TURNTABLE LAB

Jaimie Fanatic
Whats Happening To Ya (Say Wut Remix) 12"

What you know about Jaimie Fanatic? The Dutch house bad boy is the latest addition to the Mad Decent fam, and though this is his debut release on the label, he is by no means a newbie to the game (just check his discogs entry). Take a listen to the hybrid dance styles of "What's Happening(1)" and it's obvious dude has had plenty of experience rocking the massive crowds. A killer combination of house, electro, fidget, and even some bmore elements make this one huge with the likes of Diplo, Switch, Laidback Luke and Armand Van Helden. Speaking of bmore though, Unruly representer Say Wut turns in a hard hitting bmore remix(1) of the track that's sure to tear the roof off. Also check "Someone To Count On(2)," which takes up the entire b-side on the more minimal vocal house tip. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
baltimore - vinyl / new electro + electro rock + rave / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass / new electro / electro rock / rave

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El Michels Affair
Enter The 37th Chamber (Wu-Tang Covers) LP

live instrumental covers of wu-tang classics

When those first Wu-Tang covers 7"s dropped, it was definitely a lightbulb moment for the El Michels Affair. The response was rabid (we moved hundreds of those records) while the diehard fans demanded more. Nearly three years later, the Shaolin project is complete in form of this full length. In addition to the versions from Enter The Wu-Tang (CREAM(1), Da Mystery Of Chessboxin (so wicked)(2), Can It Be All So Simple(3), Bring Da Ruckus(4)," and "Protect Ya Neck(5)"), the crew has picked some of their favorite solo Wu moments including "Cherchez(6), Incarcerated Scarfaces(7), Shimmy Shimmy(8)," and others. Also look out for the hidden 37th chamber. Meticulous execution as usual, highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / funk soul disco - albums / funk soul disco / hip-hop vinyl / and more

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Rane
SL3 - Serato Scratch Live

industry standard digital dj system

LAB POINTS
- most widely used digital dj system on the market
- highest recommendation from the Lab
- works with standard turntable or cd turntable dj setup
- SL 3 boasts improved audio quality, more compact interface and more.
- includes software, interface, connection cables, and controller vinyl + cd.
- works with Windows and MAC


UPGRADES FROM SL-1
- USB 2.0 high speed audio interface.
- Improved dynamic range: 104 dB.
- Maximum audio output: 3 Vrms (hotter output).
- 24-bit 44.1 or 48 kHz converters.
- Aux Input for Live Mix Recording or LiveFeed.
- Aux Output allows use of the Sample Player as a Virtual Deck.
- Aux Output opens the door for future expansion and creative configurations.
- High-grade phono preamps upgrade the performance of most mixers.
- Software switchable Direct Thru connections: less cable required.
Independent Line / Phono-level selection for each input for greater flexibility.
- Galvanic isolation prevents computer noise from interfering with audio path.
- Soft carry case included.
- Includes international power supply: best performance and easy transfer between DJs.


HOW IT WORKS
Serato Scratch Live (SSL) works with your traditional dj setup (turntables or cd turntables plus a mixer). Using specially coded vinyl records / CDs, a custom interface box, and the SSL software, you can manipulate music files on your computer, just as if they were recorded onto the vinyl / cd. That means you can mix and scratch your digital files just like you would a record. In addition, there are many powerful digital features built into the software like iTunes synch, playlist functions, cue points, sampling, recording, and so much more.


OUR OPINION
An overwhelming majority of our customers use Serato Scratch Live. It has become both the standard for bedroom DJs and professional club DJs. SSL is the most intuitive system and is truly designed with the DJ in mind.

As a company, Serato seems to be the most in touch with the DJs community. Serato continually introduce free upgrades to their software and introduce new features all the time (like video and Ableton integration). In addition, there is a large online support community and documentation for both beginners and advanced DJs. Turntable Lab highly recommends Serato Scratch Live.


MORE DETAILS
For more details, please visit the manufacturer's website


IMPORTANT SHIP NOTE
SL3 cannot be shipped internationally.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / serato - digital djing / digital djing systems / rane store / and more

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Ableton
Ableton Live 8 Production Software

powerful and intuitive production software

OVERVIEW
Ableton Live has proved to be extremely popular with producers and DJs, making it easy to produce remixes on the fly, DJ, or do a live performance. Live 8 makes all those things even better by enhancing the Ableton vision of creative, real-time digital music with a wealth of new techniques, effects and most-wanted workflow improvements. These include a new groove engine, revamped warping techniques, live looping, five new effects (including the Ableton Vocoder), crossfades in the Arrangement View, group tracks and a reworked MIDI editor.

FEATURES
New in Ableton Live 8:
- New groove engine: new groove library, extract grooves from audio or MIDI, real-time groove quantize. Includes grooves from the legendary Akai MPC and E-mu SP-1200 machines

- New warping engine: warp audio events by adjusting the events on the timeline, updated Beats Warp Mode, new Complex Warp Mode, slice audio files to MIDI tracks based on transients

- Looper: classic sound-on-sound looping without the limitations of a hardware device. Record, overdub, undo and more without touching the computer. "First loop sync," simple loop management

- New effects: Vocoder, Multiband Dynamics, Overdrive, Limiter and Frequency Shifter

- Workflow enhancements: including real-time crossfades in the Arrangement View, enhanced MIDI editing, group tracks, multiple track selection, a screen magnifier and more

All the other great features from previous versions have been adopted into 8 and the box even includes a selection of loops to start with, Essential Instrument Collection 2: a wide range of sampled instruments for use with Live, and built-in interactive lessons so you can learn as you go.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / digital djing systems / ableton shop

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Ableton
Ableton Suite 8 Production Software

all-in-one production software loaded with extras

OVERVIEW
Ableton Live has proved to be extremely popular with producers and DJs, making it easy to produce remixes on the fly, DJ, or do a live performance. Live 8 enhances the Ableton vision of creative, real-time digital music with a wealth of new techniques, effects and most-wanted workflow improvements. These include a new groove engine, revamped warping techniques, live looping, five new effects (including the Ableton Vocoder), crossfades in the Arrangement View, group tracks and a reworked MIDI editor. Suite 8 includes all that plus a massive, inspired sound library and all the instruments a musician could hope for, including a wide range of synths, a sampler, electric and acoustic drums (new: Latin percussion), mallets (new: Collision), numerous sampled instruments and a new, even mightier Operator.

FEATURES
New in Ableton Live 8:
- New groove engine: new groove library, extract grooves from audio or MIDI, real-time groove quantize. Includes grooves from the legendary Akai MPC and E-mu SP-1200 machines

- New warping engine: warp audio events by adjusting the events on the timeline, updated Beats Warp Mode, new Complex Warp Mode, slice audio files to MIDI tracks based on transients

- Looper: classic sound-on-sound looping without the limitations of a hardware device. Record, overdub, undo and more without touching the computer. "First loop sync," simple loop management

- New effects: Vocoder, Multiband Dynamics, Overdrive, Limiter and Frequency Shifter

- Workflow enhancements: including real-time crossfades in the Arrangement View, enhanced MIDI editing, group tracks, multiple track selection, a screen magnifier and more

New Features Exclusive to Suite 8:
- World-class sound library: completely new sound library with real-world "Sound Objects", presets, grooves, templates and, above all, over 1,600 beautiful sounds

- Collision and Corpus: a unique physical-modeling instrument for authentic mallet sounds and creative percussion. Includes Corpus, a separate effect that reproduces Collision's resonator section

- Latin Percussion: a collection of acoustic percussion instruments from the worlds of Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and African music, plus a wide selection of clips and grooves for authentic usage

- Operator, Ableton's renowned do-it-all synthesizer, has been given a major overhaul. New filter types, more modulation routing options and additive wavetable synthesis with drawable partials make Operator more powerful and flexible than ever.

Plus these existing Ableton instruments: Sampler, Electric, Tension, Analog, Drum Machines, Session Drums and the Essential Instrument Collection

All other great features from previous versions have been adopted into 8 and inludes built-in interactive lessons so you can learn as you go. Ableton is extremely versatile, professional, all-in-one software that will suit all your production needs.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / digital djing systems / ableton shop

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Roctakon
Finding Directions CD

eclectic mix of disco, house, techno

One wise DJ once said that Roctakon is the Kenny Powers of DJing. I like to think of him as the Hank Moody of the scene. He might even have a mild case of tourette's. No one quite understands where he's coming from... or how he found himself in the most ironic situation of being one of the biggest and best club djs for bottle-service meatheads and the tramp-stamp masses. This CD is the result of this pickle... Roc quit club DJing for a minute, locked himself in his stanky LES apartment, and came up with this mix of the music he truly loves. For someone known to throwdown personalized Fatman Scoop edits and Britney jams, it's unsurprising to see that this is all about disco, house, and techno.... but even I was taken back by how hardcore it is. If you need to know more, check out the writing by Roc on the back of the CD... he gets personal. Over an hour, expertly mixed. 500 copies only, full digi-pack by PH (that's me). Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt


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TV Carnage: A Rich Tradition Of Magic DVD

video megamix of bad / awesome TV

Yessss. TV carnage is the best. If you don't know about it already, Pinky brilliantly takes the most odd, humurous, horrible moments television has to offer and blends them into priceless "TV mixtapes." The surrealness of these clips will have laughing until you puke(The original DVD's used to come with barfbags) and is a must have for anyone who appreciates gloriously bad acting,
cheap public access shows and wig flipping celebrity clips. "A Rich Tradition Of Magic" is actually a rerun of Pinky's fabled tape made in 1998, between "Ouch My Brain Hurts" and "When Television Attacks." Caution: some scenes are shocking, watch at your own risk! 80 min.
reviewed by C'mish


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Ryan McGinness
No Sin / No Future Book - SIGNED

LAB EXCLUSIVO: these first batch of books is personally signed by Ryan McGinness. And it's not just a one-liner, Ryan fills up most of the page with doodles and quotes!

Ryan McGinness drops another limited edition book to document his mind spray aka the visual free jazz. This book looks like Ryan's brain threw up, but unlike a commoner's throw-up, Ryan's comes out in expertly splattered vectorizations, pixelations and flourishes. There's no concrete rhyme to the book, it's a mish-mash of snapshots, sketches, and scans from Ryan's studio. 2500 copies. Hardcover, 168 Pages, 216 x 279 mm. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
lab recommended / art + design books / books - all

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Chill Pill
Chill Pill Mobile Speakers - Black

smartly designed portable speakers

Wired's "Best Mobile Gizmo" of 2008. Chill Pill speakers are highly portable, pocket-sized speakers that can be transported in "pill" form (ingeniously held together by magnets). When you want to play music, simply pull apart the pill and untwist the tops to release the mini-subwoofers. In addition, all the needed cords (stereo plug, USB input) are built into the speakers with their own coil system.

For its size, the Chill Pill offers loud and clear sound. I plugged in my iPhone and the sound filled a medium sized room. The manufacturer boasts that the quality of the sound is better than standard desktop computer speakers. The Chill Pill also expands to reveal mini-subwoofers for enhanced bass.

The Chill Pill is powered by a rechargeable battery. You can recharge them either by plugging them into your computer's USB port or the power adaptor (sold separately).

- enclosed in rugged matte black case
- works with all portable devices that have stereo out including iPods, iPhones, etc.
- when in "pill" mode, measures 2" x 4"
- built-in 1/8" stereo plug input cord
- built-in USB recharging cord
- volume control
- rechargeable lithium battery provides up to six hours of playing time
- can be charge via USB port of your computer or power plug (sold separately)
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
monitors + speakers

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Odyssey
LSTAND-M Folding Laptop Stand (LSTANDM)

metal stand folds flat, dj staple

If you are a digital DJ, a stand for your laptop that is easy to use and quick to setup is a necessity. The LSTAND Mobile improves upon the best-selling LSTAND by making it even easier to setup with a simple folding function that allows the stand to be set in a snap and folded flat for easy transport. The stand is constructed of sturdy metal (yet weighs only 5lbs) and comes with stand alone legs for table top use, and clamps so it can be attached to a table or wall. Can be used to hold up laptops, Interfaces, effects units, samplers, controllers, and more. Includes storing pouch. Recommended.


reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / accessories - digital djing / odyssey dj gear / hard cases + studio furniture / and more

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Rane
TTM 56S Mixer

lab recommended mixer for all-types of djs

LAB POINTS
- Lab highest recommendation
- versatile mixer for all types of DJing
- super-solid construction
- high quality, smooth, non-contact faders
- powerful 3 band EQ
- 4 inputs
- excellent sound quality
- top notch, Rane customer support and service


OUR OPINION
This is the first mixer we usually recommend to our customers. The main strength of the TTM 56s is the quality of the construction and components. It is very rare that our customers report problems with this mixer, and in the rare case they do, Rane is excellent with warranty service repairs. We've had a 56 at our New York store DJ booth for over 5 years and it still works perfectly (and it gets heavy daily use). Secondly, the functionality is excellent. Rane's non-contact fader is one, if not the best, on the market; and the accelerated slope EQs are powerful and great for mixing. Like the Technics 1200, the Rane TTM 56s is a trusted DJ staple and will last you for years. Highly recommended.


TTM56 TO TTM56S IMPROVEMENTS
- universal internal power supply works anywhere in the world (100-240 VAC)
- all four inputs are now Phono/Line switchable, now letting you plug in 4 turntables or 4 CD players, or any combination
- both 1/4" and 3.5 mm headphone jacks
- transform switches are now kill switches
- operation is simplified by putting all the controls you need on top, and increasing the width by one inch


MANUFACTURER's REVIEW
Rane takes performance mixer design as seriously as performing DJs take their art form. The TTM 56S is flexible, durable, and feature packed. The audio quality of the TTM 56S qualifies it for use in the most demanding live venue, recording studio or live broadcast applications. Non-Contact Magnetic Crossfader and Channel Faders: These magnetic faders know exactly what your hand is doing! A proprietary curve-translation module converts your hand motion into precise audio level control. Each of the Crossfader and Channel Fader controls include a Reverse switch and an independent continuously adjustable Contour control, adjusting from a smooth blend to extremely fast cut. Post-Fader FlexFx: Rane’s proprietary FlexFx effects loop switches route Program 1 and/or Program 2 to the effects loop. A Wet/Dry pan control gives the user total control of how much processed signal is in the mix. The effects loop is post-fader, so reverb and other delay effects respond to both Channel Faders and Crossfader without cutting off tails.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
rane - mixers / high-end - mixers / lab recommended - mixers / all mixers / and more

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V/A
The Brick Bandits (DJ Sega, Tameil, Rob3) EP

baltimore club via philly

Longtime Holler associate Dirty South Joe's Ol' Head Records co-presents this loaded EP with Diplo's Mad Decent label as Jersey's Brick Bandits unleash six extra-strength no-frills Baltimore club tracks. A-side features DJ Sega's "Colours(1)" with the robot voice repeating "I love the different colours, all the different colours...," plus DJ B-Stee's straightforward club rework of Daft Punk's "Robot Rock(2)" and Tim Dolla's "Number Advisory(3)," a party break with hype vocals just counting it off ("one! two! three! four! one! two! three! four!"). Flip it for DJ Tameil's "Shotgun Buck(4)" (shotgun blasts and Nintendo sounds!), DJ Rob3's wailing "The Chase(5)," layered with police sirens and 90s house key stabs, and Mike V's mellow "Feelings(6)." Easy call here. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
baltimore - vinyl / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass

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Korg
NanoKontrol Slim-Line USB Controller (Vers. 1)

OVERVIEW
Korg's Nano series are the most compact USB-MIDI controllers on the market. These slim line controllers give you versatile control over your programs in the studio, at home, or on the road at a very affordable price. This is the highly functional Kontrol version with a variety of assignable knobs, buttons, and sliders.

FEATURES
The nanoKONTROL is a bus powered USB-MIDI controller featuring 9 knobs, 9 sliders, 18 buttons, and a full set of transport buttons all in an ultra compact and slim frame about the width of most laptops. The nanoKONTROL also boasts 4 user scene memories and corresponding buttons. Use the nanoKONTROL for versatile control over your DAW, virtual instrument/effect or DJ software.

OUR OPINION
If you're looking for an extremely portable USB-MIDI controller at an affordable price, look no further. You cannot get much smaller than the nanoKONTROL, but despite its small size, it has features that are comparable with much bulkier and higher priced controllers. All the assignable knobs, sliders, and buttons are especially useful for live remixing or digital DJing with your application of choice. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / accessories - digital djing / ableton shop

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