I've continuously have had this conflict with using my software instead of CDs or vinyl. A lot of the clubs nearby prefer only CD DJs (probably due to easier DJ transition/setup), but part of me feels that it is also a skill-level basis.
Considering that software can read you the BPMs, set beatmarkers and visually show you when you're beatmatched, it seems that it makes DJing a great amount easier; am I wrong to think that this somewhat hinders your ability to be a "good" DJ, if you only use software? DJing was first invented to keep the music flowing all night through smooth mixing; when you reduce that to something software can do for you, it personally makes me feel like you are cheating yourself out of becoming a "true" DJ.
Don't get me wrong - software DJing is great; the FXs and creativity that you can unleash are practically unparalleled with regular CDJing or vinyl. And maybe that's what DJing is transforming more into: live musical remixing and performances with unlimited creativity. Either way, I think it would benefit every DJ to learn on vinyl or CDJs so they know the old basics and don't have to use software as a crutch. Perhaps this is because I'm primarily a trance DJ, rather than a techno or breakbeat DJ, I'm not sure.
Anyway, hopefully this didn't sound like a rant - my goal was to put out an interesting philosophical question about our hobbies, jobs, careers, and passions, and to get some community feedback/input on the matter. Any comments, insults, or inputs would be appreciated!
Bookmarks