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This article was taken from the May 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Do-it-yourself studio tech with a digital twist.
Ultra-portable studio
Teenage Engineering OP-1 (above)
Three of these stylish synths take up less room than the average keyboard, and they're crammed with features. Each has a built-in four-track recorder with a variety of recording speeds; eight synth engines deliver effects and low-frequency oscillations. There's even an FM radio tuner included from which you can rip samples.
€799
Tablet turntables
Numark iDJ Live
iDJ Live works in conjunction with Algoriddim's Djay software to enable you to mix straight from your iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone.
Crossfade, cut, scratch, EQ, loop and sync between digital tracks from your iTunes library. Familiar mixer functions are transferred to the device's plastic platters and dials for hands-on authenticity; musical taste, however, is not supplied.
£80
Pro-level portable mic
Olympus LS-11
Integrated stereo mics make this ideal for capturing sound either in uncompressed 96kHz/24-bit linear pulse-code modulation (PCM) form, or just bootlegging gigs in 320kbps MP3. Dual XLR inputs, eight-track recording, an instrument tuner and a metronome also make it a handy tool for musicians, and an SD card slot lets you boost its 4GB memory to 64GB.
£399
Pro DJ Controller
Denon DN-MC6000
This pro-level, four-channel, eight-source mixer is ideal to use with DJ software such as Traktor. It's just as suitable for travelling DJs (it can be housed in a flight case) as it is rack-mounted into a booth. Two hardware platters can run up to four virtual decks simultaneously, and it's compatible with CDJs and vinyl turntables too.
£679
Mini music-maker
Native Instruments Maschine Mikro
The Maschine Mikro is a music production tool that lets you create rhythms and melodies on the fly. It's compatible with the iMaschine app, so you can also upload projects from your iOS device. The Mikro carries more than 6GB of samples, patterns and effects, but if that's not enough you can expand your machine with a series of plug-ins.
€349
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
