Up lighting in an outdoor beer garden at a Thursday event we DJ and light

We started DJing this with out any lighting at all, after a couple nights we decided to bring down a couple of MinLaser's and an Eclipse. We've since added various other lighting to create a unique and highly successful evening.
Thursday evenings starting at 7:30 in Madison, WI. The Great Dane downtown in the beer garden.
DJ's/Lighting Set-up: Mike Carlson, Nick Nice, and Rob Allegretti.
Lighting supplied by MC Audio

The lights used are all Chauvet:

1- Geyser RGB
3- ColorDash Accent
2- SlimBank UV18
2- Slim Par 64 LED
1- Slim Par 56 LED
1- Freedom Par RGBA
1- Abyss LED 3.0
1- Eclipse
1- Scorpion 3D RGB
1- MinLaser FX2.0
2- MinLaser RBX

Free Ableton Training with purchase of Live or Suite

Ableton and MC Audio are partnering to bring you an hour of free training with Ableton Certified Trainer Wyatt Agard and a Live 9 laptop bag with the purchase of Live or Suite (Yes, even EDU editions!) now until supplies run out.

MC Audio's Novation Launchpad-S Review with Ableton Certified Trainer Wyatt Agard

Novation Launchpad-S
Street $169.95

Pros:
This is a well built, compact, bus powered, midi controller. Perfect for the artist on go, don't let the size or cost fool you. This unit is equally at home in the studio, at home, or on the go. This is a efficient clip launch controller for Ableton, it comes with Ableton Launchpad edition, basically the LE version of Ableton. Also very popular for Bridge/Serato integration, we have also used it as a DMX scene and video clip launcher.


Cons:
The pads are not velocity sensitive, limiting some of it's studio potential. It's compact size doesn't allow for simultaneous control of multiple parameters.


Overall:
A great value for the price. Perfect as a first piece to introduce you to the world of ableton, while still being useful to even to the pros.

4/5 Lead Stabs

VCI-380: A/V Layered FX with MIDI

After spending the summer of 2012 mixing video & radio shows with the Novation Twitch, I was ready to return to a mixing rig with wheels.  The configuration and layout of the VCI-380 from Vestax made it an ideal next step. Since incorporating the VCI, I've been experimenting with various configurations and have discovered some unique tools.

This video highlights one neat aspect of my show with a step by step on setting it up. The rig in this tutorial features turntable control of music videos with the VCI-380 functioning as the mixer & MIDI control surface for Scratch Live with Serato Video.  In this configuration, I'm able to layer visual and audible effects while controlling them both with a single dial on each channel.  Its a simple set-up with a fun, creative result and another tool in the kit of VCI owners.

Enjoy

VCI-380: A/V Layered FX with MIDI

One deck instant doubles with DJ P3096

We got this great video and write up from our guy P3096 who holds it down out in Oakland, CA as part of the Dead Man Sound Crew. This is a real life saver for those times when a needle breaks or a turntable isn't functioning up to par.

From P3096:

Here is a quick video demonstrating how to beat juggle with the Rane TTM57 and one turntable using Serato. This technique can also be used for mixing and will save your butt if you show up at a gig with only one control record.

Before you start, you have to change some settings within Serato. First, enable "instant doubles" in the playback section of the setup menu. Load a track onto the left deck and put that deck in relative mode (REL). Put the right deck in internal mode (INT), and eject any loaded track on this deck so it's empty. Next, click on the hardware tab and locate the joystick controls. Assign "instant double" to the right joystick in the up direction.

Now for the fun part...
Find a good break and set a cue point for visual reference. Play the left deck. Hit the right joystick control for "instant double" and you will see the track load onto the right deck in the same song position. You can now move the crossfader to the right deck and proceed to cue up the left deck. Repeat as needed. (This happens fast in the video so watch close!)

Tips:
-Put a sticker on your record for visual reference
-Crossfade quickly so the tracks won't overlap and phase

Numark NS6 prerelease review

On Sunday May 1st Numark product designer Mike Hoska came to the Inferno Night Club in Madison, WI to show off their new DJ hardware the NS6. A control surface running the four deck version of Itch. After checking out the pro demo that Mike put on we all got to put our hands on it and try it out. We were very impressed with the intuitive and easy to grasp lay out of the controller.

Numark's last Itch controller the NS7 broke the mold as far as platter control is concerned and the NS6 is even higher resolution. In fact its the highest platter resolution on the market. Scratching on this unit was a joy, no lag and no drift. But, the cross fader even in the aggressive cut position has a bit of a rounded edge to it similar to the Rane Empath. Better for that party rocking funk than the technical tight sound desired by the DMC style scratchers. The faders felt smooth and had a nice throw that wasn't to resistant but also didn't feel loose or cheap. The buttons are also nice and active, with a definitive click and not too much action, but enough to let you know your pushing something. The NS6 isn't just a controller but also a fully featured digital mixer. With 4 lines, two phono and two mic inputs that run with out being hooked up to a computer. It is also a fully midi mappable control surface providing flexibility both on the road and in the studio. All in all a very solid unit.

Ratings

MC 8/10

Wyatt 7/10

Over all 7.5/10

MAP: $999.99

MCAudio: Too cheap to post. Hit us up.

_______________________

From the Numark site

Integrated 4-Channel DJ Mixer that works with or without the computer

Inputs for 4-line, 2 turntables, 2 microphones

Serato’s Itch 4-deck DJ software included

Built-in professional 24-bit audio interface with balanced XLR outputs

Touch sensitive illuminated wheels with 3600 ticks of resolution per rotation

Strip Search with track position indicator

Channel assignable effects controls

Mouse-less library navigation with view options

Deck controls include: Key Lock, Pitch Control, Manual and Instant Looping, Hot Cues and Beat grid

NS6’s uses standard MIDI protocols enabling DJs to use it with a variety of MIDI software

Web bound

This blog marks the start of a new era for MC Audio. With launch dates for our web based sales system and our video product demos coming up shortly we have our eyes on increased net presence.

Hopefully you will find our site informative and easy to use, but feedback is always welcome. Feel free to contact us via phone (608) 251.7746 (Mon - Sat 11am to 8pm CST) or email wagard@gmail.com.