It's not everyday that I come to THIS neck of the woods, but I thought I would pay a visit!!!

Are there any DJ's in the House??? I've been spinning records since 1976!!! Yeah, I'm Old Skool. It's about time I get another box of Just For Men too!!!

I have over 3000 records, and I've played at many Clubs in the NYC Metro Area!!! My very first set of turntables were Technics B101 - Belt Drive turntables. And today I spin with Gemini XL1800QII's, which is a much cheaper alternative to the Technics 1200's.

Today, I feel kind of outdated because all the New Jacks are spinning with CD's!!! They don't have to carry crates of records anymore, and they've got it made!

But my questions to you guys are: What kind of Turntables do you spin on?

And: Which do you guys prefer to Spin with, CD's or Records???

I'll give my opinion later!!!

'NUFF SAID

Since 86, SL1200's, RI area.

Im no dj
but seen them use a combination
of laptop computer, cd, and record players.

Not here, sorry!

I've got a pair of SL-1200 M3D's

(nice because there is no notch to lock the pitch at zero, there's a button instead)

I use vinyl (about 3k records as well) and Rane Serato, which lets me control MP3's using special records. So it's the best of both worlds. Vinyl controlling MP3s! Analog feel in the digital realm! Plus, you can drop regular vinyl in as well. AWESOME system!!!

If anyone got a nice working Serato Scratch Live for sale, PM me.


I'm currently screwing around with two VEstax PDX 2000's. Does the job just as well as any Technic in my opinion.

(I also got them for basement bargin price due to them never been used and just sitting on display at a buddy's brother's house.)

Since 1988, and only use Technics 1200's....

I spin CDs. THAT is considered retro when most DJs I know use MP3s.

Respect to the 1200s tho...

I love vinyl. I can hear the difference. I even have a vacuum tube amplifier if I really want the analog warmth.

quote:

Originally posted by analogboi:
I spin CDs. THAT is considered retro when most DJs I know use MP3s.

Respect to the 1200s tho...

I love vinyl. I can hear the difference. I even have a vacuum tube amplifier if I really want the analog warmth.

SPINNIN' WITH CD'S IS CONSIDERED RETRO!?! Now I really feel like I'm living in the Dark Ages!!! Believe it or not, I've tried Mixing with CD's, and I GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT!!!

Being 49, and spinning since 1976, I guess I'm sort of "Set In MY Ways"!!! To me, there's nothing like being able to put your HANDS ON the record, and being able to SEE and place the needle on the grooves!!!

A true DJ knows how to READ a record, and can SEE where the BREAKS are in a song. You also have more control with turntables, whereas you can use your fingers to control the speed or pitch of the record to keep the mix flowing steady.

But with CD's, although you do have a Pitch Controller, it's not the same feel!!! And now, these guys are mixing with MP3's, how in the world are they doing that???

'NUFF SAID

quote:

these guys are mixing with MP3's, how in the world are they doing that???

Yo KB Chill, one of those tapes I sent you was of MP3's mixed using vinyl... I was using Rane Serato. Basically, its a system that allows you to put your analog (ie. vinyl) mixing skills to use and mix MP3's, using your turntables and special time coded records. Here's a demo video that explains it pretty good.

Serato Demo

I highly recommend it. Imagine going to a gig with 30 crates of records. On a hard drive! I've been to gigs where I just had to bring my zip drive and a pair of headphones.

And yes, you can still play regular records using this system, too. It's freakin' awesome!

JT, all I can say is: AMAZING!!!

'NUFF SAID

Hey KBallenger I find mixing CD's very easy, I own the Prodigy B52 and I love it.

Still theres lots to learn so I'm still a newbie. I started mixing back in the late 80's with vinyl on of course a pair of 1200's.

I mix just for fun I don't do gigs. I love music it is my passion.

What I do hate are DJ's that showboat. That really erks the hell out of me.

Music is for everyone to enjoy and be shared and appreciated no matter who's spinning.

I don't DJ per se but I do create trip hop tracks from scratch. I've been doing that for about 3 or 4 years or so.

Ford, I hear ya!!! Those show boatin' DJ's love to get on the mike and run their mouths all nite, and most of them don't have any Mixing Skills!!!

I've always had a Laid Back manner about me, and so when it came time to have a Battle with one of these Showboatin' Cats, I'd bust their butts every time!!!

I notice that a lot of Showboats can only mix one kind of music. They might be able to mix House, but they can't mix Disco because Disco Music isn't programmed, it's made with Real Instruments!!!

They're not really skilled with working that Pitch Control!!! Bunch of Rookies!!!

'NUFF SAID

One of my cousins was such a show off you could'nt tell him anything because he knew it all.

I've loaned him a bunch of my vinyl never to see a few of them especially my favorite "Give Yourself to Me" by Todd Terry.

I for one had givin' a listen to other peoples mixes and have always give an input on their work.

Yeah Disco can be challenging when being mixed, thats where I started. Throughout the years it's been in and out of the hobbie so I will not say I'm a pro.

I've always had an 'ear for mixing' and adapted to both vinyl and CD, although I prefer to mix CD's when out 'live' as I don't like taking rare/deleted/impossible to replace records out to venues - prefer to burn the tracks to CDR that way if it gets nicked/damaged it's an annoyance but not heartbreaking!

House is a joy to mix and generally quite simple but I like to 'get creative' and push the envelope a bit rather than just 'safe' beat mixing at the end and into the beginning of the next tune.

Soul/funk I think is more rewarding when you create a great mix and blend and find those 'magic' tunes that seem made for each other, given the more complex nature of disco/funk/soul over 4/4 house beats and the greater risk of key clashes etc....

quote:

Originally posted by 2steppa:
I've always had an 'ear for mixing' and adapted to both vinyl and CD, although I prefer to mix CD's when out 'live' as I don't like taking rare/deleted/impossible to replace records out to venues - prefer to burn the tracks to CDR that way if it gets nicked/damaged it's an annoyance but not heartbreaking!

House is a joy to mix and generally quite simple but I like to 'get creative' and push the envelope a bit rather than just 'safe' beat mixing at the end and into the beginning of the next tune.

Soul/funk I think is more rewarding when you create a great mix and blend and find those 'magic' tunes that seem made for each other, given the more complex nature of disco/funk/soul over 4/4 house beats and the greater risk of key clashes etc....

Exactly where I'm comin' from 2Steppa!!! Did you ever try mixing James Brown's: Give It Up or Turn It Loose (Live Version) with Strictly Rhythim's: The Difference? Oh my GOD, they're a match made in Heaven and a real Crowd Mover!!!

Or try MFSB's: Love Is The Message with The Peech Boy's: Don't Make Me Wait!!! DJ Shep Pettibone of NYC used to run that one a lot!!!

Creativity is the Key to becoming a Great DJ. It's what separates the Men from the Boys!!!

'NUFF SAID

quote:

Originally posted by KBallenger53:
Strictly Rhythim's: The Difference?

You mean Logic - The Difference (Wayne Gardiner) on Strictly Rhythm Records ? (Great tune BTW)

No, I haven't but it's one I'll keep in mind for future reference! I actually make some of my mixes completely improvised 'on the night' as opposed to rehearsed which is a buzz, when it all goes smoothly of course and doesn't result in a clang-a-thon

I've even mixed rock n roll 50's tunes at weddings just to spice things up a little!

quote:

Originally posted by 2steppa:

quote:

Originally posted by KBallenger53:
Strictly Rhythim's: The Difference?

You mean Logic - The Difference (Wayne Gardiner) on Strictly Rhythm Records ? (Great tune BTW)

No, I haven't but it's one I'll keep in mind for future reference! I actually make some of my mixes completely improvised 'on the night' as opposed to rehearsed which is a buzz, when it all goes smoothly of course and doesn't result in a clang-a-thon

I've even mixed rock n roll 50's tunes at weddings just to spice things up a little!

You know what time it is 2Steppa!!! I stand corrected on The Difference by Logic, on strictly Rhythm Records!!!

Just couldn't remember the name of the artist: DAMN ALZHEIMERS!!!

'NUFF SAID

Wayne Gardiner has a few good ones on Nervous records.

it does not always have to be a beat it could be done in many ways.

I used Judy Torres "No Reason to Cry" acapella on numerous freestyle beats. Freestyle was always a challenge for me.

Todays House music are more DJ friendly you even have more female DJ's especially down in Miami, Fl.

quote:

Originally posted by ford93:
Wayne Gardiner has a few good ones on Nervous records.

Too right - as 'Classic Man' he made some absolute standards that are as fresh as the first time I heard them.
'No More Mind Games' and 'Mellow' are two of my 'grails' you could say.

Oh yeah, 2steppa "Mellow" deep mix is the bomb and also "Love" afterhours mix too.

True House music for sure!

You Cats are my types of guys!!! And Ford, you're right about more Girls gettin' into the mix!!! I know this Chick named Barbara who works for the Post Office who's NASTY AS HELL ON 1200'S!!!

She plays at a Club every now and then and it Shocks The Hell Out Of People when they see a Chick in the DJ Booth!!! And what's more shocking is the fact that she's FINE AS HELL!!!

B.T.W., did you ever catch up with JT? What's he been up to?

'NUFF SAID

We spoke recently, but I guess he's busy with his family.

I hear ya, those newborns will keep you busy. JT may as well put an end to all of his Sundays!!! B.T.W., what did he have, a boy, or a girl?

'NUFF SAID

His wife had a boy named David.

Hi Guys,

Yea, busy is the word of the day...

Juan & I usually trade stacks of music back and forth. I've run those tapes through my home system (EQ & the Behringer) and ripped them to PC. I'll get MP3s of those tapes to Juan soon.

Juan, I may be up in Pinellas on Wednesday afternoon, we should talk...

Later,

JT

Yo JT, Ford was about to put the Hit Squad out on ya for those tapes!!! You better pass off or else you might go swimmin' wit' the fishes!!!

But on the real, Congrats to the little one!!! Can you imagine what kind of DJ Equipment he's gonna have when HE GROWS UP!?!

'NUFF SAID