Does turntable mixing define a DJ or can a computer DJ rock the house just
as hard? Nowadays, there are several types of equipment that a DJ (Disc Jockey)
can use to rock a party. Unlike twenty years ago with turntables and vinyl records,
today there are CD players, MIDI controllers, software programs, and turntables
connected to programs like Serato Scratch Live and Traktor Scratch that can be used
for performances. A lot of DJs have different opinions about this matter. Some feel
that sticking with turntables is the way to go because real DJs use wax (vinyl), and
some feel that keeping up with technology is evolution (some call it a revolution). The
majority of DJs have moved to Serato or Traktor along with a laptop or Mac book (to
store music and run the program), which is controlled by turntables. This option has
enabled the DJ to take advantage of all the above, and also get rid of the countless
amounts back breaking crates filled with vinyl, or encyclopedia size CD collections
(no comparison in weight to the crates), that have to be lugged around to each gig.
To make an educated decision about which program to use, Serato Scratch Live VS
Traktor Scratch, the DJ must consider some of the functions he/she may desire to have
while performing, such as video mixing and/or audio mixing, music production or
music manipulation, and sound effects.
One function DJs may consider adding to their performance is video DJing. Since
Mtv and VH1 arrived, music videos have become a huge part of our culture, and it
was inevitable that the DJ would incorporate videos into their set. Now enters the
VJ (Video Jockey). Serato has a video software plug-in which adds the ability to
playback and mix video files with turntables. There are several controls in the plug- in that allow videos to be mixed with a variety of transitions, and effects that can be