Ableton Addict 3.11

This is one of those beat DVD's where you see heavyweight producers doing a live performances incorporating samplers and turntables just to get the crowd hyped. I have seen numerous youtube videos of some big producers (Just Blaze, Pete Rock) making beats in their studio. I like watching those, but watching a producer live make real time corrections in their beat to build up the crowd's reaction is priceless.

This dvd was shot with two cameras so everything is split screen with one side being a dark colored vision and the other one using night vision so you can see each producer up close tweaking away their devices as they wait for their turn. It is an interesting way of watching things because for most part both cameras are synchronized with each other.

Overall, all three battles were fun to watch. Usually the first round for each artist was slow paced, but once they all built up enough confidence from the crowd they seemed to do a lot more on the following rounds. I did wish that the Will.I.Am versus TheSone battle incorporated some scratching. However, the devices they brought to the battle were quite entertaining to see. I don't want to discuss what each producer had in their arsenal, but if you watch the videos expect to see som vintage synthesizers and drum machines.

Madlib seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve because he kept going down below the table to mess with his devices Now I know he has an SP-1200 as seen on the previews, but it seemed like he had other machines that he didn't want people to see.

My favorite battle would be the Madlib and Cut Chemist battle because of all the energy they built up in the crowd and all of the improvisation you heard. The Oh No vs. Exile battle would be my second favorite because of the overall experimentation and both producers had my head nodding. The Will.I.Am battle against TheSone battle took a while to get into, but still was fun to watch. Now if you are into DJ'ing and Beat Production this DVD will be a great source of inspiration on those days you get writer's block. Now if you are just a casual viewer you might not get into it.

5/5 stars