The Archives

Two Hand Band – History And Significance of The Akai MPC

Here we’re presented with further testimony on what some consider to be the most significant sampler in Hip-Hop.  Two Hand Band serves up a brief history of the MPC, its creation by Roger Linn, and the effect it’s had on the creation of contemporary music.  The segment also interviews with Damu The Fudgemunk, P-Fritz, K-Murdock … Read more

Diamond D On Album – The Chronicles of Huge Hefner

D.I.T.C member/producer/crate digging OG Diamond D let’s us know what he’s been up to, his new "bigger" sound, and his upcoming album The Chronicles of Huge Hefner featuring production by Nottz, ILLMind, Jesse West, Accurate, Cook, Def Jef, Soul Professa, and Dirty Church. Check the interview for more.

Open Source Copyright Licenses Held Up by U.S. Court of Appeals

This news is of vital importance to anyone concerned with General Public License (GPL), Creative Commons (CC), or other Open Source licensing concepts.  If you’re concerned with sampling, remixing, and digital music creation, this should include you! Lawrence Lessig explains the significance of the recent ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals: "In non-technical terms, … Read more

CD Dumbbells Get Your Weight Up!

There’s so need to be a scrawny basement beatmaker… someone has finally found a use for all those old mixtapes and discarded demo CD’s.  Now if we can just find something to do with all those extra jewel cases! Craft, via Dvice

A Hip-Hop Tribute To Isaac Hayes (Free Download)

Much respect to long time Crate Kings reader and commenter Haroon.  Besides regularly dropping insightful and intelligent commentary, Haroon also dishes out some serious audio and production of his own.  Check out this complimentary 9 track 22 minute collection entitled A Hip-Hop Tribute To Isaac Hayes and pay homage to one of the original soul … Read more

Propellerhead Releases Free Bob Moog Inspired Refill

To show support and respect for synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, Propellerhead has compiled and released a free refill for all registered Reason 4 owners. Industry pro’s (and Reason experts), Craig Anderton, Mark Vail and Gordon Reid donated their best Moog-style patches, built using Reason’s Thor synthesizer. The intent is to shed some light onto the … Read more

Comprehensive Sampling Dictionary Compiled By Model Art Tokyo

No more complaints from slackers in the back row, you’re sample homework has already been done for you!  For the more studious (or lazy depending on your point view) producer types, Freddy Fresh Model Art Tokyo delivers the 2008 installment of the Sampling & Re:Sampling Dictionaries.  With over 250 pages, the Sampling Dictionary features listings … Read more

Tonium PaceMaker Mobile DJ Device & Controller

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Am I the only one who actually wants one of these really badly?  We all love gadgets, but I could easily see myself losing a ridiculous amount of productive time playing with this device. 

With the Tonium PaceMaker you’re given mixer functionality along with the ability to alter track speed, bend pitch, crossfade, EQ, and rewind all from the palm of your hand.  It’s surely not a device like Serato Scratch Live where you can preserve much of the essence of traditional mixing, then again, the goal of PaceMaker seems to have been to get as far away from traditional as possible.

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Large Professor Main Source Interview + Studio Footage

Sampling legend Large Professor talks about the difference in prodcution with his latest solo album Main Source and previous releases.  We’re also taken into the studio, record library, and home setup.  This is a video some production fans have waited years for! Respect to Z