Guns ‘n’ Bombs: America’s Answer to Justice

Cutting-edge electro-house duo Guns ‘n’ Bombs uses Torq DJ software to conquer the underground club scene.

Guns ‘n’ Bombs has been called “America’s answer to Justice”—and the Los Angeles-based production team boasts the credits and accolades to back it up. In just two short years, the group has released a string of highly successful remixes (Chromeo, The Gossip, Klaxons) and secured a record deal with ultra-hip French label Kitsuné. Comprised of Ima Robot bassist Filip “Turbotito” Nikolic and Chicago DJ Johnny Love, Guns ‘n’ Bombs is known for taking underground clubs by storm and rocking the crowd with their ambitious style of robotic electronica. Their hit single “Nothing Is Getting Us Anywhere” practically dares you not to dance—pulsating with digitized basslines and infectious synth grooves. With a production rig based on Torq DJ software, Guns ‘n’ Bombs continues to attract international attention for their powerhouse performances and dance-friendly remixes.

Performing Live with Torq

The Guns ‘n’ Bombs sound was born from a musical melting pot of hip-hop, electro house and disco influences. To reproduce tracks live, Turbotito uses Torq DJ software for advanced control over his sound clips and backing tracks. “I used to produce a lot of hip-hop in Denmark and we always dreamed about having the vocals on vinyl so we could cut them up,” he explains. “Torq has made all of that possible. We can record a live vocal bite, add effects to it, drop it back in a sample clip and instantly scratch it into our set. Torq allows us to go beyond emulating vinyl by doing something that’s impossible with traditional records. For Guns ‘n’ Bombs stuff, it’s great to manipulate sound clips using vinyl control. I can just throw down my hand for edits and speed control—it’s really fun for experimenting.”

Turbotito was an early adopter of digital DJ technology—he initially tried out Serato and Final Scratch before discovering Torq DJ software. “Torq has extremely accurate pitch controls and beat calculations, making it superior to the other DJ applications,” he says. “It’s super precise, which makes the loops tighter as well. The looping is the best I’ve tried on any system—including CD DJ players and other DJ software.”

For live DJ performances, Turbotito enjoys the intuitive user interface that Torq DJ software provides. “I never really understood the waveform display on Serato,” he relates. “Every time I use it for correcting stuff, I kind of make it worse. I like the waveform display in Torq much better. If you are unsure of what’s going on with your beat matching, it’s so easy to see which track is behind. It makes DJing a visual experience.”

The M-Audio Torq Xponent comes with the revolutionary Torq DJ software

Unique Studio Sounds

Turbotito has developed a unique production style that involves tweaking and manipulating original sounds using a variety of hardware and software tools, including Torq DJ software. “I never use sampled material,” he states. “When I first started making electronic music, I bought a sample CD—but after six months I started hearing those clips and sounds in other people’s music. So now we only use drum samples, no loops.

“I use hardware synths and software plug-ins to make the majority of the Guns ‘n’ Bombs sounds. If you just open a synth and start playing it, it’s going to be totally recognizable. We alter all the sounds we use because I don’t like playing the presets that come with the synthesizer. The looping controls and effects in Torq are great for altering prerecorded synths and drum tracks to create something unique. Torq lets you make your own sound.”

Check The Gear:

M-Audio Torq Xponent

M-Audio Control CD for Torq

M-Audio Torq Conectiv Vinyl/CD Pack Exclusive Gold Vinyl Edition

M-Audio Torq Control Vinyl

For more information, check out www.myspace.com/gunsnbombs 

 

Traktor DJ – Richie Hawton Grandmaster Flash Approves!

As computers become even faster and more affordable, the DJ world is quickly opening up to new digital perspectives. Thanks to the use of the newest software technology, DJs have the power to mix digital music formats like audio CDs and MP3s. With the DJ Line, Native Instruments develops software for the DJ of tomorrow. Audio tracks can be easily mixed live on a laptop or desktop computer, with unprecedented flexibility and intuitive operation. In design the DJ software applications resemble the classic DJ setup, with two decks and a mixer. But what is now possible with NI software far exceeds the limits of conventional turntables.

Due to outstanding BPM detection, MP3 and audio CD tracks can be automatically and precisely synchronized. This makes it possible not only to play two tracks simultaneously, but to set tempo accurate loops on the fly. You can shift the loop position forward or backward, or resize its length during playback, all while staying locked in the groove. Another innovation is the Mixfile format, which allows DJs to record, playback and overdub all mixing actions without replicating the audio material.

TRAKTOR DJ Studio 3 featuring 4 decks and countless innovations

TRAKTOR DJ Studio 3 is the professional DJ software for live mixing and mix production. Version 3 brings with it numerous innovations for DJing at clubs and parties. Some of the most thrilling new features are the expansion from 2 to 4 playback decks and an emulation of the new, much sought-after Allen & Heath Xone:92 4-channel club mixer. Four professional, tempo-synced effects and an even easier operation will see you mixing hypnotic DJ sets. The integrated access to Beatport Online Music Store, the world’s leading internet dance music specialist, means you’ll always have just the right track to hand.

Traktor was first released in 2000 and has gone through several major application changes. The initial versions of Traktor were Traktor Studio and Traktor DJ, with Traktor Studio being more full featured (and expensive). In 2002, Traktor DJ Studio 2 was released. Traktor DJ Studio 2 offered several new features, including scratch macros. It also expanded its looping, MIDI, and cue point functionality. In 2003, Traktor DJ Studio 2.5 was released. This new version expanded the time stretching functionality, added OpenSound Control (OSC) support, and gave the user limited ability to customize the look of the interface.

In 2003, Native Instruments partnered with Stanton Magnetics to develop the software for their Final Scratch product. This partnership not only gave Stanton a Win/Mac version of the Final Scratch software (which previously ran in a version of Debian Linux), but it allowed Native Instruments to use the Final Scratch timecode engine in their own Traktor line. In 2005, Native Instruments added vinyl emulation capability to Traktor DJ Studio in version 2.6 of the software. 2.6 also included live input, streaming internet broadcasting, support for more file formats, and greatly expanded MIDI capability. Soon after, Traktor DJ Studio 3 was released. Traktor DJ Studio 3 added 2 more playback decks (for a total of 4), built in effects, Beatport online store integration, a 4 channel mixer, a Universal Binary version, deck caching, as well as many small improvements to existing features..

Traktor SCRATCH

As the original inventor of several fundamental DJ techniques outlined in his seminal “Quik Mix Theory”, and as the first hip hop artist and DJ to be inducted into the prestigious “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame”, Grandmaster Flash personifies the creative and technological evolution of DJing in a unique way. As a pioneer in every regard, he also became known for always taking advantage of the most advanced equipment available to expand his creative options, even building his own crossfaders at a time when sophisticated DJ gear was not available.

Grandmaster Flash has carefully evaluated the emerging digital vinyl recent years, and has ultimately decided to adopt TRAKTOR SCRATCH as his new performance tool of choice, finally switching from vinyl records to a computer-based DJing system. With its impeccable vinyl feel, advanced hardware interface, and versatile arsenal of creative features, TRAKTOR SCRATCH is the system that Grandmaster Flash trusts to take his technique into the future.

“I feel right at home with Traktor Scratch when rocking the party,” says Grandmaster Flash. “The interface is great, and I love the effects and the accuracy of the time-code vinyl. Whether I am doing a slow rub, a fast rub, a cut or backspin, the response is amazing.”

Native Instruments TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO is the premium system for DJs spinning digital tracks on vinyl and CD, and the new gold-standard in professional digital vinyl systems.

Native Instruments TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO contains a host of amazing features including four decks, an arsenal of new effects and a completely redesigned interface.

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO also includes a comprehensive library of ready to scratch sounds. Over 700 MB of sounds recorded in pristine 24 bit / 96 kHz audio quality are itching to be scratched and include many lead sounds for solo scratching as well as sound FX, endless tones, tunes for juggling, loops and more. The library is primed for performance situations thanks to the TRAKTOR-specific meta-tagging and Crate Flick functions, so finding just the right sound to scratch is fast and easy even in the heat of battle.

Native Instruments TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO system comes with the AUDIO 8 DJ – the ultimate audio interface for DJs. AUDIO 8 DJ features maximum connectivity to easily integrate practically any equipment into your DJ setup. Highest resolution control vinyl and CDs plus ultra-efficient Multicore cables complete the hardware.