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DJs and JUKEBOXES - learn to spot the difference!
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| PivotTechno |
'Cuz these things are important, y'know?!
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A DJ is...a master storyteller, sewing together multiple voices into a rich and varied tapestry that envleopes the room and all that is contained within. They play what first and foremost moves them, with the instrinsic knowledge that this mutual love of being touched by soul is what manifests the bond between musician and audience. They are a musician not only in the sense of possessing a deep understanding of mood, pacing, structure, tension, swing and harmony, but for their capacity to improvise, to surprise themselves as much as anyone else who is equally compelled to dance.
A JUKEBOX is...adorned with lots of pretty, flashing lights and if well maintained, looks quite shiny and polished on the outside. On the inside, it's programmed to predictably perform the same task, in the same manner, ad infinitum. Despite this, it can often be quite costly to rent or purchase one. It's usually outfitted with music that it's hoped will be liked by the majority of people in the room, often even stocked by the the jukebox manufacturer, filled with what the owners deem to be surefire, commercial hits. As a jukebox tends to not be endowed with much in the way of actual personality, it eventually outlives its usefulness, as fickle customers tire of its one-dimensionality.
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| dj_alfi |
Everyone can play two tracks on top of each-other, but not everyone can make it sound awesome.
Many people think syncing the tempo of tracks, or beatmatching as they erroneous call it, is the same as dj'ing, and this dates back to the fact that it used to be the min. requirement to play out, but there is much more to the skill than this one feat. Usually you learned the rest while practicing for years, but now that every moron and his grandmother can just hit sync in traktor, there is an oversaturation of underqualified dj's that would never been allowed near decks ten years ago, and it's painfully evident on my ears every time i go out. It's like they don't know how to use the eq's properly and instead opt's out and just go crazy with fx instead. |
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| Storyteller |
Clicked add topic instead of add reply?
| quote: | A DJ is...a master storyteller, sewing together multiple voices into a rich and varied tapestry that envleopes the room and all that is contained within. They play what first and foremost moves them, with the instrinsic knowledge that this mutual love of being touched by soul is what manifests the bond between musician and audience. They are a musician not only in the sense of possessing a deep understanding of mood, pacing, structure, tension, swing and harmony, but for their capacity to improvise, to surprise themselves as much as anyone else who is equally compelled to dance.
A JUKEBOX is...adorned with lots of pretty, flashing lights and if well maintained, looks quite shiny and polished on the outside. On the inside, it's programmed to predictably perform the same task, in the same manner, ad infinitum. Despite this, it can often be quite costly to rent or purchase one. It's usually outfitted with music that it's hoped will be liked by the majority of people in the room, often even stocked by the the jukebox manufacturer, filled with what the owners deem to be surefire, commercial hits. As a jukebox tends to not be endowed with much in the way of actual personality, it eventually outlives its usefulness, as fickle customers tire of its one-dimensionality. |
And after all that the dj wanted to step out of the bedroom. He couldn't because he has never learnt how to entertain.
Stories are for elitists/purists. Entertaining by taking on a jukebox pose is mainstream. The latter can live of his musical career unlike the former. And I assume they both enjoy what they're doing, so being a jukebox is just better in any way. Doing what you love, make money with it and share the music you love to an audience bigger than your imagination.
I can't stand this elitist crap. It's about having fun. To each his own, but neither is better, just different. |
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| PivotTechno |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
And after all that the dj wanted to step out of the bedroom. He couldn't because he has never learnt how to entertain. |
Incorrect. The best DJs are also incredibly entertaining.
And there once was a time when the word elite didn't carry such a negative connotation - it simply meant "the best in any given field". It seems highly feasible that one can be an elite DJ and have fun at the same time. |
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| Storyteller |
| quote: |
Originally posted by PivotTechno
Incorrect. The best DJs are also incredibly entertaining. |
Correct. By that standard David Guetta comes to mind, since the best is often defined by popularity. He does not fit your DJ description though. |
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| PivotTechno |
Our modern definition of "the best" is often indicated by popularity, but it used to be primarily marked by skill. Popularity, lacking skill, typically means being surrounded with gimmick and spectacle in order to maintain appeal - take this away and there isn't much left to work with.
So while David Guetta may be a very popular jukebox, he certainly isn't a very skilled DJ, if one at all. And I suppose there's nothing wrong with being one of the world's most popular and expensive jukeboxes. ;) |
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| Storyteller |
You can't measure skill, it is subjective.
What I'm arguing is that the OP is a trick of the mind. What you'd consider a 'jukebox' is what I'd say a DJ playing popular music. What you call a real skillful DJ could be considered a dude so caught up in his own world he doesn't even know people still like the music they hear on the radio. The flaw in your argument is that this popular jukebox dj might be considered the best and most talented DJ on the world by others. It is pretentious and elitist to say that the standards you uphold define the standard for everyone.
The difference between the jukebox and the dj is only in your mind.
I understand where you're coming from, I'd pick the DJ over the jukebox many times, but it's just not how things work in reality. Niche DJ's (which is what most of the people on this board are) are the opposite of the mainstream regarding musical taste and perspective on the grand scheme of things. As hard as it is for mainstream people to listen to the music we like and vice versa. Yes we could consider ourselves more educated, and that's not a wrong thing. That is, until you start telling others what music what they should like and appreciate.
The difference between a jukebox and a dj is a non-subject. Let the music speak for itself and let the listener decide wether it is good or not. |
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| PivotTechno |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
It is pretentious and elitist to say that the standards you uphold define the standard for everyone. |
Ah, I see what's got your back up, now.
Where was this ever stated or even implied, aside from in *your* mind? |
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| zyklon-jay |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
i'm not making any money doing this so i hate life with a passion because i refuse to understand and try to adapt to give people what they want. the people want me over everyone they just don't know it yet. |
Huzzah!
Do you guys ever notice how the word elitist is always used to cover up deficiencies or horrible music taste? My name is storyteller, and stories are bull and for elitists!
What a troglodyte muppet. |
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| Storyteller |
| Yes, to recap, the saying: "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" was invented by idiots. I must be wrong. |
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| zyklon-jay |
and skill is not subjective.
people that have none say this.
"I can't skate, but you can't say I suck at ice hockey because skill is subjective."
Really man, go back to elementary school. |
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