[long read] miniaturisation and digitalism vs. the future of DJing as an art

I just stumbled upon this post and have been wondering what you guys would be thinking.
please treat this as a serious discussion!​

do you remember? a few years ago, the quote went:
"I don't think DJs want to carry a bag of records for much longer.".​

don't you think that there are serious limits to miniaturisation in the context of a complex, advanced performance? it would be unfair to claim that small, portable toys aren't fun. they are. I like wiiDI, I like touchOSC. but when it gets down to serious business, when you need to be really precise and fast, you will always need full-size controls. you will instantly tell the difference between, say, filter sweeps done with a big knob and those done on a small virtual x/y-pad. also, there is no comparing scratches done one vinyl to those done on jog wheels. this is only the tip of the iceberg and I know that I'm only stating the obvious so far, but read on.

while the gap between things possible on a fullsize DVS with a mixer/controller with two or more turntables and things possible on a laptop with a controller attached seems to be getting smaller with every new toy that hits the market (don't get me wrong - I love new toys!), this happens only at first glance. in reality, I'm beginning to believe it's the other way around. the gap grows, and it's not only due to technique. but let's talk about that first.

I've watched countless videos of people performing with controllers - ranging from the small bedroom DJ to the full-fledged pro on stage. I've been to many parties where I knew people would be using digital setups, listening and watching carefully. I won't mention names here, because I don't want to seem to be bashing certain artists and it's completely unnecessary for the core of this discussion - however, my general impression is that skills are diminishing. people rely more on the capabilities of their system than their hearing and musical creativity (a DJ's creativity is not measured by all the pretty effects he can use, but rather WHAT he plays and WHEN he does) - and it shows in a terrible way. real talent is being overshadowed by a large number of people who, putting it bluntly, all do the same, and end up sounding the same as the next guy. it's terribly redundant - where people see revolution and invention, I see stagnation and lack of progress.

being the geek that I am, I spend a lot of time on forums. I don't post too much, but I read a lot. and where, a few years ago, I've seen people exchanging opinions about some releases they've bought, carefully planning to widen their collection, I now see people worrying about getting their setup to work as they would like it to.

music, the very fuel of DJing, loses importance.​

another sad thing is that record stores are closing down one after another because so many people buy their music online only. while that in itself is just the natural course of development as the world keeps moving faster, the downside is that when I go to a party, I can't tell the DJs apart anymore - because distinct styles are dying. a few years ago, I couldn't have imagined people buying tracks they wouldn't spin anymore after a couple of gigs. nowadays, this is normal. because music has become so much cheaper and accessible, the market is being flooded with short-lived releases. that wouldn't be too much of a problem, but DJs buy and spin them, not bothering to dig deeper and find the unique rarities (there's enough good music out there - you just need to look for it). the clubbers get used to one specific sound and need to be re-educated by people who actually still have the balls to play what they want and not what beatport says is cool. but those people don't get booked that much anymore because it can't be guaranteed that the club will be as full as it would be with the next guy who has only one or two similar mainstream-compatible genres in his repertoire.

so the bottom line is: I see great technical possibilities and ways to create unique styles and performances, but I don't see people taking advantage of all this. rather, they choose to go with the easiest tech and adequately failsafe, boring playlists...

does DJing still qualify as ART?
without improvisation and diversity, is ART even possible?
I'm curious to read your opinions on this!​

 

I still believe DJing qualifies as a true art. A DJ gathers other artist's music, then programs, mixes, blends, adds, subtracts, edits, or tweaks it into a single concentrated musical performance which they can call their own. The result is a form of musical art.

Maybe todays DJ's sound overly similar because they don't want to be different. The majority of DJ's are playing this track and everyone goes wild for it therefore every other DJ will rock it out for the next year and so on and so forth. Listen to the top DJ's out. You will hear them play tracks no one else plays or no one else has even heard before along with a few familiar ones. Or you'll even hear them remix or perform tracks live! The point is, their programming is different.

Hearing a DJ out to me is like watching a movie. You gotta watch it from beginning to end to fully understand what the DJ is trying to express artistically. Some DJ's don't fully understand this and only stick to one genre, only playing new tracks, or only playing old tracks, or only playing anthems. To me that makes it amazingly boring. I like all types of music but I would not want to listen to minimal techno or deep house for 2 hours straight. I'd like a DJ to surprise me with a tune I haven't heard in ages or a familiar song with an unfamiliar twist to it.

I think the difference today is that there is SO MUCH music out there and it is so easily available that maybe people are just too lazy to go through it all and experiment and instead go with whatever Pete Tong is charting or what's on Beatport's best seller chart.

I'm all for the future. I'd love to one day go to a gig carrying just a little chip filled with my entire music collection and plugging it into a little slot in a touch screen Minority Report DJ booth instead of carrying an expensive laptop that I risk breaking every night I play out. As long as there is a means for me to manipulate my favorite music and program it to make people dance, I am all for it. In the end it is still my choice of music, my programming, my added whatever effects. If the people listening like it, then yay.

 

I think this whole 'issue' has forgotten one vital component, the club goer.
It took some time for the clubber to accept the digital dj and even though many people are cool with the laptop dj as much as the cd/vinyl dj most want to see someone 'putting the effort in' not just standing there with an iPhone looking like your dad with the TV remote.

Nothing will replace that connection between clubber and dj when you make that great mix from one tune to another. No snobbery here, the medium doesnt matter , its the input from the DJ that gets that punter pumping his fist at you in admiration and instant connection. If this wasnt true many high street clubs would just employ someone to make Mix CDs and dispense with the DJ.

Im ready to embrace the technology whatever it is but as soon as it makes my role less important than the tech, im out , seeya.

Oh... and i want that 'Minority Report' Dj booth. I could get into that.

Good thought provoking stuff tranqui.

Djing is still definitely Art, the problem is just like any Art, theres some real bad stuff around. Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

Well if you know the proper way to do that... hey, please let me know.

But let's not be too pessimistic. I actually think that persistance is a key feature here. What you mention is totally right but I guess that by sticking to the plan (mixing what you want) you plant the seeds for what can be the start of something new. Or at least "something else".
I mean there are still lots of people that enjoy good music and who like to be surprised. While mixing in a local bar some weeks ago I had these 18 year old kids that went crazy because I played some Amon Tobin and stuff. One kid said it was the very first time he actually heard that kind of music in a public place.
What's more I really (almost) never get complaints about the music I mix (hiphop, reggae, funk, soul, ninja tune and alike). And this is in places where the average/common people are. And yes, I can make them move from time to time

No retreat, no surrender...

 

good post, I think there is much truth in it.

 

This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on this forum in a long time. I'd like to respond but it's late here now. Will come back to this. Thanks for posting.

 

......

 

Thomas Beecham was born just up the road from me. Seriously about 30miles.
He was a witty old card apparently.

Thats a great quote. He pretty much robbed it off Karl Marx though.

 

Very good read mate, very good..

In 30 years they will be laffing their asses off at this discussion

Edit: Or maybe they won't.. are we laughing at people who still plays vinyl?