Latest news with #MartinGarrix
Forbes
19 minutes ago
- Business
- Forbes
New DT 990 PRO X Pro Studio Headphones From Beyerdynamic
The new beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X are open-back headphones designed for comfort and a wide ... More soundstage, making them suitable for editing and mixing. The German audio brand has announced the launch of its latest pair of open-back headphones for critical listening and studio editing work. The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X offer advanced comfort levels and the kind of clarity that has made the headphone brand a firm favorite in studios and with broadcasters like the BBC. The DT 990 PRO X dynamic headphones have an open-back design featuring a detachable cable, high comfort levels and beyerdynamic's renowned STELLAR.45 driver system. The lower impedance rating of 48Ω makes for improved performance across a wider range of devices. The original DT 990 PRO has been used in recording studios since way back in the 1980s. The headphones are known for their detailed sound, affordable price, good comfort levels and the kind of durability that's essential for day-to-day use in the recording studio. In recent years, the DT 990 PRO has earned a following from musicians and producers, including the likes of Flume, Martin Garrix and Metro Boomin. The unmistakable styling of beyerdynamic can be seen in the new beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X open back ... More headphones. The new DT 990 PRO X headphones are for critical listening use such as editing and mixing. Thanks to an expansive soundstage, beyerdynamic claims these headphones will complement studio monitors by offering the kind of precision and clarity that helps audio professionals identify small sonic details or any errors in a mix. 'Most at-home producers have studio monitors that they use to listen back to their mixes, says Kevin Nietsch, Product Manager at beyerdynamic. 'With the DT 990 PRO X, we wanted to create a tool that modern studio professionals didn't already have. The DT 990 PRO X headphones are engineered to magnify subtle mix imperfections that might otherwise go unnoticed – a true companion for studio monitors.' Designed with home studio workflows in mind, the DT 990 PRO X have a 48Ω impedance so they can work with a wider range of playback devices, from professional audio interfaces to portable devices. They also have a detachable 3m mini-XLR to 3.5mm cable with a 6.3mm adapter that makes the headphones compatible with almost any listening device. With a nominal impedance of 48Ω, the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X can work well with a wide range of ... More devices. At the heart of these new headphones is beyerdynamic's STELLAR.45 driver system. Engineered in Germany, these drivers have a wide frequency range that runs from a rumbling 5Hz up to a bat-squeaking 40,000Hz. They offer high resolution, low distortion and a full dynamic response. Additional features with the DT 990 PRO X include soft velour ear cushions and an ergonomically padded headband to alleviate pressure on top of the listener's head. The headphones also use serviceable components for an extended working life. The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X studio headphones are available now and priced at $199 from and other authorized retailers. Each pair includes a 3m Mini-XLR to 3.5mm jack cable, a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter and a drawstring carry bag. Driver: STELLAR .45 dynamic. Operating principle: Open. Wearing style: circumaural. Frequency response: 5 – 40,000Hz. Nominal impedance: 48Ω. Weight: 292g (without cable).
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: ULTRA South Africa celebrates 10 years of dance music
ULTRA South Africa is Africa's largest electronic music festival and is part of the ULTRA Worldwide family. The main stage at ULTRA South Africa which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied ULTRA South Africa marked a decade of dance with two monumental shows this weekend, kicking off in Cape Town on Friday, May 9, before heading to Johannesburg for a grand finale on Saturday, May 10. Together, they formed a euphoric celebration of music, energy, and unity — and a fitting tribute to 10 years of ULTRA magic in South Africa. Both cities turned up in full force, with fans packing out the venues from early afternoon to the final beat at 2 a.m. As expected, ULTRA South Africa's 10th anniversary was nothing short of spectacular, with an electrifying line-up of international headliners who delivered unforgettable performances across both cities. The main stage at ULTRA South Africa, which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied Martin Garrix closed the night incredibly, delivering a career-spanning set. The highlight: a jaw-dropping surprise appearance by American indie pop star Lauv and South Africa's own Lloyiso, who joined Garrix as surprise guests. Iconic trance legend Armin van Buuren kept the energy soaring with a flawless mix of massive hits and fresh new tracks, bringing South African fans an experience they won't soon forget. Making his South African debut, ISOxo brought his high-energy sound and genre-bending style to local fans, cementing his place as one of the most exciting new names in electronic music and KSHMR thrilled fans by putting his own dynamic spin on local favourites like 'Sister Bethina', 'Jerusalema', 'I Fink You Freeky' and even 'Nkalakatha', creating an incredible cultural crossover moment on the main stage. Armin Van Buuren playing on the main stage at ULTRA South Africa, which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied The ever-evolving RESISTANCE stage offered deeper, darker energy, delivering a pulsating soundtrack to ULTRA South Africa's more underground electronic fans. This year's line-up was a masterclass in melodic Techno, Progressive House, and Afro-house. International heavyweights like Mind Against and Massano captivated the crowd with their intricate performances, while South African titans like Shimza and Culoe De Song delivered transcendent sets that fused Afro-tech and Afro-house elements with a deep, spiritual resonance — a beautiful reminder of the country's influence on the global dance scene. Cape Town's show at The Ostrich kicked off the weekend, set against the picturesque Western Cape views. From Dean Fuel B2B Kyle Cassim to Gil Glaze, Niskerone, and a powerful opener by MIA, the day was packed with South African talent at its finest. KSHMR playing on the main stage at ULTRA South Africa, which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied Johannesburg's ULTRA South Africa experience at the Expo Centre Nasrec was the larger of the two, featuring additional stages: The Groove Room and Clubhouse. Legends such as Kabza De Small, DBN Gogo, DJ Maphorisa, and Da Capo took the celebration to new heights. Celebrating and paying homage to South African electronic music and Amapiano, The Groove Room was an exciting addition to the ULTRA South Africa offering. Sets by Oscar Mbo, Dlala Thukzin, 2woBunnies, and Mörda drew massive crowds and proved to be an exciting new chapter for Ultranauts. Meanwhile, Clubhouse returned and kept things vibing with incredible sets from Kasango, Shamiso, and who all delivered unforgettable moments. Across both cities, the weekend was a powerful reminder of why ULTRA South Africa has become a cornerstone of the country's music culture, bringing fans together to celebrate the sounds that move us. ALSO WATCH: Tanker crash on N1 South causes major traffic delays in Roodepoort
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From beats to blooms: celebrate music and motherhood with Ultra South Africa and more
Thousands of people are expected to enjoy the festivities at the Joburg leg of Ultra South Africa 2025 Prepare for a night of music and vibrancy as Ultra South Africa is making its return to the City of Gold this weekend. The festival, which is Africa's largest electronic music festival, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with some of the biggest names in music. The global heavyweights who will take to the stage include Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, KSHMR and Shimza. They will be joined by Da Capo, DBN Gogo, Kabza De Small, Mörda, Kyle Cassim and many more. There will also be an array of meals and a wide selection of beverages to enjoy at the event. Where: Expo Centre at Nasrec. When: Saturday, May 10, from 2pm. Pretoria Zoo Mother's Day celebration Spoil the leading lady in your life with a day full of activities at the Pretoria Zoo Mother's Day celebration. This event, which is being hosted by Imbokodo Zase Mzansi Women, is a celebration of unity and sisterhood. It will include live performances from the likes of DJ Young ,Ismail Abrahams, Tbose Mokwele and Paul Mtirara. Attendees can also enjoy engaging activities and games, delicious food and drinks, inspirational speeches and networking. Where: The Pretoria Zoo. When: Sunday, May 11, from 10am. The Ruimsig Night Run Work on your fitness while enjoying the outdoors at The Ruimsig Night Run. Participants can choose from a 5km or 10km night run. There will also be live music, food vendors and an electric atmosphere at the finish line. Where: The Ruimsig Country Club. When: Friday, May 9, at 5pm.
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Travel review: Austrian Alps have a licence to thrill
The ski season ended on a high note as an impressive line-up of international DJs drew tens of thousands of people onto the spectacular slopes, where I danced at 2,250m during a fast-paced week of non-stop fun. The Electric Mountain Festival officially kicked off with smaller events at scenic locations around the resort, which lives up to its reputation of being the heartbeat of the Alps. My excitement to see headliners Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki intensified as I arrived at my authentically Austrian four-star accommodation in the heart of the town. Hotel Erhart is less than a 90-minute drive from Innsbruck Airport and just a short walk from the centre of Solden, where gondolas grant access to the slopes made famous by Bond. It was the ideal base for a dance music extravaganza that unfolded over five days in April, culminating in the Dutchman, consistently ranked as the world's number one DJ, and the American record producer taking to the turntables on a giant stage dwarfed only by the imposing peaks of the Otztal mountains. The stunning setting,universally recognisable after being chosen as a shoot location for Spectre, served as a pleasant alternative to the dark and grungy basements where dance music fans are normally banished to very late at night. A few lucky VIP ticket holders were fortunate enough to party in the glass-coated cube known as Ice Q, perched against the Gaislachkogl summit at 3,048m above sea level. The meeting place of James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Dr Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux) offers majestic views, including over the snowy roads where film's 'plane versus car' scene was filmed. 007 Elements, a cinematic installation built inside the summit, gives visitors the opportunity to relive the magic as it showcases the skills required to create the most famous Bond sequences. The immersive and interactive centre is the product of a collaboration led by creative director Neal Callow, who was the art director on Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die. After staring down the barrel of the gun in the atmospheric anteroom, where I was greeted with title sequences and spine-tingling music (the fundamentals of any Bond movie), I was free to roam the lair and appreciate unforgettable characters and dialogue. In the briefing room, actress Naomie Harris (Miss Moneypenny) narrated a short video highlighting the role and impact of film locations. I paid homage to MI6's Q by visiting the tech lab to interact with cutting-edge gadgets before watching Bond action sequences with a renewed sense of wonder. I was in no doubt as to why the area grabbed the attention of filmmakers. A spectacular glass viewing space faces north over the alpine landscape now synonymous with one of the most thrilling chase scenes in cinematic history. Fans can get even closer to the road, chosen by a producer in search of an extreme location, by driving along slope Number 30. I took a mid-morning break from skiing to spend around two hours immersed the Bond cosmos before returning to the powdered terrain, where the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers are connected by a remarkable ski tunnel that cuts straight through the rocky earth that once separated them. The bright light at the end eventually dissolved to reveal even more extraordinary scenes in the resort, connected by a total of 31 lifts linking 144km of pistes peppered with at least 30 huts serving up mouthwatering Tyrolean cuisine. I found culinary delights in Schwarzkogl Restaurant, which also offers magnificent views of the Rettenbach glacier and the Gaislachkogl summit. My festival fever was tamed slightly by the splendour of this cosy a la carte cabin, which I took it in from the stunning sun terrace, where guests choosing to sit outdoors are provided with snug blankets to stay warm. After deciding it was the perfect setting for a pint (or two) of Stiegl Weisse, I browsed the menu, including starters such as thinly sliced veal, traditional Tyrolean doughnuts, oyster mushroom and wild herb tartar, and beef soups with bacon or cheese dumplings or sliced pancake. While sipping on my wheat beer, I settled on the pastrami from the smoker (accompanied by a herb) and then perused the mains. By a process of elimination, I opted for what turned out to be a generous portion of perfectly cooked venison steak on a bed of red cabbage with pommes Williams. Gampe Thaya, where I had eaten the day before, serves up equally impressive dishes, offering customers a more traditional experience in a wooden cabin with plenty of seats and a wonderful outdoor deck. Only local produce is used to create typical Otztal specialties. My tiroler grostl (diced roasted potatoes soaked in oil with beef strips and topped with a fried egg) arrived within minutes of me devouring a beautifully presented cheese and meat platter with a selection of breads and dips. A waitress then approached my table cradling a large silver bowl full of kaiserschmarren (chunks of sweet omelette coated in powdered sugar) with two small tubs — one packed with cranberry jam and the other with apple — before surrendering ownership. After washing it all down with a few bottles of Solsch, a handmade beer brewed in the Otztal valley, it was time to be plunged into a another trance. Long days on the slopes provided solace for 50,000 revellers, myself included, who made the seamless switch from skiing to partying. So too did the hotel's pine lounge spa —more specifically its hot tub, sauna, steam room, infrared cabin and tea bar — which I knew awaited me in the evenings When I wasn't seeking refuge in the wellness sanctuary, I could be found indulging in Tyrolean hospitality served up in the restaurant of this third-generation family-run hotel which has evolved from its origins as a bed and breakfast. The exquisite menu included French onion soup (served in a bulbous bowl and capped with fresh warm bread), al dente ravioli, and succulent beef soaked in a divine bacon and mushroom sauce. Of course apple strudel was among the delicious desserts on offer. One fancy (and chocolatey) sweet mimicked a plant (in 'soil') and was even served in a small, pot-shaped bowl by the chef, who loves to showcase the best of local. Buffet breakfasts — after quiet nights in my cosy room equipped with a satellite TV, radio, safe, hair dryer, makeup mirror and free wifi — ensured each day got off to a sublime start before I grabbed my equipment from the heated boot room. My guide Johan ensured I didn't miss a trick after we became acquainted at the Gaislachkoglbahn (cable car) opposite Intersport Glanzer, where I had picked up my skis before navigating the white maze of slopes which provided direct access to the XXL stage adjacent to the Giggijoch restaurant. For two consecutive days, hedonistic adrenaline junkies transformed the site into an icy open-air dance floor. Hypnotising visuals projected onto LED screens, sporadically obscured by smoke billowing from flame throwing machines, added an intense layer to the already dramatic atmosphere as beats pulsed out from the speakers. I relished the sensory overload and partied for hours on end in one of the most striking locations in the world. Mountain festival is simply electric My 'Satisfaction' was complete when electro house heavyweight Benny Benassi took to the stage, building on the high-energy buzz of Julian Jordan's set and Noel Holler's mixing on the first main day of the Electric Mountain Festival in Solden. Anticipation had been building as a series of side events took place in the run-up, with some of the biggest DJs, including Julian Jordan, Jaden Bojsen and Avaion, performing in venues scattered around the mountain. VIP ticket holders gathered in Ice Q to see Steve Aoki, the highest-grossing electric dance music producer in North America, follow in the footsteps of Australian DJ duo Nervo and singer John Newman by performing in Austria's highest restaurant. Those of us enjoying the beats, drinks and breathtaking scenery elsewhere were also plunged into a state of music-induced euphoria. In search of musical 'Diamonds', we flocked to afternoon pop-up parties taking place in a host of huts including Philipp Solden, were Julian Jordan went 'Down To The Wire' in his quest to captivate the audience with 'The Sound' of EDM. As dusk encroached upon my alpine activities, I joined hundreds of ravers in the Panorama Alm one evening where we rallied behind former child actor and ex-boyband star DJ Jaden Bojsen with a 'Let's Go' attitude. The party raged from 3pm leaving just one more sleep until the first big day. After a morning on the slopes, a video surfaced on Instagram showing Martin Garrix in a helicopter making his way towards the large crowd awaiting the moment. 'It's going to be epic,' the caption read. As the energy peaked and large orange flames were thrown into the air in rhythm with the beats of his electrifying 90-minute set, the sun slipped behind the summit as the crowd shifted focus to the second main day. But not before Brazilian ski star and Samba dancing DJ Lucas Pinheiro Braathen brought the party to a sizzling close. Aoki declared that Solden has 'the best spring snow in the world' on social media as he snowboarded through a glacier cave enroute to the stage. We all shared the sentiment as the dance music kingpin left us 'Delirious' with a set loaded with four-to-the-floor beats, relentless build-ups and bottomless breakdowns. Next year's festival runs from April 13-18. For more information, visit Factfile • Brett was hosted by Ötztal Tourism • He flew from Belfast to Innsbruck via London Gatwick with easyJet. For tickets and information, see
The South African
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Things you should know
The countdown is on for ULTRA South Africa's 10th anniversary, and this year's festival promises to be the most electrifying yet. On Friday, 9 May, Cape Town's The Ostrich will pulse with energy, followed by a massive bash at Johannesburg's Expo Centre at Nasrec on Saturday, 10 May. After a decade of unforgettable beats and world-class performances, ULTRA is pulling out all the stops for its milestone birthday. ULTRA South Africa has become a powerhouse on the continent's music calendar. Over the past ten years, 335 artists have set the stage alight, with 97 returning for more than one round. Local favourite Kyle Cassim holds the record for the most appearances by a South African DJ. Internationally, Martin Garrix reigns supreme. He's not only the most frequent international headliner at ULTRA SA. Martin is also the current world number one DJ, according to Texx and City. 'There's nothing like the energy of a South African crowd,' Garrix once said, and he keeps coming back for more. This year's line-up is stacked. Main Stage headliners include Dutch trance legend Armin van Buuren, hard trap sensation ISOxo, and genre-bending superstar KSHMR. Martin Garrix returns for a full-circle moment, having headlined the very first ULTRA SA in 2014. On the RESISTANCE Stage, fans will be treated to melodic techno from Massano, a hypnotic set from Italian duo Mind Against, and a special homecoming for local hero Shimza. Johannesburg festivalgoers get even more: The Groove Room will showcase SA's hottest amapiano and afrobeats acts. These acts include Kabza De Small, Maphorisa, DBN GOGO, and Dlala Thukzin. The Clubhouse offers an intimate space for underground sounds and future beats. ULTRA South Africa isn't just a festival's a global phenomenon. Over 400,000 fans from all 195 countries have danced together under the African sky. After South Africa, Mozambique sends the most fans, proving that ULTRA fever knows no borders. If you want in, move quickly. Last year, Rewind and Tier 1 tickets sold out in just 15 minutes, a festival record. General access starts from R995, VIP from R3,000, and VVIP (Johannesburg only) from R5,500. For those wanting the ultimate experience, exclusive VVIP tables are available by request. ULTRA South Africa's 10th edition is a celebration of music, unity, and pure joy. As one fan put it, 'ULTRA isn't just an event, it's a feeling.' Don't miss your chance to be part of history. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
