scratching

DaScratch brings touch control to DJ hardware

DJing with your laptop has loads of advantages, but emulating realistic DJ scratching can be tricky. Some people solve the problem with Wiimotes, but the most common workaround to get vinyl-like control of your DJ software is to convert your old turntables into digital-MIDI controllers using expensive systems such as Serato, Torq, or Traktor Scratch. Now, if you want to get all touchy-feely with your digital-DJ software without breaking the bank (or your back), Stanton is offering a new option called DaScratch.

DaScratch is a USB-powered MIDI controller that offers touch-sensitive control over your DJ software. Stanton includes integrated-software support … Read more

Scratch: Open-source programming for kids

Peter Lofgren of Redpill (Sweden) sent over a link to Scratch, a cool open-source project from MIT Media Labs. The purpose? Make programming easy and approachable for kids as young as eight-years old. If the gallery of existing projects is any indicator, it seems to be working.

Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web. Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create Scratch projects, young people learn … Read more

Would you pay $10 for this iPhone accessory?

I just got a press release from iLuv announcing its new line of iPhone 3G cases, which are--excuse the pun--just luvely. However, in clicking through to the site I was struck by one accessory the company is selling: the i114, which also goes by the longer name Clear Scratch Resistant Film. It's designed to lay on top of your scratch-resistant iPhone screen and keep it from getting scratched. That's cool. But the thing costs $9.99. Throw in some tax and shipping and you're probably looking at close to $15 for a thin piece of plastic that … Read more

Photos: Traktor Scratch with Audio 8 DJ

DJs are a funny bunch, mostly preferring to use clunky old vinyl to work their magic. But technology rarely takes no for an answer and Traktor Scratch is no exception, offering traditional DJs who can't be separated from their Technics decks access to massive digital music libraries.

Put simply, Traktor Scratch is a simplified version of Traktor DJ Studio, which enables you to mix music without any special hardware. What the Scratch system adds is a very high-end sound card that enables multiple audio inputs, via which you can connect either vinyl or CD decks.

What's the point … Read more

CNET Live - Episode 55

Jordan Glazier, CEO of Eventful stopped by to talk about how his site helps bands, and others, set up tour dates around the world.

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Scratchmaster Mario

It's a fact: DJs get more chicks than gamers. If you're looking to transition your skills at Zelda into something more musical, the Protein DScratch software for the Nintendo DS might just have you rocking a dance floor on a Saturday night.

The software allows you to load your own WAV files, and then tweak them with effects, pitch changes, and scratching. The software even sends out MIDI clock messages that will let you sync up the DScratch tempo with other electronic music gear. Hell, you could start an entire Nintendo DS band at this point. Just get … Read more

Scratch: Programming from the playpen, almost

When we want children to grasp structures and shapes, we let them play with Legos. When we want them to understand programming, we'll let them play with Scratch, the latest child-oriented program to poke its beak from MIT's prolific Media Lab.

Scratch is a free animation-development program for kids that converts the main elements of programming--like objects, actions, rules, and conditions--into simple blocks you can drag from the menu list and drop into the scripting area. Snap a few of these together, "like Lego bricks," says Scratch mastermind Mitchel Resnick, and you create a script that makes your "sprite" speak, play music, move across the screen, or interact with other sprites.… Read more

Stanton announces battle-worthy USB turntable

Turntable manufacturer Stanton recently announced its new T.90 high-torque turntable with built-in USB and S/PDIF digital outputs. Even if you're not an aspiring DJ scratch battle champion, the ability to record your vinyl collection directly into a computer is big convenience. While USB-capable turntables such as the Numark TTUSB have been around for a while, the Stanton T.90 is the first to include features that today's DJ really want, namely digital key locking (the ability to change a song's tempo without changing pitch) and a high-torque direct drive motor that puts an unholy amount … Read more