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Getting The Most Out Of The Korg nanoSERIES2

March 19th, 2011

GuestPoster

Korg recently announced that they are updating their line of nanoSERIES products. Checking out this Korg nanoSERIES2 review gave me a few ideas on how one could use the products.

Producer
The standard at-home producer will find the nanoSERIES2 to be perfect for getting a wide range of products on a budget. The nanoKONTROL2 would be of personal use for mastering, while the nanoPAD2 and nanoKEY2 might be of interest to a visiting musician. The faders and knobs would be of use when controlling the loudness of tracks. I personally always close my eyes when mixing, and having a tactile interface gives me the ability to just focus on the music.

Traveler
This Korg microKEY review leads me to think that the korg microKEY would be a better fit than the nanoPAD2 for the traveling musician. The extra keys would be useful for write piano chords or synth lines on a plane or train. The nanoPAD2 would be essential for dropping drum loops on the finger pads or manually controlling filters with the XY pad. They could also decide on which products they need, corresponding to what they are currently working on. Nothing says “I love you” during Thanksgiving like a few hours of beatmaking in the living room.

Performer
When designing the nanoSERIES originally, I’m sure Korg had the DJ/Performer in mind. Each product is USB bus powered individually, meaning that the units can be mixed and matched. The nanoSERIES2 are simply upgraded versions and consequently are even more fit for the stage. Each unit is more durable and refined, with the nanoPAD2 still stealing the show. Being able to trigger loops, bash out drum hits, or creating epic buildups is easy with the finger pads and XY pad, respectively.

Overall, it can easily be said that the nanoSERIES2 have great improvements over the original line. These new versions would certainly be a great introduction into this modular style of audio equipment, and I highly recommend you check them out.

Posted in Gadget, Sound Gadgets

Tags: Korg microKEY, Korg nanoSERIES2

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A Review of the Emerson GM527 DVD/CDG Karaoke Machine

March 13th, 2011

GuestPoster

Even though there are many great karaoke machines out there, sometimes finding the right one can be a difficult thing when faced with such a wide selection. And of course the problem that most people come across is deciding exactly how much they want to spend on a new karaoke machine. It will obviously depend on your level of experience since you don’t want to overspend on something with features that you will never use. If you happen to be a beginner to the game then the Emerson GM527 is the perfect choice that comes in at around $100. This is a great introductory karaoke machine for adults who want to see what all the fuss is about, or for kids who enjoy the chance to sing like their favorite celebrities.

The Emerson GM527 offers extremely user-friendly functionality to the point where you can leave kids unsupervised and they will know exactly how to operate the machine without problem. You can use the display on the machine itself, or the more popular choice is to utilize the provided cables to hook it up to your television screen. Although there is no video capability like you would get with a fancier karaoke system, you will see the words just fine scrolling on your TV screen, and this can serve you well for parties where everyone can participate.

One of the most popular features of the Emerson GM527 is iPod docking that will allow you to use songs that you have downloaded on the Internet. This will effectively bolster your music collection and allow you to play music that you already own. Just keep in mind that the karaoke function for your downloaded songs might not be crystal clear because you won’t be using karaoke versions of those tunes. It’s also important to note that this product comes with songs included in the package so you can plug it in and be up and running within minutes.

Posted in Gadget, Home Theater, Sound Gadgets

Tags: Emerson GM527 DVD/CDG Karaoke Machine, Karaoke Machine, Review Emerson GM527 DVD/CDG Karaoke Machine

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Quest for Cans – Finding The Best in DJ Headphones

March 6th, 2011

GuestPoster

As a DJ with 10 years under my belt, I’m now a true believer in the truism “you get what you pay for.” When on a quest for the best DJ headphones your main concern should be finding headphones that will endure the test of time. Here are four primary tips for making a good decision.

1. Strength. Twisting, turning, pulling, dropping. (Almost sounds like a Daft Punk track.) That’s what you’re gonna do to your cans, so make sure they are STRONG. Spend more money and you’ll get better materials. Just that simple!

2. Flexibility — do they snuggle your ears like that cutie who whispered in your ear as you were walking up to the decks? Seriously, make sure they fit right for your shape. Ask another DJ if you can try them out for second, but just not after they finish a set. Ick.

3. Cost — as stated, you get what you pay for. Yeah, sure, everyone wants to scrimp and save these days, but if you buy cheap headphones you’ll regret it in less than a year. My first pair of quality phones lasted six. Which one do you want?

4. Sound — everyone has a different opinion about this, but it’s not really an issue if you’re buying quality gear, so don’t worry about it too much, unless you’re one of those types that talks about frequencies all the time. Lord help you if you are.

My first pair of DJ headphones were a pair of cheap Sony’s that didn’t really cover my ears (I was a headphone virgin) so I had to break down and spend even more on the MDRs. They lasted quite some time but gradually the swivel joints cracked and you know, you shouldn’t go on stage with duct tape on your headphones. So I broke down and bought Allen & Heath’s Xone series and never looked back! Whatever you get, some some decent cash and you won’t be sorry!

We hope you enjoyed this guest post by Mr. DJ – our resident high fidelity sound fanatic