72
TAKING TURNTABLES
INTO THE DIGITAL AGE
Kmag looks at digital DJing technologies that allow DJs to mix MP3s like they were records.
In 1996, alt. rock star Beck sang that two to me via AIM and which won’t get a vinyl release
turntables and a microphone were “where it’s at”. “With the use of cue points and loops you can for another eight months, if ever.”
For good or ill, this is no longer the case. Every pretty much remix your music live,” he says.
venue now provides facilities for DJs who want to “There is no need to play that one part of the Zach also strongly believes in trying out new
play CDs, not records. song that you would rather avoid, just jump technology despite what certain sections of the
to one of the five cue positions … The looping scene might think.
But going digital does not necessarily mean feature comes in handy when playing those TC
learning to master a CD deck. There are a number or Dillinja tracks with the short 32 beat intro. “Creating music is just like creating new
of technologies that allow DJs to employ their You also have the ability to drop the bassline or technology. You try to break the boundaries and
turntable skills while nonetheless playing MP3s breakdown when you want, instead of being at the create something the world hasn’t seen before,”
or other digital music tracks. These technologies mercy of the track.” he says. “In the end it’s all about the music and
combine sophisticated software with specially the feeling it gives you. People need to stop being
designed vinyl plates that allow DJs to control Having a digital collection is also useful for other so concerned with how it’s getting played.”
MP3s as if they were records. reasons: “Another bonus is the ability to locate
a track in your library in a matter of seconds via Zach and Chad’s views are echoed by drum & bass
Kmag took a closer look at some of the most the program’s search field. I can’t tell you how scratch prodigy, DJ Fu, who recently signed a
popular digital DJ technologies to see if “where many times I’ve missed a key position in a track sponsorship deal with Native Instruments’ Traktor
it’s at,” in 2009, is two turntables and a laptop. because I was trying to find a particular record in Scratch. The program is similar to Scratch Live.
my box.” Kmag asked Fu what convinced him to embrace
Serato Scratch Live is the product of New digital DJing.
Zealand software firm Serato and Seattle-based Scratch Live boasts an impressive roster of users,
manufacturer Rane. It grew from the pioneering including Grooverider, Roni Size, DJ Marky, “The first reason is that I was getting sent dubs and
work of researchers from the University of A-Sides, Makoto and Fanu, to name but a few. not having enough money to cut them,” says Fu.
Auckland in the late 1990s. They discovered That’s some heavyweight endorsement. But, even “I found I would not play certain tunes because I
that by using specially created vinyl containing a though huge sections of the scene are embracing don’t like using CD decks. Traktor was an obvious
control signal, they could manipulate MP3s using digital technology, there is still a widespread answer to the problem. The next reason is that
turntables. attitude that giving up on vinyl is a form of ‘selling you can build your own sample banks and scratch
out’. them like a record. I can get any sample, scratch
The potential for such a system was enormous it, loop it and then add another layer over the
as it would mean DJs could play digital music Chad disagrees: “I think it’s evolution. Once top.”
stored on their laptops. No more lugging heavy people realise the capabilities digital technology Like the Scratch Live team, Fu admits that a
record collections everywhere they went. By the can provide, they see the sense in it. Look at major advantage of digital DJing technologies is
time Serato commercialised the technology in analogue and digital studios. Did digital studios convenience. As well as being able to transport
2001, the system was so fast it even allowed DJs sell out the analogue studios? No, but now “hours and hours” of tunes, “you can be
to scratch. there is greater access to the tools you need as a confident that when you do a gig abroad your
musician.” tunes won’t get lost by the airlines, which I’m sure
Kmag talked to Chad Simer – otherwise known has happened to all DJs that catch flights.”
as Olcyrus – who is part of the technical support Digital also makes sense from a financial angle:
team at Rane. He explains that the Scratch Live “On digital download sites, you can purchase Fu also has an amusing justification for choosing
system answered a simple need: more music than you would ever see released on Traktor over CD decks: “I just don’t like using
vinyl, at prices less than three quarters of what the CDJs,” he says. “All my life I have used vinyl and I
“With Scratch Live, you aren’t limited at all,” vinyl would cost,” Chad says. find it weird using something that doesn’t move.
he says. “Imagine having your entire record It’s a bit like having sex with a blow up doll. You
collection with you at every gig. No more of ‘I Chad’s view is that this is good for the scene, as can do it, but it’s unresponsive. I also find it
wish I packed that one in the box’.” it allows more people to access the music, giving hard to scratch with the small platter. It doesn’t
drum & bass artists more exposure. It also means have the same weight and fling behind it as vinyl
As well as being convenient, systems like Scratch new producers can get their stuff played out does.”
Live open up a realm of new possibilities for DJs. without the high costs of pressing vinyl. Plus it
One of Chad’s colleagues at Rane is Zach Stone means DJs can get their hands on new tracks as Fu admits that he used to believe abandoning vinyl
– also known as Zacharia – a hugely experienced soon as they are finished. meant selling out but says that his views changed:
drum & bass DJ in the Seattle scene. Zach says “I now think that as long as you are maintaining
Scratch Live has “revolutionised” the way he DJs. “I was a strictly vinyl guy for the longest time,” says the same amount of skill in what you do, it doesn’t
This is because of a range of features such as cue Chad. “Now, Scratch Live allows me to have the matter.”
point functions and loop tools. same feel but play the new album that just got sent
www.kmag.co.uk
K72-73_DigitalDJ.indd 72 29/4/09 13:27:35
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