Modern Dj Technology has been introduced with The Sync Button. This button recognises the beats in different tracks and with the touch of a button automatically seamlessly mixes both tracks together.
Be a Real Dj Dont Use Sync sounds harsh but the truth is this debate has gone on for quite some time and does not show signs of slowing down any time soon. Not since Djs switched to mixing Cds rather than Records have we seen such conflict within the Electronic Music Industry. People are being branded Sync Button Loosers for using the sync button and the rest are being branded Technology dinosaurs. What is it about this Nasty Sync Button that causes all this tension ?
The Digital DJing trend has become very popular in recent times and as a result we see many people converting to Dj Controllers and Laptops to perform Dj sets. This technology makes it very easy to create a mix and really become a capable Dj within hours of use. Gone are the days when the only entry into the world of Djing was to purchase a set of Technics turntables and begin the task of learning how to beat match. We can now go out and spend far less money on digital DJ software which can actually mix the tracks for us. This is where the conflict takes place and what has caused this divide. Lets dig into the case for each side of the argument :
The Case FOR using the Sync Button.
With this popular trend of Digital DJing many people who are all for using the Sync Button claim they are only taking advantage of modern technology.These Djs claim that by using the Sync button to do the beatmatching it gives them more time to be creative by adding more sounds, loops and effects on top of the tracks.These Djs also claim that they still have to control every other aspects of being a dj which include crowd reading, track selection, set progression, effects mastering, microphone use etc ...
The Case AGAINST using the Sync Button.
Djs against using the Sync button claim that if a Dj is not actually mixing the tracks then they are simply not a real Dj. This is where they proclaim be a real dj dont use the sync. These Djs make the case for Beatmatching being a fundamental aspect of Djing and one which is paramount. These Djs claim that mixing music is an art and that it is wrong that technology trys to devalue this art. We also hear the claim here that if you are a real Dj you should be able to control and mangage every aspect of being a dj which does include beatmatching.
Where do I stand on this ?
My personal opinion on this would be Against using the Sync button. I would not brand anyone a Sync Button Looser but I do believe to some extent that to be a real dj dont use the sync. I believe that mixing is an art form and every Dj no matter what level should be capable of manually mixing music. The way I see it is that technology is making it easier to become a dj without serving your time in the scene but as a result we are denying people the real joy that comes with Mixing Music. We should not give up where the joy comes from being a Dj. That joy comes from when I cue tracks at the right time and mix them perfectly into one another. Where is the fun in pressing a button to do this ? This is where we are taking a step backwards.
Where is the Talent ?
I believe we are not adding talent to the scene by the use of the Sync button and this is also evident in the amount of Z List celebrities we now see proclaiming they are Djs. Pick up any music magazine these days and you will be surprised who is the new celebrity Dj coming to your area. What you probably wont read though is that you will have to pay double the club entrance fee to see a z-list celebrity pressing buttons and not actually showcasing a Live Performance. What is historically an underground scene is becoming more Commercial every day and as a result we may be denying the scene of real talent more than ever before.
Thank you for taking the time to read my opinion on the sync button debate. Hopefully I have shed some light on the subject and If you are part of this debate hopefully I have given you some useful information and I would like to hear where you stand :)
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters recommends:
- Massacres That Matter - Part 1 - 'Responsibility To Protect' In Egypt, Libya And Syria
- Massacres That Matter - Part 2 - The Media Response On Egypt, Libya And Syria
- National demonstration: No attack on Syria - Saturday 31 August, 12 noon, Temple Place, London, UK