Plus the latest from Squier, Native Instruments and Victory Amplifiers.
With so many brands to keep up to date with, it can be easy to lose track of all the latest equipment launched into the gear-sphere each week.
Today, we’re taking a look at some of the best product releases that you might’ve missed over the week, with this wrap-up spotlighting the newest product from Denon DJ, a new range of MIDI controllers from M-Audio, a sweet FSR Squier Esquire and more.
This week’s top picks:
- Denon DJ LC6000 Prime
- M-Audio Oxygen Mk V
- Squier FSR Classic Vibe ’60s Esquire
- Native Instruments x Timbaland Komplete Kontrol M32 MIDI keyboard
- Victory V4 The Kraken
Check out all the latest Product News here.
Denon DJ LC6000 Prime
Back in 2020, Denon DJ debuted the SC6000 media player; a CDJ-esque tool that won over the hearts of DJs unwilling to pull the trigger on Pioneer DJ’s range. Now, they’ve backed it up with the LC6000 Prime – a controller designed as an accessory to the SC6000 to control secondary output layers from Denon media players, as well as Serato DJ Pro and Virtual DJ.
Featuring USB-power and an 8.5″ capacitive touch jog wheel with a HD display, the LC6000 Prime is standard thoroughfare for a DJ controller of this ilk, with a 100mm dual precision fader, eight multi-function pads and pitch bend buttons.
The unit also boasts a dedicated loop section for rolls, slices, hot-cues and on-the-fly sample and remix control, and will run via Denon’s wifi-based Engine OS. This one looks perfect for DJs who look to layering to make their sets more complex and exciting, and we’re keen to take it for a spin – no pun intended.
M-Audio Oxygen Mk V
M-Audio have announced an overhaul of their longstanding Oxygen range of MIDI controllers, introducing the new Oxygen Mk V range with a whole stack of exciting new features.
Now 20 years into its dominance in the entry-level controller sector, the fifth generation of Oxygen controllers comes in three different sizes, with 25 key, 49 key and 61 key variants on offer. All the keys here are semi-weighted and velocity sensitive, and there’s also eight pads, rotary encoders and a bunch of buttons for DAW control (the 49 and 61-key models also add an extra nine faders and buttons, which are fully assignable).
M-Audio have included auto-mapping functionality to simplify connecting each unit to your DAW of choice, while other new features include integrated arpeggiators, smart scale and smart chord modes and a beginner software bundle to get you started.
Squier FSR Classic Vibe ’60s Esquire
The latest launch from Squier sees Fender’s subsidiary brand give the Classic Vibe ’60s Esquire the FSR treatment, adding double binding and a sweet ’60s-style logo to make for a high quality, low cost workhorse electric guitar.
Boasting nato bodies, C-profile vintage-tint maple necks with 9.5″ Indian laurel fretboard and 21 tall narrow frets, the Squier FSR Classic Vibe ’60s Esquire models also make use of a single-coil Alnico pickup in the bridge position, with a three-way switch toggling between tones.
Other features include nickel-plated hardware, three-barrel string-thru-body bridges and parchment pickguards. They’re available in three vintage finishes: Three-Tone Sunburst, Black and the ever-pleasing Lake Placid Blue, as pictured below.
Native Instruments x Timbaland Komplete Kontrol M32 MIDI Keyboard
You can’t actually buy this one, but we love Timbo, and feel like anything affiliated with such a master producer is always worthy of a shout. The iconic Virginia Beach beat-smith has teamed up with Native Instruments to release a limited edition Komplete Control M32 MIDI keyboard with a Beatclub (a beat marketplace co-founded by Timbaland that looks to benefit emerging producers) logo and bespoke design.
Only 150 of these keyboards have been produced, and to get your hands on one, you’ll need to enter a beat-making competition on Metapop. Simply cook up a beat with a loop and two one-shot samples from Timbaland’s soon-to-be-released Holy Grail sample pack, and if you’re among one of the ten finalists, you’ll cop a keyboard for your toils.
Alternatively, you can also donate to a StockX fundraiser to benefit the non-for-profit organisation Girls Make Beats, and you might just land one of the keyboards through your generosity. Find out more about that here.
Victory V4 The Kraken
Packing a mighty 180-watts of Class D power and boasting a cabinet simulator courtesy of French modelling legends Two Notes, the Kraken is the latest pedal amplifier from Victory Amplification, and it looks like an absolute beast of a unit.
The amp milks a tube preamp section driven by an EC900 and three CV4014 tubes, which helps to feed the Class D 180-watt solid state power amp. There’s two distinctive channels on offer, with Gain 1 providing a vintage British tone and Gain 2 tightening up the bass response for a searing high-gain tone inspired by boutique US amps, plus controls for Bass, Middle, Treble, Master, Gain 1/2 and Reverb.
There’s also six cab sim presets from Two Notes, which can be loaded and edited via a software editor and an onboard USB port. Other features include an XLR and balanced line out, effects send and return, speaker output and a 9v port to power a stompbox with – a nice touch indeed.
Missed out on last week’s top picks? No stress – check ’em out here.
