Blog - Crate Kings

DJ Muggs Gives Soul Assassins Studio Tour

August 29, 2008August 29, 2008

West coast legend DJ Muggs takes us inside the Soul Assassins headquarters for a quick tour, update on current projects, and philosophy about following pop culture.

Bobbito Garcia Talks Serato + Rejected Organized Konfusion Demo Tape

August 29, 2008

"Pro basketball player, world renowned DJ, music journalist, Rock Steady Crew alumni, actor, magazine publisher, TV & commerical host, author, photographer…" Anyone else feeling lazy?

Jeff Staple presents us with a short piece about one of hip-hop’s favorite true-school figures, Bobbito Garcia, as he talks about the soul of music, Serato, and respect for the original architects. He even digs up a copy of an original Organized Konfusion demo tape that was passed over by Russell Simmons! I can only imagine the history that would have been made with a young Pharoahe Monch signed to Def Jam.

Reasonable Doubt Documentary x DJ Premier + Ski + Irv Gotti + Big Jaz

August 29, 2008

The making of Reasonable Doubt is broken down with the help of various participants including Mary J. Blige, Ski, Irv Gotti, DJ Premier, Foxy Brown, and even Jay Z himself. The hour long documentary features Ski in the studio recreating the Lonnie Liston Smith sample with an S950 and SP1200, while Irv Gotti plays Isaac … Read more

Danjahandz Talks VA Music + Hidden Talent

August 28, 2008

Superproducer Danjahandz talks about getting started in the business, working with Timbaland, current projects, and future goals. In part 2 Danja gets into the Virginia music scene, its lack of exposure, and the hidden nature of true talent. Make sure you watch this…

[via FWTF]

M-Audio ProFire 610 Firewire Interface Announced

August 28, 2008

M-Audio has announced the ProFire 610 FireWire audio interface, which extends the legacy of the FireWire 410. ??

In response to demand from customers needing a compact unit, the ProFire 610 audio interface was created using many of the same design elements found in the flagship ProFire 2626 interface and features 24-bit/192kHz audio resolution, M-Audio® Octane preamp technology and onboard DSP mixing in a bus-powered unit.?? The ProFire 610 is compatible with both PC and Mac w/ 6-inputs and 10 outputs??.

Vinyl Records Bring Across The Humanity

August 28, 2008

Another vid for those needing a vinyl fix… "We’re analog beings… analog creatures."

Night Owl Record Show (Portland, OR)

August 28, 2008August 28, 2008

Billing itself as the "nation’s first night time record show", the Night Owl Record Show might also be able to take the title as the first ~~21+~~ vinyl event with a 21+ lounge. With early bird admission beginning at 3pm, Night Owl offers a welcomed change of pace to those accustomed to the typical crack of dawn record show start times.

Jay Z + Notorious B.I.G. Engineers Offer NYC Mixing Workshop

August 28, 2008

Here’s your chance to get platinum quality techniques and advice from mixing engineers Ryan West (Just Blaze, Jay Z, T.I.) and Bassy Bob offer (Notorious B.I.G., Christina Aguilera) as they offer The Elements of Mixing Volume 2.

The hands on workshop will focus on Hip-Hop (and other urban music) production while addressing such topics as the professional mixers’ work flow, balancing to panning, effects, and compression to handle multiple bass signals.

"Using Buss Compression to make mix more exciting, bang harder. Working with NEVE and SSL style compressors. And more…"

Read more

Akai Updates OS For All MPC’s Currently In Production

April 7, 2010August 27, 2008

Hardware manufacturer Akai has just announced the release of new operating systems for every current MPC. Perhaps this large batch of fixes is a reaction to the popular trend of MPC bashing resulting from the botched release of the MPC 5000. Regardless, early adopters of the MPC 5000 will be relieved to know that OS v1.02 has resolved 14 issues and now allows the loading of MPC 2000 programs into the unit.

Now if we could only convince the execs at Akai to bring back (or at least continue to support) the rock solid MPC 2000 XL… the world would be a much better place!

Black Milk Featured As HHO Artist of the Week

August 27, 2008August 27, 2008

Respect to Eskay for delivering the goods… Black Milk is featured as the Hip-Hop Official Artist of The Week while he discusses his personal style along with the general Detroit Hip Hop sound.

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