To Vinyls or to CD's That is the question!

[NoxZyck]

I'm about to start Mixing guys, so i need a bit of advices. So far like most threads, i am having trouble choosing between CD's and Vinyls.

Vinyls, the classic. Since i was little, i always wanted to have them, since they just look so authentic. I can sometimes imagine my self spinning with the vinyls and feeling the beats. It seems you're like more in touch with the beat and the music (Over board...). But man, they can cost me an arm. 6-15$ a vinyl. Plus a vinyl has about 1-4 tracks on them .

While a CD... Pshh.... Just put tons and tons of music in 1 CD and MIX MIX MIX!!! I am a man that loves to learn things the way they are. No technology helping my arse getting through what most DJ's can do in the old days. Of course you will get much much more varieties on the music, and find some tracks that will cost you from nothing to 2$, while a vinyl can really give me a kick in the ass.

That's all i have to say on CDJ's and vinyls. And i now need some opinions...

I am also buying used like most people. I have a friend selling his Technics SL 1200 MK2+mixer for around 800$ or i can just Ebay for some Pioneer CDJ-400.

I am also getting a lap top. Was wondering, apple or windows. I have a huge debate on this and asked many of my computer freaks on this, and it's pretty evenly matched.

So i just basically need some opinions on the CDJ VS Vinyls/Lap top.

I thank you!!

[NoxZyck]

err? Bump.

[DJ Stev]

if i were you. cds. im in the process of switching from vinyl. havent used vinyl for even a year yet. i love it its so cool but like you said expensive. im going with the cdj 400's got my first one not too long ago and ordering the next soon. sweet machines. go cd. its just more practical. unfortunately

[NoxZyck]

See that's one thing, but i hear with vinyls, you skill as a DJer and a mixer, will increase dramatically. While a CDJ will just make things just shit easy for you.

I would also love for some more opinions from professional to just starter Djers around here please. This kind of subject is holding me back from what i want to do. xD

[DJ Frequency]

I get asked this all the time, since I play at most of the electronic clubs in Tulsa.

I always tell them to start of with vinyl first, as that is what all skills and technology descend from. Once you are competent with vinyl, then everything else will be easy, after a short learning curve.

Personally, I wouldnt even bother with CDs, just go from Vinyl to Serato or Final Scratch. That way you still get the same great hands on control, and all the benefits of a digital medium.

[Deadly Groove]

Originally Posted by DJ Frequency

I get asked this all the time, since I play at most of the electronic clubs in Tulsa.

I always tell them to start of with vinyl first, as that is what all skills and technology descend from. Once you are competent with vinyl, then everything else will be easy, after a short learning curve.

Personally, I wouldnt even bother with CDs, just go from Vinyl to Serato or Final Scratch. That way you still get the same great hands on control, and all the benefits of a digital medium.

+1

Mix with records first and then try everything else.

I get a kick out of how people say "vinyls". They're called records, records are made out of vinyl.

You all are silly!!!

[Wildcatfball74]

yeh i was always told to start with records(vinyls), then move on once you get DJing down with records.

[DJ Ashley M]

cds are easier for a 'newbie'. Thats because you have no dexterity to lean how to back cue a 'RECORD' (glad you didn't say 'LP') & release in time etc with out it slowing or rushing off etc or with out the stylus skipping. Also getting used to different 12" warped lose center holes, tight center holes etc.

With a CD player you just cue with a jog wheel that doesn't skip. & release with a play button & return at the touch of a button to your cue point. No back rewinding / lifting the headshell. (Of course I can still release like a vinyl with my CDJ 400s & the jog wheel, with out the variables of TTs of course if I want to). & thats how its easier you can just concentrate on your beat matching & mixing, that's how its easier.

I however Know a few experienced turntable DJs that can't mix for toffee on CDJS because they can't get used to the pitch adjustment compared to there turntables. So there's another edge to the sword & from that I wouldn't say they were easier overall. Its just prcatice using both methods.

[Grafted]

Originally Posted by DJ Ashley M

cds are easier for a 'newbie'. Thats because you have no dexterity to lean how to back cue a 'RECORD' (glad you didn't say 'LP') & release in time etc with out it slowing or rushing off etc or with out the stylus skipping. Also getting used to different 12" warped lose center holes, tight center holes etc.

With a CD player you just cue with a jog wheel that doesn't skip. & release with a play button & return at the touch of a button to your cue point. No back rewinding / lifting the headshell. (Of course I can still release like a vinyl with my CDJ 400s & the jog wheel, with out the variables of TTs of course if I want to). & thats how its easier you can just concentrate on your beat matching & mixing, that's how its easier.

I however Know a few experienced turntable DJs that can't mix for toffee on CDJS because they can't get used to the pitch adjustment compared to there turntables. So there's another edge to the sword & from that I wouldn't say they were easier overall. Its just pratice using both methods.

I agree 100% with Ashley's post. Practice makes perfect on either but due to the way record is pressed, made or shaped it can alter the way it plays. CDJs provide a much more stable platform for the song and thus making it easier to beat match.

[Austin Snyder]

Originally Posted by DJ Frequency

I get asked this all the time, since I play at most of the electronic clubs in Tulsa.

I always tell them to start of with vinyl first, as that is what all skills and technology descend from. Once you are competent with vinyl, then everything else will be easy, after a short learning curve.

Personally, I wouldnt even bother with CDs, just go from Vinyl to Serato or Final Scratch. That way you still get the same great hands on control, and all the benefits of a digital medium.

Trufax. I started off with vinyl, didnt get more than 30 records deep before i realize that traktor was the way to go. SO I just practiced with what records I had while saving up, and I couldn't be happier

Good luck my friend, just remember--it's not what youre given thats important, its what you do with what youre given.

[DJ_Serg]

I think these threads should be closed. I mean, if you're lazy to search something that comes up every 2 weeks, then you probably don't need help.

[Austin Snyder]

Originally Posted by DJ_Serg

I think these threads should be closed. I mean, if you're lazy to search something that comes up every 2 weeks, then you probably don't need help.

Well, everyone has different situations in which they might not be sure of on how to start out. If they're spending a significant amount of money, then I think they should be able to ask for others' opinions. That's one of the greatest parts of DI, our community helping each other out.

[DJ Becka]

Invest in Serato Scratch Live.....that way you can have the best of both worlds......you can play 'vinyl' without spending an arm and leg on the actual vinyl, and when you want to rock out on cds, you can just burn your tracks to cd and use those. Serato does have coded cds so you can use it with cds, but I've always had issues with it. On the other hand, Dave Clarke is using Serato with cdjs and no issues....so I suppose it works

I've been using Serato for 3 years and haven't looked back.....last time I was in a record shop, it was in May and the only reason I bought anything was because I felt bad.....but really, everything I bought, I could have found on Beatport - even the record sleeves advertised this.

It would be an expensive investment in the beginning, but definitely pays for itself in the long run......so I highly recommend this option.


or, you could just ditch both altogether and use Traktor or Ableton live, but then at that point, you may as well start producing if you use Ableton....it's really boring to do a 'dj' set with it, no matter how many efx and plugins you use.....

[Wildcatfball74]

Originally Posted by DJ Ashley M

cds are easier for a 'newbie'. Thats because you have no dexterity to lean how to back cue a 'RECORD' (glad you didn't say 'LP') & release in time etc with out it slowing or rushing off etc or with out the stylus skipping. Also getting used to different 12" warped lose center holes, tight center holes etc.

With a CD player you just cue with a jog wheel that doesn't skip. & release with a play button & return at the touch of a button to your cue point. No back rewinding / lifting the headshell. (Of course I can still release like a vinyl with my CDJ 400s & the jog wheel, with out the variables of TTs of course if I want to). & thats how its easier you can just concentrate on your beat matching & mixing, that's how its easier.

I however Know a few experienced turntable DJs that can't mix for toffee on CDJS because they can't get used to the pitch adjustment compared to there turntables. So there's another edge to the sword & from that I wouldn't say they were easier overall. Its just prcatice using both methods.

so true. Half the reason its hard for me to do Beat matching sometimes is because the record speeds up for a split second or slows down sometimes. I hate the records that are too loose as well hehe.

[DJ Ashley M]

I have always been one to believe that un-necessary or extra weight applied to the tonearm/carts causes extra downward friction which then starts to slow a track over time (a fairly long time I would think). Still a reasonable thought I would think that means a lot of people might find themselves pushing or nudging the pitch forward more than usual.

Although there are those tracks which I call troublesome tracks which tend to come 'un-done' more easily than the others & this is to do with the production rather than your mixing accuracy. If it doesn't keep good regular tempo it will come apart simple.

Tracks made with hardware are far more erratic than tracks made within DAWs that keep a better regular tempo.

Older tracks come apart much easier than newer ones because of this. & this may be why people find its easier now using CDs, its not the actual format of CDJs rather the tracks are becoming easier to mix because they are mainly produced in DAWs.

[Maxik]

I like CDs more, unless we are talking about Scratch Live. But even then, needles are pricey!

[tub]

there's no 1 answer to this. I generally use cdj and dvs. I've just started messing about on traktor pro with midi, offers up a lot possibility that wasn't available before.
in the middle of that I started going through my records and spent an hour mixing on vinyl, and had a great time. I'll go 2 months at home not touching cdj's cos I'm enjoyig DVS, then go a couple of months playing only on cdj's, just a matter of preferance. I expect now I'll spend more time with cdj and traktor, but that could change.
I prefer cdj's to play out though, the hassle of plugging in soundcards, booting computer and finding a place to put it,finding power points etc. much easier to travel with a cd book and headphones.

[lifecycle]

Vinyl is much more than a means to an end ... you start to feel a strange connection to the discs.

I think anyone who doesn't have a "traditional" experience with vinyl - learning how to set up a 1210, cratedigging for tunes, going to vinyl exchanges, playing 33's at 45, discovering the B-side you never realised was so special etc. is missing out on a great, rich, satisfying part of life.

Some DJs nowadays just don't want to break their nails carrying those heavy record bags around

[SamJL]

Originally Posted by lifecycle

Some DJs nowadays just don't want to break their nails carrying those heavy record bags around

Or some simply can't afford, like myself.

[TrevorNygaard]

I am amazed this debate is STILL going on. I mean really.... how are we not past this? The new question is "CD's or Digital mixing"..

I am having a REALLY hard time thinking of the last time i even SAW a set of 1200's at a gig.. muchless even turned on.