The Decline of DJing In The Digital Age

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
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The Decline of DJing In The Digital Age

Hey guys,
So I’ve written another opinion piece for my blog. I know it’s bound to get a few frowns and bad reactions from the positive DJTT crowd, but I still wanted to share with you guys and hopefully get some responses, good or bad. I know most readers/poster on this forum don’t fall into the general poser crowd, so try and not get too offended. And if you do, let me know!
I basically talked about our reliances on technology and what that’s lead to.

Avoiding The Edge of Disaster: The Decline of DJing In The Digital Age

Thanks!

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I really tried to read your blog, but the white on black text started to make my vision strobe!

I got the gist of the 1st half though. You say that the format is important because it helps to “distinguish the trend following posers from the real fans”.

Who exactly is supposed going around checking what people are playing on and judging them based on what they see (rather than what they hear)?
It’s only other DJs, the crowd couldn’t give a shit. And rightly so. All that matters is the music coming out the speakers. Which is why DJs are still just as relevant, because it them who chose what is playing. You could say that with the current overload of available music the DJ is more important than ever, as they hopefully sort the wheat from the chaff and play the right tracks at the right time to get people dancing.

Yes anyone can put some tunes on a laptop and blag a gig (although this in itself isnt a s easy as it sounds), but if they havnt got the minerals to select the right tunes, then they wont be playing again.

I wonder if all this agro against laptop DJs is actually just a fear of losing out on gigs because of more people getting into the game. If you know you’re a good selector and have a bag of great tunes, then what are you worrying about?

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A few good points in there, but I have a horrible feeling this thread is going to turn into YET ANOTHER beatmatching vs sync pissing contest. Let’s hope not. DON’T DO IT PEOPLE!

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I think DJs have a bright future in this digital age. Why? Well in this age of mass access to all kinds of music most listeners just don’t have time and energy to find interesting stuff and rely on top-40 and similar lists. Pandora and similar system are not clever enough to make interesting connections to new music.

What it means that good DJs will go out and find interesting music from new sources like SoundCloud where you could find really interesting stuff every day. That and play it for the audience.

In this age being unique and different makes a big difference.

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Good blog. There’s always room for both vinyl and digital, I don’t know if ones better than the other, surely there just different. I was a vinyl dj from 1975 - 1990 playing clubs and radio etc, I wouldn’t wont to go back to that. I’m now having fun with my VCI 100 albeit at home and not in clubs but that’s fine it’s more like a hobby to me now but I have been lucky enough to have Dj’d with vinyl in some of the best clubs in the UK.

Sure you have to move with the times but there’s nothing wrong with working with classical equipment either.

I have a similar dilemma with photography. I learned my trade with film, getting my hands dirty in developer in dark rooms etc. In a way digital photography is a godsend because it makes my job quicker, cheaper and easier but what it has also done is make everyone who buy’s a digital camera now think there a photographer :eek:

What digital has done is this - it has dumbed down both photography and dj’ing - and made it more accessible to the masses. When I was a dj, there weren’t that many others around, same with photography but now dj’s and photographers are 10 a penny, everyone I meet these days is either a dj or their a photographer, go figure. I don’t know if this is good or bad. It could be good because competition is always good, it makes us work harder to prove our worth and rise above the the humdrum. It makes you work harder to be better.

Sorry, that was a bit of a rant.

All the best
IPM

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Honest question:

Why is it so objectionable to want to come out with some banging tunes you know will work and get people whipped into a frenzy?

If both are done well, why is “the dj who educates someone on music and takes them on a journey” (as if it’s some sacred, time-tested profession) the “good guy” and the person who puts together rocking (perhaps disposable) beats and just obliterates the floor the “bad guy?”

edit: my mind wandered a bit during writing that, sorry. The “good guy” is represented by the vinylist. The “bad guy” is the internet downloader with all the new, hot tunes.

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Man, sorry but this just feels like a tired debate, for me anyway.

Your asking a collective question that isn’t going get a collective answer.

People who are good at producing are still going to produce good music and djs who are good at bringing the best out that music are going to shine.

Same as it ever was. Quality is quality

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This is pretty much what I was trying to say. Just much more succinctly.
1 too many heinekens…

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It is tired and we literally just had it. I love your blog Vly, and if we didn’t have this same discussion I would let it roll, but it’s just to soon.

EDIT: I’m keeping a very close eye on this. I will not hesitate to close it at the slightest hint of insult either way.

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what this topic feels like

320×236 18 KB

what will never happen

320×260 13.1 KB

(the topic being represented by the dude on the bottom getting beaten by Ren by a boat paddle)

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There’s a difference between being a “working” DJ (the local DJ who plays at all the hotspots but is forced to appeal to the LCD so he has to play top40/mashups and so on) and an underground DJ who has a passion for finding unique tunes and putting them together to create a truly unique experience. Could also call this form vs function.

Function

I went out last night to hang out with my none “dance” music friends so we ended up at a spot with a DJing appealing to the LCD, and I couldn’t tell him apart from any other working DJ in the city.

Form

BUT one of the best nights of my life was flying to WMC in 2010 for one night. Tuesday night, Electric Pickle. Best night of music in my life. The DJ’s knew their time slots, played the right vibe and just fed off of each other until the room was ready to burst and then Glimpse went on at 4am and just tore the place down proper and they didn’t let up until they turned the light on.

Could the working DJ create this kind of experience? Maybe, but I hardly doubt it as he’s more worried about being “functional” and appealing to the LCD instead of creating a truly unique experience that people will remember for weeks, months and maybe even years to come.

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Interesting blog. I like your point of view on a number of things. I’ve been djing and writing music for the better part of the past 15+ years, and I admit, in the beginning of the digital revolution I was one of the vinyl purist naysayers. I got my first real look at djing with a laptop when the magazine I was doing reviews for at the time approached me about doing a review of the Numark Total Control when it first came out. Since that day, my outward view and opinion of the digital revolution has drastically changed. It opened my world up to all kinds of new and interesting concepts that honestly, are just not possible with records and a mixer. To make a long winded post short, all that really matters in the end is the dancefloor. If you can read a crowd and keep them dancing, it’s really irrelevant as to what you use to make them do so.

Looking forward to reading more of what you’ve got rolling around your head.

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Thanks for the feedback guys.
First off, haven’t been reading the forums much lately so apologies for the redundancies (but bumping a topic only to say it’s dead doesn’t do much…).
I wasn’t trying to create an X vs. Y argument, my main argument here is that with technology developing at such a fast rate, it’s very easy to get caught up in it. And this applies to all fields involved in the digital revolution, but it’s important to stay aware and not forget where these new technologies are coming from.
I guess this is directed more towards people caught up in the trend of DJing since access now is so easy, than those who are genuinely interested, as format is irrelevant when it comes to genuine interest.

Edit: And if you guys are interested, I’d suggest checking a few of the links out. Some other very interesting points for producers and DJs alike.

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Yes, we kinda had this discussion before, but I still kinda feel the need to reply. Must be the first few beer I had in weeks. Sorry bout that.

I totally agree with most of your points, Vly.

Alex, you’re right. Who cares if it’s controller based or vinyl? Certainly not the crowd. The problem that came with the digital age is - a lot of people out there don’t know what good tunes and good sets are anymore. They buy (or torrent) the beatport top 20, play that, and think they’re great DJs. But they’re just not. They don’t really hear and feel what they play, they just play it. A sense of good music doesn’t come naturally to everyone, most of us have to work on it and learn. This takes time.

Weirdly, the digital world’s biggest advantage is also it’s problem. Accessibility. Everybody can DJ. Sadly, not everybody has the skills to DJ, and an understanding of music. But those who don’t still try, because, well, they can - sounds twisted, but I hope it’s clear what actually try to say. The reason why in the old days there were fewer unskilled people actually playing the clubs (although, and let’s not forget that: There still were quite a few) was because those who did, got there by being absolutely dedicated to music, often to a point that I would describe as crazy. But they knew a lot about it and used their skills for a great set.

Things haven’t changed much in that aspect, the good ones out there are the same crazy dedicated type of people, whatever format they may use. But these days, aided by accessibility, there are quite a few five dolla hollas trying to get in the business for the bi****s and the supposed fame - but don’t know anything about music and actually don’t care about it too much.

On the plus side, there’s also those with the natural talent and a good sense of music that now don’t have to overcome as many somewhat elitist and very expensive obstacles to get into it.

My guess is that in a few years, when DJing isn’t the cool thing to get into anymore and people start to buy guitars as chick magnets again, things will sort of level out.

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I think you’re exactly right. If you guys check out Stefan Goldmann’s post, he talks about how producers are just releasing too much sh**, all the time. Too much music coming out. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to sort through it all, but that’s a talented DJ’s job.

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Yeah, it’s easy to produce and release bad music these days. Just as it’s easy to play it.

But again, I’m kinda optimistic that things will level out in a few years.

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read the whole blog. I totally agree with everything you said. However, I believe in what one of us saying that “quality will always be quality”. Yes, there is a massive surge of newbies and although it does help the DJ market shine, it is blurring the line between who really deserves it and doesn’t. I think this is all great though, the more competition the better. As time will tell, only the ones who are truly passionate about music will shine… and the sound that will come out of your speakers will show it.

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Just my personal experience, but usually the people who go casting stones are usually guilty of the very accusation theyre so broadly throwing around. Especially when the word poser is thrown around. And especially when its broadcast for the purpose of inciting praise and conflict. I’m not saying thats what this is, just saying that has been my experience.

Those who “do” just DO their thing, and dont need to create or continue tension.

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While this is definitely true, I think that you’re missing part of my argument. Firstly, this article isn’t written by a “real DJ” criticizing posers. I think whether I DJ or not is irrelevant in this case, I’m trying to make more of a social commentary. And secondly, I mentioned that technology is developing at a faster rate than any thoughts on the technology - somewhat ignorant acceptance. By writing this article I was trying to bridge the gap.

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Just checking and glad to see that discussion is still civil. Good job guys.