|
|
| Dance
eJay 2 - Techno Edition |
 |
 |
 |
The main thing you notice about the main
editing screen of Dance eJay 2 - Techno Edition is the overall similarity to the original
Dance eJay 2. This is encouraging as it means you don't have to really thumb through
the manual all over again if you are already conversant with how the software actually
works. You will however notice one or two additions relating to the HyperGenerator
II |
as this part of the software
is probably the most welcome addition seen yet to the Dance eJay range of products.
I will cover it in more detail below, but for now let me just say that it is probably what
made Rave eJay (the 180bpm Drum n Bass/Techno/Ambient counterpart) a huge success in the
early days of the eJay product range.
So what was Dance eJay
2 all about?
Well, I am not one for repeating myself, so I won't, but you might like to check out my review of Dance eJay 2 aswell as reading this review if you
are not already familiar with the software. It covers most of the features that are
present in the Techno Edition and it will give you a feel for what the software can
actually do. Read the original Dance eJay 2 Review written by the author of this
site (me) here.
It sounds very
different this time round...
If you are dreading the same old electropop 80's sounds of the original Dance eJay, then
you'll be wrong. It seems that this time the producers of the eJay product range
have listened to the people, and indeed read my mind by throwing in a massive amount of
superb quality samples for you to get mixing with right away. Theres something in
the box for everyone with samples suiting the Techno, Trance, Big Beat, Electro and Hard
House among you. You will definitely not be disappointed with the samples, that much
I completely assure you. I spent the hour before writing this review just playing
the samples to see what there is and came away with so many ideas for new tunes it was
unbelievable. The sphere loops are to die for, the bass selection is just awesome
and the sequence are seeminglyh endless. The drum loops are plentiful and theres
enough percussion instruments in there to back them up too. What really impressed me
once again though is the fact that all the samples that you may have already for dance
eJay 2 are automatically available in the Techno edition if you have both packages
installed, so it meant I didn't have to install the kits all over again. So by now
you must be really tempted by just the sampels alone, but let me put it in perspective for
you... Dance eJay 2 boasted over 1,000 samples free with the package. The
Techno Edition comes with over 3,500 fresh new samples absolutely free with the package,
which is the equivalent of having Dance eJay 2 and 5 sample kits thrown in too. If
that doesn't make this piece of software buying for that reason alone, then I'll eat my
mouse!
Its back, its better
and it makes waves...
I said I would go into more detail about the Hyper Generator II, and I will, this part of
the Techno Edition of Dance eJay 2 is probably one of the most welcome additions to an
already awesome piece of music writing software that you could have hoped for.
| The Hyper Generator
II is by description a monophone synthesiser and sequencer all in one. It basically
allows you to create stunning and totally unique new samples very easily for integration
into your epic new tune. If
you used Rave eJay then you will be instantly at home with the methodology used by this
part of the Techno edition of Dance eJay |
 |
2 - Techno Edition. In fact
its fair to say you will definitely agree that this is what has been missing from the
Dance eJay range since the very beginning. It basically means that when you run out
of samples (if thats possible), you can create some new samples of your own to accompany
your mix. You might just spend hours making new samples once you start playing with
this, so I will warn you now, watch that addiction. Anyway, the useful features are
there such as Filtering, Echo and Distortion effects, as is the ability to actually place
notes based on the keyboard on the left actually into the matrix to form decent sounding
and indeed tuneful loops. It doesn't stop there though...oh no, indeed not... this
time instead of just having 16 positions to program, you can actually build a sequence of
1, 2, 3 or 4 samples and join them together to make an set of sounds so awesome it sounds
like a pro has made them. This opens the door to many new possibilities, and having
played with this part of the software only briefly now, I am already chomping at the bit
thinking of the possibilities that this feature alone is going to bring.
I am really glad they
left this in...
One of the features of the original Dance eJay 2 that I am also glad to see remain is the
Effects Studio. This handy gizmo is very handy for changing the physical key (or
note) of any sample in the software, but also for adding the
 |
extra effects
otherwise only possible in the Hypergenerator II, you can add some really decent
filtering, echo and distortion effects as well as the ability to robotize samples too.
Very nice if you have a fairly raw sample and want to jazz it up that bit more for
your mix. A nice touch indeed. |
For the seasoned and
new user alike...
It doesn't matter whether you've had Dance eJay 1 or 2 for ages, or have never even used
the software before, the usual easy interface has not been compromised in this new edition
which is good thing as anyone will tell you, but if you haven't got this amazing edition
of Dance eJay 2, then you should add it to your shopping list right now, or put your money
to one side for it straight away. It is in my opinion well worth having and is a
sure fire winner in the music writing world of computing. You don't need to be an
expert to use it, and after a while, you will just wonder how on earth you did without it.
Please see the last page of this
review for my final summing up of this awesome addition to the eJay range.
Click on the Buttons below to advance or page back
through this review.
|
