Twenty years ago, at the height of turntablism, the average DJ had to lug around a lot of equipment. Turntables, a DJ mixer, a microphone, PA monitors and numerous accessories – extra needle and cartridge, slip mats, cables, etc. – often weighed well over 100 lbs. On top of all this, a DJ typically carried a messenger bag filled with around 50 records. With the advent of the MP3, a DJ’s burden began to weigh much less.

Meant for hobbyists and beginners, all-in-one interfaces like the DDJ-WeGo2 from Pioneer take all of the previously mentioned gear and melt them down into a single, contained, three-and-a-half pound unit. It’s meant for use with your iOS device, so any amateur can become a party starter.

All of the standard features of a classic DJ setup are included in the DDJ-WeGo2. The crossfader and EQ knobs are flanked by two jog wheels which replace the turntables – right down to the scratching. Other standard features like a cue button and multiple effects are included as well. Now anyone with an iPhone and around $400 can become a master behind the wheels of steel.

The post Scratch Your DJ Itch with Pioneer’s New Portable DJ System first appeared on Gajitz.

If you have a need to make a truly badass impression, there is no better way than driving around in this VW Transporter that’s been turned into an all-weather, all-terrain tank. But this beast doesn’t just get you to your destination in jaw-dropping style; it can turn any parking lot into an impromptu party in minutes.

The Frankenstein-esque bus features an automatic pop-up top and a robust sound system. It can be used for parties or public gatherings, or wherever a really loud sound system in a very attractive package would come in handy. The project was achieved by Austrian promotions company BB Support by combining an old VW Bus T1 and a 1960s Bombardier B01Spurgerät snow machine.

BB Support had the idea for the crazy vehicle back in 2005, but it took quite a while to actually put the plan into action. After clients began to show interest in using a mobile DJ machine with the body of a beloved Volkswagen, the team put the two vehicles together and made one of the most beautiful mash-ups the world has ever seen.

The post Tank-Like VW Snow Beast Will Bring the Party Anywhere first appeared on Gajitz.

Vinyl has long held a special place in the hearts of music lovers, especially those who spin and mix their own beats in clubs. The Soundmachines optical turntables give a similar kind of physical experience, if maybe not the same kind of sound, by replacing the records with patterns of light and the needles with optical sensors.

Created by design team The Product for Volkswagen’s display at the 2011 IAA motor show, Soundmachines has three turntables spinning discs of geometric patterns. Optical sensors on the end of the arm – right where the needle sits on a standard turntable – pick up the patterns and translate them into signals that are run through software to turn them into unique music tracks.

The resulting setup is positively beautiful, but there’s little chance it will ever truly replace the good old fashioned vinyl-and-needle method or even the newer fancy-pants non-scratching laser turntables. Still, we’d love to get our hands on this awesome toy for a couple of hours.

The post Cool Needle-Free Optical Turntables Light up Dance Floors first appeared on Gajitz.

DJ street battles are about to get a whole lot more awesome. Nik Nowak created this incredible mobile sound system that looks and drives like a tank but contains all of the equipment a DJ needs to engage in epic spin wars.

The Panzer Soundtank is packed full of speakers and a ton of sound equipment that will let you take a party on the go. Based on its size, it looks like it’ll leave a few bleeding eardrums and grouchy old men in its wake.

When it moves it becomes obvious that the tank is a lot lighter than it looks in the photos. It may not be able to crush parked cars, but it will absolutely crush the competition in a DJ battle.

The post Crushing Sounds: Massive Mobile Tank Sound System first appeared on Gajitz.