discussion regarding newer dj equipment…

This small controllers are designed for a modular setup (mostly), so you can combine 2-5 of them, do your own mapping and use it. Its going more into the production & live remixing way.

The standarts are even higher – try to get a nice controller, not too expensive and good enough – there are so many of them – if the unit is bad, it will not sell at all.

The software is pretty good today, you can do anything what you want with the music (if you want) – its just an option. You can still get your vinyl or DVS and go your oldschool way.

I´m happy about the options today.

I don’t think the basics have ever gone, Michael. They might have gotten muddied a bit though :-).

And yes, I agree with the “old days” (been at it since ’77 or so myself). I do believe it is fair to say that the expectation of the crowd has changed a bit as well though.

I don’t think standards have dropped. I do believe there are many, many more DJ’s out there these days that are not up to the standards that still exist. Proof is the fact that there is still a picking order amongst DJ’s, there are still DJs rising above the pack. Why, because people still recognize talent and appreciate someone giving them a great party night.

So, no … not lowered standards … but more people trying to be DJs and not (yet) up to those standards.

Just my humble opinion.

Greetinx.

Yes in some ways standards are lowered as some bar owners and even some new club owners have no idea about DJing, some kid shows up with a mixtrack and a laptop and they think he is a DJ…

… but then I simply come along and say “may I show you how it is done”. Either they get it in 5mins or they will never get it… thats just the way it is. Even if they do not get it and the kid beside them is “woa that is DJing?” I still win.

Many of you have to realize that when a home consumer market for DJing popped up, the companies found new revenue streams in that.

Back in the old days you had to spend over $1000 just to get started as a DJ.  This did become a barrier of entry for the hobbyist, which in some cases the pros liked…but it wasn’t good for the equipment manufacturers.

Now for a tiny amount of money, Mom and Dad can buy their small kid a DJ toy they can use with their computers.  The student who might not have dreams of clubs but wants to play around can get in for a small amount of money.  PLUS…the manufacturers have new revenue streams.

Despite how much saturation and competition is out there, most of the “DJs” you see are hobbyists.  The hardcore “professionals” are the ones buying 1200s, or CDJs, or S4s, etc.  They’ll pop $1000+ on a controller because they see this as their business.

<span style=”line-height: 1.5em;”>I think the “standards” thing simply has changed.  Look how many folks now could care less if the DJ can beatmatch or even if he/she has dug for interesting/new tunes.  Nowadays most of the DJing work is as a human jukebox, or as a simple figurehead who drops some massive breakdown and does Jesus poses.</span>

The gear is meaningless.  $100 plastic toy or $1000 pro-grade controller…it’s meaningless if the crowd just doesn’t care.