Pioneer Limited Edition HDJ-1000 Headphones

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.’s Professional Sound and Visual Division announced on October 14th their limited edition HDJ-1000 DJ headphones available December 2010. The headphones will be available in two offered in "two fashionable colors", are more comfortable, and produce better low frequency reproduction for more "effective mixing".

“Much like our players and mixers, Pioneer headphones are designed for both style and performance. We have a versatile line-up of headphones that are sure to complement many DJ levels. The new HDJ-1000s will not only catch your eye, but also please your ears,” 

David Arevalo, senior marketing manage

Specifications:

Type: Fully enclosed dynamic stereo headphones

Frequency range: 5Hz – 30kHz

Impedance: 36Ω

Maximum input power: 3,500 mW

Output sound level: 107 dB/m

Unit type: 50 mm diameter dome type

Plug: 3.5 mm diameter 3P mini plus (gold-plated, screw in)

Weight: 9.52 oz. (excluding cord)

Included accessories: 6.3mm 3P plug adapter (gold-plated, screw-type), carrying pouch

Connection cord: 1.2m side mount coil cord (extended 3m)

"Many DJs are as critical of the look of their gear as they are with its audio performance. The HDJ-1000 headphones provide the high-quality sound that DJs expect as well as choices of colors and styles that make a fashion statement. The HDJ-1000 headphones come in two new colors, black and gold, in addition to the original chrome model. The black version resonates with a more sophisticated look, while the gold version provides a more glitzy style." 

Pioneer Press Release

Apparel Dedicated to the DJ Lifestyle

Here are a few dope shirt designs from DRM Labs, an apparel company inspired by DJing and producer lifestyle. So far all the have is a T-Shirt collection, but the 'Supplies' header could be promising if the ever do come out with some innovative products. I think there is room in the industry, especially with all the creative minds, to develop useful and viable accessories and supplies for DJs and producers.
Will keep you all updated on it!

Vintage Musical Swatch Watches

Swatch Boogie Mood Musical Swatch Watch

1994

Melody by: Philip Glass

Designed by: Unknown

Tambour Musical Swatch Watch

1994

Melody by: Jean Michel Jarre

Designed by: Alessandro Mendini

Wired SLV100 Musical Swatch Watch

1996 Fall Winter Collection

 Designed by: John Hershey

Melody by: Paulo Mendonça

Silver CD Box (Funky Stuff) Musical Swatch Watch

1998 Spring Summer Collection

Included CD from Dutch artist Dutch Saxophonist Candy Dulfer

Designed by: Unknown

   

    

Philip Glass


Jean Michel Jarre


Paulo Mendonca


Candy Dulfer

HUGE thanks to Swatch & Beyond where I sourced all these timeless vintage watches!

Boombox and Turntable Watches by Flud

FluD designs and manufactures music/DJ influenced watches.

"Flud Watches was established in 2007 by a few good men who loved the streetwear scene and good business. In an effort to bring the watch back to its rightful place as one of the ultimate accessories, the concept for Flud was born. Our goal is to create unique, fresh watches for the casual and streetwear scene without the pretentiousness or price tag. Fresh style, nice price, its a simple formula. We could get more wordy, but its not what Flud is about - its all about the watches."

I received the Rocksmith x FluD TableTurns piece as a gift which initially put me on to FluD. In a design critique, FluD could use some help on branding and web design, but when looking at physical product design and development I think they're definitely on point.

Check out their full product line here.

Innovative Music Distribution: The Music Tee

I think we've all figured out by now that people aren't probably going to be paying for music the future. Ever since 1999 when Shawn Fanning released Napster for download on the PC, it all seemed too natural. Record labels have since been scrambling for the past decade to find out how they can get people to buy physical albums; upping production costs by including posters, interactive CDs and DVDs. While all artists and musicians in there right minds have provided thier music for digital distribution, the sale of music is has taking on a completely new form.

An interesting approach to this industry transition comes from Invisible DJ and fashion house LnA, entitled, The Music Tee.

"The Music Tee is a new product line that combines digital music and fashion in one eye-and-ear-catching package.  Music Tees are high-end t-shirts that feature album art and a tracklist.  Each shirt comes with a unique code that can be used to download a digital copy of the album associated with that Music Tee.  This enables people to discover and purchase music in fashion retail environments, then hear and wear an album!"

I'm always down with combining music, design and fashion. The Music Tee is not just an online store that sells T-shirts bundled with music. They have created a new platform for music consumption, a structure that in some way differs payment for music and ends up seemingly as an exchange for rockin a band or musician's album artwork on your shirt.

Hi Polished Head Phone. Sterling with Gold Plating.

Complete Technique a jewelry design firm creates music and DJ inspired jewelry. They have an impressive gallery of amazing DJs, producers and celebrities including Jazzy Jeff, Swiss Beats, HiTek, list of companies they have worked on collaborative pieces with including 3 sixteen, Futurerelic, and Kidrobot. The firm is headquartered in New York City and I had the pleasure of going to, what looks to be one of their last events in 2008 at the 55DSL store in Soho. Either these guys have been super busy, or they have moved on to something bigger and better. 

Stay tuned, I try to give you an update about it soon.

Technics and Marvel Make Some T-Shirts

In 2008 DMC (Disco Mix Club) in collab with Technics, Marvel Comics and Urban Species created special edition t-shirts spotlighting famous Marvel Comics' characters with the infamous Technics 1210s. An interesting project for all firms involved and proved the strong auxiliary relationship of each audience's interests. Check out some of the designs...

While I loved the idea, I thought a lot more effort could have been put into the composition. Aside from that, The Hulk one is fucking badass!