DJing Discussion

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 DJing Discussion
...but can you REALLY DJ??
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...but can you REALLY DJ??

Dj_PrimeTime 11:02 PM - 5 February, 2012
ok Fam,please indulge me for a moment.. I'm new to the forum and if you take a moment to read my Bio, you'll see that I'm NOT new to the industry, but will admit to just getting into the "virtual world" of djing. (i.e. Serato, Traktor, etc.)
I'm a believer in different types of creativity when it comes to djing, but I need a little help understanding something: In my continued research in transforming myself to the 21st Century style of djing (virtual), I've noticed something. How come all I see are videos of dj's sampling a beat or scratch note, run a continuous beat behind it and scratch it for several minutes and this is suppose to be be considered "Supreme"? I've even watched videos of dj competitions (DMC Championships) and all I witness is a guy doing a pretty great job at utilizing his fader and different parts of his mixer to create what I call "mini-tunes" of music but technically, for the most part, he's limited to a couple acapella samples and a few 1 or 2 seconds beats.
So here's my question; In about the SAME time that these guys are "tricking" a couple beats, I'm mixing about 10-15 DIFFERENT songs. What ever happen to the idea of MIXING? I've always challenged the notion that "scratches" and "tricks" are appreciated more by the average crowd at a party or club than a really good mix. Unless yoou're standing over the dj tables, who's to say what you're doing versus a GOOD MIX which can be heard and distinguished while partying at any level?What are your thoughts?
P.S. this is NOT about bashing anybody's art form, I simply want to understand the difference in concepts.
phatbob 11:30 PM - 5 February, 2012
Turntablism = Turntablism.

Club mixing = club mixing.

Both different artforms which crossover into each other. Skilled practitioners can do both.

No debate to be had, surely?
Dj_PrimeTime 11:32 PM - 5 February, 2012
^^^ short but point well taken phatbob. Thnx
djvtyme85 4:03 AM - 6 February, 2012
Quote:
Turntablism = Turntablism.

Club mixing = club mixing.

Both different artforms which crossover into each other. Skilled practitioners can do both.

No debate to be had, surely?


i say incorporate both & use em appropriate to the situation you find yourself in. it aint about how you do it, but the end result.
the SOUNDINSURGENT 4:06 AM - 6 February, 2012
I'd say it is about how you do........that's what's gonna determine your end result which hopefully is you returning the next week and the week after that and so on and so on.
djvtyme85 4:17 AM - 6 February, 2012
biggest thing i can say i forgot at one point was...doing what i do. meaning you cant plan a set, you just have to have the right tools to get you where you want to be.
iRockCrowds 6:16 AM - 6 February, 2012
sounds like somebody is upset that he can't cut shit up as well as others lol. Glad I can do both very well. Don't think that those guys with videos of them scratching it up can't rock a party as well.
Sureshot (PA) 7:07 AM - 6 February, 2012
watch more videos
dj_soo 8:30 AM - 6 February, 2012
You're watching the wrong videos.
sweetL 10:37 AM - 6 February, 2012
Yeah, the concept of rocking a crowd is lost on turntablists - but they arent interested.

Im impressed by someone rocking out some autobahns but it aint gonna move my feet.

Different skillsets, for different scenarios.

For comparitive purposes.... cycling... you have timetrials (indoor, banked circuit), trials (mtb or trials bike hopped up over and onto obstacles), bmx (race, freestyle, flatland), downhill (insanity), touring (tour de france et al), crosscountry (xc mtb)... It's all cycling, but different disciplines for different audiences and different scenarios.

You aren't going to get your average road biker pulling backflips, you wont get your average bmx'er doing 50mph down the side of a mountain, you wont get your average downhill rider pulling switzerland squeakers in carparks...

Its just different, not better or worse.
phatbob 10:47 AM - 6 February, 2012
That's a bit scary sweetL, I was trying to think of an analogy and cycling was the one that sprang to mind...

(Also, Switzerland Squeakers? Old-school! Jez Avery FTW!)
dj_soo 11:34 AM - 6 February, 2012
i think the best djs can do both party rocking/mixing and turntablism - and know enough when to do each.

Sadly, most DJs can't do both and often people who can do one and not the other seem to love to put down the other...
DJ Alkemy 12:21 PM - 6 February, 2012
You obviously aint watching the right DJ's. DJ Vajra is one of the best tablists about but he can rock the hell out of a crowd. Same goes for Craze, Mr.Thing, JFB and countless others.
DJ Goce 1:40 PM - 6 February, 2012
Quote:
You obviously aint watching the right DJ's. DJ Vajra is one of the best tablists about but he can rock the hell out of a crowd. Same goes for Craze, Mr.Thing, JFB and countless others.

+1
none of them does autobahns or routines all night... there are some exceptions,
of the "nerdy" type, but mostly all are great party rockers...
Quote:
i think the best djs can do both party rocking/mixing and turntablism - and know enough when to do each.

Sadly, most DJs can't do both and often people who can do one and not the other seem to love to put down the other...

+1
Groove Factor 3:51 PM - 6 February, 2012
As with anything in life, you should take bookings that you know you can handle - and turn down others when it is out of your element.

You would not see John Digweed at a DMC Championship, any more than you would see Qbert rocking a 6 hour set in Miami. Two equally respected legends...with two very different skill sets.
Dj_PrimeTime 6:18 PM - 6 February, 2012
@ Irockcrowds...you obviously didnt read my post correctly and for that I'll overlook your hasty response. I am NOT condeming anyone's art,I'm simpling making an observation and wanted a little INSIGHT on the differences of the two djing concepts. As far as the second part of my post, I'm merely stating that WE as dj's may appreciate a good turntablism act, for the most part,unless the COMMON individual is standing over you as you're performing it,they probabl wouldnt NOTICE how nuch work you may put into it versus a good mIx which can be heard and understood without any further actions. I am NOT BASHING...merely making an OLD SCHOOL observation and wanted a little feedback on this.