned sampler. If you’ve used it, you already know the amount of quality this unit brings. If you haven’t used it, now is your chance to, for free! Although it requires registration, you can’t beat the price.

Over 500 MB samples for over 200 sounds included.16 part multitimbral with easy layerable/mixable parts.3 synth engines.One of the most powerful multi-effects sections in a virtual instrument.33 built-in DSP effects derived from award winning audio processors like T-RackS and AmpliTube.Part and Master Loop Sync.Imports WAV, AIFF, SDII, AKAI S-1000/3000, SAMPLECELL.Available both as a standalone application as well as a plug-in.

Download Sample Tank Free on: www.ikmultimedia.com/sampletankfree/download

Sample Tank Free

Top 5 Free VST Plugins For Ableton Live (or other VST compatible DAWs)

By abletonlife.com20 | BPM

ABLETON TUTORIAL

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22 | BPM

EDUCATION

M WRITING YOUR AUDIENCE?

any folk deem good factua l er rors in your formal them a job. This does not bode well as a manners redundant communications. In addition to spell- starting point for employers who are and the behaviour of check on your computer, there is no meticulous and have high standards. t h e o l d a n d harm in asking someone you trust to Remember that a prospective employer c o n s e r v a t i v e . I n proofread your writing prior to pressing is assessing the quality of our rea l i ty, insp i r ing send. As the saying goes (supposedly communication (especially if you are leaders and career by Oscar Wilde), you don’t get a second seeking employment) with the question professionals (people chance to make a first impression. If it is would I invest our Company’s time and w h o a r e t a k e n obvious to the reader that you are money in this person, based upon this

seriously in society and deemed confident but humble, and have taken communication? Apart from looking for ‘successful’) approach good a candidate with the relevant manners as the minimum qualifications and/or work requirement when interacting experience, an astute employer with others. So what? is also assessing the quality of

To forge powerful and the presentation that an s i g n i f i c a n t c a r e e r s f o r applicant portrays as they are ourselves, we must address seeking an ambassador for potential employers, clients, their business that will present customers, and everyone else themselves professionally and in an appropriate fashion. In the with finesse. We live in a very same way that we adjust the competitive world, so make type of language we use when your presentation meticulous speaking to small children and to the point.versus adults, it is vital that we As with all things, pay p resen t ourse lves w i th attention to the work and courtesy and respect to those d e l i v e r y o f r e c o g n i s e d that we want to do business professionals and people you with. admire to dissect how they

For those with an Internet present themselves. Dr, Seuss connection, email has replaced contextualises it beautifully, the traditional letter as our “The more that you read, the p r i m a r y m e d i u m o f more things you will know. The communication in business, more that you learn, the more but the principles of courtesy places you'll go.” and professional practice have Folks, let us not be not changed. ‘Dear Sir’, as airheads and fail to discern the opposed to ‘Hi there’ portray difference between the context e x t r e m e l y d i f f e r e n t of an SMS to a friend, a perceptions for the recipient Facebook status, a Tweet or a the time to deliver something deliberate about who you are and how much care formal business communication. SMS-with quality, you will attract more you have taken to present yourself. Do style shorthand, abbreviations and attention than if you are lazy and send a whatever is required to ensure you acronyms have no place in a formal generic communication to multiple address your email to someone letter, email or other business recipients. If busy professionals receive specific, and most importantly, document, especially when we are a generic request from an individual for someone who has the authority and applying for work. We want to make a employment or an offer of their portfolio to address your proposal, good impression remember. Leave hip services, many of them will not be request, or offer directly. Wherever and cool at the door. interested in pursuing communication possible, avoid using a Company’s Even if we do not have vast because the sender has provided generic info@ or admin@ email experience in our chosen field yet, it is evidence that they have not taken the address to ensure your email gets to the still in our best interest to present t i m e t o p e r s o n a l i s e t h e i r appropriate person, promptly. ourselves in a mature and believable communication which can be deemed

Decision-makers and astute way. As a measure of quality control, lazy or lacking in confidence. professionals are busy people. Keep prepare your résumé and covering Professionals regularly receive your communications to them concise letter against the reality that this résumés and covering emails from and as short as possible without employer or Company may well have individuals seeking employment. Many compromising the context of whom already received numerous job o f t h e s e d o c u m e n t s c o n t a i n you are and what you want to achieve applications or offers for various grammatical errors and evidence that by sending them your communication. services on that very day. the sender is simultaneously seeking There is no excuse for grammatical or employment from whoever will give

By David Maclean

23 | BPM

EDUCATION

David Maclean | a Brief Biography David Maclean is a mastering engineer, educator and business executive with two decades of experience in the music industry and tertiary education sector. David is the Director of SAE Institute South Africa and is based at their campus in Cape Town. The SAE Group has 54 campuses across the globe. David understands the attitudes and opinions of the industry professionals within the creative media industries and the educators and authorities within Higher Education in South Africa and abroad based on his unusual portfolio of skills in business, education and creative media technologies.

You decide which is more convincing: Thank you for your time in reading this paper). As mentioned in a previous communication. article, our résumé does not get us the Sincerely yours, job; at best it will get us an interview for Hi there,

the job. I am a qualified ABC and have just Roger GoodeA prospective employer is graduated from XYZ College and am

conducting their business and not looking for work. Dearest friends, good manners and providing employment per se. Please call me if you have anything. humility will never go out off style, and Individuals and Companies employ Regards if delivered authentically, tell the world people to support their business needs that you are serious about what you do Boband not to do anyone favours. Pay and are not a know-it-all. attention to how respected people Take your time to develop an Dear Mr Smith,a r o u n d y o u c o n d u c t t h e i r impeccable résumé, regardless of how I humbly attach my résumé and communication and you can’t go much or little experience you have. The reference letters for your perusal with wrong. world takes people who do this my deepest desire to work for your

And lastly, we can all taste when seriously. Time and money are too Company based upon its reputation someone’s made an effort.valuable to waste on anything other and credibility in the ABC industry.

than superb. Your application for In addition to this communication, employment will only be considered if I would like to make a time that is there is evidence that you are better convenient for you for me to come and than average (even if it is only on introduce myself in-person if I may?