Music tech you might have missed: AlphaTheta CJD-1500X, Arturia Rev OCEAN, Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5
Whether you’re in the market for some new software or want to upgrade your studio — here are some of the biggest recent releases from the world of tech
Welcome to Mixmag’s round-up of the best recent tech releases and announcements
AlphaTheta unveils brand new CDJ-1500X
AlphaTheta has unveiled its latest DJ multi player, the CDJ-1500X, made for more intimate spaces such as bars, small clubs and home setups with a smaller footprint.
The CDJ-1500X flaunts a 10.1-inch touchscreen like its flagship CDJ-3000X model, with the ability to display up to 15 tracks at once, with “advanced” waveform previews also shown on screen that show “visual indicators for vocal positions, BPM change points, and phrase structures”.
The CDJ-1500X also comes with built-in WiFi, and is AlphaTheta’s first CDJ model to be compatible with CoBeat, allowing those on the dancefloor to request songs from a pre-prepared catalogue by scanning a QR code.
Price: $1,699 (£1,469). Buy it here
Sennheiser drops new iteration of flagship MOMENTUM headphones
Sennheiser has dropped a brand new iteration of its flagship over-ear headphones, the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, said to be its “most capable and user-focused” evolution of its classic headset yet.
The new headphones feature both spatial audio and head-tracking capabilities, while hand gestures control features like volume control and noise cancellation. The new headset also comes with twice as many mics as its last, with four per side, and a case that is 20% smaller than its previous interaction.
"With MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, we focused on refining the entire experience without straying from the formula that made its predecessor such a success," says Product Manager Sreenath ‘Sri’ Unnikrishnan. "These enhancements enrich the overall functionality while still capturing the magic you feel every time you press play.”
Price: $399.99 (£329.90). Buy it here
Read our review here
Akai Professional releases two new additions to its esteemed MPC series
Akai Professional has released two new music production tools, the MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2.
The new additions to the company’s beloved MPC series include considerable upgrades on previous models, including four times the processing power, boosted memory and new colourways.
The MPC One G2 is a beatmaker with 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads, four touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs, an SD card slot, USB-A port, and USB-C port, and more.
The MPC Key 37 G2 is designed towards musicians who enjoy writing on a keyboard, comprising a 37-key synth-action keybed with aftertouch, pitch and mod wheel as well as 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads, a USB-C port, and more.
Each product has an 8-core processor paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, making them faster to work with and load projects. They can support 32 simultaneous plugin instruments and up to 16 stereo audio tracks.
"Whether you live on the pads or write everything on keys, the MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2 give producers and beat makers the most powerful standalone MPC we have ever built at these prices," said Andy Mac, Director of Artist Relations at Akai Professional. "From bedroom beat makers to established producer communities around the world, creators now have four times the power, MPC3 OS, and a powerful collection of instruments and samples ready to get you started. This is generation 2 of MPC standalone production."
Akai Professional MPC One G2 is priced at £729; Akai Professional MPC Key 37 G2 costs £849. Find out more info and where to buy here
Arturia releases new ocean-inspired reverb plugin, Rev OCEAN
Music software company Arturia has released a new, ocean-inspired reverb plugin for users looking to turn drums, vocals, guitars, and synths into immersive subaquatic spaces.
Complete with an FDN reverberator and multi-stage diffusion, Rev OCEAN features three modes: Abyss, Tide, and Foam. The plugin's interface allows users to control the size, decay, brightness, filtering, ducking, transients and width of their chosen sound.
Rev OCEAN also comes with curated presets to get you started in experimenting with depth, motion, and texture. Check out a tutorial below.
Arturia's Rev OCEAN is available to purchase for £36.59 ($49) here.
Richie Hawtin has co-designed a new drum machine with Erica Synths, Bullfrog Drums
Good news Plastikman fans! Latvia-based manufacturer Erica Synths has enlisted Richie Hawtin to co-design a new drum machine.
Bullfrog Drums comes with a built-in sampler and CV/gate sequencer and, by utilising sample-based voices, ensures users can go beyond working with percussive sounds and expand into abstract noise, a chord stab to drones and beyond.
According to a press release, Bullfrog Drums has been created with beginners in mind, with a simple interface that is perfect for testing out programming, sampling and performance.
Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums is available to purchase for £514.30 (€600) here.