Re: [acid-jazz] Scratching digitally (from New York Times)

From: Christopher Grass (bluesjumper@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Dec 04 2002 - 01:48:42 CET

  • Next message: leslie shill: "Re: [acid-jazz] Scratching digitally (from New York Times)"

      OK, I gotta speak my piece. This is a long one, so bear with me.
       I have a pair of Pioneer CDJ 1000s, and to me, they are like having a
    pair of 1200s. I prefer them for many reasons: one, because LOTS OF MUSIC
    IS ONLY RELEASED ON CD THESE DAYS. Pressing vinyl is very prohibitive for
    many artists. Why should I limit myself to playing only songs that are out
    on vinyl? Also, the instrument does not do the mixing or beat-matching or
    song selection for me...I still have to do all that myself. Sure, some
    players will automix, but where is the fun in that?? I'm not the greatest
    DJ in the world, but I do know that you can't just sit down on a pair of CD
    players and expect to be able to mix or scratch. It takes practice, no
    matter what tool you use. Also, I still love and respect vinyl, but with
    CDs, I can bring over 500 full length albums to any gig; try doing that with
    vinyl. Most of my records are irreplaceable. What happens if one gets
    stolen or destroyed at a gig? CDs are much easier to replace. It is just
    another tool for me, the dj, to get the music to the people. The medium
    does not matter....those who think so are narrowminded. I don't see people
    bashing DJ Shadow because he uses a sampler instead of real instruments.
    What about the DJ who is talented beyond measure, but simply can't afford to
    hunt down rare and expensive vinyl? Should he/she not be able to DJ at a
    club? The whole vinyl elitist thing really bothers me, actually. Sure,
    there is something cool about mixing two pieces of vinyl, even I realize
    that. But what about the freakin' music??? I know plenty of crappy vinyl
    DJs who get more props than the skilled CDjs I know...and it's simply
    unfair. However, when I play out, people are like "wow, you are mixing like
    THAT with CDs??" and they are impressed. My DJing partner Shaun spins on
    vinyl when we play out, and I spin on my CDJ-1000s, and we are able to cover
    ALL the bases, and at that point, the medium of the music doesn't
    matter...it lets the listener/dancer totally focus on the music itself,
    which is the important thing.
       The funny thing is how some DJs are touting FinalScratch as more "pure"
    than DJing with CDs; I find this to be a load of crap. It's still digital;
    only the controls are analog, and MP3's sound like crap ;)

    >From: "Ridu Moya" <ridu_moya@hotmail.com>
    >To: <DJQoolMarv@aol.com>, <acid-jazz@ucsd.edu>
    >Subject: Re: [acid-jazz] Scratching digitally (from New York Times)
    >Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2002 16:28:33 -0800
    >
    >In my opinion, no CDJ innovation will ever replace vinyl.
    >I too respect all the cool stuff and effects they're coming up with those,
    >but that should not ever be compared or put in the same category as using
    >vinyl.
    >A lot of DJs who use vinyl will also have that stack of cds for those 'not
    >yet on vinyl' dubplates, but I don't think we're thinking about switching.
    >It is a culture that cannot be replaced. Some people may switch to cds
    >because it's so much easier to load that new mp3 on the cd as soon as it's
    >out. Plus you don't have to carry all that vinyl - but it never was about
    >what is easier.
    >
    >It's like you just got that dope million inch big screen TV at home with
    >the
    >57 surround speakers!... yet it's never quite like watching the game at the
    >stadium though...
    >
    >Among a whole lot of other things, it's the difference between actual
    >talent
    >with using vinyl...and reading the User's manual on the other.
    >
    >Love,
    >Ridu
    >
    >----- Original Message -----
    >From: DJQoolMarv@aol.com
    >To: acid-jazz@ucsd.edu
    >Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 3:05 PM
    >Subject: Re: [acid-jazz] Scratching digitally (from New York Times)
    >
    >
    >In a message dated 12/03/2002 5:40:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    >johnbook9@yahoo.com writes:
    >
    >
    >"It's like what
    >happened with keyboards. First there were pianos, and
    >then there were electronic keyboards, and then a whole
    >new style of music emerged."
    >
    >"But," he added, "people are still playing pianos."
    >
    >
    >
    >Sums it up I think. I love the vinyl but I also look forward to the CDJ
    >innovations of the people who master those machines...someone's going to
    >come up with some great tricks and I can't wait to hear them.
    >
    >Interestingly, I always get comment like, "Hey you STILL use records?" But
    >the comments come with a sense of wonderment and respect. It is generally
    >the 40 year old wedding DJ that looks at vinylheads with that
    >wait-til-your-back-goes-out-disdain...but at 33, I understand. Like
    >anything
    >you lift, it is about the form.
    >
    >Random rant but just chiming in on the fact that the digital mixing will
    >make vinyl mixing all the more classic or old-school and in some cases a
    >novelty. Soon someone is going to say to me upon peeping my
    >vinyl..."What's
    >that?" I'll be happy to explain and demonstrate!
    >
    >Peace y'all,
    >
    >Marv

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