So you hate the scratching and "fapping"?

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djcrazychris

DJ Extraordinaire
Jun 12, 2018
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So i had a thought today....

The origin of dj software began when professional dj's using turntables refused to switch to "corny" cd's ....so companies created the unthinkable... they designed a software that could read a sound code and be manipulated by specialized vinyl records allowing the scratch sound to be used in conjunction with mp3's or cd's. The interfaces we all know and love today were developed in order for those scratching and fapping dj's to visualize their medium.

Mobile dj's allready had the ease of use of cd's front loaded into their rack mounted units... which later could be filled with cd's containing mp3s by the hundreds. They didnt need this technology... and were never in consideration.

The whole technology you all rely on...yet take for granted and somehow still despise true dj culture for...became a reality because of the needs of the artform you think isnt profitable...or relevant.

Its like your favorite drink is Tang... but you think the space program was dumb

cc
 
The fact that people USE the "decks" to scratch and they "fap" the crossfader, doesn't mean those capabilities were solely designed for that purpose. You can also use a crossfader to just fade between songs .. and you can use the control surfaces to cue up spots. I don't despise the technology, just the way it's used by some. :)
 
Mp3's being played on a laptop came about not because of the DJ world but because people didn't want to load CD's into their laptops or computers all the time. The controller became an extension of that - a user wanting to control those songs - not necessarily needing or wanting scratch skills. WinAmp (late 90's) was one of the first pieces of software to be used in a DJ capacity and having the ability to 'mix'. There were no scratching capabilities.
 
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The fact that people USE the "decks" to scratch and they "fap" the crossfader, doesn't mean those capabilities were solely designed for that purpose. You can also use a crossfader to just fade between songs .. and you can use the control surfaces to cue up spots. I don't despise the technology, just the way it's used by some. :)
Mp3's being played on a laptop came about not because of the DJ world but because people didn't want to load CD's into their laptops or computers all the time. The controller became an extension of that - a user wanting to control those songs - not necessarily needing or wanting scratch skills. WinAmp (late 90's) was one of the first pieces of software to be used in a DJ capacity and having the ability to 'mix'. There were no scratching capabilities.

shut up and drink your tang

cc
 
lol...With the scratching capabilities came bpm changing and bending technology... a must have for even mobile dj's with the need to beatmatch via a controller...

sure you could play an mp3 off a computer in the mid 90s... but could you manipulate it in any way...no

cc
 
I think bpm changing and bending came about for reasons other than scratching. ;)

Turntablists used these 'options' together to create or modify things. These were not created by or for turntablists. Up until recently, 'BPM's' were never really constant - because they relied on a human.

Chris - I think we all genuinely appreciate the way you look at it - but it's not the only way to look at it.
 
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Up until recently, 'BPM's' were never really constant - because they relied on a human.

lol...what are you talking about...

setting aside the fact that drum machines became a constant in popular dance music 40 years ago.. THE WHOLE REASON you need to manipulate the bpm when mixing human drummers is to keep your mix tidy and in the lines.... you guys only think you understand bpm now because of the bells and whistles of a new controller...sync and whatnot... bpm manipulation began around 76 as dj's began pushing the record forward or softly slowing it down with their hands to fuse disco songs together and make them seamless....

We were beatmatching well before software had any capabilities even in the 90s with these same techniques... and the lovely innovation of the pitch fader

cc
 
I think bpm changing and bending came about for reasons other than scratching. ;)

in order to manipulate the music to slow down or speed up you have to be able to control it like a record...aka... draw the song backwards and forward... the entire essence of scratching... its the same technology. and its roots were in the needs of dj's who scratch...fap...mix....etc...

cc
 
The whole technology you all rely on...yet take for granted and somehow still despise true dj culture for...became a reality because of the needs of the artform you think isnt profitable...or relevant

I don't think anyone here feels that mixing is not profitable or not relevant.
Some of us just feel that it is not a critical part of the kind of gigs we do.

Just as being a good public speaker, is not critical to a DJ who beatmixes at a club.
 
I don't disagree - but that record from 1976 was recorded with a live band and not a computer. BPM manipulation became a capability that a DJ could use .. but it was not made for a DJ. Additionally, I think we all know successful DJ's that don't beatmatch.
 
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I don't think anyone here feels that mixing is not profitable or not relevant.
Some of us just feel that it is not a critical part of the kind of gigs we do.

Just as being a good public speaker, is not critical to a DJ who beatmixes at a club.

Fully understand...however... djmm has repeatedly and angrily made the statement...why all the scratching and crossfader noise at expo...who makes any money at that?

and to be completely real with you guys... Mixing isnt important to you guys because you THINK it's not important.... and thats fine... but it doesnt make it a factual or valid excuse not to exceed in all aspects of your profession

cc
 
Early pitch/speed controls on turntables were to allow adjustments to playback speed for records that weren't mastered properly or for the belt driven platters that didn't hold speed as well as current decks do.
 
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Fully understand...however... djmm has repeatedly and angrily made the statement...why all the scratching and crossfader noise at expo...who makes any money at that?

and to be completely real with you guys... Mixing isnt important to you guys because you THINK it's not important.... and thats fine... but it doesnt make it a factual or valid excuse not to exceed in all aspects of your profession

cc
No .. not that we don't think it's important for "some situations" .. just not as important for many that a mobile DJ (non-club) needs .. YMMV
 
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and to be completely real with you guys... Mixing isnt important to you guys because you THINK it's not important.... and thats fine... but it doesnt make it a factual or valid excuse not to exceed in all aspects of your profession
By the same token, Mixing, scratching, etc is important to you because you THINK it's important.... and thats fine... but it doesnt make it a factual or valid reason in all aspects of your profession
 
And let's differentiate between "mixing" (transitioning, beat matching, etc.) and CREATING sounds via scratching and crossfader twaddling. Mixing, cues, etc. are important tools ... scratching, etc. not so much for the "mobile jock" (unless you have a club loving crowd).
 
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By the same token, Mixing is important to you because you THINK it's important.... and thats fine... but it doesnt make it a factual or valid reason in all aspects of your profession

if we were all hibachi chefs... doing our onion volcanoes....and one of us just pattied out meat and made hamburgers....sure they are feeding their customer... but why become a hibachi chef if you have no plans of creating exciting asian food with a dazzling display of skill.... just seems to be a disservice to a customer who came for hibachi

at the end of the day....its easier to decide in your mind that the client doesnt want it...because thats much easier on you... u never have to learn the skill...

cc
 
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