M-Audio Torq Makes it to v1.5 Somehow

djnth — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:23:47 +0000

While software like Serato is very stripped down, it allows a DJ to quickly and easily perform his/her primary task – beatmatching and mixing music. The first time ever using Serato I quickly figured out how to use it with no instructions. The first time I looked at the user interface for Torq it made me want to cry. This interface is easily the most hideous looking thing I have seen in DJ Software market hands down! Even if M-Audio sent me a free copy I wouldn’t install this on my computer. I’m only reporting this new version of the software for those of you that do use it. I would love to hear some first hand comments about how great this software is so I can learn not to judge the software by the GUI, but I doubt I will hear any. Please let us know if you use this.

From the M-Audio Website

cue, beat-match and mix digital files > leave your cumbersome records and CDs safe at home
works instantly and seamlessly with compatible M-Audio hardware > no complex set-ups or conflicts
organizes digital audio files (including iTunes) into easily searchable database >instant access to your entire digital library
supports optional third-party VST effects > add your own signature sound
16-cell tempo-synced sampler > trigger loops and samples on the fly
ReWire support > take your performance to the studio
transmits and receives MIDI beat clock >flexible synchronization with external devices
compatible with control vinyl/CDs >easily integrates with traditional DJ hardware

M-Audio Torq Xponent Now Shipping

djnth — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:22:58 +0000

M-Audio announced that it is shipping Torq Xponent, its integrated hardware/software DJ performance and production system. The Torq Xponent system brings traditional CD DJ-style control and mixing to the world of computer-based DJing.

Torq Xponent is a hardware/software system that is both an advanced MIDI control surface for Torq DJ software and a four-output USB audio interface â€” including two stereo RCA outputs and a standard 1â„4â€ headphone output with cueing. The Xponentâ€™s controls enables DJs to perform a variety of tasks from a single surface, eliminating the need to adjust most onscreen parameters with a touchpad or keyboard. The unitâ€™s mixer section allows users to deliver a dynamic DJ performance with the same feel and response as a standard hardware mixer.For DJ CD player-style control, Xponent includes two touch-sensitive scratch wheels for scratching, speeding up and slowing down the playback of digital files. For in-depth control over Torq, Xponent adds 64 assignable backlit buttons (including Play, Cue, Seek, Loop, Key and Sync controls), two volume sliders, eight assignable knobs for effect control and two 100mm pitch sliders. The built-in touchpad/assignable X/Y controller gives users command over the mouse or the effects in Torq, so they never need to take their hands off the unit in the middle of a performance. Level and progress LED meters round out all the pro features that DJs expect.

Torq DJ software for Mac and PC is designed to work with Xponent; every Xponent control is pre-mapped to its corresponding Torq function. All hardware controls are located exactly where DJs expect them to be, making Torq Xponent easy and intuitive from the first use. The transition into digital DJing could not be simpler.

Torq Xponent provides VST effect compatibility and easily assignable hardware controls make it easy to turn plug-ins into expressive live performance tools. DJs can call up a flanger effect and layer on beat-synced LFOs â€” or mix in feedback loops from a delay effect and control it all from the assignable knobs on Xponent. The system also provides everything needed to loop, reorder and remix tracks on the fly. With built-in controls for looping as well as a 16-cell, tempo-synced performance sampler, Torq makes it possible to grab loops and one-shot samples and drop them wherever theyâ€™re desired, all while staying in perfect sync with the mix.

Torq DJ software allows users to cue, beat-match and mix all the important digital audio file formats, including MP3, AIFF, WAV, WMA, Apple Lossless and AAC. Torq locates and catalogs all digital song files – including iTunes – into a quickly searchable database that resides on the computerâ€™s hard drive. This enables DJs to pull up the perfect track or change up their set in an instant. In addition, Torq can interface with any ReWire-compatible host application. This makes it easy to route the output of Torq to a program like Pro Tools M-Powered or Ableton Live and explore even more performance, production and sound design possibilities. When ReWired to a host application, the tempo of Torq automatically locks to the current session tempo, so users never have worry about syncing playback between Torq and their preferred DAW. Xponent also lets users quickly gain control over any software application that supports MIDI learn functionality.

M-Audioâ€™s Torq Xponent is now available and costs $749.95

More information on M-Audio Torq Xponent

via: FutureMusic