Technology has allowed the population to make vast advancements in so many areas of work, life, and play. The DJ world has been blessed with a great deal of technological advancement in equipment and every year yields better products and options when it comes to scratching, beatboxing, and mixing music together. So why is it then that DJ’s are still using turntables even though technology has advanced to the point that they are no longer a critical component of a DJ setup? Here are several reasons as to why DJ’s still choose to use some cool turntables instead of relying solely on technology.
As a beginner, you will truly learn to DJ on a turntable. It is true that new DJ’s should learn how to properly DJ on a turntable. There are many reasons for this depending on who you talk to. Some would agree that it is important to learn on a turntable as you will be able to play on your own and not have to rely on a computer to have a great gig. Others will say that learning on a turntable will help one find their own creative style and flow. When you learn to DJ without the use of a computer, you are truly learning the craft without any handicaps to assist you. In addition, playing on a turntable as opposed to a computer can help you get used to the sounds and be more in tune with the music which helps you in mixing.
Respecting and appreciating those who came before you. There is something to be said for appreciating those who came before you and helped to shape the DJ culture that you are now a part of. Being a DJ was quite a tough gig in the past as you had to transport boxes of vinyl with you and manually sort through each record and label them with stickers and tape to mark different parts of the vinyl so you knew where you needed to place the needle during your gigs. It was quite challenging and took a great deal of skill to be a success. It is important to realize that not everyone had the technology that is available to you and knowing this will help you become a better practitioner of your craft.
Scratching makes you unique. Let’s be honest. There are so many DJ’s in the world and a vast majority of them are looking for work. To be a success, you must set yourself apart from the standard cookie cutter DJ. To do so, you should have skills and abilities that are better than most and one way to do this is to get comfortable with a turntable and start to scratch. As a new DJ this can be particularly important as scratching can help you learn to cue up different songs and mix them appropriately. Scratching is not for everyone and that is okay. However, if you can master a skill that sets you apart from others, your chances of being a success are better than if you are just like everyone else on the DJ circuit.