Pioneer CDJ vs Denon DN-S

[TechMouse]

PS Don't let this put you off buying the cdj's (i think you'll find this these days with everything) but why oh why are more and more cdj-1000's breaking on me in clubs??? two broke down on me this weekend.. bahhhhh, they don't make them like god old technics 1210's anymore eh...

Technics Decks are some of the most breathtakingly simple devices you will ever use in your life.

They start, they stop, they go faster and slower, they run at two different speeds. THAT'S ABOUT IT. They are also built like tanks.

Compare and contrast that with the feature set of your average CD deck, (more like a microcomputer than anything else), alongside the fact that it's a laser tracking microscopic dimples on a silver disc rather than a needle running in a groove on a vinyl, and you can imagine how they're much more prone to breaking.

Oh and they cost twice as much and don't keep their value. Go figure.

I'm slowly coming to the opinion that CD decks are a waste of time. If you need to mix mp3s alongside vinyl then get Traktor. It does all the same stuff, it lets you plug in VSTs and you can run virtual decks. Once you get past the physical interaction bit it's no problem. In fact, it's probably easier. But if you're a genuine motor skills luddite then get Serato or FS. Cheaper than two CD decks and you don't have to cart loads of CDs around.

If you don't need to mix alongside vinyl get Ableton. I've been mucking around with it for a bit now and once you free yourself from the notion that DJing is all about getting two bits of plastic spinning at the correct relative speed then you open up a whole load of new possibilities such as remixing on the fly, adding your own bits, even working towards something that could genuinely be considered a live PA.

I still love playing on decks by the way. In fact, I just spunked £100 on vinyl and it felt good (see you on Saturday, Microdot :;). I just think that Techno needs to move with the times, otherwise it's not really Techno is it.