DJ TechTools

Midi Fighter Utility 2.91 dropped this morning, and it is a big release, no simple bug patches here. New firmware for the Twister, 64, Spectra, and 3D shipped alongside it, which makes this probably the biggest simultaneous update across the whole Midi Fighter lineup we’ve ever done. The short version: if you own any Midi Fighter, you should update today and share some feedback with our team! The Midi Fighter Utility itself got a serious overhaul.

Engine DJ 5.0 from Denon DJ went live today. The headline feature: on-board stems rendering. It’s exclusive to the Rane System 1, which now becomes the first piece of standalone DJ hardware that can split a track into 4-part stems without an external computer in the chain. If you don’t own a System 1, the update still has plenty for you.

The Devious Pocket is a standalone Digital Vinyl System out of a small Amsterdam studio called NAP Works, and the headline feature is that it works without a laptop anywhere in the chain. Plug it in between your turntable and your mixer, drop a USB stick into the side, put on a timecode record, and you’re playing digital files through actual records with no library software and no operating system to babysit.

Native Instruments has been sold. InMusic Brands, the U.S. parent of Akai Professional, Denon DJ, Numark, Rane, M-Audio, Moog, and Engine DJ, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire NI in full. That includes Traktor, Maschine, Komplete, Kontakt, Reaktor, and the broader iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx stack that NI absorbed over the last few years. The deal was signed at Superbooth in Berlin and announced this morning by NI CEO Nick Williams.

AlphaTheta has released the , a compact 3-channel DJ mixer built on the sound architecture of the DJM-V10, bringing flagship-style sound shaping into a smaller format. Available late January 2026 with a MAP of $2,199 USD, the V5 includes 4-band EQ and channel compression on every channel, per-channel Send FX, multi-mode filters, 96 kHz / 64-bit DSP, and ESS 32-bit A/D and D/A converters on key signal paths.

Native Instruments has introduced the Traktor MX2, a next-generation 2-channel DJ controller aimed at DJs of all levels. This is the first Traktor controller that we’ve seen in years – the renewed Z1 and X1 being the most recent. The aesthetic of the Traktor MX2 (fairwell, “Kontrol”?) matches those releases design language. This new controller is designed with Traktor Pro 4 in mind, and has and a high-quality audio interface to boot.

Cyber Monday pricing ends at midnight and these are the lowest prices we offer all year. Every order supports a DJ-run company, not a billionaire-owned mega-corp. 💿 Pre-Tariff Rollbacks: We’re taking the hit so you don’t have to. 💬 Real Support: Our team of DJs is live on chat if you need help choosing gear. 🧠 For a Cause: $1 per order goes to Backline in memory of our friend Josh, supporting mental health for music creators. International shipping includes duties and customs.

Akai has officially unveiled the MPC Live III, the latest addition to its iconic line of standalone music production centers. Positioned as the most advanced MPC yet, the Live III brings an 8-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and a host of new tools designed for modern producers and performers. Among its standout features are MPCe 3D pads for expressive control, a dedicated 16-step sequencer, and a touchscreen Clip Matrix that enables real-time loop launching and arrangement without a laptop.

Ableton just announced a rent-to-own plan for its flagship software – the Live 12 Suite – and it’s already making waves. For years, the biggest barrier to entry with Ableton hasn’t been the learning curve – it’s been the price tag. Suite runs $749 upfront, which for most bedroom producers, students, or DJs dabbling in production feels like a brutal financial hurdle.

Roland announced the new TR-1000 Rhythm Creator today: a $2,699 USD drum machine that blends digital sound engines and analog circuitry with new sampling abilities, all in one heavy-hitting piece of hardware. It weighs in at just over 12 lbs and is built at ~19″-wide x ~12″-deep x ~15″ high. It’s the first true analog TR from the company in over 40 years.