Neglectful

Yes, I've been neglectful.  Both with this blog and musically.  I'm going to blame it on not eating starbucks on sunday mornings anymore.  That used to be when I'd reflect on my week in music, and write this.  While, I'm back and there's some interesting stuff going on!

Firstly, I've added two new pieces of gear to my DJ rig.  I've added an audio-technica LP-1240 turntable
so I can finally blow the dust off my old vinyl.  Just one, though.  I'm not going back, I like digital too much.  All the looping and hotcue'ing is what's fun for me.  To that end I've also added a traktor kontrol F1.
 I haven't quite figured out how to integrate it effectively into my mixes, but it is a lot of fun.  All of this required some re-jiggering of my Dj workspace.  Which was fun in it's own right.  I found some pictures online of "ikea hackers" who had taken advantage of the ability to order everything from ikea piecemeal to make some cool shit of their own.  So I did, and this is now what my DJ setup looks like.
That's an ikea shoeshelf and table legs.  Honestly, it's awesome.

Another thing the turntable was purchased for is sampling.  Wait, wut?  Sampling?  Yea, I'm going to start trying to write my own music.  I've purchased a copy of FL studio
as well as an alesis QX25
to aid.  I'll start by remixing some disco into house, and gradually progress into my own shit!  This is a totally new adventure, and I'm having to learn some music theory as well as a new software package.  It's perfect for me right now as I love to keep my brain engaged.  We'll see where it takes me.  Selling 1000 copies of one of my own songs/remixes is definitely an item on my bucket list.  Currently I'm using my old denon mc6000 in my new "studio rig" as a soundcard because I happened to have it laying around.  Couple that with a 25 key keybard now taking up space on my desk (as well as my gaming 10-key, a printer, and a load of other shit I should probably get around to cleaning up...), and I'm actually going to do the same ikea hack I did to my DJ rig to my desk.

Around xmas I think I'm going to trade in my denon mc6000 for a komplete audio 6
As well as a traktor control X1 (and maybe a Z1)
so I can have a much more portable rig for vacations.  I also want a midi fighter twister to use as a drum sequencer as well as remix deck controller like the F1.

Also, hopefully out of the trade in of the denon mc6000., I want some studio monitors.  Something like this JBL LSR305.
Lastly, I'm trying to decide if I want to pick up the new traktor conrol S8.  
I keep going back and forth on this one.  Maybe after xmas if there's a pricedrop I'll think about it.  The thing is: it combines some of the X1 and F1 features (as well as a mixer) into a single unit.  We'll have to see.  I've invested a lot of money into my nexus setup, and that IS sorta the club standard.  If I ever decide to play out, it'll be hella-easier to just clap an X1 and an F1 or a twister onto the club's existing nexus setup than to bring my own controller.

So yea...it's finally hit me that I'm a gearslut.  Because this is just the list of DJ stuff I want!  I'm still into guitars, there's about 3 guitars and 2 amps I want to buy as well as microphones to RECORD said guitars.  Oh lawd...

Oh who am I kidding, I have zero issue with being a gear slut.  Will I ever be able to use it all effectively?  Probably not.  Do I care?  Nope.  It's all fun to me!

Stay up,

Chubby Racer

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