Pioneer’s new DJM 2000 Mixer

Posted by Adam F on March 10, 2010
In: News · 1 Comment 

The art of DJing is now in the digital age, and the next generation of DJ mixers needs to keep pace with the CDJ revolution. Our DJM-2000 truly does that.

The brand new DJM-2000 is our most powerful performance mixer and is the perfect match for the new industry-standard CDJ-2000 digital decks.

With an innovative touch screen and arsenal of remixing FX, the DJM-2000 forms the ultimate club mixer. No less than six individual effects processors lay the foundation for hundreds of music manipulation combinations, so a DJ can always create their own unique sound.

The new DJM-2000 takes advanced features – thought only possible in software – and reinvents them in the physical world. Itsintuitive layout will feel natural to existing Pioneer DJM users allowing creativity to flow whilst keeping its technical complexity under the skin.

Renowned DJs assisted in development

The top of the range new mixer has been developed with the help of a number of international DJs. James Zabiela, Roger Sanchez, Eddie Halliwell, Tom Middleton, the Swedish House Mafia, Paul Woolford, John ‘00’ Fleming and Radio 1’s hard dance darling Kutski have all tested out the DJM-2000 at various stages of development – giving it the ultimate stamp of approval.

The DJM-2000 mixer, in conjunction with the CDJ-2000, offers a new performance orientated platform for the increasingly futuristic artform as the next ten years unfold.

Taking the best DNA from our other top end mixers and with other major enhancements, the DJM-2000 represents a new approach to mixing never seen before. It has effectively built in the technology of the EFX-1000, removing the need for an external effects unit along with touch screen technology from the SVM-1000.

The DJM-2000 is the world’s most complete and creative DJ mixer. It’s the essential mixer to get the most from the new CDJ-2000, and offers amazing new creative possibilities.

Come together with ProDJ Link

The ProDJ Link function makes it easy to switch over from one DJ to the next. By connecting up to 4 CDJ-2000s / CDJ-900s via LAN cable into the mixer and two laptops running rekordbox via USB In,the DJs can share music libraries across all decks.

Simplified connectivity

Another highlight of the INST effects is that they are available individually on each of the four channels. They offer more accurate control of filters, and the Hi Mid and Low EQ on each channel can be switched to make them Isolators – giving the DJ more choice.

The CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900’s HID control of DJ software allows virtual decks to be manipulated without time-code vinyl, and now the DJM-2000 further simplifies connectivity directly to your Mac or PC by having a soundcard built in.

Just as clubs and professional DJs are upgrading to CDJ-2000s, the new DJM-2000 completes the setup, offering a new reliable platform for creative DJ mixing at the highest level.

Hi Freak 1c (Outbreak Digital) Interview By SparX – (Hard As Nails)

Posted by Sparxs on February 7, 2010
In: Uncategorized · Leave a Comment 

So tell us a bit about yourself for those who dont know.

Hi my name is Ian Jay i’m produce/label owner I produce hard house, hard trance, techno, I’ve also starting to get into other styles now like dubstep and minimal, so keeping nice and busy.

I co-run a label called Outbreak Digital which is not like other label, all the money we make goes direct to charities such as cancer research, whizz kids charities like that, we been really luck as we have had some of the biggest produces appear on it, from Technikal to Nick Rowland and Guyver, Dave Owens and Jon BW. And have so much more to come too.

SPARX – And I have to say that’s a damn good use for a record label and fair play to everyone who has supported you so far.

What got you into the music?

I went to my first club at the age of 16 in Bristol called Lakota and at the time Bristol was buzzing with many night getting some of the best DJ’s from around the world, with the likes of Carl Cox to The Disco Brother to Jon The Dentist. It wasn’t till later when my mate let me have a go on his decks thats when I got hooked, And never looked back since. Back in 2006 I started working with some of my friends who are now big producers. I learnt how to produce just by watching what they were doing and picked it up very fast.

What was the defining moment where it all started?

I entered a competition on a forum to remix a track for a label called Digital Assault with a friend of mine Bonzo and we were the top 3 winners. From then on in I’ve been remixing and brushing up my production ever since. I spent two years at music college called Access To Music on the music production course. This course taught me everything I needed to know to how compressors work how to make synth’s and sound design also down to room acoustics the course was perfect. I’m now studying to become a teacher now for Access To Music and I’m based at the Bristol Center. Exciting times.

In the middle of anything cool lately?any tunes in the works?

Working on many things just finished a couple of engineering projects with some new people, like Socky & myself called Out Of My Socket which is going to be on Socky’s and Fran’s label Nu Skool, it’s a funky groovy number.

Also worked with Jud Roper a new guy from Reading the track is called All Groove, it’s going to be coming out on Outbreak so keep a close eye out for that one. Also just finshed another track with Mark Loannides called Chunky Monkey it’s a chunky hard house number with massive chord stabs and a evil bassline.

Recently worked with a producer called The Tom on a stomping hard house track just waiting for a vocal for that one and it’s done, so keep an eye out for that.

I’m in the middle of doing a collaboration with Scott Genetik it’s going back to my roots and doing a hard trance tune, really happy with how it’s going and now getting Lucy Clarke to do Vocals for it once it’s all done.

I worked with Hilz’e recently on a new one for his label which we called Frequency Vibrations which should be out in the next couple of month. Myself and Darrell White manage to hook up to do another track which has been snapped up by Nik at Toolbox it’s called Golden Gates and think it’s out on the next Toolkit. Also been back in the studio with Gary B working on a few tracks and collaborations, we just finished one with Frank Farrell which is going to be appearing on Rodi Styles label Kung Fu Wax, excited about that release. And me and Mike Franklin AKA Amp Attack have started a new one too which when he is back from OZ we will get done. So yeah been keeping busy plus doing a few remixes for a couple of label such as HardHittin Digital and Fevah Recordings and a remix for a new label called Southwest Filth Association. Also got some collaborations coming up this year can’t say to much but some big things due.

Any big sets coming up?

Not really pushing the Dj’ing side of things anymore. I think it’s because I’m working, at college, producing and seeing the girlfriend I’m just not finding time to send out demo or email anyone. I get a buzz when I hear from people who email me saying that they drop my track and it went down very well which I find awesome to hear. (who wouldn’t). But I do have a set coming up in Brixton’s Club 414 at a afterparty night called Refresh on Feb 13^th. It’s going to be a charity night and money made will be going to British Heart Foundation and getting Outbreak Digital to help out. I’ll be playing a back to back set with good friend Ben Bennett so really looking forward to this. So if you haven’t anything planned get down and show your support.

So tell us a bit about your record label – sounds like an amazing idea! – which charities have you supported so far…when did the idea hit you?

Outbreak Digital is ran by myself and Dave Leigh AKA Aftershok (He Produces Hard Trance). We both wanted to do something different and help out charities. So myself and Dave got talking and both came up with the charity label idea. We both work really hard with the label with artwork and promo send outs and all promotion done by just us too so it takes up a lot of time but it’s worth it. We donate our money to various charities to see what ones please head over to our myspace to see what ones we have done so far. Http://www.myspace.com/outbreakdigital we got some really exciting releases due for 2010 and like to say thanks to everyone who supported us throughout 2009.

What was the hardest thing as a producer for you to learn?

Wow there is hundered of things which are hard as a producer. Main one is Mixdowns getting all the levels sounding perfect, clean and nice spread – out over the mix, this is the one thing that takes some time to do and still I hear from big producers it takes them days even weeks to get the mix perfect. Trust your ears and don’t rush.

Favourite food?

Mmmmmm pizza and Chinese obviously not together that would be wrong, but they are my top two.

Who has been the biggest inspiration for you within the scene?

Yeah really look up to a few producers such as Paul Janes he is an anthem machine and production is second to non, really do look upto him. Another is Paul Maddox his sound is extremely clean and tight and really impressed by all his work he does. I also look up to Dom Sweeten and Dave Owens these two guys really do some outstanding work and always excited to hear what they do next. Another one who I feel doesn’t get the recognition he deserves is Frank Farrell he is unbelievably good and production is second to non. Also love anything Mike Franklin aka Amp Attack does he really is pushing out a great sound for himself and sure he will have an immense year this year.

Any influences on your music outside of Hard House?

I really been getting into the Dubstep and breaks scene right now from producers such as Rusko and Caspa to 501 and NumberNin6. Also loving the electro disco sound from producers such as Grum, Phonat, DJ Mehdi this sound really takes me back to the 80’s and remembering watching classic TV like Miami vice and stuff like that classic. Really like the house scene right now from producers like Riva Starr, Jackbeats, Calvertron, Micky Slim, Criz D could go one and on now haha. So many good producers out there.

Weird question – but does the way you feel on a day effect the music you make?

Not really it normally effected if I made a wicked sound in Logic or if I brought a new sample pack and a sound in there triggers off ideas for new track. I feel it more effected by what I listen to haha, like some days I would listen to some funk or soul from Isaac Hayes or Marvin Gaye to Miles Davis or Quincy Jones and then the next day I might be listening to something from The DJ Producer or Dave The Drummer and pick up some ideas from the overall feel of the tracks I’ve listened too.

Who is your favourite nrg producer?

So many producers I like from Paul Janes to Dom Sweeten, Dave Owens to Equinox, Paul Maddox, Frank Farrell, Darrell White, Amp Attack, Jon BW, Nik Denton, SQ, Pierce Rooney, Chris Comben, Manik, Hilz’e. Also have loads of respect for new producers such as Rich Resonate, Ross Homson, Matt Capitani, The Tom, James Taff, Pocock, Venkman, Gary B, Jody 6,

SPARX : -Jody 6 And James Taff I can say myself are damn good producer/engineers

Have you ever had a really strange thought and laughed to yourself in public – getting weird looks from random people?

Hahaha do this all the time, I work as a Lifeguard as my other job and the amount of times i’ve done this thinking of something funny that’s happened and laughing out loud and the swimmer looking at me like I was a fruit loop or something.

SPARX – Something you have in common with our very own Resh from Hard As Nails then mate!

Any Final Words you what to say or plug?

Yeah. Track of mine is out now on Combat Recordings called Flodden so go buy it now. Couple more tracks out so please show your support and like to say thanks to everyone who buys and plays my tracks out. Also a tune myself and Darrell White done back last year called “JetStream” is out now on Encoded Digital.

Also our new Outbreak release is out now SQ – Save Me and a track from Nathan McClymont – Brok3n so go buy them from www.trackitdown.net

If you would like a track engineered please send me an email to: hifreak1c@hotmail.co.uk this is also the same email address if you would like to get in touch if you would like anything remixed for your label. Thanks for your time and support and look out for future Outbreak Release on Trackitdown and due soon on other music stores too.

AND DONT FORGET THE NEW HARD AS NAILS RECORDS CD IS OUT THIS MONTH – NAILGUN 002 – SIMON VEGAS E.P

Tracks by Simon Vegas  with Riggsy, Bazza B , Nice Guy Danny Roberts, DNG, Craig Main And Steve Gillen!

Tracks include:-

PANIC ATTACK

UPRISING

GHETTO BITCH

NOISE POLLUTION

WARNING

THE MACHINE

AUDIO FUCKA

DROP IT

I KNOW THIS

CALM B4 THE STORM

UNLEASH THE FURY

WHO THE FUCK R U? (BONUS CD TRACK)

SAMPLE DOWNLOAD LINK  http://www.sendspace.com/file/bc0tb6

This is our installment of old school Birmingham U.K Hard NRG before we start smashing out some freaky ass stuff.  Make sure you check out DROP IT , NOISE POLLUTION and GHETTO BITCH if you like your filth!

Available from www.toolboxmusicshop.com in the next month.

Enjoy !

SparX, Resh And The Hard As Nails Team

-          P.S if you wish to join the Hard As Nails Mailing list or want to be included in the DJ ONLY mailing list please send your details and email to hardasfukhouse@hotmail.com – all additions to the dj only tune mailing list are by consent of Hard As Nails and subject to our conditions and judgement.

To sign up to our regular mailing list and recieve our latest mixes, new release samples and info on all new Hard As Nails events and releases then go to

Play, Pause, Rewind T-shirt

Posted by Adam F on January 31, 2010
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

Play Pause Rewind T-Shirt

Play, pause and rewind. Grab your tape player and get them tunes playing. Be sure to rewind to keep them beats playing.

Buy Play Pause Rewind on a shirt from HOTDJGEAR. This design comes on a huge range of shirts, tops and hoodies as well as buttons and stickers. Go grab yours now.

Perfect for the Disc Jockey in your life.

Click here to buy this item! – Play Pause Rewind T-Shirt

Welcome to HOTDJGEAR

Posted by Adam F on January 30, 2010
In: News · Leave a Comment 

Welcome to the new look HOTDJGEAR. We’ve listened to your feedback and we’ve made the site cleaner, clearer and eassier to navigate. We’ve also allowed you to contact us more easily. Like our designs? Got an idea? Then leave a comment on each and every design or use our shout box to send us a message.

We’ve got lots more planned for the future to make HOTDJGEAR the No.1 Disc Jockey source for all things DJing. We’ll be bringing you more reviews, more DJ interviews and of course more DJ T-shirts and clothing.

New Mix From Hard As Nails Records – SparX – ‘Nuclear NRG’ – Free Download!- Hard Nrg Mix

Posted by Sparxs on January 24, 2010
In: News · Leave a Comment 

DOWNLOAD LINK  http://www.sendspace.com/file/wfz935

 1.equinox – no more

2.sista x – adrenaline’ (Hard As Nails Nailgun 001 CD)

3.sparx and james taff ‘eviseration’ (Hard As Nails Digital)

4.simon vegas and riggsy ‘drop it – cut’ (Hard As Nails Nailgun 002 CD)

5.od404 ‘compromised’

6.riggsy and sparx ‘adrenaline’ (Hard As Nails Digital)

7.sista x and sparx ‘inferno’ (The Beatranch Extended E.P 1 CD / The Beatranch Digital)

8.eufex vs masmada ‘impulso errato’

9.aftermath ‘more’ equinox remix

All tracks and CD’s Available from www.junodownload.com, www.trackitdown.net and www.toolboxmusicshop.com

$15 DJ T-shirts only at HOTDJGEAR

Posted by Adam F on January 24, 2010
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

At HOTDJGEAR, we offer a huge range of T-Shirts to suit every type of DJ out there. But did you know we offer DJ T-shirts from as low as $15? Featuring the same quality and durability you’ve come to expect from HOTDJGEAR. Our durable, high-quality, 100% cotton Hanes Heavyweight Shirts are a bargain at only $15. Preshrunk, comfortable and guaranteed. Quality cheap tees in sizes up to 4XL.

If you’re looking for a perfect gift that wont bust the bank then you’ve found it with our $15 DJ shirts. You’ll find all of our designs available on our specially selected white tees. Plus check out our latest offers to the right to save even more money.

Once your items arrive, why not tell everyone what you think of them in our comments box on the main page.

Dom Sweeten – A.K.A -Defective Audio /OD404 Interview By SparX – Hard As Nails Records

Posted by Sparxs on November 20, 2009
In: DJ Interviews, Uncategorized · Leave a Comment 

I am maybe best known for my hard house but have always worked on a huge range of dance music styles, most recently my productions under my current breaks alias – Freeflow45 with current releases on iBreaks and Bombtraxx as well as some cool remixes.

What’s the best night you have played at?

I played at a party that was held from a narrow boat beside a disused quarry where I DJ’ed for about 12 hours non stop. The decks were inside the boat with the side open and I remember playing things like Joey Beltram’s Energy Flash and early Prodigy tracks. This and most of the free parties I used to play at have all been second to none due to the outdoor vibe and having the sun rise up over the party in the early hours the next morning. It can’t be beaten.

Do you think the standard of music production has got better or worse since the introduction of easier to use music programs?

I do think there is a huge amount of badly produced music around but there is in contrast so much more out there in general, including some amazing music by artists that would not have otherwise had the opportunity to release anything.

Production by the talented people in the industry in general though has progressed massively, to such a high polished level now that in a way I feel lacks the raw energy that it used to.

Whats your favourite thing about the music business and the thing you hate about it?

My favorite thing has always been the way I am able to continue what is a passion to write music and a good excuse to buy loads of toys.

I don’t hate anything about it, it’s good to stay positive about things.

Any advice to up coming djs and producers?

I have always been open to all styles and types of music and never assume one particular style is wrong or bad.

Do you remember the first tune you ever made?

That’s a hard one, I used to play in bands before I was a DJ and progressed to jamming with keyboards off the back of this doing psychedelic dub stuff. I started to write more dance music based material in 1993/4. I found some early dance productions the other day while sifting through some old DAT tapes, most were written using just a Boss Drum machine, a TB-303 and an SH-101 keyboard synced together.

When did you have your first release out?

Ever enjoyed Bhangra?

Maybe, without knowing it!! I have heard some crazy Bhangra before though that has a very Techno edge to it. It’s not something that you associate with dance music much but there is actually more of a crossover that first thought.

If you were going to be re-incarnated as an animal and you had a chioce – what would you want to be?

Whats the most random thing you have ever sampled?

A few, all for different reasons. I’m getting back into my hardware at the moment though – just bought myself a Yamaha CS-15.

Any thank you’s or shout outs you want to give to anyone?

Where can we we you perform next?

Any new releases you have out?

I have some Spinball material due out in Jan 2010 which is the digital release of the recent SpinCD002.

I also have a breaks track, just released, Freeflow45 – Tuff Unit which is out now on a compilation called NSB Uncovered. This is available through most download sites and promotes a mixture of upcoming and established artists in the breaks scene.

Any new mixes we can hear?

STEVE HEWITT – RAW POWER RECORDINGS INTERVIEW – By Sparx (Hard As Nails Records)

Posted by Sparxs on October 4, 2009
In: DJ Interviews, Uncategorized · Leave a Comment 

Today I’ve got Steve Hewitt the other half of ‘Raw Power Recordings’ and funnily enough Gem Stones other half also…….

So Steve ready for some interrogation?
Always..

So what got you into Hard NRG?
When I was about 15-16 I was in to some pretty nasty Gabba, then got into real hard rock and D&B. I always seemed to like the harder styles of music (some of it makes me cringe to think back). I heard a Sundissential CD in my mates car a few years later which had me hooked in to Hard house after the first tune – just had to get some decks after that! Tunes made by Casper, Grady G and Glazby started rocking my little world! Love that nasty rolling bass..

Who outside of Hard NRG/ Hard house (artists/groups) really influenced your production style?
From outside? Probably from D&B – Roni Size & Pendulum; From Gabba – HMS, Producer & Scorpio.. Most of my production influences are probably from Frank Farrell and Dave Owens tunes really. Love that sound!

Do you have a favourite tune for us (you cant choose a Raw Power one) that really sums it all up for you?
Andy Farley & Paul Janes – I can feel it (Paul Glazby Remix) – Old now but it’s got so much energy it’s incredible. Still sounds fresh as a daisy always gets me jumping every time!

What would you say is your favourite hard NRG club/event?
Got to be the Toolbox Trilogy nights. Absolutely banging from start to finish!

Where do you see yourself and even our little niche of the music industry going?
As for the industry I think we’re pretty underground now, saying that though there are a lot of new producers coming out which is nothing but good news. Sales have been good for summer which is usually a slow time for music & RPR seems to be going from strength to strength. Hard house ain’t dying in my eye’s.

For me I’m just trying to concentrate on learning Cubase and finding my sound. Hopefully by next year I’ll have some real good stuff ready. We’ve got no plans for stopping the radio show (on www.examplefm.net Weds 9-11pm ;o) ) as we’ve got quite a good listener base and we tend to use it to test stuff we’ve been working on so tune in and find out!

Who would you most like to work with in Hard NRG and why?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with some quality engineers but probably Frank Farrell as everything he touches turns to gold. Also I’ve not done anything with him yet and I think he uses Cubase so I might learn something! Nardi & Weazal would be nice too, they’ve both been on fire recently.

Doing tunes with anybody interesting soon?
We’ve got Mini-Minx down in the next few weeks and then your very good self when you get your arse into gear ha-ha! Few other people booked in with us. Gem and me aren’t too long back from Dom so re-cooping a bit. Anyone interested in a collaboration with me or us just drop me an email.. It will involve getting to Wales…

Weirdest moment in your career?We all have them….

I had this interview once where the guy asked me if I’d ever have an African Pygmy Hedgehog as a pet. Seemed pretty weird…

Would you ever have a African pygmy hedgehog as a pet?
Well in fairness I’ve got no issues with Pygmy’s or African’s. Hedgehogs can sod off though.

What’s been the most defining moment in your career so far?
Defining moment.. quite hard! Probably getting ‘Pumped’ signed to Toolbox then getting ‘Departed’ also signed to Toolbox! Also was nice getting my solo ‘Full Flow’ on to Wayne Smart’s first Encoded NRG CD. Actually maybe when I played ‘Well Done Pablo’ out for the first time and watching everyone going nuts when they heard the vox ha-ha!

If I gave you a million quid to build a club right now what would you do with the place?
It would have to be a Castle rave! Big party in a big castle in Wales somewhere… You could have so much stuff going on with loads of rooms, peeps walking round in character taking the piss, goats.. OK maybe not goats. Medieval raving – not seen that done before!

On a production note, what’s your favourite VST for making energy (people keep asking me this so I thought id throw it in)
Favourite as in only one? I hammer Predator, Octopus, Albino, PSP Nitro, Juno X2, Camel Space, Toxic III & probably loads more. Hard to pick a favourite but I guess Predator at the moment. Seems to make some fat noises.

Anything to plug?And any thank you’s or shout outs to anybody?
Catch the radio show on www.examplefm.net every Wednesday night from 9pm till 11pm with Gem & myself. We have a guest mix every week and a live hour mix from us. We have got a few slots available if anyone’s interested – Email me or Gem.

As for thank you’s – Massive thanks to Wayne Smart & Weazal for their support & playing my tunes, Riggsy, Rodi Style, Darrell White, Dave Owens, Dom Sweeten for showing me so many things, all my friends for their support & inspiration, everyone playing my tunes, Brian J, Ted Cooper, Disco Todd, MC Lindsay, Norms mum and everyone who tunes in to the show, all the peeps at examplefm, my house mate Lee who’s bedroom is below the studio (ouch) and of course, Gem for having to live with me ha-ha! Oh – and a certain spiky haired bloke from Brummy-land…. Cheers all

So any new tunes you have out you want to give a quick plug?
Yeah I’ve got a few tunes out at the moment. Watch out for our first Dom engineered track – Stone & Hewitt vs Paul J – Surrogate, it’s had some really good reviews; also 2 tracks I engineered with my good friend Jammy Dodger (Tim Griffith) – ‘The Cows’ and ‘Snake Bite’ out now all on RPR. Coming up my new solo ‘Syntax’ is out soon on Killertrax, ‘Departed’ (With Gem, BoneIDOL & Matt Edwards) is out on Toolbox Choons and Gem & my remix of ‘Drop It’ coming on Encoded NRG soon. We’ve been real busy since we set up our own studio here – loads of stuff to come. Watch this space!

Email – steve@rawpowerrecordings.co.uk

Site – www.rawpowerrecordings.co.uk

MSN – rai1yr@hotmail.com

Also don’t forget to check out the new Hard As Nails Nailgun 001 Dj Fornat ‘Sista X’ E.P Available from http://www.toolboxmusicshop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=686

Track Listing :-

01 Sista X – Adrenaline

02 Sista X – Tear me down

03 Sista X & Riggsy – Good Medicine

04 Sista X & Riggsy – Nothing to prove

Tone Arm – T-shirt

Posted by Adam F on September 27, 2009
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

Tone Arm T-Shirt

Get the turntable out, set up your gear and play some bangin tunes. DJ T-Shirts and clothing only from HOTDJGEAR

Buy the Turntable Tone Arm on a shirt from HOTDJGEAR. This design comes on a huge range of shirts, tops and hoodies as well as buttons and stickers. Go grab yours now.

Perfect for the Disc Jockey in your life.

Click here to buy this item! – Tone Arm T-Shirt

Superstar DJ – T-Shirt

Posted by Adam F on September 27, 2009
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

Superstar DJ T-Shirt

Are you a Superstar DJ? Wear this Superstar DJ item and become a real Disc Jockey

Buy Superstar DJ on a shirt from HOTDJGEAR. This design comes on a huge range of shirts, tops and hoodies as well as buttons and stickers. Go grab yours now.

Perfect for the DJ in your life.

Click here to buy this item! – Superstar DJ T-Shirt

DJ Stylus T-Shirt

Posted by Adam F on September 27, 2009
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

DJ Stylus T-Shirt

A good stylus is key to getting good sounding tunes from your vinyl. Save on wear and tear with a great stylus and listen to some classic vinyl.

Buy DJ Stylus on a shirt from HOTDJGEAR. This design comes on a huge range of shirts, tops and hoodies as well as buttons and stickers. Go grab yours now.

Perfect for the DJ person in your life.

Click here to buy this item! – DJ Stylus T-Shirt

DJ Platter T-Shirt

Posted by Adam F on September 27, 2009
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

DJ Platter T-Shirt

Without a platter you can never be a world class DJ. It’s your world into thumping beats and dropping baselines. Grab your turntable and spin, scratch and play your vinyl.

Buy DJ Platter on a shirt from HOTDJGEAR. This design comes on a huge range of shirts, tops and hoodies as well as buttons and stickers. Go grab yours now.

Perfect for the DJ in your life.

Click here to buy this item! – DJ Platter T-Shirt

MY CDJ Setup – T-Shirt

Posted by Adam F on August 28, 2009
In: DJ T-Shirts · Leave a Comment 

My DJ Setup T-Shirt

Any good DJ owns at least two Pioneer CDJ 1000’s, some kind of Pioneer DJM Mixer and a tonne of music. This is the perfect DJ setup. Can’t afford such a nice setup then just buy this DJ Setup shirt and pretend you own two great CD Turntables and one fab mixer.

This design is EXCLUSIVE to HOTDJGEAR and is approved for sale by Pioneer. Get your perfect DJ setup with the Pioneer CDJ 1000

Buy My DJ Setup on a shirt from HOTDJGEAR. This design comes on a huge range of shirts, tops and hoodies as well as buttons and stickers. Go grab yours now.

Perfect for the Disc Jockey in your life.

Click here to buy this item! – My DJ Setup T-Shirt

NIK DENTON INTERVIEW (Toolbox Records) By SPARX – (HARD AS NAILS RECORDS)

Posted by Sparxs on August 23, 2009
In: DJ Interviews, News, Reviews, Uncategorized · Leave a Comment 

So Nik tell us a bit about Toolbox, and what you do for the few of us who dont know.

Toolbox is my own company that I started back in 2001. It started off as a Hard House record label and over time has spread out into other areas in the dance world. We do distribution, have an online store, we publish artists, put on events and are now looking after a few artist diaries too. I basically over see the whole thing with a little help from some hard working dedicated people.

So a bit about your djing and producing, who, or what got you into making and playing hard house?

I got into production by being good friends with Paul King and by joining him in the studio for me first few efforts. I loved his sound and the Trade sound and just wanted to be apart of it all. When I met Paul I had already started to play on decks at home but when I started to produce I knew I wanted to take it more seriously and possibly make a career out of DJing and writing the records.

Do you think djs and producers have a harder challenge getting recognised these days? – There are so many around and so many labels, is the market a bit flooded?

I think it’s much harder to break through. You really have to have something different to stand out. I think there is certainly the talent out there to break through but it’s just penetrating what is already going on and I think you also have to have the whole package to pull it off.

I think as the industry moves to a more and more digital lifestyle its going to get even harder. Labels are popping up everywhere that a few years ago wouldn’t have lasted a minute because they would not have had the return on the product they pressed. But all this makes everything that little bit more exciting and also more rewarding for those that do break through and get recognised as being a credible artist or record label.

Do you think the scene has changed much since it started? Has anything got better or worse in your opinion?

Everything changes so of course the scene has changed. It’s inevitable. If nothing changed we would all be bored.

If we are talking about the scene as in the clubbing side of things then I think its noticeable that less people are going out; But this isn’t localised to just our scene.

The hard dance scene in some cases have really pulled together to make things work. Club promoters try not to put nights on when other promoters have a night on and things like that. And that’s cool. But then on the other hand we still have to deal with some very selfish people! I wish that would change!

Has the digital revolution helped or hindered underground music do you think? How much of an effect has it had on yourself and the label?

Toolbox seemed to be dealing with the movement to digital very well with our hard products selling well too. But we have had a few big hits this year with other companies going into administration and owing us a lot of money. So I think we will move more to the digital side of things as I can’t afford to take risks in product that we don’t get paid for. It’s a shame as I love Toolbox being on CD.

My only concern with the digital revolution is that there is far more rubbish to shift through when you go onto download sites. Its hard work trying to find stuff you like so it sometimes puts you off going on the sites if you don’t have much time. But I think some download sites are dealing with this now and stepping up their quality control.

Is there any artists you think are particularly talented we should watch these days? Or in fact as Toolbox is a distributor also – any labels you think we should watch?

It wouldn’t be fair for me to single out labels that are doing well but there are so many out there that are putting out some seriously wicked releases. As a distributor we get to handle quite a few releases and it’s easy to see what is going to sell well before we get the product. Of course we sometimes have a few surprises.

Wil H, Ross Homson, Ben Townsend, Dave Curtis, Dave Owens, Tim Stokes are just a few names that I think are worth watching when it comes to production. But the list could go on and on…

So what’s upcoming on Toolbox? -

The Toolkit series continues with Toolkit 5 later this month which has this time been presented by yours truly and includes my new singles “Sweat” and “The Force”. After that is the Dave Owens presented Hammerheads Toolkit which I know a lot of people have been waiting for all year.

Then we have another new album from me called DE:MIXED.

On the main catalogue which we will be going digital for now we will have new singles from Lucy Fur and friends on the forthcoming Girls @ Work EP, as well as new tracks and remixes from Rich Resonate, Ross Homson, Tim Stokes, myself, Wil H and much more…

Where can we see you playing out next?

I’m playing at TWIST UP NORTH on Friday 07^th August, TRADE on 30^th August and STORMS 200^th EVENT on 04^TH September. Then we have some special Toolbox events going on throughout October/November where myself and the gang will be going out and about across the UK. The final TOOLBOX TRILOGY is also something I’m looking for which is later in the year on 04^th December.

A few random questions -

What was you dream as a kid? (thats if you dont mind telling us)

I wanted to teach Drama! (NO jokes about Drama Queens please – LOL)

Whats the best clubbing experience you ever had?

Trade every Saturday morning @ Turnmills throughout the early – mid 90’s. Every week was immense.

Your favourite nightclub?
It was Turnmills. But Id probably have to say Emporium or maybe even Fire in London.

Worst clubbing experience?
Probably the nights when I’ve not got in!

Item you cant live without?
My Car! I love it. I cant deal with walking!

Ever had a dream where you were fighting off zombies?

I fight Zombies every day! I don’t need to dream about them.

NIK NEW TOOLKIT 5 AND ALL OTHER TOOLBOX/DENTON RELEASES

ARE AVAILABLE FROM http://www.toolboxmusicshop.com

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HOTDJGEAR Record T-Shirt

Posted by admin on August 16, 2009
In: Uncategorized · Leave a Comment 

HOTDJGEAR Record

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