TECH AWARDS 2006

TECH AWARDS 2006

The results are inõ?Ưread on to find out which DJ and VJ products are the best in the world!
Words: David Eserin

As DJ technology continues to develop at an astonishing rate, itõ?Ts been another great year for new products.

DJmagõ?Ts annual Tech Awards is a chance to honour the companies and products that keep our technology world spinning. Picture: Fleming holding the winner Caption: "You just turn up with your laptop and you''''re off!"

1. Innovative New Product
This mixer can do anything. Even make the tea.
Winner: Allen & Heath Xone:3D Midi Mixer
Our judges reckon the Xone:3D Midi mixer was well worth the wait.

Anyone: "When playing visuals you can use the 3D to control the video crossfader on the V4 mixer."

WestEnd DJ: õ?oYeah, you can use it for any software too, video or DJ - anything with Midi."

2tall: "I like the fact that you can control a whole studio set live, it''''s so versatile."

Andy C: "This brings together the conventional DJ techniques with the digital domain and has everything you need in one console."

2. DJ Mixer (Under Ê400)
Winner: Numark 5000FX
Strong competition here this year, but everyone agreed the Numark had the most to offer.

Eserin: "DJs with basic CD decks can now do simple tricks such as spin-backs."

Halliwell: "It always drops on the beat and the crossfader is the best out of the lot for chopping."

2tall: "It''''s got a more punchy sound when you chop on the crossfader.õ?

Fleming: "It has pitch control which is manual, but it''''s possible to do same basic harmonic mixing.õ?

Andy C: õ?oFor the price you can start with a small set-up and expand from there. If you transfer to a bar or club, you will have experimented with all the features available."

Fleming: "The sampler looping is so tight and the fact you can trigger the loop from the crossfader is brilliant."

3. DJ Mixer (under Ê800)
Andy C just loves the four-band EQ
Winner: Allen & Heath Xone:62
The simple charms of the olõ?T faithful A & H Xone:62 won over our judges in this category.

Andy C: õ?oThe four-band EQ allows you to roll off the bass while keeping the kicks and snares in there, or vice versa. Iõ?Tve tried out loads of different mixers and I donõ?Tt think you can beat it. The filters basically are the mixer. There are loads of input channels and outputs too.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oPeople immediately know itõ?Ts good quality and for the price itõ?Ts still very competitive. Theyõ?Tve survived for a lot longer than others and itõ?Ts down to simplicity. The Denon is a great mixer, but itõ?Ts not as obvious, whereas the 62 - if it hasnõ?Tt got a knob for it, it doesnõ?Tt do it.õ?

4. Top Of The Range Mixer
Keeping things simple meant A&H won this one
Winner: Pioneer DJM-800
The DJM-800 mixer has super advanced features that donõ?Tt get in the way of a truly intuitive mixing experience.

Andy C: õ?oItõ?Ts a massive step on from the 600. The sound quality is loads better with no crackling distortion when it goes into the reds. Filters on every channel is totally good value for money and they sound decent.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oIt offers the versatility with the quality and the familiarity. There arenõ?Tt any hidden features; itõ?Ts all at your fingertips and stays simple.õ?

Eclectic Method: õ?oFor us, the Midi is one of the best things as we can hook the crossfader up to our video mixer.õ?

Eserin: õ?oFor the same reason that you see the DJM-600 practically everywhere in the world - I like the ease of use.õ?

5. Scratch Mixer
Winner: Pioneer DJM-909
The DJM-909 is one of the most advanced mixers in many departments, not just scratch.

Halliwell: "I''''ve spent years trying to find the perfect scratch mixer. I''''ve gone through more than ten mixers testing all the faders and features.

õ?oIf you take the top half of the Pioneer away, it will still clean up.

õ?oJust for the fact that you''''ve got the tension control on the crossfader, you can assign your curves on both sides of the fader and see the settings on the screen.

õ?oThereõ?Ts also a bank of 50 effects on each channel.

õ?oI''''ve got the EFX-1000, but there''''s a lot it can''''t do in comparison to the 909. The only problem is that it only has two channels."

2tall: "The synth is very useful to create music live and you can change the tone with faders.

õ?oThere''''s also loads of room so the turntablistõ?Ts performance is not compromised by any of the extra features. It''''s very user friendly."

WestEnd DJ: "I haven''''t had a single mixer back that I''''ve sold since they came out, the fader just lasts and lasts!"

6. Ultimate Turntable
This is a safe bet for the majority of DJs
Winner: Numark TTX
It was a close shave between the 1210 and the TTX, but the TTX won on price and features.

Fleming: õ?oThe Technics look like a German car and the rest look plastic, but the TTX really pushes things forward with all its features.õ?

Halliwell: õ?oIt''''s strange how these decks have not hit the market so much as you''''d be a much better DJ on the TTX. It''''s far more versatile. I like the fact you can adjust the strength of the motor. It''''s like a Skoda. No matter how good it looks, a lot of people will do away with it, but on paper it''''s the best one.õ?

Eserin: õ?oThe TTX has the most features and it sounds really good. You can adjust it to dumb it down to have the same low torque as a Technics so you can get used to playing out.õ?

7. DJ Cartridge
A safe bet for the majority of DJs
Winner: Shure Whitelabel
A close call with the Shure M447 but the Whitelabel clinched it.

Andy C: õ?oIõ?Tve tried out all the top of the range cartridges and found the Whitelabel had the warmest and loudest sound. They also cue really well; not as good as the Shure M447 though, but all round the Whitelabel is on top.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oHow versatile do you need a cartridge to be? Itõ?Ts proven on sound quality, tracking and durability. Itõ?Ts also got the cheapest needle to replace of the expensive carts.õ?

2tall: õ?oAgain, Iõ?Tm a big fan of the M447, but for the average DJ the Whitelabels give
the best result overall.õ?

Eserin: õ?oItõ?Ts the only all-in-one cartridge which is fully adjustable and it just looks so good.õ?

8. Single CD/MP3 Player
õ?oAnyone who has used a piece of DJ gear before can get to grips with this in 10 minutes,õ? said Eclectic Method
Winner: Pioneer CDJ-1000 Mk3
The CDJ-1000 has gone from strength to strength and is still the king of clubland.

Andy C: õ?oTheyõ?Tre just the industry standard arenõ?Tt they?õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oIõ?Td personally go for a DN-S3500 because of the features, but for clubs itõ?Ts the same reasoning as the Technics. The CDJ-1000 is the SL-1210 of the CD players. Unlike Technics, Pioneer actually made progress with the newer versions. Itõ?Ts got enough on it; itõ?Ts similar to why they donõ?Tt put sat. nav. on a Ferrari!õ?

Eclectic Method: õ?oAnyone who has used a piece of DJ gear before can get to grips with it in 10 minutes.õ?

Eserin: õ?oFor club DJs and bedroom DJs itõ?Ts the most solid player. There are no major frills but it can do some pretty cool tricks at the same time.õ?

9. Dual MP3/CD Player
As solid at No.1 as they are in the clubs
Winner: Denon DN-S4500
The Denon brand looks set to stay solidly at the top with their dual CD deck.

Halliwell: õ?oThis one has the strongest build quality of them all and I know the Denon drives are as reliable as they come.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oItõ?Ts built like a brick and lasts forever. Weõ?Tve never had any back for repairs or replacements. They go in all the toughest environments.õ?

Eserin: õ?oIõ?Tve seen so many CD players in clubs and bars that are in pieces, but whenever you see a Denon they are nearly always still working. You have to love them for that.õ?

10. DJ FX Unit
Andy C says: õ?oThis works for most styles of DJing, including mine.õ?
Winner: Allen & Heath Xone:VF1
With so much variety in the FX category, it was a tough decision, but the VF1 had the best sound and simplicity.

Halliwell: õ?oIt''''s difficult because they are all so different. Sound is one of the most important things, but so is creativity so it was a tough call.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oClubs need a unit that any DJ can walk up to and start using.õ?

2tall: õ?oI think the sound of the A & H is the best, the others are a bit complicated or too pricey.õ?

Fleming: "It depends on your style. I don''''t mess about with all the delays, I do smooth mixing. If you produce music and DJ and understand studio equipment like I do, the A & H is a cracking piece of kit.õ?

Andy C: õ?oI''''d have to agree with John but it works for most styles of DJing, my style included.õ? Eserin: õ?oIõ?Tve seen so many CD players in clubs and bars that are in pieces, but whenever you see a Denon they are nearly always still working. You have to love them for that.õ?

11. Virtual Vinyl Controller
Our scratch expert judge hails the king
Winner: Serato Scratch Live
Virtual vinyl controllers are all about the scratch sound and with that in mind, the Serato Scratch Live is leaps ahead.

Eserin: õ?oThe sound of the slow scratches is the best out of the lot and the whole point about virtual vinyl controllers is to emulate the feel and sound of real vinyl.õ?

Andy C: õ?oI know a lot of people who have started out on other platforms and moved over to Serato.õ?

Halliwell: õ?oThe quick calibration saves loads of time. You want to just put the needle down and it works. It''''s the stability that swings it for me.õ?

2tall: õ?oFor someone who has spent ten years honing their skills on vinyl, they can move over to Serato and feel at home straight away.õ?

12. DJ Software
Very little argument to find the winner here
Winner: Ableton Live 5
Another category with quite different products, but Ableton Live was the clear winner.

VJ Anyone: õ?oIt''''s between Ableton and Traktor really, but Ableton is much more versatile.õ?

Andy C: õ?oIt''''s creating a whole new type of performance, whereas Traktor is emulating tra***ional methods such as CDs. I''''d really be interested in trying it out, but it''''s so alien from what I do on the turntables.õ?

Halliwell: õ?oI think it''''s an amazing DJ tool but I wouldn''''t use it live as my style is more hands on and interaction with the crowd.õ?

Fleming: õ?oEverything that you use in your productions in the studio - your plug-ins, Midi, synthesizers and samplers - you can take it all to a club. That''''s what I love about it.õ?

13. Beginnerõ?Ts VJ Product
VJ Anyone says: õ?oItõ?Ts a glorious lap lightshow!õ?
Winner: Resolume
Resolume is the most versatile and complete VJ software at a bargain price.

Eclectic Method: õ?oFor this category, Resolume is the most versatile and interesting piece of software.õ?

Eserin: õ?oFor Ê130 you get an expandable set-up, loads of effects to keep interest going and easily assignable clip banks, plus DMX control for lighting shows.õ?

VJ Anyone: õ?oIt also memorises setting, works in high definition (HD) and VJs can control clip speed by music beats.õ?

Halliwell: õ?oThere''''s a vast differrence in the price and I think VJs will get bored quickly with the other software.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oEven after buying a controller it''''s still better value for money than the rest and it''''s a lot more versatile and well designed.õ?

14. Budget Lighting
Surprising results for this bargain package
Winner: ACME Dynamo Pack
The most unlikely nomination proved itself to be the best for mobile jocks.

Andy C: õ?oThe beams don''''t look as sharp as the Martin and the Robe lights, but I think for a punter at a disco they won''''t be too bothered about that, and you can''''t argue with the price.õ?

Eserin: õ?oYou can get four of the Dynamo lights for two-thirds the cost of one of the big scanners and they kick out nearly as much light. For a mobile DJ, this is the most impressive result for such little money.õ?

Fleming: õ?oI really like the scanners most of all, I think theyõ?Tre the most impressive and the ACME pack comes with a basic controller too. Even if it was Ê500 it would still be a bargain.õ?

15. MIDI Controller
2Tall says, õ?oThis is a total bargain.õ?
Winner: Behringer BCD2000
The Midi controller with the most was the Behringer BCD2000 with its built-in soundcard and DJ-friendly layout.

Eserin: õ?oI''''m with this one because it''''s got a soundcard built-in, it''''s dirt cheap and it''''s the most accomplished DJ interface out of the lot.

õ?oIt works with any software including Traktor and Ableton. All you need to do is plug some speakers in the back, headphones in the front, map your controls and that''''s it.õ?

WestEnd DJ: õ?oWeõ?Tve got to think about the majority here and the fact that it will work with Ableton is great.õ?

Halliwell: õ?oI think most DJmag readers are going to be into the Behringer because itõ?Ts the only controller that properly mimics a DJ interface and itõ?Ts so cheap.õ?

16. Portable MP3 Recorder
Small but perfectly formed
Winner: Creative Zen V Plus
Watch video, view pictures, record voice memos or just play some tunes, but most importantly record DJ sets on this tiny Zen V Plus.

Eserin: õ?oIt plays MP3 and WMA audio, plus MP4 video and comes with software for converting and transferring files over USB.

õ?oDrag and drop any file using Windows Explorer, where the Zen will appear as a flash drive.

õ?oAnd the good news for DJs is that it also has the rare ability to record line level signals via its minijack input.

õ?oJust plug it into the back of a mixer, rinse some tunes and itõ?Tll record to WMA. Even though it wonõ?Tt record CD quality WAVs, it can play them.

õ?oThe Zen V Plus comes in a blue 4GB, green 2GB and orange 1GB version and is priced similarly to the iPod Nano.õ?

Winner: Sennheiser HD25
The public have spoken
17. DJ Headphones
The latest incarnation of the HD25 has proved popular with our readers taking first place with Technics in close second.

Eserin: õ?oThe HD25s have a split headband design for a unique fit and pump out a really loud clear sound from their tight fitting small ear cups.

õ?oEvery last bit is replaceable, which makes good sense considering the abuse us DJs subject our cans to. One of the best things about them is the small size, whereas so many others are just far too huge."

18. Budget DJ Mixer (Under Ê300)
A close call with the Numark DXM-09
Winner: Reloop RMX40 DSP
A surprise result here with this German company taking first place, just a hairline in front of Numarkõ?Ts DXM-09 effects mixer.

Eserin: õ?oThe Reloop RMX40 DSP is a keenly priced four-channel mixer that takes its design ethos closely from Pioneerõ?Ts popular DJM-600 mixer.

õ?oItõ?Ts got similar effects which lock to the beat, along with more features and connections. The build quality and sound is surprisingly good for a mixer of this price, which is why it has proved so popular. It brings features normally only found on mixers twice the price.õ?

19. Best DJ/Producer School
Point Blank get the most votes of all categories
Winner: Point Blank
Point Blank go from strength to strength every year

Eserin: õ?oThis is their fifth annual DJmag Tech Award in a row. Starting off in North London, the popular school has since expanded to Sheffield.

õ?oThey also run their own internet radio station that the students help manage. Theyõ?Tve also expanded into sample CDs for their students, which has gained good support.

õ?oAnother great aspect is their online course for students all over the country who canõ?Tt get to a school.õ?

20. Retailer Of The Year
Massive in-store investment in recent years has paid off
Winner: Guildford Sound & Light
Guildford Sound & Light have one of the most well equipped shops weõ?Tve seen with dedicated specialist areas.

Eserin: õ?oItõ?Ts no wonder Guildford Sound & Light have caught our readersõ?T attention as theyõ?Tve really upped the stakes with their massive warehouse and shop, which holds around a million pounds of kit, so nothing is ever out of stock.

õ?oTheyõ?Tve also got special areas to cater for VJs, digital DJs and music production with staff who really know their stuff.

õ?oNot to mention all the DJ gear, sound systems and lighting gear that can be blasted at a customerõ?Ts request. Theyõ?Tve also got a slick website.õ?


http://www.djmag.com/djtech046

Được quyda sửa chữa / chuyển vào 22:33 ngày 29/09/2006