Respect going out to to both Gareth Carr & Justin Zalatan who have given their insight on the issue.What does it take to be a proper DJ? No more than a computer or cheap ass mobile outfit for some by their own reckoning. There is nothing wrong with progress and many djs are pioneering live performances with different technologies.
The key word is 'live' and probably as important, what DJing is beyond the cheesey clueless DJs who have now 'played a few' parties' or messed around at home so think they are experienced in what it's all about.
The problem seems to be the computer user who believes a few clicks of the mouse makes them a DJing god - Enough is enough.
The internet is full of Mix communities. Many now contain members who call themselves 'DJs' but then put their mixes together via computer software like Mixmeister with not a turntable or clue in sight.
From here on in the name CJ (Computer Justdidit) shall be used here. It's time that the name DJ is left to those with the real passion for turntables and mixing skills.
This dead style of mxing is then passed off as their latest 'sure to get the party going' offering. More often or not the CJ is trying to pass off as something they are not. Quite likely too they will try and give it a 'hip' name like 'High Voltage In The Hood' to further enhance the mockery.
Always auto cued and auto pitched, frequently these CJs are now putting together commercial tunes that are some sort of thoughtless dance remix in a string of made for it beatmatching. They then set about to sing their own praises over their latest offering.
They will use terms like uplifting. But, how do they know? They import a few mp3s, let the computer do the work and now it's supposed to be some sort of mix journey. The mix wasn't realised or experienced, it was faked.
The CJ usually will scorn at the old turntable skils that can be replaced by the computer. Fact is they probably tried on a turntable in the past and failed to master it. Now the computer can do it, the CJ can claim the skills are easy. What's worse is the claim to the title 'professiona DJl'. That'll be an entertainment type licence then mr CJ.
The CJ often lurks and have lots of bad advice on the Mix, clubbing and DJ forums. They express from their roots (usually a mobile DJ) and scoff at the industry standards like Pioneer, Technics, Serato or Final Scratch. It's not like they ever go to a proper club or event to perform based on their skils for real anyway.
The CJs record bag only contains their mixes or the lastest top 40 bangers, which they can play at being DJ for weddings, birthdays. This is usualy through their rackmount CDJs and through the haze of their own 4 bulb light spectacular.
Their is also the PC world CJ who bought the Virtual DJ package and understands less about the scene than cardboard packaging it came in. These need to be nutured and shown the right path. Though they will epxect praise of their first mix, this should never happen.
Most electronic music is produced entirely by computers now and then played through software programs such as Serato or Ableton. If you use these products as an instrument and not a music player with auto mix to bash out mindless tedium then you have our support. If you buy some fancy auto mix software and dont know jack about music then go learn or go home.
Join Turntables For Justice - DJs Not CJs! group on Facebook...
