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What do you guys think about laptops in the DJ Booth?
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| Donnie Gryphon |
This has gotten some heated discussions on other forums. I was just wondering what you guys thought about all the new technology in the dj booth, especially the use of laptops.
Me....I have no issue with it as long as the DJ is using it to his full advantage of whatever program they are working with. I can't stand the guys who get up there and just click play, play with the eqs and hey I'm a dj now.
What are your thoughts? |
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| FallingMoon |
Ah I remember the good ol' days of vinyl! I remember even PvD used to be walked in the DJ booth @ Space while holding his big ass silver box of vinyls. Then it went to CD's then he began using Final Scratch (which BTW I work for Stanton and what is now known as Traktor by Native Instruments used to make the FS software but they basically ed Stanton out of it).
Now it's Traktor, Serato & Abelton.
Honestly, I understand vinyl is hard to carry + gets warped but I think it should have at least stayed with CD's.
My bf just RECENTLY got Traktor, he began DJing in 2001 and has over 300 vinyl's - like in 07 he began using CD's but says he would still prefer to use them. Traktor makes life easier I'm sure but I think it takes the true talent out of it. I think ALL DJ's should know how to mix properly without the use of laptops. I know these programs are still somewhat hands on but my bf showed me and tracks basically stay on beat. Everyone knows you'd have to work hard to beatmatch vinyl & CD's.
A lot of "DJ's" now never even learned how to spin on turntables and I find that sad. Since the use of laptops I think it has taken lazy to a whole other level. The sound quality isn't even the same.
I personally don't like it. My bf doesn't either but I can see why it's used. |
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| JD8180 |
though I'd say you're right for the whole lot of djs that started last week that auto sync everything, I think the experienced peoples' argument is that they already know how to beatmatch and mix like riding a bike. by having ableton, traktor, whatever do that for them, it allows the djs to do so much more that was previously impossible.
with vinyl and cds, it really wasn't that much more beyond just mixing from track a to track b. these dvs packages automate the no thought process of beatmatching, allowing the dj to focus on doing much more.
so for me, it all depends on how you use it. if you bought it the other day, and basically use your entire setup as a $1,000+ ipod shuffle and claim to be the next big thing, then I hate laptop djing. but if you use it to expand what normally couldn't be done, and already mastered beatmatching, then I say why not? |
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| bigmike928 |
I could care less. The important thing is keeping the crowd dancing. I've never heard a good set and thought "i don't like him cause he uses a laptop". Technology is progressing and so should the dj.
Donnie, assuming he is not doing his own beat matching, what else would the dj do besides messing with the eq's? Some effects? I don't really know because I've never used a pro mixer or cdj's. |
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| DjKaenow |
Very Interesting Post…I MUST SAY.
I have been a DJ for over 15 years (10 Professionally Touring). I started my career only using (Technics 1200's) which was the standard at the time. In order to be a quality DJ you had to learn how to beat match. The same thing happened when I was introduced to CDJ beat matching was still required (and it was a learning curve), but you had hot cues, seamless looping and triggers which made it more creative & live edit / remixing where options now.
After siting in the DJ booth with Paul van Dyk a couple of years ago, I was amazed at what he did with Ableton. Live synth's, beat loop mashing, vocal edits, sampling & overlaying 2 / 4 tracks at once. It was creative and that's what I liked about the Technology. I have recently converted my live system into Traktor which allows me to be even more creative in my sets. In using Traktor you still need to know how to beat match. Traktor has options for using "The Traditional Style" of DJ'ing. I like Traktor as it helps me organize my music and allows me to do live edits & reworks on the fly while performing.
The flaw I have with "Lap Top" Dj's are the ones who just hot cue everything and mix track to track. Sure the programs are built to keep you in sync & time, But be creative with it. Also please remove the lop top directly from in front of your face. DJ's who tend to look at their laptops the entire night while performing annoy me. Technical skills and being interactive with the crowd is what being a True DJ is all about, In my opinion. Use technology to its full potential don't be lazy…That's what separates the professional from the bedroom DJ.
All The Best
Kaeno |
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| Donnie Gryphon |
| quote: | Originally posted by bigmike928
I could care less. The important thing is keeping the crowd dancing. I've never heard a good set and thought "i don't like him cause he uses a laptop". Technology is progressing and so should the dj.
Donnie, assuming he is not doing his own beat matching, what else would the dj do besides messing with the eq's? Some effects? I don't really know because I've never used a pro mixer or cdj's. |
With programs like Traktor and Ableton, there is a whole ton of new you can accomplish on the fly. Guys like Hawtin, Dubfire, Loco and most of the Techno jocks are using those programs to their full advantage. Running loops, live edits/remixing etc it opens up a vast array of creative activity.
I just can't stand the guys who get a mac book, load up their tunes, buy ableton or Traktor and boom, look ma I'm a dj. |
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| orTofønChiLd |
| with all the tutorials on ableton anyone can learn to timewarp and have their tracks synced perfectly and be the pro dj. Atleast some background knowledge of beatmatching would be ok. |
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| JD8180 |
i don't think knowing how to beatmatch is the difference between a pro dj and a non pro. we're getting to the point that knowing how to beatmatch is becoming less and less important... and give it a few years and I'm sure it'll just be a skill of the old school people.
frankly, I don't mind that because I don't think beatmatching is all that it takes to consider yourself a dj. I just can't stand the people that consider themselves djs with all of their equipment, and all they do is load up two tracks and quickly slide the cross fader left and right. |
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| MeLLyMeL |
I don't really give a fuk but I do give cred to dj's who spin Vinyl - a la Burridge & Mr. C
and to those who play CDJ's.
In the end I don't care because tracklist > anything else. It's just they get that MellyMel respect ;D
haha |
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| Dream Beamz |
| quote: | Originally posted by orTofønChiLd
with all the tutorials on ableton anyone can learn to timewarp and have their tracks synced perfectly and be the pro dj. Atleast some background knowledge of beatmatching would be ok. |
a lot of these people still do not know how to perfectly warp marker a track and you can tell when they play. It sounds 'ok' at best. Thats why I wont show anyone Ableton until they have learned to beatmatch. Personally, I still prefer to play with final scratch using the time code vinyls |
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| orTofønChiLd |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dream Beamz
a lot of these people still do not know how to perfectly warp marker a track and you can tell when they play. It sounds 'ok' at best. Thats why I wont show anyone Ableton until they have learned to beatmatch. Personally, I still prefer to play with final scratch using the time code vinyls |
Yeah me too, i use traktor scratch pro with timecode vinyls. I recently learned how to warp and i tried it live on the fly, When i did it i hardly had time to cue and listen to tracks. I think having your tracks prewarped lets you do a lot of things but also takes out the inner part of spinning which is pure mixing imho hehe. |
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| LaMiLf |
| I'm not even gonna go there again Donnie. This has been dragged on waaaaaayyyyyyyyy tooooooooo much on TNL!!! You know what I think about it!!! LOL |
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