The small but powerful iPhone has a new set of accessories that help make it easier to interact with the device.

Due to strict noise pollution laws, it’s become difficult to have an outdoor dance party in Goa, India.

As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, so does its relationship with humans and the way we interact with it. Scottish electronic artist Calvin Harris created a “humanthesizer” using 15 models and conductive paint to perform “Ready for the Weekend,” a single off his upcoming album with the same name.
The project is a collaboration between Calvin, Sony Music Entertainment, and Bare conductive body ink. “Ink-human circuitry” was painted onto the models while two Arduinos were used to provide an analog-to-digital connection with a computer. From there, patching environment Max/MSP translates data to MIDI where the models can then perform by closing circuits [...]

The New York Times’ wonderful “Idea of the Day” blog has posted a keen observation on why the trend of using auto-tune software has become so popular.
They quote producer Jace Clayton form his Frieize Magazine article on auto-tune:
“From the U.S. to Mexico, Jamaica, Africa, and beyond – Auto-Tune usage has splintered, with different approaches from scene to scene and artist to artist,” Clayton writes. “The plug-in creates a different relation of voice to machine than ever before. Rather than novelty or some warped mimetic response to computers, Auto-Tune is a contemporary strategy for intimacy with the digital. As such, it [...]

An iPhone can now become a kind of virtual vinyl record with Theodore Watson’s innovative app. His “Spinning Vinyl” program plays a virtual record faster or slower as you spin the whole phone at different speeds. Watch below.
Spinning vinyl ipod app from Theodore Watson on Vimeo
[F.A.T via MAKE]

There have been many new DJ systems created in the last few years, but perhaps none as unique as the Beat Blender Prototype by Finnish “One man collective” Matti Niinimäki.
Niinimäki has rigged together a music control device using an old Osterizer blender, and pieces of fruit with embedded RFID tags. Each piece of fruit represents a sound sample, and when dropped ito the blender triggers and loops the sample. Adding more fruit to the mix makes the composition more complex, and by pressing the different blender control buttons (Stir, Puree, Whip, Grate, Mix, Chop, Grind, Blend, Liquefy, Frappé), you can [...]

iTunes 8.1 has been released, and it has a handful of new features. One curious standout is a new addition called “iTunes DJ”. It’s similar to the Party Shuffle of past versions -but now, anyone with an iPhone can request, and cue up songs remotely to the “DJ” using iTunes. Party goers can also vote up songs they like higher in the playlist. It’s kind of fun in a way, but I don’t know if “crowd sourced” DJing is the way to go. There are always those people at a party with really bad, or inappropriate requests for the DJ [...]

John Beez has developed a unique new DJ tool that extends the normal capabilities of a mixer’s crossfader. His “Fretless Fader” acts as a MIDI controller that slides up and down, playing different notes with the sounds coming into the mixer. Watch it in action below.

[shot then via A-Trak]

Touch Mix is a DJing application for the iPhone and iPod Touch that looks a lot like a miniature version of the popular ATTIGO TT touchscreen turntable we reported on earlier. The interface looks clean and easy to use, featuring two distinct track players, a crossfader, pitch control and sound effects. Each song’s waveform can also be manipulated by touch to mimic scratching and whatnot. The downside: the software is only compatible with ten exclusive tracks by producer deadmau5. Hopefully this software will get a wider release, as it looks like a potentially useful DJ tool.
[via Create Digital Music]

For those who remember the long and painful MuxTape saga, it may seem that another attempt to emulate the popular mixtape site would be a hopeless cause, but 8tracks is hoping for a new angle on the old idea.  Users upload or select songs from the existing online library and create a playlist of 8 tracks, which totals about 30 minutes of curated music.  At the heart of the site there is the understanding that music fans can create innovative playlists that lead similar listeners to new and interesting selections.  Be sure to check out their tumblr and twitter sites.
8tracks [...]

The Martinez Brothers may look like ordinary kids, but they have a secret identity that only comes out at night. Steve Jr. who’s 20 and Christian, who’s 17 lead double lives, where during the day they are just your average students, living in the sleepy New York City suburb of Monroe New York. But when darkness falls, they turn into globe trotting DJs — highly skilled and respected DJs who have played all over the world from Berlin to Ibiza.
The story begins with their father, Steve Sr. who was an active participant during the heyday of the NYC disco scene. [...]