You were my first ever DJ teacher 14 years ago...I'm so happy you are still uploading videos 14 years later - thank you.

sorry for the video being the wrong way round..... it's an iphone!

I don't know how I put music together, it just happens and feels right.

Knowledge is KEY!… I’ve been listening to music for around 50 years now. (I’m 61) mixing for over 40 years…..used cassettes and vinyl & now digital with a DDJ 800. It’s been easy because I have a style and grew up buying and collecting music… this gives you the understanding of how music works and sounds. I’m mainly into soul, funk & disco and love the Philly sound. Understanding a genre of music gives you this knowledge and you can’t just chuck a loada tunes on and mix them even if you know how the software works and to me this is why I hear terrible DJs these days mixing tunes that are just popular with out This Knowledge. Often I have to explain to folks that there play lists suck big time, WHY?….. because they just play without doing the home work! So age in my case has been a gift. To play without using fancy filters and stupid echo effects in every song and to see folks smiling and giving them memory’s of what they love to hear again comes back to knowledge. The time I spend putting my sets together is never a chore, it’s fun and sometime i smile to myself because I can pull out a song and the memory hits me of the time I first heard the tune. So I believe your short video is right… DJs play music… music from the heart & music from the soul…. But you have to have this knowledge in order to be able to do this. 💖

I use vinyl for those times you just cannot get the favourite tracks on Digital. Use both, both are great.

Mad respect for your teaching skills -- you cut to the chase and break it down for everyone to follow. Why is this so rare?? Hahaha

I think you are spot on. With the overwhelming amount of songs available online to download at a price much cheaper than records or CDs it's easy to think you need every song for every situation and before you know it.... you have too many songs that you don't know "the musical content of" as you put it. I've been guilty of this. I'm currently trying to refine my knowledge of my own collection to combat this problem.

Absolutely well said sir keep up the great content

I totally agree with this . I don't understand why many djs nowadays feels like the equipment is what makes them a good DJ, its total BS in my eyes . I've moved on from using software and I'm using CDs now , and I'm starting to enjoy it alot more as I have to listen to the song to match the BPM but also I'm learning the song and feeling it as well and I can structure the flow of a set better . I would like to point out that if a DJ has the skills and the knowledge on mixing music and can keep the dancefloor busy then that's what make them a DJ not the equipment that's being used . I mean we have all these state of the art controllers and software and DJs can do weird and wonderful tricks on them but at the end of the day every single DJ system does the same thing which is play music . So if a DJ a rock a crowd and that dancefloor is busy then thats what I call a DJ 😃

Very inspiring. Thank you 😊

You are 100% correct there johnathan. Its always about the music not, the gear. Great video 👍👍

Best pieces of advice as usual!

I agree with you, I like armonic mixing and master tempo is always active for me, I Do like studying and creating the flow..... Ciao

Arranging a DJ set is like putting 500 piece jigsaw puzzle together. Or trying to get all 8 sides of the Rubic's Cube. In other words.. It's hard.

Very good..and straight to the point.

I started out on a controller and have since bought turntables and am building my vinyl collection. I agree it’s all about the song choice and I also agree about key sync and master tempo. On a controller I’d think nothing about mixing tracks that had a wide BPM difference. Now that I’m using vinyl I can understand where the musical knowledge comes from. It’s tough if you don’t use the tools but also more rewarding and will make you a better DJ in the long run.

I've thought this for a very long time. Pretty much agree with everything there

Awesome vid mate x

I started mixing without master tempo yesterday, hiding bpm as well, and it's way more fun! Selection is 80% , then it's all about how you FEEL the music

Thank you! That's it!!!❤️❤️❤️ I agree whit you!!

I agree with your points in this video. DJ Controllers and Software get a bad rep because of the Sync Button that a lot of DJ's rely on. I believe there is more skill involved with mixing a set on Vinyl and miss my 1210's like hell. I enjoyed trying to beat match as quickly and as accurately as I could where I was able to beat match tracks within 40 seconds of starting or at least getting damn close enough to mix the tracks for a good amount of time. Ultimately as you said in this video, it comes down to playing tracks but being able to keep a flow going.

Times are hard lol....state of that carpet and that 1984 looking kitchen !

You are absolutely right 👍

100%...im 49 been djing since late 80s so grew up on vinyl... I now use everything as I believe a Dj needs to be able to use whatever is in front of him...BEAT MATCHING IS BEING A DJ. Went out last weekend and you could tell the dj was lost....clearly when at home with sync/ key lock on he sounds the plums.. but it was clear he didn't know how to beat match as it sounded terrible and the mixer was analogue!!! Once a dj can beat match I see no shame using sync etc.... But learn the basics first if u cant beat sync you aint a dj .

I used all sorts of technology.. vinyl, controller, CDJs.. BUT.. none of these digital devices can give me this satisfying feeling of manipulating a vinyl record with my own hands... so I stick with Timecode and Traktor, when I want to play songs that aren´t on vinyl.

I've seen a DJ play music from Casette tapes.... still rocked the party. I don't care what you do up there as long as you get people on the dancefloor

Your completely right Johnathan. It doesn't matter how technically good a djs or havin the best gear is if his tune selection and understanding of what to put together isnt right. Some of the best mixing I had ever done was when I had a cheap pair of direct drives turntables and a basic 2channel mixer, most of all I enjoyed it and had fun. More gadgets and greater technology doesn't always mean better or a more enjoyable experience for the DJ.

2:09 best part . love it !! :)

Well said 100% agreed

Ellaskin your the man

Real DJs don't use vinyl... but (!) real DJs dig deep for their music. Everybody can throw together the beatport top5. But the most interesting sets are the ones where you hear stuff you have never heard before but is so good you're in awe. Vinyl naturally helps with that as in a record store you will find stuff that an algorithm will never suggest. But it is possible to achieve with digital too if you dig deep enough.

I agree but I like to use all the features at my disposal so I know my tools to remix on the fly. Master tempo is a tool

"It's got to be done! BWAHAHAHAHA!" He's right, it had to be done...

Real Cats DJ with Vinyl, People play music (Fact)

been saying this argument for ages you can pack a floor with a controller as much as turntables, good tunes and transitions

I was just thinking this today, when djs were obsessed with music, not Technology.. 😀

I totally agree

Like yourself, there's nothing I haven't used over the years. Tape decks and all. I've never agreed with the real djs play vinyl nonsense. It's usually non djs that say it funnily enough. I'm lucky enough to have my ideal setup now which involves Denon Sc6000s, a Xone DB4 and mint mk2 1210s. I mainly use the Denons but occasionally decide to do a vinyl set and even my viewers seem to always prefer it due to some weird sub conscious bias. But it's all music choice as far as I'm concerned, you gain a natural ability over the years as to how to make a set flow and track choice as you go

Spot on, it's all about the song selection. Sister asked me if I knew any DJs? I was like I'll do it for free as it was her wedding. She then said "but your not a real DJ are you as you use a computer) even though I play to up to 13000 people a night using a laptop and a mixer...sometimes I go straight into the PA and just use the software if I need to mix which you don't really have to do as she wanted 80's rock songs. I didn't bother doing it. she paid £400 quid for a "real DJ" and guess what....he turned up with a fucking laptop lol.

No more of a correct set statements could have been made… Flow is just about everything when it comes down to it. Now, knowing your music library is equally important also. You can be all over the place as long as you keep things right & tight! A dance floor can tell you many things as a DJ, but musical knowledge and the ability to mix tracks correctly will keep you sort after. Great episode Jonathan!

Hello from Old djs from Ukraine

So true 👍

The Northern Soul Scene must be the most conservative vinyl-only culture. For the cream of the crop: Original vinyl. 7". Choice of rare tracks with the right beat and feel, some of them beyond £500 a piece. Educated picks to keep an educated crowd marveling by teaching them unknown goodies. All fueled by nought but a deep passion for the music. Might sound pretentious, but really it's a Labour of love, composed and dished out with great skill, knowledge and pride, served especially for the present audience. Devotion all 'round. Lovin' it.

Bloody cool with the cat

I agree

Yep end of the day it's not based on the format you use but how good you are with the music. Like any profession just because use so so tools does not mean your better. Well as you say in this great vid. In my younger age I never had fancy Technics decks but I got to learn it all. Mind you further on in time with help of some your vids I got to understand beatmatching more as no one ever showed me. Now when I do a set everyone loves it no one says it's rubbish. So just goes to show mainly knowledge and learning from others not the gear. I even mixed just using mouse when I first went digital dj hehe. But better gear can help. Another thing I noticed too is if you started off on real budget gear and your able to do great mixes with it. You kind of started off harder way but when you get better gear it can help even more. So if you can do good on real basic gear then your on a winner. Only thing I never really got good from vinyl but having said that I learned how the principal of vinyl works. Just I went digital controller.

Dj's within hip hop should use vinyl to learn that ish it takes to be a dope hip hop dj then transition to digital

I mix d&b on vinyl, never used a controller how different is it?

Yeah when i begun too DJ , i,ll played with a pair Tascam 122 decks a pair Technics SL3210,s and a Rodec mk180 mixer, these days i'll play with a allen&heath Xzone92 , 3 Technics SL1210GR,s and a pair Pioneer CDJ850's but that is personaly where you playing the best with, but for the people where the DJ plays with, the people dont gives a **** off IT, when the music,s good than is IT for the people good

Thay was a good video..but could have been catastrophe.....(I shall get my coat)

Agree

".......a very long time, first Records i spun were Stone Tablets xD"

Real DJ's do not record video mirrored 😛

play the right shit at the right time that's all you need to do

Knowledge, first and foremost. I started at school aged 13 I'm 64 and a Beatles Song this year. I played Vinyl In the Clubs, and on the Mobile as well. When CD's were more user friendly, We switched to them. But only for a very short time. As the MP3 and Computer software became available to play them. We switched to them. All the time I was building up a Now Massive and Deep Video Library. So as soon as the means to play these came around, We went straight over them, and been doing Vintage Video Roadshow up till now. It's no good You playing 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's music, If someone comes and asks for a track, and You have no Idea what they want. Someone can just mention a track name and I can go straight to It. I have every Chart Entry from the top 100 from 1952 up to 1994 when Vinyl finally submitted to the CD Single. Just love It, It's the best thing ever. I have even had My old Thames 2mk2 fully serviced, and ready for action. All I need now Is a Pair of EV S200's as My S100's are not up to the job no more. Because the Thames 2 Is 150w per Channel. Thanks for Sharing Jonathan.

❤

Hello sir, i want to start djing with turntables and planning to buy pair of omnitronic dd2250 because they are affordable and look good, is it good to start with them?

Real shame spin cats! Lol!

well said. Same as you I started in the 80s, cutting, editing and splicing tapes together to create mixes, then vinyl in the late 80s in my late teens, bel drives, PVS rotaries, PMC 46s, Technics mk3s, Vestax PDXs thru the 90s...the lot. I used super early CD decks in the late 90s but generally nothing BUT Vinyl till about 2014...this whole 'Vinyl only' thing is bollocks, people who think doing a 'Vinyl only' mix is a unique selling point need to wake up, we've been doing 'vinyl only' mixes for 30 years before these fads hit youtube, its not new..to me it says your selection isnt good enough to warrant just selling your mix on its musical merits alone so you need another way to push it... honestly, just work on your knowledge and feel and be known for playing good music, its more than enough, if I watch your youtube video I couldnt give a rats ass what your using, or how good your mixing is if i'm completely honest, i'm just here for the selection, if thats crap..i'm gone. if Kerri Chandler, Ron Trent, Louie Vega, Francois Kevorkian, Richie Hawtin, Robert Hood use CDJs....what does that tell you? Selection is everything, format is just a vehicle for potential.

People think now days mixing is easy and it was back in the day with enough practice.this the thing with old heads/mixing ain’t science ok like a lot djs make out no practice more so it becomes the norm to pitch don’t touch the record even with cdj never touch that wheel always pitch

4 Technic SL DZ1200's and a ARS MODEL 4200 rotary mixer. Would solve the fake dj from pro dj's real quick. No computer or software. Let's see them play for real.

IMO, if you already got a set of dj turntables, stick to it and support the musicians/artists by buying their records. DON'T fall into the money trap of the device manufacturers and buy everything new that they advertise and sell. MOODYMAN in an interview : 'it ain't what you got. it's what you do with what you had. and it ain't what you do. it's how you do it'. vice versa, if you're digital dj. stick with it and let them rich, make the manufacturers rich. support real good music and the (underground) artists. it should be all about the music and having a good time. my forever favourite will be the technics mkII, an analogue dj-mixer and my black gold from the past and the present. unimportant, you're dj or not.

I get where you're coming from but if you've learned everything in digital format but cannot play vinyl at all, to me you're not a dj

cool kittens lol

Disk Jockies can literally play disks. They are called technicians today ok? No disk? Its no longer djing. Just a laptop? Youre a technician. Making music live? You are a live producer entertainer. Rave djs were different and were there to take you on a real spiritual journey, a modern style hippy movement. Something that humans need to return to and leave alcohol out of these raves btw. Either way, i dont feel like im djing when its laptop ir digital. And its already comfirmed by big producers that digital production is heavily responsible for garbage music today. I'll stick to vinyl, as there is some vinyl so rare that you cant get it in digital format

button jockey wish they was disk jockey

I 100% agree with this!