When it comes to unexpected product launches, Rane is the Apple of the MI world. Rane revealed two high end mixers to be positioned around the TTM-57. Still on the higher-end of the price scale (somewhere around the $1200.00 range), the Sixty-One is a mixer for those DJs who want less controls on their mixer, but don’t want to sacrifice the Serato integration and digitally-enhanced features. It’s interesting that Rane took this less is more approach, while other manufacturers continue to add a seemingly endless amount of control buttons.

If you want those extra controls, check out the Sixty-Two. Designed to go head-to-head with Pioneer’s high-end mixers, the Sixty-Two adds “hardware effects, a second USB port to share with another DJ and their laptop, dedicated controls for Library, Loops, Cues and the SP-6 sampler.”

Great to see Z-Trip still killing it at the Rane booth. His appearance coincided with the introduction of the Z-Trip Sixty-Two which features a custom colorway and custom Oyacide Japanese cabling.

check out the demo videos released today…

Part 3 coming…

VIEW PART ONE OF THE NAMM ROUND-UP HERE

here’s our first report from the annual NAMM show which specializes in the newest from the MI / Pro-Audio world.

we’ll start out Akai, which introduced 3 of the show’s most impressive products. the next generation MPC, the MPC Renaissance, is a beast of a machine that is the first MPC to be really designed for full integration with your computer (previous MPCs always kept elements of the hardware-based workstation). I didn’t get to check out the new MPC program (useable as standalone or plug-in) itself, but judging by the screenshot, it looks like they kept the MPC’s sequencer spirit alive. There’s also Vintage Mode which changes sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 and more. Makes me want to go make a jazz-loop downtempo album…

you can also use the new MPC software with the portable MPC Studio. while the trend is to make controllers cheaper and more plastic-y, the MPC Studio had some heft and even a metal faceplate. love the throwback silver colorway too.

my favorite piece from the show was Akai’s MPC Fly controller. this controller / case / app combo turns your iPad into an MPC. Now imagine making beats on the plane with this thing.

Numark continues to be the leader in terms of new features (needed an un-needed). Here’s the MPC DJ, which fuses MPC controls and their NS series of DJ controllers.

a big theme of the show was iPad integration. Numark’s IDJPRO goes as far as using the iPad as the central display and processor.

legendary synth builder, Buchla & Associates, were showing their modular synths on the main floor this year, but with kits that will put you in the thousands… it’s only for the hardcore.

I love me some Teenage Engineering OP-1 but I always found its price-point a hindrance ($849.00)… but you know what? good design has a premium… or it used to…

Teenage engineering introduced the Oplab, which may look like an Ikea desk drawer organizer, actually functions as a DIY-style interface for connecting your electronic music hardware collection. judging by their booth setup (3 OP-1s connection to the Oplab, connected to a Moog synth), it works great with their OP-1. those Flip and Tap controls can be used to control different parameters…

PART 2 coming soon…