Sorry, but someone placing their sole reliance on a computer to do all the work for them, can’t then blame the computer when it goes wrong, especially when there are alternatives to avoid it that just happen to involve time invested and skills to learn.
Or they can blame the computer if they’re a narcissist who refuses to accept responsibility for anything, and people like me will continue to chuckle at them for not being prepared.
However I agree with your point about the industry (and demanding DJs) have created the monster.
Agreed (with Stu). Using the car analogy again, if you learn in an auto then you’re only permitted to drive an auto. Learn the traditional skills and you have the choice of auto or stick.
Put someone who relies on beatgrids, sync, BPM readouts and hot cues in front of kit that doesn’t have it, and can they cope?
Slightly off topic here (car analogy again). My partner has a manual geared TT and I have an Auto Q5. The Q5 is obviously a lovely car to drive and the auto makes it easy to get around.
However last bank holiday after over 3yrs of driving the auto I took us out in the TT around the Yorkshire Dales and it was liberating, so much more engaging to drive.
I think the same applies to DJing, manual mixing is more engaging. I also think it helps you get into the music and feel it more. I think staring at a screen and using visual cues and software aides to mix, disassociates you from the actual music.
When i read threads where young DJs are struggling with phrasing or knowing when to mix etc, I think this disassociation has a lot to do with it, they aren’t getting 100% focused on the track and how it plays out. I know there are old 90s rave tracks that I don’t hear for 25/30 years and I still know them inside out from just listening to them over and over.
The software and tech is great, but it’s also taking away a lot of elements of the craft that make it rewarding and give you that buzz, a buzz you can only achieve when you’ve nailed a mix yourself.
I hear you both and I agree. But the reality is, most ppl who consider themselves “DJs” in 2026 are heavily reliant on the bells and whistles. Thats just the way it is.
And that comes from the companies opening up the industry to just about anyone who can afford a $200 controller. Once that door was opened a bunch of ppl who weren’t passionate about the history, culture, and art of DJing were able to dominate.
And that dominance has brought these companies a lot of money and kept their lights on. So that’s the demographic that’s gonna get the most attention.
I’m willing to bet, these companies make more money off the “I need the computer to do all the work for me” type of DJs, than the passionate DJs who are in it for the love of the game.
Your FLX4 & WeGo DJs are running the show now fellas…1200’s DJs are on the back burner.
I just hope that the situation at Coachella with that DJ has opened a lot of eyes about relying on software. And the fact she went full narcissist and decided to blame one of her entourage for not prepping her tracks properly.
It all looked incredibly embarrassing.
DJing needs a bit of a reset imo, get back to basics and back to what we all fell in love with in the first place. Did you say Fred Again and Bangalter do that gig? That’s what it’s all about and I hope that’s what people take inspiration from.
Yeah saw that myself, I grew really fond of her attitude watching it. She is the type who will help keep it real, there seems to be loads of people popping up who want to give vinyl or DVS a blast on turntables.
Bro, Ive been seeing so many all vinyl sets on YT lately! Its Great!
Miss Behavior did an amazing 45 set at the Listening Room last month:
Not gonna lie though, I took a long break from spinning records due to having a family..and seeing the stems technology involved, inspired me to come back. So all the new tech isn’t all bad. Lol
I’ve got a healthy mixture of both tech and old skool. Got around 400 x 45s and im about to pick up a DJM-450 in preparation of getting some RP7’s for a final boss 7” setup.
You seen that young lad Da Lukas? He’s doing loads of old skool vinyl sets and Kirrolus too.
That sounds dope! I’ve seen some really nice 7” setups online. Mojaxx has a really nice setup
I sold all my analog gear years ago, but thankfully kept about 600-700 records from my 2000+ record collection I accumulated over the years. I was looking at getting a pair of decks and looking at the DJM250 or the Reloop PTB2 just so I can get back into my vinyl collection.
Defo worth getting man, even some Reloop decks if you’re on a budget will do the job. I’ve still got my original 1210s from 2002
The DJ is called Grimes who messed up, was all over socials when it happened, she had some DnB track analysed at half tempo or something and didn’t use headphones when mixing and mixed it in
I’m curious to see how NI pans out after this acquisition and how fast they’ll catch up and If this will be their chance to blaze some new trails in the DJ software market like they did back in the day.
I think this industry will eventually go down the same path as the mobile phone market…the tech gets so good that all you’ll start to see is small incremental updates at some point
Regardless of some of the downfalls of the DJ tech world, these companies have done a great job at keeping DJing alive… it’s amazing to see the explosion of innovation on the hardware side that’s been in response to the software innovations
Overall, I think it’s a beautiful thing to see unfold and witness all of the levels of creativity coming from DJs over the past few years because they have all these new tools to utilize
My one hope as we progress, is to see more companies take after Algoriddim and keep that healthy balance of business and maintaining the love for the art!
I’d like to see more iPad apps from others, and also more USB-C PD support, and the golden egg a fully standalone DVS mixer, like a middle section of the system one
I just watched this. Mannnn, that was so cringey. lol.
trying to explain to the audience about sync issues when they are completely clueless about how software and hardware work???…they’re just there to party and have a good time…
I don’t call myself a DJ and as a 80’s baby who did graffiti, breakdanced, made beats, and dabbled in rhyming, actual DJing somehow alluded me although growing up in the Bay Area I did have the privilege of either being friends or being in a circle of friends of some of the best DJ’s in the world.
That being said, as somewhat of a tech nerd djay pro software has opened up a whole new world to me and got me to move past the initial draw of the automix feature, which I used heavily for on the fly gym mixes, to actually learning dj fundamentals and went on a adventure of trying out many OLD controllers but because of djay pro, just because they were old, the more I learned, the more I realized these old controllers were just as capable as some of these new controllers including the FLX 4 and Wego4. The wego 4 is still one of the funnest controllers I’ve used especially with an iPad.
Again I don’t call myself a DJ but when I have played music around people and blending with djay pro, utilizing all the cheat codes that djay pro provides, people have referenced me as someone who can “DJ”.
Yeah bro Im with you. I’m not knocking $200 controller DJs at all. My definition of a DJ is someone who’s competent at track selection and knows how to read their crowd to keep the party rocking.
I’m thankful for the way DJ companies have opened up the market in order to keep their doors open. There’s just not enough “1200’s” DJs to keep the money flowing to keep these businesses afloat. Very smart business move in my opinion.
I’d much rather see the current industry evolve the way it has been, than the art completely die because lack of revenue stifles innovation
I respect the fact you don’t want to call yourself a DJ, but if you can rock a crowd and your guests have the time of their life due to your song selection and timing… Then In my book you’re a DJ.
I’ve seen DJs with $5000+ worth of gear completely suck…and I’ve seen DJs with a $250 Numark Platinum FX completely kill it. So whatever tools you choose to use, I’m definitely not gonna knock you.
As long as the art of DJing stays alive and thriving I’m a happy camper.
