Thursday, November 4, 2010

MC: Digital Mixing Club or New Chapter in Turntablism? (via MIXCRATE.COM)


Here's an article I stumbled across on mixcrate.com that was very intriguing.. just thought i'd share. This video below is what really hit me the most. Don't get me wrong, I love vinyl, but the video made me realize, that opening up DMC to digital opens up so many more doors and possibilities. Also the quote at the very end is beyond sick. Read on..



For the past decade, the art of Turntablism in the US has been in decline, since its peak in the late 90’s into the early 2000’s.  Well known battles such as ITF, Guitar Center Spinoff, and many DMC regionals have been shut down.  Turntablism has even been more popular overseas than it has been on its hometurf. Even with the decline, there is still hope for the art of turntablism with the DMC US and World Championships still around.
On October 18, 2010 DMC announced that DJs will be able to utilize Serato in their battle routines starting in 2011.  This is great news that will open doors to more creativity and allow more DJs to enter in DMC.  In all it will help revive turntablism and shed light on talented DJs.
With Serato and DVS systems now the standard, vinyl no longer reflects the current state of DJing today.  In recent years, where DVS has been standard, the DMC limitation to vinyl has created a large gap between battle DJ’s and mix DJ’s.  You were either one or the other, but there’s no reason you can’t be both.
As most DJs have fully converted to Serato, it is a hassle to flip flop between vinyl and mp3’s.  If you invest your off nights downloading music, arranging playlists, setting cue points, and practicing sets, there’s no reason to use vinyl other than to battle.  While you’re practicing your mix sets in Serato, you may discover a cool break you want to juggle or scratch.  You can now transition that routine into DMC without having to search for vinyl doubles and practicing outside of Serato.  DMC now allowing the use of Serato, bridges the gap between battle DJ and party rocker.
With the introduction of Serato, more DJ’s can enter the battle scene.  Veteran DJs who have not purchased vinyl since converting to DVS can enter.  Also, DJs who started with Serato and don’t own any records can now enter and can prove themselves as worthy DJs on the biggest stage, amongst the best competitors.  Who knows?  There could be another wonder-kid World Champion on rise ready to stake his claim like Atrak in 97.
With scratching and beat juggling still defining aspects of the art, turntablism is not dying, but evolving and starting a new chapter.  To see the new possibilities of turntablism is very exciting.  This video by DMC Champion Craze (although done with Traktor) is just the tip of the iceberg on what can be achieved through technology and traditional turntablist techniques.
Turntablist legend DJ Craze Performs on Traktor Scratch Pro and Kontrol X1 from tono.com.ua on Vimeo.

I’m sure there will be more crazy, unpredictable, and mind blowing sets in years to come.  There will also be new crops of pioneering DJs, setting new standards and shedding light on real talent.  Maybe even some veterans like Craze, Atrak, and Enferno will come back to DMC to show their digital battle skills. The hardest part would be judging the battles but the unpredictability of what a DJ may pull off makes the competition much more exciting.
I know there’s animosity from OG turntablists and vinyl purists. but this decision by DMC will only spread turntablism and bring more respect to our skills as DJs.  But no need to fear for vinyl enthusiasts! DMC’s Battle For World Supremacy will still stick to the vinyl only format.  Turntablism is music, and music is art. Art should not be limited by traditions or the tools you use, but only by your own level of creativity.

The original article can be found here:



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