The Beats Per Minute (BPM) is aptly named given the non stop dance beats from all styles pumping from every stand with DJ's proudly spinning their latest blockrockers or scratching a video of a kitten on a turntable. yes BPM has everything the modern day Dj could ever need and more. Whether its manipulating video and mixing digital mps through computers or good old fashioned turntableism your after BPM is certainly the place to be.
The main hall is filled with stands from all the major music brands Pioneer, Kam, Ableton, M-audio and loads more all showcasing their latest equipment which I have to say has considerably moved on in the last few years. On one stand a Dj recorded using a live mic someone saying their name and within seconds was scratching it, along with mixing video and beat juggling using only ordinary turntables hooked into a laptop incredible!
Their was a few stands that were all about the partying the pioneer stand as well as having all of pioneers new equipment had some very good Djs mixing prog house and trance and attracted quite a crowd throughout both days as did the Kam stand and especially the Phatbeatsnet guys who were having it all weekend.
It wasn't all fun and game though, even the PRS (Performing Rights Society) had a stand promoting their latest copywrite service enabling Djs to rip music from cd's to MP3 format and ensuring the legal problems this raises are covered and all parties were protected.
The DJ mag tech awards were Judged by celebrity DJ's from different styles looking at the latest equipment such as the Denon 3700 which I have to say is a very impressive CDJ unit behaving more like a Technics 1210 than a cd player but combining the very latest in technology to give the DJ ultimate control over the mix.
The centre of the hall was occupied by Silent Disco who on speaking the promoters I found out did the silent disco on the popular UK TV show Hollyoaks. If you haven't been to a silent disco ill explain, when you go in your given a set of wireless headphones, as there is two DJ's you are able to decide which DJ you listen too. It takes a little getting used to but it is a very cool idea.
The show is also ideal for networking with companies, labels, and other artists and DJ's. I saw many people swapping music on memory sticks and giving each other business cards, I myself met Radio One DJ Kutski.
All in all if your looking to meet like minded people, test out new equipment, learn new skills in the many seminars, or just feel like your part of the dance music world then BPM is the place to be.
Pictures and review made by Richard Wilson (TranceSound.net forum moderator) & Darren Smith (TranceSound.net special guest)
Links:
Visit BPM official website
