Scratching

DJRELAXDJRELAX 452 Posts
edited October 2014 in Strut Central
So I've been away from the "turntabilisim" game for a long while, but recently caught Melo D and D Styles on a Internet radio show and they blew my mind.



Been listening/scratching like a motherfucker lately. Listening to my Klams of Deth 12" right now. Scratch music seems to get better as I get older, weird. Maybe it is more accessible to me now to duplicate these scratches, IDK?

So who/what should i be checking for that is relevant? Gonna go see Qbert in November, been more than 10 years since I saw him last, should be fun. Wonder if I will be the old guy there?
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  • strataspherestratasphere Blastin' the Nasty 1,035 Posts



    Check out the Dj Craze video in the Dope thread.

  • serch4beatzserch4beatz Switzerland 521 Posts

  • #txscratchleague on instagram for that real schit.

  • billbradleybillbradley You want BBQ sauce? Get the fuck out of my house. 2,885 Posts
    DJ Craze calls out EDM DJs


  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    This one always blows my mind/motivates me/makes me want to quit:


  • dj_cityboydj_cityboy 1,459 Posts
    serch4beatz said:

    damn man....i musta watched this shit jillions of times already, Sara owns Qbert imho, those stabs are as lethal as Shortkuts, such a dope video to gain inspiration from on so many levels..

  • billbradley said:
    DJ Craze calls out EDM DJs


    I love Craze and all, but there was a lot of buttons being pushed in this video.

  • JectWon said:
    This one always blows my mind/motivates me/makes me want to quit:

    there you go!! goddamn

  • prof_rockwell said:
    billbradley said:
    DJ Craze calls out EDM DJs


    I love Craze and all, but there was a lot of buttons being pushed in this video.

    ^This.

  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    Tom Doc Delay said:
    JectWon said:
    This one always blows my mind/motivates me/makes me want to quit:

    there you go!! goddamn

    Dem autobahns are some facemelt....

  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    prof_rockwell said:
    billbradley said:
    DJ Craze calls out EDM DJs


    I love Craze and all, but there was a lot of buttons being pushed in this video.

    I think that was the point; based off the comedy sample played in the beginning (about button pushing etc.) and what he did after that. I think he was trying to provide an example of someone displaying skill with some of the newest dj equipment. He certainly wasn't trying to appeal to the 'keep it real' heads...

  • dayday 9,612 Posts



  • scebasceba 122 Posts
    Nothing wrong with using mixers or maschine or something to trigger samples if digital deejaying is your thing. He also had a sample there that was already cut up, but whatever. It's 2014 and a lot of the old purist rules are out the window. He definitely did his thing. Clean execution, good set. Pretty wack beats and samples IMO tho.

    The thing is, that the turntable is a really clumsy instrument. That's why a lot of the old sets are so sloppy. You have to practise craaaaaazy hours to get to that level and it's still musically unlistenable. I think turntablism, or whatever you want to call it, was pretty much taken to its technical limit with Q-Bert and that type of stuff. Then people like D-Styles, Mike Boo and Ricci Rucker did their musical stuff with effect pedals and the sort. That kind of made the scratch solo wanking look dumb and people started to do more compositional stuff with scratching. Then I think a lot of cats just came to the conclusion that it's just easier to learn to play keys, use drum maschines or use the computer to get better results, than banging your head on the wall trying to play the saxophone on a turntable or something and that killed the scene.

    There seems to be a bit of a revitalisation in the scratch scene and I think that's great. I think the new Rane mixer with the cupoint buttons looks butt-ugly, but If it inspires these guys to do creative sets more power tothem. I think it's great to see OG dudes like Craze take the stuff further, and if that comes with embracing new technology and breaking "perceived" rules so be it. Also there's nothing inherently wrong with pushing buttons. One could argue that's what playing an instrument is. The point was that "real deejaying" is live.

    Personally I'd rather watch/listen to a techno vinyl set or a dj playing reggae 7" or something than watch scratch videos all day but I still enjoy checking this stuff out. The cats out the bag with this digital deejaying technology, so why not use it. Anyone can be a deejay buy buying serato (or more likely a controller nowadays) and torrenting a top-100 list, but you can still stand out if you dedicate yourself, practise and have respect for the craft. That doesn't mean everyone needs to be a scratch deejay, but it's just ridiculous what some of these EDM deejays and new jacks get away with. And I think the point was that there's a difference.


  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    sceba said:
    Nothing wrong with using mixers or maschine or something to trigger samples if digital deejaying is your thing.

    Yeah...I think it's all about knowing if someone is using their equipment as a tool or as a crutch. It's like porn...difficult to define but you know it when you see it. Plus, whenever people get too purist about DJ'ing...I can't help but think 'that is the same line of thinking that people who thought played instruments used against DJ's bitd...if you like it, you like it; get loose.

    sceba said:
    He also had a sample there that was already cut up, but whatever.

    I think I know what you are talking about and technically, I think he was applying a timed/rhythmic on-off effect to the left deck via the mixer which he could trigger or de trigger...essentially the same thing but a bit different, as well.

    --

    Overall, I dig and agree with everything you say and sincerely appreciate your input on this. I just feel people should do whatever they want and hopefully they are using their gear as a tool and not a crutch.

    B/W

    Never forget:


  • scebasceba 122 Posts
    I wrote a better articulated text but it disappeared as I had some problems with the new forums (which look good BTW) and need to get some sleep, but I'll leave you with a video from Dj 2tall, who does music as Om Unit nowadays and could be seen as an example of the musical scratch era who later progressed on to other un-scratchy stuff.


  • caicai spacecho 362 Posts
    Hey I have a question for you scratch guys:

    I bought Serato about 6 years ago and my controller vinyl feel like 180g.. they're like tombstones to scratch with.

    Are there some more "regular" weight control vinyl (normal bendy 12" weight) available? And lets just say I bought them off ebay, how would I know that I am not buying some ol' tombstones again? Is there an identifier in the product description? What should I look for?

    Thanks in advance

  • scebasceba 122 Posts
    JectWon said:
    Plus, whenever people get too purist about DJ'ing...I can't help but think 'that is the same line of thinking that people who thought played instruments used against DJ's bitd...if you like it, you like it; get loose.

    ^this.

    JectWon said:
    I think I know what you are talking about and technically, I think he was applying a timed/rhythmic on-off effect to the left deck via the mixer which he could trigger or de trigger...essentially the same thing but a bit different, as well.

    Woops, missed that.

    JectWon said:
    Overall, I dig and agree with everything you say and sincerely appreciate your input on this. I just feel people should do whatever they want and hopefully they are using their gear as a tool and not a crutch.

    Thanks, and agreed.

    I still got to say for me it's weird to watch battles with all the new tech. I personally think it's better suited for showcases and live stuff, but it's a new day and age and I don't think there's any other way battles could continue to exist in any remotely popular way.

    If we are posting craze sets, this one holds a special place in my heart:




  • dayday 9,612 Posts
    cai said:
    Hey I have a question for you scratch guys:

    I bought Serato about 6 years ago and my controller vinyl feel like 180g.. they're like tombstones to scratch with.

    Are there some more "regular" weight control vinyl (normal bendy 12" weight) available? And lets just say I bought them off ebay, how would I know that I am not buying some ol' tombstones again? Is there an identifier in the product description? What should I look for?

    Thanks in advance

    Yeah, I primarily DJ with Serato and all their current vinyl (minus maybe the heavy duty one's like the Obey and Hundred's pressings) are good to go like normal records. *this is where I plug my Serato pressing*

    You might also want to update the firmware. It's changed a million times over since '08.

  • DJRELAXDJRELAX 452 Posts
    That Precision set was dope, he can scratch switch!

    I like the Craze one too, I am a fan of the new technology. Im still rocking a SL1 on a G3 ibook, nice to see what can be done with the new technology. Im a fan of both the old and the new.

    Keep them coming. Who are those kids dad in the Qbert video? Insane how dope they both were!

  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    Speaking of serato scratching. Anyone notice slight lag when getting ultra precise with cuts? I notice that if I'm trying to do the most intricate shit I can possibly pull off, it seems to be easier if I just get a a legit scratch record and avoid the lag that comes with serato...it's so minimal but can make a world of difference when practicing. Would love the Strut's advice on this....

  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    sceba said:
    JectWon said:
    Plus, whenever people get too purist about DJ'ing...I can't help but think 'that is the same line of thinking that people who thought played instruments used against DJ's bitd...if you like it, you like it; get loose.

    ^this.

    JectWon said:
    I think I know what you are talking about and technically, I think he was applying a timed/rhythmic on-off effect to the left deck via the mixer which he could trigger or de trigger...essentially the same thing but a bit different, as well.

    Woops, missed that.

    JectWon said:
    Overall, I dig and agree with everything you say and sincerely appreciate your input on this. I just feel people should do whatever they want and hopefully they are using their gear as a tool and not a crutch.

    Thanks, and agreed.

    I still got to say for me it's weird to watch battles with all the new tech. I personally think it's better suited for showcases and live stuff, but it's a new day and age and I don't think there's any other way battles could continue to exist in any remotely popular way.

    If we are posting craze sets, this one holds a special place in my heart:




    Yeah, it's interesting to see how the technology has kind of fucked up the battles. I think (when it comes to the battles) they should always have an emphasis on just keeping it 2 decks and a mixer....I mean, loop pedals have been around much longer than the serato but no legit battle scene incorporated them into the real battles bitd, that I can think of. For me, the battles will always just be 'look at what this fucking bad ass nerd can do with 2 decks and a mixer...no effects...no looping capabilities...just records'. Thats just me, though...I know this thought process will be eclipsed by the next generation.


  • JectWonJectWon (@_@) 1,654 Posts
    sceba said:


    Goddammit...where is the facemelt greamlin when you need it?!?

  • caicai spacecho 362 Posts
    day said:
    Yeah, I primarily DJ with Serato and all their current vinyl (minus maybe the heavy duty one's like the Obey and Hundred's pressings) are good to go like normal records. *this is where I plug my Serato pressing*

    You might also want to update the firmware. It's changed a million times over since '08.

    Thanks for the reply Day. Much appreciated!

  • DJRELAXDJRELAX 452 Posts
    day said:
    cai said:
    Hey I have a question for you scratch guys:

    I bought Serato about 6 years ago and my controller vinyl feel like 180g.. they're like tombstones to scratch with.

    Are there some more "regular" weight control vinyl (normal bendy 12" weight) available? And lets just say I bought them off ebay, how would I know that I am not buying some ol' tombstones again? Is there an identifier in the product description? What should I look for?

    Thanks in advance

    Yeah, I primarily DJ with Serato and all their current vinyl (minus maybe the heavy duty one's like the Obey and Hundred's pressings) are good to go like normal records. *this is where I plug my Serato pressing*

    You might also want to update the firmware. It's changed a million times over since '08.

    Damn! I just bought a set of clear control vinyl V2 on Turntablelab. Ill be looking for a new set if they are not up to satisfaction.

    I agree about the lag in SSL, thought it was because of my 2004 setup, figure it should better with the newer technology. Am I wrong? How can D Styles hang if not?


  • DJ IQ is killin it. The homie Mr. Ceradan is next level. The Hza from Texas puts it down. Dj Manwell goes in.

  • DuderonomyDuderonomy Haut de la Garenne 7,778 Posts
    day said:
    *this is where I plug my Serato pressing*

    So that's where the remixes went!

    b/w

    As much as I love scratching, for me it's always best as part of a track.


  • The problem with pushing buttons is it doesn’t sound very good, it’s not very clever & it was taken to it’s zenith thirty years ago.



    I expect the people who advocate it have no problem with any of those issues.

    ‘I’m doing it man, look at me i’m doing it!’


  • Easy all. Been a while since I was around these parts. I never got enough RAERS to make the grade, it always felt like. Nice to see some conversations about cutting. Can't let this post go by without a mention for the Holmes, Jon 1st, who dropped this video a few days ago:


  • DuderonomyDuderonomy Haut de la Garenne 7,778 Posts
    waximilien said:
    Easy all. Been a while since I was around these parts. I never got enough RAERS to make the grade, it always felt like. Nice to see some conversations about cutting. Can't let this post go by without a mention for the Holmes, Jon 1st, who dropped this video a few days ago:


    Skills!

  • Yeah man, definitely pushing the envelope as far as incorporating the things you do with digital vinyl systems.

    On a purely scratch-related front, I'm one of the judges for this years Digital Vertigo scratch battle. This is the round that just finished:



    Having to pick between Chinmachine & Jesuskut, Jimmy Penguin & Symatic, Chmielix & Dopez, and Biox & Redmist was not an easy undertaking at all.
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