Sold up but back and wanting your thoughts for live elements - Volka or Toraiz
It’s been slightly over 3 years ago since I sold up all my gear (DB4/Denon/Traktor) but I’m now back in the market to start over. Unlike before when I was simple mixing up to 3 decks, I’m now looking at implementing live samples and loops alongside playing tracks and working with pads and stuff to bring that interactive element to a set.
I’ve seen the Korg Volka range which looks like a great set of tools to add those elements however the Pioneer Toraiz SP-16 seems a brilliant all in one unit with a lot of great features and pretty quick to get started with.
What are your thoughts? The remix decks in traktor of course allow you to play loops and samples over tracks however it seems the korg and sp-16 have a lot more scope and more hands on.
The Volcas are really great bits of kit, but they really aren’t good in low-light situations. I’ve tried running the Volca Beats as part of my DJ setup, but it was a nightmare in a club environment. I’d look at the Roland Aira TR-8/TB-3, or the Boutique TR-08/TR-09/TB-03.
That’s great thanks for the suggestion. Will the Roland allow for pad work, such as live playing arpeggio keys and little rhythms over the top of a track in the correct harmonic key like maschine?
The TR-8 is a rhythm sequencer and drum machine, not a synth. The TB-3 is like the acid house TB-303, but sort of hybrid with emulation, I think? I’m not an expert on it. It doesn’t do arpeggiation, though.
In that case maybe something like Maschine Jam might be a good choice to allow some pad work plus all the sequencer options and the ability to create new patterns on the fly whilst still being synched up to something like traktor.