Mala - "Its getting harder and harder to play dubplates..."

[dublerium]

Well despite the current winds in the vinyl world i'm stepping into it. I'm the only DJ I know that has technologically regressed... I started off with a vestax MIDI controller, then I went to Pioneer CDJs and now I'm going to get some technics within the next few weeks. I haven't grown up with vinyl and have always brought CD's or Digital format. I just love watching people mixing solely on wax, I feel the nostalgia despite not having grown up with it. I know it's harder on myself as obviously wacking a usb is easier than shelling out large amounts on tunes but easy isn't always best and I want my mitts on wax! Anyway my point is not everyone advances with technology and there is clearly a strong group with a lot of feeling towards this situation, and it is very sad to hear someone ask associated to the vinyl/dubplate scene as Mala say this, but surely with enough heads and influence towards wax being put out; surely there's a hope vinyl sales and clubs maintenance on thier turntables will increase.

[Sheff]

Well despite the current winds in the vinyl world i'm stepping into it. I'm the only DJ I know that has technologically regressed... I started off with a vestax MIDI controller, then I went to Pioneer CDJs and now I'm going to get some technics within the next few weeks. I haven't grown up with vinyl and have always brought CD's or Digital format. I just love watching people mixing solely on wax, I feel the nostalgia despite not having grown up with it. I know it's harder on myself as obviously wacking a usb is easier than shelling out large amounts on tunes but easy isn't always best and I want my mitts on wax! Anyway my point is not everyone advances with technology and there is clearly a strong group with a lot of feeling towards this situation, and it is very sad to hear someone ask associated to the vinyl/dubplate scene as Mala say this, but surely with enough heads and influence towards wax being put out; surely there's a hope vinyl sales and clubs maintenance on thier turntables will increase.

thats cool


i promise you'll love the feeling of mixing vinyls, and have fun collecting it too

i love flicking through my record box, i try keep it in a rough order of old to new so whenever i go through it from the back to front its cool to see how my taste and style has developed across different genres you can sorta see how genres progress..
not sure if that made sense but

[wolf89]

Only problem I have with vinyl is running out of space to store it

it's pissing away all my money too (but that don't bother me)

[hendramarshall]

Well despite the current winds in the vinyl world i'm stepping into it. I'm the only DJ I know that has technologically regressed... I started off with a vestax MIDI controller, then I went to Pioneer CDJs and now I'm going to get some technics within the next few weeks. I haven't grown up with vinyl and have always brought CD's or Digital format. I just love watching people mixing solely on wax, I feel the nostalgia despite not having grown up with it. I know it's harder on myself as obviously wacking a usb is easier than shelling out large amounts on tunes but easy isn't always best and I want my mitts on wax! Anyway my point is not everyone advances with technology and there is clearly a strong group with a lot of feeling towards this situation, and it is very sad to hear someone ask associated to the vinyl/dubplate scene as Mala say this, but surely with enough heads and influence towards wax being put out; surely there's a hope vinyl sales and clubs maintenance on thier turntables will increase.

this^

went from an m-audio controller to a pair of technics with the room mates in december... started collecting records in late january and am seriously hooked. like spending all my money on heroin hooked...

switch was the. best. idea. ever.

nothing compares to mixing vinyl and having a physical collection. period.

[abZ]

Only problem I have with vinyl is running out of space to store it

it's pissing away all my money too (but that don't bother me)

My vinyl collection always comes to mind when I wonder where all my money went when I was single. I should have lived like a king but I was always broke. Those 1,000's of vinyl upstairs is the reason. I am really beginning to get bitter that I ever chose music as a hobby. It was fun but not enough fun to justify the time and money spent imo. It is what it is. I still buy vinyl but only second hand. Most new music isn't even worth the vinyl it's cut into.

[Sheff]

ah man i can relate, my collection isnt even that big i only have around 150/170 odd records and still finding space for them is hard. and with the money too. im not earning as much money as id like to be at the money at work so when im on chemical records and press the checkout button and the total cost comes up for like 5/6 vinyls it does make me a little sad.

its worth it though definately

[arktrix45hz]

I still buy vinyl but only second hand. Most new music isn't even worth the vinyl it's cut into.

That's a pretty outlandish statement to make when you consider Tempa, Chestplate, DMZ, Deep Medi and tons of other labels are putting out quality material, still...

[dj klaim]

This whole discussion basically boils down to this.

Mans job is playing records. You hire man to play records, but don't provide him with the machinery to do his job.

what does this tell you?

It basically say's you have a promoter who doesn't have a clue how to put a night on and meet the demands of someone he is not only paying to do a specific job. But you've also got a promoter who is taking money off people who want to see a man do his job but are basically being ripped off due to a promoter not fulfilling his end of the contractual bargain.


fuck the vinyl verses cd debate its pointless each to their own agree to disagree. What everyone misses the point of in these arguments is, there are to many shit promoters who are making money off of artists they book to play a night then make the artists look amateur by not providing them with the tools to perform.

my 2peneth.

100% agree.

[Intended Malice]

This whole discussion basically boils down to this.

Mans job is playing records. You hire man to play records, but don't provide him with the machinery to do his job.

what does this tell you?

It basically say's you have a promoter who doesn't have a clue how to put a night on and meet the demands of someone he is not only paying to do a specific job. But you've also got a promoter who is taking money off people who want to see a man do his job but are basically being ripped off due to a promoter not fulfilling his end of the contractual bargain.


fuck the vinyl verses cd debate its pointless each to their own agree to disagree. What everyone misses the point of in these arguments is, there are to many shit promoters who are making money off of artists they book to play a night then make the artists look amateur by not providing them with the tools to perform.

100% agree.

Well... maybe there could be someone from the local community(s) provide a service in the local area to assess the sound check and maintenance days before and make this assessment for a nominal fee. And if need be rent his equipment to the promoter, imagine if (and not getting into the absurdity of why it took place in the first place) at the DMZ birthday when KM and Youngsta were on this year there was someone locally to have replaced the mixer within an allotted and reasonable time frame. Or even when the broken/dodgy deck(s) when DMZ were on.

I''m sure there are some uni kids majoring in audio-oriented careers with Technics MKII's, mixers, and misc equipment with the know how to overcome the venues shortcomings; hell I'd offer learn and to do it myself for a life lasting experience and the promise of potential income given the amount of shows the UK has every week, but I live on the other side of the World. I'm sure some here might even accept dubplates and free entrance as a guest of the dj as a form of compensation. Embrace Free Market Capitalism.

[south3rn]

It's more expensive, out dated and can potentially more often go wrong in a club

assuming the club has turntables, i see this as completely untrue. there are no software patches to keep vinyl from working properly and you can count the number of cables used on one hand. a lot of problems caused by vinyl are user error (fucked records, not bringing a second pair of needles in case the house pair are bad)

[paulie]

@ people on about using Serato with vinyl control... you're missing the point slightly there.

@ people on about sound quality... a well-cut piece of vinyl played on a good turntable sounds better than a cd, all other things being equal.

@ people on about the environmental impact of vinyl... do you realise how niche the industry is?!

The central point is that the way club setups are these days, playing off cdjs is by far the most reliable option both in terms of sound and all the other potential technical issues you face as a dj. This is hardly surprising given that it's far easier for clubs to maintain cdj setups, which require pretty much no maintenance, and also obviously that fewer and fewer djs are playing vinyl at all. Given the financial pressures that most clubs are under and the fact that the issue never enters the heads of 99% of punters you can understand their position. Most people that buy vinyl now aren't djs, it's more people who collect and like the sound of the format generally.

[apmje]

Only problem I have with vinyl is running out of space to store it

it's pissing away all my money too (but that don't bother me)

My vinyl collection always comes to mind when I wonder where all my money went when I was single. I should have lived like a king but I was always broke. Those 1,000's of vinyl upstairs is the reason. I am really beginning to get bitter that I ever chose music as a hobby. It was fun but not enough fun to justify the time and money spent imo. It is what it is. I still buy vinyl but only second hand. Most new music isn't even worth the vinyl it's cut into.

If your not gunna spend your money on something you enjoy, then what are you going to spend it on?

Buying vinyl was kinda a simple way for me when I started DJing. I used to buy hardcore/grind/punk vinyl before, so the logical choice to DJ with vinyl was simple.

As I said before, it's a shame that the option isn't there anymore. All about money.

[jay-mee]

First of all I'd like to apologise to anyone who I offended re: my Skream - Freebies comment! but after seeing Mala's status I was on a rant and should have put more thought into it!..... I went out to a gig last night with the full intention of dropping Lightning VIP.....but who in their right mind would not prefer the opportunity to buy that track backed with 'dark light' or something on wax rather than 10 CD's worth tunes you will prob neva play!

Back to the main subject! 1 hours drive to my gig last night, turned up 4hrs early to see a DJ i wanted to see.....put my records behind the DJ booth...Xone 92 mixer - 3 CDJ 1000....and no turntables in any form what so eva just 2 empty spaces for 'CD wallets....' I had contacted the resident DJ weeks in advance who assured me they had a pair of good as new 1210's....

Luckily cos i turned up so early the promoter managed to get some 1210's brought ova - although 5 min's b4 I was on they still wernt plugged in or set up!!! - I was on at 3am and the night was on till 6am ---- then came the shokka.... promoter did a runna, doormen turned the lights on and cut the music and started draggin people out!!!!! all that effort and I didnt even get to play!!! - fucked up night - cant imagine how many stranded people their we're who would be relying on the trains starting at 6am...

[jay-mee]

[apmje]

Great video, really interesting.

[vertx]

I could listen to this dude talk all day long.

[Dub_freak]

First of all I'd like to apologise to anyone who I offended re: my Skream - Freebies comment! but after seeing Mala's status I was on a rant and should have put more thought into it!..... I went out to a gig last night with the full intention of dropping Lightning VIP.....but who in their right mind would not prefer the opportunity to buy that track backed with 'dark light' or something on wax rather than 10 CD's worth tunes you will prob neva play!

Back to the main subject! 1 hours drive to my gig last night, turned up 4hrs early to see a DJ i wanted to see.....put my records behind the DJ booth...Xone 92 mixer - 3 CDJ 1000....and no turntables in any form what so eva just 2 empty spaces for 'CD wallets....' I had contacted the resident DJ weeks in advance who assured me they had a pair of good as new 1210's....

Luckily cos i turned up so early the promoter managed to get some 1210's brought ova - although 5 min's b4 I was on they still wernt plugged in or set up!!! - I was on at 3am and the night was on till 6am ---- then came the shokka.... promoter did a runna, doormen turned the lights on and cut the music and started draggin people out!!!!! all that effort and I didnt even get to play!!! - fucked up night - cant imagine how many stranded people their we're who would be relying on the trains starting at 6am...

Thats fucked up !

[hendramarshall]

I could listen to this dude talk all day long.

... because people like bass ... great interview

[icanicant]

Well despite the current winds in the vinyl world i'm stepping into it. I'm the only DJ I know that has technologically regressed... I started off with a vestax MIDI controller, then I went to Pioneer CDJs and now I'm going to get some technics within the next few weeks. I haven't grown up with vinyl and have always brought CD's or Digital format. I just love watching people mixing solely on wax, I feel the nostalgia despite not having grown up with it. I know it's harder on myself as obviously wacking a usb is easier than shelling out large amounts on tunes but easy isn't always best and I want my mitts on wax! Anyway my point is not everyone advances with technology and there is clearly a strong group with a lot of feeling towards this situation, and it is very sad to hear someone ask associated to the vinyl/dubplate scene as Mala say this, but surely with enough heads and influence towards wax being put out; surely there's a hope vinyl sales and clubs maintenance on thier turntables will increase.

This is what I want to do. Planning to start buying some vinyl when the loan comes through then hopefully picking up at least one deck along the way

[bolsty]

I left a few comments on facebook so i'll go on a bit of different tangent here. People who don't mix vinyl don't understand it. Before i started mixing i planned on getting cdjs, and was of the idea it was cheaper and easier to mix digital, but i couldn;t afford it so brought turnies and i haven't looked back. Lack of vinyl held me back for a while as i would get sick of the same tunes and would get sick of practising and so on, but in time it got better.

I see other djs playing newer tunes that haven't come in the mail for me yet or tunes i can't play because they're not on wax, i now have to worry if the decks pitch are going to be out and so on and so forth, i'm at uni and have mediocre weekends all the time because i spend money on vinyl (and weed lol), instead of drinks or fresh new kicks and so on and so forth. This is all negative,but vinyl is completely worth it! i love the feel, i having the physical item in my hand and a lot of artists appreciate you buying their shit, especially vinyl because in 20 or 50 years time, that artist may be completely insignificant or dead, but a peice of them remains, kinda like graffiti in that aspect.

i thought about traktor or serato, but after seeing it fail a few times, and having to have a laptop specifically for that just aint my thing.
I said it in the mala post, but the best thing we can all do is stay positive and keep buying vinyl! it was awesome seeing dmz bring plates to australia recently, last dubstep artist i saw playing vinyl over here was distance in 09 i think (perhaps more recently but i wasnt looking, but pretty sure it was then). Epic amounts of respect to the dmz for pushing vinyl.