i just recently added a pair of technics m3d’s to my s4 setup. i feel like a total noob on the decks, but it is really different and makes me think more about the music, the arc of a mix, and kinda feels like for the first time i’m dejaying. the responsiveness of control vinyl is phenomenal.
i think i relied so much on the sync button on an s4 and all the other gadgetry that i’d end up going ok these tracks are synced together, lets go crazy on the fx!!! but working with the turntables and not having a screen in front of me, has really made me delve deeper into eqing and perfecting the sound of the mix instead.
the learning curve is steep, and in a lot of ways you lose functionality going to DVS, so i don’t think it is for everyone. i also want to use the tt’s for sampling/producing, adding turntable fx to my own music, learning to scratch, and ultimately being club ready. i think for someone who has no idea how to use turntables to suddenly switch from controllers to DVS, like me, its a pretty big risk of ‘hm, will this be the right thing for me?’ and i seriously doubt it is for everyone… i took the risk, loving it so far.
I’ve been DJ professionally for over 10 years and was into audio production/engineering way before that. CDs were the norm when I started playing out. Although I have a pretty large record collection (about 30 crates or so), vinyl was often too restrictive for a variety of reasons. It was only feasible if you were playing a niche genre or you were on a bunch of major label promo lists getting free 12-inches. It was just easier to walk into a club with a CD book and headphones.
Nowadays, in most major cities, decent clubs have turntables installed and the laptop+interface has replaced the CD book. I think that’s where the anti-controller viewpoint comes from. It often says to the audience (if they can see what you’re using) that you haven’t been a DJ for very long and don’t play in larger clubs. Don’t get me wrong, when I do mobile gigs I wish I could just walk in with a controller (my turntable case is 100+ pounds and my DJ style is the same on whatever I use), but clients usually want the visual of real turntables.
The funny thing is that now you have (at least in my city) hipster/scenster-type guys using SSL (with a top-of-the-line macbook of course), that don’t even own turntables or actual records themselves, so they never practice or learn the tools. Without a sync button to help them they sound HORRIBLE. It makes me wish they would at least buy a controller or something and learn how to not make a mockery of DJing.
BTW- If you think using DVS is hard, try doing a gig with real records. You have to BPM and mark tracks/cue points BY HAND.
Message to the kids: We used to have to count how many beats there were in a track in ten seconds, then multiply that by 6 to get a rough BPM for that track. Some DJ’s would stick a label on the sleeve, or scribble the BPM on the record label.
I’ve always played one genre, so that’s never been an issue. Now I’m playing more footwork and the temposync comes in handy because we’re talking about 15-20 bpm jumps.
I’m in the process of going from a controller to DVS. I just have to wait to sell my S4 for the Z2. I decided space is more important than 4 decks.
I also have crates of real vinyl that I can’t wait to bring back out.
Turntables just really draw people. No matter where I go, the average person just seems to be much more into dj’s that are playing vinyl, or “vinyl.”
I’ve been playing vinyl for over 15 years, and NEVER tried to work out the BPM of a track. I just stuck on the next slab, and beatmatched it… Why would you need to know the BPM?
I’ve had a few gigs, with 50+ people, and I have noticed people just stare. Perhaps it is because they’re not used to seeing a DJ with just a mixtrack pro. I have been wanting to go down the DVS route but I need some money first.
I use an NS7. Very few people (mostly other DJ’s) look at the NS7 and know it is a controller. Most people look at it, see the spinning vinyl on the platters, and think it is a pair of turntables.
I’ve got tracks that I would call house that range from 116-135bpm. Personally i play a more “Balearic” set where I can have tracks at sub 100bpm, to tracks at high 130’s. I’ve never had to work out a BPM, but then after 27 years I pretty much know the BPM (withing a couple of ticks) in about 5-10 seconds.
What do you play that makes the pre-workout of the BPM’s so useful? OK - scratch that, just looked at your soundcloud your selection could be as eclectic as mine, but I still dont need to work 'em out
House/trance/techno and at the time, hardcore, so BPM ranges from around 115 to 180+. Still didn’t need to work out the BPM, you can tell within 5 seconds if it’ll work or not, same as iambiggles states.
The first gear I bought was a pair of 1210s but with no mixer. I then used a APC40 as a “mixer” in Ableton. Then I got a S4. Just this week I have bought a mixer and 1 CDJ. I figured it was time to actually use industry standard gear and practice practice practice. The CDJ was bought so it forces me to have some sort of work-flow rather than just picking out tracks in Traktor. It might sound silly but I need to start getting my **** together if this is something I am passionate about. I want to be able to carry around a couple of USB sticks and a CD case and no that if the time came I could just do a set on the spot. I could do it anyway with my S4 but I didn’t feel like I was really enjoying it. I will still be using Traktor in some forms because while I like vinyl, I can’t really afford it so will stick with the timecode. I have about 6 timecode vinyl haha. Shame they are all MK1s.
It is indeed… I remember your name too Still on the supermotos? I went MX for a bit then decided I’m too fragile as I got older, so switched to a fast car and a faster (road) bike. I never knew you DJ’d! But the same probably applies to me to be honest
My story isn’t like your list - started on Vinyl in 1987, still have same (but reconditioned) sl1210’s, still on vinyl, but with added DVS. At home that is - out its mostly CDJ for convenience.
your selection could be as eclectic as mine, but I still dont need to work 'em out 
I never knew you DJ’d! But the same probably applies to me to be honest