Freshcuts

Downloading now! Seems like a crazy amount of effort! Thanks for sharing!

Here's my entry (took quite a few takes): Honestly that beat wasn't working for me... Especially keeping decent cuts during 90 seconds on it! I am used to more fun and evolving beats

Bought a second hand Z2 for 400€ and a control F1 for 70€ Playing around with Traktor and learning the ins and outs

@freshcuts Would be also nice to have all the DV Instagram users somewhere to follow

I find Instagram's 1 minute video limit truly liberating. Now I record more and I think what can I do over this beat in a minute that it's decent enough to share? But also I am pushing my self this year to do more quantity over quality (same with my 1 mix per month challenge). I do this for me. More recordings means listening to myself more and improving from my mistakes. When I had a rusty period were I wasn't scratching enough I pushed my self to post 1 Instagram scratch video per day. It really helped and the community support made it matter for me. I would recommend it to anyone trying to scratch more

My first decent mixer was a Vestax pmc pro 5 II and I did a similar upgrade path from Pro X to Innofader. Then I got a second hand Rane 57 for 600€ and I loved the faders and build quality and built in Serato. Then Serato stopped supporting new Mac OS X versions and I decided it's time to change mixer. My ideal option was the Pioneer S9 but I couldn't justify the price tag for bedroom DJ use. I found a second hand Z2 on Wallapop (Spanish second hand marketplace) for 390€!!! I wasn't very keen to switch to Traktor but the price was too good. The stock crossfader was nice but had a bleeding issue so I decided to get an innofader PNP that set me back 140€... Meanwhile NI send me a replacement fader. I am now happy with my crossfader and mixer. The Z2 has a very intuitive layout and makes using features like FX, Cues and loops fun and easy compared to the 57SL. I still struggle with Traktor though because it's overwhelming. Too many features and options compared to SSL. Just realised I just wrote a comment of the size of my medium posts @porrtis, where are you based? Have a look to the online marketplaces for discounted mixers. I found Ecler 360 in Barcelona for 300€!

Thanks Chris! I am happy you will give it a go. Even though the technique might not be perfect (first mix using my Z2 and Traktor) I thing most of the tracks are GOLD!

Yeah just get an innofader except if you have been eyeing one of the classic mixers (like I have with the Ecler and the Rodec) and you can find them second hand on the cheap. Maybe a reason to upgrade to a new mixer would be to have master out on the headphones, if I recall correctly the 06 only has the cues.

Ayooo Just finished recording live my second mix of the year where I pick 30 tracks per month that I listen to and try to find a way to mix them and publish it on the same month (I have a full time job too ). This month I have tracks that are from very different styles which made it very challenging to mix but I think I made it! I would love to hear feedback to improve next month's In case you want to know more why I keep doing this: https://medium.com/@jasonrados/the-1-mix-per-month-challenge-40c427cd8ac0#.76iuhnetx Some of the tracks: 1 Exodus by Jacuzzi2 Easier - Electric Mantis Remix by Mansionair, Electric Mantis3 Extra by Mr. Carmack4 Bling by Yunis5 Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard on You? - We Ain't Neva Gonna Stop Remix by Funkadelic, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube6 Planet Caravan by Brownout, David Jimenez7 The D by Guilty Simpson

I would go with the Rane if you want good sound and long lasting life.

I also read on the NI troubleshooting to increase the latency if the load is too high. Have a look at the audio setup.

My new favourite thing is to take my handytrax on the couch and cut it up with headphones while we watch tv. Especially helpful when the missus decides to watch something of mediocre interest. I am sure I am annoying her with the clickity clack but at least we sit next to each other instead of me being in my room @Rob: get on the portablism bandwagon! I even have one on my desk in the office for some cuts during lunch break XD

Thanks Darcyd! I already did it but unfortunately it didn't help. I think that I completely messed up the calibration or something. I ordered a Innofader PNP but it will take 5 days to arrive. No playing with the new mixer till then :S

Hi there! bought a second hand Kontrol Z2 mixer recently and I noticed that the stock innofader had an issue on the left cut. When scratching sharply I noticed that there was a small decay when the fader was closed. I suspected that the cut-in was wrong and it was bleeding so I opened it up and tried to calibrate it following the instructions here: http://www.innofader.com/installations.php?id=46&pid=16 I think I messed it up while calibrating and now none of the two sides of the fader cut. Is there a way to reset to factory settings? I tried adjusting the lag like 50 times thinking that the small increments of adjustment will take many trials but did not work for me. I also have an innofader 1 that I had bought when you first launched for my Vestax PMC 05 pro 2 which is now in storage. Do you think if I cant fix the Z2 calibration I can install the innofader 1 ? (its not listed here: http://www.innofader.com/mixers.php?id=138 Thanks in advance

Check eBay and turntable training wax

Very nice idea! Love the first instalment. I decided to do something similar to get out of my rut. One mixtape per month with songs I listen to that month. I am hoping by doing that I can improve my mixing skills and keep an ear out for new music.

I have one and I think it's a solid product. The latency is imperceptible and the cut-in is adjustable. The only downside is that it's a bit complicate to setup with the turntable etc. I wrote a short review here if you want more info: https://medium.com/@jasonrados/the-exciting-world-of-portablism-5aac9ef92a1d#.2nuwhhaqu

Hey, I decided to commit and get out of my rust and make one live mix per month. Here's the first instalment: https://www.mixcloud.com/freshcuts/january-2017-live-mix/ I am collecting tracks I like every month and mixing them live. In this episode there's music from Run the Jewels to Eprom to King Krule. I hope you enjoy it!

I don't have much experience with controllers and their platters but I would say it's ok for cutting. The fader is a bit stiff but the curve selected in Djay is good for scratching. For the price I would recommend it.

I was looking at it as well as a solution to mess around with Spotify tracks. The issue is that it's almost 500€ and with kind of money I can buy a Z2 so it was hard to justify the purchase. Instead I got a Vestax spin for 70€ and have loads of fun with DJay for mac and spotify!

Oh my god that Misirlou flip is on point!

I wish I could relive the asisphonics/Purgatorium era of flame threads and trolling the Ruck

Hey guys, My handy trax needle is busted and I got me a replacement. I tried removing the old one by pulling it off like but it ain't budging. I am afraid to put too much force since the whole tonearm is flimsy. I am now wondering if there's a little screw somewhere keeping it in place. Has anyone managed to replace the cartridge? Thanks

Now that Macromedia flash is no longer available on the mac. Is there any mac tool for making loopers? Thanks!

Hey Rob! I have a similar situation with my right hand (record hand). My joints have a bigger distance on the right wrist and there's a popping noise when I move my wrist full distance. I went to the doctor and suggested the powerball thing. He said that I have loose joints and if I strengthen my muscles around the wrist the distance between will become smaller and avoid this. I noticed when trying to use the powerball once I day my wrist doesn't disturb me anymore. Apart of scratching, using my macbook's trackpad the wrong way is causing most of the pain (having my wrist on the right side scrolling at a 90 degree angle). I guess that might be the culprit.