Is this the end for vinyl DJ equipment?
With Panasonic announcing the end of production of the legendary Technics turntables, it seems as if the final bell has tolled for vinyl. The company have cited declining demand for the turntables as the reason for stopping, and with the steady rise of digital DJ equipment, it is an argument that is hard to counter.
Digital DJ equipment does offer some significant benefits: music files can be stored in enormous quantities on a computer or hard drive. Records are bulky, heavy and fragile, making them difficult to move around. Planning sets leaves little real room for improvisation; if a record has been omitted it can't be part of a mix, but you can fit an entire music library on a PC.
Although music collections can develop over time to include a dizzying number of tracks, music management software means that individual songs can be located quickly and easily using minimal information. Finding the right record necessitates physically looking through a box of records.
Travelling becomes much easier for DJs mixing digital files. Successful DJs perform at nightclubs all over the world, and need their music to travel with them. Whereas vinyl had to be flown in the holds of planes, leaving it vulnerable to theft, damage or delay, Digital DJs can keep their DJ equipment and music in their sight at all times.
Yet another advantage of digital DJ equipment is the ease and speed with which the latest music can be found and downloaded. No more trawling through record shop shelves or waiting for deliveries: digital files can be bought and accessed instantly, with just a laptop and an internet connection.
The ability to save several copies of tracks again protects a DJ from losing music, as well as being able to play the same track simultaneously on two decks. The only way to achieve this with vinyl is to purchase two copies. As with many cultural forms, both vinyl and digital have their fans, and while digital DJ equipment is surely more practical and less expensive, the debate is sure to grumble on for some time yet.
Digital DJ equipment does offer some significant benefits: music files can be stored in enormous quantities on a computer or hard drive. Records are bulky, heavy and fragile, making them difficult to move around. Planning sets leaves little real room for improvisation; if a record has been omitted it can't be part of a mix, but you can fit an entire music library on a PC.
Although music collections can develop over time to include a dizzying number of tracks, music management software means that individual songs can be located quickly and easily using minimal information. Finding the right record necessitates physically looking through a box of records.
Travelling becomes much easier for DJs mixing digital files. Successful DJs perform at nightclubs all over the world, and need their music to travel with them. Whereas vinyl had to be flown in the holds of planes, leaving it vulnerable to theft, damage or delay, Digital DJs can keep their DJ equipment and music in their sight at all times.
Yet another advantage of digital DJ equipment is the ease and speed with which the latest music can be found and downloaded. No more trawling through record shop shelves or waiting for deliveries: digital files can be bought and accessed instantly, with just a laptop and an internet connection.
The ability to save several copies of tracks again protects a DJ from losing music, as well as being able to play the same track simultaneously on two decks. The only way to achieve this with vinyl is to purchase two copies. As with many cultural forms, both vinyl and digital have their fans, and while digital DJ equipment is surely more practical and less expensive, the debate is sure to grumble on for some time yet.
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