14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has taken action in an attempt to shatter the perpetuated stereotype that Mac computers are the tools of trade for artists, be them designers, writers, singers, music composers, video makers, etc. The purpose of the Redmond company’s latest initiative is to change how DJs mix their music, by attempting to convince them to switch their Macs with Windows 7 PCs.
According to Microsoft’s Ashley Brown, the software giant has teamed up with Darek Mazzone, the host of Wo’Pop, a weekly radio show on Seattle’s KEXP, and three other DJs that Mazzone recommended. Together, they have embraced Windows 7 PCs for their work, namely new, fully loaded Dell XPS 16’s.
“Together with the Dell PCs, we also shipped each DJ a Novation Launchpad controller, a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB audio interface, a Serato Rane SL3 DJ interface, the Ableton Live 8 software suite, a Crane laptop stand, a Flip Mino HD camera and, of course, a Windows-branded Mono DJ bag and T-shirt (we love swag and couldn’t resist),” Brown stated.
One of the Windows 7 machines has already been put to good use. Mazzone employed his Windows 7 Dell XPS 16 to open for Rachid Taha at Neumos in Seattle on Tuesday, June 8. But there is still much to come. In this regard, the Redmond company informed that Windows 7 would be one of the stars at Sonar, in Barcelona.
The promise from Microsoft is that it will continue to provide updates on how the selected DJs are using their laptops in order to mix and serve music to their audiences. Brown reveals that users would be getting tracks, interviews and additional content from Microsoft. He also presented the three DJs that joined Mazzone in boosting the role of Windows 7 PCs in the music industry.
“Pezzner (Dave Pezzner) is a Seattle-based producer and electronic music composer. He’s released more than 45 vinyls and remixes, as well as music compositions for American Idol, The Discovery Channel, Nordstrom and T-Mobile,” Brown stated.
“New York City-based Sabo has six EP releases on Sol*Selectas, his own record label, two 12” releases on Wonderwheel Recordings and a full length album on Irma Records. He loves to move between genres, whether it’s Afrobeat, House or Reggae.”
“Finally, Deadbeat (Scott Monteith), a longtime Montréaler, now lives and works in Berlin. He’s been putting out a unique blend of dub laden minimal electronics since 2000 on labels such as Cynosure, Scape and Wagon Repair. He’s performed at Barcelona’s Sonar, Berlin’s Transmediale and Montreal’s Mutek. He’s also a music technology junkie, which got us especially excited about partnering.”