I’ve been Dj-ing for about 2 or 3 months now. My current set up is:
2 Midi Fighters and a DDM-4000 with Traktor Pro in external mode.
Since I’ve started out with this unconventional Digital set up and am loving EVERY minute of it.
Does it make sense to go out and learn how to ‘‘really’’ DJ, as one of my friends was saying? He said that I should learn the in’s and out’s of a proper laptop-less set up. But, I’m never going to be using one of those set ups in any performance. It’ll ultimately, just be a skill I’ll have in my arsenal but won’t get much use.
So, should I learn how to DJ without laptops and controllers? or keep honing my controllerist craft?
it might matter in some scenes more than it does others, so just scout out what flies at the type of shows you’re shooting for.
don’t rely on your buddy’s opinion as the law, chances are he’s just threatened by the new wave gear and is trying to save face with that old “that’s not real djing” bullshit. it’s 2011 and midi controller djing is about as real as it gets.
It’s up to you really! The old hackneyed “beatmatching or not” debate has been circulating since the advent of the sync button, and I suppose my opinion on the subject is that it’s a skill worth learning in the fullness of time but you don’t necessarily have to do it just yet (or indeed ever, depending on what sort of format your sets are taking). This article from digitalDJtips covers it quite well.
In general, there’s absolutely no need to give up controllerism until you’ve learned to beatmatch. Stick with what you’ve got and if you get an opportunity to have a good practice on a pair of decks or CDJs then take it.
I take it your using the deckalized mapping. If so then i would say turn your computer the opposite way and try to beat-match with the bottom four buttons. If i can do it you can do it.
imo it’s definitely worth having the skill to use cdjs. they’re not leaving clubs any time soon and you never know when you’ll need to use one. Even if it’s mixing in a couple of tracks from the last dj to set up your other stuff, it’s worth it
as someone who has mixed on vinyl, cdjs and now midi i say; keep the midi, fuck cdjs, dig in and keep pushing. loook to make your sets ‘performances’ not just sets and what you do will make more sense to people. and don’t call yourself a dj, EVER - good get out clause for the ‘not real dj’ debates.
Show your friend this pic and explain how technology works.
If you are perfectly comfortable with your setup but want to simply “look pro” pick up some 1200’s with DVS. A more pro “look” and you skip stupidly priced CDJ’s.
BTW, I went to some gig the other day and the DJ had some CDJ’s 1000 MK2… To tell you the truth those platters felt flimsy as hell and the unit just too damn bulky for what they are. 1200’s are bulkier but cheaper, but if you want to look pro somethings gotta give. I MAY pick 1200’s later but I already have my hands pretty full with my S4.
To the first person that talks shit about my setup I’ll challenge him right there to a DJ match and destroy the crap out of him, filming the whole thing and posting it on every video service and social network I can find on the internet just for kicks and to drive the point across: “Evolve or die, dinosaur style”.
Like any master craftsman you should master every tool.
That said I would not rush out and buy some cdjs. Beyond basic mixing skills I would say the next most important thing to understand is the basics of how music is made.
Personally I would take the advice of adding turntables to your setup. Much better than cdjs.
before doing that. Ask yourself do I want to add scratching to my routeen?
If the answer is no I wouldnt be too fussed about it if yes get some decks.
Have a pracitise on cdjs given the chance. They are pritty much a MIDI controller without a laptop.
the plus of that no crashing laptop.
the minus skipping cds.
in my opinion you either go one of 2 ways- you learn to DJ on CDs/vinyl because no matter what anyone tells you, it WILL make you a better dj, guaranteed. even if you dont plan on using cds when you play out, learning “old school” will fine tune your ear, so that one time your beat grid isnt on point and your mix starts to fall apart you can simply pull it back instead of shitting the bed. or, you go the controller route and like someone else said, make performances not sets. call yourself a controlerist or say you do live production (more ableton but w/e) and you will avoid a lot of the hate that MIDI kids get these days. but it will be harder for you to get shows, especially bigger ones opening for established DJs who use CD/vinyl. because lets face it- as a promoter who are you going to pick to open at your next big show? some kid who has to hook up all his toy-ish controllers and mess around in the booth, or some kid who rolls up and can use what ever is there, more likely the exact same setup the headliner will use (CDJ1000 x2 & djm800 more likely than not)
just my experience… take what applies to you and disregard the rest
BTW i recently learned to play on CDs after starting out on traktor and it was not as painful to pick up as people make it seem, especially coming from a digital djing background and understanding most of the fundamentals of mixing. its already paying off too- just got my first gig opening for Bare Noize on friday
You should Definitely learn how to DJ without a computer, it will make you a better DJ. I don’t think you should go buy some CDJ’s, they’re hella expensive. You should find somebody else’s and learn on them. Even better, vinyl without timecode.
It’s kinda like learning how to sketch so you can paint better.
Another advantage is you won’t ever post in one of these “sync/beatgrid doesn’t work properly” threads.
I think every new dj should test the waters with turntables. Just to go back to our dj roots. Get a feel using just your ears and hands. No waveform or sync button here. Then go back to your midi kit better than before. Just like Mr. Miyagi and Daniel san. Wax on Wax off. After you learn it everything comes together.
