Why? Famous DJ's use CDJ vs. Timecode?

[R2D2]

Im 32 years old. I'm not a young kid.

And by contrast --- if you switch Genre's and look at Hip Hop the majority of folks are scratching it up on Serato and almost all use DVS timecoded vinyl. But in contrast the house DJ's I mentioned are using actual CD's.

Only think I can think of is fear of a computer crashing --- but as stated by LB above many big names are using Traktor.

I would think if the tool of preference was a CDJ1000 then why not use timecoded cd's rather than having to lug around a huge CD case, much like hip hop dj's don't lug around crates of records any longer.

Sorry again I was not hating and guess what we are the same age


One thing Timecode CDs still have a degree of latency in comparison to a reg CD and also when you use CDJ /Timecode the cues on the CDJ unit do not work well.

Plus if you are big enough of a dj to have someone burn up all your cds for you ??

Physical media ??

Just been playing on a Roland MV 8800 there is something to be said about Hardware and ease of use in regards to software

[LanceBlaise]

LB,

I believe you man. I live down in Miami and went to many of the parties, but from what you've seen are folks using Traktor Pro with a few controllers or using Traktor Scratch with timecoded CDJ's. I know times are shifting and house music is revolutionazing digital set ups -- for the guys you saw using Traktor - what would the average set up look like?

More curious to know why they choose certain tools besides the obvious thats their preference. Would be good to hear other tips, size, space, functions, reliability, etc.

Its mixed... it really depends on the style. I use controllers, but started on vinyl, then went to CDs, then to timecoded CDs, then to co/ntrollers only. Names like Cox, Dubfire, and Hawtin are using Traktor Pro, I know Dubfire 3 years ago was using Serato though when I had spun with him at a show in Atlantic City. Hawting was using Ableton for quite some time also. Cox was a 4 turntablist way back, then went to 4 cdjs, then to Traktor timecoded CDs, now he is using a controller. Luciano was using timecode vinyl, and Loco Dice over the summer in Ibiza was on timecode CDs... And Wink is a Traktor user as well...

So to say all the old heads are using CDJs is incorrect. Cox is nearly 50, Dubfire and Hawtin are in their 40s... John Acquaviva is also a Traktor user and he is in his late 40s also... All of these names are well known and have been around forever. I know of plenty of other "BIG" DJs using laptops and such...

One thing i will note her eis that you will not find any of the names above on a PC. All are avid Mac users. That is one thing about having a serure and reliable system that they are sure will not crash...

[haze324]

LB, thanks for the insight man. Its good to hear from someone who has played at that level with these guys.

Thanks.

[LanceBlaise]

LB, thanks for the insight man. Its good to hear from someone who has played at that level with these guys.

Thanks.

No problem. People use everything to DJ and play out live. I personally don't feel that its what you use, its just the music that comes out of the speakers that matters. I think thats how most of the successful djs look at this sort of thing. Technology is fun, and for us who have been DJing for quite sometime now it has brought new life back into all of this... I try to embrace it...

[haze324]

If you don't mind me asking --- since you have used all mediums, what is your current mobile set up now?

[LanceBlaise]

If you don't mind me asking --- since you have used all mediums, what is your current mobile set up now?

I was using the Xone 1D, but recently changed that....

Currently I have:
1 - MacBook Pro 13" Unibody
2 - NI Kontro X1's
1 - Audio 8 soundcard
1 - M-audio 20-XB IEM's (in ear monitors)

Additionally my rider requires:
1 - Xone 92 mixer (other mixer can be substituted in advance)
2 - Full powered monitors
1 - Laptop stand

[Nephew]

Another thing is you really can't compare the transition from turntables to CDJ's to moving from CDJ's to an all midi set up. CDJ's were built to emulate a turntable so the skills you learned from playing on turntables are still relevant and you really don't have to learn anything new.

But moving to an all midi set up, that's a whole different beast in and off it self. It takes a lot time and research as there's no industry standard as there was with turntables and CDJs (technics and the CDJ 1000's).

It really is a daunting task to say the least, but if you put the time and effort into it, as well all know, you can get amazing results.

[Bassline Brine]

There is also something "magic" about not having to worry about using a laptop, and it generally (in my experience) leads to a greater amount of crowd interaction. Less is more in a sense I guess.

It's something I've noticed at various clubs and venues, is that a lot of time DJ's w/ laptops are hunched over working on them, and the guys without are banging along and making eye contact with the crowd.

Not to say that you cannot with a digital setup, but a lot of times these guys have their list of tunes that is what they play, know what they want to play, and have the experience to play without needing x amount of extra tunes to lug around. Carrying a VCI and all the needed equipment can be equal to carrying a case of CD's (as long as the CDJ's are provided), so it's not really a matter of space, it's just how they like to spin.

What it comes down to really is what you like. If you're a ford truck guy, you're going to drive ford trucks. You wouldn't be caught in a Toyota Tundra. That doesn't make either better than the other, just different. A lot of people like to use what they are familiar with, and have no real reason to change.

[R2D2]

Cox using a purely controller set up is a SAD day IMHO

[mpetersen3]

So don't sweat it, many of the big names have embraced technology just like us. And plenty of them lurk these boards.

Damn that gives me goosebumps, not because I worship these people, but to know that they lurk here and there is the remotest of possibilities that something I say might influence/help them is a massive feeling. Particularly because of all they have done, kinda like a man paving a road that you walk on every day, the road that makes your journey possible and then you hear that you made a cobblestone that he stepped on once.