why do people feel the need to say that their set is vinyl?

[daniella downs]

no offense to konversion (seriously), although i saw the title of his thread and it was one of the catalysts for this one.

but ever since the digital revolution really encapsulated dj'ing, some people (again, no offense meant their way) feel the need to say that their set/mix/whatever is vinyl.

now, from a live set standpoint, i don't see the point really, but can somewhat understand because it's more visual to the jaded old'uns in the audience who want to see the dj flip the record over to see what side they're going to play. for something like an oldskool mix, i can somewhat see it, even though half the stuff you can get digitally now anyways.

but for a dj mix, what difference does it make? it just means you arent playing the most current stuff.

also - when people say they play vinyl, does that include serato/final scratch/etc? i would think not (even though it is technically vinyl)

interested in opinions here.

and konversion - im not really up to speed on current liquid, although i do quite like it when i hear it. i'll definitely be d/l'ing your mix later today =)

[Perpetuum]

So DJs have a reason to let pops, crackle and distortion in the mix?

[Rican]

Cause Konversion's a douche... I can't speak for anyone else doing it...

[5l1mm]

why do people feel the need to say that their set is vinyl?

to appeal to the jaded party adults that miss the old days.
and add a feeling of authenticity to the event?


just a guess.
im not a dj, i havnt even stayed in a holiday inn express in months

[shade]

no idea, but let it be known that i am making this post from a TI-82 calculator.

[daniella downs]

to appeal to the jaded party adults that miss the old days.
and add a feeling of authenticity to the event?


just a guess.
im not a dj, i havnt even stayed in a holiday inn express in months

LOL @ holiday inn express.

but isnt it the music that makes the party?

when did it become the format in which the dj played that made the party?

[Perpetuum]

when did it become the format in which the dj played that made the party?

When digital formats became a popular high-quality, low-cost, infinitely replicable and more portable alternative to vinyl.

[Broken Home]

Ian,
Here are a few reasons why saying "mixed using vinyl" is good:

1. Bookings. If you're posting a mix to get bookings, it's important to say what you use. Say 2rip wanted to book Cliff after hearing his mix. Snatch doesn't have turntables, so knowing that Cliff's set was vinyl is important so he can plan accordingly. Same with that dude Endo that used two laptops and two MIDI controllers in his set -- that's important to know, as a promoter.

2. Saying that a mix was vinyl-only can explain some of the technical shortcomings of a mix such as pops and crackles, like Aaron said.

3. Saying a mix was vinyl-only can also be used to clarify the level of technical prowess. Throwing a scratch effect the way James Ziebillia does with the EFX, or in Ableton, is a different skill than scratching with vinyl. Some people consider the latter more impressive.

4. Similar to #2, vinyl can explain why the tunes are older than what that DJ usually plays.

I personally think everyone should always say how they made the mix including what hardware/software they used to record. It's free to post that shit and sharing knowledge is great.

[Broken Home]

Oh also, I don't know about you CD DJs... But for me, I sound MUCH BETTER on Serato than I do on vinyl, just because I'm so used to it. So if I do a vinyl set, it'll be much worse, and if I recorded that I'd throw that in as a disclaimer "this doesn't sound like my usual set because I used vinyl instead of digital" <--- that disclaimer is important to my eight, count 'em, eight iTunes subscribers. Hollllllllller

[daniella downs]

1. Bookings. If you're posting a mix to get bookings, it's important to say what you use. Say 2rip wanted to book Cliff after hearing his mix. Snatch doesn't have turntables, so knowing that Cliff's set was vinyl is important so he can plan accordingly. Same with that dude Endo that used two laptops and two MIDI controllers in his set -- that's important to know, as a promoter.

those are things you ask someone when booking them.

2. Saying that a mix was vinyl-only can explain some of the technical shortcomings of a mix such as pops and crackles, like Aaron said.

not necesarily.

3. Saying a mix was vinyl-only can also be used to clarify the level of technical prowess. Throwing a scratch effect the way James Ziebillia does with the EFX, or in Ableton, is a different skill than scratching with vinyl. Some people consider the latter more impressive.

i call shenanigans. this is where bulla comes in here and tells us how to play a record upside down with an ashtray.

4. Similar to #2, vinyl can explain why the tunes are older than what that DJ usually plays.

wouldnt you just say oldskool mix then?

I personally think everyone should always say how they made the mix including what hardware/software they used to record. It's free to post that shit and sharing knowledge is great.

most times when people make a mix on a computer, they dont want to say so. look at endo's mix. he said live mix about 15 times over the course of that thread, and alan hit the nail on the head when he said it was a studio mix, which it is.

[daniella downs]

also, i will note from that endo thread, that i would gladly make a mix on a computer with a mixer hooked up to it. i dont fault someone for that in any way.

[Perpetuum]

Oh also, I don't know about you CD DJs... But for me, I sound MUCH BETTER on Serato than I do on vinyl, just because I'm so used to it. So if I do a vinyl set, it'll be much worse, and if I recorded that I'd throw that in as a disclaimer "this doesn't sound like my usual set because I used vinyl instead of digital" <--- that disclaimer is important to my eight, count 'em, eight iTunes subscribers. Hollllllllller

I'll play devil's advocate, because while I'm certain you ARE better on Serato over vinyl, it's still worth mentioning. I've had numerous gigs where things have gone wrong (monitoring systems, equipment issues, clogged ears, etc.). It's been my experience that no one cares WHY a set went wrong...they just remember that a set went wrong.

[daniella downs]

to play devil's advocate to yours playing it to dan - i have a much easier time playing on cdj than vinyl.

i can play on vinyl (as that's obviously what i learned on), but im so much more used to going off times than looking at the record nowadays.

[D ain't famous]

I never really heard of anyone making it clear that "Vinyl was used to make this mix".

Personally I love spinning vinyl but I will be purchasing SL soon. I don't really care for people that need a program to help them mix. I mean no CDs or no Timecode Vinyl, just a laptop plugged into a mixer and a mouse. Thats just me though...

[Perpetuum]

to play devil's advocate to yours playing it to dan - i have a much easier time playing on cdj than vinyl.

i can play on vinyl (as that's obviously what i learned on), but im so much more used to going off times than looking at the record nowadays.

I echo your sentiments exactly and wouldn't go back to vinyl at all. That being said, that's more or less my choice and if something goes awry and I'm FORCED to play vinyl, then whatever consequences arise as a result of me not being as proficient on that format are my own and I have to own up to 'em.