The Art of Djing and Transgression to Digital Media Essay Example

more ambition. A successful DJ should possess a collector's, technician's, and selector's mindset while also being musically gifted. The job demands seamlessly transitioning between songs using multiple turntables, swiftly switching up tracks, handling EQ properly, and utilizing equipment such as samplers. However, most importantly, creating an amazing atmosphere during live performances requires forming close bonds with audiences and catering to their emotions.

The ability to be adaptable and flexible is crucial for club DJs as music changes unpredictably due to various factors such as crowd response, the DJ's mood, and anticipating tempo changes. Having proper equipment can assist in making transitions smoother. Over time, club culture has transformed into a commercial force where the DJ serves as both a nonconformist, eccentric artist and a marketing tool for record labels selling compilation CDs (Brewster 17). Additionally, DJs have acted as promoters by introducing new music genres like reggae, disco, hip-hop, house and garage to audiences which were initially overlooked by record companies hesitant to release music from obscure artists playing different styles.

To gain a better understanding of the art form of playing records that is currently observed, it is helpful to examine the history of the DJ. During the prohibition era of the 1920s, the term “night club” emerged as a reference to speakeasies and other establishments where illegal liquor was served (Reighley 23). In France during the 1950s, La Discotheque became the first club to provide entertainment by playing records, while in America, Le Club reportedly opened on New Year’s Eve in New York in 1960 as the first discotheque (Reighley 26). Terry Noel is recognized as the first DJ who intentionally “programmed” a playlist

by selecting and ordering records that would sustain and intensify the party’s energy level.

Francis Grasso is renowned for being the pioneer DJ who brought about the concept of record programming mixing through "slip cueing". This technique involves smoothly inserting a new record on-beat with the fading record without disrupting program flow. The emergence of turntables by Thoren company that had variable speed, known as "pitch control", led to blending. Francis Grasso rapidly harnessed this new invention and was acclaimed for flawlessly synchronizing two records and keeping them on beat for over two minutes. At the same time, larger 12-inch records superseded traditional 7-inch ones, providing more space to record music onto vinyl.

Despite the passing of time, New York City has remained a leading center for dance music since 1975. This was when nightclubs began to achieve legendary status, and the roots of many current dance music genres can be traced back to early clubs and DJs. The evolution of dance music on a global scale owes much to a number of influential DJs and remixers such as Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan. Their reputation was built on their skill at studio remixing and song editing which involved completely reworking songs by recording them onto reel-to-reel tape before splicing together the resulting fragments to create their desired mix.

The method used by the DJ duo involved recording the best sections of a song multiple times and merging them to create a cohesive masterpiece. Larry Levan, a legendary figure in the industry, earned his status not purely through technical prowess on the decks or excellent song choices, but by understanding his listeners and establishing a bond

with those dancing in his vicinity (Brewster 156-158). The DJ industry has evolved into a billion-dollar enterprise, with talented DJs sometimes being likened to the guitar virtuosos of the 60s era, including Larry Levan, who some consider to be the Jimi Hendrix of contemporary DJing (Souvignier 67). It is therefore essential for a DJ to possess not only record collecting skills but also the ability to seamlessly merge songs using innovative techniques.

To be a skilled DJ, one must possess several abilities, such as track selection, showmanship, a musical ear, and rhythm perception. In the world of hip-hop djing or turntablism, emphasis is placed on using equipment as a musical instrument. Notably, DJ Grand Mixer DXT spearheaded rhythmic scratching of records on turntables by modifying song notes' pitch during live performances (Souvignier 120-122). Presently, albums serve as tools for music creation through cutting, blending and scratching songs together. DJs commonly use two turntables linked to modern music technology like mixers, speakers amplifiers and receivers to produce unique sounds with various tricks.

Although the DJ scene has undergone significant changes since the 1970s, it is important to acknowledge the groundbreaking work of old-school DJs who established the foundation for modern DJing. Today, DJing has evolved into a highly respected art form that encompasses various musical genres such as hip-hop, trance, jungle, house, drum and bass, dancehall, two-step breakbeat and more. The introduction of CDs in the 1980s was a pivotal moment in DJing history because digital equipment gradually replaced traditional vinyl-based gear and opened up new possibilities for increased portability. Nowadays, most DJs utilize digital music and software-based systems on their full-sized PCs or laptops to create awe-inspiring

turntable maneuvers while seamlessly blending tracks together.

Having a good laptop or PC with a quality hard drive, sufficient memory and a freshly installed operating system is better than using a computer infiltrated with spyware, viruses, multiple applications, and a plethora of corrupted or partly uninstalled files. It is essential to have a computer solely dedicated to DJing where only the operating system and DJ software are installed and run without any internet connection. If not, bugs, unwanted applications, and corrupted files can infiltrate the system, leading to distortions, slowdowns, and damaged music files. Going digital with music files provides comfort, ease of accessibility, saved space and time compared to carrying crates of vinyl records or boxes of CDs.

By storing music as MP3 files on a 80GB – 200 GB hard drive, DJs can save time searching for specific songs among hundreds of compilations. DJ software allows users to locate tracks and create playlists with ease. Playlists can be organized by musical styles, decade, or background music. DJs can also group songs by their BPMs for beat matching. With various brands and types of software on the market, it comes down to personal preference to find the one that best responds to individual needs.

DJ software often comes with a trial period, offering free installation and use for a limited time. The features available depend on the cost of the software, but all systems allow for track cueing and playback through two CD players. The more expensive options offer additional capabilities like song fading, pitch and tempo control that resembles vinyl turntables, and automated song mixing. Some advanced systems even allow for USB controller

connection that mimics twin CD controllers.

Careful consideration of a user's necessary traits and their usage in work is crucial in determining the value of a feature for DJs. Spending on costly equipment that does not fulfill their needs, like beat matching, can be wasteful. To choose suitable computer hardware for DJs, specific factors must be considered for both PCs and laptops. Moreover, it is incorrect to assume that purchasing a CPU processor exclusively for running DJ software is mandatory.

Usually, a Pentium 3 processor with a minimum speed of 600mhz is sufficient, but processors with speeds over 1.2 ghz perform better and without issues. For optimal performance, having at least 256 MB of RAM memory is recommended, although 512 MB or more will result in faster functioning. It's also essential to consider the hard drive size since the larger it is, the more songs DJs can store on it. On average, songs ripped at 192 kbps take up around 5 MB in size; therefore, a 100GB hard drive can hold up to 20,000 tracks.

In case the user opts to improve the quality of MP3 songs, the file size will increase consequently, occupying more space on the hard drive. For instance, a track ripped at 320 kbps could be as large as 11 MB, which means that the aforementioned 100GB drive would only fit around 9000 songs. When computing the appropriate capacity of the hard drive, it is crucial to consider the operating software, DJ software, and drivers' storage space. However, if storage space proves insufficient, the DJ can connect an external hard disc to a USB port, which is considered a dependable source of extra storage

capacity. Software-based DJ systems necessitate a high-quality soundcard from a reliable manufacturer.

High quality audio playback is not a priority in the design of computers, thus it is necessary to install a better soundcard. To solve the issue when using DJ software on a laptop, an external USB soundcard can be a good investment. For most DJ applications, a 2 channel soundcard is sufficient for mixing the audio between players on the laptop. Then, the single output is connected to a pair of “R” and “L” connectors on the soundcard, which is then fed to the mixer or amplifier (Williams 246-250). However, for DJs who aim to be more innovative and use the crossfader between channels on a traditional mixer, a 5 channel sound card is needed to cater to their requirements. This enables one pair of “R” and “L” outputs to be used for “Player 1” and then fed directly into an individual channel on the mixer. The same applies to “Player 2”.

With this solution, each software player can have its own fader on the mixer or amplifier just like a twin CD player. DJ software typically includes a CD ripping option where users can convert music from an original CD to MP3 files by inserting it into their computer's CD ROM. The converted data is saved as MP3 files on the hard drive and users can select the speed and quality of the conversion measured in "kbps" with options ranging from 32 kbps to 320 kbps.

Professional PA systems should not use lower ranges to avoid distorted sound. To achieve optimum sound quality, DJs are advised to rip their CDs at 192kbps or

higher. For smaller audio systems, 192kbps is sufficient while larger ones require ripping at 320 kbps due to the near-CD quality of the sound. However, switching from vinyl DJing to digital music entails higher initial costs such as investing in a sufficient hard drive, high-quality soundcard and necessary DJ software which are more expensive compared to traditional CD players or vinyl turntables.

Thanks to technological advancements, digital DJing is becoming more popular. However, it can be a tedious task to convert an extensive CD collection into MP3 format and store it on a hard drive. Additionally, converting original music into digital files without the proper license - which can be expensive - may even be unlawful. In the United States, DJs must obtain a license to play music from their computer; furthermore, additional permit and royalty fees may also be needed for computer-based DJing. Ultimately, personal choice and convenience determine which type of DJing one selects. It's important to note that the increasing popularity of digital DJing has been hugely influenced by unlimited access to both legal and illegal music downloads.

The trend towards digital DJing is growing, with some individuals pursuing it despite lacking traditional skills and creativity. However, mastering techniques such as mixing, coordinating music and entertaining is crucial before transitioning to digital DJing. The development of digital technology will result in more advanced decks, mixers and power amps that can be interconnected digitally. While vinyl may not become obsolete completely, DVD audio is expected to supersede CDs due to its ability to deliver higher resolution audio, surround sound and a wider range of digital extras.

Bibliography: 1.

In 2003, Grove Press published a book called

"How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of Playing Records," authored by Brewster, Bill, and Frank Broughton.

Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton's "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of DJing, encompassing the technical aspects of playing records, the music industry, and the individuals involved.

In 2000, Grove Press released a book that delves into the history of DJ culture, while in 2005, Richard James Burgess wrote The Art of Music Production and it was published by Omnibus Press.

The music industry is discussed in general, including the production process, sound engineering, and the technical skills necessary to create music. Additionally, Frederiske, Tom, and Phil Benedictus' book, "How to DJ: The Insider's Guide to Success on the Decks" is recommended.

New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2002. This book provides guidance for DJs on the essential knowledge needed to prosper in the industry, including the fundamentals of djing. Author(s): Fries, Bruce and Marty Fries.

6. "Digital Audio Essentials" by O’Reilly in 2005 serves as a comprehensive guide for utilizing digital music collections and taking advantage of modern technology for producing, playing, and mixing digital music.

The 2006 Peachpit Press publication, "Real World Digital Audio" authored by Peter Kirn and co-authored by Chris Middleton, offers practical advice on producing top-notch music using contemporary technology. The book concentrates on digital sound and the use of current software and hardware to help readers create their own digital music from home.

"Creating Digital Music and Sound" is a book published by Focal Press in 2006. The book offers an illustrated introduction to the techniques and challenges involved in making music and recording sound digitally. It is suitable

for anyone who wants to make, share, or publish music and sound across any media. The book also provides detailed information on studio techniques and highlights the potential pitfalls of recording, mixing, and remixing music.

Newquist's book titled "Music ; Technology" from 1989 discusses the revival of electronic music and sound recording due to the advent of personal computers.

In his book "Looking For the Perfect Beat: The Art and Culture of the DJ," Kurt B. Reighley explores the world of DJs.

New York-based publisher Pocket Books released a book in 2000 titled "The World of DJs and the Turntable Culture" by Todd Souvignier. Along with providing a history of DJing, the book features interviews with several DJs discussing their music, processes for creating and mixing tracks, and preparations for remixing.

The Hal Leonard Corporation released a detailed book on contemporary DJing in 2003, covering various tools, technologies, and techniques used. The publication also explores the history, culture, and aesthetics of turntablism, hip-hop, and dance music. Davis Brian Williams and Peter Richard Webster's "Experiencing Music Technology" is another resource for music technology.

Belmont published a book in 2006 that details the process of music production using modern technology. This practical guide covers recording, producing, and mixing music with real-world software. Visit www for more information.

Both prodj.com and thedjlist.com are websites to check out.

These websites are mobilebeat.com, djzone.net, and djresource.

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