The Decline of DJing In The Digital Age

[Devil_07]

so does every guy that goes on about the glory of knowing how to manual beatmatch just have a super difficult time learning the first and easiest thing to know about mixing or what?

No, but I think that's fundamentally what's wrong with becoming lazy and too reliant on technology. With all the "visual" cues now available, some people aren't bothering to learn one of the most fundamental skills in mixing tunes.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but by using technology to effectively "eliminate" the "need" to learn some of the more fundamental motor skills, the science behind it all, it just reasons that there is more time to devote to track selection and mixing. Which I would say is more on the Art side of things. One would reason that with more time on your hands, it would be easier to focus on how to select tracks that flow and build a compelling set. This isn't the case in most instances. We live in an age of instant gratification, and most people, as long as they can mix tunes, are happy with that. And that's fine. I think a lot of people get hung up on the subtle differences between being a DJ and being "the" DJ.

The problem lies squarely with promoters when it comes to exposing the general public to people that have the skills to clear a dance-floor. The new guy doesn't yet understand some of the other skills that need to be learned only by playing in front of people you don't know. You can't blame them for trying, we were all there at one point. But a promoter should know better than to put a rookie dj on the main stage with a prime-time slot just because he wants to get in her pants. Yes this actually happened. Quite sad.

[MaxOne]

It feels a bit like bitching about spell check ruining writing right?

Good books are still written

[photojojo]

It feels a bit like bitching about spell check ruining writing right?

Good books are still written

+1, but that's still debated pretty heavily.

[wrong chris]

No, but I think that's fundamentally what's wrong with becoming lazy and too reliant on technology. With all the "visual" cues now available, some people aren't bothering to learn one of the most fundamental skills in mixing tunes.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but by using technology to effectively "eliminate" the "need" to learn some of the more fundamental motor skills, the science behind it all, it just reasons that there is more time to devote to track selection and mixing. Which I would say is more on the Art side of things. One would reason that with more time on your hands, it would be easier to focus on how to select tracks that flow and build a compelling set. This isn't the case in most instances. We live in an age of instant gratification, and most people, as long as they can mix tunes, are happy with that. And that's fine. I think a lot of people get hung up on the subtle differences between being a DJ and being "the" DJ.

The problem lies squarely with promoters when it comes to exposing the general public to people that have the skills to clear a dance-floor. The new guy doesn't yet understand some of the other skills that need to be learned only by playing in front of people you don't know. You can't blame them for trying, we were all there at one point. But a promoter should know better than to put a rookie dj on the main stage with a prime-time slot just because he wants to get in her pants. Yes this actually happened. Quite sad.

was she hot?

[Alex Wild]

I have to say, I'm pretty tired of this debate. However, I would like to throw in my (hopefully) final two penny's worth.

Most of this debate seems to be focused on whether a new jack who picks up a controller can be considered a true DJ. But, to turn it on it's head, what about guys who have been mixing for years on vinyl, or CDs, and have just moved over to controllers for convenience?

This is the situation I find myself in, and to be honest, it winds me up a bit to be lumped in with a perceived 'Toy DJ' crowd just because of the choice I've made on what equipment to use.

[jimbob5000]

Nah, Alex, you'd be right if this was about the old controller vs vinyl/CD thing. As I understand it, it isn't a format discussion. Nothing's wrong with controllers.

As I understand it, it's mostly about the accessibility of music through new tech and the fact that because things are easier in that aspect, a lot of more people are attracted to DJing. As with all things, more people means there's more lazy and talentless people in between them, in it for the wrong reasons, and this kinda reflects on the DJ scene.

If vinyl was suddenly the next big thing, there was a record store at every corner selling 12 inchers for 1,50 each, Technics turntables and pioneer mixers would start at 100 bucks - it would probably be the same thing.

Anyway, I'm outta here for now. Anyone at JuicyBeats Festival in Dortmund, Germany? See you at the Drum and Bass floor. Or the main stage, hope I can catch some of the Boyz Noise performance.

[Quiggers]

99.9% of DJing is about tune selection, if i forget my headphones and have a broken sync button but can read a crowd and play for them, not my mix, people will still have a great time, compared to a mixed in key by BPM perfectly synced set that was built for mixing not dancing.

Infact, i'd say most punters assume its a pre-made remix when you introduce elements from the next song into the current song, they dont understand mixing and provided the DJ isnt train wrecking a mix for 2 minutes, dont care.

Last night i played a venue where I was to use the inhouse video library, VJing, that sucked, their collection had massive holes in it and the tv screens should never be the focus of attention in a venue, i was squeezed into a corner with the monitor screens blocking my view of the dance floor using a mouse and keyboard with the worst ergonomic positioning i've ever experienced and as a result i had zero enjoyment, no requests as people couldnt see me and as i left the venue, i thought next time i'm gonna turn this down and tell the manager to put on a music tv channel. sure i got paid but its not about the money, I like leaving a venue with a sense of a job well done and that gig
left me feeling like why do i bother.

[DjLiquitATL]

Just for the record...I have nothing against the use of tech or controllers... more of an issue of how people use controllers with tech to mix for them... a good ear for music is a skill that not everyone has...and for those who aren't able to mix by ear...just push a button and done...

[sobi]

I have to say it is kind of funny how new guys seem blind to the fact that there is a problem with other newer guys who just let the tech mix for them. Equally pathetic is the old school guys who refuse to accept that tech can be used for good things and not just laziness.

I just wish people would argue all sides of it, and not what ends up defending their own positions.

[Devil_07]

This is the situation I find myself in, and to be honest, it winds me up a bit to be lumped in with a perceived 'Toy DJ' crowd just because of the choice I've made on what equipment to use.

I'm in the same boat. Controller and laptop for convenience factor. I lost interest in pulling up to the club, and having 4-5 people help carry the crates in a long time ago. Not to mention, trying to figure out what's going in that single crate or two on a flight to somewhere.

I'm not trying to get anyone all wound up, or lump them into a "Toy DJ" crowd. If it came across like that, I apologize. I'm rockin' the Numark Mixtrack, not exactly a "high-end" controller if you ask me, but it serves it's purpose for me very well. And with the Controller Manager, I've had pretty good success at turning it into a very powerful tool.

I'll admit it, I love the "Sync", "Snap" and "Quantize" features. Although I still have controls for manual adjustments of the beat grid and tempo "on the fly".

By using them, I feel a lot less brain fatigue at the end of a long night. They allow me to stay more in the creative side of things and not constantly switching between "mechanical" and "creative" aspects of the brain, I can stay focused on mixing and layering in other elements. I know most of the general listening public will never notice these things, but hey, I do it for me and that one other person in the crowd.

I don't mean to come across as picking on the new guys, the exact opposite is true. I'm in full support of everyone that wants to get into or try DJing. But there are some pitfalls that can and should be avoided from the beginning. I'm a firm believer that if everyone that was getting into the "Art of DJing" had the proper tools and knowledge rather than just going at it, this world would be a lot nicer place to listen and dance.