Users can choose open- or closed-back listening by turning the outermost section of each earcup.

Open-back headphones, where the outer earcups are perforated to allow air and sound to pass freely in and out, can bring a more natural, spacious feel to music listening. But sound leakage is a big drawback – users can hear much of the world around them and anyone nearby can clearly hear sounds coming from the headphones. Closed-back headphones, where the outer cups are solid, offer more isolation, but staging can feel restricted and the listening experience very much in your head. The Sentio headphones from British audio house Rock Jaw combine both headphone designs in one.

Rock Jaw says that the Sentio headphones are the result of two and a half years of research and development, and feature a hybrid driver configuration as well as the open/closed design. With a turn of the outermost part of each earcup, users can switch between living room-friendly open-back headphones and portable closed-back headphones that aren’t going to annoy your fellow commuters.

Each housing has a 30 mm driver of the kind that can be found in on-ear headphones and a 50 mm driver that’s usually reserved for circumaural headphones. This hybrid approach is said to take the best aspects of both designs, resulting in headphones that deliver a tight, punchy bass, “an excellent response in the mid-range” and crisp, clear highs. They’re reported to have an overall frequency response of 19 Hz to 21 kHz, 100 dB sensitivity and impedance of 32 ohms.

Stainless steel and aluminum construction allows the Sentios to tip the scales at just 340 g (12 oz), they have synthetic leather cushions, with optional velour pads also available, and they’ll come with a 1.2 m (4 ft) and a 4 m (13 ft) audio cable. An optional microphone boom can be plugged into the right cup for taking calls or communicating with virtual mobile assistants.

Rock Jaw has a working prototype of the Sentio headphones in the bag, but has turned to Kickstarter to bring them into production. The campaign runs until March 3 and, as of writing, pledges start at £130 (about US$190). Backers are also being given the chance to choose the color of the stitching and have up to six letters engraved on the housing. If all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in September.

You can see the crowdfunding pitch video.

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ARTICLE: Gizmag.com
EDITOR: La Mont Reed
IMAGE: Sentio Headphones

About Truth and ‘From Ashes To Kingdom Come’

The emergence of hip-hop out of Queens, NY has proven to be timeless. From Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Kool G Rap to A Tribe Called Quest, Large Professor, Organized Konfusion, and Mobb Deep there’s never been a shortage of dynamic music from the borough. Longtime observer and emcee of the culture Truth is set to release his debut album “From Ashes To Kingdome Come” on Ill Adrenaline Records. A few years back Truth formed an alliance with PF Cuttin (Blahzay Blahzay) and together the Queens emcee and the Brooklyn producer/DJ/engineer are ready to release a typical 90′s throwback sounding full-length that carries PF’s thumbprint throughout. On the 18-track strong heater Truth picks up various topics, ranging from life experiences to repping hip-hop culture – always showcasing his passionate and sharp lyrical rhyme skills. Entirely recorded and mixed by PF Cuttin, the album’s raw and dusty sound stays true to the streets, including features from heavyweights such as the late Sean Price, O.C., and AG (D.I.T.C.). Newcomer JK1 The Supernova handles the majority of production along with veteran producers PF Cuttin, Psycho Les (The Beatnuts), Da Beatminerz, and DJ Doom. Containing plenty of dope scratches mainly executed by PF Cuttin and Rock Steady’s own DJ JS-1, the album’s uniqueness remains on one accord with the boom bap sound and origin which is a rarity in today’s music.

TRACK LISTING:

01. Intro – PF Cuttin
02. Holding Down The Fort – JK1 The Supernova
03. New Type Of Something – feat. Sean Price (Heltah Skeltah) JK1 The Supernova
04. Take A Stand – JK1 The Supernova
05. Haymaker! (Interlude) – JK1 The Supernova
06. The Greatest Force – JK1 The Supernova
07. Genuine Article feat. O.C., (D.I.T.C.) PF Cuttin
08. How It’s Supposed 2 Be – Psycho Les (The Beatnuts)
09. Gruesome – JK1 The Supernova
10. Super Hero Scratch Skit – PF Cuttin
11. Hip-Hop Heroics – DJ Doom
12. Stages Of War featuring The Barbarian – JK1 The Supernova
13. I’m Bringing It – JK1 The Supernova
14. Right What I Write featuring O.C. , A.G. (D.I.T.C.) Da Beatminerz
15. Death Becomes Him (Interlude) – JK1 The Supernova
16. I See featuring Red E – JK1 The Supernova
17. Time For Love & Tears – JK1 The Supernova

First leak off Truth’s debut album “From Ashes To Kingdom Come”, featuring the late Sean Price. Album entirely recorded and mixed by PF Cuttin. Features and production by Sean Price, O.C., AG, Da Beatminerz, PF Cuttin, DJ JS-1, JK1 The Supernova, DJ Doom, Psycho Les, The Barbarian, and Red E. Available worldwide February 26th (CD/2LP/cassette/digital) on Ill Adrenaline Records. Distribution by Fat Beats and Foundation Media.

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ARTICLE: Ill Adrenaline Records
EDITOR: La Mont Reed
IMAGE: Truth

12 Finger Dan & B-Base aka Soulbrotha have carved a niche for themselves as a dope production and turntablist duo from Hamburg, Germany. As close protégés of producer icon DJ Premier, the veteran beatsmiths drop the boom bap filled EP “The Golden Era Isn’t Finished”, exclusively using the classic SP1200 beat machine. The EP comes special delivery courtesy of Ill Adrenaline Records along with first class guest appearances from Beneficence, Kazi, QNC, Craig G, Afu-Ra, Big Shug, Blaq Poet, and an intro from legendary producer and Juice Crew founder Marley Marl. All of the featured lyricists spit fire throughout the project: “Follow course of this rap dramatic theatrics. The vinyl sittin’ pretty like that scandal actress” (Beneficence on “Flow ‘N Facts”). The EP’s 4 tracks and instrumentals are plenty to satisfy the hunger of true hip-hop heads worldwide as the EP’s theme boldly states the golden era definitely isn’t finished.

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ARTICLE: Ill Adrenalin Records
EDITOR: La Mont Reed
IMAGE: Soulbrotha

Though still in demand, classic analog synthesizers from decades past can be a bit of a nightmare to keep in good working order. Many modern digital emulators do a decent enough job of recreating the epic sounds Jean Michelle Jarre, Kraftwerk and Soft Cell, but some believe that they just don’t have the same iconic sound qualities. Such is the thinking of a team of designers and engineers led by Philip Taysom and Paul Maddox, which has created a next gen music synth named Modulus.002. The boutique polyphonic sound machine mixes classic analog sound creation techniques with some digital magic to give musicians access to the kind of sounds made famous by vintage instruments of yesteryear.

“Most modern designs of polyphonic synthesizers are pure digital and just don’t have the same iconic sound qualities, in our opinion,” says Taysom, co-founder of the Bristol, UK-based startup behind the Modulus.002. “What we have created in the Modulus 002 is a fusion of these iconic analog and hybrid sounds of the 70s and 80s synthesizers with the reliability of the latest electronics plus Internet connectivity to share sounds, settings and work collaboratively on music without relying on painfully slow serial/MIDI connections to do so. This is the first synthesizer designed for the interconnected 21st Century.”

Designed to be the flagship of a new family of Modulus products, and less than 12 months in the making, the hybrid synth boasts 12 polyphonic voices and more than 50 different waveforms. There are two numerically controlled oscillators for each voice for high resolution and stability, and two sub oscillators which can be individually switched from a square wave to the same waveform as the main oscillators, making four oscillators per voice. You’ll also find a Fatar semi-weighted, five octave key mechanism with aftertouch (pressure sensitivity), and an ergonomic panel layout that follows a traditional synthesizer work flow to make all voice control parameters available to the player.

Front and center is an integrated 4.3-inch LCD screen with wide viewing angle that displays the control parameters of any control knobs touched by the user, with all modulation options accessed directly from the front panel. An in-house 24 dB-per-octave four pole analog transistor ladder filter is said to provide “classic warm sounds” and some unusual morphing effects. Players can access 12 “quick recall banks” from the front panel for speedy preset recall, and choose between polyphonic (up to 12 notes, with each note using one voice), monophonic (one note, one voice), unison (up to 12 voices per note) and stack (user-selectable multi-note, multi-voice) modes.

There’s global and per voice low filter oscillation, VCF and VCA envelope filters, an XY joystick, a step sequencer, arpeggiator (a cool feature where the synth will create a pattern from played notes) and an animator (which allows for sequencing of any control parameter).

To the rear are combined XLR/TRS ports for balanced or unbalanced analog signal output, two audio inputs which enable internal audio processing from the VCF onwards, a dedicated D-Sub connection that makes all 12 voices individually available for external processing, and a USB audio/MIDI port.

Bringing matters right up to date is a built-in Ethernet port to connect the Modulus.002 to a home or studio network for online collaboration or access to the company’s open cloud-based server platform for storage and sharing of sound patches, sequences and profile settings.

The Modulus.002 is available in August for US $5,200, and you can hear a few tasty samples on the company’s SoundCloud page.

Modulus 002 Exclusive First Look

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ARTICLE: Gizmag.com
EDITOR: Mike-Lee
IMAGE: The Modulus.002

The good folks at Mass Appeal caught up with Damu in Brooklyn, NY at the Fat Beats Studios in late 2013 to talk about drums and shoot this great interview. Those familiar with our “Rhythm Roulette” series are in for a treat and those new to this grab a seat, strap in, and take notes. We kick off 2014 with a special installment with DC’s own Damu The Fudgemunk. Repping his Redefinition Records, Damu stops by Fat Beats and hits up their drumkit to school us on his history and process when it comes to putting together beats and searching for “drum breaks.”

Starting off with some quick anecdotes about his early days in the game linking up with the DITC crew, getting schooled on drum breaks – from the very rare to the frequently used – and record stores buying him pizza and soda because he’d be copping records all day. A true beatsmith he even talks about the need to use original drum breaks from records rather than sampling from existing mixes “even if it takes 30 years.” To close the episode, Damu hits the drumkit and replicates a few well to lesser known soul and hip hop drum breaks. Check out the episode above and be sure to head over to Damu’s BandCamp to get your hands on “Spare Overtime – Reinspired” offered both digitally and on 12″ Vinyl with a Bonus 45.

Damu The Fudgemunk “Rhythm Roulette” Bonus Episode ~ Official Video

Repping his Redefinition Records, Damu stops by Fat Beats and hits up their drumkit to school us on his history and process when it comes to putting together beats and searching for “drum breaks.”

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ARTICLE: Redefinition
EDITOR: Mike-Lee
IMAGE: Mass Appeal

Since man first cracked two sticks together, then tightened an animal skin over a log, rhythm and music have been the universal language for mankind. From aristocrats to commoners music soothes the soul and sparks our emotional imagination. Today hip-hop music is one of the most influential forms of music on the planet. Globally defining how we think, shop, dress and live! Today’s music producer embodies a combination of resources to create music; including deejay / selector, drummer and orchestral skills.

Holding his new 250MB SCSI Zip Drive from Big Noise MPC in the picture above, Confidence can help you get to the next level. Using electronic music production tools and the MIDI protocol, today’s producer is the antithesis of the one-man-band. Producers like 45 King, Pete Rock, DJ Premiere, Jay Dilla, Mad Lib, Dr Dre, Hi Tech, !ll Mind and many more have defined a sound that is as classic as Bach or Mozart. Including the hip-hop producers we know, there are also a host of underground producers doing huge things in the independent music scene. One of these producers is Confidence from the Massachusetts area.

Put simply, the School of Confidence is a virtual online beat school which aims to provide students who are aspiring producers and upcoming beatmakers a chance to diversify their talents and arm them with other techniques to help them stand out amongst a sea of talent in the hip hop world.

Once students are ready and their music speaks for themselves, they will be given the opportunity to have their music shopped to various labels and artists for placements. All students will be treated equally and fairly. This is a learning environment for all who wish to take their careers in music to new heights.

Music Production From Confidence – Official Sound Cloud Stream

Hip Hop Producer representing Boston by way of Philly. Can do it all by mainly focus on that authentic golden era hip hop. Producer for Rashad and Confidence and Purpose and Confidence on Ill Adrenanline Records. For inquiries: [email protected]

About The Producer: Confidence, a student of the game dating back to the 90’s, first got a taste of music production in the mid 90′s while learning to DJ with his brother Technic. From there Confidence got involved with sampling but his break didn’t come until 2001 when he copped an MPC 2000xl which he still uses to this day to compose masterpieces. He put in hours of work and dedication over the years, landing him placements from time to time but his ultimate break came in 2010 when he linked up with a relatively unknown artist by the name of Rashad.

Thanks to Confidence’s prednisone 2010 mix tape “Recon”, where he remixed sixteen 90’s classics over his production, the two became acquainted. From their initial meeting, Confidence and Rashad discussed doing more than just recording one track. A classic was in the works, and after numerous months of countless hours to craft masterpieces, “The Element of Surprise” was born. This epic record hit worldwide November 29, 2011. It was distributed through Fatbeats and put out by Ill Adrenaline Records. One month after release it shot to #1 on Undergroundhiphop.com where it stayed in the top 3 for three months and garnered a near 5 star rating with over 100 comments.

In 2012, Confidence teamed up with Purpose of Tragic Allies and released another album on Ill Adrenaline Records entitled, “The Purpose of Confidence.” This album also went to #1 on Undergroundhiphop.com. Next up was Beneficence’s LP, “Concrete Soul” where he produced five stand out tracks. This album also found its home at #1 on Undergroundhiphop.com. It’s safe to say whatever Confidence touches turns to gold.

Confidence lent a hand on Neek The Exotic’s EP with the title track, “Comin in Piles.” Neek dropped his album “Hustle Don’t Stop in September 2013 which Confidence produced seven joints for. In March of 2013, Confidence released two singles with The Regiment out of Detroit. Together they teamed up with Ill Adrenaline and Soul Tools to release a 7″ which became available in May 2013.

The biggest news for 2013 is a collaborative album slated to drop this fall on Ill Adrenaline Records titled. “Confidence presents: Gdot & Born featuring Edo. G Other projects are in the works as well including a follow up with Rashad. Stay tuned…

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ARTICLE: Big Noise
EDITOR: Noiseman
IMAGE: Confidence

Ill Adrenaline Records is proud to announce the long awaited instrumental version of “The Element of Surprise” by Rashad & Confidence! The debut album by the back then totally unknown MC/producer duo was already released in November 2011… In the meantime Ill Adrenaline Records dropped underground smash albums and singles by Beneficence, Purpose & Confidence, Tragic Allies & Tragedy Khadafi, Da Beatminerz, Neek The Exotic, The Legion and The Purist & Roc Marciano. And, in the meantime “The Element of Surprise” by Rashad & Confidence tadalafil became an internationally critically acclaimed album, considered as an instant classic by hip-hop heads worldwide. Push the play button and listen closely to the deep and soulful, but still hard hitting boom-bap beats of “The Element of Surprise”, and get taken back to a time when hip-hop only produced classic albums.

Rashad & Confidence “The Element of Surprise Intro” Instrumental

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ARTICLE: Rashid  & Confidence
EDITOR: Noiseman
IMAGE: Rashid  & Confidence