Native Instruments had a busy week unveiling the compact Z1 controller/mixer while images of the forthcoming X1 MK2 temporarily made their way to the internet, only to disappear soon thereafter. We recap NI’s events, watch Addison Groove build a live beat, share details of a remix contest for Inner City’s “Good Life,” and more in the latest edition This Week in Music Tech.

Earlier in the week, XLR8R dove into the latest rebirth of Akai‘s MPC line, the MPC Studio—deeming the unit a “solid alternative” to NI’s Macschine and the Ableton Push. Read our full review here.

Native Instruments unveiled the compact Kontrol Z1 controller, mixer, and audio interface. Specifically made to be used with NI’s Traktor software, the slim, two-channel unit doesn’t have an exact release date yet, but can currently be pre-ordered for the street price of $199.

Speaking of Native Instruments, the DJ Tech Tools blog came across leaked images of an unreleased controller from the company earlier this week. The images are said to be of the X1 MK2, a reboot of NI’s original X1 controller for Traktor. More photos and the specs—direct from PSSL‘s temporarily live product page—of the soon to be announced X1 MK2 can be checked out here.

FACT TV recently stopped by Addison Groove‘s studio to have the UK producer demonstate how he uses a TR-808, x0xbox, some hi-fi guitar pedals, and a modified Fisher Price toy to build tracks live.

In another FACT TV video, Sam Binga (formerly known as Baobinga) is the lastest beatsmith to step up to the Against the Clock challenge, using handclaps and crushed beer cans to create a quick beat in under 10 minutes.

Attack Magazine has again offered up a helpful tutorial for crafting a certain rythym, this time dissecting the 2-step shuffle and how to incorporate found-sound percussion into the mix. Read the full tutorial here.

Beatport Play has launched a remix contest for budding producers, giving them the chance to remix Inner City’s “Good Life” with prizes such as a Kontrol S4 and a release with Kevin Saunderson’s KMS label going to the best rework of the classic house track. You can enter the contest and download stems of the original tune here.