So here’s the thing, I went out to a product demo for Traktor Pro 2 and Maschine and was treated to the reason why I think true DJ’ing is going down the toilet.
Call me old fashioned (or just plain old, I’m 36) but I think DJ’ing is more the banging on you’re S4, loading up four tracks with the same bpm, in the same key and proceed to create a series of breakdowns interspersed with some standard tech house in between.
Technology makes it easy to juggle tracks, keep thing in tempo and have three tracks running together. This was a tough task with vinyl and beatmatching, impossible for me but when you work with two deck and a mixer you have to craft a mix, work the rhythm, build the momentum and let the music do the work, take the audience (if there is one…) on a journey. Choose your tunes, don’t rely on sync, loops and effects.
Anyhoo, apologies for the rant. I’m not saying technology is bad, 'cause I love Traktor, wouldn’t go back to vinyl (well only to transfer to mp3) but tech doesn’t make a DJ a DJ, it’s more than that…
You still have to do all of this with a controller. The S4 doesnt “craft a mix, work the rhythm, build momentum and take the audience on a journey” all by its self!!
Technology just allows one to be creative in a different way if you so choose to do so. Looping and using effects properly require tunes to be sync’d perfectly so IMO you can use effects and loops more effectively with technology. That said not everyone likes effects so they can just simply beat match if they wish to. Either way the DJ still has to choose the right tunes to take the audience where they want to go and the DJ still has to create and build momentum… with or without tech!
Diversification allows for more unique DJing techniques.
Jazz musicians probably feel the same way about vinyl DJ’s… keeping two records in time with each other is piss easy compared to dedicating your life to learning an instrument and playing cohesively in a band together.
If it was a product demo, I’m not surprised if the music was uninspiring and not mixed creatively. They’ll tend to use pretty generic sounding tracks and just sync them all up to demonstrate what the software does.
Tech indeed does not make a DJ, but using tech doesn’t make you a bad DJ. Basically what kooper said.
I suppose the availability of technology solutions with sync does make it easier for a beginner to become a boring DJ if they can’t be arsed.
Isn’t this a bit obvious? Kind of like saying equipment don;t make the sportman, the car/bike don’t make the racer, the board don’t make the snowboarder etc etc.
A pretty obvious and generic thing to say across all walks of life. Did you only just realise this now then at the age of 36? Someone’s lvied a sheltered life haven’t they!
I cant wait for this controller vs vinyl silliness to end. I hope the end comes sooner rather than later.
It seems pretty effing elementary by now that gear is gear, turntablists are turntablists and a DJ who can rock the crowd (consistently) can rock the crowd. Our internal politics…gotta love them (Im sure the dancefloor does).
Dude, not cool at all. if your not going to read his post and respect his opinon, don’t bother posting. That is Not what DJTT is about
Back on topic: I think he definitely has a point. I’ve always thought that track selection is the most important part of djing. All the bells and whistles in world cannot help a dj in that respect.
