Over the week end I finished a new promo for my DJ side. Find it here.
As such I thought I would write something in regeards to the most important issues currently effecting the world of the DJ.
Vinyl or CD.
There was an old saying “Real DJ’s use vinyl”. And to a degree, this was true for a long time.
But really, we always knew that vinyl’s days are numbered. Many expected vinyl to die of faster then it is. Following I will give you my perspective on what is happening in the world of the DJ.
Why Vinyl is still hanging in there
The main reason vinyl is still around is, from my perspective, because of the following;
- Being Elite; Vinyl is EXPENSIVE, so if your spending $20 per track, you better be making money out of it. Otherwise you will go broke quickly. As such, it helps keep the bedroom DJs out of the way.
- The Social Aspect; A major quality of any successful DJ is his ability to network. They are a close set group, and if you want to score a lot of gigs, you need to be connected. The weekly shop at the local vinyl store is a MAJOR networking event. As such, if your going to go there, you r going to keep purchasing vinyl.
- Many tracks are still being released on vinyl long before Digital (or before it can be pirated and released on P2P. ) This is a form of DRM or controlled release. However, I do not think it will last for much longer as online stores start to become more and more entrenched in a DJs habits.
Why Vinyl is likely to disappear in the near future;
- COST: I personally have left vinyl as I can get a track for $3 compared to $20. This is pretty much the main reason any REAL DJ is not using vinyl. As, if you are a DJ, you probably do this as a living, and if you can get your tracks much cheaper, and play them to the crowd without them knowing the difference. WHY ARE YOU USING VINYL!!!
- CDs are much easier to carry and organise.
- Online music stores are far more efficient in listening and selecting tracks. In my opinion, a good DJ will listen to a LOT of tracks when shopping. And with an online store, you have much more chose, can listen and flick through more tracks faster. I personally feel my DJing has improved greatly since this has happened as I am no longer fed tracks from the local vinyl stores. This also meaqns I no longer sound like the next DJ, who shops at the same store as I do.
- You Get the tracks MUCH faster; Having a track first, and making it yours is a big thing for many DJ’s. With digital releases, the tracks can make it into your box 2-3 weeks faster then the vinyl record can possibly reach the shops.
- With digital releases, the tracks are released to the world on release; Traditionally with vinyl, there was a lot of tracks that distributors would not bother releasing to other parts of the world unless it was proving to be a hit. Now, it no longer matter if a track works in the UK or not. You get it the same time the UK get it.
- CD player technology is now quite mature; What you can do with the latest CDJ players is quite amazing. It gives the DJ far more scope to be different or introduce a performance factor to his set.
- Vinyl is mastered from a digital source; When producing a track, most producers I have met do so to 44.1 HZ. This file is then recorded to a vinyl press master, which presses the tracks out. Many DJs proclaim that vinyl is a superior format. This is a very ill-informed comment to make. CD to Vinyl to Amp, cannot be superior to a straight digital download. Even at 320kbit MP3 is likely to equate to better quality.
- Vinyl sounds better; Again, this is an ill-informed point of view. How can it sound better considering item 7 above. I feel, many ignorant DJs simply do not understand that vinyl does have a analogue compression effect on the result. Add base line feed back to the needle etc. They think this sounds “better”. It amazes me how little many DJs know about what they do.
That about sums it up.
18 responses so far ↓
1 matt khadem // Apr 26, 2010 at 10:48 pm
I have a problem with item 7 & 8. With tyhe greatest respect in the world you clearly dont understand why dj’s say vinyl sounds better. We dont mean the quality of the track itself, of course, quality sounds better in a cd or on a digital basis rather than wax. But the reason vinyl sounds better is because it sounds WARMER. The poor sound quality of vinyl is what makes it so good to listen to! Warm, Crackly, Depth, Substance – This is the “sound quality” vinyl gives you and you simply cant get that with other formats.
2 JamieG // Apr 26, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Vinyle “Sounds better” is an excuse by those who don’t understand the technology they are using.
I encourage you to listen to “Home Theatre Geeks” podcast on the Twit network where thy interview the pinnacle of sound recording and reproduction.
They unfortunately really dump on vinyle. Yes it has a certain sound. Something that COULD be reproduced digitally if you really want it.
Also consider, what you are hearing is not what the Master was recorded to. It is that which came from a digital master, the way the producer wanted it, then altered by the vinyl process. Altered in a way that is of less quality then a digital master.
Those who hold onto the vinyl dream, apart from the scratchers and real DJ performers that use vinyl as a performance characteristic of the set.. Are just holding onto old habits and trying NOT to change with the times.
As an X DJ that is computer science based.. I just see it for what it is. Removing all emotion and legacy issues.
James
3 matt khadem // Apr 27, 2010 at 5:16 am
Ok you know my thoughts on the warm feeling of vinyl and i know yours. But what you dont know is that i use 2 turntables with Serato Scratch Live, time coded vinyl, mixer, and a laptop with nearly 15,000 mp3′s. I only throw and actual record on the deck when i’m scratching, other than that, i’m digital. I’m living proof that there are plenty of digital dj’s out there who have MOVED WITH THE TIMES but are still in love with vinyl for very valid reasons. The reason why i use serato instead of cdj’s is simple, people go nuts when they see a dj with two turntables rotating records (even if it is time coded). Why? because most young clubbers these days have never even seen a dj mixing with records/turntables. These days they go into a club and see loads of black boxes with buttons on and pioneer written in the corner, and they aint got a clue what the dj is doing other than pressing buttons, or in some horrible cases, using a mouse and keyboard. Lets not forget the visual stimulation/impression that vinyl and turntables offer the crowd, they can see the music, they can see the dj touch the music, they can see and in some cases understand what the dj is doing which sends an huge buzz through people in a rave and gets em going.
I’m sorry to say, if you look at dj’ing based on the fact/science, with no emotion, you must of been a pretty piss poor dj. I’m not the best dj in the world, but i love my music and people see that in me when i’m mixing, which means they love it to, and as far as they’re concerned at that moment, in that club, right there and then i’m the best fuc*in dj that ever lived!
I do agree with a lot things in your blog though dude, lol dont get it twisted, there is middle ground on this.
4 JamieG // Apr 27, 2010 at 8:21 am
Dude, maybe I should have said, People Use Digital Formats..
I am all for the performance. And I undertand what your on about. Tho I also do feel, you can perform on CDJ’s as well, and in some ways you get a more dynamic performance as you can do many more effects. (Apart fron scratching). Dropping in effect and other base lines. etc. All on the spot spontaneous stuff.
Stuff not possible in turntable world. (Well maybe with a sampler on the side)
Thats what I really appreciate in a DJ performer. Scratching is cool, but gets tired fast. Especially as its not the style I like. But I can appreciate it.
My beat mixing ability was very good and well, it was easy for me. So I don;t really see or appreciate simply beat mixing as a skill. When a DJ can keep everything tight in the beat mix AND also bring in other layers of beats. Now whats what I find amazing. Its super hard and only pure talent.
But at the end of the day, with the speed of internet distribution and easy to copy/pirate. Speed of getting tracks out and around the world. You cannot be playing anything super fresh on vinyl. And thats what a log of the top DJ’s are all about. So, apart from Final Scratch, turntables are out.
James
5 a4 // May 5, 2010 at 7:40 pm
You have many good points. But I partly disagree with 7&8.
With digital formats, the majority of labels today order masters that are dynamically squish-compressed to hell and back, because “the kids like it”, “the music’s gonna end up on ipods anyway” and “it’s how the market works now”. In other words, since the loudness war has pushed things way too far, let’s participate by making our records sound even worse! Everyone does it anyway…
As vinyl has its limitations on loudness, the mastering engineer is forced to keep the percieved volume below world-domination-metallica level. If he/she doesn’t, the record won’t be playable because the needle will jump with every big transient (if there are any notable ones left).
As for the formats themselves, PCM (CD) definitely has the cleanest reproduction of sound. The sound can also be as squished and fucked up as you like, as long as you keep it under zero dBFSD. What people seem to give a shit about, though, is that when the loudness is pushed too far, it sounds worse. Much worse. Depending on how much you messed up the sound, a listener can grow ear-fatigue after less than one minute. On the contrary, a more dynamic record can be turned up (using the knob labeled “volume”), and sound bigger, punchier, and detailed instead of flat and distorted.
Excess use of soft clipping and brickwall-compression has a lot more negative impact on the sound than the vinyl’s high presence-compression + clicks & pops. The engineers probably compress the waves way further than the vinyl does anyway.
That’s why I vinyl – in many cases – still sounds better. The majority of labels and artists don’t give a shit about quality as long as the record sounds louder than their reference. IF they do start to care, though, CD has an amazing potential.
Think about it – do you want your listeners to turn the music up, or down?
See http://www.dynamicrange.de and http://turnmeup.org for examples.
6 Miro // Oct 20, 2010 at 9:51 am
Fuck digital Laptop -click-click-click /CD Button pusher Dj’s!
I am so happy to live in Europe where many DJ ‘s play vinyl(no timecoded).
Poor digital Dj world!
7 Victor Valadjo // Oct 27, 2010 at 12:39 am
You are all forgetting one thing; it’s all about the party-people not the DJ. These young people who grew up with a digital lifestyle and having a good time at a party do not give a fuck about HOW but about WHAT they are hearing.
The choice of records, breaks and moments that’s what counts.
And not the godlike state the people (media) are giving them thesedays.
And why the hell are dj’s still using CD’s?
They produce/buy/download a song(mp3) and then…..burn it on a CD!?! Why?
Pioneer that’s why….every club in the world now has pioneers cdj’s; just like Technics SL1200/1210 ruled 2 decades ago.
Shortly: it’s all about the big money, record companies love Pioneer.
That’s why mp3-laptop-controllers are a danger for record companies.
8 Black // Feb 24, 2011 at 12:10 am
It’s a shame that CDs are taking over. It’s a lot easier to beat match with CDs/computers than it is with actual vinyl turntables. It doesn’t take any skill anymore . In my personal opinion I would rather spend money on something I can physically touch.
9 Victor Valadjo // Apr 6, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Here we go again! Beatmatching is not DJ-ing.
To use some words from Steve Angello:
“My grandma can be thougth how she has to beatmatch, but that doesn’t make her a DJ who can play for thousands of people…..”
Beatmatching is not a skill…..!
(Having a feeling for rhythm is not a skill; if someone does not have a feeling for rhythm like dancing; he or she would never become a DJ)
grtz,
Victor Valadjo
10 JamieG // Apr 10, 2011 at 6:44 am
Beatmixing IS a skill, its just not a skill that matters anymore. The CD and computer based tools do it all for you.
The issue here is that those who allow themselves to go beyond the limitations of vinyl also allow their creative skills to also go beyond those limitations too.. Ie you can do everything you can do on vinyl on CD-J’s but also a lot more.
In this age of competitiveness, of course any DJ wanting to shine more then the rest will take any advantage they can.
If you stay with vinyl, your staying behind.
I’m just being realistic here.
James
11 jjj // Jun 29, 2011 at 11:17 pm
I’m Play Old skhool(disco/funk/hip hop)
I still use records.I love records love jacket .it all about personal choice..I love spend money on records. something special..No matter what you use cd or record. Whatever happy with.I’m not against people use cd ..who cares..It all about musik….
12 JamieG // Jun 30, 2011 at 10:22 am
I agree with you, but the truth is that if your an up-front DJ (Playing the newest tracks) . It is only via playing MP3/WAV files are you able to keep fresh. By the time they hit vinyl, if they ever do, they have been played all over the world by DJ’s who are willing to play CD or other digital formats.
And being all about the music, how I feel, vinyl, or digital, it does not really matter. turntables or CDj’s they are notheing but tools like hammer and screwdriver. People who go on about what tools they use do not have the right spirit if you ask me.
13 fen // Aug 6, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I’ve spent some time with mp3/USB interface, then CDJ’s, and now vinyl. I’ll keep using vinyl because I actually play better sets since. I think this is the most important thing : everyone should use what makes them play the best music.
Anyway I do not agree to all your points.
1. Yes it costs a lot. And it make me think twice before buying any record. Thus, my vinyl record collection contains only tunes I really love. Why is it important ? Because I can put any random plate out of my crate, it’ll rock the place. Try this with your 180Gb 320k collection, at least it didn’t work for me (at all).
2. True. But I’ve got muscles. Everyone does.
3. I order my records online, there’s no vinyl shop around my place and a load online, shipping worldwide, so this ain’t an argument at all.
4. True.
5. As I said, anyone can buy records online, vinyl or digital does not make any difference.
6. True.
7. Partly false. Most professional producers work at 96kHz if not 192kHz, then downrate the master to fit with CD’s 44.1kHz standard. Any decent digital sound interface works at least at 96kHz.
So If you take a 192kHz tune and put it on vinyl, you’ll hear a 192kHz sound which is better than a CD, indeed. What’s the actual consequence of this ? A 192kHz sampled sound proves to have more accuracy and harmonics in the high frequency range than a 44.1 one. At loud volumes a 44.1kHz sound will sound more agressive/metallic. But well, this is a really tiny difference that needs well-trained ears to get, or a very very loud sound system (which itself could become a problem with vinyls).
8. Like I said a good 192kHz production proves to have more accuracy and harmonics in the high frequency range on a vinyl than on a CD.
What’s true is that bass feedback often occurs with turntables, and that’s a real pain but there are ways to handle this.
Anyway being a musician before being a DJ, I’m used to have a very short path between my finger and the sound. Vinyl provides this, I’m just more comfortable with TTs.
So why not use Serato-likes ? Well I tried it, but having a computer on stages just makes me look like an hypnotized geek, I can’t get my eyes out of the screen, so I got rid of the screen
Last thing, my experience shows I’m having a lot more success with girls since I’ve sold my CDJs for a pair of mkII. There’s no way this could be an argument, but well… it happened.
14 JamieG // Aug 8, 2011 at 12:33 pm
I agree with you that Analog has a performance feel to it you cannot really duplicate with digital.
I like to think of it like..
Acoustic performances compared to those using drum machines etc.
Many people love Acoustic, but MUCH MORE love performances mixed with digital tools.
And I put your argument in this basket. This is not to say I am putting you down, to the opposite. I am just pointing out that the main stream bigger acts. “ARE NOT USING VINYL”
Your argument about bringing 96KhZ content is a good one but for the fact they all play on CD-J 44 or 48kHz. Unless the newer units can now also play 96kHz flac or uncompressed files.
I’m not JDing anymore and am busy running a company. So I am completely out of the loop these days.
James
15 Dave // Sep 9, 2011 at 5:06 pm
I have to say.. there are still people who do indeed care about what the DJ is doing up there. The entire process of mixing from one record into the next, lining it up, making sure it’s perfect, then dropping it, I used to get up next to the DJ along with many others and watch it happen.. I used to live for that shit when i was partying back in the day. Of course yeah, in this day and age, no one really gives a shit what the DJ is doing as long as there’s music, so in that retrospect it can be argued that using vinyl is a dead art. I could pop in my favorite cd of whatever genre and play it all the way through, and people could love it cuz it’s music. Bottom line, DJing has its roots in vinyl, and you have to respect that. It has nothing to do with not “keeping up with the times” or anything like that, it’s just staying true to the art in that perspective.
16 wiselies // Oct 5, 2011 at 12:06 pm
DJ means disc jockey. CD’s don’t count because they weren’t invented yet. The term for anyone who doesn’t use vinyl is a BJ or bit jockey. If you don’t jockey discs then you are not a DJ. That’s like calling all this rap garbage hip-hop. Things are what they are. When they evolve its like pokemon, they get a new name.
17 JamieG // Oct 5, 2011 at 1:55 pm
True-ish, but unfortunately, DJ, being the base from which all this has grown, even tho could be seen to mean something more concise, is used as an umbrella word to mean one tho plays tracks be it on vinyl, CD, Tape, digital playback system.
18 LombardoR // Jan 29, 2012 at 1:07 pm
My personal take on all this argument goes like this:
It’s quite a double-edged sword. Being that I AM a vinyl junkie/aficionado and do take on playing with CDs as second choice, there will unquestionably be zillions of pros and cons to these points. Based on my experience and choice, this is the reason why I ever bought a Serato or Traktor in the first place…to be able to reproduce all my freshly-acquired new music on the spot using vinyl or CDs, even if it’s time-coded media. Those two formats bring forth the performance factor out of any self-respecting professional DJ. Admitting to being a vinyl-lover, but both softwares sure beat the hell out of carrying 80-100 vinyls in a record bag that only leave callouses on my fingers, and most likely you won’t play nearly half the records in your bag that night. What I consider to be TRULY unforgiveable is the whole MIDI-controller b.s., which is a mayor disappointment considering most world-reknowned top DJs are just running around with a laptop and a midi controller…that to me is a mayor copout. Also, for those cats who have a problem taking their eyes off a laptop screen, two things: 1) even before laptops came into the game you NEVER depended on a computer screen to see what you’re playing…I’m sure you can do fine ungluing your eyes off the screen, and 2) exactly that…are you playing to a goddamn laptop screen? hello…there are PEOPLE dancing in front of you, LOOK AT THEM!!! Give THEM the performance of your life. You can’t get that musicianship just pressing on a couple of buttons and let your laptop do ALL your work for you. So all the years you put in busting your ass beatmatching and blending and scratching and everything else that comes about…are you just gonna ditch it all to the bay on account of extreme commodity? Oh please…I’m a REAL DJ, not a f***ing human iPod.
This debate is almost like the abortion issues…ongoing without end. But that’s just my two-cents I wanted to contribute to this . Peace out and greeting from Dominican Republic!
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