I'm sorry I don't have much sources for important articles, but when this man talks, it's gold! Read on...
Laptop or CD?
I get this question asked to me on a regular basis; what should I buy, DJ software or CD players? What is the future format of the DJ, CD's or laptop?. As things stand, its something the industry or myself doesnt seem to know.
John Digweed recently reignited this debate when he announced he too was moving onto a laptop. As you know I recently had a 'wobble' with the idea of being a laptop DJ, but then backed down. In fact I've done this twice now! Im a self-confessed gadget freak, and regular readers of my blogs know this! It's not that Im afraid of technology, as I use it almost daily while sorting through music at home or in the studio, Im a dab hand on both Traktor, Ableton and Logic Pro. I'm in two minds what the solution is? So here's my take on things from my previous experiences.
Technology is supposed to make our lives easier; like emails, or sending pictures/files around the world. We can instantly buy movies and music at the touch of a button and listen/watch it minutes later on our portable devices. Equipment is getting smaller along with memory; 16 Gig memory sticks the size of our fingernails. We now have office equipment built into our phones/PDA's. All these things are small and make our lives much easier. To me the thought of having all my music collection on my lap top and take it around the world was a wonderful thing. But the trouble is, in reality it wasnt. You see, I needed a midi controller to be able to use the software in my laptop. An external drive to take the pressure off the lap tops internal drive. I needed an audio interface for the outputs. I also needed two sets of cables, in case of failure on one set. So now I have all this stuff to lug around? My record bag was fully loaded and really heavy, almost backbreaking. Before I just had a CD wallet that weighed nothing! So now my theory has been thrown out the window, I realised this on my first few gigs. Playing with a laptop was much more hassle, especially having to bug the previous DJ playing while I clime around him looking for audio inputs and power-points then plug in all my gear and find a place for my gear.
Then you have the added hassle of the technical side of things, Windows/Mac OS updates that have knock on effects to the mixing software and audio drivers etc. Updates happen for a reason, because things go wrong and need fixing! If my software 'freezes' in the studio, it no problem to restart then download the fix. If it happens at a gig, you have just killed the dance floor, there will be silence for a good 5 minutes while your restart the computerand we've seen this happen to all the big DJs. The regular DJ on the street doesnt have the luxury of a team of people around them from the software companies, setting up equipment for them at gigs (yes this happens for the big DJs)!
I sat back and accessed the situation. Within a two hour set on average a DJ will play between 16 - 30 tracks, you could fit all these on 3 CD's! (One CD if data files) So why bother with all that equipment? I watched the Richie Hawtin video thats currently being circulated and can see some interesting things going on. But is this just eye candy? It reminds me of watching DMC style scratching competitions, its viewed by an audience sitting down watching, its designed as entertainment, is this too?
Being a DJ for 20 years, the one thing that will never change is dealing with human nature. These humans are on my dance floor and the most important things a DJ will have to deal with. No amount of equipment or technology will be able to control your dance floor, its down to you and your music choice and programming. To me that is the most important roll as a DJ. Only a good skilled DJ can sense when the crowd should go; up, down or sideways. Its one of the hardest skills to master. A DJ can make or break a night. Only a good DJ can sense the moment when to get the crowd onto the dance floor, and importantly warm them up leading to this moment. Only a good DJ can sense when to lift the crowd and also when to take them down for a break. Only a good DJ knows how to deal with situations before or after a guest DJ/live set, he knows exactly what to do to keep them on the dance floor. Its a very unique skill that only a true DJ knows. You could throw all your fancy loop tricks at them, but being realistic most punters wont have a clue what you are doing, you're only impressing the train spotters standing around the DJ booth. To me, knowing your music and 'feeling' and controlling the dance floor with your track selection is the most important skill of a DJ. This is maybe a lesson Deadmou5 needs to learn with his ridiculous comments in DJ mag last month. The day of the DJ is gonna end. Just because you have use of technology, it does make you a DJ? Ill throw the same back at him; technology doesnt make anyone a producer does it? Most people have access to music programmes like Apples Garageband and can throw loops on top of each other along with pre-set sound librarys. does that make them producers? No, theres much more to it, as there is with DJing. Holding two records in time is just a tiny piece of the puzzle. I think he is part of the new generation of producers that have stepped into the DJ world, and they dont understand our world. They are producers and should be doing Live sets, after all they are musicians arent they?! It makes sense because when they play, eer, DJ sets (!) they often play a string of their own tracks mixed together in a set often pre-programmed (yes Ive seen your laptop screens at gigs!) and this is what people want to see from them. He must also remember its us DJ who put him where he is today.but well let him off because hes a new boy on the block and makes dam good music.
So far we have learned that software doesnt magically make you into a DJ. It also seems to add a little extra hassle with heavy luggage and setting up time, but the benefits are being able to make your sets unique with the extra tools given to you and being able to carry around your whole music collection with you on a hard drive. I think every DJs personal situation will be completely different and will dictate what will be right or wrong for them. I see laptops suiting DJs that hold a residency at the same venue week-in, week-out as they are familiar with their DJ booth. They can leave all their wires, sound cards etc at the venue, and simply turn up every night and plug in and play. They same story for mobile DJs. However touring DJs (like me!) its a completely different situation as were going in blind to every new club we visit. We have no idea of the DJ booth set up and how we can wire in the equipment and place our laptops etc.
Most DJs dont have that luxury of a tour manager plugging in the equipment for them and doing sound checks, perhaps this is the reason why most touring DJs havent moved onto laptops. Laptops can also be a great tool for home DJs too but then what happens if you start getting a few gigs? Youll have that hassle of taking everything with you and if that puts you off you have the disadvantage of having no experience on CD players. Its a tuff decision for many out there. CD manufactures seem to be moving forward with the technology to be able to play both CDs and data files, so maybe this should be the solution? Its still an unknown territory but I know for sure it wont be like the old days of a standard format for DJs. In the future I feel we will see all three of the aforementioned DJs; laptop, CD or CD/data. Mixer companies are already catering for this by having accessible inputs, midi/USB hub controllers and some with audio sound cards built into them. Also DJ booths are changing, I regularly see laptop stands and extra leads for various devices to be plugged in.
For me personally, Ill stick with the trusty old CDs for now. Pioneer make a bulletproof player that has been tried and tested to withstand all types of conditions thrown at them.even the odd beer spilt on them! Ive never had one fail me, so thats good enough for me. Also I spend my life with a computer mouse in my hand looking at a screen, when Im in a club I want to be free of all that and enjoy myself. Taking away that screen takes me away from that studio/office environment and makes me feel at one with the people on the dance floor, I want to have fun with them Lets put it the other way around; I wouldnt feel comfortable looking at a crowd of people all looking down at their laptops screens on the dancefloor, I would feel that they werent listening or involved with what Im doing, well that can be said looking at a DJ in the booth with his head down in a screen. Do you feel connected with him?
So thats my take on things, I hope it helps you!
Monthly Diary
Sorry for missing last months diary, I had a plethora of pms and emails letting me know they missed it! I had a really busy week and only just found the time for my blog; that ran a couple of weeks lateironic it was on the same topic!
Again its been a crazy month, I think I say this every month! But theres always something important to do, usually with a deadline, every week, this year seems to have flown by due to this. I have many personal hobbies that I never get time to enjoy, especially my car. It sits in the garage never getting used. Hopefully next year Ill make sure I find time.
The start of the month found me giving my studio a complete reshuffle. The 00.db album has been completed, so now was a good time to access how I work and what equipment is needed and what isnt. A visit from my very close friend Airwave made me realize; as we worked on some projects together (to be announced sometime next year). I spend my life on the road, so it makes sense to be able to save projects and put them on my laptop so that I can continue to work on the plane or hotel rooms, meaning that I must sell my digital desk. The problem I had before is that I had half the mix running through the desk meaning I couldnt take it away with me. So the Desk went on EBay.yes us DJs use EBay too! With that gone I moved to Logic 8 and also pimped my current Apple G5 with more Ram and internal drives. I didnt see the sense in upgrading it just yet as I never run out of power, the old saying if it isnt broken, dont fix it! Two more 24 displays and PCi plug-ins and I was happy, so now Im excited to be working on my own artist album eventually!
Gigs wise have been fantastic starting off at Planet love in Ireland. I was a little worried at first because I was playing so early. Dave Pearce was on before me and he managed to fill the place nicely before I went on. The crowd where hilarious as they where all dressed in aluminous workmen style gear. The funny thing was that you couldnt distinguish the staff from the clubbers, they where all wearing the same clothes. We had a nightmare trying to find my driver. They guys in the office said to look for the guy wearing the aluminous yellow top, there where 20,000 of them!
After my set the driver had to race to the airport to get me to Scotland, we couldnt afford to lose any time. I soon realised she didnt have a clue where she was going as she was telling me she not used to being the other side of the city. Luckily I have navigation on my phone, so this got us out of trouble. I got to the airport and ran to the plane. A five-hour drive was waiting for me at the other end to get me to the most Northern tip of Scotland at Wick. Im making a conscious effort (as I promised earlier on in the year) to reach out to these smaller towns and cities across the World, and so glad I did. The crowd where crazy going nuts on the dance floor, like they have experience dance music for the very first time. Ill admit it wasnt the best of venues, but the crowd where electric and thats what made it worthwhile for me. After my visit, it looks like they are going to take things more seriously up there now, so I may have inspired a refit and new sound system, Ill be back to test it out for sure.
The following weekend found me back in Seattle, USA. This was my first time away from my usual home of The Last Supper club. This time it was a full-on rave for Hakuna Matata (4) productions. I was given strict instructions from Jesse the promoter from the moment he collected me at the airport, just play what you want, and make it hard! Its not often you hear that from a promoter, its usually the other way around!! So I did what he said and the old theatre where the event was held and al hell erupted. Dam it was a good night. Its usually a Hardstyle crowd, but they adapted to my sound very well, in fact too well. The next night I headed down to San Francisco to play at one of my favourite clubs in the World, 1015. As usual Taj, the promoter lets me play as long as I like. Ismael the resident warmed up the crowd beautifully ( a real pro DJ) and let me take over the controls. The crowd are truly amazing here, they allow me to play from my heart and follow me through every twist and turn that I throw at them. I walk away from this place feeling proud to be a DJ, its an amazing experience.
I then made a double trip to Belgium; firstly it was my turn to visit Airwaves studio in Brussels then to a huge party with Infected Mushroom. In-between I went back to the UK in order to play my JOOF night at Tidy weekender in North Wales. I know it didnt make sense to head back to the UK, but its the only way I could fit it into my schedule. Its not far anyway, especially with the very fast Eurostar through the channel tunnel, its actually quicker for me to get to Brussels on the train, than it is to Birmingham in the UK!
The Tidy weekender in North Wales had to be the biggest surprise of the month. Tidy are usually known for their Hard House line ups, so I was kinda surprised when they asked me to not only play, but to do a JOOF themed night. Unfortunately my good friend Astrix couldnt make it along that night because he is still recovering from his back surgery. Once at the venue I saw all my colleagues of old, Anne Savage, Lisa Pin up and plenty of old faces. It was like stepping back in time seeing them all again. I was a little nervous worried how the crowd would take my sound, but just steamed into things. Amber D was playing before me at a good 153 BPM (!) so it made sense to keep things at an energetic pace, but I took things deeper and darker. I couldnt believe the reaction of the crowd, they where lapping it up. It was amazing to see a completely different crowd jumping around like crazy to music that should be out of place at this event. I had many people at the end asking what style
Of music I was playing, it was very rewarding and Ill certainly go back again, thats for sure. A six hour drive eventually got me back home, well for 3 hours sleep, then it was back to Brussels! There was no time to mess around, as soon as I landed I was raced to the venue as I was a little late. I played after Simon Cossford (Shpohgle DJ set). He was playing a lovely deep 125 BPM. I knew Infected Mushroom where playing after me and I only had an hour to take things to a more energetic pace. I didnt want to throw energetic stuff at them because I knew Infected would be doing this. An hour can go so quickly, just as I was getting into my flow, my time was up. What a fantastic site seeing a huge hall completely full to an event with Infected Mushroom, Shpongle, Hallucingen and me in Europe. Maybe this is the turn of something new musically in Europe, I really hope so ☺
Thats me done for this month. See you next month!
He can't be more right in this debate. It's impossible. He got it just right, the pros and cons and all what comes in with both. He makes much more sense in this argument than Deadmau5's premature futuristic vision.
(I'll leave it to you to find out who this old man is
.. lol you must be really thick to not conclude who that is)
