Im one of the few residents that uses MIDI, and i usually get put down by other, older residents scolding me on how real djs use cdjs bla bla, not the point of the thread. I use midi cause it improves my performance su much, having visual references i can mix songs so that intros of one son overlap perfectly with the drop of the other one and so on, sadly i havent been able to achieve this with cdjs and i dont want to risk my job. When i use cdjs i find myself playing one track to the end, where i just play the outro with the intro of the next and so on. Recently i noticed that all the other local djs do this aswell, they just use large mashups instead of individual tracks. Should i bother trying to learn cdjs as well as i know midi or do i continue doing my midi?
If by MIDI you mean a huge all-in-one controller then yes, it would be a good idea to start using CDJs instead. You can connect them to software and add in a small modular MIDI controller to “improve your performance”.
I usually use Serato on turntables and used to use a VCI 100 with Traktor and the major difference I find between them and CDJs is that I always spend too much time look for a certain track on CDJs cause I have to flick through all my CDs and find the right one. However, the newer CDJs have USB link input, which I dig the shit out of.
I started off using a software and now I’m using CDJs, which I can use a software with, but I don’t.
I understand why you’re saying that using a MIDI controller improves your mixes. It’s more convenient and faster. I’ve been there, I just switched to CDJs because it was a personal choice. I just want to learn and mix without relying on a software. With lots of practice eventually you’ll reach that same level. You just need to learn your music. I think it will benefit you in the long run if you learn using CDJs, but you don’t have to. It’s like learning how to drive manual, you don’t need to know but it is better to know.
You have to learn your tracks inside and out. If you rely on waveforms only, you won’t train your brain to lock onto the audio cues in a track letting you know what’s coming up. Keep using your controller, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but try to turn your monitor off, or cover up your screen so that you aren’t looking at it.
This trick works for learning to match by ear as well, you cover the BPM and figure it out yourself.
And don’t let those dudes beat you up too much, once upon a time they were the odd ones out, as cdjs were just coming on the scene, and if you didn’t mix with vinyl, you were a toy. Use what you like, but learn to use it well.
Question: Does your play style change when you use CDJ’s
Absolutely. When I use turntables (with serato), my mixing style is much more in-your-face and brazen, often involving scratching, cutting, and quick mixes. With CDJ’s, I tend to have much more smooth mixes. This is because with CDJ’s, I can mash the cue button and get a track to start exactly when I want, whereas with turntables you must back-cue a song and “throw” it in on the downbeat.
Fk those “real DJs” that rag on u. I use an s4 strictly cause I live in center city and apartments are small so Space is limited. And if any DJ ever said anything to me to my face, I’d have no problem putting them in there place.
Thing is, I use my s4 as CDJs without an interface. I have my laptop about a foot to my right so I only look at it to select tracks. I don’t even bother with wave forms.
Learn how a song is constructed. Build up, breakdown, sections, and learn how to find where the “one” is just by listening. Not by looking. This is why phrasing is important.
yes, that is true. while its shitty to rip on someone cause they use a controller… ur not actually DJing when your using wave forms, your more so playing tetris, trying to fit things together.
I this turning into another CDJ vs controller argument. Say what you will, but there’s plenty of places that you simply CAN NOT bring a controller for various reasons - not allowed, doesn’t fit, etc. Having said that Im sure there’s also plenty of places that you can…but that means without knowing how to play on CDJ’s you’re limited on where you can play, and if that happens then Yes, step up your game and learn. There’s tons you can do on CDJ’s these days.
Nope…with newer CDJs I still have waveforms, loops, and hot cues. It’s the same as Traktor without the computer. Get with the program and invest in Rekordbox and learn how to use it.
Unless you’re one of those MIDI controller DJs that like to use a beatmasher effect every bar…jk…seriously though…don’t if you do.
Im a producer myself, i know how to “feel” the track taking cues from the song to know where the middle of the intro is and stuff, i guess since im just breaking in im too nervouse to mess it up on a cdj id rather play it safe