RedSound SoundBite Pro

Not many people are familiar with a company called Red Sound. RedSound is based out of the UK, and unfortunately I'm not too sure what's going on with the company overall. The last time a product was put out was back in 2007 and that was RedSound's SoundBite Pro. The SoundBite Pro is in general a sampler based off of their well received SoundBite XL but it's been upgraded to a level that Artists / DJs / Musicians / Remixers have long been waiting for. 

The SoundBite Pro is a sampler that has the ability to sample based on beat counts, it has the ability to play those samples forward - but can even do it backwards!! It has a built in filter as well that is tactile controlled - I'll explain this feature a bit more in detail later. When RedSound released their SoundBite XL - it was a really well built piece of equipment, it was hard to find here in Canada but, when I found it - I had to pay a bit for it but I absolutely loved it! In fact, my SoundBite XL is in mint condition, and still to this day functions just like when it first came out of the box. 

The SoundBite Pro is a loop based sampler. It features 6 buttons - banks that tell you how many beats it will loop. It's capable of doing 1 beat - 2 beats - 4 beats [x2] - 8 beats - up to 16 beats. Their are alternatives to those though, by pressing one of the buttons, and rotating the tactile control [jog dial] you can adjust the length of the beat loop. As well, what I really enjoyed is that the SoundBite can have it set for the buttons to either do a one shot loop, or you can have it set to seamless. You're wondering what makes this a " Pro " piece of equipment?  The " Pro " comes from an upgrade that I patiently have waited for - it now boasts an on-board 1 GB of internal memory. This is a HUGE benefit that I knew it was going to happen but it was just a matter of when. And they answered the when, and still they brought it a bit further then what I was anticipating. When the XL came out the moment that the machine was turned off you lost all your loops, and then you had to capture your loops all over again from the audio source of your choosing. 

The Pro allows you to keep those loops, those samples in the on-board memory. Which is a huge absolutely HUGE benefit. The 1 GB of internal memory will allow you to store up to 12 minutes of samples. But they didn't stop there. They took it one step further. The Pro allows you to export the samples, the loops to your computer so you can store them on your laptop, and you can then transfer the loops back and forth to load, and reload the SoundBite Pro with your library of loops. They developed software for it as well, SoundBite Arranger Utility which is still available for download for your PC or Mac. I know for sure that the way the SoundBite Pro codes your files allows them to be used with Native Instruments Traktor software. 

The SoundBite Pro has a built in filter that can be selected for use. This filter is absolutely awesome! It's controlled by the jog dial - turn to the left, and the filter is faded out, but if you go to the right - the filter then is applied, and continues to increase in it's intensity. But. Oh yeah there is a BUT. When you've found the right amount of filter, using the buttons - banks you can then program the filter's intensity into the memory. Which means then you can switch between 6 different intensity's of filter. This was an additional feature that I enjoyed playing with. 

The equipment has stereo inputs, and outputs. Left, and Right channels. It has a 1/4 inch headphone input. So you can sample audio from any source you really want, but to really get the most out of this piece of equipment you need to hook this up so an effects specific input / output that you can choose which channels you're sampling from. It's an awesome piece of equipment which I'm trying to find some sources to purchase this from. It's vintage, and there are software that allows you to sample also, but sometimes I find that it's just a bit more convenient, and better [for me] to have a piece of hardware specifically for my desired function. 

From when I first stumbled onto RedSound back in 2002 or 2003 - I realized that all of their products are absolutely awesome. They put great thought into the body of the product because no professional loves to feel plastic we need to know that it's solid, they put a lot of thinking into making it look aesthetically pleasing. But I'm not sure if we're going to see anything from RedSound again or not, I do know however that the Peavey Corporation did make a "spoof" of the RedSound SoundBite Pro, but seriously when you have RedSound you have an innovator, and original in your hands.

Long live RedSound !! !! !!

Biannual Blogathon Bash !! !! !!

Okay, I have to share my excitement by suggestion of a good friend I have signed up, and I'm ready to see what I can accomplish by taking part in the Biannual Blogathon Bash. I'm looking forward to really investing the time to really bring forth some new ideas, and thoughts so that I can continue onward with bringing life to NightGrooves.

This is a weekend long event, and it's going to be worth it.

I should share what NightGrooves is really all about. I spent nearly 10 years as a disc jockey in which time I worked as a DJ for 3 different companies. It was honestly a great experience where I found out that I was quite naturally gifted as a DJ, and I developed a passion for the DJ Industry.

NightGrooves is based on a partnership that started during all those years ago, but it's evolved with us as we grew up. Yet, my biggest hope is to take this further then what I . . . then what we ever went. I'm hard at work trying to bring a brand to life, a brand that will see t-shirts created, that will see pendants created. I'm tossing around the idea of trying to design, and develop my own type of "sling style" back pack. Eventually you'll see designs of some pieces of furniture that I've been working on in the background that serve the function of allowing an artist / dj / producer to keep their equipment in a compacted, small area but when taken out will be able to expand to meet the demands of having more space to create with, and practice in.

NightGrooves is slowly striving to become a production company handling club djing, events, festivals, mobile dj applications, and weddings. I am DJ NightGrooves artist, creator, designer, innovator, and aspiring to producing. And, NightGrooves is also going to be incorporating Video Game Design, and Development. There is so much that NightGrooves is capable of becoming, and there is no way that excitement can't be infectious.

All my life I've heard not to be a dreamer from one person, and then from others I've heard that you need to dream big, but now - I finally see. This is about a bunch of small dreams that keep moving forward to create one big dream.

NightGrooves is that dream!

Welcome to the journey.

An Interesting Suggestion

Hey everyone,

I've been busy bouncing ideas, and thoughts with many different people. I've been explaining the idea of bringing " NightGrooves " from just an idea for a really cool DJ / Not Just A DJ - Business into wanting to develop a brand.

Talking with a friend, and sharing the logo design with her. I explained that I want to create a pendant necklace using the logo, and I have to admit the conversation about materials to make it from went really smoothly. Tossing ideas of materials, ways to give it a unique texture that's once again unique. Being absolutely honest . . . I really have to thank her because the conversation really helped bring about ideas I doubt I'd have had if I wasn't able to talk them out with someone.

I honestly have to say "thank you" to my "kiwi" friend.

The ideas are still flowing, and still pushing forward with things.

Definitely stay tuned.

Excitement ! ! !

Okay, so clearly there is some excitement that I really need to share with everyone. As some may know I've been slowly designing, and refining actual drawings that have been in the making for a number of years now. I'm working hard to further develop the ideas, and I'm really feeling like everything is slowly coming together. I'm a perfectionist in personality, and I usually never say anything until I feel that there is some definite progress. 

We're getting progress! And it's coming along quickly. I love it!!! I really do. I'm working on refining some older designs to develop some t shirt designs, and I'm 
also in the process of searching costs to take another few ideas into the realm of developing some jewelry that is specifically aimed towards the DJ, yet, I'm also going in another realm of targeting another DJ demographic that is a smaller niche still. 

The idea is to bring forth " NightGrooves " not just as a DJ, but my greatest aspiration is to develop this into a brand. Most people who know me know that I'm never without any ideas, or thoughts - which is so exciting to be bringing everything to life. I spent years as a DJ, and the goal is to return to it once again but this time on my terms. I would like to bring out my artistic talents musically, and definitely venture into the area of producing some of my own sounds. But, I'm also a designer. Of what? 
I have some interesting designs that I'd like to push towards pants, and backpacks, but I have ideas for furniture with the DJ in mind. And further still, I do have design ideas in mind on remodelling DJ Booths. So, right now you can imagine with school coming up, and working on so much - it's just an exciting time and I'm glad that I am able to share this with everyone. 

Any words of encouragement, and support are always greatly appreciated. 


Always bumping something Loud ! 


NightGrooves



 

This song is Outasight !!

I'm not too sure if anyone is familiar with the artist Richard Andrew, or better known by his stage name - Outasight.

I've been really listening to this one song of his, and it's prompted me to really share some details about Outasight. To really add a bit of history so that you can really get a bit of depth of him. From a wiki search I've found;

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Richard Andrew was born in Yonkers, New York. With a mother who decorated the walls with records, and a father who played the guitar, Andrew was surrounded by music his entire life. Growing up, his family moved from apartment to apartment, which never gave him a real sense of home. He turned to music to offer him solace and a sense of home. At the age of 9, his father gave him a guitar, and although he did not have much interest in playing the guitar, it sparked his interest in becoming a musician. He found his passion in singing and rap, and began writing rhymes and singing around age 10.

This information is provided from a Wikipedia Search.

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The song that I've really been listening to is Outasight's - Now Or Never. Seriously, this is one beat that I find to be really inspiring, and motivating. It seems to remind me of a sound that you'd almost hear in the 80's, but mixed with a sweet ass groove

from now. Now Or Never - has a beat that you can't help but bounce too. I found that Outasight, and the sound mixer really had a target audience in mind. And, it shows that this song is aimed at the club floors. Honestly I'd have to rank this song as an "A" song - I'd start a set with this, or I'd use it to build more energy in the club. Lyrically the "hook" is;

"So we don’t care what the people say and we don’t care what they want to do and we don’t care about it anymore we do what we want I ain’t wasting a no more time its now or never I’m about to get mine It’s now or never I’m about to get mine It’s now or never" [Lyrics provided from directlyrics.com]

Seriously it's this hook that really captures the attitude, and energy of the song. Now Or Never really builds up in energy, and intensity the more you listen to it you'll notice that it's infectious. The low end audio spectrum of this track is just awesomely put together because it has this sound which makes you want to bounce. It's that bounce that you really want, and now that the days of making the song skip are over you can just let loose with this one.

I found that Outasight's vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Flo Rida in this song, but then he adds this beautiful haunting vocal with his "woahhhooooo woahhhoooo woahhhoooo" - it's this part of the song that somehow reminds me of something you'd hear back in the 80's. And I LOVE that! Then, another aspect of this song that I love is the "hook" definitely now that most dj equipment can quantize the beats, this can be cut up over, and over to build it up to an even higher peak. You'd want to cut up the end of the "hook" - "I'm about to get mine - It's now or never" looping this a bit, and then cutting up the loop little by little to use "It's now or never" then cutting the loop up some more - I can really see an energy being created that will just bring up the reaction of your crowd, and then you "slam it" loose!

Goddamn I'm excited just thinking about it!!! That should tell you something right there. I've picked some of "Now Or Never" apart, and hell I've even given you some inspiration of what you'd like to work with, I've done part of your work for you! Which right there should be a "no brainer" for you.

I have to give a mad shout out to Outasight for creating "Now Or Never" because the time to really introduce a new artist to your crowd honestly, the timing couldn't be any better. This song can definitely quickly become an anthem of it's own, it just needs the right people behind this, and I am a firm believer that as a DJ it's up to us to get behind new artists to help them break into new markets so that they can be a little bit closer to reaching their dreams of success.

Bang this one - Bang this LOUD - and always - Bang it PROUD ! ! !

Yours truly,

Nightgrooves

New Song ! !! !

I'm excited to share this new song with all of you. It was uploaded June 9th, and already has over 200,000 hits. Always you can count on ATB to put out something with such solid potential. Never Give Up featuring the incredible vocal talents of Romona Nerra. Seriously this is a song you've got to give a listen. Breaking it down, the lyrics are well written, but Romona Nerra brings the lyrics to such a higher level. She brings to the song this incredible talent which supported with the actual music raises this song to a whole new level.

I think that's the thing that you can always count on with ATB. It's always something solid, and the "trance-nding" seem to be evolving yet, there's an underlying "sound" that's all - ATB. I really think that it's just a sound which is all - ATB. This song has an incredible amount of club, and dance floor potential with it's potent breaks with the vocals, and the end of the song with Romona's echoing "Never Give You Up!" it fades out nicely which leaves the perfect transition for Djs to bring in the next song.

This is a song that in my books is an "A" song meaning, this is a song that you want to start a set with, or you want to elevate the energy from your crowds. It's a solid sound, so to even remotely think about ending a set with it - only if you want to leave them wanting more, but still if I were behind the mixer there is no way that I'm going to jeopardize the full effectiveness of this song. If you add one song to your set, seriously you NEED to add this song to it. It's new, and definitely I don't think it's had much in the way of airplay, but if you're a DJ true to your art, and craft - you'll do what you can to bring this song into the market. I'm a firm believer that it's our responsibility as DJs to introduce new artists, and songs to the crowds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKg1K6ia1K8&feature=colike

If you're going to BANG one beat - then you NEED to BANG this !!!

Well, it has been some time since last I wrote, and I think honestly that it is time I come back to this to dedicate time to write at least three times a week. I am confident that I can easily commit to that. I guess I should give an update. In July I'm going to be going to school to study Video Game Design & Development. I'm excited about it too. If you haven't been able to tell I am an Audio freak, it stems from being a DJ for so long. I'm actually getting some interesting ideas the more I research the Video Game Industry, and I see that there are some elements that I'm going to learn in developing a Video Game that I can see transferring back into the realm of DJing. I'm also, working with my long time mate to develop a brand based on the idea of DJing, and that is honestly exciting me more and more. Yet, I am learning that I have more inner strength, and inner power then what I truly realise. It became more apparent yesterday when I was in a group setting, and the group was sharing their own personal feelings. I spoke up, and spoke out to which I saw smiles, I saw relief, and I saw that they found inspiration from what I had to say. So much so, that one of them suggested I take up inspirational public speaking, and it made me really wonder why I was there in the room. But more so, it made everyone else wonder what I was doing there. I can see that the more I create a mental pathway that I'd like to follow towards success, the more I see my direction becoming therapeutic for me. I have a lot of plans, and while I'm working things out in my head I can see that my confidence is growing by leaps, and bounds. I keep thinking that I'm so much like a phoenix that it tends to cause me harm since I somehow run myself down into the ground, I turn to ashes, and yet eventually you can bet that I'm going to come back with more strength, and vigour then before.

From the ashes of my self destruction; I find confidence, determination, direction, motivation, and strength. Yet, from my self destruction I find what's even more important - I find who I am.