Dave Clarke - The Move from Vinyl to CD The Move from Vinyl to CD "After some time (I wanted to move to CD in 1997) I have finally got a machine that I believe is sonically and technically up to the job of replacing the hallowed and much loved 1210. I was originally asked to demo the Technics CD deck in New York at the beginning of the year but I didn't have the space in my calendar, however after finally getting my hands on one I have concluded that I will now switch over to CD's in the short term, this will take some time and allow me to road test the machine in clubs. Initially I will bring my own, but would appreciate any promoters that read this and have budget to either hire or buy, to supply 2-3 of them, eventually my technical rider will change and any one with questions can send either an email to my office or speak to my road manager direct. Please note that Pioneer/Denon or other makes of CD decks will not be used, furthermore technical 1210's will still be needed. I know some of you flat earthers will be upset, but whilst I love vinyl it's time has been written on the wall for ages and I felt that Final Scratch and Albeton live wasn't for me in terms of interface and sound quality (although some djs have their own valid and difference opinions). In my mind at the moment the pros outweigh the cons, it will speed up the both mine and other producers music to clubs (being cheaper for smaller labels/artists), the bass frequencies will be fatter and stereo (in non bridged systems), the flexibility in mixing techniques not available to vinyl (and some computer systems ) are exciting, and it uses a standard that is already tried and tested. The only cons that I can think of are slower load up time than vinyl and inability of titling each CD with vdu outlet to a central LCD. I believe these are not unsurmountable problems. I must also say that this is an entirely professional decision, I am not sponsored by this company. Finally............ Notice to promo/record companies and artists: Please from now on can you send both vinyl and CD of all singles/albums that you feel suit the material that I play out e.g.: Novamute, Ruskin, inigo Kennedy, Victim, end2end, twilight, 76, turbo, Birmingham Boys, DiskoB, Gigolo, electrix etc. etc. etc. Can all CD's please be labelled clearly as cdr's without writing/print can easily be lost, also please don't forget to finalize, and if it has been professionally mastered please label production copy. Only 16bit 44.1 will be played, mp3 will be ignored. Finally, if you can afford to, than please send any back cat on CD if you know I have been a fan! Many many thanks Dave Clarke" at the end bit funny as owt that
More and more dj's appear to be doing it...it is a shame, but I think it was inevitable really. Still think theres obviously going to be a niche for vinyl dj's, but just depends how the record labels react to the news that a-list dj's are dropping vinyl like its going out of fashion. Snippet of an interview: UK Techno King Dave Clarke announced this week that’s he’s giving up mixing vinyl for CDs some seven years after he first considered the switch. “I know some of you flat earthers will be upset, but whilst I love vinyl its time has been written on the wall for ages,” Clarke announced on his website this week. “In my mind at the moment the pros (of switching) outweigh the cons,” he continued. “It will speed up getting both mine and other producers’ music to clubs (being cheaper, for smaller labels/artists), the bass frequencies will be fatter and stereo (in non bridged systems), the flexibility in mixing techniques not available to vinyl (and some computer systems) are exciting,” said Dave. The highly influential DJ stressed he’s not ditching vinyl for laptop computer programmes like Final Scratch or Albeton, unlike fellow superstar DJ Sasha who ditched vinyl himself several months ago. “In about three weeks time I’m ditching vinyl and CDs to go out on the road using my computer,” Sasha told Skrufff in April, “and that’s going to allow me to mix anything with everything. I’m still interested in pursuing the perfect mix but the sounds I’m throwing into that mix are becoming broader,” he said. Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules also switched from vinyl to CDs entirely some five months ago though returned to vinyl for a gig in Manchester last weekend after asking his web audience for feedback on the change. “The majority of you think (as I do) that it's the programming, mixing and music that are important, not the format it's delivered on,” said Jules on his weekly diary. “However a couple of you felt that DJing with CDs was in some way 'cheating' or easier than playing with vinyl. If anyone else fancies getting in touch I'd really appreciate your views on the subject.”
I think dave clarke has a point and to be honest, ever since I mysefl bought a pioneer cd deck, I can see why people are switching. I now find myself buying vinyl, and burning it to cd straight away, as having it on cd lets me do far more stuff than on vinyl. I think this new trend is also due to dj's like james zabiela, who are demonstrating and in some ways pioneering (no pun intended) the ways we DJ. As quoted from zabiela himself in recent interviews that coincided with the release of his latest mix album alive, he says when asked about cd decks " people think using cdj's is cheating, but it's not, you still have to get the pitches in". I think that for now, we will still continue to buy vinyl, but playing off cd's will start to become pretty much mainstream amongst us the ranks of bedroom/small time jocks in the years to come.
Believe me...im a Vinyl Junkie...grew up with the stuff and would never stop using it unless it went extinct,but then again id get them from somewhere...lol!! These new Technics CD Decks are blinding!! I was invited to the Special Launch for them at Plasa 2003 at Earls Court in London....and was able to try them out after the conference..we were shown there tricks etc by none other than Cut Master Swift...or Swifty as they were calling him...these decks do everything...except wash the dishes etc...they are really good.They are actually nearly the size of a 1210 and even have the platter part that has a metallic sort of vinyl that you can place onto the platter...you lock this on and it is used exactly the same as a slab of vinyl on a 1210...the deck also has looping functions,sampling functions etc etc...the list goes on....it kicks the ass out of the Pioneer deck but no doubt someone will try and make something better....Technics are leaders in the market with Turntables and maybe now they are leaders with CD Decks... Its all digital by the way....extra clear... Below is a link for thos who'd like to check them out... http://www.panasonic.co.uk/technics-dj/sldz1200/index.htm
From my limited experience... The technics was utter shite... the platter is too light and doesnt have a solid feel to it. Central display is rubbish and too small Pitch lock is useless and playing with the platter gives massive digital distortion noise instead of an actual "vinyl" sound. Its more expensive than either the pioneer or the denon. Vinyl has its days numbered
i think the pioneer 800 will still be the people's champion! it is so cheap compared to everything else it is surely the sensible answer!
Exactly, the same model CDJ as mine hasve been going on Ebay for around £250-£300 so I wont have to fork out much extra for an 800.
yeah man, i feel cheated having paid 400 quid for my 800 in december. Having 2 cdj's would be mint tho
We went with the Pioneer cdj1000 mkii Think cds are the way forward as u can take a lot more music to gigs...Easier for smaller labels to get there music heard. And u can do more with the live edit feature's etc etc. M
