Alex Patterson is a legend, both behind the DJ decks and the synth rack. He’s a force to be reckoned with and a longtime favorite round here at Turntabling. If you’re an Orb fan, chances are you’ve caught Alex Patterson’s DJ sets at one time or another, but if you haven’t, here’s a nice clip of the Doctor at work.
If you aren’t yet plugged into the goodness that is The Orb, we strongly suggest you pick up a copy of The Orb’s Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld and see what you’ve been missing all this time.
For fans of New Order, Peter Hook’s solo antics are well known…but have you ever seen Hooky in action as a DJ? He tours semi-regularly, coming to Chicago’s Smart Bar and plenty of other DJ venues around the globe including Melbourne, Argentina, and elsewhere.
There’s a certain segment of the New Order audience quite into Hooky’s non-NO projects like Monaco and Revenge, but it’s unclear (to me, anyway) how many love Peter Hook as a DJ. Here’s a chance to see the man in action behind the decks…does Hooky make the grade? You decide.
by Joe Wallace
Technics says their Technics SL-DZ1200 was the world’s first Direct-Drive Digital Turntable. I don’t care if it’s the hundred and first, the idea that you can carry around your library on a removable SD card is pretty sweet–even if it does feel totally contrary to nature. While digital turntables are no longer hot-off-the-presses front page news in the DJ world, Technics is still one of the warhorse names in the business and it’s no surprise they’d try to dominate in the digital realm as well as with the analog turntables.
The Technics SL DZ1200 supports CD, MP3 and AAC formats. In light of my previous post on Christian Marclay, I do wonder how this DJ gear will enable a whole new crop of DJs who I’d label “post music” performers. Imagine doing a set comprised solely of manipulation of your library of samples rather than actual songs.
Consider that you wouldn’t even need to create a proper playlist if you were skilled enough with the manipulation of a pile of self-created samples. Sounds like a challenge waiting to be taken up by anyone with enough dosh to shell out over $1100 apiece for these digital monsters.
On-board Effects
Vibration resistant
Pitch lock
Free wheel
Adjustable speeds
Cue Point Functionality
Full scratch capable
SL Type Direct Drive Platter with Forward and Reverse Option
CD, CD-RW, CD-MP3, SD Audio Playback
SD Card Storage for Settings and Sample
While we’re on the subject, here’s a clip of the Technics SL-DZ1200 turntable at work.