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Paul Oakenfold's article on what he thinks about technology in EDM
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| Dennis Hahn |
This is a column Oakey wrote on CNN... with the recent debate on CD Turntables I figured I'd post it and see what you all think :)
Dance music visionary on turntable technology
By Paul Oakenfold for CNN
Monday, October 18, 2004 Posted: 1616 GMT (0016 HKT)
CNN) -- For me it all started with two turntables and a mixer. That's what DJing is all about.
I always loved music and, like a lot of people, I was in a terrible band and it didn't happen. Then I saw what Grandmaster Flash was doing with turntables and it really excited me. I just followed my heart.
In the last couple of years a lot of DJs have been forced into using CD players, because record companies are producing less acetate and promotional records, and just burning CDs instead. With the latest players you can do a lot of the tricks that you can do with vinyl. That makes things easier, but you're losing the art of DJing to a certain extent.
It's what you do with the equipment that matters. We can all play the same records, but what makes you stand out from the pack is what you do with them and the order you play them in.
I'm still happiest with two turntables and a box of records. You're pulling records out, trying to match the key, the structure, looking for the breaks. With a CD player you can put the CD in, press play and lock it in time, and it does it all for you.
The most important thing is the crowd and I don't think they want someone up there DJing on a laptop. It's impersonal. With vinyl, people can see what the DJ's doing. Can you imagine Grandmaster Flash on a laptop? The art form has gone.
I don't download music because the quality isn't good enough to play in a club. There's no bottom end on it. It's the difference between going to the cinema and watching a DVD. There are certain movies you have to see on the big screen, to see the full picture and get lost in it. For me it's the same with music.
I'd much rather go to a record store than download music. I like to browse, to look at the sleeve and find out who's the hot new producer. It keeps you fresh and keeps you ahead of the game.
Computers have made it easier for anyone to make a record but that's also brought the quality down. It's great that technology has made music more accessible but the biggest artists will still use traditional studio equipment because you get much better quality. The people I admire -- Liam Howlett of Prodigy, the Chemical Brothers and Orbital -- they are all artists primarily. The technology is secondary.
The record for me that brings it all together is "Papua New Guinea" by Future Sound of London. It's got a great sample, it's got the electronic bass and it's a huge club record. Those are the three elements. It's still being re-sampled, re-mixed and re-played. I just bought a bootleg that samples it.
When you're making a record or doing a remix you've got to come with a vibe or a direction before you start with the technology. If I go into a studio to do a remix I'll listen to a record 10 or 15 times to decide where the vibe's coming from.
You can't program creativity. The hit I had with "Starry Eyed Surprise" came from a sample I picked up from watching "Midnight Cowboy." You can sit there and be a tech-head, but at the end of the day the records are no good.
-- Paul Oakenfold is one of the world's leading DJs and remixers. |
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| Rodrico |
| Whats this? a thread about music..BE GONE FROM HERE VILE DEMON! there is no drama in this!:p |
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| DJ El Kay Dee |
points well stated.....cant say much bout that
but the fact that he drifted from turntables vs. cd djs vs. laptops into production...well could make 2 articles
lol |
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| DJ El Kay Dee |
points well stated.....cant say much bout that
but the fact that he drifted from turntables vs. cd djs vs. laptops into production...well could make 2 articles
lol |
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| rabbitjoker |
Dear (Sir?) Paul Oakenfold,
Lots of interesting "sound bites" in your CNN article but not too much of substance (IMO) behind the specific points of discussion (CDs, Laptops, Remixing). You state your thought, but not rationale - the rationale is as imporant as the conclusion itself.
Please follow up with a few more articles going into further detail with reasons behind opinions, ideas for change, etc.
See you in November. Make sure you have practiced your frisbee - I have a few more records I need signed. ;)
rj~ |
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| Orko |
| quote: | Originally posted by rabbitjoker
Dear (Sir?) Paul Oakenfold,
Lots of interesting "sound bites" in your CNN article but not too much of substance (IMO) behind the specific points of discussion (CDs, Laptops, Remixing). You state your thought, but not rationale - the rationale is as imporant as the conclusion itself.
Please follow up with a few more articles going into further detail with reasons behind opinions, ideas for change, etc.
See you in November. Make sure you have practiced your frisbee - I have a few more records I need signed. ;)
rj~ |
agreed, not much substance in the article.
there were people in the main room saying he used cd decks...im guessing this article hints that he does not. can anybody confirm? |
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| djshan |
| i believe that dj's have the right to chose the format they want. doesnt matter if its turntables, cd players, laptop, or even tape decks. all that matters is the music, and music does not only come from records. im considering to use vinyl with cd's. i chose vinyl bcuz i am interested to gain more knowledge, im not using them just to show to the crowd "hey you look, im using a turntable". so i dont know wat the hell is oakie talking about the crowd seeing wat ur using, thats bs. |
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| Nemireck |
Awesome, he loves Orbital too!
You can be my friend any day Oaky! |
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| DJ El Kay Dee |
he forgot to mention good old crystal method that are from the same era.....
but prolly cos they aint brit |
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| jdjd |
| Of course he's going to advocate buying vinyl ($$$) |
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| JB1 |
| Old Skool Vinyl is the only way to go for a real DJ. |
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| Orko |
| quote: | Originally posted by JB1
Old Skool Vinyl is the only way to go for a real DJ. |
oh no...here comes the vinyl vs cd debate.
a good set, is a good set, simple.
vinyl sounds better, but cds are more functional, hands down. |
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