It's naive. That prescribes technology for technologies' own sake.
The fact that something exists or is new does not automatically make it desirable. A technological improvement does not by itself improve the methodology.
Consider the multitude of technologies that have been abondoned beacuse while they were indeed "better" their adoption provided neither an economic or ergonomic benefit.
That is partially true... but not completely true... sure a good example of technological advancement that went nowhere would be the Betamax systems...
Then along came DVD... and recordable DVDs with vast improvements in sound and picture quality.
The singular advantage of a PC is the ability to store an entire music collection, or to have instant access to songs you don't already have.
I don't think that is the sole reason for computer use... I think that's a bit short sighted...
If you work alone, the ability to automate the music and get out in front of your gear is arguably not a valid "DJ" advantage since you would in fact be "entertaining" and no longer DJing. (See also: "Track Act" or "Milli-Vanilli") Thus, this would be a personal or vocational benefit and NOT a technological improvement to DJing.
Aren't DJ's suppose to be entertainers? I've DJ'd alot via PC and I do not see myself being able to get out from behind my gear any more than a DJ who works of anyother media... I'm always looking for the next song... and sure I'll line up a list of music I might play but sometimes that gets nixed by a request or even me coming up with a better song to play...
It's not like useing a computer means that the DJ automatically can just hit random and then play... just doesn't work that way... at least not for me anyway.
There are many presumed advantages that simply don't exist where the DJ is already highly efficient and streamlined with other technology:
Economic: Switching to a PC will not significantly improve your sale price or your margin.
Really?... hmmm.... let's see.... I can provide an endless amount of music provided there is an internet connection, I can add music at a whim to the playlist, I can even add live media streams to my system... heck even do a live feed via a web cam if I so choose. While the later doesn't have to do with DJ'n per se it does add to your sales pitch of things you can do.
Ergonomic: The typical "all PC" DJ is using gear that is bulkier and takes longer to setup than a well thought CD system.
Oh... here we go... a computer is harder to setup vs a CD player, mixer, crossover, eq's blah blah blah...
Not true... I run a single s/PDIF optic wire to my AutoEQ to my amps and to my speakers.... all remain hooked up within my rack... harder to setup, bulkier... pffft don't make me laugh.
Opps, did I forget to mention that I don't need an external mixer... wow one less thing to mess with while setting up. I do have one don't get me wrong any piece of gear be it a computer or a CD player can breakdown at the most in opportune times.
Artistic: Automation is largely NOT what DJing is all about.
And just what is wrong with a bit of automation if it makes your job easier? Nobody said the computer has to run the show but there is absolutely nothing with allowing it to crossfade, beat match and other assorted things for you.
There are also some very disctint
disadvantages:
Perceptual: Customer's fail to recognize any sigificant gap between the DJ and their own home computing resources or abilities.
Life cycle: The hardware and software are both vulnerable to early and repeated obsolescence.
Visual Personna Real DJs are just cooler than computer geeks.
Customers are coming to almost demand instant gratification and pretty much expect a PC to be used in some fasion or another... and they are not dumb enough to equate their RS home stereo to a pro-audio setup. Not to mention your average consumer isn't using expensive mixing software or audio gear to play their music on at home... unless you are also rolling in there with the latest in Rent-To-Own speakers I'm quite possitive that your clients will be able to see the gap between home sound and pro-sound.
The life cycle of any piece of gear can be short lived this is true... compatability issues asside... even CD players have a life cycle... CD's have a life cycle all degrade thru time.. but, that mp3 will live forever as long as ya don't format the dang drive. So while technology marches on... so do the advances in software.
A DJ working with a PC doesn't make him a geek. But, if working smarter and with more effcientcy makes me a geek.... well then I guess I am.
Sorry but I just don't see why a computer seems to be such a threat to folks after all it is only a tool and is only as good as the tool using it... lol
