rotoitiman

Dubstep or anything similar is HUGE in New Zealand amongst the younger generation. I was really suprised how mainstream it has become. I pretty much play 1 or 2 tracks at every gig I do, and I can see why kids are loving it. The big down and ups in the songs make for a big emotional build-up and release when the kids are dancing. And the Glitchy type stuff in the songs keep the kids doing some pretty crazy moves. I dont mind it so much, its taken a while to grow on me. Dubstep reminds me of Heavy-Metal for some reason. Nope – you wont find me listening to it at home, in the car or at work, but a few tracks at a club? Definately.

My DJ software is Serato Itch, and this is why: Because it works perfectly with my Novation Twitch and is tightly integrated. The software is simple and has a very clean layout. The effects are all I need and of course the Fader FX and Loop rolls are fantastic. Oh, and the software company is from New Zealand, my homeland!!

DarylC, post: 11681, member: 663 wrote: Thats a little harsh. One man’s meat is another man’s poison I suppose. My dj friends used to give me flak when I mention a controller i’m looking to buy. They all about funk and soul, and how djing used to and should be done. Serious about their craft and music. I respect the craft and culture of djing and i don’t even call myself a dj. But this is my stand about digital djing with controllers.

I always liken the djing trade with painting. Traditional brushes, paint and canvas vs digital photoshop painting. They both have its pros and cons and different skill sets are required for the desired medium. But the end of the day, they are both mediums to get the artwork/idea across. Of course, one should always know and respect the intricacy involved with traditional methods since it inspired digital mediums. Similar to Djing and digital djs.

Now to answer your question, how can anyone dj on this thing? Well, i just love music. Sharing that love and having fun is the top priority on my list, over technicalities. I didn’t grow up in the vinyl era, instead i ‘crate dug’ cds during my weekends. CDJs seem like the way to go, but if i wanted that decks+mixer route, i’d rather do turns (which i have, that i line in to my Twitch for some added variety). Aren’t CDJs just like controllers, mimicking turntables?

So as not to be hijackin this thread (apologies Mr. Toxic), I’ll state why I like Twitch. It doesn’t try to recreate the experience of traditional djing, instead, it takes the pros of digital djing and focuses on that. About autosync, I always avoid autosync, not to proof a point, but i think it makes the mixes sound robotic. Sometimes the drifitng of beats adds a human touch to the mix.

The day i bought my Twitch home, my curious brother walked over to check it out. I explained the different modes for the ‘performance pads to him, and invited him to have a go on the empty deck. With minimal djing experience, he picked it up within minutes, and we jammed for hours. I mixed the beats, while he played with the slicer and autoloops on the other deck. Most fun i had with a controller ever. I know my bro enjoyed it too cause after that, he drops in more often to mess around with Twitch. To me, that experience alone explains my definition of fun.

On the contrary to your statement, i think controllers have made djing more fun by opening up more musical possibilities and making it accessible to a wider audience. Made it easier to share your love of music

Long time reader on this forum, but I had to join if not only to say thank you for a fantastic post, I could not have put it better myself.