farfromthesun
pfm Member
The cost benefits of single track purchases and the benefits of a non fossil fuel based medium are hard to ignore.
Indeed, though the caveat here is that I still have to burn CD's (since no USB option). Not really an issue from a cost perspective but they're still plastic, albeit unlikely to be discarded unless faulty.
All my musical life has been based around the 12" format. I've only really got a few LP's which are mostly treasured reggae albums. I literally have no experience of CDJ's and I spent so many years in record shops as a customer or working, that records are really all I know. Old dogs and all that...I'll think on.
I have around 1,500 records now. I cleared out thousands in job lots years ago before I moved house. Stuff that I deemed I would not play again; luckily I don't miss any of them (not re-purchased a single one). So whilst the quantity went down, the quality went up. I would say about two thirds of these are records I would play in a DJ set. I contemplated burning them onto CD but it's pointless and time consuming. I'll just play the record if I want to - and this gives me the added benefit of multi source (eg. 3 or even 4 deck) mixing again. I used to play on three decks all the time but as I have got older my approach has changed and I don't feel the need to be so frenetic, but having the option to switch between formats is great.
I literally have no experience of CDJ's and I spent so many years in record shops as a customer or working, that records are really all I know. Old dogs and all that...I'll think on.
I didn't either until I picked these up. If you can mix a record on a turntable then you can use CDJ's - simple as that. It's easier.
PS. I still have some way to go with regard to 'craft perfection' with the single format. Its not shit but could be better as in all things.
Any self respecting DJ would say the same.
In reality, though - what is perfection? Mixing music together with no apparent beginning or end point? To the extent that there's almost no discernible human element? As time has progressed my focus on the technical aspect of DJ'ing has lessened whilst the focus on the music has increased. I truly believe that this is the way it should be but I didn't always think that way and I can only attribute this shift to becoming more mature in the approach to the whole thing. Do I still agonise over some heavy handed transitions, bad mixes and poor programming? Absolutely I do - but these things are never, ever an issue when it comes to listening to other DJ's, which makes me think that human error is not really worth paying a great deal of attention to, expecially your own. Just get on with it. Incidentally, some of the absolute worst trainwrecks and mixing gone wrong I've heard were listening to Jeff Mills. Yet for me, nobody has ever come close to him in terms of DJ prowess; he is, in my view, the greatest DJ in history. I don't care about his mistakes. And apparently, neither does he.
Jeff Mills said:You let things happen. It's OK for the track to run out. There's no bloodshed. It's alright! The audience is not gonna leave the dance floor because there was a moment of silence.
(full, fantastic interview here: https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/3436)
Sorry for going on and on. I am finding the discussion very stimulating - if anyone else wants to join in then please do so. DJ'ing is an artform; like playing the guitar. It should be discussed more. Cheers.
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