This is DJ Roonie G demonstrating Pioneer's new SVM-1000 mixer at the launch event last night, which brought out big names in electronic music like BT and Tommy Lee. The SVM-1000 adds a new layer to traditional DJing by letting the artist mix both audio and video on as many as four channels. Hit the jump for more info and a gallery.
The mixer hooks up to special DVD players that scratch DVDs the same way your grandma used to scratch records. The DJ previews the video on a small LCD screen in the center of the mixer, and uses loops, cues, and cross fades to mix video the same way audio is blended today. While it seems like there is a steep learning curve to the product (Roonie said it took three months to prepare this 15-minute set, and he's been DJing for 25 years), as seen above, the end results can be awesome.[Pioneer Pro DJ]
DISCUSSION
Yeah, so it's been pointed out already, but Coldcut has been doing this for nearly a decade now. I remember when I interviewed them back in '97 or so when they talked to me about the possibilities of video scratching. Then I saw them live in NY in '99 or so at Roxy and I was blown away. It's some dope shit. Just search for "Coldcut" on Youtube and you'll find tons of video of their performances.
Here's one for ya StarWars nerds:
[www.youtube.com]
They designed their own hardware and software in the early days to do this shit. So basically, technology (and other DJs) have finally caught up with Coldcut after 10 years. Such visionaries.
Now, I must add, Coldcut are awesome music creators and visionaries (they run Ninja Tune), but they are NOT the best scratch DJs out there... think the caliber of Qbert, Invisible Skratch Piklz, Mix Master Mike, etc... now what could people like THAT do with this technology/concept?
I think it's awesome.