The Milkcrate

Ugh

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

With the news about Panasonic discontinuing production on one of it's flagship Technics models, there's been lots of commentary and discussion about these iconic devices. Many stand on the corpse of vinyl and declare midi-controllers king while others shed a tear for the long lived dj standard. (Note: it's still unclear as to whether or not all Technics models are being discontinued or just the one)

One post in particular really got me down.

DJs will be asking themselves "where were you when you heard the news?

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Panisonic stops production of Technics 1200's. Such a sad turn of events. I hope someone picks up production of these, though I suppose the question is "do they need to?"

The Technics Turntable is built like a tank. It's the Pentax K1000 of turntables: a classic, a standard, dependable, solid as a rock. Treat your pair right and they'll outlive you. And that's probably the problem. You buy one pair, you're pretty much set. Maye some servicing here and there, but that's it. I've had my decks for over 10 years and they're still awesome.

Could the competition step into the gap? That's one solution, but the problem is once you've used a Tech 12, it's really, really hard to put your trust in anything else. Is it possible that maybe some boutique shop could cater to professional djs and audiophiles, picking up the torch and selling them at prestige prices? That's another way to go.

For now though, I'm going to consider going out and buying a single deck from the remaining stock, just in case.

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A mix for my Mom

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

So...I have some sad news.

On July 14, my mother passed away from cancer. 4 years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She struggled valiantly through various chemo and radiation treatments, sometimes with a smile on her face and sometimes not.

For me, it has partially been a release that Mom has finally passed on. In the end, she was in a lot of pain, as the cancer had moved into her stomach and she was unable to eat anything, so it has been relief that Mom is no longer suffering. But for those of us who remain, there is still the pain of that loss.

This mix is kind of about that loss. It's neither a tribute or dedication to my Mom, but more of an expression of feeling. I guess chock it up to part of the mourning process, or whatever.

The tracks are selected for a few different reasons, mostly that they express a particular feeling that I wanted to convey, or they have lyrics (or a snippet of lyric) that I identified with, or in one or two cases, were songs that Mom really liked or were by groups that she loved.

So, this being a highly personal dj mix/compilation, I don't expect many to like it or get much out of it. But if you know me, or you knew my Mom, you might catch the narrative that's in the music.

Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
The Three Degrees - Collage
Frankie Beverley & the Butlers - Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)
RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors
Ben Harper - Amen Omen
KD Lang - Hallelujah
Rajaton - Butterfly
Bill Withers - Hope She'll Be Happier (Live @ Carnegie Hall)
The Impressions - People Get Ready
The Beatconductor - Sumthin' Betta

Download: http://drop.io/mixformymom

Bonus commentary: There's a couple of verses for "Hallelujah" that I really do it for me, but they aren't in any of the cover versions, and the original Leonard Cohen version is really ugly, 'n I didn't want to use it. :P Ah well...

Here are those lines:

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

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Cue Point Chords and Mini-update...

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Been meaning to post a link to this article over at DJ Tech Tools for a while now (like, a year)...Great demo of what can be achieved using a midi-controller 'n some samples 'n efx. Hoping I might be able to achieve something similar with my Dicers, when I get 'em...

Also, been really quiet around here lately 'cuz of some family health stuff mostly. My mother has terminal cancer and I've been home every weekend for the last while.

But a number of extra-curricular activities have wrapped up, so hopefully I can put together some new mixes, and I know there's at least another party coming up before the summer's out, so stay tuned...

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Novation Dicer = Haaaawwwwtttt

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Now this is the midi controller I've been looking for! Small, efficient, lots of coloured LED goodness and attaches right where it should make sense. Developed in collaboration with Ean Golden from DJTechTools.com. Me want, big time.

To see what kind of madness this opens up for scratch/turntable djs, check this out

And read about some of the thought that went into its design over at DJTechTools.com

Too bad you'll never see these at a DMC Championship. :(

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