M-Audio Introduces The Torq Xponent Integrated Hardware/Software DJ Performance/Production System

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M-Audio®, a leading provider of creative tools for computer-centric musicians, is proud to announce the release of the Torq Xponent™ integrated hardware/software DJ performance and production system that brings traditional CD DJ-style control and mixing to the world of computer-based DJing.

Torq Xponent is a complete hardware/software system that delivers everything a professional DJ needs to perform with a computer. Xponent™ is both an advanced MIDI control surface for Torq™ DJ software and a four-output USB audio interface—including two stereo RCA outputs and a standard 1/4" headphone output with cueing. Every control on Xponent boasts the same rock-solid construction and rugged feel as traditional DJ hardware, making it an ideal way for longtime CD DJs to transition into the world of software.

The Xponent's array of tactile controls enables DJs to perform a variety of tasks from a single surface, eliminating the need to adjust most onscreen parameters with a touchpad or keyboard. The unit's mixer section allows users to deliver a dynamic DJ performance with the same feel and response as a standard hardware mixer. For DJ CD player-style control, Xponent includes two touch-sensitive scratch wheels for scratching, speeding up and slowing down the playback of digital files. For in-depth control over Torq, Xponent adds 64 assignable backlit buttons (including Play, Cue, Seek, Loop, Key and Sync controls), two volume sliders, eight assignable knobs for effect control and two 100mm pitch sliders. The built-in touchpad/assignable X/Y controller gives users command over the mouse or the effects in Torq, so they never need to take their hands off the unit in the middle of a performance. Level and progress LED meters round out all the pro features that DJs expect.

Torq DJ software for Mac and PC is designed to work with Xponent; every Xponent control is pre-mapped to its corresponding Torq function. All hardware controls are located exactly where DJs expect them to be, making Torq Xponent easy and intuitive from the first use. The transition into digital DJing could not be simpler.

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Torq Xponent provides much more than a transparent combination of hardware and software—it allows users to take DJing and live performance in wild new directions. VST effect compatibility and easily assignable hardware controls make it easy to turn plug-ins into expressive live performance tools. DJs can call up a flanger effect and layer on beat-synced LFOs—or mix in feedback loops from a delay effect and control it all from the assignable knobs on Xponent. The system also provides everything needed to loop, reorder and remix tracks on the fly. With built-in controls for looping as well as a 16-cell, tempo-synced performance sampler, Torq makes it possible to grab loops and one-shot samples and drop them wherever they're desired, all while staying in perfect sync with the mix.

Torq DJ software allows users to cue, beat-match and mix all the important digital audio file formats, including MP3, AIFF, WAV, WMA, Apple Lossless and AAC. For truly effortless set-up, Torq locates and catalogs all digital song files—including the user's Apple iTunes library—into a quickly searchable database that resides on the computer's hard drive. This enables DJs to pull up the perfect track or change up their set in an instant. In addition, Torq can interface with any ReWire-compatible host application. This makes it easy to route the output of Torq to a program like Pro Tools M-Powered or Ableton Live and explore even more performance, production and sound design possibilities. When ReWired to a host application, the tempo of Torq automatically locks to the current session tempo, so users never have worry about syncing playback between Torq and their preferred DAW. Xponent also lets users quickly gain control over any software application that supports MIDI learn functionality.

Torq Xponent is currently expected to ship in early 2007 and carries an MSRP of $749.99. Torq is currently available only with M-Audio SynchroScience DJ products.

For more information, visit their web site at www.m-audio.com.