I got the record labels asking me now!

Do you use Vinyl, CDs, or Serato?

That is how far Serato has come!

I predict Serato will finally end vinyl production. It's already cut it down! Only a matter of time!

thats wierd I havent got asked that yet.... what company is asking this??

You really have to wonder alot about this topic, "Where is the best place for a DJ to buy music?" The traditional DJ store still has yet to harness the power of selling MP#. I would love to walk into a record store an be able to choose what i hear on vinyl or cd, an know I could get it on high quality MP# an sent to a IPOD or laptop. Record labels really have to be wondering how to best market there music since MP3 became popular an record stores have become a dying breed. Record stores are much like the "The Barber Shop movie" where people who love music come to buy an talk about music with other fellow DJs, but that has seriously fallen out of favor with MP#'s. Record labels and record stores need to wake up to the fact they need to work hand and hand to promote music an bring back dj's who have shifted from vinyl to mp#. Record store should have become the biggest mega archive for music by now with the advent of file sharing. Record labels are killing themselves for the lack of understanding on how to market music in the digital age. Djs around the world using SSL or any other program have to feel somewhat frustrated knowing that the music they want is on vinyl or cd. It doesnt help that record labels have stifle any further explorations on file sharing since declaring war on what they call illegal sharing.

imagine that. walking into a record store with your laptop, plugging in the USB/firewire, paying your tab and walking out with a smile on your face and some new music on your HD. it will happen one day.

I know of one record store in Australia that is starting to do this. I'm very curious to hear how it goes for them.

I don't get this. Why go into a store in your area when you can go to many stores across the internet? I don't see the logic in that.

Save time! You need to preview 100s of tracks before purchasing them and downloading takes time.

how does that save time? let's assume it takes you 15 minutes each way; that's half an hour just in commute. in that time on broadband, i can probably preview 20 songs.

which store is this and what style of music do they sell? if its nearby ima check it out

personally, i would prefer to be able to DL a snippet of a song in MP3 style, and if i wanna buy it - i would want to DL a lossless version of the song(s). Also, if you are gonna go to a store to buy music - just buy the damn CD. i wouldnt like to go to store and DL music onto laptop/iPod/whatever and walk out.

oh yea - im not trying to sound aggressive - just the way i talk/type! :) but just to add - i like buying cds because i can rip and label etc. i still buy records but thats only because i want the different versions of the songs (instrumental, acapella, etc).



awesome!

I think that it's the fact that (for some Djs at least) DJs go to record stores to be introduced to music, to find new things.
The great thing about the internet is that you can find anything. In a way that's also the downfall of the internet. There is one little record store that I go to (big ups Conch, sorry about this whole Scratch LIVE thing) where I know I'm going to like a lot of the stuff they have.

Not sure, it's in Sydney, I'll find out.

So much for the record labels' argument that people would rather file share than legally purchase music. Steve Jobs (Apple) was right when he said the labels were getting greedy by trying to pressure him to raise the prices of mp3s higher than $1 USD each.

Back on-topic, I admit that I do miss going into the record shop and seeing my fellow DJs there. Maybe someone should open an online record shop that also includes video conferencing... then you can interact live with other music-lovers shopping at the same time... :-)

id rather go to a "record" store and DL music there because undoubtedly theyd have all the versions i want. Clean, Dirty, Instrumental and acapella in a variety of file types and qualities. not to mention you could have a bangin store thats only as big as the size of say.. your master bedroom. a set of computers, usb/firewire/ipod interface plugs and a place to swipe your debit card. its almost employee free. i think it would turn a big profit.

not to mention, i for one havent found a place on the internet to purchase instrumentals, acapellas as well as normal versions of songs.

i still buy records. but now i only buy 1 instead of doubles.

If you're a radio DJ (or club DJ in some instances) you can have access to sites who will let you have the instrumentals, acappellas and so forth. Or, record labels will send them (or their links) to you. You have to remember that record labels KNOW that promotional material is that... and who better to give those songs to than the people that this songs were intended for. Honestly, why would your average music listener would want instrumentals or acappellas? These versions are useful mostly to DJ's and producers.

true. i guess i should look into getting hooked up with the record labels. a couple of my friends are, but they are radio Dj's so its a little easier for them. i'm just your run of the mill club dj scum. hahaha!

I would love a dl record shop. maybe it has some gear, some t-shirts, cv02, some nostalgic cds and wax, some coffee, snacks and sh t, posters and light boxes, price and position, promo play, ipods, accessories, all that sh t. Ill head there around noon and drop greenbacks....

Whats the point of a download shop when you can just do it at home

Sadly, most online stores still offer rubbish encoding. Those that don't (Beatport, for example) are too specialised in their choice of music.

I want an online store that offers a broad choice of high quality music (WAV preferably), with lower quality options to suit the whole range of DJ needs.

I dream of a store with the breadth of iTunes Music Store, but with high quality downloads, and I would gladly pay more (MUCH more) for the privilege.

because @ home I cant chat it up with the guy behind the counter about everything from new records, new gear, gigs, and everything else.

because @ home, Im not going to run into other DJs MCs and enthusiast that I havnt seen for a while and chat it up about the same

because @ home, I wont pick up the flayer for the next show

because @ home, I wont see in person new gear with knowledgeable people to talk about it with

because @ home I could get a t-shirt that actually fits made of good material that I dont have to wait 4 to 6 weeks to get it in the mail. and then its not really the right color and its cheap

because @ home I cant hear the new shit with other people standing there in a different environment giving their opinion about it such

because @ home I cant check out the chicks shopping at the other shops in the area

for me there is still plenty of social and physical reason to go to a physical place to purchase none physical items.

its not that strange. people still go to the movies, clubs, concerts, libraries etc

spot on....

AKIEM, word, you forgot:

because @ store they wont steal my credit card details and order *whatever* at my expenses :)

hmmmm.... interesting points,... i think ive changed my mind..... i think a store where i can buy files (lossless) would be easier and quicker than DL from net......

yup - i agree with you guys.... a store would be dope!

Vinyl will never die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

right, and you could still cary cd and VINYL for ever!

oh, and where else are you going to have the pong tournament?

This is a follow up to my first post. i hope other people take up the cause an get the word out to anyone who has influence. As a fellow DJ Im highly disappointed with the record industry not willing to explore other avenues with the MP# format. As some others have pointed out Djs going digital has killed the the physical aspects so many traditional djs are familar with buying. Does going digital mean destroying the dj culture at the same time? Apperently, something is wrong with the record industry not doing much to improve the current situation.

Whereas I fully appreciate the path that technology is now charting for the DJ culture, it will be a very sad day when this technology, leads to the death of (a)digging through the shelves to find that one elusive, or much sought after record; (b)listening to other DJS talk smack and otherwise in the store.

I'll miss that heady feeling of being a special DJ when that last copy of a 12" single is subtly fished from beneath the counter and smartly palmed off to me, much to the chagrin of other fellows in the shop.

Am I the only person who thinks that there was a time when a DJ was special because; (a) only a DJ could have that advanced 12" copy of a much sought after new track ;(b) only a bonafide DJ would know where to find it? Now every nerd, every geek, that sits in front of a computer is able to swipe that song from some deep dark reaches of the world wide web and have access to it, the same time as me...the DJ. Hell! sometimes they be having it b4 me ...the DJ.

Now said nerd, because of some fucking auto mix software that he downloaded, and the quick and easy access to new music (shit he'd formerly have to hear me play first), thinks he and I are both DJS of equal standing.

Technology has led to this beautiful entity called SSL, and for that... kiss kiss!! Technology is, however, going to dismantle precious elements of the DJ culture, and for that I say "thanks a lot u stinking piece of...."

The Technology may dismantle some elements of the DJ culture, but it will give rise to the other much more sophisticated elements... It's all about evolving into something more powerful and mature.

Although you might not be able get those last copies of those unique 12"'s, you can always have your own versions of those tracks. I like to edit tracks to my liking, so they fit into my sets nicely, chop them up, rearange add some element to the sound etc... And thanks to the technology I won't need to dub the edited tracks on a 12" just to be able to playn them live, just use mp3s... save money+time and your sets will be unique...

HSL, does iTunes have crappy quality song in there online store?

Yes.

128k AAC is rubbish, not even as good as 192k MP3.

Rip a track from a CD you own at WAV or high bit-rate MP3. Download the same track from iTunes Music Store. Compare them through high quality headphones. You'll be shocked at the difference.

^^^^^^^
word. ? !

i not only miss the networking aspects of hooking up at record stores, but i also miss the big artwork of posters advertising new talent and latest jams....and free demo cds or tapes of local artists on the rise.

i also miss the billboard where people are selling stuff or where you can post your business cards or the flyer to your next party or musician wanted or equipement wanted.

the idea of a virtual record store complete with video conf & forums is a great idea for those who have difficulty accessing a physical rec. shop (whether it be location, or simply because they don't have enough time).

...but the ultimate is still the actual physical store...i feel that the stores that are still existing up till today should continue to do what they are doin, but 'enhance' the experience by adding stations like maybe an ssl setup for djs to 'listen to' rather than busting open a 12" or cd case....then during checkout, a simple thumbnail jumpdrive / ipod file transfer or email address to send your .wav / .mp3 purchase. (best of both worlds,.....cash/credit card......cd/wax/files)

Interested to find out?

it's www.acetaterecordbar.com

I wish that I could goto a record store and pick up a record just so I remember how a real one feels but also have the option to have all the tracks available via high quality high bitrate MP3. Also, there's nothing like going into a record store seeing a face him or her saying yo check this record out. You play it and like it and you get it. I feel that you don't experience that with an online store. If that's how everyone wants to get down (get songs on internet) I feel that you will lose touch a little. Just my opinion. But truely this game has changed greatly and the public is suffer still. I can only relate it to food. Everything good for you, nobody likes(majority). And everything bad for you everyone loves. McDonalds etc bad music get it?

Wes, I feel you. Though SSL is veeery close to vinyl... Its still something different spinning with real vinyl. :)

I havent been in a record shops in years so I dont miss going record shopping, its a pain in the arse to be honest.

Here is the thing, If your a wack DJ. SSL makes you even wacker. Why? If you carried 3 bags (100 records per bag). Thats a maximum of 300 bad choices. Now, with up to 80,000 songs at your finger tips. You get where I going with this? And beyond that, because you can locate, activate songs so quick now you can second guess yourself and choose a less than natural choice record. I see many DJ's doing this that I've listen to with real vinyl and now with SSL. So that is why I think its a great experience to continue to goto the record store. Here in L.A. its not that much of a hassle. Although I get most all vinyl on promotion I still will continue to goto the record store. Atleast until the music is some what respectable.

there are some threads on this forum that discusses what's hot at their neck of the woods. i think it's great to have this kind of forum of like minds.

scratchlive.net

www.scratchlive.net

On the technology tip. It created this forum and now I can talk to DJs from around the world not just on my block at the store. It's not the same I agree. I still like to dig and I have to drive 300 some miles to do that. But if not for technology I would get to hang once every two months with other DJs at the store. For that matter the lats two times I hit the shop I was like one of two people there and didn;t have the time to sit a BS as usual because I got to get back here.
Technology is always getting blamed for Fing up stuff. It's not the technology, it's what people do with it that Fs things up.