Prof. Dr. Fritz Sennheiser dies at 92

It has been announced that Fritz Sennheiser, the founder of Sennheiser has passed away at the ripe age of 98 a couple of days ago.  Sennheiser is a family firm which is well respected in the DJ community for producing some of the very best microphones and headphones.  For a fascinating insight into Prof. Dr Sennheisers’ achievements, visit his biography on the Sennheiser website.

Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this time.

CD Pool Dance Radio Hits – May 2010

Well here it is, a brand new release from CD Pool.  Dance Radio Edits of popular current chart hits from the likes of Cahill, Moto Blanco, Freemasons, Wideboys, Buzz Junkies and more!  Check out the tracklist…

This will no doubt be a really popular item for CD Pool (i’ve already subscribed!).  The new disc costs just £14.95 per month or if you currently subscribe to any of the CD Pool discs (hits, radio, urban, etc.) then you can add it to your current subscription for just £10 per month!

But wait!

The SEDA Committee have negotiated an extra special offer open until the end of June 2010.  Simply go to the following page on our website and grab a FREE copy of this actual disc!  Yes, FREE!  There is a limit of one per household only and you have to be a current SEDA member.  What are you waiting for?  Off you go to get your freebie!

CD Pool Hits – May 2010

The very latest Hits disc from CD Pool landed with a thud on my doorstep this morning and what a great lineup!

There are some really good songs on there including the current (at the time of writing) number one single.  How they missed that one out on promo release is beyond me!  But anyway, here it is (and it beats waiting for Now 76).  Look at Track 20 though…what’s that all about?

Numark Mixdeck

SEDA has received news of a new device from Numark which we hope to see at one of the next SEDA ShowNights.  Numark tell us that this unit is totally future proof, covering every angle of DJ-ing. It supports CD/MP-3 Play-back from the front loaders or Thumb Drive/Ext Drive performance. Adding to this you can dock your IPOD in the centre and steam a track whilst your finding your next set or simply record your whole set to the Ipod. If that’s not enough you can connect your Mac/PC and perform with your software set-up (Traktor Included- Numark NI Edition) Other features inc: Touch sensitive platters/DSP effects/ Sample Re-loop/Hot Cue’s/Wet-Dry FX Faders/Headphones/Phono-in’s.

For more info, visit http://www.numark.com

The Essential Selection: UK Funky

For those who are new to SEDA or just need a refresh the Essential Selection features 5 top tracks from a specific genre that should have you covered if you are every asked to play that style of music.

This shows Essential Selection was UK Funky, which is one of my personal favorite styles of music. Being from Watford myself, UK Funky is a major component in many of my events everything from 16ths, 18ths, 21st to club nights even a fair few Weddings that have specifically request either UK Funky or certain tracks.

The music style is very vibratant and originates from Broken Beat but has elements of Garage, electro dance, house, Latin beats and a few other bits and pieces thrown in. Most of the UK Funky chart toppers are from London and many tracks receive a chat place (depending on who’s chart you listen to), and its usually the songs with a dance or certain move that make it up there!

So here’s my top 5:

1. Paleface featuring Kyla – Do you mind (youtube link) This song was the birth place for UK Funky in mainstream commercial music
2. K.I.G Family – Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (youtube link) This song was next in line making it to first place in many urban charts. With an action orientated dance you can expect a very odd looking but bouncing crowd
3. Donaeo – Party Hard (youtube link) If your in a venue with a crowd enjoying some UK Funky this is certainly an essential hit and always fills up the floor
4. Gracious K – Migraine Skank (youtube link) Another steamer of tune! This follows on from number 2, with more actions and a lot of singing along no doubt!
5. JP – Jungle Skank (youtube link) My last of the 5 essential selection is  this one, reason is its a little less commercial but yet still very well known within UK Funky. This one will show your not just playing the commercial only stuff but also have a good understanding of the genre too.

So those are my top 5, I actually have around 40 UK Funky tracks myself and happy to help anyone else who is interested. Also not all songs can actually be bought many are made in home studios and just released by an unsigned artist, so it can be a cheap genre to get to grips with!

Until next time… Keep it Funky

Barney
Party Events Unlimited (Wedding DJ)

ShowNight Success

So here I am fresh for a nice stay at the Village Hotel.  It’s the day after the night before and what a totally amazing ShowNight it was last night!  We had another fantastic attendance from our Membership who came along to see RSD, Denon, Mastermix, Glosticks, TopLite and more!  We congratulated long-standing SEDA Member Robbie Earl on his new appointment as Secretary of the NADJ and we also congratulated our own Chairman, Paul Forsyth for becoming a Grandad for the third time that very afternoon!

Richard from Mastermix drove all the way from Rotherham with a car-full of CD’s at incredibly cheap prices so we thank Richard for his commitment and look forward to seeing him again soon.

As a SEDA first, we auctioned off some speakers that had been in Paul Forsyth’s van for waaaaay too long.  The (unfortunate) winner was David Wimble from Allied Entertainments who no doubt will use them as furniture or as part of a future magic trick or something.  It’s just s shame our Chairman couldn’t make them disappear out of the back of his van!

Anyway, enough ramble, take a look at the piccies!

SEDA ShowNight Sunday 16th May 2010

It’s Showtime again and another great line up!  SEDA ShowNights are Bi-Monthly physical meetings primarily for members but also open to visitors (at no charge), offering the opportunity to see new kit, meet and network with colleagues, suppliers and other related businesses and individuals and also generally discuss our industry.  All are very welcome, so if you’ve ever wondered what goes on please feel free to come along. Also if you came along a few years ago and weren’t too keen, come and see us again, things change.

Here’s the line-up:

Exhibitors

Denon – News and updates from one of our Premier Suppliers
Glosticks UK – Just in time to get stocked up for the Prom Season
Toplite – Some very nice lighting products – www.toplite.com
Music Factory – Mastermix disc deals – SEDA Member deals and a very interesting member proposal!

Featured Retailer

RSD Music – A fantastic mix of amazing, topical, and relative products to see and buy!

Regular Features

Members Show – David Wimble – Allied Disco
Second-Hand Table
The Essential Selection – UK Funky – Barney Grossman
SEDAshop
The Famous SEDA Raffle

Other Features

Laser Update – Find out how the new legislation affects DJ’s without paying £250 or more to attend a Laser Safety Course.
Studiomaster – Walkabout – Portable PA System – Presented by Pete Atkins

Please come along if you can, and remember to bring some business cards as the ShowNights are excellent networking opportunities.

Introducing the SRM1801 Powered Subwoofer from Mackie

If you are looking at getting a new subwoofer, than you probably have the following criteria in mind:

1.  You need as much power as possible. (That’s not my criteria that’s taken straight from Mackie’s website)

If you feel the need, the need for deep rumble then the SRM1801 offers class-leading power in its price range.

The SRM1801 has a high-output 18″ woofer that can be felt from across the room.

2.  It’s got to be easy to move and built to last.

The SRM1801 incorporates features that make it lighter and more portable than the competition. Plus, it’s made with rigid plywood (not fiberboard) to handle the rigors of the road.

So, if you are looking for professional quality, portability and impressive low end for your system then the SRM1801 could be the choice for you.

Paired with a Mackie SRM450v2, you have a complete (and completely affordable) “plug and play” system that is ideal for small clubs, mobile DJs or rehearsal spaces.

Specifications:

• 1000W of ultra-efficient Class-D Fast Recovery™ amplification
• Mackie Active electronics provide total system optimization
• Precision crossover (125Hz)
• Tuning filters for accurate bass response
• 18-inch woofer delivers superior output and low-frequency extension (aka Thump)
• Dual XLR inputs for mono or stereo applications
• Stereo high-pass and full range outputs
• User-adjustable level and polarity controls
• Individual power, signal, OL, and thermal protect indicators
• Pole receptacle for mounting full-range loudspeakers
• Solid plywood enclosure with high-durability, textured black paint
• Extremely lightweight and portable (73 lbs / 33.1 kg)

Pop Rocks The Charts

Acts like Lady GaGa, Cheryl Cole and the X Factor have helped Pop overthrow Rock’s domination of the UK Charts.

According to the figures 33.5% of singles sold in 2009 were classed as Pop by the Official Charts Company (OCC

A further 18.9% were RnB, including JLS, Beyonce, Dizzee Rascal under the OCC’s guidelines.

Almost 9% came from hip-hop acts like the Black Eyed Peas.

But Rock’s share slumped from 31% to 24.5% – led by Anti X-Factor fuled No. 1 from Rage Against the Machine, Kings of Leon and Kasabian.

However it was the Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa who were really the main acts of 2009.

The Black Eyed Peas, who have not looked back since Fergie joined their ranks in 2001, are currently playing four nights at the 02.  A far cry from the days when they played the Jazz Café in London.  They may have been accused of ’selling out’ to the like of Dr Pepper but the british single buying public don’t seem to care.  With a blend of pop, electro and hip hop Will I Am seems to have found just the right formula for chart success.

24 year old Lady GaGa, real name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
(no wonder she changed it!), burst onto the scene in ‘98 with her outrageous act and the club and chart hit Just Dance.  She has gone from extreme to outrageous extreme since.  Her notority was not harmed by her own dolop of paparazi fever when her sexuality was called into question recently.  However, it’s her music most notably Bad Romance that really prove that she has what it takes to be a long running pop success and not just a naughties phenomenom.

TOP UK SINGLES OF 2009

1. Lady GaGa (above) – Poker Face (Genre: pop)
2. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (hip-hop)
3. Lady GaGa – Just Dance (pop)
4. Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love (pop)
5. Joe McElderry – The Climb (pop)
6. La Roux – In For The Kill (pop)
7. Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow (hip-hop)
8. Rage Against The Machine – Killing in the Name (rock)
9. Alexandra Burke ft Flo Rida – Bad Boys (pop)
10. Black Eyed Peas – Meet Me Halfway (hip-hop)

Source: BPI/Official Charts Company