
As I post the tenth mix from Laguna Bar, it seems a good time to reflect on my current djing style. I use Torq and Trigger finger, no turntables, no external mixer, no vynil. It’s a real talking point and divides opinion. After I explain what’s what in the digital age, most people leave looking impressed and certainly are more knolwedgable about the way things are being done today.
But, am I a better dj than I was before I switched? I can certainly do more things, i.e loops, effects, adding samples… but has my mixing improved?
Nowdays, I seach for tunes on my computer by opening folders and seaching.. mostly by tempo.. so in some respects my mixes have become more fluid. It is however, hard to emulate the level of control of an external mixer with Torq’s (admittedly very good) internal mixer.
Another downside to not having vynil is that I became expert at beatmatching and adjusting the tables if the tunes went out of sync. Torq’s internal beat matcher is reasonably accurate, but I’m not mad keen on adjusting the mix while in the mix by clicking a button on the screen, it’s just not the same. I do program my Trigger Finger to control this, but again, it’s not a record platter.
The upside is that i can use loops, effects, and cue points.. all very powerful and creative.
I could talk all day about this, if anyone is reading (and stats say there are a handful of visitors a day) please pass comment. My conclusion is I’m probably not a better dj since I switched, just different… but this is a nice little mix and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.
Roll over the graphic at the top of this post to stream, or right click here to download
Tracklisting: 1. Quantic: Ticket to know where 2. Quantic: An announcement to answer 3. Quantic: Blow your horn 4. Mark Rae: Mind body and soul 5. The Bamboos: Tongan steel 6. The new mastersounds: Retun to Gigon (Aiff rmx) 7. Rae & Christian: Anything U want 8. Jean Grae: It’s alright 9. The Roots: Don’t feel right 10. Paris: Espace from Babylon 11. Danny Breaks: Bionik Skratch 12. Jazzy Jeff: Whats wrong 13. Rae & Christian: Spellbound 14. Contour: Somatic 15. Contour: It’s you 16. Kubiks & Lomax: Trading places17. Henree: So nasty 18. Roy Ayres: Everybody loves the sunshine 19. Snow Patrol: Chasing cars
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