So that was Messe 2005. Considerably more exciting than PLASA 2004 but I couldn't comment about Winter NAMM as the Atlantic Ocean and my bank balance stopped me going.

As previously discussed at the end of PLASA, the scene is between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, everybody loves vinyl - except the record labels. And at the same time, most (but not all) manufacturers are still a little wary of throwing serious resource down the digital route. That trend however seems to be changing...

---

As we're all aware, Stanton's range is undergoing a complete overhaul. After some serious industrial redesigning, the bulk of the new range is ready for action. A large proportion of it is brand spanking new (entire new range of turntables and CD decks) plus a handful of new club mixers, whereas a lesser proportion has been cosmetically updated to fall in line with the new Stanton stylings.

---

Back on day 1 of MusikMesse, we spent a considerable amount of time the the good people from Urei, as well as getting up close and personal with the 1601 and 1610S model scratch mixers. Of particular interest is the sampler in the S model and of course, we got a demo movie.

---

...were the words nobody wanted to hear. Whether they were comfortable doing it or not, various names from different spheres of the community were herded sheepdog style into formation and made to grimace for my camera. As ever, Slikmats came through with the goods in the shape of V2 Pro mats. Big up to Gaz.

---

Another year, another show. One company that really seems to be raising it's game is Gemini. Show after show, their presence increases, as does the volume of news heading our way. It's fair to say that these guys really are trying to shake off the old slightly dodgy image of yesteryear.

---

Having already covered the NUO5 with a review and posted info on the NUO2 and 3 in a previous new story, I was also keen to see the new NUO4 in action. Little information was available prior to MusikMesse other than being a cut down NUO4 but with midi. But we managed to get an overview movie (in progress) from Ecler and some pictures as well.

---

For us old school heads, Hijack represented the pinnacle of the UK scene. This was not only due to the dope rhyme skills, but also to the deck skills of DJ Supreme. Such is Supreme's reputation in the tablist scene, he was featured in Scratchcon 2000 with massive respect from the assembled scratch DJ crowd. In testament to the man's rep, a documentary has been made - Turntable Trixters - due for release in July 2005.

---

While you all wait for me and NdB to pull our fingers out and give you more MusikMesse news and footage, why don't I offer up some of the booty we gathered on our trip.

Rafik from German crew Lordz of Fitness has created some new battle wax called "sucker punchin'". Lots of dirty electronic beats and sounds, plus some more musical elements as well. For your chance to win one of the three copies, click here and send the mail. Winners will be picked on 29th April (that's 2 weeks away).

---

It seems that 2 of my favourite sites - Gizmodo (no relation) and Engadget have discovered these pages. I'm honoured that you guys (amongst others) refer to for DJ info, but please... it's skratchworx - with a "K". A minor but vitally important point to us here at HQ. ^_^

---

Now we've all seen Final Scratch and Serato - indeed we've covered them extensively in a group test. On the outer edges of the same field are Ms Pinky, Mixvibes, PCDJ etc. But making a big splash at MusikMesse this year was Alcatech's Digiscratch v2.

First reported just over a year ago, Alcatech have gone all out to let everyone know that Digiscratch is here. And why not - running on their Digiscratch or BPM studio software and utilising hardware made by RME, they quite rightly have enough to shout about. And indeed they did in a demo movie we took.

---

A year ago at MusikMesse , we saw MixVibes DVS for the first time. We had a play, liked what we saw and expected big things. On delivery of a copy, NdB and ProfBX both had serious issues getting it to work at all - and reading a review in a magazine in the UK substantiated our feeling that it was a good attempt but wasn't ready for market.

Now, a year on, things appear to have dramatically changed...

---

A fairly small and quiet stand for Numark (apart from Rockid cutting up a storm on the CDX's and the 3 channel DXM09). But the 5000fx mixer finally made a showing - proving it's not just myth and legend. And we got a TTX update plus a tantalising glimpse at an iPod mixer prototype.

---

Life often throws up fortunate accidents - one such event was the discovery of the new d.2 battle mixer while on the hunt for another Mackie product (that we didn't find).

Oh no - not another damn scratch mixer I hear you cry. But this one has at least one wow factor - the inclusion of firewire, plus the inclusion of a new optical Infinium crossfader.

UPDATE:Although you can't see it in the pics, there's a hole in the faceplate (masked by the fader knob) - the Infinium fader is tension adjustable.

---

Ok people - we're back, tired and have a shedload of stuff to write up, pictures to download and video to work on. It'll all be trickled through rather than one big lump of verbage so that each topic can be discussed - and it give us a chance to try and remember the blur (especially day 3) that was MusikMesse 2005.

To come over the coming days: Mackie, Numark, Gemini, Ecler, Mixvibes, Digiscratch, Stanton plus movies from QBert, Noisy Stylus, Netik, Skilz, and some of Birdy Nam Nam. And of course we've got some booty to pass on as well, including the slikmats that Yoga and Q are mugging with - signed by both of them.

---

A couple of weeks ago, I was told that there was a strong chance that Rodec's Scratchbox would make it's first public appearance and we weren't disappointed.

---

A quick update to progress on day 1. Vestax show off 2 differents QFO colours, wow audiences with the STC-V1 guitarish table and Urei bowl me over with the sampling abilities on it's new 1601s mixer.

---

It's that time of year again - when pretty much every music manufacturer from around the world box up their new gear and ship it to Frankfurt for the MusikMesse. And of course, myself and NdB will be boxed up and shipped to Frankfurt as well.

Armed with several unfeasible small and expensive gadgets - and more compact flash space and mini DV tape than is healthy, We're hoping to capture every important event and lump of gear that you guys might be interested in. I'm certainly aware of a few things that I know you'll want to see (no hints though!.

---

So we all know what today is right? And only a fool would believe a product announced on April Fools day right? So what the hell are Pioneer doing announcing a product as hot as a 4 channel digital mixer with effects today of all days? But for the sake of completeness, what follows is from a post on Pioneer's very own forum...

---

Over the next few days, the site will become v2. I might take the site down from time to time to put the new things in place.

Normal, nay better service will be resumed as soon as possible. 8)

---

As I work hard to finish, tweak and generally nuture the new site into a finished reality, it occurred to me that the skratch DJ gear we buy most often - vinyl - is scandalously under-represented on the site. It even has it's own section yet I've never really done much with it. That will change and anything I've bought or received in the last year will get reviewed and rated. Ultimately, I'll work it up into a regularly updated section.

In the meantime, I'm interested in what you guys think. What is your favourite wax? Are you straight out battler or do you hanker for the more melodic style? Share with us your favoured skratch tools and very importantly why.

---

Slikmats have established themselves as a pre-eminent force in the international slipmat market - or rather they make really cool mats with any design you can think of - aaaannd they're actually very good under your vinyl as well. I reviewed them ages ago and gave them a hefty 9/10 - a rating I still stand by. Now blow me down if they don't bring out Slikmats the sequel - V2 Pro slikmats.

---

As MusikMesse approaches, it's time for me to set new standards of sartorial skratch elegance - thus I commissioned my friend Gaz at Slikmats to run me up some new shirts for the show. And I just had to get the MogwaiPod made up as well. 8)

---

Sketchy details reaches us about some new battle wax from former US DMC champ DJ Slyce called "Sonic Spladdow Breaks". Currently being carried by Fat Beats in NYC, you can get a quick listen here. Sounds cool to me. 8)

---

A little while back I told you about Tre Styles from Noisy Stylus getting his baggage head on and designing a proper turntablists bag... well I just got my very own - in gleaming Gucci Black - in readiness for the 3 day route march that is MusikMesse in Frankfurt.

---

I finally pulled my finger out and organised a snailmail address for the global headquarters i.e. my house - effective 21st March:

Skratchworx
PO Box 421
Keighley
West Yorkshire
BD21 5WW
United Kingdom

Feel free to drop letters, jiffy bags, vinyl and other small packages of cold hard cash to this address. If there's something larger i.e. parcel or courier delivery, mail me: gizmo@skratchworx.com and we can make more suitable arrangements.

---

Checking the various manufacturer sites, I stumbled across new images and a new press release for the Gemini TT-04 top of their range turntable. Well I say new - the release appears to be identical to the last bar a new release date of April. And comparing the images old and new, there's some minor changes around the start/stop switch and different coloured LEDs.

---

I've just had 4 days off work - during which I had the TV on watching music videos. But every 10 minutes those utterly annoying ringtone companies were bombarding me with the oh so Crazy Frog and Sweet Chick ringtones. So receiving news that favourite DJ Skilz has been immortalised in MP3 ringtones was welcome relief indeed. Although it's highly likely to be US only.

---

At last! We finally have a review of Stanton's flagship deck, the STR8-150. If I'd extracted my digit quicker, I probably would have done this one next but thanks to guest reviewer Wozza, I don't have to.

Note that the STR has undergone a cosmetic facelift and only a top view of the deck is available in the new style so don't pull me on the mix and match of old and new styles.

---

After a few last minute hitches, the new Thud Rumble site is up.

This new site expands on the existing one but with a new cleaner style and a few extra features. You'll find some short video interviews with QBert as well as an expanded new store and better news coverage. Go check it out.

---

As you all know, I'm a bit of an Apple fanboy - so these should come as no surprise to you.

Inspired by the iPod ads, I set about creating my very own homage. These will be appearing on some slips I'm having made and probably on a t-shirt as well. Though I seriously doubt I'll be making any commercially - I really can't stand the thought of Apple and Speilberg lawyers knocking my door down to serve papers...

---