Apple are expected to show off new iPod Nano’s complete with touchscreens and we may even finally find out if the company will finally get round to offer a cloud based music streaming service. Aplle should also be showing off their revamped Apple TV, though Amazon have tried to steal their thunder by announcing their own online TV service in the same week that has saw a tremendous first week for their new Kindle device.

Good to see competition between the big companies as this can only lead to bigger and better services for us lot – the consumers. Sony does face an uphill struggle due to having terrible software in the past for music management, but their revamped PlayStation Store went down well with gamers so hopefully lessons have been learned. Apple will be streaming their conference live tonight with a big catch – it is only available to view on Apple devices. Not making this up!

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Did you know there is a DJ Expo going on in Atlantic City? Well it is sure news to me though the only place I seem to get DJ news is from the ticker on DJ Hero. However the chaps at Denon knew there was an expo, and a good thing too as they have three shiny new products for the computer DJ to salivate over. Read on for all the mixing goodness, very complicated specifications and lots of knobs.

The Denon DN-MC6000 introduces a new product category as an integrated, full blown mixer and ‘dual deck’ MIDI Controller. The Mixer / MIDI Controller combines a 4-channel / 8-source standalone digital mixer – featuring real time channel matrix operation – USB MIDI control and 2 x stereo in / 2 x stereo out USB audio interface. It comes bundled with Native Instruments TRAKTOR LE and coonects with Mac OSX and Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. Using the ‘dual layer’ function, each side of the DN-MC6000 can control two decks (for a total of four) in TRAKTOR Pro, with visual deck colour change.

The mixer features 3-band Channel EQ with high-mid-low kills, on-board EFX, and a new control surface layout. This includes a newly designed high resolution 105-mm touch sensitive jog wheel, smooth 100-mm long 14-bit high resolution pitch slider, 45-mm channel and cross faders, eight (4 + 4) hot cue/sampler buttons with dual bank selector key, Auto Loop button with Beat Jump (loop cut), Manual Loop In/Out buttons, large size Cue & PLAY buttons, select and parameter controls for the on-board EFX, multiple GUI controls – Mixer, Video, Scratch, Sampler, REC, etc., file browse navigation keys and ring illuminated rotary encoder file selector knob, and Denon’s legacy Pitch Bend keys with Vinyl and Pitch Bend Jog modes.

Inputs include two phono lines, one XLR Mic/quarter-inch and one quarter-inch mic jack, and two phono AUX inputs. Outputs include balanced master XLR, unbalanced master phono, quarter-inch booth/send out, phono record out, and stereo headphone out. Also featured is a USB Audio in/out selectable routing switch. The DN-MC6000 can be rackmounted and is supplied with 19″ rackmount kit. It comes out in November for around £579.

Also on show was the Denon DN-X600, a highly spec’d 2-channel performance mixer, optimised for both traditional vinyl techniques and the latest digital media and computer DJ systems, that offers levels of technology and performance comparable with Denon’s flagship 4-channel models.

Best in class signal path components, controls, processing and control features include many derived directly from Denon’s flagship DN-X1700 and DN-X1600 mixers. Ensuring the highest quality audio performance, the DN-X600’s internal sound card is a 4 x stereo in / 4 x stereo out 24-bit / 96kHz USB 2.0 Audio Interface, while the mixer’s audio output is via a whopping 32-bit DAC.

32-bit Floating Point DSP provides the mixer with powerful signal processing capabilities. 3-band channel EQ includes full kill on each band. On-board EFX include Delay, Echo, Flanger, Filter, Reverb, Loop, Beat Scratch and BeatBreaker, and the dedicated EFX section features ON/OFF, Dry-Wet mix and independent send assignment (Ch/Mic/Master). A powerful two-way EFX Parameter Filter, including Cross Over Frequency and Isolator (low pass filter/high pass filter) is included, as is a send/return control, for use with external effects.

The cross fader is a 45-mm High Performance Flex Fader with tension adjustment and a unique 32-point contour adjustment (and Innofader-Pro compatibility). Channel faders are 45-mm custom Alps-type; also with contour adjustment.

The unit’s control surface is fully MIDI-mappable, including knobs, keys and buttons, and the DN-X600 can work with all current operating systems, including Mac OSX 10.6.4 and 32/64-bit Windows systems; a low-latency 32/64-bit ASIO driver is included for PC use. The unit can operate with DVS direct mode for DJ applications using platter control signal operation. USB send/return routing is included for use with DJ software DSP effects such as TRAKTOR, and USB MIDI Clock In BPM Detection can be used with TRAKTOR, Torq, Ableton, Cubase and more. The mixer’s firmware is upgradeable over USB.

The I/O complement comprises two phono inputs, two line level inputs and two AUX inputs, mic input, effects send/return, stereo output, USB send/return, booth out, and balanced XLR master out. Out in October for around £495.

Finally there is the Denon DN-SC2000, a more affordable, professionally spec’d and constructed MIDI controller for Native Instruments TRAKTOR Pro, providing a portable control solution for laptop DJs. A dual layer system, the DN-SC2000 provides simultaneous switchable control of both TRAKTOR decks, with visual deck colour change. Connecting to Mac or Windows PC via a single USB2.0 interface (from which the unit is also powered), advanced features include MIDI mapable capability, auto loop function, a wide range of EFX, rugged pitch slider, pitch lock, automatic beat sync, durable rubber button controls and more.

The solid steel constructed unit incorporates Denon’s new high resolution 105-mm touch sensitive jog wheel, smooth 100-mm long 14-bit resolution pitch slider, Pitch Lock function, file browse navigation buttons and ring illuminated rotary encoder file selector knob, large size Cue & PLAY buttons, eight (4 + 4) hot cue/sampler buttons with dual bank selector key, Auto Loop button with Beat Jump and Manual Loop In/Out buttons, EFX Unit 1 and 2 layer and on/off buttons with colour change LEDs, EFX parameter encoders, Denon’s legacy Pitch Bend key, a SYNC button for beat matching between decks, and a powerful Shift key, assignable to various dual button operations. Out October for around £179.

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Alas this shall be the last bands on games/gadgets feature for a little while, but we go out on top with Young Guns who release new album ‘All Our Kings Are Dead’ on July 7th. You can check out the band on MySpace and pre-order the album with a signed poster from HMV. Without furher ado, Fraser Taylor from the band answers our questions…

What are you playing at the moment?
Halo Reach Beta

What is your favourite game of all time and why?
Its a tough choice between World of Warcraft and Goldeneye on the N64, I was about 16 when Goldeneye came out and spent countless hours with 3 other mates playing multiplayer! However, WOW is on another level, there’s so much to do in that game. I had to just delete it of my laptop because it started taking over my life. I’ll go with World Of Warcraft but I wouldn’t recommend anyone start playing it, it really is the game that never ends.

What game are you most looking forward to?
From the looks of the Beta, Halo Reach looks like it’s gonna be awesome! Epic multiplayer battles.

What gadget could you not live without?
In this band we constantly lose our iPhones as we’re travelling around the UK and Europe. You don’t realise how much you use it until you don’t have one, I’m completely at a loss without it on a 3 or 4 hour journey.

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Escape the E3 madness by checking out what games and gadgets have caught the eye of Smiffy, the lead singer of Orphan Boy. The Pop/Rock trio from Cleethorpes have their new single ‘Pop Song’ available to download from July 19th which will be followed by their album ‘Passion, Pain and Loyalty’ on CD and download on August 2nd. Check out some tunes and tour dates on MySpace. Now to the questions and answers.

What are you playing at the moment?
I’m currently transfixed on Funkysnooker which is an online game were you challenge other people to a one on one or compete in tournaments. You start of with a bog standard ranking and have to work your way up by winning games, so it is quite realistic in that way and the graphics are good too.

What is your favourite game of all time and why?
Has to be Sensible World of Soccer, the one for the Amiga were you could buy and sell players. I was generally addicted to it and no one would see me for possibly 3-4 months, all my mates at school thought I had kicked the bucket. But this one is a deffo for me, the players didnt look the most realistic but the actual gameplay was mint, being able to swerve the ball and the view to play from was boss too. Then the transfer market, I can remember players like Gary Poole who played for Birmingham and he was a real cheap buy, but one of the fastest right backs on the game. One amazing game indeed.

What game are you most looking forward to?
I haven’t really taken any notice of what games are due out at the minute, apart from Call of Duty when that came out. I’d love a remake of Sensible World of Soccer to be made, there is one for the PS2 but its not the same as transfer market one.

What gadget could you not live without?
Well I ain’t a gadget man really but I suppose without me laptop Id be twiddling me thumbs, its like me other half at the minute but we dont argue, ha! Deffo be lost without this.

Thanks to Smiffy for taking the time to answer the questions and we will have another Q&A next week!

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This week is the turn of Brighton band Lostaura to answer our questions on games and gadgets. Lostaura have been around since 2007 and have supported the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Band of Skulls and the Chapman Family on tour, and have attarcted the attention of BBC Introducing. Their new mini album ‘the Hiding Place’ is out this week and you catch the band on MySpace.

What are you playing at the moment?

Into our sports games as they’re easier to pick up and play, Pro Evo Soccer/FIFA on the PS3, Tiger Woods on the Wii, (regulary having band tournaments on all), and our never-ending game of Football Manager on the PC!

What is your favourite game of all time and why?

Favourite game of all time is a tricky one. I doubt there is any other game more addictive than the various incarnations of Football Manager, Where else can you play for over 12 hours, miss eating meals, ignore loved ones and confuse whats happening in the game with reality!

What game are you most looking forward to?

Really looking forward to Gran Turismo 5 on the PS3. When it eventually comes out!  And the new Tiger Woods game, it’ll be interesting to see how real that will be after the year he’s had, haha!

What gadget could you not live without?

We all love our iPods, but our guitar effects pedals are also very important to us.

A big thank you to the band for taking the time to answer our questions and you can also find the band on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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This week we question a band that has actually featured in a video game. Attack! Attack! featured on Guitar Hero 5 with the track ‘You & Me’, after impressing a panel of judges at MIDEM 2009. Lead vocalist and guitarist Neil Starr took the time to let us know his other favourite games and gadgets…

What are you playing at the moment?
Still bumming FIFA 10 bigtime , gotta go out and get the World Cup edition asap!

What is your favourite game of all time and why?
Super Mario Kart on the SNES , the game play is amazing as 1 player or as 2 player , it’s just the best game of all time to date!

Attack! Attack! ‘You & Me’ in Guitar Hero 5

What game are you most looking forward to?
FIFA 2011 VS Pro Evo 2011 , its always a great time of year.

What gadget could you not live without?
My blackberry , I love it so much.

Many thanks to Neil for answering the questions, and you can catch the band on tour across the UK now with full details on MySpace.

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This week we find out the game and gadget recommendations of Phil Blake bassist of Redtrack. The band have had a very exciting year, winning the Channel 4 Unsigned Band Competition in 2009 and have new single ‘Perfectly Fine Intellectual’ coming out on June 21st followed by their debut album in August. They are currently on tour throughout the UK and you can see a full list of shows and listen to some tunes on MySpace. Read on for Q&A goodness…

What are you playing at the moment?
Halo Beta

What is your favourite game of all time and why?
Worms- Just the ultimate war game!

You can pre-order the single here.

What game are you most looking forward to?
Demon Souls, it’s going to be unreal!

What gadget could you not live without?
My iPhone! I once dropped it, smashed the screen and got little glass splinters in my fingers because I still used it afterwards.

Thanks to Phil for taking the time to answer our questions, and you can also find him and the band on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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The internet has decreed that Monday should be known as ‘Music Monday’ and as this site is part of the internet we shall be running a series of weekly interviews with musical folks on their favourite games and gadgets. First up is Lavotchkin, and band member Ben took up our interview challenge.

What are you playing at the moment?

At the moment I keep switching games but mainly Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, FIFA 10 and Splinter Cell Conviction, all on the Xbox 360.

What is your favourite game of all time and why?

This is far too tough to answer. since I was young there’s always been a game on every console I’ve owned that I’ve loved. James Pond on Amiga! Zelda: A Link to the Past on SNES! Grand Theft Auto on PlayStation! Manhunt on PlayStation 2! S.T.A.L.K.E.R on PC! Grand Theft Auto 4 on Xbox 360!

Overall I would have to say Shadow of the Colossus on PlayStation 2. That game was unreal. One man vs massive mythical creatures in a huge openworld. It had a good mixture of puzzle and action and kept me busy for a long time and I’ve gone back to it over and over again to replay it. I would love to see a sequel for that game on a next gen console.

What game are you most looking forward to?

Got to be Red Dead Redemption!! I’ve never come across a game made by Rockstar that I haven’t liked. they seem to have everything I like in a game, visual and audio. They have there own graphic style, and you can always tell its a Rockstar game by its look.

What gadget could you not live without?

Even though it not a gadget I would have to say the internet as it allows me to use other gadgets like my Xbox 360 and laptop. I’m a bit of a sucker for online gaming with my mates. My mates and I don’t take gaming too seriously but we all like to have fun and have a laugh and the internet helps us to do this.

Big thanks to Ben from Lavotchkin! You can check out the band on MySpace and follow them on Twitter. Their new EP Widow Country is out in June and is available to pre-order now.

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This is just awesome.

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Kate Stellmanis

A roasting hot day in the city, and The Last’s dingy interior offers some respite from the packs of dogs and wobbling drunks outside Old Street Tube Station.It’s a Thursday, and despite things being quiet, Vice Magazine are launching a Brazilian issue, and the lure of free rum filled Caprianhas has lured a few desperate Hoxton style pirates from their holes. The entire Canadian Hipster population of London sounds like a band in it’s own right, but it’s actually the vocal crowd who’ve turned up to support Kate Stellmanis and her able percussionist Maya.

The girls look slightly scared on the tiny, crowded stage, and I’m just about to feel sorry for her when they burst into some excellent, angular electropop, Kate’s glissando vocals bringing to mind Bat for Lashes, but the close harmonies they carry out flawlessly make things sound like Gregorian chant filtered through an Atari.

A short set is broken up only by a small bout of giggles over a bum note, but by the end people are up on their feet and the room is filling up nicely. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Pens

Next up it’s clumsy all girl power trio Pens, who carry off some bouncy, Ramones influenced White Stripes action, with the neat trick of all swapping instruments every song. The heavy drumming and shouty choruses get a little lost in a muddy mix, and the Wicker Man hipster dancing jibes with some nice touches that give us the bastard offspring of Nirvana and The Monkees (an influence that goes deeper than the 60s Cher-cut), but the sheer enthusiasm carries things along nicely.

A good, fun performance from a super-kawaii Motorhead.

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