Vinyl vs Digital - Which do you buy?

[DJ Becka]

Just to add some context here, I DJ pretty exclusively with vinyl - occasionally with CDs.

I'm just getting into Ableton but I don't think I'd bother using it as a DJing tool, that feels like a massive waste to me. Live PA all the way I reckon.

See, this is where I can see ableton being more useful - using it more as a live pa tool rather than a djing one. Perhaps I am not using it to it's full potential - actually, I am SURE I'm not, but either way, it's just not my personal preference for djing. Call me old fashioned - I just enjoy being behind the decks better. And yes, I've seen people do really cool sets with ableton too, just the same as seeing people doing shitty sets with it. For me, I'll use it for production and stick with the vinyl medium for playing out at gigs.

As it is, I only switched to using Serato a little over a year ago - I was vinyl all the way, as was my attitude towards djs and what they were using to play. It's been a gradual process for me to start to embrace more digital means of doing things.....give a sista a break......I grew up with vinyl - so it's a bit tough to just let it go.....I had to work hard to get to where I am, and now any idiot can be a dj with all the technology that is out there to make it easy for them.

Ok, so this is starting to go in the wrong direction, but I'll briefly touch upon this, since people think I'm completely wrong, and so you can understand why I feel the way I feel about this stuff.

I suppose at the end of the day, it's what's coming out of the speakers that matters, but I think what bothers me the most about people using ableton for djing is that they just seem to look/act bored. I dont stand there and watch the dj the entire time, however, if I am on the dancefloor, I look up and see that the dj looks bored and has one hand in their pocket, it kinda kills the vibe for me. Again, this is just me - if it doesnt bother any of you, that's your perogative....

Anyway, if for some reason, I happen to change my mind in the future in terms of using something other than vinyl for djing, I'll be sure to let you all know ;)

btw, did I mention that I buy both vinyl and digital? Yea....that was the subject of this poll......lol

[TechMouse]

As it is, I only switched to using Serato a little over a year ago - I was vinyl all the way, as was my attitude towards djs and what they were using to play. It's been a gradual process for me to start to embrace more digital means of doing things.....give a sista a break......I grew up with vinyl - so it's a bit tough to just let it go.....

So, just to try and pin this down a little:

You're using Serato anyway, so you're already eschewing rooting around in a record bag in favour of searching on a laptop. So this makes me wonder...

Is it just the mechanical action of getting two pieces of plastic rotating at the correct relative speeds that does it for you?

And if so, why exactly?

I take your point about people looking bored, but I've seen vinyl DJ's look bored before too. Surely that's a shortcoming in the DJ rather than an inherent stumling block of the technology.

Just trying to understand your point of view.

I had to work hard to get to where I am, and now any idiot can be a dj with all the technology that is out there to make it easy for them.

I don't get that angle at all.

Are Americans worse drivers than us Brits because the majority of you use automatic cars? Of course not...

Surely the difference is that people just have to work harder to stand out?

Just like with producing IMHO.

20 years ago, only a few people had access to the technology. Now it's commonplace. You have to be better to make your mark.

[rhythmtech]

20 years ago, only a few people had access to the technology. Now it's commonplace. You have to be better to make your mark.

exactly..

just because someone can produce a track doesnt mean its gonna be good and just because someone can play mp3s doesnt mean they can do it well.

the actual physical concept of playing vinyl is just as simple as mixing mp3 on laptop or cd.. if anyone here cant count to 4 then they're in trouble anyway.

[bushby]

and has one hand in their pocket

When I used to use decks I'd mix with my hand in my pocket. Now I use ableton there's too much going on for me to have my hand in my pocket (unless I'm "under the influence" in which case I might not play quite as many tracks an may have to relax a bit with my hand in my pocket)

I'm the only person on the poll that buys / plays purely digital as well it seems.