It is hard to find a Canadian who knows nothing about Katie Stelmanis (Austra) and her songs. She has won a lot of fans’ hearts with her performance style, lyrics, and the sweetest voice in Toronto.
You are welcome to listen to the inspiring remix of “Lose It,” one of Austra’s greatest synthpop songs, created by Diamond Rings. Here are some interesting facts about Austra and Diamond Rings (a.k.a. John O’Regan), their friendship, and their way to popularity.
John O’Regan is a popular Canadian musician famous for his remixes and unique techno sounds that attract thousands of fans worldwide. In 2009 he created a “Diamond Rings” pseudonym, and afterwards the musician quickly gained recognition by his early listeners.
John O’Regan was involved in several bands, one of which was The D'Urbervilles quartet. In the mid-2000s, he cooperated with Sylvie Smith in the Habitat duo. In 2006 they released just one single, “Next Year”, and afterwards Sylvie joined another band called Evening Hymns.
In 2009 John released his first solo hit “All Yr Songs.” This song attracted lots of new listeners. It was distributed via Hype Lighter, John’s label that promoted his music on local TV and YouTube channels.
Afterwards O’Regan continued getting fans from Europe and US thanks to his album Wait & See. His song “Show Me Your Stuff” and its striking video were compared to Klaus Nomi, Britney Spears, and Nirvana. O’Regan’s debut album reached the Canadian chart’s top 50 and gathered great reviews from music journalists.
Diamond Rings attracts listeners with his rhythms and unique audio effects that make old music sound in a new way. Despite being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, John continued creating new music to make his fans happy.
Another thing people love about Diamond Rings is his fashionable and bright looks that catch the eye. John O’Regan likes bright shades and shiny lipstick. His stage costumes are extravagant, but it makes his fans reach out to him even more. Whenever he appears on TV shows, it is undeniable that he has a particular taste in makeup and clothes.
In 2012 Diamond Rings released one of his most popular songs called “Runaway Love.” The next year, Stars presented the song’s remix on YouTube. That track found a lot of positive feedback on social media and enabled the promotion of both musicians in the indie-pop field.
There is also another great remix of “All Yr Songs” by Green Go. It was released in 2010, but it can still be a great option for dance parties. Diamond Rings fans claimed the remix put the song in a different light. That is why many people were looking forward to downloading the renewed version of their favorite song.
One of the most famous remixes of the song “I'm Just Me” by Yelle DJs was played often on Canadian radio stations. It also received numerous positive reviews in social media. In 2013 the track had a great chance to be the next big thing in the music industry, and Yelle DJs version promoted it to the top of Canadian charts.
Katie Stelmanis and John O’Regan had been friends long before they started their music careers. O’Regan said Austra inspired him and helped his music get out of his own bedroom. When O’Regan moved to Toronto for studying purposes, he met Katie Stelmanis, and their story began. Professional singer and musician, O’Regan didn’t even know how to read sheet music back then. He knew just a couple of chords and the way he wanted his music to sound. Now the musician is grateful to Austra for introducing him to the Toronto music community and teaching him how to make electronic music.
O’Regan was crazy about Austra’s music. When she released her first album Feel It Break, he knew exactly he would create something special with it. “Lose It” was O’Regan’s favorite song, so he decided to make a remix and add some new sounds to it. People loved the Diamond Rings version just as much as the original. Go ahead and listen to the “Lose It” remix by Diamond Rings and find something special for you too!
The world is gradually coming to its senses after the COVID-19 hit. Various industries, including the entertainment biz, have adapted to the new reality and learned to cater to people’s needs in new ways.
Since mass public gatherings are still limited, online events remain popular — and more predictable in terms of planning. The online format of entertainment has become a usual thing, and many people have found it quite convenient.
Gambling is one of the industries that has enjoyed great success after turning online. You have to agree that making a winning bet at Datdrop Casino in the comfort of your own home is much more convenient than going down to a land-based casino.
However, there are also numerous upcoming offline events people are anticipating. Still, when attending such gatherings, participants need to follow the COVID-19 guidelines. That means having a negative test or a vaccination certificate on hand when visiting the event.
In this article, you will find information about both online and offline events you should check out. We have prepared a versatile collection to make sure that everyone finds something fun for themselves. All events will take place in 2021-2022, so hurry up and see what you would like to participate in.
Online events are convenient, and they allow people to have fun without leaving their homes. Nevertheless, offline events remain extremely popular as the majority prefer going out and interacting with others, especially after lockdown. Take a look at what we’ve gathered for you!
SIGMA Americas is going to a large city in Brazil, San Paolo, for the next edition of the well-known gaming show. It will be a combination of fast-developing tech and gaming industries.
The event will be held in September 2022. Top gaming and emerging tech innovators will introduce their products. There will be over 150 brightest minds that will highlight the industry trends. Moreover, the event will provide numerous networking opportunities for communication with fellows and exchanging knowledge and experiences.
This No-Limit Hold’em online tournament event is going to take place on December 10-19. In order to reserve a seat at the table for the final game, you need to play a satellite tournament. Participation in a qualifying event costs $70-130, but the potential win is so worth it! You get a chance to win the big prize of $200,000 if you play your cards right.
You can also watch the games if you do not want to play yourself.
The event will take place in September 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Along with premier networking opportunities, this wonderful awards gala is going to reward the Gaming industry’s top players in a celebration of achievement.
The most creative and outstanding projects will be highlighted at this event. Moreover, there will be an art auction, and all the proceeds will go to a variety of charity projects by the SIGMA Foundation.
You can choose to book a seat at the awards for $175 or get a table for a group of 10 friends for $1,750.
It is a three-day festival in Las Vegas that will take place on November 12, 2021. Featuring the performances of Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and the Creator, the event will be a weekend to remember.
However, those are not the only famous artists that will take part in the Day N Vegas event. Ari Lennox, DaBaby, SZA, Doja Cat, Rico Nasty, Saweetie, Cordae, Lil Baby, Tinashe, Don Tolliver, and many others will perform as well.
Everyone is welcome to attend the festival — including children, who can come for free. Adult ticket prices start at $199.95.
Fire & Ice is an annual event hosted by Lyceum Media. It has been taking place since 2002 and has gathered the most avid gaming enthusiasts from around the world. This event is known as the longest party for executives in the iGaming industry.
You can take part in this well-known and unique party as a regular participant or a sponsor. Every year, the hosts promise — and deliver — an exciting show and an unmatched atmosphere.
The next event will take place on February 2, 2022. Make sure to book a table in advance!
This event is referred to as Afropunk Fest, and it is an art festival that takes place every year. It involves film, live music, fashion, and art made by artists of African descent. The event made its debut in 2005 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Then it spread to other parts of the globe.
Afropunk is a two-day festival that highlights black identity and female talent. It is unique as it attracts audiences from all over the world. Moreover, the number of viewers keeps on growing as people are eager to witness some of the most wonderful art performers.
This event is a country music festival that takes place outdoors every year. The usual spot is the Empire Polo Club in California. The lineup includes both mainstream and unknown artists. The styles can be anything from bluegrass, mainstream country, and folk to alternative country.
In 2022, the list of artists includes Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, and others. Stagecoach Festival is the highest-grossing event dedicated to country music worldwide. This event is suitable for people of all ages, including children.
Whatever is going on in the world, people will always seek entertainment. With today’s wide selection of options, everyone can find a fun event to their liking. From poker tournaments to art exhibitions to music festivals — the opportunities are endless!
We have tried to gather the most interesting and unique attractions from all over the world to help you discover new things and live through exciting experiences. We hope you do not let the circumstances tie you down and figure out ways to bring entertainment into your life even in the middle of a pandemic!
If you're working with a DJ mixer for the first time, you might be hesitant to even touch it. A plethora of knobs, meters, faders, and multiple inputs and outputs appear to be highly sophisticated. However, if you start tweaking the mixing parameters and experimenting with different combinations, it's not that tough. Just make sure that all of your sources are plugged into the correct inputs, and your amp and speakers are plugged into the outputs. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to start mixing!
Many DJ mixers feature a master volume knob that sets the limit for the output sound. For example, if you turn the Master volume to 5 o'clock, any channel (source) or its joint output won't get louder than that level.
Beside the main volume regulator, the mixer also features the volume faders or knobs for each channel, letting you tweak them separately. However, the volume set by the channel knobs cannot be more than a master volume established.
A crossfader is the fader knob that in the majority of mixers is moved horizontally. It regulates the amount of signal from each channel connected to the mixer. If you hook up a turntable with the hard rock record and the computer with the samples of the beats, moving the crossfader to the left or to the right will let you hear more rock or more beats accordingly. When the crossfader is in the middle position, the output of both channels is equally loud.
Depending on your mixer model, you'll be able to tweak from 2 to 4 EQ parameters. Each channel of the mixer often has its own EQ controls, which are situated next to the channel volume knobs. EQ regulators allow you to adjust the frequencies of channels to obtain non-distorted or distorted results.
The blinking lights of the VU meters can be entertaining, but they have a practical purpose as well. You can control the output of each of your channels and its rhythm. Besides, the VU meter warns you about the possible overdrive features. If the light goes red, it's better to decrease the Master volume to avoid possible damage to your mixer and connected equipment.
The upgraded DJ mixers have a panel with incorporated sound effects, which is often marked as an FX panel. The assortment of effects can be different depending on the model, while the majority of mixers let you add echo or delay to your mixes, for example. The effects are applied to the common output of all channels. If you want to mix effects with one channel, set the crossfader fully toward that channel, and set the volume knobs of the other channel to zero.
Even if you don't plan to speak, sing, or beatmake throughout your performance, you can still use the microphone if the mixer has that option. The microphone input also makes a channel, and you can apply the effects, EQ, and volume controls to it. So having a microphone greatly expands the range of sound available for mixing. Learn where your mixer's microphone controls are, as well as the mute button. It will allow you to avoid undesirable sounds during mixing, such as the sound of your breath.
This feature is typically seen in professional DJ mixers, as it allows for the attachment of additional speakers/amps for sound output. The booth control allows you to separate and group specific speakers, performing control over a single group (booth) with the controls panel.
The DJ mixer may come with the software installed or require a connection to a computer for installation. The software determines the variety of available effects, the layout of available settings, and the ability to tweak them. DJ software is usually categorized according to what music style it best suits. For instance, the Traktor Pro software is popular among DJs who mix hip-hop tracks.
Even with a separate room for mixing your tracks, once, you might need to use the headphones with your DJ mixer. That's why it's better to learn how to do it in advance. Besides, headphones can help you adjust the rhythm of two channels, as you can set them up to hear both channels at once. With the single speaker output, there's usually only one track to hear at a time.
A DJ mixer usually has a mini headphone fader that allows you to control the output and apply EQ and other controls in real-time.
So you've decided that you want a record player so that you can listen to vinyl records. If you're new to the world of turntables, you might be perplexed as to which type of deck to purchase. Turntables are divided into two groups, each of which has a distinct set of capabilities:
Still, do you want to be a DJ? If so, you should consider a DJ turntable. If you just want to listen to vinyl records, you can buy a less expensive model without losing the sound quality. For example, look at the best turntable under 500 dollars.
However, keep in mind some details about DJ and audiophile turntables when choosing.
DJ turntables can be used to listen to music. A premium DJ deck might output a high-quality sound and let you enjoy your LPs no less than the audiophile record player. This works in the opposite direction as well. Regular turntables can be used for simple DJing techniques. This will be much less convenient to implement than on a professional DJ turntable, but it is still possible.
Let's take a closer look at the differences between these two types of vinyl record players, and how you can use either one to achieve your musical goals.
DJ turntables are distinguished by the fact that the platter is mounted directly on top of the motor. This allows you to regulate the movement of the object: slow it down, accelerate it, or halt it. The platter movement is smooth, and the sound flow is consistent.
However, the direct-drive mechanism tends to wear out over time, increasing the vibration transmitted to the record. This also affects the sound, as it becomes uneven and less informative.
Audiophile record players are mostly belt-driven. The motor is housed in the plinth, apart from the platter, and is connected to it by a belt that runs through it. Such a construction dampens vibration and the sound of the motor letting you hear most of the music. Still, it lacks the freedom of full control over playback, which is present in the DJ decks.
DJ turntables are high-torque decks, which assure the precision of the platter movement as well as the tracking of the needle during the performance. While it is an excellent choice for beatmatching and scratching methods, it produces a sound that is less natural. It is widely appreciated by audiophiles when a natural trail of the fading sound remains at the end of a record, which is formed by the record spinning for 1-2 final turns after the song is finished.
High torque sometimes results in a dry sound in the cheaper DJ turntables, while the low torque of the audiophile record players preserves the warmth of the vinyl characteristic playback on the deck of any price category.
DJ decks are usually sturdier than their audiophile counterparts. They feature heavy plinths, rigorous massive tonearms with thick needles, and an overall strong build. This should let the turntable survive numerous sessions of sound making and editing.
Needles and tonearms of audiophile turntables are usually subtler, which results in less durability but often, higher sound quality. Their needle tips are usually elliptic, letting the cartridge receive and transmit a lot of nuance of the recorded audio. Their sound is usually more dynamic and lighter for perception. If you wish to know more about the types of needles and their tips, check this website.
Although audiophile turntables can sometimes cost a fortune, they usually offer a rather ascetic set of controls. Some models may have none at all, except for the on/off button. Some models may include automatic procedures such as lowering the tonearm or removing it from its position after the playback is over.
On the contrary, DJ record players frequently allow you to customize your sound by adjusting a variety of features. The standard set of controls includes pitch and tempo regulation, changing the playback speed automatically. Besides, DJs can change the tonearms manually, experimenting with different cartridges and sometimes regulating the traction force.
Some modern audiophile turntables are equipped with digital output ports. These are used to record vinyl sound to digital media, such as a flash drive or even a hard drive. However, many audiophile decks do not have this feature to avoid signal interference within the turntable and to eliminate even the slightest negative effect on the turntable output. Older audiophile turntables often lack a headphone jack as well.
With DJ decks, it’s another way around. Several different types of ports can be located on the back and sometimes on the front of the base. They serve to connect a USB flash drive, a MIDI keyboard, or a mixer, and there may also be one or two AUX ports.
Simply put, a DJ turntable is designed to create sound and improvise with it and therefore provides many tools to do so. However, its output tends to be less varied and natural than that of an audiophile turntable (assuming the decks are in the same price range).
Audiophile turntables are designed for listening to recorded sound. They do not have the various controls like DJ decks, but they provide a rich, warm, natural sound with lots of detail and nuance.