What exactly are CDJ's for?

Rhett · Post by **Rhett** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:25 pm

Okay, I know it's a really stupid question, but I've always been in the producing world and never even thought about dj'ing or anything. So What's the point of a CDJ or turn tables? Couldn't I go on stage with my DAW and create a sick mix and if I wanted to layer some effects on it I could just do that on my midi controller? So what's the point of some expensive hardware if I can have everything set up in my DAW ready to go?

Once again, sorry for the stupid question. I've never learned anything about live performances, etc

VirtualMark · Post by **VirtualMark** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:42 pm

They're generally used for making pottery.

chekov · Post by **chekov** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:44 pm

they're used to mix together tunes that have already been made by changing their pitch so they're in time with eachother

watch some boiler room shows, you'll get more of an idea

ill mindset · Post by **ill mindset** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:01 pm

Rhett wrote:Okay, I know it's a really stupid question, but I've always been in the producing world and never even thought about dj'ing or anything. So What's the point of a CDJ or turn tables? Couldn't I go on stage with my DAW and create a sick mix and if I wanted to layer some effects on it I could just do that on my midi controller? So what's the point of some expensive hardware if I can have everything set up in my DAW ready to go?

Once again, sorry for the stupid question. I've never learned anything about live performances, etc

What a ridiculous question. Back in the day, matching beats and mixing records were impressive to an audience. Clearly you don't mind if the performer jut hits play and crowd surfs for and hour.

Go see Z Trip or DJ Craze. Seriously, do some homework homie

Towany · Post by **Towany** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:28 am

Are you being serious?

Schramm · Post by **Schramm** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:43 am

Mostly just for looks nowadays, mostly.

sunny_b_uk · Post by **sunny_b_uk** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:43 am

turntables are for guys in their 50's or 60's, older technology is easier for them to grasp.. anything with modern flashy lights will frustrate them.
CDJs are used so drunk people at the bar stop going up to the DJ saying oi mate you aint no dj u cant scratch with that.
so therefore turntables and CDJs still exist so the DJ doesn't get their mom dissed & so that old people stop getting violent, it just basically causes less fights in the long run

DJoe · Post by **DJoe** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:17 pm

this is what cdjs are for

blinx · Post by **blinx** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 4:43 pm

CDJ are used for:
1. playing CDs and mixing like a boss
2. Playing control cds used for digital dj software and mixing like a digital boss.
3. Getting chicks because you can turn a dial around and around while you play there favorite song, and they will think you are some how magically making it all up "live".

"why cant i jsut premix in my DAW layer stuff out and push play?"
No one says you cant, in fact there are plenty of homies that do... but i will not stay or show up to a night if i know the stand around crew will be on the decks.

Personally I use my DAW to mix, but have a DJ tempalte and hardware which mimics 4 decks and has adhoc inline effects, granted i dont hve to beat match anymore but i dont preplan sets and i mix alot like a traditional DJ would.

Lately one of my favorite "djs" is skism... his 3 deck sets and mashups are usually pretty sick.

Bassnectar is my favorite DAW type dj, he also mash 4+ virtual decks in ableotn and some cjs for good measure.

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:17 pm

i mean, you need to put the laptop SOMEWHERE in the DJ booth

ill mindset · Post by **ill mindset** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:35 pm

They need to coin a new term then, because thats not DJing at all. Anytime a DAW is involved it should be called something else.

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:43 pm

ill mindset wrote:They need to coin a new term then, because thats not DJing at all. Anytime a DAW is involved it should be called something else.

Yes. And to you 'live set' 'performers', get fucking real..

Hircine · Post by **Hircine** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:55 pm

AxeD wrote:
ill mindset wrote:They need to coin a new term then, because thats not DJing at all. Anytime a DAW is involved it should be called something else.
Yes. And to you 'live set' 'performers', get fucking real..

baseband · Post by **baseband** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:25 am

turntables are fun. and I like the limitation they provide. there can be a stronger sense of deliberate action in a vinyl set. forces you to know the tracks better. vinyl feels real to me. blah blah blah all that nonsense.

CDJs are convenient. you can burn a bunch of digital tracks down and show up with a small case of CDs. if someone swipes your case, it sucks. but you havent lost much. records are easily damaged and heavy. another reason why CDJs are gaining popularity

portable computers cost a lot of money. they can be stolen or dropped or spilled on. portable computers are visually distracting as well. for a music selector and for the people glancing up from the dance floor. "is he updating his myspace or checking his hotmail?"

to each her own, right? but thats the opinion ive formed. i prefer records, but if i had to travel around the world and play music for money a lot I might prefer CDs

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 1:21 am

Hircine wrote:
AxeD wrote:
ill mindset wrote:They need to coin a new term then, because thats not DJing at all. Anytime a DAW is involved it should be called something else.
Yes. And to you 'live set' 'performers', get fucking real..

You know who you are.

wolf89 · Post by **wolf89** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:55 am

Theo Parrish is a real Dj

Karenn play live sets

if you're playing one dimensional music and moving a fader or nob you're just a juke box that choses it's own music.live means a degree of spontaneity and real time creativiy and emotion and djing is artistic way of threading together linked musical ideas to create an involving experience for everyone in the place and beyond just playing some tunes. it can be educational often too or open people's minds to things they otherwise wouldn't pay attention to if done correctly.

it's not about showing off or just playing the new tunes you have made or been given with no spaces inbetween.

123kidd · Post by **123kidd** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:18 am

Bishes. Pretty lights pull in the bishes bro.

Crimsonghost · Post by **Crimsonghost** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:18 am

Until you can beat match on a pair of shitty belt driven turntables you will never be a dj.

Knowing how to spin is an art form in its own. CDjs are the next evolution. Mostly because a stack of CDs weighs a lot less then a crate of vinyl.

DrVinnyBoomBeats · Post by **DrVinnyBoomBeats** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:41 am

Lol. This question is like from a sitcom or something. "What's a record?" IN 20 years when you can make music by think it, this thread will say, "What are DAWs for?" I don't DJ, yet, but even producing I get bored and feel like I'm not really doing anything. I haven't started DJing yet because I don't want to be one of those guys who uses pre-mixed stuff. Why even have DJs if that's what it's going to come down to. Let's just put jukeboxes on stage and stare at them.

wolf89 · Post by **wolf89** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:08 pm

Crimsonghost wrote:Until you can beat match on a pair of shitty belt driven turntables you will never be a dj.

Knowing how to spin is an art form in its own. CDjs are the next evolution. Mostly because a stack of CDs weighs a lot less then a crate of vinyl.

cdjs are so much less fun that vinyl. I don't see how that it's evolution. it's purely convenience. being lighter isn't progressing djing it's just making it easier for people like you who can't be arsed to carry things.

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