What you have to realise first is that there is an _absolute_ limit of the
sound quality on CDs: 44.1 Khz. With analogue formats, it is possible to be
precise to a molecular level, so the sound quality can genuinely approach
perfection. If the energy wasted on hyping digital formats was used on
advancing analogue technology then the potential for better quality sound
would be far greater. Lukey said vinyl technology has not advanced since the
1970s; this is because it is being phased out. If it was not being phased
out then the technology would have advanced.
When it comes to DJing vinyl is preferable to CD for numerous reasons, but
the most important reason (to me) is that a double CD player with pitch bend
is a lot more expensive than a pair of decks. If CDs were the
exclusive format for DJs then money would take precedence over talent
as all DJs would have to be able to afford such an expensive piece of
equipment. This would effectively kill underground electronic music
as the separation between the DJ and the crowd would become vast. Another
important reason is that there are indeed a great deal of releases that are
out on vinyl only, and there is not as much underground music on CD.
I`m not convinced that machines which could mix automatically for a DJ are
too bad an idea. Look at the arguments about "real" instruments vs
electronic ones: "real" musicians say that they are the only ones with
genuine talent because they can actually play, while we say that the music
is more important than the means by which it`s produced. Electronic music
removes the need for someone to have the dexterity to play an instrument for
them to be considered a musician.
If DJs object to a machine which mixes automatically they are being just as
conservative as these "real" musicians. Such a machine would take DJing to a
higher and more creative level than just mixing. On the other hand, though,
it could kill off DJs in the same way as electronics could kill off music (I
mean; anyone with a 303 + 909 making records, algorithmic music, music
composed and produced by computers). It`s a complex issue...
I`m sure that Irdial would have a lot to say on the subject.
Brendan Nelson
Lost transmission from Cowley